“All differences in this world are of
degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.” - Swami
Vivekananda
With the rapid changes in technology
the globe has become a small village. We need to change with the changing times
and technologies to stay ahead of others. At the same time, we must learn to
appreciate differences. Here are the tools to appreciate the differences:
Love your mother but don’t hate
others’ mother. As your mother is precious to you, the others’ mother is
precious to them. As your religion, region, culture, community, language, and caste
is precious to you, it is equally precious to others. When you look at from
this perspective you appreciate the differences.
Empathize with others. Empathy is the
ability to look from the perspective of others. It is the ability to step into
the shoes of others, and look from others’ perspective. In fact, when you empathize with others most
of the problems in the world will be resolved easily. Of course, when you
empathize there is least scope for problems!
Look at the similarities, not
differences. When you look at differences, everything sounds strange and
complicated whereas when you see commonalities in everything, you find
everything pleasant in this world. Hence, develop such perception to look at
similarities among others.
Be tolerant towards others. Open up and talk to people, you will develop
more tolerance.
Travel various places as traveling
opens the window to the outside world. Otherwise, you remain like a frog in the
world. In addition, travel is a component of investigation and a spur to idea
generation.
When you look at commonalities the
conflicts can be minimized and communication can be maintained leading to
fraternity. Follow these tips and you
will find minimizing the differences; appreciating them; and looking at
commonalities among others. It takes you to be a leader with a global
perspective.
India is a land of unity in
diversity. Despite being differences in
religions, regions, languages, races, ethnicities, and communities Indians are
united on one plank of Indianness which substantiates the slogan of ‘unity in
diversity’. Swami Vivekananda
highlighted India’s greatness in Chicago Conference by addressing the entire
audience as ‘brothers and sisters’ which shows oneness and togetherness among
the people cutting across all barriers. Indian culture has great degree of tolerance,
and this land is one of the best lands on the earth as it absorbed various
cultures, religions, races, and communities in its fold since time immemorial. To
conclude in the words of M. Scott Peck, “Share our similarities, celebrate our
differences.”
“Strength lies in differences, not in
similarities.” - Stephen Covey
Email: profmsr12@gmail.com
Born for the Students
Dear readers,
I would appreciate your comments about
this article.
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Professor Rao,
ReplyDeleteI have heard stories of Christians being severely persecuted in India in recent years. Is this something that is happening only in certain limited regions? How does this square with your claim that India is open and tolerant of alternative ideas? I'm not trying to be beligerant. I honestly want to understand.