Xenophobia -- The fear of foreigners 115 years ago, on September 11, Vivekananda took America by storm when he addressed the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago with the phrase "Sisters and Brothers of America". Such words were unheard of in the western world, and the audience was taken by a complete surprise when they saw an unknown Indian monk addressing them as "Sisters and Brothers". If one observes the nature of living beings, one may notice that a meek animal like a squirrel or a rabbit or a deer lives in constant fear of any alien animal coming after it. The instinct of self-preservation is so strong that all weak animals who have not been equipped by nature to defend themselves ably, live in a constant state of alert against any attack by the enemy. Whereas a lion moves about with a casual stride and freedom, truly like a fearless king of the jungle, with immense muscular power to fight back and defend itself against any attack. The same is true of the human society. Phobia runs in our blood from generation to generation, almost like a genetic disorder. Though there are exceptional individuals, evolved and matured, who are blind to any religious, cultural or racial dissimilarities between men. They are the fearless, lion-hearted kings. They are the men whose self-esteem is so high that they cannot even conceptualize that somebody can hurt them or cheat them or rob them. They begin life with the foundation of a basic trust. But there is also the vast majority of unevolved mankind that begins life with the basic premise of distrust and fear. When you begin with distrust, you will also receive distrust in return. Whereas when you begin with trust, 99 times out of 100, the other person will try and live up to the reputation and respect that you have given him. Only a man who respects himself will respect others. Whereas a man who has no self-respect, he is bound to begin with a premise of disrespect and distrust for anyone who does not belong to his herd. When you live in a multi-cultural, globalised environment, your unfounded fears will shatter. But that is an unrealistic utopia. In reality, we tend to exist only in highly homogenized environments. We tend to form sub-groups within groups, sub-nations within nations, sub-castes within castes, and so on. That's the divisive and destructive nature of a fearful man. And that's a savage way of life. Divisiveness and groupism, as against teamwork, creates an atmosphere of fear, prejudice and hatred -- due to utter lack of information and knowledge about the other groups and their thought-processes. Fear, gentlemen, is the mother of negative thoughts, and sees an enemy where there had been a potential friend. Almost all enmities on this earth germinate from lack of knowledge and understanding about each other. And as Seneca warned two thousand years ago that "once the enemy (anger) has advanced within the city-gates, he will not respect any bounds set by his captives." Once anger has occured, it will be reciprocated with even greater force from the other side. And this fire will not rest until the whole forest has been burned down. In this uncivilized war of anger versus anger, there are no winners, only losers. And the tragedy is -- there was no real cause, only lack of knowledge and understanding about each other. Iqbal, the man who understood the concept of self-esteem better than most, used "Shaheen" (Eagle) as the ultimate symbol of free spirit. Eagle is one bird that loves to soar higher and higher in the sky, till it feels the most extreme atmospheric pressure and can sustain it no longer. The eagle, by nature, builds no permanent home (aashiyaanaa) -- just like a faqir. If you observe an eagle even in a city, you will notice that it always tends to choose the highest point of the highest building to perch itself.  Iqbal said these words for mankind's salvation: "Nahin tera nash-e-mann kasr-e-sultani ke gumbad par Tuu shaheen hai, basera kar, pahaadon ki chattaanon par" It is not your final destination to be the prince of some small worldly palace You are an eagle, your true abode is atop the highest mountain peaks Large-hearted men are the men of free spirit. The whole world is not enough for them. They do not live in holes. Holes are reserved for the petty men -- the fearful slaves who do not know freedom. And freedom cannot be taught or preached. Just like a rodent cannot be turned into a lion by preaching.