on individuality
in yesterday's post, i mentioned individuality and asked if the notion of it did not conflict with our greater need to establish a sense of oneness with others. the spark that hit me minutes ago was that individuality need not be (as i then perceived it) about establishing oneself as different from others, but about recognizing that as we are, at least in apparent terms, we do have our differences. after all, we look different, express ourselves differently, possess different skills and talents, etc. i hardly think these differences should be overlooked, because they lend their own contribution to the richness of this world that we all grow from and learn from everyday. the goal, i think though, is to see them for what they are, to understand them and learn to leverage them for the greater good of all, and then to transcend them in order to immerse in the oneness that lies beyond.
5 comments:
In fact, I would go even further and say that it is only by achieving a true understanding of unity that humanity can fully cultivate its diversity and individuality. Unity and diversity go hand in hand, and realizing this in society is intrinsically linked to providing a social milieu that most promotes the full expression of the individual capacities and gifts of each member of society.
"Behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage—and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain.
So it is with humanity. It is made up of many races, and its peoples are of different colour, white, black, yellow, brown and red—but they all come from the same God, and all are servants to Him...
If you beheld a garden in which all the plants were the same as to form, colour and perfume, it would not seem beautiful to you at all, but, rather, monotonous and dull. The garden which is pleasing to the eye and which makes the heart glad, is the garden in which are growing side by side flowers of every hue, form and perfume, and the joyous contrast of colour is what makes for charm and beauty...
Thus should it be among the children of men! The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord."
-- Abdu'l Baha
Yes, in fact the test of true love and tolerance towards one another, in achieving unity, is in being able to do so given the apparent disparities.
hmm, i agree with both of you. i guess i was just trying to discuss the discovery of individuality in a more positive and joyful light, and that it can lead us to a deeper understanding of unity.
i'm not sure if you're both also alluding to that, though i agree with your statements in and of themselves, of course.
Were there no ugliness would you appreciate beauty?
But for blandness you wold not differentiate the spice?
Its white that makes every other colour colourful and the fragrance that is experienced wouldnt be so exotic if it was forever smelling the same.
very true, anon.
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