Lasting Solution for Modern-Day
Conflicts
(continued from page
1)
 There
are two types of education: education for a living and education
for life. When we study in college, striving to become a doctor,
a lawyer, or an engineer, that is education for a living. But education
for life requires an understanding of the essential principles of
spirituality; it is about gaining a deeper understanding of the
world, our minds, our emotions, and ourselves. We all know that
the real goal of education is not to create people who understand
only the language of technology; the main purpose of education should
be to impart a culture of the heart, a culture based on
spiritual values.
Viewing religion only outwardly creates more and more division.
We need to see and understand the inside, the essence of religion,
from a spiritual perspective. Only then will the sense of division
come to an end. Where there is division, there cannot be any real
spiritual experience; and where there is true spiritual experience,
there will be no division - only unity and love. Religious leaders
should be prepared to work on the basis of this knowledge, and make
their followers aware of these truths.
The problem arises when we say, "Our religion is right; yours
is wrong." This is like saying, "My mother is good; yours
is a prostitute!" Love and compassion are the very essence
of all religions. Where, then, is the need for us to compete?
Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations such as religion,
race, nationality, or caste. We are all beads strung together on
the same thread of love. To awaken this unity and to spread the
love that is our inherent nature to others - this is the true aim
of human life.
Indeed, love is the only religion that can help humanity rise to
great and glorious heights. And love should be the one thread on
which all religions and philosophies are strung together. The beauty
of society lies in the unity of hearts.
There is so much diversity in Sanatana Dharma, India's
ancient spiritual tradition. Every person is unique and has a different
mental constitution. The seers of old provided us with a multitude
of paths, so that each individual could choose the way most suitable
for him or her. All locks cannot be opened with the same key; nor
does everyone like the same type of food or clothing. This diversity
holds equally true for spirituality. The same path is not suitable
for everyone.
Meetings and conferences such as this need to place more emphasis
on spirituality, on the inner essence of religion. This is the only
way to achieve peace and unity. This conference shouldn't be just
a meeting of bodies. On an occasion such as this, a true meeting
should take place, one in which we can see and know each other's
hearts.
Communication through technology has made people in distant places
seem very close. Yet, because of the lack of communication of our
hearts, even those who are physically close to us can seem very
far away.
So, this should not be an ordinary conference, where everyone talks,
nobody listens, and everyone disagrees!
Listening to each other is important. We may see and hear many
things in the world, but we shouldn't meddle in the affairs of others
because that can have dangerous consequences. Amma remembers a story.
A man walked past a mental hospital when he heard a voice groaning,
"13, 13, 13, 13..." The man went closer to locate where
the sound was coming from. He saw a hole in the wall and realized
that the sound was coming from the other side. Out of curiosity,
he put his ear into the hole, hoping to hear better. Suddenly, something
bit him hard on the ear! As he screamed in pain, the voice groaned,
"14, 14, 14, 14..."!
Thus, we should use our power of discrimination to distinguish
between what we should or should not pay attention to.
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