We hear of conflicts every day, all over the world. Conflicts have always existed, and there are no signs that there will ever be a time when there will be a world without conflicts. What is the main reason for conflicts in the world? Conflicts between countries, between religions, between family members, between colleagues at work, between students at school… between individuals.
Depending on the stage of our spiritual growth, we deal with conflicts in different ways. The more someone is spiritually advanced, the more he is able to refrain from getting into conflicts with others. This is because he does not see himself as separate from others. Satguru Kabir Saheb taught us the following:
1. Acknowledge God within ourselves;
2. If God is within me, God is also within the other person;
3. If God is ONE, then it is the same God within me who is within the other person;
If God is loving, bestower of peace and love, if God supports us to fulfill our journey in this life, then why would we enter into conflicts with His plans? Satguru Kabir Saheb said:
“Main Laagaa Us Ek Se, Ek Bhayaa Sab Maaheen;
Sab Meraa Main Saban Kaa, Rahaa Doosaraa Naaheen.”
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
It is the illusion of separateness which prevents us from recognizing our true identity and forces us to get into conflicts with others and fight with them.
Separateness leads to conflicts. When we are able to remove the veil of duality, then we are allowing Oneness to take over. This Oneness is the principle of God’s omnipresence. The more we reflect on the concept of Oneness (and this is particularly recommended to be done when we meditate), the more we are able to dissipate the illusion of separateness and feel God’s presence everywhere.
“Tu Tu Karataa Tu Bhayaan Mujh Men Rahaa Na Hoon;
Baaree Tere Naam Par, Jit Dekhoon Tit Too.”
(see transliteration and pronunciation guide here)
The more we chant the name of God, the more we acknowledge His presence, the more we become one with Him. Then comes a point where we see only Him. Everywhere. In everyone. When that point is reached, there is no place for conflicts any more. We can avoid conflicts. Instead of accepting the fact that it is natural for conflicts to happen and that we cannot do anything to stop conflicts from happening, we must resolve to submit ourselves to God, acknowledge His presence.
We have to be convinced that, although peace may not prevail all over the world, and conflicts will continue to ruin communities and countries worldwide, we can, at our individual level seek peace within ourselves by acknowledging God’s presence within ourselves and within all other beings.
