Ten Days Journey Into The Self

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Centre

Page 11

Let us still concentrate on amity. Each of us must realize that if the sacred stream of amity is flowing in our hearts, we will wish the whole universe to prosper. We must each know that our love is not to be confined to ourselves, our families, our nations, but must include the whole planet. And if we genuinely wish the planet to prosper, we must do more than wish. If we want the planet to prosper, we must actively contribute to this planetary prosperity, rather than to the planetary drought and erosion which result from egocentric competition, or from withdrawal or indifference. In English, the word "T" is written in capitals, but it is the word "WE" that should be written in capitals. And the WE should be as big as the universe. It should be a WE based on goodwill. We use the word "love" so often, but we must come to know in practice the power of love. People are starving in the world---do you love them? Year after year, children are being bombed in wars---do you love them? Do you genuinely search for the roots, in this technologically advanced society, of starvation and violence ? Do you love your neighbors, your black neighbor, your yellow neighbor, your red neighbor, your neighbor who has had less opportunity for education, and who has been in other ways less fortunate than you ? Christ defined the requirements of amity: "Whatsoever ye would that other men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Has this message led you to practice amity? We visualize love incarnated as Mahavir or Buddha. They were in the past. Others will be in the future. WE are in the present. Let each of us experience, "What the prophets knew within themselves, I find within myself. I incarnate the power of love." This is spiritual democracy. It is our birthright. We cannot be happy, cannot have the "kingdom of heaven" within or without, unless we live in this understanding of our perfection. We need to contribute amity in our homes, and in our relationships with our associates. Our children need amity. Husbands and wives need amity between them. Neighbors need amity. People on the highway and on the subway and on the street need our amity. But with daily frustrations, amity is difficult to maintain. In dealing with those who oppose us our amity needs to be kindled so that conflicts can be resolved without violence. Differences in ideologies call for the humblest amity, so that they can be resolved by dialogue. Amity means peace and goodwill---for all the citizens of this planet. Not all trees are vast banyans. Yet a grove, or forest of smaller trees, can give more shade than the greatest banyan. And small trees also are always essential. At the edge of the desert, a poor family whom I knew had to bring water from a distance. Even so they kept a supply to give half a glass to any thirsty traveler. This small gift made them happy, and those who received it happy. Amity, reverence for life, is everyone's privilege, and the more we cultivate it, the greater the spiritual prosperity we will enjoy and share. This spiritual prosperity of caring and sharing will enrich us more than any material prosperity. As a single banyan cannot give us the oxygen we need in order to live, no single savior or messiah can really build world brotherhood, world unity. That will take all of us together. Amity can fill every cell of your body. Thus your body becomes a temple of amity. You are transformed! If any obstacle comes in the way, if something unworthy enters the temple, it is the intrusion of ego.... Let it go. If you do not pay attention to it, it will have no energy. Unless you let it occupy your thoughts, and take over your energy, it will have no role. Let it pass. Let the flow of love and beauty wash it away. Know that the stream of amity will forever wash away evil.