THE ONE OR THE MANY

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The normal state of consciousness is often marked by confusion. This arises because we fail to perceive coherence within the multiplicity of existence.

To transcend this state, it’s necessary to examine and comprehend the nature of ourselves, others, and even non-sentient things.

When the ego predominates, we tend to see ourselves as exceptional and therefore separate from others. However, a more enlightened perspective reveals that everything is, in its own way, exceptional.

As Dogen Zenji wrote: “To study the Buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by ten thousand things. When enlightened by ten thousand things, the body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away.”

When the ego is eclipsed, our attention is naturally drawn to the beauty surrounding us in ordinary things. The body and mind of self and others “drop away” because we realize the essential oneness of all things—or, in the language of Zen, that all things possess Buddha nature.

Seeing in this way moves us from confusion to coherence as we come to understand the true nature of self and others.

The Nature of Reality, Unity

THE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE: INEFFABILITY AND COHERENCE

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As human beings, we all possess a potential window into spiritual experience, though our ability to access the divine can be impeded by doubt.

The philosopher and Harvard Professor William James explored the commonality of spiritual experience in his 1902 book The Varieties of Religious Experience. He deliberately approached the topic objectively, avoiding theological or doctrinal interpretations.

James asserted that religious experience exists beyond our normal conscious awareness:

“It is that our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the requisite stimulus, and at a touch they are there in all their completeness, definite types of mentality which probably somewhere have their field of application and adaptation. No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.”

He further detailed characteristics of the mystical experience, notably:

  • Ineffability: It defies expression; its content cannot be adequately put into words. This means its quality must be directly experienced, not simply transferred to others. Mystical states are akin to feelings—you have to experience them to truly understand. Just as you need musical ears to grasp a symphony’s value or to have been in love to comprehend a lover’s mind, a mystic’s experiences often receive inadequate interpretation from those who haven’t shared them.
  • Noetic quality: Despite their similarity to feelings, mystical states are also perceived as states of profound knowledge. They offer insights into truths unreachable by the ordinary intellect. These are illuminations, revelations filled with significance, and typically carry a powerful sense of authority that endures long after the experience.

James also highlighted that spiritual experience brings a sense of coherent understanding:

“Looking back on my own experiences, they all converge towards a kind of insight to which I cannot help ascribing some metaphysical significance. The keynote of it is invariably a reconciliation. It is as if the opposites of the world, whose contradictoriness and conflict make all our difficulties and troubles, were melted into unity.”

The spiritual experience serves as a window to another dimension, one unburdened by the constraints of time and space. It possesses a numinous quality, allowing the experiencer to encounter singular, all-encompassing, and timeless Truth and Wisdom. This experience often feels more real than ordinary reality, leaving an indelible mark of immense significance. Moreover, the illumination gained from a spiritual experience remains undiminished within the individual, serving as a constant source of joy and guidance for the rest of their life.

Unity

OUR ESSENTIAL WHOLENESS

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The radiant inner light of our divine Self perpetually illuminates our being, yet our perception of it is often obscured, as if we are looking through a mirror covered in layers of dust and grime.

This “grime” that prevents us from directly experiencing our divine Self is the illusion of the false ego and the entire spectrum of fear-based emotions we hold within us – judgments, anger, hatred, jealousy, depression, shame, and countless others.

Lord Buddha dedicated his teachings to guiding his students on how to dismantle this illusory sense of self, thereby enabling them to realize the state he called nirvana.

The ultimate state we seek is beautifully described in the Isha Upanishad as “Purnam,” a Sanskrit word resonating with meanings of fullness, wholeness, and purity. It is experienced not as an external acquisition, but as a profound realization blossoming from within – an inherent feeling and intuitive knowledge that we are intrinsically complete and that the universe unfolds exactly as it should.

The sacred invocation to the Isha Upanishad articulates this truth:

Om
Purnamadah Purnamidam
Purnat Purnamudachyate
Purnasya Purnamadaya
Purnameva Vashishyate
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Its profound meaning can be understood as:

Om.
That (the Absolute) is Wholeness, this (the manifested universe) is Wholeness;
from that Wholeness, this Wholeness emanates.
When Wholeness is taken from Wholeness,
Wholeness remains as it is.
Om. Peace! Peace! Peace!

This signifies that even when a part is seemingly extracted from the Whole, what remains is still the undiminished Wholeness, and the part itself is also inherently Wholeness. When that part is reintegrated, nothing but Wholeness prevails.

You are that individual expression, that seemingly separate piece, and simultaneously you are the infinite Wholeness itself. Every other being and every element of existence also shares in this fundamental Wholeness. There is never anything that exists outside of this pervasive fullness, wholeness, and purity.

The visionary poet William Blake captured this profound interconnectedness in his Auguries of Innocence:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.

Our True Nature, Unity

RESOURCES AND OWNERSHIP

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In the realm of spirit, the notion of personal ownership dissolves. It is more aligned with truth to consider resources as gifts temporarily entrusted to us for their meaningful deployment.

Every valuable asset that enters our sphere of influence is intended for communal benefit. It is never designated for our solitary enjoyment, and clinging to that belief will impede our spiritual unfolding and ultimately deny us the happiness we seek. The very act of believing we own something creates an energetic tether, allowing it to own us in return.

When abundance flows into our lives, it is a confluence of nature’s generosity and the collaborative contributions of countless others. Embracing a perspective of stewardship over resources naturally cultivates a deep sense of gratitude for what we have received, and in that gratitude, we discover a profound trust that all genuine needs will be met.

Non-Attachment, Unity

OUR ENERGETIC SELF

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The dominant mode of our “normal” consciousness is one of perceived separation – a feeling of being distinct and isolated from everything else. Yet, the underlying reality is one of profound and intricate interconnectedness with all life and all of creation.

This illusory sense of separation can lead us to believe in our ability to deceive, to present a facade that contradicts our inner thoughts and actions. In doing so, we sacrifice authenticity and genuine expression.

Furthermore, this feeling of being cut off breeds loneliness, a fundamental human experience often only alleviated by close companionship.

However, spiritual development allows us to transcend this illusion and perceive the energetic web that connects all forms of life, naturally dissolving the feeling of isolation. There are intentional practices we can undertake to cultivate a greater awareness of these energetic bonds.

Every living thing, including ourselves, vibrates with its own energetic field. With focused attunement, we can learn to sense the unique energy signature of another being. Moreover, through disciplined concentration, we can consciously direct our focused mental energy towards the energetic field of another living entity.

I invite you to explore this connection through a simple exercise with a plant that resonates with you, perhaps a tree. Standing mindfully, place your hands upon it, engage with it through words, and intentionally ask to perceive its energetic presence. If you feel drawn to, also request its healing influence.

As we cultivate a deeper sensitivity to these fundamental energetic fields, we simultaneously awaken to a more profound understanding of our own true nature, which at its essence is pure, vibrant energy.

Healing, Unity
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