Isha Upanishad on Hatred

One who perceives in the Atman everything,

and in the same way Atman in everything,

does not hate.

— Isha Upanishad

This is one of the most profound verses of the Upanishads. If you have experienced the truth, you will not have hatred inside you.

Hatred is a type of emotion whose root cause is fear and insecurity. While the happy hormone ‘oxytocin’ is responsible for love, it’s equally responsible for hate. Say that you are an animal lover. Anybody who is not is outside your group. While bonding with similar thinking people can release ‘oxytocin’, it excludes those who don’t belong to your group.

To negate hate is quite simple. Think of those you hate and understand that they are also human beings like yourself but with a different set of beliefs. (for whatever reasons) Life is a paradox. Where there is love, there is hate. Where there is anger, there is peace. Learn to embrace both sides of life equally. This is the rational part.

Now, when you meditate, put this question to the Universe. Why? And the answer is

“Brahma Satyam, Jagat Mithya”

(Only the Self is real; the world is an illusion)

The more you introspect, the question ‘Who am I’?, the nearer you will be to the truth.

And finally, you will realize that this gift of life given to us, is just a fleeting blip in eternity and to carry a debilitating emotion like hate is not worth the while.

Om Shanti …

God Bless!