The Spiritual Lessons of Avatar-We are all one people

Avatar: The Last Air Bender was a Nickelodeon show that originally aired from 2005 to 2008 that created a world consisting of four nations. Each nation was named after one of the four natural elements: water, earth, fire and air. Within each nation there are individuals who can manipulate and control the element that corresponds to their nation. In the show they call this “bending.” Along with the benders there is the Avatar, who is the bridge that connects mankind to the spirit realm connects to their ability to bend their elements. The Avatar is able to bend all four elements with the goal of bringing and keeping harmony amongst the four nations. When the Avatar dies, they are reincarnated; where they will be born and grow in a new nation. As they grow, they will learn of their destiny and learn to bend all four elements and grow as the leader they are destined to be.  

While this show has plenty of action and comedy to keep the attention of the young audience; there is plenty of thought-provoking life lessons for older audiences to latch on to as they grow and evolve. As stated, the four nation all connect to one of the four elements, but each of these nations also displays societies that live a variety of lives and have vast differences in theology and spirituality.  

This is the aspect of the show that I always felt a deep connection to. When I first watched the show at the age of 19, I was amazed at how seamlessly the writers intertwined life lessons that I could think through and apply to my own life. As I re-watch the show as a 37-year- old pastor, I am even more amazed at the depth of this show.  

One of the biggest themes of the show is the theme of connection. At the start of the show, it is established that there was a time where the world and the four nations lived harmoniously. Yet, through the action of the Fire-lord, the leader of the fire nation, decided to overthrow and gain control of the three other nations. This caused division and separation among the nations. When Aang, the current Avatar met with a Guru named Guru Pathik, it was revealed to him that the entire world is meant to live in harmony because all things are connected. Guru Pathik states, “The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same. We are all one people, but we live as if divided.” 

This is eye-opening. Often in churches we identify aspects of life that creates separation instead of promoting oneness and harmony. We will villainize other religions and ways of thinking instead of promoting curiosity that would allow us to ask questions and gain understanding. We would rather talk down to others who are living a lifestyle that is different than our own so that a sense of superiority is established instead of building a friendship.  

As I re-watched this moment, I began to think of the American church and the different ways that they divide instead of unite. Through this moment between Aang and Guru Pathik, I begin to realize that we too need to understand the harmony of our world and the deeper connection within our experiences and our cultures. I believe that we are meant to bring harmony to all by understanding that “we are all one people.” 

Even though we are different people with different lifestyles, beliefs and traditions, this should not divide us, but unite us. Our human bonds should allow us to stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow humans in the moments of difficulty and injustice. It is our differences in culture, tradition and belief that makes humanity interesting. And it is our quest for understanding that creates harmony amongst humanity.  
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It is my hope that throughout my pastoral career, I will be able to remain curious about other religions and other cultures as well as build relationships of understanding that strengthens humanity as a whole instead of promoting division amongst humanity.  ​