Illusion of Separateness

Hey there,

I wanted to pen down some brief thoughts for you. On my journey of spiritual growth, I've reached a point where I've started to contemplate the idea that the root cause of mental suffering is the belief that we are somehow separate from others.

When we are born, we probably don't initially perceive ourselves as separate from others. That perception develops later as we begin to pay attention to our surroundings, the behavior of others, and cause-and-effect relationships. We start building the ego, a self-image, and an idea of who and what I am. Concepts are taught to us: this is a cat, this is a flower. Have you ever wondered what that cat really is? Is it a cat, or is it a massive collection of cells and atoms functioning in a certain way, with our brains creating an image of a cat? Similarly, am I exactly the "me" I think I am (ego), or am I also a functioning physical entity with its own physical needs for survival, such as eating and breathing? Do these needs arise naturally? I believe they do. Does the body operate automatically? I think it does. So, why do we then think that the image we have constructed of ourselves over the years (liking a certain hobby one year and losing interest the next, etc.) and which is largely formed by inherited and societal beliefs, is who we really are?

Could it be that we are actually part of this whole, nature, the universe, and everything working together? However, we are all in some way dependent on each other. When we don't think this way and believe that we are individual beings, we may feel the need to be accepted by the environment or try to manipulate it in some way to survive. Nature, however, seems to function quite well without a tree probably pondering whether it is a better tree than the one growing next to it and whether it needs all the trees in the forest to give likes for the tree to feel valuable and accepted. I think the tree just is, lives its life, uses the oxygen produced by others, the water brought by rain, and absorbs nutrients that have come from various organisms, even its own fallen leaves. And then the tree produces all sorts of useful things around it. It takes and gives naturally and is part of this functioning whole. The ego in the human mind finds it difficult to accept that maybe people could live without tightly holding onto the inherited and society-created image of themselves. Nature still drives us to eat, and the body functions without comparing itself to others.

What I aim to convey with this writing is whether we really need to spend so much time in our minds. Perhaps we could listen to a greater wisdom within us, which might be what we truly are. We are not separate from others. For the ego, this is often a terrifying thought because it thrives on the feeling of separateness. But life exists beyond the ego, perhaps even more authentically, and not just as a belief-colored imagination.

So, as we navigate this journey of self-discovery and unity, let's remember that perhaps the key lies in embracing the beauty of interconnectedness. Do we truly need to spend so much time lost in our thoughts? Maybe, just maybe, if we listen closely, a greater wisdom within us will guide us to a more authentic existence.

Wishing you a day filled with self-discovery, connection, and moments of pure authenticity.

With warmth,

Marketta