Oneness is Reality, not Naivety

Recently I watched a wonderful presentation by three of my favourite change-makers: Gregg Braden, Bruce Lipton and Lynne McTaggart.  It buoyed my heart so deeply, I felt moved to share. They spoke of the state of the world now- one that’s characterised by disconnection from one another, the natural world and our true selves. One that compartmentalises existence- so we no longer know who grows our food or how the parts that comprise our treasured pieces of technology are acquired. It’s a state where the disenfranchised and vulnerable are the government’s problem and where nature is a commodity to which a monetary value can be assigned. Money and power is concentrated at the top, and it’s from that same group our narrative about our fundamental human nature (selfish, competitive, individualistic) and what constitutes success (money, prestige, power, aesthetic appeal) is disseminated.

Yet even the few that are seemingly benefiting from the system as it is suffer- mental health issues plague even the most ‘successful’ among us. What does this tell us? It speaks of the deeper reality that each of us are a part of a whole. There’s perhaps no way of expressing this sentiment that doesn’t sound naïve or clichéd, yet I would argue that even the dismissal of such assertions is somewhat deliberate. Because a humanity that recognises its fundamental oneness will have far less addiction to technology, substances, trinkets and gadgets, and far less tolerance for keeping power concentrated at the top, for poverty and ecosystem destruction.

The message of the presentation reminded me of the movie Avatar

I found it astounding that this movie created a decade ago so closely mirrors our current predicament. In the movie as in our reality, the way to create a more beautiful world is to recognise the sacred in all of life- in animals, plants, soil, water and fellow humans- and act accordingly. Does that sound impossible? Those interested in maintaining the status quo are so far succeeding in polarizing the masses to the extent that most cannot even fathom humanity coming together to heal our heavy hearts and hurting planet. And yet, it really is possible. This coming together as one does not mean homogenising culture, language, political structures or ways of living.  On the contrary, the beauty of this existence is rooted in its diversity.  It does mean we accept and love one another and, importantly, ourselves as we are. When faced with a person or group with whom we disagree, we must ask ourselves: ‘what is it like to be you?’ Everyone has a story and a reason for being as they are. It’s time now to override the polarising narratives we’re being given and create one based on ultimate reality- we are one being.

Why does the tale of the hero (one who overrides concern for their own safety or reputation and acts in service to others to others or an ideal) continue to entrance across time and cultures?

Why that pang of deep sadness as we walk past a homeless person, or someone in distress? The innumerable instances of humans acting instinctively and intuitively for the good of others and well as our involuntary empathy, I believe, demonstrates that our fundamental nature is loving and concerned with the well-being of all. Yes, greed and selfishness are present in human nature. So too is deep love and care for others. Let us create a world that cultivates and nurtures these more noble attributes. It is, after all, up to us.

I’d love to leave you with a beautiful quote Bruce Lipton cited in the presentation:

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.

To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

― Buckminster Fuller