The Golden Rule Is That There's No Golden Rule
By Sumit Paul, New Age
Islam
26 July
2024
George
Bernard Shaw's profound assertion, "The golden rule is that there is no
golden rule," challenges conventional wisdom and opens up a realm of
limitless possibilities.
July 26 is George Bernard Shaw's Birth
Anniversary.
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In a world governed by rules and norms, Shaw
reminds us that every situation is unique, and what may work effectively in one
case may not in another. By defying the existence of a universal guideline, he
encourages us to abandon rigidity and adopt a mindset flavored with
adaptability and open-mindedness. Shaw's quote compels us to question, explore,
and continually reassess our beliefs, recognizing that there is no single
formula for life or any given circumstance.
" Ek Chaabi Se Sare Taale Nahin Khulte
Hoti
Hai Har Taaale Ki Chaabi Alag-Alag "
(One key
doesn't open all locks/ Every lock has a different key).
There's no
panacea. Why's there a plethora of beliefs and why do we say in Sanskrit, 'Pinde-Pinde Matirbhinna' (Every
individual is unique)? Because one belief is not enough and one solution is not
applicable to all questions and queries.
If you've a
belief, it's your belief. Someone else will have a different belief or beliefs
and there'll be a few individuals like the Buddha who'll be free of all
beliefs. The point is, everyone has a unique and individual perspective and no
perspective is eternally useful or applicable to all situations.
Why do we
have so many man-made faiths? Because one faith cannot quench every
individual's spiritual thirst. Every religion is a specific belief that cannot
be the sole belief of all individuals. As someone said tellingly, "We've
broken and partial 'truths.' When 'partial' truths come together, complete
truth emerges."
It's interesting
to note that out of 700 shlokas in Gita (574 delivered by Krishna, 84 by Arjuna
and 41 by Sanjay), nearly 270 shlokas directly and indirectly emphasize that
there's no absolute way. Krishna said Truth is an illusion (Satyam Mayasti).
So, when a
group of people fights over the perceived (and also mistaken) truth of its
belief, it makes an evolved person sad and surprised. The deluded supremacy of
our perceived beliefs has created all sorts of problems and discontentment. It
has created bad-blood. Yet, we steadfastly adhere to certain beliefs and think
that they're the only flawless tenets and the eventual truths. This is utter
ignorance and also the root of eternal unrest and conflicts.
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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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/golden-rule/d/132790
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