Establishing Global Unity

An address by His Holiness Nirankari Baba Ji
Manav Ekta Diwas (Human Unity Day), Oxford, UK, April 27, 2003

Today, we have all gathered to preach the message of Human Unity.  We remember the life of Baba Gurbachan Ji and the contribution he made to bring man closer to man reducing distances of the mind to establish Brotherhood.

We have heard about the attributes of this Great Master.  Different features of his life have been considered and we have been reminded how every aspect was very beautiful and was the provider of strength upon the devotional path.  How he dealt with his relationship with society and taught a proper way of life, how he preached equality and helped to break down class cultures, and rid society of it’s ills.  Even our daily dealings in society were purified by adopting the thoughts of the Master.  He promote the ethos that,

Every distinct aspect of our lives should be sacred and supreme

Being truly religious

If we claim to be religious we should know what it means to be truly religious.

 The one and only religion is that of humanity

Baba Ji taught us to tread this path.  In this age, the very mention of religion fills a man’s mind with suspicion because of what he sees.  Religion has become a catalyst for violence.  But, if we agree that humanity is the only religion it matters not where one originates or what language he speaks – there is unity of man as all are one.  Baba Ji, gave this message that religion unites and does not divide.  True religion does not create distances but brings people closer together.  It destroys the distinctions of high and low.  Religion brings unity and this has been the message of all Masters, across time.

Great sacrifice

He presented this message of unity and took it all over India and indeed the world.  Baba Ji’s first visit abroad was undertaken by road.  Even since that time congregations have taken shape and form throughout the lands and cities he passed.  If one truly reflects, his contribution was enormous.  We can ony pay tribute to it by following the inspirational life he lived.

A Simple Message

He lived above all differences.  To live in love and simplicity was his message.  Today, we remember his sacrifices throughout the world – sacrifices made for the sake of humanity and for the establishment of the truth.  We also remember the penance of the families who lost loved ones during difficult times.  Such sacrifice was to establish unity and brotherhood and not any other cause.  That is why we celebrate human unity day, to always remind ourselves of the sacrifices and remember the contribution in our own minds so we too can be inspired and live for the same noble cause i.e. the upliftment of mankind.

Celebration

The spirit of human unity is to be celebrated, but not only for one designated period of the year.  It should be honored each morning and evening – in fact, at every moment of our lives, today and everyday.  There is a need for this unity everywhere.  If we created unity then there would be no violence.  We are talking of

Universal Brotherhood and it is the need of the hour, not just this hour but every hour

 Where there is no brotherhood we see the consequences: the heat, scars and wounds we see all around.

Global Village

We call the planet earth a global village.  Whatever happens in any remote part of the world it has it’s effects upon us.  If we throw a pebble in a pond it creates ripples and ever increasing circles in all directions.

We see that the mode of communication has become so fat and this world has become so small.  There is speed in communication and transportation.  We must accept that if anything happens anywhere it has it’s effects globally.  We see disturbances in New York, the Middle East, Kashmir or for the matter anywhere that we can think of: it has it’s effect upon us.  We witness scenes through the media and this effects all humans.  How can we say that this does not effect us?  That’s why we pray that good sense should prevail.  We should live like one family, helping each other as opposed to exploiting.

Using strength

Strength is to be used for the upliftment of mankind.  The fingers on our hands are not to hold a dagger but to wipe away the tears of others.  Great Master have shown this path and preached this message.  But as always human beings have erred.  Verbally they will accept that they have faith in the Prophets and agree with their teachings.  Such agreement is shown in words, but not through deeds.  If we are really agreeable to the teachings of the great sages our life should reflect the principles they practiced.

Holy beings have taught to love mankind, but observing religion today we find that the most hatred as penetrated the hearts of many so called devout followers.

If you look around to those who claim to be truly religious you will

find the maximum hatred towards others in their hearts.

This is all because of the notion that one does not praise my Prophet, or does not belong to my religion or community.  Because of this there is hatred.  Saints teach that we belong to one family, as a writer has said,

Once you know mankind is your family you always feel at home

You are living in this one nation.  As Dr. Radhakrishanan once said, we often talk in terms of this republic or that republic, when will the day come when we will live in terms of the great republic of mankind?

Know Love, know Truth

A few days ago we celebrated Easter.  We think of the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ, which were based on love, tolerance and fraternity.  Loving all, once you have this sight and know the truth that you are a part of this one common human family, then whether he is your immediate neighbor or he lives in a far flung area of the world, there is love.  You have love in your heart and compassion when you know truth.  That is how life must be lived.  That’s how true religion must be taken to higher planes, the true religion of humanity.

Changing World

We see surface differences in mankind on the grounds of language, class, regions and countries.  We see how this world is becoming smaller.  In order to travel across the world it takes less time.  To communicate to others it takes seconds and distances are quickly covered.  But in reality due to distances of the heart and mind, and despite living on a planet that seems to have become smaller, the human race seems further apart than ever before.

World Events

When we see world events which are taking place we note that their impact in far reaching.  They take their tool psychologically and are clearly felt.  If someone’s, house is burning how can we say that it does not effect us?

We see that fire may not be burning our house but if the wind were to change direction then that same fire may find its way to our house

 Devotees want peaceful co-existence and brotherhood to pervade the whole environment.

 If there is no fire anywhere then my house is also saved

Burning Mind

If there is no fire anywhere then all of society will be safe and there will be no risk to anyone.  Wherever man lives, he can then live in peace the devotees always wish to extinguish this fire, so all humanity will be safe as opposed to the potentiality of suffering bourns.  Over time this has been the contribution of the devotees that when the mind of man begins to light fires the devotee will strive to put it out.  When in the same mind there is the establishment of fire, this will dwell and be illustrated in our actions which can turn to violence.  We see the extent of the violence which causes real concern.  Look at the way man gives pain and strife to fellow man.  Why? Because this mind is ablaze with ill-feeling.

Solutions

Great Master have put before us man ways, techniques and methods to put out this fire.  The fire can be cooled if we establish in our minds an outlook of enlightenment, broad thinking and a sense of awakening.  If the horizons of our mind are opened out, we shall see the world in a new light.  A merging of minds, feelings and aspirations will be the result.  Devotees have said, overcome the shortcomings of the heart and mind – the rest will be fine.

Like we allowed this God into our minds in the same way we have allowed his one family into our minds and lives.  Then there is no fire of hatred and man will not be the cause of violence upon fellow man.

Live today for the future

We should act in such a way that the future generations will benefit from what we do today.  We should lay such effective principles and foundations and be able to live in peace.  To achieve this a spirit of charity and sacrifice is required.  Many great beings have given of their lives, for the betterment of humanity.  Acting on similar values, let us give preference to another over and above ourselves.  Let us accept any pain, if it means another will be comfortable.  Let us choose to stand, if another can sit and rest.  Let us learn to tolerate and understand the way someone may speak or act, rather than reacting without thinking.  By adopting such ways, the world will certainly become a nicer place.

Such daily acts of charity and care are all a form of spiritual sacrifice – they are all aspects of devotion, and as such very important.  Saints have lived such lives and through such modes, have set in place the foundations upon which great palaces and wonderful buildings may be built.

Attitude of the Devotee

What is our attitude in life?  We should wish to see others benefit.  One elderly person said, “I have planted this bush, do you know when it will bring fruit?”  Another said, “Do you think you will benefit from it?” the man replied, “I may not taste the fruit, but many to come ahead of me will benefit from it.”  This is the way of the devotee to give to others.  Through their approach to living they set in place a sublime heritage for future generations to enjoy.

Man Today

There are many division’s which take us away from the love for humanity.  Man takes from fellow man and suppresses him, not allowing growth to occur.  In this way, he loses all sense of humanity and can not remain a man?  How can we have unity then?  There is no humanity present.  Masters have always urged us to perfect our lives, to promote humane feeling.

Oneness

We can say that we are one.  We can say the oceans and rivers are made from the same droplets which are all pure.  If we drop oil in water, then look at the problems it causes.  There is impurity.  If it was a pure droplet of water, then it would have merged and remained pure.  But this is not always the case.  When all individuals become pure then this will create a positive and pure ocean of humanity.  The entire environment is then purified and the world then becomes a beautiful garden.  We pray that man beings to tread the path of humanity and comes into harmony with fellow man.

Teachings for Man

All the teachings in the scriptures were not placed there for the animals, but for human beings.  The concern has always been man, because he falls short of realizing his potential.  If one is sitting there is no need to tell him to sit – one is told to do something when he is not doing it correctly.  But why has it continually been said to man that he should become a true human?  Simply because he fails to live as he should.

Light and Darkness

Man has little love for others, and burns in hatred, giving pain to others.  This is not good for the world.  Devotees teach that if there is light there will also be darkness.  The devotees have come to the earth in order to illumine the darkened hearts.  They have taught man how to live.  When the mind has been illumined it then beings to live compassionately for others and those who live in this way will always be praised.  They take initiatives to remove the distances.

If we give our hand to help others that can change so much.  But our ego often prevents us from moving it forward to offer support.  The devotee has no issue of prestige and only thinks for the benefit of others.  He has submitted and will have no difficulty in helping others. The egotist does not wish to help anyone.  This is his weakness as he does not know the importance of such actions.  If such thought is adopted then issues can all be resolved by living in submission.

Creation of Unity

If we believe in peace and live for brotherhood we should give importance to this in our lives and give love to all humans, creating a peaceful family.  We will see light everywhere and establish global unity.