Lasting Solution for Modern-Day Conflicts - part 4 Keynote Address of Her Holiness Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi at the closing Plenary Session of The Parliament of the World’s Religions. July 13, 2004, Barcelona, Spain. ( contd. from page-3)

The Creator & The Creation

In Sanatana Dharma—the Eternal Religion (as Hinduism is called)—there is the following mantra:  “Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu”, meaning “May all the worlds be happy.”

According to the scriptures of India, there is no difference between the Creator and creation, just as there is no difference between the ocean and its waves; the essence of both the ocean and the waves is one and the same: it is water; gold and gold ornaments are the same because gold is the substance of the ornaments; and clay and the clay pot are ultimately one and the same because the material of the pot is clay. So there is no difference between the Creator or God, and the created, the world. Essentially they are one and the same—pure consciousness.

So, we should learn to love everyone equally, because in essence we are all one, one Atman, one soul. Though externally everything looks different, internally all are manifestations of the absolute Self.

God is not a limited individual, who sits alone up in the clouds on a golden throne. God is the pure Consciousness that dwells within everything. We need to understand this truth, and thereby learn to accept and to love everyone equally.

What We Should Do?

Just as the sun doesn't need the light of a candle, God doesn’t need anything from us. God is the giver of everything. We should move amongst the suffering people and serve them.

There are millions of refugees and destitute people in the world. Governments are trying to help such people in various ways, but the world needs far more people who are ready to work in a spirit of selflessness. At the hands of self-serving people, one million dollars becomes only 100,000 dollars by the time it reaches the people who should benefit from the funds. It is like pouring oil from one container into another and then another. After doing this many times, there is no oil left because some of it sticks to each container. But with those who are engaged in selfless service, it is quite different. Such people may receive only hundreds of thousands of dollars, but will deliver the equivalent of millions to people in need. This is because their motives are selfless; they simply desire to benefit society. Rather than take any pay for themselves, they donate it to those who are suffering.

If we have at least a little compassion in our hearts, we should commit ourselves to working overtime an extra half hour a day for the sake of those who are suffering—this is Amma’s request. Amma believes that in this way a solution for all the sorrow and poverty in the world will be revealed.

Today’s world needs people who express goodness in their words and deeds. If such noble role models set the example for their fellow beings, the darkness prevailing in today’s society will be dispelled, and the light of peace and non-violence will once again illumine this earth. Let us work together towards this goal.

Our Life Should Be..

May the tree of our life be firmly rooted in the soil of love; Let good deeds be the leaves on that tree; May words of kindness form its flowers; May peace be its fruits. Let us grow and unfold as one family, united in love so that we may rejoice and celebrate our oneness in a world where peace and contentment prevail.

As Amma concludes Her words, She would also like to add that, in truth, nothing ends. Just like the period at the end of a sentence, there is only a short pause — a pause before a new beginning on the path to peace. May divine Grace bless us with the strength to carry forth this message.

Aum Shanti...Shanti...Shanti...

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{ This speech may be reproduced in part or full in the print or electronic media only with the explicit permission of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri, Kollam, India 690525. If you have received permission to reproduce the speech, please acknowledge explicitly that
(a) the excerpt is from Amma's keynote address at the closing Plenary Session of the 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions in Barcelona;
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(c) the full text of the speech may be read at
www.amritapuri.org/amma/pwr2004/barcelona.php.}