‘A world without walls’

Let us bridge humanity, ‘peace by piece’, writes our guest editor NIRANKARI BABA HARDEV SINGH, for this special issue on serviceThe wise tell us that it is not enough to be born as humans, it is far more important to live our lives as humans. To do this, we must heed the golden rules of tried and tested wisdom. It enriches our lives here and takes care of our concerns hereafter. It also lends much needed equipoise to life.After all, it is the life in our breaths that is more important than the breaths in our life. Hence, we should take seriously the words of the enlightened ones to enable us to resolve our inner conflicts and overcome our painful dilemmas. Spiritual masters urge us to realise our true Self and to connect to the super soul, becoming one and coexisting peacefully. None of them wish a fragmented world with conflicts, atrocities, negativities and intolerance. Their experiences show that our essence is no different than the essence of the super soul.Such Self-realisation lifts us over and above our corporeal identity and endows us with a universal outlook. The universal spirit dwells in us all, and we in it.Attaining nearness to this all-pervasive Entity reveals our real being, which has neither demarcation nor boundary.Such knowledge is our true liberator. It helps us to discern the real from the unreal.This is our true destination, which has to be attained during life on earth. It is not something that can be postponed to the hereafter. The lives and instances of numerous saints and sages are a witness to this. Having realised the truth and having fulfilled his life’s destiny, Sant Kabir openly declares: “I have been elevated to the state of oneness, where Kabir and the Lord are one, nobody can tell the difference.” Human mind has been conditioned with prejudice. Man has enchained himself and created so many walls around him that no one can reach him. Man is distant from man because he is distant from God.We can come closer to each other, if we are closer to God.As long as the destructive forces of hatred, enmity and jealousy dominate the earthly environment, the goal of peace and oneness remains an elusive dream.Walls in the form of outward appearance of man may well differ, but the vital essence is ever the same. Just as a home is not the outer walls, but the space within them, man is not the exterior façade, but the inner essential Self. It is true God-knowledge that breaks all walls created out of ego, hatred and greed. The walls of racism, sectarianism and fanaticism, are more dangerous to mankind than any other weapon on earth.Unless they are demolished,man will become his worst enemy.We cannot demolish any walls,or prevent their erection, without self-transformation through enlightenment. When the mind is illumined with saint-like vision and wisdom, unacceptable discrimination no longer prevails, because harmony and the spirit of unity take over. A world without walls means unconditional acceptance and nonjudgement. That is to be able to look at each other with only love in our hearts, not hesitating to approach someone due to false pride or ego and having respect and reverence for the spark in the form of the soul, which resides in everybody. Love knows no barriers; it embraces all.Those who are full of love and compassion do not discriminate on the basis of caste, race, colour, language or religion.They love humans as humans. Love leads to sharing and caring; it leads to selfless service and Oneness. Today,the world needs to be united as a family,tolerating each other,accepting each other and loving each other.The more we denounce hatred, the more human we become. Let’s build a better future where everyone is equal. Let’s create ‘we’ and destroy ‘me’. Let’s all live in harmony. We have to achieve unison with the one Almighty, and become catalysts, bridging humanity, ‘peace by piece’. We have to become bridges of humanity, so that along with claiming that ‘We are one family’,we can voice together,‘ We are One, finally’.■