It is only at the human level that we make divisions
A desktop or laptop can connect us instantly to vast knowledge sources. A computer can link us to the news, stock reports, airline bookings, shopping, medical breakthroughs, and information in almost every other sphere of knowledge.
The information connectedness that we experience with computers is a small sample of the potent connections we can make with our empowered soul. The empowered soul experiences universal connection with all beings. Becoming aware of this unifying force can help us realize our essential unity. Walls of division separate people.
If we are born in one part of the world we say, "I am a citizen of this country, or that country". If we are born into a certain religion, we say, "I am a follower of such and such religion". Religions are man-made. There was no Buddhism before Buddha. There was no Christianity before Jesus.
It was the followers of the great saints, mystics, and prophets who organized their teachings into a religion. Most often, we become a member of a religion based on our parents' beliefs. A Hindu infant who is orphaned and who is later adopted by a Christian may become Christian.
Similarly, the way we live is dictated by the peculiarities of the region we live in. Many people worship God through prayer. But the way they pray is different. In some warm climates, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a holy place; in colder climates, going barefoot may be impractical.
Over time, customs that originate for climatic reasons become sanctified and become part of religious law. People tend to use those differences as a basis for prejudice and hatred. Another dividing factor is language.
When people in different religions use different words for the same concept, it becomes an excuse for thinking the other religion is not as good as one's own. Each religion has its own name for God, based on the language or culture in which the religion originated.
God is Allah to Muslims, Wahe Guru to Sikhs, Paramatma to Hindus, God to Christians. Whichever the language, the words refer to the same God. Yet we make these language differences a source of contention and separation.
We forget that God existed before language was created. By drawing boundaries we limit ourselves. The soul, however, is limitless. There is a unifying force beyond the physical plane, connecting all life. We are full of the love of God. It is only at the human level that we make divisions.
The soul is a part of the Creator. For us to be able to truly understand ourselves, we need to recognize all the divisions as walls that surround our true self. These walls keep us from truth.
Sant Darshan Singh spoke of Oneness: "What does it matter if I am called a man, In truth, I am the very soul of love. The entire earth is my home, And the universe my country".
Through lack of self-know-ledge, we create separation. Through our soul, we can experience connectedness and create more peace and har-mony among the inhabitants of this planet.
The information connectedness that we experience with computers is a small sample of the potent connections we can make with our empowered soul. The empowered soul experiences universal connection with all beings. Becoming aware of this unifying force can help us realize our essential unity. Walls of division separate people.
If we are born in one part of the world we say, "I am a citizen of this country, or that country". If we are born into a certain religion, we say, "I am a follower of such and such religion". Religions are man-made. There was no Buddhism before Buddha. There was no Christianity before Jesus.
It was the followers of the great saints, mystics, and prophets who organized their teachings into a religion. Most often, we become a member of a religion based on our parents' beliefs. A Hindu infant who is orphaned and who is later adopted by a Christian may become Christian.
Similarly, the way we live is dictated by the peculiarities of the region we live in. Many people worship God through prayer. But the way they pray is different. In some warm climates, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a holy place; in colder climates, going barefoot may be impractical.
Over time, customs that originate for climatic reasons become sanctified and become part of religious law. People tend to use those differences as a basis for prejudice and hatred. Another dividing factor is language.
When people in different religions use different words for the same concept, it becomes an excuse for thinking the other religion is not as good as one's own. Each religion has its own name for God, based on the language or culture in which the religion originated.
God is Allah to Muslims, Wahe Guru to Sikhs, Paramatma to Hindus, God to Christians. Whichever the language, the words refer to the same God. Yet we make these language differences a source of contention and separation.
We forget that God existed before language was created. By drawing boundaries we limit ourselves. The soul, however, is limitless. There is a unifying force beyond the physical plane, connecting all life. We are full of the love of God. It is only at the human level that we make divisions.
The soul is a part of the Creator. For us to be able to truly understand ourselves, we need to recognize all the divisions as walls that surround our true self. These walls keep us from truth.
Sant Darshan Singh spoke of Oneness: "What does it matter if I am called a man, In truth, I am the very soul of love. The entire earth is my home, And the universe my country".
Through lack of self-know-ledge, we create separation. Through our soul, we can experience connectedness and create more peace and har-mony among the inhabitants of this planet.
Spread The Word
3 Responses to "One Message Runs Through All Faiths" 
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said this on 29 Jun 2007 8:22:34 PM PDT
I believe that we take in the thoughts around us at an age when we are unable to evaluate them. We think that they are RIGHT and that anything different is WRONG. I generally believe that religions are divisive and spirituality is unifying. I enjoy conversations with people who have beliefs that are different than mine. It causes me to think, to evaluate my own beliefs and to grow in a strange way. I like to think of the universe as "one song" and that each of us has a part to play. If we do it well we are in tune, we resonate with the vibrations of the other instruments. Our lives are fulfilling, peaceful and full of joy. Love, DWV
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said this on 22 Jul 2007 12:22:34 AM PDT
Yes..the religious faith is imposed on us by our parents, of course, with good intentions. They were blindly following the religious customs of their parents and so on. However, a day will dawn on one's life and he will sit and think about the role played by religion in his life. The awareness that the religion was "man made" will dawn on him and all man-made religions profess the same ultimate theme will liberate him from the shackles of the particular relgion he is attached to.
Instead of practising the messages given by the teachers of every "present day religion", Jesus, prophet Mohammed, Gautam Budha, the worshipping part got better of every religion and the religions got into a way of "rituals" with less conscious practising of the teachings. Present day religion has become a multi-million dollar business like any other business organization. Awareness is setting in, thanks to the internet...the world wide web has enabled people to see through things and assess subjects in a better way. Hope the animosity or bitterness or competition among the religions will become a thing of the past soon... |
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said this on 31 Aug 2007 4:55:41 PM PDT
language is not the source of separation anymore than the words 'democrat and republican' seperate the 2 major parties in our country. instead it is what we hold in our hearts to be true. one party wants to hand out eggs to the poor and say 'look at me, im a person of great compassion' while the other party wants the poor to strive for the chicken and say 'look at me,i did it and so can you'. big difference,one way is the right way regardless of our opinions. the same holds true to our faiths. God cares what path we take. just like a parent wouldnt equally divide his inheritance between two children, one who showed no love or appreciation for what the father did,not care about the inheritance and selfishlly lived his life, and one who loved his father and lived his life for him and others. not to say he doesnt love both sons equally-he's anxiously waiting for his rebellious son to receive his love and be loved.it is this logic and reasoning that says that God wouldnt send his Son to die a violent death for our sins so that all who believe in the resurrection of Jesus can be with him in heaven and not care if you could care less or not believe Him when he says this is the Only Way. language does not seperate our faiths,but who we say Jesus is - a blasphemer,a prophet, or the Son of God.
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