When we hear about war, we often think of it as something distant—something caused by governments, politicians, or extremists. We see images of destruction on the news and feel sadness, maybe even outrage. But do we ever stop to ask: Am I responsible for war? 

Most of us would say no. After all, we’re not the ones dropping bombs or sending armies to fight. But is war only about battlefields and armies? Or does it have roots much closer to home—within our own minds, our everyday lives, and the way we interact with each other? 

Where Does Conflict Begin? 

Consider how we live. We are divided by nationality, religion, ideology, race, and belief systems. We take pride in belonging to a particular group, and we often view those who are different with suspicion or even hostility. Isn’t this division—this “us vs. them” mentality—the seed of war? 

Look at how we behave in our daily lives. We compete with each other for success, recognition, and power. We argue over differences in opinion. We hold grudges. We react with anger when challenged. We seek security in our personal identities, just as nations seek security through military strength. If we are so accustomed to conflict in our personal relationships, can we really be surprised when this same conflict plays out on a global scale? 

War is a Projection of Our Minds 

Imagine a world where people lived without comparison, without fear of others, without the constant struggle to assert themselves. Would war exist in such a world? 

The truth is, war is not just fought with weapons. It is first fought in our minds—through the desire for power, control, and dominance. The battlefield is simply a larger stage for the same struggles we engage in every day: between individuals, between families, between communities. 

JKrishnamurti once said, “War is the spectacular and bloody projection of our everyday life, is it not?” If we are honest, we can see how our own fears, ambitions, and prejudices contribute to this cycle of conflict. 

Can We End War by Changing Ourselves? 

If we truly want peace, then we must ask: Can I live without inner conflict? Can I observe my own reactions, my own fears, and my own divisions without being controlled by them? 

This isn’t about blaming ourselves for war—it’s about recognizing that peace does not start with governments or treaties. It starts with each one of us. 

If we refuse to engage in unnecessary conflict, if we refuse to be divided by ideology, if we approach life with awareness instead of fear—then perhaps, in our own small way, we begin to break the cycle. 

And if enough of us do this, is it not possible that war, as we know it, may no longer have a place in our world? 

Wouldn’t that be worth exploring? 

www.LifeIsRelationship.com  When we hear about war, we often think of it as something distant—something caused by governments, politicians, or extremists. We see images of destruction on the news and feel sadness, maybe even outrage. But do we ever stop to ask: Am I responsible for war? 

Most of us would say no. After all, we’re not the ones dropping bombs or sending armies to fight. But is war only about battlefields and armies? Or does it have roots much closer to home—within our own minds, our everyday lives, and the way we interact with each other? 

Where Does Conflict Begin? 

Consider how we live. We are divided by nationality, religion, ideology, race, and belief systems. We take pride in belonging to a particular group, and we often view those who are different with suspicion or even hostility. Isn’t this division—this “us vs. them” mentality—the seed of war? 

Look at how we behave in our daily lives. We compete with each other for success, recognition, and power. We argue over differences in opinion. We hold grudges. We react with anger when challenged. We seek security in our personal identities, just as nations seek security through military strength. If we are so accustomed to conflict in our personal relationships, can we really be surprised when this same conflict plays out on a global scale? 

War is a Projection of Our Minds 

Imagine a world where people lived without comparison, without fear of others, without the constant struggle to assert themselves. Would war exist in such a world? 

The truth is, war is not just fought with weapons. It is first fought in our minds—through the desire for power, control, and dominance. The battlefield is simply a larger stage for the same struggles we engage in every day: between individuals, between families, between communities. 

JKrishnamurti once said, “War is the spectacular and bloody projection of our everyday life, is it not?” If we are honest, we can see how our own fears, ambitions, and prejudices contribute to this cycle of conflict. 

Can We End War by Changing Ourselves? 

If we truly want peace, then we must ask: Can I live without inner conflict? Can I observe my own reactions, my own fears, and my own divisions without being controlled by them? 

