“Clichés are abundant in our world. Every one of us has our own special collection which we use to convey to others the thoughts or concepts that are meaningful to us. They are good ways to say what we think and feel in an easy and succinct fashion. I chose this cliché because it gets to the heart of the message I am trying to get across to you... plus it demonstrates an important problem in communication and personal interpretation that we all too often overlook and take for granted.

When I read the words “United We Stand - Divided We Fall”... I think of how true and profound the statement is... and then at the same time I think of how false and utterly senseless it also can be. I realize that the meaning and significance I understand the phrase to have is totally dependent on my own personal interpretation and what I choose to relate it to. Outside of myself, the words are only patterned lines and have no meaning in and of themselves. I also realize that the words and sentences they form are only symbols that people use to represent ideas, concepts and “between the line” feelings that are “common” to everyone. The extent that others hold the same concepts and feelings that I do and associate those concepts and feelings with the same “symbols” (language)... is the extent that “communication” is happening between us. Communication is never totally achieved and is always only  measured in degrees. “No person is an island”... in one perspective... yet from another point of view “Every person is an island”... essentially alone and isolated within themselves... empathizing and understanding others only to the extent of shared experiences and through the commonness of human experience.

The ambiguity and the inadequacy of language is one of the major “dividing” factors in our existence. Even the purer forms of language such as music project only an outline of the essential personal knowledge and feeling we all try to convey. In actuality, we communicate ourselves so very little in our various modes of expression... and yet we hold and nurture the illusion that we are communicating so much. Out of necessity, egotism, fear and ignorance we project ourselves onto the world around us and try to mold it to our own limited understanding of life. And because we are so unaware of the individual uniqueness of others (and perhaps even ourselves) we remain blinded to the other realities in our existence that could bring knowledge into our lives and help alleviate the fear and anxiety of the unknown.

We are united in spirit, but we are divided in thought. The bonds that unite all people and all living things cannot be broken by anyone or anything... but can only be prevented from reaching their realization. We are standing on the threshold of a dream... and we are letting the fears and frustrations of ourselves and others define our thoughts and perception for us and keep us from growing into a more positive and aware state of being. The “battle” is not between people, but between fear and ignorance. It has always been that way and probably always will be. And although we can never become or understand the totality of all that the universe essentially is (or completely realize even one small part of it for that matter)... it is necessary for our very survival that we at least try... and that we realize that “time” is something we may not have much of.

If humanity is united in purpose and that purpose is one of positive growth and awareness... then we as individuals and societies cannot and will not fall. If we protect and nurture the bonds that essentially unite us and free ourselves from the chains of fear and ignorance that divide us... then we will all grow in natural love and understanding both as individuals and as societies. We are one... or we are none. It is as simple as that and it is simply our choice.

We must learn to understand and respect the natural and universal reality that we are all a part of. We must accept the fact we must adapt artificial realities that we create to work cooperatively with the natural and universal realities that we cannot change. Otherwise, we create dissonance, “dis-ease” and thus sickness on an existential, natural and ultimately social and personal level. We have no choice. We must grow up in mind and spirit. We must be in harmony with our existence. At this time in the history of humanity, we are raping the natural environment and attempting to subjugate the human spirit and the spirit of all living things. We must learn that consciousness of purpose ultimately lies with individuals and that if the “individual” is not of primary importance, then the “group” as an individual entity in and of itself will be of primary importance. If we forget that the group’s essential purpose is to serve the individual, then it won’t be long till the individual (all individuals) are serving the group in a subservient and mechanical manner. What I am saying is that your welfare, the welfare of all other individuals, the welfare of all animals and the natural environment... depends on YOU... on US... on each one of us as individuals and members of a society... influencing and effecting the world around us in a responsible and caring way.

If we allow political, economic, academic, religious and other various social systems and groups to become self serving rather than people and life serving... then we have only ourselves to blame for the continued and increasing dehumanization of our personal, social and physical world. If we do not learn how to unite and stand together in a common purpose that protects and preserves the rights and welfare of all of us and our world... then we will most definitely fall the final fall... it is just a matter of time.

We are naturally and universally united in spirit. We must come to realize that by becoming united in thought we can recognize and understand the forces, things and conditions that divide us. Then, with intentional purpose, we can begin to restore our society and world again to its natural and healthy state of existence. A state of existence that is more in harmony with nature and the universe... where life is again a wonder to experience in both its simplicity and complexity... where you can actually reach out an touch someone and be touched in return... where you can truly be alive and not feel like just another insignificant soul doing time on a slowly dying planet... where impersonal disregard and cruelty to individuals, animals and the natural environment is a tragic account of “history” rather than a present reality... where we all can truly call each other  “friend”... and know deep in our hearts that it is really true.

Lonnie J. Burris

Written for The Society of PEACE
(People of Ethics Against Crimes of Existence)

New Orleans, Louisiana