As the representative of the Brahma Kumaris at the UN in New York, I often get asked two salient questions: ‘What can I do?’ and ‘What difference can I make?’.
In answer to them, and with the desire to use the spiritual principle of simplicity, I reply with the question that the Secretary General asked when reaching out to the world in this year 2020, the 75th anniversary of the United Nations: “What kind of future do you want?”
The answer to what we can do and what difference we can make lies in the vision we have of our future.
There is a line in the UNESCO Constitution which says: “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.”
The UN is working hard for peace. Its Sustainable Development Agenda has been designed to this end, and the aim is for it to be reached by 2030 — that leaves just 10 more years.
The agenda is complex. I try to simplify this by encapsulating the process in five ‘Ps’ and three interconnecting landscapes.
The five ‘Ps’ are: Peace, Partnership, People, Planet and Prosperity.
The three landscapes are: Economic, Social and Environmental — but I add a fourth; Spiritual.
The ‘P’ of Prosperity fits with the Economic landscape.
The ‘P’ of People fits with the Social landscape.
The ‘P’ of Planet fits with the environmental landscape.
But then the remaining ‘Ps’, Peace and Partnership — fit with the Spiritual landscape.
So, looking through the lens of the spiritual principle of simplicity, in peace and with cooperation, we can see how to envision the future we would want, by considering what we can do, and how we can make a difference with these goals in mind.
If we look at the Economic landscape and Prosperity, we can see much anxiety in the world at the economic level, but if we look from the spiritual perspective, we would see abundance rather than scarcity.
As Mahatma Gandhi said: “There is enough on earth for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed”. Wealth is money, and money is sacred. Can I use money in a way that is life-generating, that brings dignity and worth to people’s life?
Can I use my assets of physical health, invest in my emotional health and in self-care and self-compassion? Can I use the currency of thoughts to help build resilience? Spiritual wealth is vital to the pursuit of happiness. I must first invest in my spiritual well-being, from which all else flows.
If we look at the Social landscape and People, through the spiritual lens, then how do I see the tapestry of my community? For the world to be as I want it to be, I would need to invest in inclusive communities, especially at a time of social distancing and lockdowns, when communities are essential. I would like to see an awareness of safety, respect, freedom to be oneself, acceptance. Communities that build high levels of trust and where differences are used to enrich the lives of everyone.
When we turn our attention to the environmental landscape and the Planet, what do I notice that Mother Earth is showing us? She is surely calling us to have a different relationship with her.
So, with the spiritual lens, I would look at the deeper meaning of ‘eco-friendly’. I would recognise the fragility of our whole planet and the need for a change in lifestyle, in order to live in harmony with Mother Nature.
I would choose a plant-based diet and products that conserve the environment. I would also develop an attitude of gratitude, take time to smell the roses and rekindle my awareness, that the oxygen I breathe comes from the trees, an offering of nature. I would make sure that with the same gratitude that I breathe in, I breathe out peace in return.
So, let me start constructing the inner landscape of peace in the soul. Then, with the wisdom and strength that accumulate through that, I can cooperate for a common cause; to conserve together that which will be beneficial to all. Spiritually speaking, at the core of cooperation is love. That spiritual love attracts, and cooperation becomes natural.
We begin to see the whole entity, the whole system, and offer our strengths, skills, talents, expertise, and, of course, our resources. This is coming together for the greater good. This is love.
Gayatri Naraine represents the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations in New York.