Radhanath Swami on ‘Conflict Resolution’

Rendered concentric water ripples

Conflict is the very nature of this material world. Even the cells within our bodies are in conflict.

The subtlest of all elements of creation is the false ego, and all other elements—earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind and intelligence are both evolving from and resting upon the false ego. But what is the false ego?
It is the false sense of identity. “I am this body and all the designations of this body are mine. I am a man, I am a woman, I am black, I am an American, I am a Hindu, or I am rich.” All of these are false identities connected with the body, which is constantly changing. When we were infant babies, we looked completely different; in our youth our bodies grew, and as adults we saw further change in our bodies. The Bhagavad-Gita says that we are not these temporary bodies; our true identity is that we are all eternal souls with a common origin, God. In every great religious scripture, God is described as the father and the mother. In the Bhagavad-Gita Lord Krishna says, “I am the seed – giving father of all living beings.”

Unless human beings understand their common relationship with one another, with God in the center, there must be conflict—it is inevitable. My spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, used to say that if we throw a stone in a pond it creates circles that expand to the end of the pond. If we throw more stones at the same place, all the circles will flow out harmoniously. But if we throw many stones in different parts of the pond, all of them will have their own different centers. Therefore, all the circles will collide. The water will become chaotic.

– Radhanath Swami

By RNS Articles

Find him on Google+

31 comments

  1. Very true! Most relationships are shallow if it is not based on a common platform – the Supreme Personality of Godhead – Lord Krsna. Only then can we be united for a common purpose. The analogy of the stone being thrown in the pond is very instructive.

  2. Very true.. Conflict is everywhere.. Analogy of stone, pond and ripples is very convincing…
    Thank you Radhanath swami maharaj

  3. Here also H H Radhanath Swami has given more stress on unity in our action for some cause. That cause can be the Lord of the Universe. If we just continue to have have our own lower thinking process centered around to satisfy our senses than we will be having conflict only..Let us try to put our efforts to learn cooperation and support.

  4. Very true! Its so important to understand our relationship with one another. But the saddest part is that it does not happen so there are wars and strife between people. If only we all can be united. The analogy of the stone being thrown in the water is befitting.

  5. Very true. We have seen many instances where people are just fighting for some useless things. What is the reason? Only due to false ego. Due to attachment and selfish nature we falldown in conflict. Here HH Radhanath Swami has given wonderful suggestion based on his realization. Just based on Bhagvad Gita if we can learn basics purpose of life, we can subdue our false ego. Maharaj has quoted wonderful example of throwing stone in pull of water at the same place will generate waves with common center without conflict with each other. Such waves increases strength of each other rather than breaking or obstructing each other.

  6. Such a fundamental principle of conflict resolution is explained herein by Radhanth Swami – to put God in center.

  7. Such a different and deep perspective for conflict management within our own selves and with others. HH Radhanath Swami’s point that conflict cannot be managed unless the society has one common centre or goal that is God is mind boggling and very unique but on more thinking on what he has said seems to be so true. Thank you HH Radhanath Swami for bringing out such beautiful points and giving a completely different but harmonious and beautiful perspective to life.

  8. Awesome article. I hate getting into conflicts. But conflict is inevitable in Godless civilization. The only solution is becoming Krishna Conscious and genuinely assisting others to achieve the same. Thank You Maharaj for giving this key for Conflict Resolution.

  9. Unless human beings understand their common relationship with one another, with God in the center, there must be conflict—it is inevitable.

  10. So true- false ego is so strong that it will divert us away from our human form of life. The purpose of our life is to know our relationship, love him and surrender to him..In this way we will achieve peace

  11. Radhanath swami has explained nicely what is our true identify, if it’s based on body it is surely going to create conflict, but if God is in the center & we know our relationship with him & other living entities, we will never have conflict. And our true nature is jivera swardup hoye Krsna re nitya das, that we are eternal servant of Krsna how is all attractive & powerful.

  12. This actually is the formula for conflict resolution to put God in center. Thanks to Radhanath Swami for explaining the same.

  13. It is so wonderful to see that all conflicts can be resolved if we keep God in the center of our activities.

  14. Only this understanding of Krsna in the center could help all of us to selflessly serve one another and turn this world into Vaikunta. Thank you HHRNSM

  15. Thank you very much for enlightening on such an important theme. ALL glories to HHRNSM

  16. A very nice article by Radhanath Swami. Serving God & working selflessly for His pleasure is the best & only way to resolve all differences & conflicts.

  17. Making common center is true way of making peaceful society. God lord Krishna is that center which never changes and hence can alone lead to peace. Otherwise conflict in unavoidable.

  18. Many thanks to Radhanath swami for kindly reminding us for the need to co-operate with God at the center of our activities

  19. Unless human beings understand their common relationship with one another, with God in the center, there must be conflict—it is inevitable.

  20. if we throw many stones in different parts of the pond, all of them will have their own different centers. Therefore, all the circles will collide. The water will become chaotic.

  21. Keeping Krishna in the center of everything can nullify conflict. All glories to HH Radhanatha Swami Maharaja.

  22. No need of big big organizations like UN… Just put God in the centre, & all conflicts can be resoved. Thank u Radhanath Swami for the simple, yet powerful answer to such a universal problem

  23. Thank you very much for enlightening on such an important theme to make God in centre of life – the solution to all conflicts.

  24. Conflict is inevitable as long as we are not united on a common principle of serving and loving our supreme father.

Comments are closed.