I was recently asked, “How do we create unity during a time of immense division?” I didn’t have a good answer.
Truthfully, I had no answer at all.
I received this query after sharing my thoughts on the recent U.S. presidential election. The result? More division.
Since then, I’ve been contemplating this question…a lot. I didn’t want to create more division, even though I couldn’t see a way to bridge the gap between the two opposing political sides.
After much thought…and struggle writing this post, I have come up with a few strategies. Try one or more. See if they prove helpful.
What is Division?
First, let’s understand what we are talking about. The term “division” is thrown around a lot. What does it mean?
Division is “the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated.” It is also “disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility.”
When two or more groups of people feel separate or disagree, this creates division. Of course, two individuals also can feel divided.
You currently see division related to politics and election results in the U.S. However, it’s present in many other areas of life and not confined to America or Americans. People are divided over wars, religion, gender issues, and reproductive rights, for example.
Conversely, unity is defined as “the state of being united or joined as a whole.”
Humanity is joined as a whole; we are one. Since humans are spiritual beings in physical bodies, the spiritual part of all of us—spirit or soul—is connected to Source. We are part and parcel of All that Is.
Yet, humans create division by seeing opposing parts or groups as separate and different.
We are One
That fact provides a great place to start working on unity. When you feel the most division, remember that we are all spiritual beings connected to Source. It’s only as human beings that we experience division.
When you feel separate, different, or divided, look at those you all “other” and remember they are connected to you on a spiritual level. Know that only their human nature—and yours—causes the division you feel.
A Unity Church minister once asked the congregation, which included me, to turn to the person sitting behind, look them in the eye, and say, “I see the Christ in you.” This exercise was meant to acknowledge that person’s potential to be a Christed or enlightened being. She wanted us to look into the window of the soul—the eyes—and recognize the spiritual self within that person. This required seeing beyond the human form.
Try this exercise if you want to experience more unity—even with those you see as different. Look into their eyes and see that there is, indeed, a spiritual being inside a human body.
Don’t Create Division
To create more unity, stop creating division. The more you feel like “us” versus “them,” and the more you speak in those types of terms, the more division you feel and create.
Remember, we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. We also all chose to be here at this time in human evolution.
There must be some reason that we are going through this life experience…and we are going through it together, even if we are standing on different sides of the playing field.
To some extent, we are all on the same team—even if it doesn’t look like it.
Feel Gratitude
Supposedly, humanity is on the cusp of a huge up-leveling in consciousness. Experts say we will soon enter an age of unity. Many say we must first go through a period of division so we see and feel the contrast. Then, we can experience unity.
And the experience of immense division helps us choose unity. As we do so, we will find ways to come together.
If you are aware that this is a stage in humanity’s evolution, you can feel gratitude for the process. You can feel thankful for the division because it is a way to get to unity.
You can even feel thankful for the people with whom you disagree. Without that contrast, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to raise your consciousness and gain more clarity on what you truly want and believe.
Don’t Argue
Don’t argue your point with those who see things differently. Sometimes, doing so is an exercise in futility and creates more division.
If someone truly wants to discuss differences with an open mind, have that conversation. Otherwise, opt out.
Also, don’t seek out people with different opinions, wag your finger at them, or try to make your perspective known. That is a surefire way to create division.
Stop Making Others Wrong
It’s easy to make someone wrong for their perspective. You disagree; therefore, you take the stance that you are right and they are wrong. Obviously, that right vs. wrong stance creates division.
Sometimes, your conviction is so strong you cannot get away from believing you are right. You might even believe you must express your belief to create change. But this can push people away and create more division.
The need to be right causes many problems and is not a way to grow personally or spiritually. Counteract the desire to be right in two ways.
First, ask yourself, “Would I rather be right or happy?” I want to be happy, and I bet you do, too! Therefore, I don’t argue with people about whose perspective is right or wrong.
Second, I step back and observe like a scientist or researcher. I hear other perspectives and listen to different opinions—even watch actions. Then, I mentally respond, “Interesting. Let’s see how that works out for them.”
