submitted 31 March, 2018
published 7 April 18
I write these
opinion pieces from the perspective of non-dual reality. However, perspective is, by definition,
dualistic, rooted in space and time. The
written word is symbolic, therefore dualistic, and presents concepts, not experience.
Recognizing these limitations, I suggest
that while a map is not the territory, it can still be of value.
To embrace
unity is to challenge the dominant culture, which assumes separate, meaningless,
and isolated parts. Pitching
divisiveness to gain power, or making money from conflict, while using fear to amplify
the message, is not a new strategy.
Fear of God is
especially popular. Religious fundamentalists
of every stripe use a narrow definition of God to promote separation. Wars start by accentuating division and
fear. Fear sells everything from guns to
toothpaste. Fear keeps our inequitable
economic structure intact, oppressing minorities, the poor, and women. Fear is the foundation of advertising, promoting
dissatisfaction with our bodies, our lives, and our creative accomplishments,
thus convincing us we aren't good enough the way we are.
In a
holistic system, each part has meaning defined and nourished by the context of
the larger system. Every part provides similar
meaning for every piece of its own structure.
For example, my liver gets function, meaning, and nourishment as part of
my physiology, while providing structure and meaning for each of the cells
within the liver.
An isolated
individual is fearful, because it is cut off from its meaning within the larger
context. The isolated individual acts without
regard for the needs and limits of the larger system, thus disrupting the entire
system. This describes a cancer, which
eventually kills the host and therefore itself. Ignoring the connected context doesn't mean it
isn't there, which explains why every problem on the planet seems to be
building to a lethal crescendo.
Indigenous
religions recognize the fundamental unity in life, as do mystic sects of every
organized religion. Einstein said
"either everything is sacred, or nothing is". He understood the unity of the world and the inherent
importance of honoring everything. We
can each relate to honoring something, but there seem to be limits. Thus, we are challenged to rise above our
differences and recognize they are only relative, not absolute.
The unity of
reality is eternal, transcending time and space. However, we can believe in separation, and the
power of our belief makes separation true for us, even though it is not
real. That is the nature of denial. The unity is there, but we are unaware of it. While nailed to the cross, Christ, a
messenger for unity, asked forgiveness for his crucifiers, "for they know
not what they do". Despite despicable
actions by fearful, isolated individuals, they are part of the unity, offering
a challenge to our compassion.
The good news is that a shift in perspective
can lead us to re-experience unity, since it is always present. We each have the power to change our own perspective. This may be difficult, as we have to shift a
life time of habits. We can choose to
see the world as fundamentally separate and fearful, or we can choose to see
the world as whole and loving, a magnificent system that nourishes
everything. Our lives have meaning
within that larger context.
Darkness is
the absence of light, but light does not "conquer" darkness, it
simply removes its reality. Similarly,
fear is the absence of love, and love removes the belief in fear.
Reality is
non-linear, with tipping points when abrupt change manifests and old conditions
no longer prevail. These tipping points
can manifest in physical, economic, or social expressions, including patterns
of consciousness. Our species is
experiencing a fundamental tipping point with regard to our embrace of
separation. The expressions of
separation seem to be increasing, as addicts of separation have risen to
leadership positions in business, politics, and even religion, threatening all
life on Earth. But they are the last
gasp of a dying pattern. If we want to
avoid that destruction, all of us who know the unity of life and love, must
stand up and declare our commitment by how we live, speak, act, and vote! What future will you choose, fear or love?