This isn’t about blaming ourselves for war—it’s about recognizing that peace does not start with governments or treaties. It starts with each one of us. 

If we refuse to engage in unnecessary conflict, if we refuse to be divided by ideology, if we approach life with awareness instead of fear—then perhaps, in our own small way, we begin to break the cycle. 

And if enough of us do this, is it not possible that war, as we know it, may no longer have a place in our world? 

Wouldn’t that be worth exploring? 

www.LifeIsRelationship.com  

The post Are We Responsible for Wars?  first appeared on Life is Relationship.

Is it possible for humanity to come together as one when we are so deeply entrenched in our sense of being different?  

This question invites us to pause and examine the nature of division and unity, not as abstract ideals, but as realities we live with every day.  

Can we transcend the labels that divide us— religion, caste, race, ideology—and discover a deeper connection that binds us all? 

The Common Ground Beneath Our Feet 

Imagine standing on a vast plain. The horizon stretches endlessly, and while you may notice differences in the terrain—hills here, valleys there—it is all part of the same earth. Similarly, beneath the surface of our individual lives lies a shared human experience. We all face joy and sorrow, love and loss, fear and hope. These universal experiences form the common ground on which we stand. 

But do we see this commonality? Often, we are so preoccupied with our differences that we fail to recognize the shared foundation beneath us. For example, in times of crisis—natural disasters or pandemics—people often set aside their divisions to help one another. In those moments, the illusion of separateness dissolves, and what remains is a sense of shared responsibility and empathy. 

Yet why does this recognition seem so fleeting? Why do we return so quickly to our divisions when the crisis subsides? 

The Cloud of Prejudice 

Consider this: when you look at someone through a fogged window, their image is blurred. You cannot see them clearly. Prejudice and rigid ideologies act like this fog. They distort our perception of others, preventing us from seeing them as they truly are—human beings just like us. 

For instance, think about how political or religious affiliations can create walls between people. A person identified solely by their political party or faith becomes a label rather than an individual. This labeling blinds us to their humanity and reinforces division. 

Take the analogy of an orchestra: each instrument has its unique sound, yet they come together to create harmony. But if one section refuses to play with another because it deems itself superior, there is no music—only discord. Similarly, when we cling to our own beliefs or identities as absolute truths, we lose the ability to collaborate meaningfully with others. 

The Trap of Ideals 

Can unity be achieved by striving toward an ideal? History suggests otherwise. Ideals often demand conformity—a singular vision that suppresses diversity rather than embracing it. When unity becomes an ideal imposed from above, it risks becoming another form of division. 

For example, consider the idea of a “melting pot,” where differences are dissolved into sameness. While this may sound harmonious on the surface, it often erases individuality and creates resentment. True unity is not about making everyone the same; it is about recognizing that our differences enrich the whole. 

Think instead of a mosaic: each piece retains its distinct color and shape but contributes to a larger picture. Unity arises not from uniformity but from understanding and respecting diversity within a shared framework. 

Seeing Without Division 

How do we move beyond these barriers? The first step is to see clearly—to observe without judgment or preconceived notions. This requires us to question our assumptions about others and ourselves. 

For example, imagine meeting someone from a culture vastly different from your own. Instead of immediately categorizing them based on stereotypes or past experiences, what if you approached them with curiosity and openness? What if you listened—not just with your ears but with your whole being—to understand their perspective? 

This act of seeing without division is not easy. It demands that we let go of our attachments to identity and ideology. But in doing so, we create space for genuine connection—a connection rooted in empathy and mutual respect. 

Empathy Through Responsibility 

Empathy flourishes when we feel responsible for one another—not out of obligation but out of understanding that our lives are interconnected. Just as trees in a forest share resources through their roots, humans thrive when they support one another. 

For example, in workplaces where leaders foster empathy by listening to employees’ concerns without judgment, teams often experience greater trust and collaboration. This principle applies on a larger scale as well: communities that prioritize collective well-being over individual gain tend to be more resilient in the face of challenges. 

