PROMOTING FAMILY HARMONY

In our journey towards achieving world harmony, where better to start than at home? This begins with harmony between husband and wife, parent and child and between siblings.

There are four stages:-

1) Personal Development of Character and Moral Values

Basic character development in the home based on parental love, and the passing on of good moral values, done within a single culture.

2) Encouragement of Intercultural Communication

Multicultural communication and encouragement of understanding and appreciation of other cultural values. This is where fusion of cultures should be encouraged, such as through bilingualism and combining of cultural environments.

3) Understanding and Acceptance of Common Values in Harmony

Our nation has made great strides towards racial harmony, encouraging harmony circles and through publications.

We wish to complement this good cause by looking at the roots of harmony and identifying commonly accepted values that lead to, or are connected with, harmony.

Effective communication requires a non-religious understanding, encompassing the good values of all religions and cultures.

If these values are allowed to come alive via documentation - and disseminated through print, music and drama, it will be beneficial to our selves, our families, our nation and eventually to the world.

4) The Ripple Effect

An individual has the power to touch another person through his or her will to spread good values in an interpersonal communication. That other person will do the same to a third person.

UNIVERSAL VALUES EDUCATION

1. Nurturing Good Wholesome Values in the Young

Our value systems have focused so much on subjects that are necessary for survival and prosperity that the spiritual dimension has lagged behind.

Whilst many of the elements of character building, such as discipline and family values, are embodied in our school systems, material that teaches students how to live good exemplary lives has been lacking.

Religious education is a necessary part of a young person’s development. In a pluralistic society this is, of necessity, left to the parents or religious organisation.

There can never be harmony between communities if individual religious or cultural values of one community are imposed on another. In other words, there must be universal values of tolerance and understanding.

As an example of universal values, all religions and cultures interpret the concept of love in their own way. The concept of love, though understood using one’s religious and cultural background, must be universally acceptable. Thus there is the inevitable removal of some religious or cultural meanings, which may offend another religion or community.

There is a need for a Universal Values Education (on a national and international level) where children are taught from an early age the universal values of all religions through fables and stories.

2. The Butterfly Story

A man found a butterfly cocoon. One day, a small opening appeared, and the man sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the tiny hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther. At this point, the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange, however. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the small opening of the cocoon are Nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.

If we were allowed to go through all our life without any obstacles, that would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Not only that, we could never fly.

3. The Butterfly as a Way to Illustrate Universal Values

Beautiful and Complex

The Butterfly is beautiful and complex, and fills us with wonder. We think of Nature's creation all around us and how the Butterfly fulfills its part in this complex and marvelous world.

Struggle

Struggles and hardships in life hone our spirits.
Struggle is a challenge and this challenge gives meaning to our lives.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice has been part of society as far back as history goes and is meaningful to most religions. On a universal note, sacrifice is a positive thing.
Fasting and diets are good for our bodies and minds.
Giving up an easy life for a hard one can build character.

Sacrifice for our family is inbuilt as a way to survive and nurture the young. Sacrifice for friends and strangers are the ultimate of love. Letting go of pride and stubborn beliefs for the sake of harmony is real love. Sacrifice is another way of taking responsibility - an end to apathy and a positive feeling that each one of us can make a difference

Touching others

As we touch others with our love, they are often changed and they too will pass it on, creating a ripple effect around the world. This is a way to fertilise minds and we believe it can be a powerful movement for good.

Short life

We must make the most of our life and touch as many people as we can.

Metamorphosis

Change in our lives and character from immature to adult. From discord to knowing peace, harmony and love. From self centred to loving and caring. From material to spiritual.