Expanding the Boundaries of Love and Friendship - Daya Mata

If we look around us with the eyes of wisdom, it is obvious that world conditions are going to force humankind to develop a closer relationship with God. This globe which in past centuries seemed so huge, has, comparatively speaking, been reduced to the size of an orange. No longer can we think of ourselves as separate from the other peoples and cultures of the world; modern communications and modes of travel have truly brought us all face to face, making it absolutely necessary that we develop the spiritual maturity to understand each other and get along with each other, even as members of the same household must do. Prejudices and small-mindedness—two great weaknesses of human nature—must go.

Do Away with the Boundaries of Prejudice

Now more than ever we must accept the truth: This is one world. It is made up of all different kinds of people with all their multi-farious physical appearances, mentalities, interests, motivations. But uniting these endlessly varied blossoms of human individuality there is one basic principle that threads all of us like a garland—and that is God. In His eyes none is greater, none is lesser; we are all His children. God is not the least bit interested in where we were born, which religion we follow, or what the color of our skin is—what does it matter whether our souls wear a red, black, yellow, or white dress? He couldn’t care less. But He does care about how we behave. That is the only criterion by which He judges His children. If we are filled with prejudices, we will in like manner reap prejudices. If we are filled with hatred, we will in like manner reap hatred. If we are filled with resentment towards any group of people, it is certain that we are sowing seeds of enmity that one day we ourselves must reap.

To resent anyone because that person is different is childish. Such feelings do not exist in mature, divine souls. Have you ever watched children playing together? They can be having the time of their lives—laughing, joking, sharing their toys—then suddenly one picks up something the other child wants, and before you know it they are fighting. One is hitting the other over the head and the other is screaming, and you have a real battle going on! Too many ‘adults’ behave exactly like this—look at the number of wars going on in so many nations around the world. These are the reactions born of the immature development of the perpetrators. The mature individual understands and accepts that there are many different viewpoints in this world, and that none is exclusively right.

© "The Vedanta Kesari (December, 1999) published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. Website: www.sriramakrishnamath.org. Reprinted with permission.

Sri Daya Mata is the Sanghamata and President, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India and the Self-Realization Fellowship. She is one of the earliest and closest sannyasi disciples of Sri Paramahamsa Yogananda. Daya Mataji, a true ‘Mother of Compassion,’ has spoken to vast audiences during her numerous trips to India. She has also made several global lecture tours. The books of her satsangas include Only Love, Finding the Joy Within You, and Enter the Quiet Heart. These are extracts from her informal talks given at SRF International Headquarters, Los Angeles, USA. Courtesy SRF, USA.

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