The late Stuart Wilde would watch world events and say, “Interesting evolutionary experience.” No judgment. Just detached observance. That’s a more unifying approach.
You can’t create division when you have no judgment and are detached. And, you see humanity as one but with different factions making different choices.
Don’t Engage
When your opinion differs from someone else’s, engaging in conversations you inherently know will cause division is often tempting. After all, you want to prove your point and get the other person to see your perspective.
You want to be right.
It is best not to engage in such conversations. I don’t seek them out; instead, I actively avoid them.
This strategy may not bridge the gap but ensures you don’t create more division. That is a step toward unity.
Be Curious
A great way to create unity is to become curious about the other side’s perspective. Have conversations with those whose points of view are different from yours, but do so with an open mind and a massive degree of curiosity.
Ask a lot of questions. Be a good listener. Don’t try to convince, only to learn. Do not judge.
The more you understand, the less division you will feel—and possibly create.
Remember not to share your perspective or push your opinion on others. If they ask, you can answer their questions.
Love When Others Hate
I’m not about to tell you to love someone who expresses hate or whose perspectives, behaviors, or choices are harmful to you or others. I will ask you to love more.
Counteract hate by being someone who loves and expresses love. Demonstrate and feel your love for family and friends at a deeper level. Find ways to be more loving.
Smile at people. Let cars into your lane when driving in traffic. Hold doors open for others. Say, “Good morning,” and smile at people. Tip generously. Be patient with sales clerks. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee. Wave at people on the street.
I have a neighbor who runs on the side of a busy road and waves at each passing car. She began this during the COVID pandemic and then continued. Her wave brightens people’s lives…and makes them feel as if they know and are connected to her. That’s unity.
You also can send love energetically to those with whom you disagree. That will go further to creating unity than hating them. (Also, send love to the world, war zones, or to whomever you feel needs it.)
As you put more love into the world, you change the vibration of the collective consciousness. Your energy shifts the energy on the planet as well.
Find Your People
Instead of focusing on division, place your attention on the unity you already experience. Maybe you are part of a men’s group or a charitable organization. Of course, you may have family or a friend group.
If you don’t have such unifying connections, find like-minded people to help you feel part of a group. Join a club, volunteer at a rescue organization, or go to a religious service. Be a part of something.
Groups offer unity. Being part of a group makes you feel a sense of unity within yourself and the world, which radiates outward and creates more unity.
Joining a movement or finding like-minded people to hang out with creates unity. Maybe it doesn’t create unity for the whole, but you will put out the energy of unity. That creates a ripple effect.
Come together with those with whom you feel aligned. If you take up a cause, like equal rights for all genders, you will feel aligned and unified with the others in that group.
But be careful about how you share this cause. Don’t do so with anger or from a place of victimhood. Do so with care, love, and unification in mind. And be aware that if that group positions itself against another, the group—and you—create more division.
Provide a Unifying Frequency
We live in an energetic physical world. The frequency with which each human being vibrates impacts not only those that person encounters but the whole.
It takes a much smaller number of individuals operating at high positive frequencies to outweigh a much larger number operating at lower negative frequencies. In other words, a few people with positive energy can shift the negative energy put out by many.
I believe the same holds true of unity. Suppose enough of us show up with a high frequency created by focusing on unity. In that case, we can counter the frequency of division.
The Middle Way
My Buddhist neighbor is able to hold space for Americans on both sides of the political aisle. From her perspective, it’s possible to “honor the Middle Way” and avoid creating division in your heart by withholding judgment.
Buddhists see the Middle Way as a path that avoids extremes and seeks to find balance in life. Division is often created by extreme viewpoints. And these tend to create imbalance in people’s lives and the world.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this Buddhist strategy. Not everyone can manage to walk this path—I know I have not always managed to do so. But it’s something to strive for, is it not?
Even mall acts and changes in perspective can help create unity. Create unity within and without in whatever way possible. As a result, you will reduce the division you—and others—experience.
How do you think we can create unity during a period of immense division? Tell me in a comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.
