'Spiritual Hubris': We Cannot Simply Sit And Stare At Our Wounds Forever

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 2 February 2024 Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's famous quote, "But we cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever" is extremely relevant in today's worsening Hindu-Muslim equation. Hindus are sitting and staring at their perceived wounds, inflicted by the invaders more than 500 years ago. Murakami further says that when you keep staring at your wounds, you start seething with anger and angst. "A wounded civilization cannot afford to live in the past. Nor can and should it demand justice after centuries," wrote V S Naipaul, who despite being a rabid detractor of Islam, understood that digging the past and creating rancour cannot help a race or civilization go any further. See how Japan has progressed. The US obliterated Japan's two main cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War in 1945. Yet, Japan bounced back and rebuilt not only Hiroshima and Nagasaki but the whole country. It didn't choose to sit and stare at its wounds. Nor did it keep on condemning the US for the annihilation of its two cities. One has to learn to move on with life. You must understand the context and circumstances of those times when the invaders were desecrating your temples. Your ancestors were also destroying Jain and Buddhist temples. They (Buddhists/Jains) can also have grievances. If everyone starts harbouring and nurturing grievances, where and when will this end? Hindus have got their Ram Temple. Why are they insisting on usurping Gyanvapi mosque as well? Agreed, Hindus and Muslims have been at loggerheads for centuries. But, nothing can go forever. The embattled Hindus and Muslims should learn form Dr Nelson Mandela, who said in his Presidential speech, "Prejudices of centuries cannot go overnight. Whites will not hug blacks immediately. Blacks will not forget what happened to them when the whites ruled. Bitterness will remain. But that should never be so overwhelming as to threaten the peace and equilibrium of a country that's on a way to rebuild itself." Words of wisdom from a wise man who forgave all those who treated him like an animal during his incarceration of 27 years at Robben Island. Where's that kind of maturity and sagacity? Masses as well as politicians are out to widen the gulf. 'Educated' Hindus must realize that all these Mandir-masjid conflicts are religio-political issues. If your Ram and Krishna reside in every particle, why're you so hell-bent upon 'retrieving' your 'lost' shrines? Let Muslims offer Namaz. At the moment, followers of all religions are suffering from what's known as 'spiritual hubris.' This is getting intensified because leaders at the helm are exploiting the scenario. It's time for the Hindus and Muslims to be able to look at things in perspective and move on. Remember Bulwer Lytton's words, "The juggernaut of human civilization is often thwarted by religious and ethnic issues. But the cavalcade goes on." Let's hope, the caravan of Indian civilization will go on, unfazed and unabated by these temporary irritants. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/spiritual-hubris-wounds-forever/d/131637 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism