Is harmony defined by us is really harmonious ?
The universe operates on a balance. Dualities like light and dark, joy and sorrow, and so on, are not in contention with each other but rather two sides of the same coin. They provide context and meaning. It’s akin to understanding that one cannot truly appreciate light without having known darkness. Our existence is enigmatic, where a myriad of elements interplay in a vast cosmic dance. Every action, no matter how minute, sends ripples across the fabric of the universe. Such is the interconnectedness and oneness that defines the cosmos. But amidst this vastness, we humans grapple with the age-old questions: Why are we here? Why do we feel disconnected when everything is intrinsically connected? And, why is our life, despite being a part of this vast universe, so often defined by duality?
Consider the universe as an immense symphony, where every entity is like a note, contributing to an eternal, harmonious melody. From the most massive stars to the tiniest organisms, everything is in sync, vibrating in tune with the universe. This sense of harmony is a constant, even if it’s not always immediately apparent. However, the human experience often feels at odds with this cosmic harmony. We frequently perceive life through the lens of duality: good vs. evil, happiness vs. sorrow, success vs. failure. Such bifurcations arise primarily from our mental frameworks, shaped by societal norms, personal experiences, and evolutionary predispositions.
In our evolutionary journey, the human brain developed cognitive systems to categorize, discriminate, and simplify the complex stimuli of the external world, making it digestible and navigable. This cognitive system is a survival tool, enabling us to swiftly identify threats from non-threats, edible food from inedible, and so on. Over time, as societies became more sophisticated, these dualistic mental models began to govern not just our interactions with the environment but also our self-perception, aspirations, and relationships. This dualistic approach further feeds into the illusion of separateness — a feeling that we are distinct from the rest of the universe. Despite being made of stardust and sharing common atomic ancestors with everything around us, we often feel isolated or alienated. Such feelings intensify when we face adversities, leading many to question the harmony and purpose of existence.
Our understanding of freedom is entwined with our perception of duality. True freedom is not just liberation from external constraints but also from internal ones, like prejudices, fears, and limiting beliefs. To break free from the life’s cycle, one needs to reconcile with dualities, recognizing them as constructs rather than inherent truths. As we delve deeper into the framework of existence, we find that duality isn’t inherently detrimental. Instead, it provides contrast, lending depth and dimension to our experiences. Just as the contrasting strokes of a painting give it life and depth, the dualities of our lives add vibrancy and richness to our existence. Without dark, there would be no understanding of light; without sorrow, the true essence of joy would remain unknown.
Much of our attachment to duality stems from societal and cultural conditioning. From childhood, we’re taught to label and categorize experiences: winning is good, losing is bad; happiness is desirable, sadness is not. Over time, these labels solidify into beliefs, shaping our perceptions and reactions. For instance, consider the universally accepted notion of success. Societal metrics of success often revolve around material wealth, social status, and professional achievements. However, if we were to strip away these conditioned beliefs and look at life through an unfiltered lens, we might find that true success lies in inner contentment, meaningful relationships, and personal growth.
Our fixation on the ephemeral aspects of life — fleeting emotions, transient experiences, and temporal possessions — further entrenches us in the duality trap. In the rush of life, we often overlook the eternal — the unchanging, omnipresent essence that underlies all existence. This essence, often referred to in spiritual contexts as the ‘Self’ or ‘Consciousness,’ remains unaffected by the dualities that play out on the surface.
By connecting with this eternal aspect of ourselves, we begin to view dualities with a sense of detachment. They appear as passing clouds against the vast sky of our existence, impactful in the moment but not defining our eternal essence. Aligning with the duality doesn’t mean becoming passive or indifferent. It means engaging with life wholeheartedly, experiencing every emotion, every high and low, but without letting them dictate our inner state. With heightened awareness, we can navigate the complexities of life with grace, recognizing the transient nature of our experiences.
This awareness doesn’t diminish our experiences but rather enriches them. When we embrace both the joys and sorrows of life with equanimity, we live more fully, more authentically. We begin to see challenges as opportunities for growth, failures as lessons, and successes as moments of gratitude.
