How we react to our differences, determines whether we make war, or find strength in our diversity.

In 1623 English poet John Donne wrote down the words, “No man is an island” – even in those moments that we may feel ourselves to be utterly alone, the truth is we are surrounded by other humans. Nothing is created – nothing comes to fruition – unless humans cooperate to bring it into existence. We are in it together for better or worse, so we can just as well upgrade our relationship to the humans around us.

When you pick up the next product off the supermarket shelf (or lift it out of the delivery bag), stop for a moment to recognize the amount of human lives it took to place this product in your hand. From the planting, to the harvesting, to the transporting, to the processing and packaging, to transporting again, to stacking it on a shelf, to delivering it to you…

My ‘being human’ is dependent on the collective humanity of this whole planet.

“As a body everyone is single, as a soul never.” – Hermann Hesse

“Slowly blossomed, slowly ripened in Siddhartha the realization, the knowledge, what wisdom actually was, what the goal of his long search was. It was nothing but a readiness of the soul, an ability, a secret art, to think every moment, while living his life, the thought of oneness, to be able to feel and inhale the oneness.” – Hermann Hesse

Of course our collective ‘being human’ doesn’t guarantee we get along, it causes friction too! But it is our reaction to our differences that determines whether we make war, or find our strength in our diversity. 

“To hold our tongues when everyone is gossiping, to smile without hostility at people and institutions, to compensate for the shortage of love in the world with more love in small, private matters; to be more faithful in our work, to show greater patience, to forgo the cheap revenge obtainable from mockery and criticism: all these are things we can do.” – Hermann Hesse

The next time you have to enforce a boundary, the next time you have to say no… could you remember who you are dealing with? You are dealing with a brother and a sister. You are dealing with another soul having a human experience. You can say no, and also be filled with love.

A few affirmations to ponder in your contact with the world around you:

• I recognize the divine spark within myself and all others.
• I am grateful for the intricate web of relationships that sustain life on Earth.
• I choose compassion and understanding as I interact with the world.
• I am a part of something greater than myself.

As we deepen our awareness of our shared humanity, we begin to understand the role we all play in the well-being of each other. Let us cultivate a deeper awareness of our interconnectedness. By recognizing the humanity in others, we can transform our relationships, our communities, and ultimately, our world.

– pierre –

Today’s LIVE meditation is: Tonglen