Unity is a common theme in most religions. Buddhists are well known for drawing attention to the interconnectedness of all living beings, but all of the major traditions hold to the spirit of oneness.
Illusion of Separateness a Regressive State?
According to Mel D. Faber, author of New Age Thinking, the illusion of separateness is a new age obsession that is a ‘regressive maternal state.’ That is, a state of consciousness that longs for a reunion with the mother.
However, from the point of view of the spirit of oneness, Faber’s intellectualising and labelling of humanity’s need for unity is further sign of the strength of the ego. The ego, in its insistence of separateness, denies the soul, denies love and ultimately, denies other people’s value.
In ‘The Way of Intuition’, Jan Nation writes that the illusion of separateness is ‘the greatest single obstacle to human progress.’ Furthermore ‘it is a way of thinking that denies interdependence by promoting the advantage of the part — the individual, the group, the organisation, the country or the group of countries — at any cost to the greater whole.’ The consequence of such thinking points to the growing difference between rich and poor, the environmental crisis, and the chasing of the dollar over all other considerations.
Nation continues, ‘for most people, the sense of fulfillment and personal worth depends upon social practices and relationships that are rich in spiritual values [...] (that) reflect and express the humane, inclusive, wise and far-seeing capacities of the human being’. This brings the argument around spiritual values and the word ‘religion’.
Religion, Catholic and Yoga Mean Unity
The word religion has several possible origins. However, according to the online etymology dictionary, ‘popular etymology among the later ancients […] connects it with religare "to bind fast" […], via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods."
Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning to bind, to yoke and to unite. Catholic comes from the Greek Katholikos, meaning universal, or whole. The language of many religions directs the reader’s mind to the study of unity and connection or oneness.
Taoist and One
Stephen W. Sawyer, in an online article entitled ‘The Tao as a Path’ states ‘in the end, as Taoists interact with the Tao, they discover that the self and the totality of being are in fact one.'
Ted Kardash discusses the concept of Wu-Wei in another online article 'Taoism - The Wu-Wei Principle, Part 4', 'Wu-wei refers to behaviour that arises from a sense of oneself as connected to others and to one's environment. It is not motivated by a sense of separateness.’
Oneness in Hinduism and Jainism
One of the founding principles of the Jains is the innate spiritual oneness of all beings. Also, Dr. Madan Lal Goel in ‘Oneness in Hinduism’ writes that ‘Hindus worship God as One Reality, One Consciousness. "The Truth is One; Sages name it variously..." Rig Veda. Behind the diversity of existence, there is Unity; behind individual souls, there is the Self. All beings are unified in that One Self. The ultimate Reality is called Brahman (to grow, to expand). ‘
Oneness in Judaism
In Torah basics, Shimon Apisdorf writes ‘If all of Judaism could be distilled into one statement it would be, "Listen, O' Israel, God is our Lord; God is One." […] It is a statement about the unity—the oneness—of God's absolute being.'
The concept of oneness is integral to spiritual traditions across time and culture. The illusion of separateness is not a new age concept, but rather a prevailing aspect of humanity that points the seeker to the ultimate truth. It's believed that there is no separation, and all are connected on a fundamental level.
Tiffany Jones - Born: Black Rock, Melbourne, Australia, 1971 Current Residence: Granollers, Catalonia Work: Yoga, Qigong, Meditation Instructor, ...
