Our planet Earth favours diversity. From the primordial energy of the Big Bang to the astonishing variety of life that evolution has produced, diversity is the defining feature of existence. No two trees are the same. No two human faces, voices, or minds are identical. Individuality is nature’s design.
Yet modern industrial civilisation has increasingly replaced diversity with uniformity. Instead of celebrating difference, we are standardising lifestyles, economies, architecture and even thought. In my view, diversity leads to peace; uniformity leads to conflict.

I was once a Jain monk. Jain philosophy offers a profound insight for our fractured world: Anekantvad, the idea that there is “no one truth.” Each person holds a partial perspective. Truth is many-sided. This acceptance of multiple viewpoints is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is the foundation of coexistence.

Global Religion of Economic Growth

Today, despite ideological differences — whether a country calls itself capitalist, socialist, religious or secular — most governments worship at the same altar: economic growth. It has become a kind of global religion.

Visit New York or New Delhi, London or Dubai. The high-rise towers, shopping malls, global brands and consumer culture look strikingly similar. Architecture is standardised. Fashion is globalised. Education systems increasingly produce managers for the same industrial model. In the name of progress, mass production and mass consumption dominate.

This uniformity is not benign. It generates waste, pollution and ecological destruction. It deepens inequality and fuels geopolitical tensions as nations compete for resources. A civilisation built on endless growth inevitably produces environmental crisis and social conflict.

If we want peace — in South Asia or anywhere else — we must encourage diversity in economic systems, political models, cultures, philosophies and scientific approaches. One model does not fit all societies. Monoculture in agriculture weakens the soil; monoculture in civilisation weakens humanity.

Science is essential. But so are spirituality, poetry, crafts and community wisdom. A healthy civilisation, like a healthy ecosystem, thrives on plurality.

“Maybeism” and Art of Coexistence

Jain philosophy also offers Syadvad, which means “it may be true.” Instead of insisting that “I am right and you are wrong,” Syadvad invites humility: perhaps your view contains truth; perhaps mine does too.

Language is like a finger pointing to the moon — the finger is not the moon. Many fingers can point to the same moon. Similarly, many religions and philosophies attempt to express universal truth. None can claim complete ownership of it.

We speak often of freedom of expression. But true freedom requires respect for others’ perspectives. If we practised Syadvad in politics and diplomacy, conflicts would soften. Dialogue would replace condemnation. Diversity of thought would no longer be seen as a threat.

Unity is not uniformity. Diversity is not division.

Local and global are complementary. We are rooted in our communities and bio-regions, yet we belong to the whole cosmos. “Think globally and act locally” is not merely a slogan — it is a pathway to harmony.

Radical Love as Political Practice

When I walked 8,000 miles through 15 countries over two and a half years — without money — I carried only one currency: love. I was welcomed by Muslims, Christians, communists, capitalists, rich and poor alike. Humanity transcended ideology.

Love is not sentimental idealism; it is transformative power. “Love your enemies” is politically radical. Through love, enemies can become friends.

Yet our world remains trapped in contradiction. Many societies preach peace while investing billions in weapons and nuclear arsenals. We prepare for war even as we pray for harmony. This contradiction reveals a deeper problem: fear.

Hatred harms. Love heals. Love cures the cancer of fear.

Diversity and truth go together; love and unity go together. Truth allows many perspectives; love binds them in relationship. Love first, then dialogue. Acceptance first, then understanding.

The practice begins with self-love. If we do not love ourselves, how can we love the world? The second step is to love all people — irrespective of nationality, religion, race or ideology. The third step is to love the Earth.

Making Peace With Earth

Modern industrial civilisation treats the Earth as a warehouse of resources for profit. Forests, rivers and oceans are reduced to commodities. Humans are considered superior; other species are denied intrinsic value.

This is a fundamental mistake.

We do not own the Earth; we belong to the Earth. All living beings have the right to exist. Peace among nations is impossible without peace with nature.

Industrial monoculture is destroying ecological diversity. Pollution of air, soil and water threatens the very foundations of life. If we continue to pursue growth driven by greed rather than need, we undermine our own survival.

As Mahatma Gandhi reminded us: “There is enough in the world for everybody’s need, but not enough for anybody’s greed.”

We need a “love economy” — one that respects limits, honours biodiversity and values wellbeing over profit. A deep ecological perspective recognises that forests, rivers, animals and mountains possess intrinsic worth beyond their market price.

Humanity cannot flourish on a dying planet.

Educating Head, Heart and Hands

If diversity and unity are to guide the future, education must change.

Most schools and universities today serve industrial monoculture and economic growth. They train the intellect — the “left brain” — to produce administrators and managers. Rational analysis is important, but it is only half of human potential.

We also have a “right brain”: intuitive, holistic, relational. An education that neglects creativity, empathy and ecological awareness produces imbalance. It strengthens uniformity and weakens diversity.

We need a new pedagogy — education of the head, heart and hands. Intellectual understanding, emotional intelligence and practical skills must work together. Such balanced education can nurture citizens capable of holding both unity and diversity in harmony.

In an ideal world, both hemispheres of the brain would develop equally — helping us reconcile love and truth, local identity and global responsibility.

Humanity stands at a crossroads. We can continue along the path of uniformity, greed and conflict. Or we can choose diversity, love and ecological balance.

Unity does not require sameness. Diversity does not require division.

If we embrace the diversity of truths and the unity of love, peace is not a distant dream. It becomes a living practice — in our communities, our nations and our shared planetary home.

(The author is the founder of Schumacher College and an eco-spiritual leader based in the UK who has authored several bestsellers. Views expressed are personal. By special arrangement with The Billion Press)