September 24, 2010 from TimesOfIndia Website
What is our centre?
It is usually that core collection of
feelings, beliefs, conditionings, thoughts, biases, prejudices,
ideas, perceptions, points of view, and opinions - basically
whatever we think we are. This centre is often mind-based, not being
or soul-based, for those things always operate out of silence and
love. The soul or being is our real centre, as opposed to the mind
or ego based 'pseudo-centre' from where we frequently and
unknowingly operate.
Raw materials that make up material and spiritual things too, are impermanent. And hence, it is near impossible for ordinary individuals to see the whole truth, the complete truth, of reality. What we often see, due to our limited vision, perspective, point of view, our senses and sensibilities, or beliefs, our social upbringings, our limitations is a thin slice of life, or reality.
What we see in not the untruth, but it
cannot be the entire truth, which is too vast for mere mortals to
comprehend, and is also constantly undergoing modification and
evolution. It needs a highly evolved or enlightened soul, of the
calibre of a Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus or
Nanak - or the 24
Thirthankars, who form the foundation of the
Jain religion - to be able to see and understand that whole truth.
If we knew this, then we would not be in conflict with others. But we assume that what we know is the whole truth and that the other is wrong. And hence there are conflicts all over the world, basically because my truth does not agree with yours, although both of us don't know that we are both only partially correct, and are both likely to be wrong.
We strongly hold on to our partial or
wrong concepts, and fight over it, tooth and nail. When the final
picture emerges, or with the passage of time, when we look back at
the past, we will often see how our words and actions were often
wrong.
If we recognize that we don't know the whole picture, we are likely to become less aggressive and more humble, which will pave the way for more peace and joy on earth.
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