Conflicts between communities and religions result in various questions arising in the mind. Despite the awareness that all religions teach the same thing, we are painfully aware of the differences and divisions. Without taking recourse to any religious theology, ideology or philosophy let us think of the simple truth, of the underlying oneness and harmony.
The various experiences of life show that we want to live happily, collectively and together. A little thinking on the subject shows that the only thing required for this is common sense! To apply or use common sense in life, we do not have to belong to any particular philosophy or religion. Speaking on this rare phenomenon, Swami Vivekananda opined, “Common sense is the most uncommon thing in this world!”
Let us understand that we are born in this world and have to live our own lives. It is not possible to live the life of another person. This seemingly simple statement has far reaching implications. The corollary to this is that we must take responsibility for our lives and learn to mind our own business. Generally, we do not hold ourselves accountable for the sorrows of our life. We shift the blame onto somebody, some place or event, as it is much easier to pin the cause of our unhappiness on something other than ourselves. We spend our time wanting and trying to change the people we encounter in life and also the world itself! However, our best intentions and efforts do not meet with much success because we are unable to change anyone.
Also remember that — if we do what we need to do, then one day we will be able to do what we want to do. Our minds are confused because we want to do multiple things. We are unable to achieve great things because we shirk at even our simple, obligatory duties assigned to us. We are unable to perform properly and on time, even those duties regarding which there is no confusion. So, when difficulties come, we are confused and do not understand what to do. Vedanta sums it up by saying, “Avichara krito bandha vicharane nivartate” (All our bondage and suffering is caused by lack of right thinking).
