Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Hating the Hatred

It is a matter of common observation that there has been increase in the negative energy displayed by human beings in different forms. The worst of its types can be found in the prevailing hatred based on different ideas and concepts. Some of them are because of simple jealousy; others may be because of nationalistic sentiments, religious differences and ideological parities. There are many occasions when these manifestations of hatred turn into ugly fights; then what follows is never hidden from any one.
It is a fact that no two human beings are alike. There are differences among them and the same can be said about the two or more groups of people as well. As they belong to different socio-political circumstances, they are bound to be different. These differences may result into disagreements and anger as well. And, on certain occasions these disagreementsbecome necessary for the positive evolution of the society. If there is no disagreement there is no improvement. But the situation becomes worse when the disagreements and anger turn into hatred. It can be found that they can take many shapes; an inarticulate mumble of discontent, tears of frustration, scream of rage, confident roar of unease, confusion, a longing, a critical vibration and antagonism and all these can only be hurdles in the way of conquering the world with love and affection and making it a better place to live.
It is really unfortunate to note that during the last century in course of three decades, there were two major world wars; even now, many years after the Second World War, there is lack of amity and friendliness among the nations of the world. Have a glance at the contemporary socio-political scenario, the facts will be revealed easily. Consider the situation in our own country Afghanistan. The hatred among our people has reached to such a degree that people are ready to kill themselves in order to quench the thirst of revenge against others. Have a look at the situation in Middle East and Africa. The wars and instability have proved the fact that human beings do not have any feeling of humanity and kindness for each other. Analyze the growing competition among the nations of the world regarding the mad race of nuclear weapons. All these examples clearly show that we are no more possessing the quality that distinguishes us from other creatures – the quality of sane mind and humane feelings. At the same time, we are wasting our energy by following hatred.
In such a scenario, it is difficult to imagine that human beings will use their immense power of love and belongingness? At present, nations of the world have plans to use their great power for destruction but this cannot go on; human beings should not be so mad to end their lives with their own hands. They need to ponder carefully and they have to come up with better decisions. If they persist on their present course and continue to send out destructive vibration of in-harmony, antagonism, hatred, selfishness and greed instead of the constructive vibration of brotherhood and cooperation. More and more people will forget their souls and care about their bodies. The greatest sin and corruption will reign on earth. There will be terrible battle among all people of the world. The sea will become red. The earth and the bottom of the sea will be strewn with bones. The nations and the states will be scattered. The human species would be extinct. Such hunger, disease and crime, as never seen before, will prevail in the world. The filthy roads will be covered with crowds wandering from one place to another. The entire world will be devastated and there will be only night and death and screaming of some innocent people.
The scream implies an anguished enthusiasm for changing the world. But how can we do it? What can we do to make the world a better place? What can we do to put an end to all the misery and exploitation? There is an answer ready at hand. We can do it by eliminating hatred that we have for the fellow beings. For that we do not need to strive to discover some golden rules; rather we have to turn to our true nature. Our true nature is really innocent and possesses great love and warmth for other human beings and, in fact, for the entire universe. All we need to do is to clean our conscience and nature from the filthy ideas and concepts that generate abhorrence and hatred. As Martin Luther King Jr. had said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” And a similar dictum came from Buddha, “Those who attempt to conquer hatred by hatred are like warriors who take weapons to overcome others who bear arms. This does not end hatred, but gives it room to grow. But, ancient wisdom has advocated a different timeless strategy to overcome hatred. This eternal wisdom is to meet hatred with non-hatred. The method of trying to conquer hatred through hatred never succeeds in overcoming hatred. But, the method of overcoming hatred through non-hatred is eternally effective. That is why that method is described as eternal wisdom. ”