During our many trips overseas, we have found that people, despite their backgrounds, cultures, or faiths, have the same need for love, for respect, for giving and for receiving. This is what makes us all human.
According to the Hindu holy writings known as the Upanishads, “When a blade of grass is cut, the whole universe quivers.”
John Donne, the 17th century English poet, expressed a parallel view: “If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,” and “Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.”
Deep thinkers, East, and West, understand that the human race is interdependent, and that love is the lubricant that keeps the interdependence functional.
“When the love of power is replaced by the power of love, there will be peace,” said Jimi Hendrix, the late rock star.
Love cannot exist in an egocentric atmosphere. When ego disappears, love enters. Love is the greatest gift of all. Love makes beggars out of kings and kings out of beggars. Love can turn an ordinary stone into a ruby; a piece of iron ore into iron. Love is a circle with no end – a sea of unseen shores. Og Mandino, who was Nido’s friend and Azim’s hero, said: “When you have love, your brows get unwrinkled, you have a twinkle in your eye, your heart opens, there’s an echo in your voice, and a smile on your lips.”
One day while waiting for his flight, Azim was watching television. A priest was sharing a story about newborn twins, one of whom was deathly ill. The hospital, following its own rules, was keeping the twins in separate incubators. A nurse on the floor repeatedly suggested that the twins be kept together in one incubator and, finally, the doctors agreed. When the twins were brought into contact with each other, the healthy twin immediately put his arms around his sick brother. This instinctive exchange was credited with helping the sick twin to recover. The babies’ family and the doctors witnessed the intangible force of love and the incredible power of giving.
Love is a powerful force. When there is love, there is God, and with love, your life becomes a work of art, a piece of poetry. With love, an individual is transformed in the same way a caterpillar is changed into a butterfly. It drives home the realization that you have been created and are not the creator. You no longer take things personally or become defensive or suspicious. You can say goodbye to complexes – inferior or superior. You’ll find no more boundaries and fight no more turf wars. No more edging gifts out! You become a person with an attitude of gratitude. As enlightenment comes, ego goes. Enlightenment thus trumps ego!
(Excerpt from the book, ‘Life Balance, The Sufi Way’ by Azim Jamal & Nido Quebin)