NY Assembly affirms our oneness

ALBANY, N.Y., June 3 -- All people are inseparably linked by an inner oneness, the New York State Assembly affirmed in a resolution that also recognized the “noble” work of the global Humanity’s Team movement.

The non-binding resolution, K1391, brought to the Assembly floor by state Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, passed unanimously May 24.

It is believed to be the first U.S. government resolution passed by a state legislative body affirming the oneness of humanity and the interconnectedness of all life.

“All people share the world together with all of life,” the resolution said.

“Science has established and sages have declared for millennia that life is a unified whole with multiple dimensions and expressions,” it said, observing that science has also established that these multiple dimensions and expressions “complement each other and are an inherent part of life’s underlying unity.”

“It is of the utmost and urgent importance to the common interests of the entire State of New York, the United States of America and the international community to strengthen the ideals of unity, diversity, harmony and compassion within and among all nations and peoples,” the resolution declared.

The resolution also recognized the “noble” accomplishments of Humanity’s Team, a global movement that sees most chronic and acute world problems as traceable to a single root cause -- the illusion of separation from other people, from the earth and from the rest of life.

By contrast, Humanity’s Team sees an acknowledgment and embrace of humanity’s inner unity, or oneness, as the key to solving the problems.

“Would the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have occurred if humanity recognized we are all one?” Humanity’s Team Worldwide Coordinating Director Steve Farrell asked. “Would we tolerate accelerated global warming, extreme poverty and hunger, and gender inequality? Would we fight each other under the banner of organized religion and in the name of God?”

Four days before receiving the Assembly recognition, the council delivered a global petition to the United Nations signed by more than 50,000 people from 168 countries appealing to the world body to declare an annual global Oneness Day recognizing humanity’s inner unity.

Veteran U.N. envoy Anwarul K. Chowdhury, who received the petition on behalf of the U.N. Culture of Peace initiative, said a sustainable world at peace would only exist after humanity realizes, announces and experiences that we are all one.

“I believe that unless we have that sense of solidarity among the peoples of the world, all our efforts of peace and security will go nowhere,” Chowdhury, a former undersecretary-general and high representative of the United Nations, said at an indoor ceremony at U.N. headquarters in front of the Chagall Peace Window.

The proposed Oneness Day -- which Humanity’s Team and supporters say they hope, with U.N. member state support, will become a General Assembly resolution -- would provide opportunities for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts demonstrating unity, diversity, harmony and compassion on a shared date, comparable to what happens on Earth Day.

“The awareness that even with our differences we are all one -- and the creation of behavioral codes and international agreements reflecting this awareness -- would shift the political, economic and spiritual reality so humanity can finally realize the dream it has had since time immemorial of a world living in peace, harmony and happiness,” Farrell said.

The Assembly resolution said, “When an organization of such noble aims and accomplishments is brought to our attention, it should be recognized and applauded by all the citizens of this great Empire State.”

The Humanity’s Team Global Council -- the movement’s central executive committee, made up of country coordinators from around the world -- was holding an annual meeting at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y., during the Assembly vote. New Paltz is in Cahill’s 101st Assembly District.