For most of us, discrimination has become a way of being. There are certain things that we accept warmly. There are also many that we reject. The objects marked accepted or rejected include: physical goods, people, living beings, ideas, values etc. The reasons underpinning our decision to discriminate are complex. However, they are all rooted in social conditioning. Since birth, we’ve observed the world through tainted lenses…coloured with the biases of society. It’s like watching a film that’s embedded with a continuous stream of opinions and reviews. Is it possible to be neutral after being bombarded by all that noise? Due to social conditioning, we assign weights to different things – ‘1’ for good; ‘0’ for bad. Subsequently, we accept or reject these beings.

There are profound consequences of non-acceptance in our lives. When we reject something, we; in effect; refuse nature’s gifts. This is tantamount to slapping her on the face. Consequently, our negative thoughts, feelings and actions pollute our cycle of deeds with undesirable consequences. At the same time, we also ascribe a high value to an object representing the polar opposite in meaning to that of the rejected being. Eagerly and lasciviously, we accept this counterfoil.

The result of selective acceptance is the birth of lust in our souls. For instance, we refuse to consume an apple because we don’t like fruits and gladly chew on a candy bar instead. As a result, we are denied the nutritional benefits of fruits. This affects our long-term health. On the contrary, if we’d accepted the fruit at the expense of the candy bar – we would have missed out on the soul comforts that are part and parcel of confections. Thereafter, we would have felt considerably less joyful. In both cases, our hearts get filled with lust as a result of the discrimination. The preference for fruits is due to our lust for good health. A desire that compels us to compromise on social activities and relationships. Similarly, the choice of candy is due to the craving for sensual pleasures at the expense of well-being. Thus, discrimination has a personal cost – even when it’s centred around a being that’s socially approved; such as an apple.

Lust is a significant barrier to the growth of consciousness because it prevents us from incorporating virtuous practices and observances into our life. Lust militates against the prerogative of sexual restraint and self-discipline – preventing one from achieving a deep connection with the One. Since discrimination gives rise to lust, it’s important for an individual to accept all beings. Aghor Panth is a set of practices that enable one to universally accept all nature’s beings – living and non-living – in their purest forms. The Aghori is distinguished by his face and body – painted with ashes from a cemetery. Aghori rituals were conceived to help adherents unite with Lord Shiva; thereby achieving ultimate consciousness.

Agor Panth provides us with a philosophical pathway to developing our sense of acceptance. This is an important essence for our journey to Oneness. The trait of Acceptance helps us to maintain a mental state of attachment with detachment. A fundamental state of being that’s absolutely essential for the pursuit of conscious development.