Unity in Diversity: The Mental Strength and Spiritual Resilience of India

The problem admits that this pluralism we face is big, i.e., ‘Religious Conflicts’. Scholars in Europe and America often give examples of India to demonstrate religious conflicts. That is how they talk about India, as if we are in a perpetual conflict, experiencing a disturbing and disquieting loss of inner and outer peace. For this, we can ask them: despite this violence, how is India still alive, along with its profound unity in diversity?

Yes! Religion is a source of conflict, we agree. Also, since the time of the Rigveda, Indian philosophy has admitted this conflict, but can you explain how we have managed to live 5,000 years together in cultural harmony? How is it that conflict has not destroyed India?

Don’t look at conflict alone; look to India’s common efforts to live together despite differences. Otherwise, so many religions would have led to so much conflict that could, in turn, lead to destruction. Yet, we still live as a proud, progressive people sustained by our collective consciousness.

Therefore, think about where our mental strength lies (as we have fewer other material sources of strength). It is this spiritual resilience of India that has kept us living gloriously with high cultures and civilisation. Professional unity, social unity, and cultural unity all contribute to building up a resilient people.

As an academician and seeker of contemplative thought, we can offer to this multiplicity of religion and undeniable conflict a profound approach for the sustainable development of society. From the Discourses of Suvvidhi (Compiled by Sinika Lunkar)