In the previous article, we tackled the barriers which man builds within his self, being unable to identify his true potential. Thus, he cannot cross them, and his life is wasted: for life is nothing but a reflection of man’s view of himself. Likewise, such barriers isolate man from his fellows.
Isolating oneself in one’s own cocoon is a barrier, too, whereby man becomes obsessed with his own opinions and circumstances, which makes him inconsiderate of others’ conditions. The negative impact ensuing this creates conflicts and misunderstandings.
To make this clear, it is worthy to recount the following story which took place in 1995. One night, while a great American warship was sailing fast near the Coast of Canada, the radar showed that the ship was about to collide with a massive thing. The captain hurried to the wireless and started calling, “This is the captain of the American warship; please change your position 15 degrees to the south lest a collision happen.” The captain repeated the call, but the response was, “Your message was received. This is the Canadian Authorities. Please change your direction 180 degrees. Over!”
The captain, quite agitated, replied, “This is none of your business! Change your position 15 degrees southward lest a collision happen! We shall change ours 15 degrees northward to avoid a collision too. Over!” The other party answered, emphasizing their request, “Please change your direction at least 130 degrees. Over!” The captain got more agitated and insisted on his stance. He cried, “Why all this debate? Why insist on giving orders without trying to avoid the collision? We are an American warship. Who are you?” Here came the shocking answer, “We are a floating petroleum mine. We cannot move. Careful!” Yet, it was too late! The collision happened.
What caused the disaster was the captain’s belief that the other party was his equal, and that it was not entitled to issue orders. Moreover, he did not try to understand their nature, depending solely on his imagination and hypothesis. He had a fixed image of a gigantic ship, and nothing else.
Try to understand others’ nature lest the mental image you have of them become a barrier that hinders your love and understanding for them. Also, be as clear as possible with others in order to help them communicate with you and clarify whatever you might not comprehend. Build love and interconnectedness.
General Bishop Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
