How much have you wondered about the purpose of your life? What's the reason for your existence in this world today, tomorrow and in both small and large ways? Perhaps, as Robert explores, everyone's purpose can be fulfilled if we really understand and live with a greater sense of inclusiveness. Simply put, it's a way of caring for people outside your circle of friends, your family, or your communities. It's caring for our endangered planet; it's caring for those in utter poverty and those who need our help the most. Our purpose in life can be simple, yet it requires a rewiring of what we have been taught — we must try to be more selfless, generous, and sensitive towards others.
Most of us who are religious by nature are often born into our religious choices. Our parents or communities dictated which religious teachings we'll follow, what traditions will be a part of our lives, and so on. Religion has an overtly social aspect — it fosters a connection between those in the same faith.
But this connection isn't as open towards those not within your religion or even those who don't conform to any religion. We've been brought up to view them as 'others', people who are different from us in many ways. Unfortunately, rarely are today's teachings inclusive and encouraged towards the whole world. This isn't true to the root of many religions. The original teachings and our first teachers (Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Muhammed, etc.) all led lives of caring for others, no matter their religion.
We must strive for a greater realization and simultaneously focus on living in a way that values greater interdependence and interconnection while staying true to our original teachings and go back to the religion's roots. We need to join with others in spirit and move toward our natural urges to love, be loved, care, and be cared for. We have normalized exclusivity, unwittingly, in most of our religious traditions, and we need to actively realize, understand, and move toward a path of inclusiveness.
If you're wondering why? It's because this desire to care for others, for the planet goes beyond a moral imperative. If we are fortunate enough to see those that are living that way, it's clearly a path to be deeply joyous and grateful. Our unconscious does not care for our riches, but sharing our wealth, time, and effort to make a difference can help your unconscious feel deeply deserving. The key is balance — how much do you really need? How much can you live with, and what can you share — not spare — but share with others?
In the perils that we face today in the world, our very survival depends on this understanding, this oneness. Inclusive teaching and inclusiveness across religions, politics, and international agreements are a way for all of us to join our spirits, energies, and efforts to spread love and help our people and planet in need.
Read the transcription and listen to this episode on The Global Bridge Foundation website.
