What is true devotion? Is it mere allegiance to a particular deity or prophet? Does it necessitate a change in lifestyle? In Chapter 12 of the Bhagwad Gita Krishna lists 35 qualities of a devotee that help assess our spiritual level as well as develop the qualities to evolve further.

The first quality is 'advesta  sarvabhutanam'. one who hates no being. People who profess to have devotion to the Lord, but have conflict-ridden relationships. Devotion is not about professing love to God, it is the ability to love all. How can you love an unknown, unseen God when you dislike those you interact with daily?

Everyone is deeply entrenched in feelings of otherness, antagonism and bitterness. This springs from insecurity and you project imaginary enemies. Partners are viewed as opponents, benefactors are viewed with suspicion and you end up utterly lonely and isolated. The Gita says there are no adversaries out there. Your worst foes are within. Yudhisthira was called 'ajatasatru', one whose enemy was not born because he did not consider anyone as a malefactor.

Even the love people claim is not true love. It is attachment, self-love. You expect returns from the person you love, make demands and impose restrictions. Ultimately the relationship breaks down. The solution is to become detached. People misunderstand detachment as giving up relationships. Many reject the idea and continue to suffer. Gita says there are three states of being – indifference or lack of feeling, attachment or selfish love and detachment or pure love. The Gita asks you to give up selfishness which comes in the way of meaningful relationships. Continue the association but let go of expectations.

Assess the people around you; understand them for what they are. Then you will not have unreasonable expectations. Do you dislike a deer for its timidity? Do you get upset if a dog barks at you? No. You understand that this is their nature. But you complain about a neighbour or boss because you have no understanding of their nature. As long as you feel negatively about anyone you will suffer, not the other person. If you want to be free of stress you must address your most intense dislikes.

In the past, the extended family lived together, harmoniously. Now, even nuclear families are breaking up because of selfishness. Identify with the intellect and you see oneness among all. It does not matter whether they are educated or not, wealthy or poor, etc. They are all yours, all differences vanish in the realm of the Spirit. You see yourself in all beings and all beings in your own Self. Then you will be free of hatred. This is True Devotion.