By : D. Raj Kanwal

 The present world is beset with dissension's, mistrust, suspicion and hatred. We look at each other with jaundiced eyes. Our understanding is clouded and we feel that we are the only righteous people. The rest are all liars, crooks, frauds and fanatics. Outwardly, we profess love and affection for people belonging to other castes and creeds, but inwardly we are not at all prepared to have a truck with them. The result is that we find ourselves engulfed by the flames of jealousy and hatred. We find ourselves in the vicious grip of fissiparous tendencies. The only way to develop a healthy atmosphere and create a climate of peace and happiness is the promotion of mutual trust and appreciation of each other’s thoughts and feelings, aspirations and expectations. There is no other way.

Misunderstanding is a malady, which leads to all present-day ills. We are divided into watertight compartments and look at each other with blood shot eyes. We start feeling that others are out to destroy and defame us. In the backdrop of this feeling, the atmosphere is vitiated and life becomes a nightmare. All peace of mind is gone and dried up. Misunderstanding leads to unnecessary feuds and bickering. We allow our minds to be clouded and prejudiced. Everything appears dark and doubtful. Even the good intentions of the others appear to us as snares and traps. We refuge to draw a line between the right and the wrong. Misunderstanding grows like the wild weed and starts destroying the tree of wisdom. If we turn over the pages of history, we shall find that majority of the wars were fought because of mistrust and misunderstanding. Our wars with our immediate neighbours are the living proof of misunderstanding and mistrust.

But before we try to understand others, we must try to understand ourselves. The irony is that the modern man does not seem to understand himself. Remember that charity always begins at home. Before we start bisecting others, we must try to bisect ourselves. We must look within to find how true and honest we ourselves are. How far we are right in condemning others for the prevailing chaos and wrongs? If we do not do so, our assessment of others’ will be wrong. We must look in the mirror of Truth and Reality to fathom our virtues and vices. How can we sit in judgement over others’ omissions and commissions unless we are above board? If we fail to do so, our judgement shall always be one-sided.

Mutual understanding builds bridges of friendship, harmony and love. Mistrust only dynamites these bridges and destroys the infrastructure of peace.

The finest feature of the Nirankari Mission is the promotion of mutual understanding among various sects, castes and sections of people.