by Manuela Timofte

Often, during our arguments with others, and in the comments made on social media networks, we hear and/or see expressions like: «You’re stupid», «you don’t know», «you have no idea», or «You’re not right». How does one know what is the righteousness of another? Whose justice are we talking about? The listeners? The speaker’s? Are we talking about the righteousness that the rational mind seeks or the righteousness of the heart? Are we talking about the righteousness that we believe in from what we see, or the righteousness of the unseen, but known from what we have experienced, because it comes from within us?

Each person sees and understands based on what they know and feel. Neville Goddard’s words, «Two men were watching from behind the bars; one saw the mud, the other saw the stars,» illustrate the differences in perspectives among individuals.

There is justice sought by those who are unjustly condemned to punishment and death, or by those who are unfairly treated in competitions due to the influence of money and social status.

The thirst for justice leads people to die in wars, even when it only benefits those who promote it. Out of thirst for justice, we argue and become violent with each other, although justice is there, in each of us, and no one can take it from inside.

What justice are we seeking when others do not view a problem in the same way as we do? When we seek to prove they are not right, it is the selfishness that seeks power and supremacy over others to fuel its well-being and comfort. It does not accept that we are different, and see justice differently even if, as Mircea Eliade says, the karmic energies that lead us are different.

Due to our differences, it is natural for each person to have their own truth and sense of justice, as C. Jung stated, «Everything that irritates us in others helps us to discover ourselves.«* What we dislike in others may be a reflection of ourselves, but selfishness often takes precedence. This leads to a reaction similar to Schopenhauer’s analogy of «the dog that, looking at itself in the mirror, barks without knowing that it is paying attention to its own image.«**

Telling someone «you are not right» will not change their own experiences and knowledge. Similarly, we cannot change others.

We can accept that everyone has their own truth and that every problem can be viewed from varied perspectives. We may learn from the point of view of others and realize that we can learn something from each person around us, and some information has reached us with a purpose. Maybe, there is something we have to change in ourselves.

If we adopt this perspective, we could live in a world where we are not easily swayed by the sensationalism presented in the media and social platforms, following the concept of «Panem et circense» — bread and circuses making us focus on the outside world and ignore our interior world where we know we are right.

References:

1. Arthur Schopenhauer – Viata, amorul, moartea
2. Mircea Eliade – India
3. Neville Goddard – Rugăciunea, Arta de a crede
4. * – Colecție personală de citate
5. **Manuela Timofte – Grădina Iubirii – Bogăția din noi

Love, Manuela

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