Role of Spiritualism in Conflict Mediation

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Role of Spiritualism in Conflict Mediation

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“Ego” tends to evaporate only when an individual develops broader vision, which is a symbol of spiritualism. With each step towards spiritualism, the ego tends to dilute. And in the state of infinity, the ego completely evaporates. There is an inverse relationship between the spiritualism and ego.

The root cause of conflict in any society is the “ego” – be it at the individual, family, social, national or international levels. The more is the ego, the more is the tendency for conflict to grow. In “ego,” a person forgets the broadness that one has and is squeezed to narrowness in which there is little space left for the existence of others. Feeling of co-existence largely ceases to exist in such a state. 

Since “ego” is there in the mind, the conflict cannot be addressed until there is a change in the mind-set. What it means is that the conflict in any society is more due to internal state of mind rather than the external factors related to economic, political, cultural, social or religious issues. Therefore, the solution of the conflict also lies within.

However, in the existing conflict resolution methodologies there is hardly any focus given to internal equation of “ego,” which is the root cause of the conflict. Until “ego” is controlled, the conflict will continue to grow. It is due to the lack of understanding of this truth that conflict is on the rise all over the globe. Perhaps, the global society was never torn into pieces due to the conflict as it is today.

In fact, “ego” is nothing but the darkness. It does not have existence of its own. It takes certain ugly shape only when there is absence of light. It is this light that is called “spiritualism” and with its radiation the “ego” fades away. Also fades away with spiritualism are other related ugly human instincts like desires, anger, lust and attachment for possessions. Thus, spiritualism is the state in which there is absence of “ego” and other ugly human instincts, which are the gates leading to the hell.

Therefore, there should always be an effort to promote spiritualism. It should be promoted any time anywhere as with this development the magnitude of conflict is bound to get reduced. But it does not mean that it should be promoted only after the conflict is blown up out of all proportions. If it is promoted during the period of conflict, it would take certain time to arrest the growth of conflict. It is better to promote spiritualism before the conflict is blown up. 

The main objective of spiritualism in context to conflict mediation is to arrest the growth of devastations both at the human and material levels. But the fundamental challenge is how to promote “spiritualism” in a society as a preventive or curative measure? As well known, spiritualism is above religiosity. In religiosity, there is more of stress on ritualism whose form is more external rather than internal. Therefore, religions cannot check conflict for their own inherent weaknesses.

Unlikely, in spiritualism each and every action has to have its focus “inward” rather than “outward” journey. In this process, one has to realize the existence and pervasiveness of the SUPREME everywhere. One gradually begins to develop vision - “all in one” and “one in all.” A state comes when one finds the existence of un-manifest in all the manifested forms and vice versa.

By nature, the human instinct is “outward.” The mind finds uncomfortable to travel “inward” as its natural flow is “outward.” But it does not mean that the mind – the symbol of human instinct - cannot be reversed and made to travel “inward.”

All through the ages, the seers and saints have come out with one or the other spiritual tools to reverse the flow of human instinct from “outward” to the “inward” direction. Depending on the nature of a person, the spiritual tool changes from person to person.

While some seers and saints recommend for japa (recitation of SUPREME’s name); the others advocate for kirtan (chanting). Other seers and saints go for Yoga and mediation. There are also ways to promote “inward” journey through “action-oriented” approach for the righteous cause. Some go for reading and understanding the spiritual texts. And yet there are seers and saints who promote spiritualism through self-realization and following the path of great enlightened masters. 

Now in context to conflict resolution, there has been least of effort to address the issue through spiritual practices. Whatever that has been done is through the promotion of dialogue in which one party understands the “existence” of the other. One party sits with the other for compromise only when part of the “ego” is melted. In full-blown conflict, the “ego” is in very hard form just as the ice and so even dialogue is not possible. Many conflicts and even wars have been resolved and at times averted only through the spiritual practice of “dialogue.” But this is just one of the several tools to practice spiritualism through non-violent way.

It is yet to be explored if the different approaches promoting and preparing mind to opt for “inward” journey would be suitable in resolving pre-conflict, conflict or post-conflict situation. In this context, wider debates have to be promoted to include “spiritualism” and “spiritual practices” as one of the fundamental tools for conflict mediation. What is also needed today is to introduce such subject as conflict mediation through spiritual practices in all possible academic and non-academic communities and divert part of the expenditure on defense towards the promotion of spiritualism and peace for the global welfare. The world will be a far better place to live in if spiritualism is promoted.

[1] Jha is Professor of Economics and Executive Director of Center for Economic and Technical Studies (CETS) in Nepal. He might be approached at dr.hbjha@gmail.com