10) The awareness of diversity
Here, the understanding remains that
while we are each part of a greater whole, each one has something
particular and unique to contribute to that whole. The celebration of
diversity and a kind of curiosity to know the origins and qualities that
make each different, can take place when diversity still maintains a
common goal of serving the interests of all rather than the interests of
the self. Individuals can remain distinctly different from each other in
their forms of expression and still remain faithful to the interests of
all. The conflict that formerly existed between the self and others
because of diversity is no longer present because there is no longer a
separation between the self and others.
When diversity exists within the context of unity, then
each individual soul finds their place within the whole, because within
the whole there is room for each soul and for each point of view, no
matter how different from every other. The critical aspect of joining with
others does not depend on the absence of a difference in perspectives, but
on the presence of the desire to find a common ground in God. What has
hampered people from coming together in this way in the past was not the
absence of the will to join with others of diverse backgrounds, but the
absence of sacredness that recognized the soul-nature of every other, no
matter how distinctly different their background. The recognition of
soul-nature provides the glue that can bind individuals of different
cultures, religions, ethnic backgrounds, languages, and countries, for it
recognizes the essential core which exists within each human - a core that
does not get displaced no matter what the external representation of a
person may be.
Diversity within unity is the motto on the Great Seal
of the United States of America, and it is there for a good reason. 'E
pluribus Unum' – ‘Out of many, One’, refers to the destiny of America, not
merely to unite people from the many backgrounds who came to her shores in
search of a better life, but also to unite people within a spiritual
setting under the auspices of one God, though that God may be spoken of
and understood in many different ways.
'E pluribus Unum' is the meaning of diversity within
unity, and unity within diversity. It refers to the development of sacred
wholeness within the human family, a wholeness which results in the
ability of all of humanity to perceive itself as One. 'E pluribus Unum' is
the most potent symbol of American character and culture, and it is the
most poignant reminder of what America is meant to be.
Emotional factors limiting the awareness of diversity within unity:
- The absence of transparency of individuals or groups
so that the facade that is presented hides or conceals underlying
motives which, if revealed truly, could cause a blending with others
in a group
- The willingness to remain distant and detached from
the group's goals so that a self-centered bias remains in the
interactions of a sub-group with others
- Fear of appearing 'less than' others. This gives rise
to comparisons with others that are infused with judgment, rather than
with a willingness to share. There is often a need to make everyone
equal in a way that is not required by the idea of diversity. The
exaggerated need to equalize comes from an underlying fear that one's
own point of view will not get a fair hearing if someone else is seen
as having more of something in some way.
- An arbitrariness in the way in which certain
differences are perceived. Here, stereotyping of certain 'others' that
does not get unmasked as such operates beneath the surface as a reason
to reject these others, to feel superior to them, or to remain distant
from them. Where stereotyping comes into play, true intimacy with
others cannot take place, nor can one readily see the soul-nature
within the human individual.
Resolution within the capacity to perceive all
as souls:
When the soul-nature of each individual in
a group or collective is experienced as real, then the common ground for
joining within that group is established, and no amount of outer
differentness will be able to disrupt the manifestation of the higher
purpose of the group. To arrive at this point, one must first arrive at
perceiving one's own soul-nature, and so the path that takes the self
toward a deepening of spiritual perception and experience is the same
path that will allow the self to see others as souls. The awakening that
needs to be sought is not simply the awareness of light, energy, and
spiritual healing, but rather the unity that underlies all of Creation.
Pursuit of this unity of 'All within all' will ultimately lead to the
perception of oneness with all that lives, and 'E pluribus Unum' will
become an inner reality for the many, rather than for the few.