God Is in the Heart of All Beings
Anyone can treat their loved ones with respect. Civilization defines how people deal with others who have opposing interests and views.
Tolerance and non-violence are the most Indian of fundamental concepts. Our shared ancestors resisted urges to use violence or any form of physical force. Mahatma Gandhi showed the world that deep and abiding commitment can thrive with peace alone. He was also extraordinarily gentle and courteous towards his oppressors.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived many generations before the Mahatma. He too preached the path of peace and harmony. It was the same with Mahavir Jain, Lord Gautama Buddha, and the icons of Aryan culture who lived thousands of years before Jesus Christ.
The United States, Canada, most of Latin America, and Israel, are examples of modern nations formed by the forced colonization of occupied lands. Countries such as Japan have forcibly and violently preserved their isolation until their national collapse at the end of World War II.
Europe, including the United Kingdom, stands out in the comity of nations. Many members of the European Union have invaded each other at various points of time. The crusades, colonization, persecution of Jews, and ridicule of Islam, have all originated from this land mass.
South Africa is perhaps the only country that shares India's legacy of peace and tolerance. However, even that bastion of the Southern Hemisphere does not match India in her quintessential spirituality.
Swami Vivekananda has declared that India will lead the world, not materially, but in spirit, not by war, but through peace.
Indians, including the diaspora, have a legacy of tolerance. Just as others nurse their inherited wealth with dedication, so must we live this one of our more than 8 million life cycles.
How can we be tolerant and peaceful? The Living Guru of the Sikhs shows a way. It is a direct command to us from Guru Nanak Dev Ji in person.
We have to revere those who oppose us, insult our beliefs, copy the Gurus we hold so dear, and hurt us in endless ways.
They too, are children of our God.
Tolerance and non-violence are the most Indian of fundamental concepts. Our shared ancestors resisted urges to use violence or any form of physical force. Mahatma Gandhi showed the world that deep and abiding commitment can thrive with peace alone. He was also extraordinarily gentle and courteous towards his oppressors.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived many generations before the Mahatma. He too preached the path of peace and harmony. It was the same with Mahavir Jain, Lord Gautama Buddha, and the icons of Aryan culture who lived thousands of years before Jesus Christ.
The United States, Canada, most of Latin America, and Israel, are examples of modern nations formed by the forced colonization of occupied lands. Countries such as Japan have forcibly and violently preserved their isolation until their national collapse at the end of World War II.
Europe, including the United Kingdom, stands out in the comity of nations. Many members of the European Union have invaded each other at various points of time. The crusades, colonization, persecution of Jews, and ridicule of Islam, have all originated from this land mass.
South Africa is perhaps the only country that shares India's legacy of peace and tolerance. However, even that bastion of the Southern Hemisphere does not match India in her quintessential spirituality.
Swami Vivekananda has declared that India will lead the world, not materially, but in spirit, not by war, but through peace.
Indians, including the diaspora, have a legacy of tolerance. Just as others nurse their inherited wealth with dedication, so must we live this one of our more than 8 million life cycles.
How can we be tolerant and peaceful? The Living Guru of the Sikhs shows a way. It is a direct command to us from Guru Nanak Dev Ji in person.
We have to revere those who oppose us, insult our beliefs, copy the Gurus we hold so dear, and hurt us in endless ways.
They too, are children of our God.
No comments:
Post a Comment