Responsibility here does not mean burden; it means recognizing that our actions affect others because we are all part of the same whole. 

A Quiet Revolution 

Unity cannot be forced or manufactured; it must arise naturally through awareness. When we see clearly that our divisions are illusions—constructs of thought rather than intrinsic realities – they begin to dissolve. 

This does not mean erasing differences but understanding them in their proper context: as expressions of individuality within a shared human experience. When we stop clinging to labels and ideologies as absolute truths, we free ourselves to meet others authentically. 

So let us ask ourselves: Can I see beyond my own beliefs and prejudices? Can I approach others—not as representatives of a group or ideology—but simply as fellow human beings? If we can do this even for a moment, perhaps unity is not so distant after all. 

The question remains: Are we willing to take that first step—to look beyond what divides us and discover what unites us? Only through such inquiry can we begin to answer whether true unity is possible in a world so deeply marked by difference. 

The post Can Unity Exist When We See Ourselves as Different?  first appeared on Life is Relationship.

Many people might read the idea in a social post that “we always know how much money we have, but never know how much time we have” and respond by thinking, Well, if my time is limited, I should make the most of it! 

This often leads to a frantic approach to life: packing schedules, chasing experiences, ticking off items from a bucket list, trying to do it all before time runs out. Similarly, with money, we tend to focus on accumulation—earning more, saving more, and often spending it in ways that make us feel temporarily fulfilled. 

But let’s step back for a moment and ask: Do we really control either of these things—money or time? 

Yes, you may know how much money is in your bank account today, but financial security is never guaranteed. Money can be gained or lost in an instant, and the certainty it appears to provide is often fleeting. Similarly, while we like to believe we can plan our time—days, months, years ahead—time is the ultimate unknown. We don’t know how much of it we truly have, and no amount of planning can change that. 

Both money and time carry the illusion of permanence, but in reality, both are impermanent and beyond our full control. 

So, how do we respond to this? Many of us fall into the trap of maximizing. We try to earn as much money as possible or pack our days with activities to feel like we’re making the most of what we have. But does this truly bring peace or fulfillment? 

What if, instead of focusing on how much we have—whether it’s time or money—we focused on how we live? 

Money, like time, is a tool. Are we using it to create meaningful moments, or are we hoarding and chasing it for its own sake? 

Time isn’t something to conquer or fill; it’s something to experience fully, in its fleeting and precious nature. 

The wisdom lies in recognizing that neither money nor time defines us. They are resources, not measures of our worth or happiness. Instead of being consumed by the idea of having or maximizing, we can pause to live with greater awareness: to appreciate the small, fleeting moments and to use what we have—whether money or time—with intention and care. 

The deeper question isn’t how much time or money you have. The question is: How are you living, right now? 

The post The Difference Between Money and Time: What Are We Really Chasing?  first appeared on Life is Relationship.

I recently came across an article in which the author admired the incredible mechanism of the human body. They expressed deep gratitude for the seamless functioning of the body and offered prayers to God, thanking a higher power for this wondrous creation. It was a heartfelt acknowledgment of life’s marvels, filled with humility and awe. 

But this perspective invites a deeper question: does it fully capture the essence of what is being admired? Is there something we are overlooking when we view ourselves as separate from the body and see its operation as directed by an external entity? This perception creates multiple layers of separation—the experiencer observing the body, the body being observed, and the divine entity being thanked. But is this division real, or is it an illusion born of the mind’s activity? 

Questioning the Nature of Separation 

Consider this: when you stand before a tree, do you feel completely separate from it? Or is it the mind that introduces a division, saying, “I am here, and the tree is there”? Similarly, when we think of our body, the mind creates categories: 

“I” as the one experiencing. 

The body as a separate mechanism. 

A divine force managing it all. 

But is this fragmentation real? Or is it simply a construct of thought? 

