Individual and collective identity — our sense of who we are and how we fit into the world — is an important aspect of our socialization as human beings. It is closely tied to our sense of purpose and how we perceive our relationships with others. Throughout history, a significant factor in making social progress has been the demonstrated capacity of human beings to compose identities that go beyond difference.

Yet those who have sought advantage at the expense of others have often invoked real or imagined differences as a means of dividing people — in order to advance their own interests and ambitions. Over time, these distinctions, born of self-interest, have solidified into constructs related to race, ethnicity, nationality, and other physical and social distinctions. These constructs have often been used to define human beings and to divide them into groups.

Narrowly identifying with particular physical or social characteristics and placing these at the center of our understanding of self and the other has had ruinous consequences, whether a particular identity has been used as a basis for seeking preference over others or has congealed in response to the experience of prejudice and oppression. The deeply fragmented social reality that we find around us today is, in part, a consequence of these narrow identity constructs and attachments.

Beyond these fragmented ways that individuals and groups have come to define themselves, men and women of insight, often inspired by the sacred scriptures of the world, have throughout history sought to broaden human consciousness by drawing attention to that which is most essential about human nature: the inner reality with which every human being is born, the reflection of the divine in each of us. This inner reality is something that we all share and is whole within us, as opposed to the labels with which society tags us in the course of our lives.

This primary, overarching human identity, rooted in the reality of the human soul, which has no race, ethnicity, nationality, or other physical or social distinction, can be understood and developed in a manner that simultaneously values the many secondary aspects of human diversity. Through the sense of security that comes from being consciously aware of the underlying spiritual nature one shares with all humanity, it becomes possible for an individual to derive greater joy from, and to value, all the other aspects.

At the collective level, our shared identity, which is spiritual in nature, serves as the basis for regarding humanity as one. Not only does this identity transcend differences of birth or upbringing, but it also inspires action by uniting people and leading them to cooperate, form relationships, and build communities. The principle of the oneness of humankind is an expression of our underlying reality.

An analogy of the human body can illustrate how the principle of oneness can govern social organization. Much like the human body, the interdependent body of humanity is composed of diverse elements whose well-being can only be achieved through integration and coordination. Millions of cells, with an extraordinary diversity of forms and functions, collaborate to make the existence of the human being possible. They give and receive whatever is needed for their individual functioning as well as for the growth and welfare of the whole. No cell or organ lives apart from the human body, and the well-being of each derives from the well-being of the whole. Far from implying a hierarchy of functions, it is the unity and interdependence of the body’s diverse cells and organs that permits the full realization of the distinctive capacities inherent in each.

No one would try to explain the life of a healthy body in terms of concepts used so freely to describe society nowadays, such as the concept of self-interested competition for scarce resources. Nor would one argue that in order for a body to function better, all of its cells should become identical; such uniformity would make the body incapable of carrying out any of the complex functions necessary for its existence. The principle that governs the functioning of the human body is unity in diversity. It is possible to conceive of human society in a similar way. Society is composed of myriads of individuals and groups who have various affiliations and secondary identities, but who also have a primary identity, rooted in the spiritual nature that they share with the rest of humanity.

An integral component for the realization of this organic unity among humanity is justice. Justice ensures that every individual and group has the opportunity to develop their full potential in order to contribute to the betterment of society. Justice is the sole means by which unity of thought and action can be achieved and sustained among diverse peoples.

Undeniably, there are groups of people in the world today who are experiencing oppression and whose positive sense of identity is being undermined. The identities of such groups need to be recognized and affirmed. Yet, a mature humanity must go further and recognize the broader identity shared by all in order to overcome the injustices facing so many. Without this recognition, identity-based struggles can become ends in themselves; efforts to raise consciousness and address the conditions of injustice that affect a particular group can lead to reinforcing divisive distinctions; and it will become increasingly difficult to build a society that embodies the principle of the oneness of humanity and is free from the many forms of prejudice and discrimination that afflict the world. Ultimately, humanity must recognize that the shared primary identity that reflects the reality of all human beings forms the basis of their collective efforts to advance the common good.