Often someone else has said exactly what is on my mind, and I am fortunate enough come across those words just when I need to. Here is one of those occasions. Here is an excerpt from a lecture given by the Dalai Lama at University Aula, Oslo, December 11th, 1989:
When I meet people in different parts of the world, I am always reminded that we are all basically alike: we are all human beings. Maybe we have different clothes, our skin is of a different colour, or we speak different languages. That is on the surface. But basically, we are the same human beings. That is what binds us to each other. That is what makes it possible for us to understand each other and to develop friendship and closeness. …Because we all share this small planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. That is not just a dream, but a necessity.
How many times have we looked at another person and seen only what is different? Entire wars are started because we lose sight of what we all share–our basic human wants and needs, our humanity. It’s easy to point fingers and claim righteousness; the real work is in collaboration, building bridges, and creating harmony in the world.
“No knot unties itself,” the old saying goes. What knots can you help untie in your community? What bridge can you build today? Who may you have discounted before, but now can see as fully human?
