loving those who are different (holistic harmony article)

[clean42day]

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Loving those who are different

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From the forthcoming book "Love is the Choice" by Robert Elias Najemy

We learn from society and religious and political groups to fear and mistrust what is different and "not us". We are told that they are wrong and dangerous. We are also programmed to believe that there can be only one right or wrong. Thus if there is a possibility that the others, who are different, are right, then we might be wrong - thus not worthy and not safe.

We might believe we are safe only when we belong to a group. Those who are not in my group are not good and right, and I should not love them.

Basically we fear what is different. That may mean a person of another race, religion, political party, country, or economic, professional or social class. It is easier to love those with whom we feel safe. We feel safe with what is familiar and similar. We are also affirmed by them, because they prove that we are "right".

To free ourselves from this obstacle to love, we need to develop an inner sense of security. We can feel secure when we realize that these other beings are in reality unique expressions of the one divine consciousness which is expressing itself as all beings - including our own selves. All others are brother and sister souls in the process of evolution. They are subject to the same needs, fears and programming as we are. They too are learning from their experiences.

All souls are an _expression of the one divine consciousness. The soul takes on a temporary form for the purpose of learning, evolving, creating and serving. It may choose an American, Greek, Russian, Turkish, British, Australian, Arab, Israeli or Palestinian body. It may select a Christian, Moslem, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist or atheistic mind set. It might temporarily express it self through a male or female body. It may grow through wealth or poverty. It may learn by playing the role of the employee or employer, office worker, technician, worker, farmer, policeman, judge or even the role of the criminal.

The soul is none of these temporary attributes. Our challenge in life is to see beyond all these superficial labels and perceive the divine being in each being regardless of the above separating factors.

We need to widen our circle of unity. Some people have a very small circle of identification. They feel close to and are interested in very few people. Some of us do not even include ourselves in our circle of love. We do not love ourselves and do not care for, or do what is best for ourselves. Others identify with themselves but no one else. They do not feel close to any others. Most of us identify with and feel comfortable with our families and everyone else belongs out there - "the others."

A few have widened their circle of interest and unity to all of their relatives and perhaps even their friends and some coworkers. Fewer feel unity with all of those who belong to the same religion, nationality, political party or perhaps athletic group.

Our eventual goal is to widen our circle of unity to include all beings, regardless of religion, nationally, race, political party etc. and perhaps even animals, plants and insects. This is the purpose of our incarnate life.

The challenge of love is to widen our circle of unity, identification and love to include all beings. Only fear and ignorance prevent that.

[flickchic]

The challenge of love is to widen our circle of unity, identification and love to include all beings. Only fear and ignorance prevent that. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Love and tolerance of others is our code. Big Book pg. 84

..........

[mellotripp]

So if you are one as your blood is red. And Satan just tempted some fools.
The innermost wish of those who are dead, is that you find peace from within. Blow them back to kingdom come...
Vengeance as an individual, or as a people, in the eyes of God will never be accepted.
Lyrics from song titled LOVE, written 12-3-2001 by yours truly

[clean42day]

October 22

TRUE TOLERANCE

Finally, we begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means.

TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 92

The thought occurred to me that all people are emotionally ill to some extent. How could we not be? Who among us is spiritually perfect? Who among us is physically perfect? How could any of us be emotionally perfect? Therefore, what else are we to do but bear with one another and treat each other as we would be treated in similar circumstances? That is what love really is.



***Today's reading taken from DAILY REFLECTIONS, published by AAWSI***

[clean42day]

[mellotripp]

For God's unconditional love I know is mine, it is not until I myself can give it away unconditionally, that I can truly claim it

[janbear]

Originally Posted by clean42day

The soul is none of these temporary attributes. Our challenge in life is to see beyond all these superficial labels and perceive the divine being in each being regardless of the above separating factors.