There has never been a time when animals did not eat animals or men did not kill men. This is nature, wherein the operative principle is “I am this body-mind, different from all others and different from the universe that I see”.
But the scriptures of all religions, contrary to the apparent separateness of all beings, teach of a non-dual substratum-source-refuge for the apparent diversity. One example from the Holy Quran will suffice.
In my opinion, it is the nature of human beings to lust for the satiation of "otherness" in a search for "self." From the moment of birth, when we are cut from Mother, we seek to rationalize the trauma of separation. If one is to be "other" ... well, then, one must strive to be BETTER than the alternative. Yet, this has nothing to do with the spiritual dictates put forward by the religions as specified by their Holy texts. However, the interpretation of these texts to and by the masses then takes on the nature of the human beings doing that interpretation, and become profane.
We Hindus, are taught to experience the common existence-consciousness, known as Brahman, immanent through all and yet transcendental to the whole of spacetime. This is non-dual peace. This knowledge is expressed in an Upanishad.
There has never been a time when the man has not hated man and the man has not killed the man. Through history, people have fought wars based on artificial boundaries of man versus man, man versus woman, class versus class, caste versus caste, nation versus nation, and religion versus religion. We know of world wars. We know of socialist revolution/s that intended to correct inequity but that gave rise to coercive rulers and ruling classes. We know of religious minority pogroms in many countries, especially in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and also in India. We know about violence against caste and against women.
Whatever the superficial cause, all violence and hatred stem from the false sense of separateness that we are helplessly bound to because of the very existence of our mind-senses. All sense of hatred stems from the ego-sense “I am this body-mind separate from everything else”.
So. What is the cure for hatred? Can hatred be conquered by hatred? Can violence be conquered by violence? Most Hindus in India burn with indignation about the violence and inequity, and hatred meted out to minority Hindus in Pakistan or Bangladesh. Similarly, many Muslims, if not most, the world over nurse grudge or hatred of other religions. This is such poison that every incidence is generalised in terms of ‘Us versus Them’ and the hatred breeds hatred. Political parties exploit ‘Muslim’ or “Hindu’ terms in their very name. They exploit the heated up sense of nationality. These parties do not teach spirituality. Neither the social gurus who support one or other of these parties dependent on identity politics are working for godly peace on earth.
So. We acknowledge that heinous crimes against humanity, minority, women, people of so-called lower caste are happening daily everywhere. But is the reverse identity politics or nursing hatred ever an answer? I do not think so.
The answer comes from all scriptures. I cite one example from the Gita which teaches:
Recognising, even if intellectually, the common source of “I” making in all fellow humans, and all beings, can get us rid of our instinctive hatred of the other and benefit us all — individually and socially. This is spiritual socialism, in my opinion.
...
But the scriptures of all religions, contrary to the apparent separateness of all beings, teach of a non-dual substratum-source-refuge for the apparent diversity. One example from the Holy Quran will suffice.
Holy Quran 2.213. Mankind were one community, and Allah sent (unto them) Prophets as bearers of good tidings and as warners, and revealed therewith the Scripture with the truth that mankind might judge concerning that herein they differed. And unto whom (the Scripture) was given differed only through hatred one of another. And Allah by His will guided those who believe unto the truth of that concerning which they differed. Allah guideth whom He will unto a straight path.
In my opinion, it is the nature of human beings to lust for the satiation of "otherness" in a search for "self." From the moment of birth, when we are cut from Mother, we seek to rationalize the trauma of separation. If one is to be "other" ... well, then, one must strive to be BETTER than the alternative. Yet, this has nothing to do with the spiritual dictates put forward by the religions as specified by their Holy texts. However, the interpretation of these texts to and by the masses then takes on the nature of the human beings doing that interpretation, and become profane.
We Hindus, are taught to experience the common existence-consciousness, known as Brahman, immanent through all and yet transcendental to the whole of spacetime. This is non-dual peace. This knowledge is expressed in an Upanishad.
Isha Upanishad
6. He who sees all beings in the Self and the Self in all beings, he never turns away from It (the Self).
7. He who perceives all beings as the Self for him how can there be delusion or grief, when he sees this oneness (everywhere)?
6. He who sees all beings in the Self and the Self in all beings, he never turns away from It (the Self).
7. He who perceives all beings as the Self for him how can there be delusion or grief, when he sees this oneness (everywhere)?
There has never been a time when the man has not hated man and the man has not killed the man. Through history, people have fought wars based on artificial boundaries of man versus man, man versus woman, class versus class, caste versus caste, nation versus nation, and religion versus religion. We know of world wars. We know of socialist revolution/s that intended to correct inequity but that gave rise to coercive rulers and ruling classes. We know of religious minority pogroms in many countries, especially in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and also in India. We know about violence against caste and against women.
Whatever the superficial cause, all violence and hatred stem from the false sense of separateness that we are helplessly bound to because of the very existence of our mind-senses. All sense of hatred stems from the ego-sense “I am this body-mind separate from everything else”.
So. What is the cure for hatred? Can hatred be conquered by hatred? Can violence be conquered by violence? Most Hindus in India burn with indignation about the violence and inequity, and hatred meted out to minority Hindus in Pakistan or Bangladesh. Similarly, many Muslims, if not most, the world over nurse grudge or hatred of other religions. This is such poison that every incidence is generalised in terms of ‘Us versus Them’ and the hatred breeds hatred. Political parties exploit ‘Muslim’ or “Hindu’ terms in their very name. They exploit the heated up sense of nationality. These parties do not teach spirituality. Neither the social gurus who support one or other of these parties dependent on identity politics are working for godly peace on earth.
So. We acknowledge that heinous crimes against humanity, minority, women, people of so-called lower caste are happening daily everywhere. But is the reverse identity politics or nursing hatred ever an answer? I do not think so.
The answer comes from all scriptures. I cite one example from the Gita which teaches:
Bhagavad Gita 5.18
The truly learned, with the eyes of divine knowledge, see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (BG 5.18).
The truly learned, with the eyes of divine knowledge, see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (BG 5.18).
Recognising, even if intellectually, the common source of “I” making in all fellow humans, and all beings, can get us rid of our instinctive hatred of the other and benefit us all — individually and socially. This is spiritual socialism, in my opinion.
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