Universal outlook, the Gita way

Universal outlook, Universal brotherhood, Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam are all terms frequently used today. They speak of the fundamental oneness of all creation, wherein all beings originate from the same source, the difference being only in their forms. The Bhagavad Gita, in its chapter on meditation touches upon this subject of universal oneness and equality. 

Leading up to this is the Gita’s emphasis on the practice of ‘Yoga’ which it defines as the withdrawal of the mind, in a gradual manner away from the sensory attractions of the world which, though seemingly attractive and enjoyable, ultimately lead to mental turmoil, stress and many other troubles.

Gradually stilling the mind and focusing it through meditative practices on any chosen image, spiritual concept etc strengthens the mind and aids in the reduction of undesirable mental tendencies like anger, greed, egoism and so on. It is like the slow ripening of a raw fruit into a sweet, luscious one.

Such meditative practices aid in dawning of the awareness of the inner, inherent divinity , what the Gita terms as ‘Brahmasamsparsham’, a state where one experiences an inexplicable sense of bliss, peace and tranquility, which is nothing but the glow of the inner divinity, which was hitherto smothered by the worldly diversions .

As one proceeds with such Yogic practices, the inner flame of divine consciousness grows in intensity, leading to the realisation that this internal divine presence is also present in all other beings, making them all fundamentally the same.

This is the dawn of Universal Consciousness, wherein one becomes a Samadarshi – one who views all as the same, making no distinctions of any sort.  This is the path laid out by the Gita in its elaboration on Universal Oneness.

Going further, the Gita emphasizes that one who embarks on this path is always accompanied by the Lord and never gets separated from this divine consciousness. He goes about his mundane worldly activity, whatever it may be, with the awareness that he is being guided by the unseen overseer of all beings.

For such a being who, with one-pointedness of mind proceeds on this path, the Gita assures that wherever he may be, he is protected by the divine presence. He faces all the troubles and misfortunes of life with equanimity, his inner spiritual strength granting him that forbearance. This is the essence of real Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam.