Beloved ones of God,
Equality is one of the most important aspects of brother- and sisterhood. We all have a different understanding of the meaning of the word equality.
Equality doesn't mean that everything or everybody has to be exactly the same/identical. Hierarchy is often interpreted in terms of balance of power, but in reality it is merely a distinction between differences. Hazrat Inayat Khan teaches us to see the differences, but at the same time respect them without judging.
In this sense, practising equality is a mystical quality.
With love and respect,
Maharani and Johara
The aristocratic spirit of nobleness and the democratic spirit of tolerance bring about equality, that brings about the balance we long for in life. The Message papers, Hazrat Inayat Khan
An aspect of individual harmony is practiced in one's contact with another. Every being has an individual ego produced from his own illusion. This limits his view which is led in the direction of his own interest; and he judges of good and bad, high or low, right or wrong in relation to himself and others through his limited view, which is generally partial and imaginary rather than true. This darkness is caused by the overshadowing of the soul by the external self. Thus a person becomes blind to his own infirmities as well as to the merits of another: the right action of another becomes wrong in his eyes and the fault of the self seems right. This is the case with mankind in general, until the veil of darkness is lifted from his eyes.
It is a most natural desire of the human soul to seek for happiness and comfort. Man desires principles to guide his life, and he wishes for a moral standard to regulate the life of the community. He wishes for a balance of activity and repose; he desires union with the one whom he loves; he wishes for security of all that belongs to him, a settled reciprocity, a fixed give-and-take, and all things which bring about happiness and peace at home and in the nation.
It is very easy to talk about equality, and it is very easy to consider all kinds of excellent points of view. When you hear the word equality it seems a beautiful thing, it sounds very nice, it seems a religious, a philosophical idea. But what is life, if it is not a symphony? And is not every person a note in this symphony? Suppose that you want to hear music and that all the notes are the same. How would you enjoy that music? If all notes are equal, there is no music; if all persons are the same, there is no symphony. The way to understand equality is different: it is rising to the best, to the highest pitch. And everyone can rise to that pitch if he wants to rise.
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