When you look closely, the body operates with an intelligence so profound that no machine, no human invention, can replicate it. The heart beats without instruction, wounds heal without command, and the senses adapt fluidly to the environment. This intelligence is not mechanical; it is life itself, flowing without the need for external control. So, why do we reduce this wonder to something separate, something “other”? 

The Trap of Duality 

This belief in separation creates a duality: 

“Me” versus the body. 

“Me” versus God. 

“Me” versus the world. 

In nature, such duality does not exist. Does a river see itself as separate from its flow? Does a bird distinguish itself from the air it moves through? Only the human mind, with its endless comparisons and narratives, introduces this division. 

And what does this duality lead to? Conflict. 

We struggle to control the body, treating it as an object to manage. 

We pray to an external deity, feeling disconnected from the intelligence we marvel at. 

We live with a constant sense of separation, unable to grasp the unity of life. 

The Stillness That Reveals Unity 

Can we step beyond this illusion of separation? To do so, the mind must become quiet. A noisy mind, filled with thoughts of “me” and “mine,” perpetuates division. But when the mind is silent, the boundaries dissolve. In that stillness, there is no experiencer and no experienced—only experience. 

For instance, when you are fully absorbed in music, do you feel separate from it? In that moment, the listener and the music merge. There is no “you” and “the sound”—there is only the act of listening. Similarly, when the mind is quiet, the false sense of division between “me,” the body, and life vanishes. What remains is a deep sense of unity. 

Beyond Machines and Mechanisms 

The intelligence of the body surpasses anything that human thought can conceive. Even the most advanced machines, including artificial intelligence, are limited by the confines of programmed logic. In contrast, the body functions with an organic intelligence—adaptive, creative, and boundless. This intelligence is not external; it is life itself, unfolding moment by moment. 

Gratitude, then, need not be directed outward to an entity separate from us. True gratitude arises from simply being present to the wonder of existence, free from the artificial boundaries of “me” and “the other.” 

Living Without Division 

So, can we approach life differently? Can we look at the body—not as an object we own or something governed by an external force—but as an inseparable part of the whole? When the mind quiets and we see beyond duality, gratitude becomes effortless. It is no longer tied to rituals or prayers. It becomes a silent acknowledgment of the beauty and intelligence of existence. 

In this state of unity, we realize that the body, life, and the divine are not separate. They are one and the same—an undivided, timeless whole. 

The post Beyond the Self: Dissolving the Boundaries of Separation  first appeared on Life is Relationship.

Is true peace attainable? This question has echoed through the corridors of time, challenging individuals and societies alike. We’ve created institutions, drafted treaties, and preached ideologies – all in pursuit of a harmonious world. Yet, conflict persists. Perhaps it’s time we pause and reconsider: What is peace, truly? 

Many equate peace with the absence of war, a temporary lull between storms. But is that all there is to it? Or does peace run deeper, flowing beneath the surface of our everyday existence? 

Consider this: Can a person be peaceful in some situations but not in others? Does genuine peace come and go, or is it a constant state of being, unaffected by external circumstances? 

These questions invite us to look beyond our conventional understanding of peace. They urge us to explore the very fabric of our consciousness, where the seeds of both conflict and harmony are sown. 

Imagine a world where peace isn’t an ideal to be achieved, but a natural state of being. A world where peace emerges not from suppressing our aggressive tendencies, but from a profound understanding of our own minds. 

What if the root of conflict lies not in our external world, but within ourselves? Our perceptions, our conditioned responses, our deeply ingrained beliefs about “us” and “them” – could these be the real battlegrounds? 

As we ponder these questions, we might see that true peace is not about conforming to moral standards or adhering to religious doctrines. It’s about clarity – a clear perception of reality, unfiltered by our prejudices and preconceptions. 

But how do we cultivate this clarity? Is it through more knowledge, more ideologies, more systems of thought? Or does it require something fundamentally different – a willingness to question everything we’ve been taught about peace and conflict? 

Consider the joy that sometimes fills our hearts, leaving no room for hatred or violence. In those moments, are we not at peace? What can we learn from these experiences? 

