A family had four children. Each child, special but different. Each with a unique personality and individuality. Each with a different nature, thoughts and style of life. Their parents were happy for their uniqueness. The mother once asked the father, “I am happy that they are all unique and different but I am concerned that they might drift apart because of their differences and may have problems with each other and with the diverse world outside. I am concerned about the oneness of our family?”
The father said thoughtfully, “My dear, they are different individuals and have different lives. Individuality is essential for growth. They belong to one family yet they can be never be same and they must maintain their individuality for their growth and uniqueness. Obviously, they will have differences and problems. They can however, discuss and sort out their differences and the problems, when they understand them properly. The issue is not the differences or the problems they face. The issue is, how to maintain growth of individuality in the diversity of the world and yet maintain oneness of the family.”
“And how would they maintain their individuality in the diversity and yet be one?” The mother asked.
“It’s simple. Try to understand, the growth of individual and the identity thereof. Individuality is not only about the place you were born at, but also about the places you visited. Individuality is not only about the language you inherited and learnt from parents, but also about the new expressions and new languages you learnt on the way. Individuality is not only about the religion you were born into, but also about the knowledge you gained about life and God on the way. Individuality is not only about what you have been taught, but also about what you learnt on the way. Most importantly, Individuality is not about knowing only oneself, but also about knowing people you met on the way. The identity of individual therefore has the scope to grow and become universal. So, howsoever far our children might go for their growth, the family shall remain one in both principle and existence.”
The mother smiled and said, “It is simple because I know, my children want and have the capacity to grow.”
The father smiled too, “So, let them grow and expand in their minds.”
“Yes, Let’s watch them grow as individuals and see how they sort out their problems and issues.”
The parents smiled together and rejoiced in their family and it’s oneness.
Now consider the children to be the four dimensions of space and time. Our growth depends upon the extent and depth of our vision.