This might be my favorite spiritual quote ever. This picture attributes it to Ramana Maharshi, but I have also seen it ascribed to Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most prolific Buddhist authors and a personal favorite.
This particular quote led to a very engaging conversation with my 15 year old son, George.
I explained that this quote is deliberately designed to shock the reader into rethinking - to release the idea that others are separate from ourselves. In Buddhism, the idea of non-duality ("advaita") is at the heart of realizing the connection between the Self and the greater reality. It is the essence of recognizing that We Are One.
In a more practical sense, it is disturbing that so many notable political and religious figures base their doctrines on divisiveness, emphasizing the differences between us as a way to incite mistrust, fear and hatred. In particular our current President is as much a master of the technique of the "invisible enemy" as Adolf Hitler was. Hitler came to power in 1930s Germany by naming Jews responsible for Germany's post WW1 woes. This lead to persecution and wholesale slaughter of all minorities who were not what he considered the Chosen Race. Stalin also used this technique to keep control of the USSR and the Soviet Bloc for decades. Ho Chi Minh used it in Vietnam. Mao used it in China. Pol Pot used it in Camobida. It was used by the IRA in Northern Ireland. In the 1950s in America, Joe McCarthy used this same technique successfully to target suspected Communists and destroy their careers and families. It was used in Bosnia. It was used in Africa. Donald Trump uses Muslims and Mexicans today for this same sinister racist goal. This is evil and must be stopped.
Buddhism teaches us that there is no difference between others and ourselves, and the picture quote simply and elegantly reaffirms this.
Done, right? Wrong.
George inquires "how can we all be the same? what place does individuality have? If we are all the same why aren't we just clones of each other?" Great questions.
It is true that we are all individuals in Buddhism, meaning that we are unique souls on unique journeys of self-discovery. Each of us has a path that we must find through meditation and follow diligently if we are to progress toward allowing our true nature of enlightenment to emerge.
However, a central understanding we need in order to progress is an acceptance of the divine connection between all things. Even though we are individuals, our souls are inextricably linked to each other because their essence and origin is the same as ours. We are truly One Tribe and although we may look different on the outside we are the same on the inside, and the deeper we go (from flesh to soul) the more the same we are. It is a shallowness to categorize each other based on appearance. With so many messages to the contrary, we need constant reminders that we are all connected so we can stamp out the seeds of hatred before they take root at all.
These days Diversity and Inclusion are big topics in the workplace. Most good companies champion this effort, and many have taken great steps forward in establishing and reviewing policies in the interest of "fairness" for all employees. This is sensible for those companies who wish to attract and retain the most talented employees of every demographic. Making very public the message that all people are welcomed is an important first step toward reducing apprehension and promoting the openness that is needed to erase fear and develop mutual understanding. This is a never-ending mission that needs our support.
Hate can never be allowed to persevere among us.
As Buddhists this is easily summed up in the quote on the picture.
"There are no others"
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