As we reflect on these ideas, we might also question the very fabric of our society. We’ve built a world that often pits us against each other, fostering competition and division. Can true peace flourish in such an environment? Or does it require a radical reimagining of our social structures? 

These are not easy questions to answer. They challenge us to look deeply into ourselves and the world around us, to question long-held beliefs, and to explore new possibilities. 

As we continue this exploration, let’s resist the temptation to grasp at quick solutions or comforting ideologies. Instead, let’s embrace the uncertainty, the not-knowing. For it is in this space of open inquiry that we might stumble upon insights that transform our understanding of peace. 

What if peace isn’t something to be achieved, but something to be discovered? What if it’s already here, obscured only by our inability to see clearly? 

These are the questions we’ll continue to explore. Not in search of definitive answers, but in the spirit of ongoing inquiry. For perhaps it is in the very act of questioning, of looking deeply, that we might come to understand the true nature of peace. 

The post The Elusive Nature of Peace: A Journey Beyond Ideals  first appeared on Life is Relationship.

May there be peace among the gods in heaven and among the stars; may there be peace on earth, among men and four footed animals; may we not hurt each other; may we be generous to each other, may we have that intelligence which will guide our life and actions; may there be peace in our prayers, on our lips and in our hearts.

Rigvedaa

Some of the points in the article “Prayer for Peace” need further elaboration and clarification.  According to the common usage and according to the dictionary the word “prayer” means an act or practice of praying to God.  To pray means to make a request in a humble manner.  In this kind of prayer there are two entities, the one that prays and the other that is prayed to.  In the Sanskrit Chant there is no individual entity praying to God or some outside agency for the fulfillment of a particular desire.  

There is no mention or indication of the word “I”.  The word “we” has been used.  “May WE not hurt each other, may WE be generous to each other,  may WE have that intelligence which will guide OUR life and actions; may there be prayer in OUR lips and in OUR hearts.” The feeling “I” being separate from “you” is totally absent.  This is not a prayer by petty little “self” that is feeling helpless, lonely, isolated, dejected, caught in some self created turmoil and therefore wanting some comfort, solace, hope and assurance or a prayer by some egocentric person wanting more money, power, position, prestige or seeking some personal gain.  

The word ‘prayer’ brings to mind the meaning we are accustomed to.  In the Chant, however, the word has been used in quite a different way.  What has been said in the chant is not addressed to any outside agency.  But it is an understanding that is taking place inwardly.  We need to make a clear distinction between the word ‘prayer’ as commonly used and the way it has been used in the Chant.  If we can feel the essence of what has been said we can assign the proper meaning.  Only by assigning proper meaning can we see the truth of what has been said. The chant is arising out of intelligence that generates action for the common good.     

 The word ‘may’ used in the chant makes it appear as if there is a gap between what is happening and what should happen so that there is peace.  This is not actually the case.  This prayer is not for some goal to be achieved in the future.  “Peace is in our prayers, on our lips and in our hearts” This means that the action is taking place in the now.   Thought is not the instrument that is creating peace “among gods in heaven and among the stars.”  That peace already exists.      

 If you go to any place of worship you find people are begging for something or the other for tomorrow.   A person who is celebrating life in the now behaves righteously in the present moment.  There is no postponement of right action.  Not to hurt each other, not to entertain fear, not to create fear in each others mind, not to deceive oneself and deceive others and not to live a contradictory life is the right action which can happen only in the now.  Action born out of understanding is peaceful.  It is not violent, aggressive, assertive and dominating.  

 Prayer in our hearts means that the prayer is happening all the time. Heart beat is going on when a person is alive.  Prayer is, therefore the very breath of life.  Prayer is going on when one is awake and when one is asleep.  How can one even for a split second afford to forget that one is part and parcel of the whole existence?  The understanding of the wholeness of life brings into being the action of prayer which is not to hurt each other and to be generous to each other. Action born out of intelligence is the right action.  To see the truth, to abide by the truth and to act out of the truth is the right action for peace.         

