UNITY

all human beings at the level of nature and creation. Nature forms the common constituent in the creation of human beings, just as the atom forms the common constituent in all the varied objects of nature in the physical world. That is to say that the same unity which exists in the external world at the physical level, has existed among human beings at the spiritual level from the outset. But man tends at times to be oblivious of his own nature. This is no less true in the sphere of unity. Today people are unaware of their spiritual potential. In such a situation, the easiest way to bring about spiritual unity is to make men aware of that potential. The moment they became aware of it, spiritual unity will come into existence of its own accord. The Unity of Humankind The Quran says, “O men, have fear of your Lord, who created you from a single soul. From that soul He created its mate, and through them, He scattered the earth with countless men and women.” (4: 1) This shows that men and women have been created from the same substance. Their being physically one, of necessity, demands their spiritual oneness. Making a similar point, the Prophet Muhammad said that all human beings are brothers (Abu Dawud). This gives rise to the concept of a common brotherhood, and without doubt, it is this sense of brotherhood which generates the strongest feeling of oneness and togetherness among different people. That is to say that when all human beings in this world are virtually blood brothers, they must, as this concept necessarily demands, live as brothers in spirit too. Any other way of living is a deviation from reality. In 1893, Swami Vivekananda went to Chicago to participate in the Parliament of Religions. As the Encyclopedia Britannica puts it, his was a ‘sensational appearance.’ On that occasion all the speakers at the conference followed the common practice of addressing the audience as “Ladies and gentlemen.” But when Swami Vivekananda took the stage, he addressed the assembly as “Sisters and brothers of America.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the hall resounded When it is acknowledged that there is only One Greatest Reality, it is but natural that all other creation should acquire the character of unity.