Our perception of disharmony is influenced by our thoughts, emotions, and our attachments to outcomes. When we find ourselves in situations we didn’t desire or anticipate, our immediate response is resistance. This resistance, this non-acceptance, creates friction – a perceived disharmony.
The journey to non-duality is a continuous process of introspection, reflection, and growth. Various spiritual traditions offer paths to transcend duality: the Yogic tradition advocates for meditation and self-inquiry, Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness and compassion, while Taoism teaches the art of flowing with life, embracing both its yin and yang.
The common thread across these traditions is the idea of returning to one’s true nature — a state of pure consciousness, free from the constraints of duality.
Life and Death: Are They Truly Separate Events?
As we journey through life, we are often confronted with the inevitable reality of death, a seemingly separate event that marks the end of our existence. But are life and death truly distinct from one another, or are they simply two sides of the same coin?
To explore this question, we must first delve into the nature of our own consciousness and the way in which we perceive the world. Our thoughts, beliefs, and conditioning often create a fragmented view of reality, causing us to see life and death as separate events. In reality, however, these two experiences are deeply interconnected, and understanding their relationship can bring about a profound sense of freedom and clarity.
Life and death are not separate events, but rather part of an ongoing process of change and transformation. Every moment, our cells are dying and being replaced, our thoughts and emotions are constantly shifting, and our very sense of self is continually evolving. Life, then, is a constant process of birth and death, with each moment presenting an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
The fear of death often arises from our identification with the physical body and the ego, which we mistakenly perceive as our true selves. However, our true essence, the consciousness that lies beyond the limitations of the body and mind, is not subject to birth and death. It is an eternal presence that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
Let us understand this from The journey of Lila:
Once upon a time in a quiet village, there lived a young girl named Lila. She was a curious child, filled with wonder and questions about the nature of life and death. Her inquisitive mind often led her to ponder the mysteries of existence, a topic that both fascinated and frightened her.
One day, while walking through the forest, Lila came across a wise old man who seemed to possess a deep understanding of the world. Eager to learn from his wisdom, Lila asked the old man, “Are life and death truly separate events, or are they simply part of a greater process?”
The old man smiled and replied, “Dear child, life and death are not separate events but rather two aspects of the same eternal flow of existence. They are like the changing seasons or the rising and setting of the sun – a continuous cycle of transformation.”
Intrigued, Lila asked, “But how can I understand this truth for myself? How can I learn to see beyond the boundaries of my own fears and limitations?”
The wise old man replied, “The key lies in the process of self-inquiry. By examining your own beliefs, conditioning, and attachments, you can begin to see the true nature of your existence and embrace the unity of life and death.”
And so, Lila embarked on a journey of self-discovery, delving deep into her own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. She learned to observe her mind and its patterns, gradually releasing her fears and attachments as she began to see the interconnectedness of all things.
As her understanding deepened, Lila discovered that her true essence was not bound by the limitations of her body and mind but was a timeless, unchanging presence that transcended both life and death. This realization brought her a profound sense of freedom and fearlessness, allowing her to fully embrace each moment as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
Throughout her journey, Lila encountered many other travelers who, like her, sought to understand the mysteries of life and death. She shared her newfound wisdom with them, and together they formed a community of seekers, each dedicated to the pursuit of self-knowledge and the exploration of existence.
And so, Lila’s journey continued, her understanding of life and death forever transforming as she delved deeper into the infinite depths of her own consciousness. Through her experiences, she came to see that the journey itself was the destination – a continuous cycle of change, growth, and self-discovery that united all beings in the eternal dance of existence.
In the end, Lila’s story serves as a reminder that life and death are not separate events, but rather part of a greater process of transformation. By engaging in the process of self-inquiry and embracing the interconnectedness of all things, we too can learn to live with a sense of freedom, fearlessness, and unity with the world around us.
Abhishek Fanse 