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Oliver@Expressionsofsoul.com New York, USA

IS THERE A PURPOSE TO A DIVERSE WORLD?

n a world filled with people of diverse culture, race, tribe, origin and orientation, coupled with a background of different religions, languages, ideologies, practices, laws, regulations, education, politics, perspectives, perceptions, conclusions, considerations, and circumstances, it would be preposterous to expect unanimity and total agreement in human co-existence and the handling of the affairs of life and living. The fact remains that man must always disagree with each other. However, the pertinent question remains, to what extent, at what cost, gain, or loss will man continue to confront and battle each other?

The answer to the above question is definitely not an easy one, and an attempt to answer it in full could result in a massive accumulation and provision of facts and theories, which would still not put the question to rest. This piece would not delve into such venture. Yet, from a minute perspective, this piece suggests that the ability of man to accommodate, respect, and understand the viewpoints and perspectives of others would definitely aid the fair co-existence of man with one another. It would find meaning in a diverse world.

Each individual, race, culture, society, nation, organization, or other entities differ from one another in consciousness. This makes each circumstance a peculiar one unique to the individual or entity involved. This diversity allows each entity or individual to operate at its own level. Each moves and survives at a pace peculiar to it. The diversity of life therefore provides each differing consciousness with what it requires to subsist and advance with life. If only man would appreciate this.

However, this is not a proposition of world peace and tranquility for the physical world may never come to it. It is not in the nature of the physical world to be in an absolute state of bliss and tranquility. That is the prerogative of other levels of life and existence such as "heaven" and "paradise." However, man's ability to deal with life and to survive in the seeming crisis-state of the world is a fundamental prerequisite towards the re-obtaining of the state of bliss and tranquility of Soul.

Most of the conflicts in the world today are as a result of man's inability to accommodate his fellow. A willingness to pursue vengeance, power, and control instead of the prudent seeking of compromise and tolerance, with a heart willing to love, forgive, share, and co-exist. In man's quest for power lies his propagation of egotism, greed, jealousy, and selfishness. The desire to conquer all others, triumph over their contest, and tower over their domain like a Colossus.

If one takes a moment to examine all the recent crisis that have plagued and is still plaguing the world, one will find that most of such conflicts would have been avoided by the concession of ego to humility, the concession of power to love, the concession of vengeance to forgiveness, the concession of prejudice to understanding, and on and on. But these crisis-tendencies are human characteristics and cannot be entirely isolated from man's existence and survival on earth because these things make it the world. However, at the end of the day what counts is the answer to the question, what role did each individual play in the history of mankind, but more importantly, did the individual learn and grow from these experiences?

King Solomon said "The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom."* It is prudent for man to discriminate in what information he takes in because he will eventually be held responsible for accepting and acting on a false theory. Yet, Man in his ego and ignorance is quick to dismiss the words of wisdom that abound in odd places because he seeks very far for that which is very near, or he is too proud and closed up in his heart to listen with an open heart and learn the truth. Ironically, wiser ones like Socrates* would be humble to rather say, "I know nothing but the fact of my ignorance."

The world is diverse and there are diverse schools of thought and concepts of life. So, while one ought to keep his guard up, he ought to be humble enough to know when to let it down and not to let his preconceived notions prevent him from learning from others regardless of external impressions. Knowledge could come from the lips of the suckling and the life of the mocked and the derided, just as it could come from the pulpit of the wise and the prudent. It is not the class, race, creed, gender, status, or impression of the source or the receiver that really matters, but the essence of that which is received. The concession of ignorance even as the great Socrates did, opens the gates of wisdom, understanding, renewal, and growth. This is only my understanding and I am still learning, but what do you think?

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The legendary Bob Marley used his musical talent to share his awareness. He may not have been perfect but he certainly made some sense. Many may not know him or believe in his belief of Rastafarianism. Yet if one puts aside the cloak of religion, politics, and race, and rather listen to the substance of his lyrics, one could find a lot of helpful individual and societal food for thought, especially in the light of today's world. The month of May is the anniversary of the transition of Bob Marley and this piece is dedicated to his positive vibes. A few of his words are provided below.

This Essay is taken from an upcoming book by Oliver Mbamara Titled "Why Are We Here?" A Collection of Thought Provoking Essays and Poems.

Oliver Mbamara, Esq., is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New York.