Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A multi-faith prayer book is where I found answers to my questions on faith. On the power of prayer. The prayers transported me to the sublime message conveyed to each who believes in this power. I rode through a gamut of emotions, realising how every nuance associated with multi-faith prayers adds depth to the larger meaning of oneness. Of this belief that there is a God. A Supreme Force. A Higher Being. And that He8217;s One to all. We may choose different ways to approach Him, understand Him and believe in Him, but there8217;s every reason for us to be convinced that He8217;s but one.
Why raise an issue to prove that Bhagwan, Allah and God are separate entities, parallel forces? I wonder about a world where many faiths could co-exist as compatibly as prayers and songs in that book do. Like this verse by Guru Nanak: Ik Onkar Satnaam/ Karta purkh nirbhau nirvair/ Akal murat ajuni sebhan/ Gurparsad jap. And this from the Surah Al Ikhlas: Qul8217;u8217;Allahu ahad, Allahu samad/ Lam yilid walam yulad/ Lam yaqullahu quf8217;wan ahad. Both dwell on how God is One.
I may be born a Hindu, in a family that believes in Shiv, Durga and Hanuman. But, at times, I do feel that God has no form. He is all pervading, a Supreme Power who has created this magic called Life. There are also times I cannot imagine a God without some beautiful form. What8217;s wrong if I want to believe that my God has a specific look? Neither is there any harm if I believe in a formless God. I can think of Christ as the ultimate Saviour as much as I may know Brahma to be the Creator.
There are too many questions that crowd the mind. One thought puts them to rest though. If every new-born clings to its mother the same way despite belonging to different faiths, if every man cries at the death of a loved one and if giving love gives us as much happiness as receiving it does, there8217;s one thing clear: That all are One. Children of the Same God.
