Everything that is within, upon and above the earth, is a physical manifestation of the oneness that is life – the same life-force is behind all things. Science and the mystics agree that everything, including us, is made of the same physical stuff, which is just arranged differently depending on the energetic vibration of each particular physical form. Clearly, therefore, we are related to all of creation, of which we are just one aspect. In the truth, there is nothing that separates us from anything else: all is one, one is all – we’ve just forgotten that, and it is this forgetfulness which is the root cause of our suffering.
Observation that is heart-felt, nonjudgmental, and free of labels, deepens the connection between the observer and the observed, until all differences dissolve as we (the observer) step beyond the illusion of separation, and experience the inner knowing of the truth of what we see and of who we are – that all of life is one; that there is no difference between you, I, the animal, the tree, the plant, the stone, or any other physical manifestation of life. All is life!
I find this much easier to experience with an aspect of the natural world than I do with a person. When people meet, the interaction between us, whether it’s verbal or non-verbal, is generally an egoic exchange. Our physical, mental, and emotional energy bodies react in their habitual way as they consciously and unconsciously perceive the stimulus received from the other person. Into the egoic cement mixer goes this bit of information and that bit of information, this is judged and that is judged, and out comes some sort of conclusion, which evaluates and categorizes the other. It’s a complex mix of distortions, as we project our stuff onto the other and they project their stuff onto us. If the stuff mixes ok, we get along; if it doesn’t, we don’t.
It’s a very different story when we meet a natural manifestation of life. Only we, the person, have any imbalance to project; only harmony and truth radiate from a stone, bird, flower, or tree. This makes it much easier for us to be aware of the truth of what we are observing, because we can more easily let go of the imbalanced opinions, beliefs, and judgments that we hold about life and people, and which we believe are keeping us safe from a dangerous world. And when we do let them go, we consciously move beyond these distorted perceptions and awaken to that which is natural within us – the truth of the observed is realised by the truth of the observer; all perceived differences dissolve and the bliss of the unity of life is known – the observer and the observed become one; natural and free merges with natural and free.
Try this for yourself: be as aware as you can of an aspect of nature; perhaps a stone, a leaf, a flower, a bird, a handful of earth, a cat, a tree, a piece of fruit, a sea shell, or whatever it is that you are drawn to. Really observe it without naming or judging; just be aware of all that you can. It’s a completely different experience compared to looking at something and ticking boxes with the mind – it’s this, it’s that, it’s brown, it’s green, I like it, I don’t like it, and so on. Feel it, taste it, smell it, listen to it, and observe it without a running commentary from the mind – really be aware of your senses, and the mind will naturally become silent. Perhaps try closing your eyes and putting all of your awareness into how it feels, tastes, smells, or sounds.
Then, when you feel ready, bring your awareness within: look out from behind the eyes, and hear, smell, touch, and taste from within. You are within the body looking out; you hear from within, smell is an inner quality, you are the fingers as they touch, the mouth as it tastes and chews. Notice how you are no longer going out to what you are observing, but are aware of it from within yourself. Experience the different quality of your being; of relating to life from the purity of the inner depths, rather than the superficiality of the surface. Notice the quiet stillness within yourself and the change in your perception of the clarity of that which you observe.
This is being present, mindful of what is. The mind becomes quiet and still: there’s no judgment or labeling – there just is. And, as with meditation or other mindfulness practices, when your mind wanders onto some other subject, come back to an inner focus of your relationship with the aspect of life that you are interacting with in that moment (whatever it is). We relate to life through our physical senses, thoughts, emotions, actions, and sensations; so come back to an awareness (a relaxed inner focus) of your senses, feelings, and so on, as they interact with the object you are observing. By maintaining this focus, the illusionary barriers that separate us from that which we observe naturally fall away, and we become one with all: we know the totality – the oneness we are.
Try expanding on this practice – sit or walk in nature and view all that is before you from within. Perhaps try it with something that you don’t like or that you fear. For example, the next time there’s a spider in the house, put a glass over it and connect with it through the stillness and peace of mindful awareness, rather than with revulsion or fear.
Bring this presence increasingly into everyday life. Whether we’re chopping vegetables, watching TV, walking in town, sitting at the computer, washing our hands; whatever we are doing, it is an opportunity to be aware of our true relationship with life, of the unity of all. Perhaps the greatest challenge (for me at least) is to hold this level of awareness when interacting with people, particularly those who highlight our imbalances and bring up our stuff.
Whatever you are doing, when you realise that the thinking mind has taken over, briefly acknowledge what you were thinking about and then return to an inner focus of your relationship with whatever or whoever is around you. Over time and with practice, less effort is required to remain mindful as we reprogram the pathways of the brain to operate in a new, more harmonious way.
When we experience nature and life (all of our relations) with wonderment and joy, we experience the wonderment and joy of our true nature, of who we really are.