YOU ASKED?
How do I perceive the "Peoples of the World"?
Answer: The above question has surfaced during interviews for newsprint, radio, television, informal conversations.and in small and large gatherings. Are there any differences? What if anything sets us apart? But, before speaking about our differences. Let us examine some of our similarities. One can observe in kind, the way people interact within their family structures; husband to wife, wife to husband, parents to children, siblings with siblings, the inter-rivalry, along with the "pecking order" of an intergenerational family. The same nuances are all there. Of course these are interspersed with cultural idiosyncrasies. Then we have a likeness in some of the same facial and physical gestures, as we speak. And then there is a mirroring of behavioural shortcomings and proclivities. Along with the sameness in many of our needs, desires, wants. dreams and "yes" even our fears. And then the way we anticipate, along with our expectations. But probably one of the most telling signs of our commonality is in our look alike anxietiess, doubts, and apprehensions.
We have the same curiosity; asking the same eternal questions: "who Am I? Why Am I here? And where am I going? We share in the same gift of "consciousness" Which allows us to have the ability to "think". Here, we need to underline "being able to think" To many forsake this gift and opt out not to think, or to think sparingly. What passes for thinking, gives birth to fancies, whims, opinions, parroting, half-truths and "fuzzy logic". Which leads us into a minefield of "simple-mindedness". Simplistic thinking betrays; ""I think therefore I am". It denies the very essence of consciousness, which is "awareness". Of being aware, singularly aware, as to who and what we are? Betraying our heritage and gift. It is within this type of fragmented thinking, we find the seeds of our separateness, pain and suffering.
In this multi-dimensional World in which we share; there is a great need to become more conscious, more aware. Aware that we are the World, in the truest sense. Or to rephrase; since we are not of the World, the World is in us. As is the Universe and the Cosmos. It is, all for one and One for All. Now, if we would live, as if this is true for us. That we are indeed "aware" that all is within us. We will instinctively love "all and everything", as we love ourselves. As the saying goes: "love others as you love yourself". Of course, easier said than done. One of the greatest obstacles to this loving of others as one loves themselves. Is that we have not yet learned how to love ourselves, or in some cases even like ourselves.
But why is this so?
Because we really do not know, who we are? We do not realize, the truth that we are loveable and likeable. Were we not loveable and likeable at birth? Is not our " True Nature" that of love. If we are other than that, we have been programmed not to be of this " Absolute Love". We are IT, of IT and in IT. But strange as it seems, we do not know that we are out of love. We see ourselves as other than. We have forgotten our identify, we do not remember who we really are?. We join a growing multitude of humankind asking; "what's life all about"? "Why am I here"? "And where am I going"?
This was and is a big wide, wonderful world! Before, we as a species came along; the world was doing just fine. "Here a little boy am I, holding up both my hands. One is, "who I am not". And the other is "who I am". My problem, you see, is the {I, me and mine}that's in-between.
This false identity needs to be reversed, so that our true identity comes " front and center." It is in the process of our self- knowing and our self- understanding as to, "who we are not" that we will become aware as to "who we are". And in turn, become aware as a race, as a species that we are all one and the same. That beneath and beyond our diversity we are of the same seed,the same substance which is of the ABSOLUTE LOVE; the ABSOLUTE VOID. Out of which, all things are manifested. Manifested in balance, harmony and peace.
Within the verbiage of all religions, this ABSOLUTE TRUTH is interwoven. It is said, has been said and will be said in a thousand different ways, until that day when each will know, will‚ understand and be the spoken "word". As they do say; " it will be written in the minds and hearts of all" All will know, that the word, whether that word be spelled; "Truth", "Love", "Light" or "Rightness". needs to take on flesh and blood, our flesh and blood. Otherwise it is idle chatter. This "incarnation", this fusion, must be a "NOW" EXPERIENCE. Out of this comes the definitive definition of "who" and "what', we are. And we will stop mistaking the blossom for the fruit. No creed, ritual, image, symbol, intonation or exhortation: no edifice, structure, methodology, theology, ecclesiastical politic, or religious rhetoric will suffice. All human inventions of piety will cease. All will know that they know. Harmony, balance and peace will prevail. All wondering and wandering will cease, as will the questions. The prodigals will have returned consciously back to the "ABSOLUTE VOID, REMEMBERING "WHO and "WHAT" they were, and always have been. . Beyond the beyond.
The second question was; "Are there any differences, that sets us apart from one another'? The list is long and we know most of them, language, culture, religion, and politics. These four are the "Great Separators". Along with: literacy or illiteracy, freedom or bondage, economic security or economic uncertainty, a closed or an open society. All these divide and widen the gulf that exists between all the "peoples of the world". But the most glaring factor that causes "separateness" on a grand scale is our fragmentary thinking, across the entire spectrum of our relationships. Whether they be of a personal nature, or a one to one response with others in a family structure, or a business arrangement, social or non-social. Wherever this fragmentary thinking might exist, "separateness" will be found. And along with it, one will find, suffering and pain.
I am often asked; "how does one know what is right and what is wrong?" If we are responsible for creating the conditions that cause or allow for the pain and suffering of others that is wrong. If we help in the alleviation of pain and suffering, then this is rightOur problem lies in our self -identification with the externals of life, we talk about our identity as being "this or that". I am "Polish" or "Jewish" or an "American", "Christian", or "Islamic", "Black" or "White". I am "conservative", or "liberal". I am a doctor, lawyer, Indian chief, candlestick maker or whatever. Our IDENITY lies within not without. We are not "this" or "that". "This" and that" are transitory. When we find our Ulitimate Nature, there will be no "separateness" only a unity-consciousness. A balance between the inner and the outer, better still, there will be no inner and outer, for they will be as One. For they are one. All manifestations and the yet to be manifested are out of the same WILL, the same LOVE, the same TRUTH, the same FORCE, the same ABSOLUTE, the same VOID.
(China 5/2001)
