The reflection below is inspired by chapters of the same name in the book “Oneness: Great Principles Shared by All Religions” written by Jeffrey Moses.
Since this is my first reflection inspired by the Oneness book, I would like to explain what exactly this book is and why I find it so important. As it is explained on its cover, “the world’s religions all seem to ask that their followers seek different paths to enlightenment. Yet beneath the seeming differences lies a pool of universal truth.” The purpose of this book is to show us that we are not as different as we think and that the core beliefs of the major religions are shockingly similar even though they were formulated in separate times and places, and by different people. I find this very interesting and it seems to me that these overlapping principles have a strong probability of being universally true and important.
“Oneness” is organized into short sections/chapters with titles such as “The World is Our Family” and “Love Thy Neighbor”. First, a brief summary of the principle is given by the author as they understand it after studying similar principles in all the world’s major religious traditions (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.). Then, direct quotes are given from the sacred books of each of these traditions to clearly demonstrate that the principle is universal and shared by all of them. I believe the comparative methodology used in this book is a very effective way to uncover and learn about universal truths (i.e. “God”). For my reflections inspired by the book or dealing with the concept of “God”, I have decided to call it reflections on “My Higher Power”. This is the term used for God in Alcoholics Anonymous, of which I am a practicing member. I like it because it does not carry with it any baggage and is more closely aligned with how I think about the concept of God, as I think the personification of God restricts our ability to understand what God (the Higher Power) truly is and how it manifests itself in the world.
I believe the best understanding we can get about the Higher Power is by comparing the teachings of all the major religions and identifying common threads. Unlike is the common practice today (and has been throughout all of human history), I don’t like to focus on differences between people and groups. Rather, I prefer to focus on the the things we have in common as human beings and that which unites us and is universally true. The human race is quite literally one, interconnected family. I believe that all the divisions we see (religions, national boundaries, etc.) are man-made constructs, not real or divinely inspired differences. The more clearly we realize that we are all part of one family, the less inclined we are toward any sort of hatred or violence toward our fellow humans. That is what makes this book so special and I think the world would be a much better place if it was read and studied by all people.
Today, my thoughts are inspired by the sections of the book titled “The World is Our Family” and “Love Thy Neighbor”. The conclusion drawn is very simple but also very powerful: if we TRULY treated everyone like they are our brother and sister (something that Jesus is reported to have said ALL the time) we could avoid MANY of the issues that we currently face in our world.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is asked, “Who is my neighbor?” to which he responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan, essentially answering: Everyone. However, I think it is important for us to take this one step further in our minds (which Jesus is reported to do at other times) to conclude that everyone is not just a neighbor, but our brother or sister. Think how different our decisions and actions would be if both as individuals and as societies we looked at others as if they were part of our families and not simply just one of our neighbors. If you looked at a family here in Tanzania that didn’t have enough to eat or were wearing rags as your brother or sisters family, and their children as your nieces and nephews, how different would be your response? To what lengths would you go to alleviate their suffering and ensure that they don’t continue to endure what they are going through? This might seem extreme due to the limited capacity of our human minds, but if you take the time to trace the family tree long enough, you will ultimately find that they are in fact part of your family. It just depends upon how wide you decide to cast your family net.
For me, I believe that we should do our best to cast this net over each and every human being. They are all our brothers and sisters (and their children are our children too). If we are all children of God (or a Higher Power or whatever you choose to call it), then it is pretty clear that we all have the same father/mother and are of one family.
This is one of my deepest beliefs, and is why I get absolutely sick when I see us actively hating each other because of differences we have ourselves created such as religion, politics, or god-forbid imaginary lines we have decided to put on the maps of our world. We let these insignificant differences become significant in our minds, and we allow them to drive us even all the way to justify killing other people. This is just unfathomable when you actually consider the people on the other side as part of your own family.
As I already said, the concept discussed above is one of my most deeply cherished values and I actually have a tattoo (my only one) which symbolizes it.
The tattoo was actually my younger brother Andrew’s idea. He had always wanted to get a tattoo, and although I was indifferent, his persistence finally paid off and he got me to join him. The symbol we chose is called a Celtic Knot, alluding to our Celtic ancestry. Celtic Knots symbolize never ending bonds (because they have no beginning or end) and as brothers it is a sign that no matter what happens nothing can break our bond. Proverbs 17:17 is Bible verse that reads, “a friend loves at all times, but a brother is born for a time of adversity.” I’ll admit it is a bit corny, but it definitely captures the intended sentiment that we will always be there for each other, especially when times are tough.
Now, what my brother didn’t know (and I’m still not sure if knows this to this day), but the reason I actually decided to go through with it was because I felt it also perfectly captured my worldview and the ideals that I strive for. It was quite literally a gesture of putting my heart on my sleeve. To me, our tattoo has a second and deeper meaning, that goes beyond what my I think my brother had intended. The Celtic Knot symbolizes to me the interconnectedness of life and of all people. All our lives and stories are woven and tied together in a single family bond. The Proverbs verse symbolizes to me that which we discussed above: yes, a friend (or neighbor) should love at all times. However, if we truly see others as our brothers and sisters, we will be there for them in times of adversity. Not only just when it is convenient for us, but even when it requires sacrifice, the same sacrifices we would make for our “biological” brothers and sisters. The ugly truth which we don’t want to talk about or admit to ourselves is that because resources are limited, in order for the lives of oppressed and impoverished people to truly get better, people with excess and privilege will have to make significant, conscious sacrifices. This might seem crazy to some people, but it becomes a lot easier to contemplate and see through when you realize you are doing it for your brothers and sisters, that there are no strangers.
May today and everyday we do our best to remember and live within this very simple, but profound perspective.
Quotes from the chapters reinforcing the concepts discussed above:
When we fully attain this perspective “the expression of love in the world will be as spontaneous and natural as love between mother and child.” - Oneness
“All creatures are the family of God; and he is the most beloved of God who does most good to His family.” - Islam
“Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?” - Judaism
“All are the sons and daughters of God, good people all, Brothers and Sisters, since created by One Father. No rooted difference is there between them.” - Hinduism
“Do not forget that the world is one great family … Regard Heaven as your father, Earth as your mother, and all things as your brothers and sisters.” - Shintoism
“God is the Father, Earth the Mother. With all thigs and in all things, we are relatives.” - Sioux (Native American Tribe)
“Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy.” - Buddhism