End Your Illusion

Nationalism is sophisticated tribalism. The same ingredients are always present amongst two foes: Pride, tradition, attitude of superiority, patriotism, national security, military buildup, defensiveness, armed borders, enemies real and imagined. One nation’s particular mix of these ingredients will be different from another’s.

People would like to believe that there is a big difference between nice nationalism (our kind) and nasty nationalism (their kind), but the disease itself is the real problem.

Albert Einstein said, “Nationalism is an infantile disease. It’s the measles of humanity.” You and I must keep in mind that even without cynicism, nationalism is a false way to view reality, and breaking through its illusions is crucial to the way of peace.

The illusion is that nationalism helps to free people. The reality is that nationalism is now the same as militarism.

The illusion is that other nations are inferior, misguided, and wrong in their ways. The reality is that every nation struggles with inner conflicts.

The illusion is that God favors one country and supports its destiny. The reality is that God has never expressed an opinion about any nation, and never will.

The illusion is that national boundaries make us secure. The reality is that we live in an open world where boundaries mean less and less.

The illusion is that your country defines who you are. The reality is that finding out who you are requires self-searching and self-knowledge.

Each of these pairs shows a way for consciousness to grow by facing reality. Every illusion was once true, or at least had the weight of truth on its side. But consciousness is always on the move. Liberating ideas change into shackles unless we change them.

Adapted from Peace Is the Way, by Deepak Chopra (Harmony Books, 2005).

Read more: Spirit, Deepak Chopra's Tips

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Susan S.

1:31PM PDT on May 23, 2012

Wonderfully well put. Thank you.

send a green star

S. C.

6:37AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Thank you for your post. the problem seems to be, however, that countries and nations actually run on these illusions , have done it for thousands of years, and continue to propagandize millions of people even today. And thus it makes these illusions, if not true reality, then a very sick and torturous illusion that kills and maims millions upon millions of people which then does become their reality. What you say sounds clear as day to me. But unfortunately we can look around today and see most people cannot see the truth here.... I hope someday people will come to realize it.

J.L. A.

10:29AM PST on Feb 18, 2012

Intriguing--and a rare glimpse of analyses that doesn't include the elements of culture and imposing relative values between one's own and all others.

Fred K.

9:03AM PST on Dec 18, 2011

Crude negative nationalism leaves destroyed land and dead bodies everywhere as a war ravages the nations engaged in it. Advanced nationalism keeps the bystanders safe from the action but allows them to watch as the physical implementation takes place in a sports arena where teams compete under rules that make winning and losing equivalent to winning or losing a war except for lack of need for undoing the damage not done beyond the arena. Whether it's two kids throwing jan-ken-pon instead of fighting or national teams playing anything from footraces to football, racquetball to RollerBall Murder, baseball or competitive billiards, it demonstrates responsibility when the winds of war can be channelled into something useful and entertaining instead of destructive.

Ji H.

4:02PM PDT on Aug 22, 2011

The average American does not support the superiority image. Unfortunately, the people in power give that impression because of their greed. I'll say it and live it until I die: We are all One, human, animal and plantlife. What we do to one has an effect upon all of us.

Loo S.

7:18PM PDT on Aug 14, 2011

noted, thanks.

Lynn Marie M.

2:06PM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Interesting. Thanks.

10:54AM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

Right now, it seems America has the illusion that there are only two ways to handle the debt. Raise taxes or starve Social Security folks.

Reality: There are lots of ways to make money if you step out of the box and get creative,. Big companies do it, Why can't congress?

There seems to be a second illusion. If you can get the other party to accept the blame, the problem will be solved.

That one is pure stupidity. Blame never solved problems. Creative interaction with respect, heals relationships and opens the way to problem solving.

Forget that the Democrats are right and the Republicans are wrong. Forget that the Republicans are right and the Democrats are wrong.

Take the rightness of both parties, combine them and come up with solutions. Let them look each other in the eye and say "thank you."

My mom used to make us "kiss and make up". Stoping the fighting was a lot easier than the kissing.

But our leaders are supposed to be already grown up. lol

Ameer T.

3:54AM PDT on Aug 11, 2011

Just for the record, Hitler was a strong nationalist and so was stalin. In the present the Norway Bomber Breivik is a national and his actions stemmed from nationalism. All these strong nationalists thought more or less the same, acted the same and believed the same.

The ideas are always about racial purity, racial superiority, racial self preservation and this means less of it all for every other nation.

In truth the Americans are no less tribal than Talibans than the Talibans themsleves. But you can't tell it to the Americans who have a racial superiority idea as well.

Nicole G.

2:15PM PDT on Aug 10, 2011

Incredibly well put. Boiled down to the basics and totally understandble. Bravo!