Some time ago, Pradip Mukherji in India sent me an email. As I was recently re-reading that, I thought to myself, Wow, that's just what I've been thinking:
"A Hindu saint named Shankaracharya, who lived around 13 centuries ago said: Brahman is real, Universe is unreal, and Brahman is Universe. These three simple statements come from the pinnacle of realization. Here Brahman means the One Consciousness, One Self, One Source. This Source, this Self manifests as the Universe. Maya (illusion or Divine Hypnosis) creates the sense of separation from the Self.
"Centered in the separation, our relationship with the world is given by our perceptions, and all our perceptions are mind-play. It is through mind that the separation is sustained. Thus, our relationship with the world is not as the world is, but with our projected world: our beliefs, ideals, values, judgments, superstitions, fears, cravings, aversions… all kinds of conditionings shape this projection. This relationship with the unreal world creates our emotional upheaval, our miseries and sufferings."
Truly. And expressed very succintly.
Everyone sees the world through their own conditioning. For example, Texas suburbanites may be immersed in high school football and think the world has collapsed if their team loses. Another example: teens are usually so engrossed in their teen world of dating and malls and friendships that all emotions they experience on based on that world-view.
About 12 years ago, when I was in the Phillipines, the term "culture-shock" became extremely meaningful. All the people around me were seeing and experiencing the world in a different way than I was - because they grew up with their own set of values and judgements about "the way things should be."
As I travel around the U.S and live in different areas for some time, this Truth is as clear as glass. In every area, people live in a different world - but what's really scary sometimes is that most believe it's the ONLY world and the only RIGHT world. Arizonians think the world is a hot place with little water, and that plants with spikes are "the way things should be." Maine people believe the world is a cold place and that water is plentiful (if not over-abundant.) Environment and cultural habits then affect the way people live and believe.
If one can stand "outside" belief systems and world-views, then one can see that all such things are choices we make. Perhaps, the choices aren't conscious as in "I've lived here all my life. And what's good enough for me is good enough for everybody!"
Nevertheless, everyone has choice. And choice means we have the freedom to live as we wish.
Then I came across Dan Josephs' latest newsletter. And was astounded by it's synchronicity:
Look Past The Dreamer
A Course in Miracles points out that in this world, we typically identify with our belief systems and personas. Everyone has a unique background, perspective, and set of values - and we often see each other as bundles of these things. Most of us gravitate toward those who share similar views to ours, and away from those who are different.
The problem is that this creates a constant sense of separation. He and I may be somewhat similar, but there are some major areas of disconnection. She and I are a little more aligned. And that guy - wow, forget about it. We have nothing in common.
This happens in subtle and overt ways every day. And it's quite interesting when you have a conflux of wildly different views, as happens at my local coffee shop. Sparks fly. People - including myself - become offended, or otherwise threatened. How can you say that? How can you believe that? It creates quite a bit of conflict.
But the Course encourages us to take a completely different approach. Instead of identifying people with their perspectives and philosophies, says the Course, look beyond all that. Recognize that the person in front of you is like a dreamer having a dream - a dream that says, "I'm separate from you. I'm different in a million different ways." Look past that dream, and recognize the common core that unites you.
As we do this, we "join with the dreamer, not the dream." We don't try to connect by perfectly aligning our perspectives and philosophies. (That would probably be impossible.) Instead, we look past all the flying thoughts, and focus on the spiritual brotherhood that unites us. It is a powerful practice.
