The True Religion

Hidayat Inayat Khan

Representative-General of The International Sufi Movement and Pir-o-Murshid of its Inner School

Truth has always been and shall always be. We may know this providing that the ego mask is dropped and we are not caught in the dark trap of self indulgence. Truth was originally crystallised in the various ancestral beliefs which formed the cultural standards of the time. At other periods in history, it has been seen crystallised in such religions as Hinduism, Buddhism, the religions of Zoroaster and beni-Israel, in Christianity and Islam as well as in all other religions, whether known or unknown to humanity at large.

In reality, however, there is only one Truth. Truth has never been other than one and the same, whatever might be the interpretations with which it has been doctrinised within the limitations of human understanding all down the ages - a process which has resulted in tragic distinctions and differences dividing mankind in the name of religion.

There are times in life when we might be contented with only a rattle as infants are, but at another time in life a musical instrument would be more appropriate to our level of appreciation. Then, at a still later stage of inner awakening, when the horizon of our consciousness is wide enough to embrace the unity of religious ideals, the heart may perhaps become attuned to the ever sounding, heavenly symphony of wisdom.

Unfortunately, conditions in the world are such that religious forms often remain in the hands of those who confine wisdom to outer understanding, delimited by dogmas and doctrines. As a reaction to indoctrination, the following question naturally arises in the minds of the followers: is it important to abide by the rules of a religion, or is living the essence of that religion important? One could perhaps answer that true religion is the worshipping of God, Whose presence is revealed in all creation. Therefore it does not matter in which house one goes to pray, since God is always present in every worshipping heart, whether or not we are conscious of that Divine Presence.

Perhaps we could start by respecting the beliefs and ideals of others, even though they may differ from our own. This spirit of tolerance, when developed, could bring about the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood which is the essence of all religions. The idea,'You and I are different' or 'Your belief is different from my belief' or 'Your religion is different from my religion,' will never unite mankind. Evenwith the excuse of great faith in one's religion, hurting the feelings of another is certainly never the purpose of religion.

Religion is an art. It is the art of sacredness. The feeling of sacredness comes from that profound depth of the heart which may be called the divine shrine. However beautiful or impressive a religious form may be, if there is no sincerity in the heart of the worshipper, it is all of no avail. Therefore, true religion is that feeling which can be found within the deepest depth of our being.