The Self in me is indeed the Self in all. Therefore we should treat all as oneself. I desire to be happy, respected, loved and forgiven by all. So I should, in turn, make others happy, respect, love and forgive all. However it takes all types to make the world. Variety is the spice of life.
The quality of our mind (sattvika, rajasika and tamasika), intentions, attitudes, likes, dislikes and beliefs differ. ‘Each person has a different way of thinking and different opinions about things. Understanding this, we should not impose our likes, dislikes and beliefs on others. I may like classical music, others may not. One has a right to live according to one’s beliefs as long as it does not harm others.
I may be spiritual. I cannot expect all to be so. Another may be an atheist or a ritualist. If I insist that all should be like me, I become rigid, a fanatic or a dictator. I cannot consider myself superior, my opinions alone as right, my way as the only way and my words as gospel truth. We cannot say, “Do it my way or hit the highway.”
Each of us has the freedom to be as we wish. Also my mind itself is constantly changing. How can others keep changing their thoughts and behaviour to suit my mind? Why should they? We should respect others’ right to their thoughts, behaviour and lifestyle. We should ‘agree to disagree’ and ‘live and let live’. Only then can there be harmony in relationships.