Where there is ego there cannot by prayer.  Prayer and ego cannot co-exist.  Prayer is for universal peace.  The action of ego is always self-centered.  Prayer is not an egotistic affair.  It is not like sometime you pray and at all other times you remain greedy, jealous and violent.  Action of egotistic prayer brings about isolation.    Thinking by its very nature is fragmentary and limited.  Therefore thinking is not the instrument through which any one can come upon the prayer in our hearts that is the basis for universal peace.  

Thought always operates in the area of the known – knowledge, memory and experience.  It can never touch the unknown.  When thought tries to bring that which is unknowable into the area of the known it creates self-deception.  When thinking makes a concept of Truth, it distorts Truth.  The world in which we live peace is just a concept and prayer also is a concept because it is based on another concept.  Thought creates a concept of God, some supernatural power or authority and worships that authority because it needs psychological security.  This need is born out of insecurity that thought itself has created.  There is obviously a fallacy in this kind of prayer.   

Because of so many different concepts of God we have numerous organized religions, groups and sects.  Identification with a particular religion or group creates divisions between man and man.  Conflicts and wars arising out of these divisions have created so much misery and sorrow in the world.  In the midst of conflicts and wars we create concepts of peace. One can see how politicians all over the world continue to generate ideas about peace and continue to pursue the shadow created by thought.  It is like dog (thought) chasing its own tail (ideas about peace created by thought). 

 When the cause of the problem (thought) creates an idea of peace it strengthens the cause because the idea is the total denial of the cause.  To see this thing actually happening we need not go far back in history.  During the past ten years the politicians have sown seeds for more and more violence in the name of peace.    Not knowing that we ourselves moved away from peace when we created divisions on the basis of religions and nationality, thinking starts creating ideas about peace without getting rid of the cause that creates the problem.  

When thought creates an idea of peace it is always in the form of opposite to what it already knows.  Thinking is very much familiar with violence so it creates an idea opposite of violence.  Violence is the fact, whereas idea is a not a fact. When thinking creates an idea of peace it always puts its own conditions and establishes its own criteria for peace.  Those conditions and criteria must meet its self-interest.  We think that we can achieve what we want through the process of reward and punishment.  But this clever and cunning method has not worked so far.   

We treat hate and violence as natural.  When we respond to hate with hate and to violence with violence we call this a natural response.  We give all kinds of nonsensical, stupid and irrational reasons to sustain violence and then create ideas about peace.  Ignoring the basic criteria for peace we placed peace behind our backs and started our journey towards self-destruction.  In the name self-defense we created nuclear bomb and now we are all afraid of the same bomb.  We are now saying to each other, “We can have it but you cannot have it.”   

Is it possible for human beings to look at their own thinking process and their own actions and realize that they are cutting the same branch of the tree on which they are sitting? In the documentary “March of the Penguins” we heard the prayer that was loud and clear.  In the harshest of weather conditions the penguins were saying, “ Let us stick together, it is OUR life, it is a question of OUR survival.”  Can human beings see the interconnectedness and interdependence of life?  Can we feel in our hearts that we need to care for each other and we need to care for the planet?  

 Can we get rid of superficial  labels – “I am a Hindu, a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew or I am an American, an Indian etc”- imposed by the culture that has always encouraged separateness and self-centeredness?    No peace is possible without love and love cannot exist as long as we continue to create and perpetuate divisions born out of our own ignorance and stupidity.  There can be order and peace on earth if human beings live in a healthy and harmonious relationship with nature and with each other, if they do not hurt each other, if they are generous to each other, if they have the intelligence that guides their life and actions and if they have love in their hearts. 

Let us explore together why are we not living that way?  Please do send your response to what has been stated above so that by talking to each other we can discover the right action for peace.  

Sardar Singh   

The post Right Action for Peace first appeared on Life is Relationship.