We are all one. Or so say the majority of the spiritual teachers who have walked this planet. But, what does this really mean? If we are all one, how come we feel so separate from each other?
I think the answer to this question lies in several areas:
First, we have been acculturated to dwell predominately in the left hemisphere of our brains with our thought processes. Here we are analytical and separate, we base our assumptions on information from the past and speculations about the future. This is the area of our thinking that is constantly trying to evaluate who we are, what we have done and what we should do next. It is a place of separation and individuation.
Second, we have been conditioned to be less aware of the thought processes that are common to the right hemisphere of our brains. This is the seat of our oneness, our commonality, our unity consciousness. And though we are less aware on the surface of this aspect of ourselves, it is clearly at the core of who we are. When
someone calls for help, we don't run away, we run toward them and try to help. At the
deepest level of our beings, we understand that to let the other suffer or die would be to let a part of ourselves suffer or die.
Third, when we all saw that image of earth, taken from space in the 1960's, we opened our eyes as if for the first time and began to see that there were no dividing lines for nations or governments. Instead we began to see ourselves as very lucky to be alive, all of us, thriving together, on this little blue green marble, floating in the vastness of outer space. From this perspective, we began to see the earth as one organism, miraculously supporting us all.
And while it is true that we are
each unique and different, we now see that we are a part of the whole. Just like our nose is different from our eyes, we understand that both are a
part of our face. As my mentor Peace Pilgrim puts it, "We are all cells in the body of humanity." We may each be different, but we are not separate. And it is our oneness that is
at the core of who we are.
But why
stop there? If our individual selves are a part of humanity, and if
humanity is a part of life on earth, why not go even further and try on
the thought of all of life, either on earth or beyond, as being a part of the vast consciousness that
pervades the Universe.
So now, with this thought in mind. How do you think each aspect of life, or awareness, would like to be treated? How would your nose like to be cared for? Certainly not as separate. That would leave it hanging out there all on it's lonesome. The same can be said for one another. How would each of us like to be treated?
Ah, in steps The Golden Rule. 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' There is some version of this teaching found in every major religion on the planet.
But what about beyond? As we move our attention on out into the galaxy, it doesn't take too much more looking for us to begin to see the Universe as a whole? Awareness
arises, dances in one form or another, passes back into compost or
spinning galaxies and arises again. As we start to appreciate the depth of the beauty that we find there, we begin to learn how to embrace the one thing there is. We find that we can celebrate not only our individuality, but also our unity consciousness, living, loving, caring for and embracing each and every aspect of the whole.
A very Happy New Year to you all.
© Josephine Laing 2018
When our energy is well tended, it rises and flows and recirculates through our bodies. During the course of our days, we often extend our energy to others. This can be a beautiful thing, so long as we learn how to disengage when it is appropriate to do so and thus manage our energy field wisely. Enjoy this short video on how to maintain a healthy energetic flow.
© Josephine Laing, 2015
Throughout spiritual literature we find the phrase, "We are all one." I am sometimes asked, how do we find oneness when we all feel so separate? I love what Aldous Huxley said about the brain. He said the brain is like a reducer valve, mitigating all of the information from the universe. A reducer valve is something that makes the flow of information or material smaller. For instance, the water out at the street flows through a four inch pipe. We've all seen a fire hydrant blow, it's a tremendous geyser. If that amount of water pressure came out of our kitchen sink it would blow the sink right off the wall. So instead, there are reducer valves to manage the amount of water that flows from the street into our homes. Our brains are the same way. If we had access to all the information of the universe, all the time, it would short our circuits, much like that exploding kitchen faucet.
However, we can access our little part of that entire creation by simply stepping into the right side of our brains. Here, in our right brains, we find the present moment, the eternal now, the quiet mind, psychic perception, limitless possibilities, and new insightful solutions. Here we are the observer, where everything is perfect, whole, and complete. This is the place where we are connected to everything. There is an innocent openness, a rich sense of abundance, and euphoria.
One of my favorite analogies is that of the drop of water and the ocean. A drop of water is a part of all water, however it is differentiated into a single drop. It is no more separate from the rest of water than my baby finger is separate from me. My finger is not separate, but it is different from the rest of me. Similarly, our consciousness is a unique part of divinity. Not separate, but different, with access to all being a part of the whole. When we look at the world and ourselves this way we see the illusion of separation for what it is: merely an illusion.
This idea of separation can be very dangerous. It is the source, after all, of war. It causes the them vs. us mentality. When instead we see everyone and everything as a part of the same whole, but delightfully and interestingly different, then the whole world becomes our family. And we are in love with everyone and everything.
In closing, I'll leave you with a little guidance for how to step into the right brain. My favorite is to spend some time out in nature. Nature opens us to an expansiveness and a clarity that allows us to receive inspiration, which always comes right out of the right brain. Another great way is to spend time with a dog. Dogs are loving, in the present moment, accepting of everything. They are perfect expressions of God, which is dog spelled backwards. Perhaps my favorite way of accessing the right brain is to take a moment to listen for just a second to that birdsong that just sounded right outside the window. Try it right now, see if you can catch it ... did you notice, that for right then you didn't have any thoughts? You were open and receptive. Enter there.
© Josephine Laing, 2014
