We are One

‎"As we expand from the narrow viewpoint that the priorities in life are material and sensory wealth, to a greater view of life with spiritual purpose, then not only do we change in lifestyle habits and relationships, but we see the world differently. If we no longer think we were dropped somehow by accident onto this planet to get all we can, then we see that is also true of all other people. If we are here for a greater purpose, then so are all five billion plus inhabitants of the planet. Our sense of community changes. Our family grows. We realize we are part of a global community, all brothers and sisters on a long journey, though on different paths. No longer can we do work that might harm other people, or harm the world in which we all live. If we have jobs that pollute the environment, or create difficulties for other people, we will feel obliged to find other work. 

At the same time we no longer feel threatened by the differences in other people. If all five billion people on the planet are here for a higher spiritual purpose, then the differences in race, color, and beliefs are ultimately superficial. These differences, along with everything else happening on the planet, are serving the higher spiritual purpose. Race, color, and creed are part of the different paths toward the same goal. The fear that these varieties of race, color, and creed once held, that somehow people who were different were a threat to what is owned, disappear." - Swami Rama in Sacred Journey