Humans have been around for over six millions years on this Planet Earth. The modern form of humans only evolved about 200,000 years ago. Between 70,000 and 100,000 years ago, Homo Sapiens began migrating from African continent and populating parts of Europe and Asia. They reached the Australian continent in canoes sometime between 35,000 and 65,000 years ago. Meanwhile, they had gone through not only complex biological evolution but also the psychological evolution process. Today, humans- are the result of a complex bio-psychological evolution which is still continuing unabated. However, despite being around for so many years, we still need to learn how to love one another as equals, live in compassion and shared humane values.
HUMANITY: ONE LOVE, ONE HEART, ONE DESTINY
“O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.”
~ Baha’ U’ llah, “The Hidden Words”.
Religion is not just a set of rules and teachings that you must devote your life to, it’s what you take from any religion that’s important. All religions give the teachings of love, peace and unity. The most important requirement is peace. Where there is peace, there is abundance. However, for me the most important religion is humanity. Humanity is an important part of human character and life which enables us to be kind and compassionate to all sentient beings, to understand fellow human beings, to help them and understand their problems. Just being a good human being defines you everywhere. Being loving and caring towards all living beings, even plants and animals, and above all to understand other people’s problems and realize the situations they are in and be considerate can bring change in their life.
Humanity means loving for and helping others whenever and wherever possible. Humanity means helping others at times when they need that help the most, humanity means forgetting our selfish interest at times when others need our help. Humanity means extending unconditional love to each other and every living being on earth, e.g. paying our domestic help fairly is humanity, lifting the heavy bag for an old woman/man is humanity, helping a disabled person to cross the road is humanity; in fact, helping anyone who is in need is humanity. Loving and caring unconditionally for this burning world is humanity. Humanity can be defined as the quality of being humane; the peculiar nature of man, by which he is distinguished from other beings. Being human does not necessarily mean that an individual possesses humanity; this is something that needs to be cultivated with conscious efforts.
One of the most outstanding examples of extraordinary humanity in a human being has been portrayed beautifully by Mother Teresa. She was a selfless and a dedicated woman who did endless “humanitarian” work. Also, there are many other examples of people that can be cited who have broken the ‘artificial’ barriers of petty identities like family, caste, clan, tribe, religion, race, colour, and embraced the entire world as their own.
Today’s world, when we look at it from a social point of view is full of greed, commotion, distress and distrust. Besides, instead of becoming more civilized and human, man is turning himself into a monster. There are people who dedicate their life to serve humanity but again there are some who mercilessly kill innocent people. Why is this injustice and inhuman act still present in this modern and so called ‘civilized’ world? Can abusing, beating, killing in the name of extremely petty and artificial identities like religion, tribe, caste, clan, family, creed, race ever be justified? Some people get sadistic pleasure in violence, thinking it as a “manly” thing. How ignorant they are! How unfortunate they are! How inhuman they are ! How scary they are! How can ‘violent nature’ be ‘manly’? Evolved civilization must be a devotee of knowledge and peace, not worshipper of the ignorance and violence. Evolved man is a reservoir of wisdom, unconditional love, care and compassion- not ignorance, violence and hatred.
There are many instances of barbaric and inhumane acts which force us to question our human character. Recently media reported incidents like brutal rape and murder of Twelve Years old Minor girl named Sumila Ronghangpi of Karbi Tribe from Karbi Anglong; Assam, the merciless killing of three people at Lamhainamdi Village, District Peren, and a brutal, merciless assault on seventeen years old minor boy from Sangtam Tribe at Chumoukedima, District Dimapur; such incidents raise serious concerns as to the existence of human values in our society. Where is compassion? Where is Love? Where is Brotherhood? Why this Barbarism? I feel so sad, depressed and ashamed as well. Also, at the international level, examples of the tension between Myanmar military and civilians can also be referred to. Myanmar is at unrest, many innocent people have been killed by Myanmar’s armed force. This is pure injustice and an inhumane act. When will blind, blood thirsty, war mongering people understand that violence is insanity; it will never solve any problem.
Moreover, the evident racial discrimination against the Asian-Americans, Hispanics and Blacks in USA, and caste discrimination in India are other examples to make us wonder as why there is so much hatred among humans. We are no different from one another; we are all equally and wonderfully created by our living God. Hatred based on caste, creed, colour or status should be totally condemned. Be selfless, be more humane, love one another, make peace and live in harmony in divine oneness. Yes, we can do that! After all, we are humans.
As a human being, I sincerely believe in the heart of oneness; there is no superiority or inferiority. There is only oneness- joy. If you feel oneness for even a fraction of a second, you will feel that your human life is totally transformed and immortalised. Pray to the Supreme to grant you conscious, constant and inseparable oneness with Him and fellow human beings. Then the question of separativity, superiority, identities, class, clan, caste, tribe and all other social binaries and the psychological walls will automatically be solved. If the mind can surrender to the heart, or take advice from the heart, definitely it is much easier to establish oneness which is a ‘final’ solution to every problem on this planet. Man is capable to generate infinite, unconditional love, care and compassion for all the sentient & living beings. Have YOU ever tried?
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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