The Illusion of Otherness

The Illusion of Otherness

by Janet Nash, LISW-S, RYT-200

I was driving to Gracetree this morning while listening to NPR on the radio. Anita Diamant, the author, was being interviewed about her new novel on immigrants coming to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Interestingly, she described how those children who were brought up and educated entirely in the United States had such a sense of “otherness” within their own families, as compared to parents and older siblings who were raised and educated in their countries of origin. At that time, most immigration was from Europe, while today many people immigrate from South America, Mexico, and Asia.

Ms. Diamant and the interviewer discussed how this sense of otherness continues to occur in immigrant families today. For instance, in my job, I sometimes see immigrant families whose parents are unable to speak English, so their young American-educated children are enlisted to translate for any transactions that the parents need to make with the outside world. I suppose their parents experience a sense of otherness, as well.

We witness and experience so much division in our lives from religious to political differences. Every day on the news there are politicians arguing and alienating each other--and the rest of us, and religious extremists fighting and killing for their causes. There’s so much rigidity, while underneath it all, I think, lies fear. We believe we’re right and they’re wrong without a moment of openness and discourse.

I thought this topic was timely for this month’s blog as it is the time of year when we wish each other good tidings and a happy new year. We seem to let down our guard, at least just a little. We may meditate on the birth of the Christ child and the promise of everlasting life; or the principle of Umoja, or unity, during the Kwanzaa celebration; or the triumph of Light over Darkness during Hanukkah; or the rebirth of the Sun during the Winter Solstice.

What strikes me is that all people--every one of us--want for themselves and their families safety, security, health, and happiness. Fundamentally, we all want the same thing. Even more striking is that every major religion revolves around the belief in the Oneness of humanity and all living things.

One of my favorite verses from the Bhagavad Gita describes it perfectly, “He who experiences the unity of life sees his own self in all beings, and all beings in his own self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.”

Luke 2:14 - “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace and goodwill toward all.”

May this be a time of renewed faith and hope. Have a Joyous Celebration. Happy Hanukkah!

May we each carry the intention of each of the Winter holidays on throughout the rest of the year.