A common space for harmonic peacemakers

VI: 9

Chapter 6, Verse 9

"They look in peace on all:
Those who love them or hate them,
Their kinsmen, enemies, friends,
The good, and also the wicked."

Swami Satchidananda:

How is it possible to see sinner and saint the same? Go beyond saintliness and sin, beyond friend and enemy. Something is common in them all. Each is an expression of the one God. You can experience that divine element pervading everything, functioning through every mind and body. When you do that, you will always recognize the Self that is common to everything and everybody. After all, what makes someone a sinner? It is not the Self that sins. It's the ego, Ahamkara, or the thinking mind [Buddhi caught in an out-going trap]. If that same mind or ego develops Sattvic qualities, you call that person a saint. The Self is never affected. It is always pure.

Some people take care of their cars. Others do not. They have beautiful instruments, but they don't take care of them. Feel for them, encourage them, but do not reject nor dislike them; because they are still the same as you...underneath. If you strive to always dwell on the spiritual side of a person, you will be less affected by the external dramas. This is called Yoga Dhrishti, Yogic vision. Transcend the superficial. Look not at the vehicle so much. Look at Spirit, Purusha, shining within Nature, Prakriti...the essence within the changing forms.

Father Bede Griffiths:

This is what Jesus is saying: "Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you." (Matthew, 5:44) This is the most challenging element in any spiritual teaching. It is the acid test for compassion.