In today’s world, we witness disorder, violence, and conflict, akin to a sick man suffering from numerous ailments. What is the remedy for these afflictions? Sri Sathya Sai Baba tells us that humanity must transcend selfishness, greed, and other negative traits, rising above mere animal instincts. Cultivating selflessness and charity is essential to attain purity. From purity of heart arises unity, which in turn leads to the realization of Divinity. The foundation of human existence should be constructed upon these four principles.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba encourages us to consider all as brothers and sisters and in this manner, to conduct ourselves with unity. All are children of God. Therefore, if at any time feelings of hatred develop between us and others, we must remind ourselves that we are not separate from them. Considering that all are one, we will attain unity and experience its bliss. Seeing unity in diversity is divinity and true spirituality.
In turn, unity must steadily grow from the individual – manifested as unity of thought, word and deed – into the family unit, and into the community at large.
Unity at the Individual Level
The harmony between thoughts, words and deeds, Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, is the first step in spiritual growth. The generation, expression and efflorescence of humanitarianism depends on the proper integration of thought, speech and action. It is the greatest virtue. Lack of correlation between ideas, utterances and actions leads to self-deception, hypocrisy, and spiritual bankruptcy.
Unity at the Family Level
Similarly, a family is the most important functional unit in the world. If the family is running on sound lines, the world will also run smoothly. If the unity among family members suffers even to a small extent, the world will face repercussions. Unity gives strength to the lives of the family members. Therefore, every family should strive to achieve unity and a harmonious relationship among its members.
Beyond the Individual and Family – Unity in Society
Having experienced unity at the individual and family levels as essential building blocks in our path, we should not let ourselves fall into self-centeredness – we must continue expanding. Sri Sathya Sai Baba tells us that expansion of love is life; contraction of love is death. All are the children of God, so one should have the broad feeling of love and unity with everyone. Humanity can never progress without broad feelings.
Unity of Faiths
Finally, the unity of all faiths is imperative to achieve individual peace and harmony in society. In Sathya Sai Baba’s words: “Let the different faiths exist, let them flourish. Let the glory of God be sung in all languages and in a variety of tunes. That should be the ideal. Respect the differences between faiths and recognize them as valid, so far as they do not extinguish the flame of unity.”