Lasting Solution for Modern-Day
Conflicts
(continued from page
3)
 True
unity - amongst people and between humanity and nature - will come
only through our faith in the immense power of the inner Self, which
is beyond all outward differences.
A rainbow gives us visual splendor and also has an inner significance
that helps to expand the mind. A rainbow is formed by the convergence
of seven different colors, making it wondrous and beautiful. Similarly,
we should be able to accept and appreciate the differences created
by religion, nationality, language, and culture. We should join
hands, giving primary importance to the well-being of humanity and
universal human values.
A rainbow appears and dissolves in the sky within minutes. However,
within that short span of time, the rainbow is able to make everyone
happy. Just like the rainbow, which appears so briefly in the infinite
sky, our lifespan, which appears for just a brief moment within
the endless span of time, is also very short and insignificant.
As long as we live in this world, our greatest and foremost duty,
or dharma, is to be of some benefit to others. Only when goodness
awakens within the individual will his or her personality and actions
attain beauty and strength.
There was once a little girl who was permanently in a wheelchair.
Her disability made her angry and frustrated with life. All day
long, she would sit by her window feeling depressed, enviously watching
all the other little children as they ran, jumped, skipped, and
played with each other. One day, as she sat gazing through the window,
it began to drizzle. Suddenly, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the
sky. Instantly, the little girl forgot about her disability and
her sorrow. The rainbow filled her with so much happiness and hope.
But then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the drizzle stopped
and the rainbow vanished. The memory of the rainbow filled the girl
with a strange peace and joy. She asked her mother where the rainbow
had gone. Her mother answered, "My darling, rainbows are very
special creations. They exist only when the sun and rain come together."
From then on, the little girl would sit by her window, waiting
for the sun and the rain to come together. She no longer cared to
watch the other children play.
Finally, one bright, sunny day, it unexpectedly began to rain lightly,
and the most heavenly-coloured rainbow appeared in the sky. The
little girl's joy knew no bounds. She called out to her mother to
come quickly and take her to the rainbow. Not wanting to disappoint
her daughter, the mother helped her little girl into the car and
drove off in the direction of the rainbow. Finally, when they arrived
at a point where they had a good view of the rainbow, the mother
stopped the car and helped her daughter to get out, so that she
could enjoy the sight.
Gazing up, the child said, "Wondrous rainbow, how is it that
you are able to shine so radiantly?"
The rainbow replied, "My dear child, I have a very short lifespan.
I exist only for a brief span of time while the sun and rain come
together. Rather than fret over my short existence, I decided that
within my brief lifespan, I want to make as many people as I can
as happy as possible. And when I decided to do that, I became radiant
and beautiful."
Then, even as the rainbow was still speaking, it began to fade
- until, finally, it was no more. The little girl looked up with
love and admiration at the spot in the blue sky where the rainbow
had just been. From that day on, she was never the same. Instead
of feeling dejected and fretting about her disability, she tried
to smile and bring happiness to everyone around her. Thus, she found
true joy and satisfaction in life.
The rainbow was so beautiful because it forgot about itself and
lived for the sake of others. Similarly, it is when we forget about
ourselves and live for the happiness of others that we experience
the real beauty of life.
The body will perish whether we work or sit idle. So, instead of
rusting away without doing anything for society, it is better to
wear oneself out in the pursuit of good actions.
In Sanatana Dharma - the Eternal Religion (commonly known
today as Hinduism) - there is the following mantra: "Lokah
Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu." The meaning of this mantra
is "May all beings in all the worlds be happy."
According to the scriptures of India, there is no difference between
the Creator and creation, just as there is no difference between
the ocean and its waves. The essence of the ocean and its waves
are one and the same: it is water. Gold and gold ornaments are the
same because gold is the substance of which the ornaments are made.
Clay and the clay pot are ultimately the same because the substance
of the pot is clay. So, there is no difference between the Creator,
or God, and creation. They are essentially one and the same: Pure
Consciousness.
So, we should learn to love everyone equally, because in essence
we are all one, one Atman, one soul. Though externally everything
looks different, internally all are manifestations of the absolute
Self.
God is not a limited individual, who sits alone up in the clouds
on a golden throne. God is the pure Consciousness that dwells within
everything. We need to understand this truth, and thereby learn
to accept and to love everyone equally.
< Page5>
This speech may not be reproduced in part
or full in the print or electronic media without the explicit permission
of M.A. Center, San Ramon, CA 94583 USA. Please contact us at copyrightpermission@amma.org
to request permission.
|
About
Amma
International
Forum