When asked about service to others, Ramana Maharshi—a famous advocate of Advaita (unity in multiplicity)—is purported to have said, “What others?”—which to me says there are no differences among people; we are the same.
“We are one,” has been a battle cry of sorts. As a goal, it may be righteous. As a reality, it may be found greatly lacking.
To some of us—but arguably not enough of us—the inequality is staggering.
Before I get in the food line for second portions, should not those who have yet to receive first portions get priority? Or are some lives valued over others or some considered expendable?
“Collateral damage” entered the vernacular during recent wars, I believe. It is a dangerous concept.
There is “intended damage,” and there is unintended, presumably unavoidable damage, for which we are excused.
No country is an island and even the actual islands are not.
The Taliban discriminates against women. Some orthodox Hindus discriminate against women and lower caste persons. In Orthodox Judaism, women are generally relegated to 2nd or third-class citizens—unless they cook and clean well.
African-Americans have been discriminated against for the past 400 years or so in the so-called “United” States. The legalized end of apartheid in South Africa has not resulted in economic parity.
One of the revolutionary aspects of the spread of Agnihotra and Homa Therapy worldwide, began in the early 1980s in India when Westerners went to Harijan colonies and revealed the erstwhile Vedic secret practice of Agnihotra to the poorest of the poor.
So, Westerners and lower castes and women all were allowed for the first time to learn about and practice the Fivefold Path of Satya Dharma.
Who knows? Maybe girls will be permitted to attend school in Afghanistan someday.
So, the doors of Vedic knowledge have been thrust open to the masses.
Might equality become reality? Perhaps the planetary scourge of Climate Change may push humanity closer to “What Others?”