An Aesop's Fable about strength in unity

[Piero]

In Bulgarian folklore, Khan Kubrat is remembered as the legendary founder of Old Great Bulgaria in the 7th century and as a wise and unifying leader of the Bulgars. One of the most famous legends about him is the “Legend of the Broken Bundle of Sticks.”

 

Sources:
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/exonumia219702.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Man_and_his_Sons

 

As Khan Kubrat lay dying, he called his five sons to his side. To teach them the importance of unity, he gave each of them a single stick and told them to break it — which they did easily. Then he gave them a bundle of sticks tied together and asked them to break it. None could. Kubrat then told them:

 

"If you stay united, no enemy will defeat you. But if you separate, you will be broken one by one."

 

Despite this wise lesson, after his death, his sons failed to stay united. The Khaganate eventually broke apart under pressure from invading forces, and the sons led their people in different directions — one of whom, Asparuh, founded the First Bulgarian Empire in the Balkans.

 

The legend is often used in Bulgaria to symbolise the strength of unity and the dangers of division.

 

Edited June 10 by Piero

[Piero]

This post doesn't have to be about any contemporary political situation or threat. It's just a post on the theme of what unity is. There are different types of unity, for example, national unity, family unity, unity amongst friends, etc.

 

The fable got me thinking about individual unity. How unified is out mind, body, spirit unity? Our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and spiritual beliefs are not separate entities but are deeply interconnected and influence one another. If these aspects are not unified, then we experience inner conflict and we could be susceptible to being weakened from outside factors, such from the family, people at work, friends, or what's generally going on in the world, and in the news. A unified individual is better equipped to navigate life's challenges in general.

 

Some thoughts on individual unity:

 

A unified individual is often more authentic because there's less internal conflict between who they are and who they present themselves to be. Their actions and values are aligned.

 

Embracing all aspects of oneself, including perceived flaws or weaknesses, is crucial for unity. Trying to suppress or deny parts of oneself leads to internal division.

 

Being unified enables one to be more present in the moment, fully engaged with what's happening.

 

Mindfulness could increase our sense of self-unity.

 

Developing a sense of self-unity can help with purpose and direction in life.

 

Edited June 10 by Piero