Our True Identity
A human being is part of the whole, called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest -- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
-- Albert Enstein
No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee
-- John Donne
Whether scientist or clergyman, there is agreement. The view that we are separate individuals different from each other is an illusion. We are involved in mankind and we need to embrace all beings via compassion. . . and become the larger Self, the Atman, as they call it in Sanskrit. Mahatma means "great soul". It does not refer specifically to Gandhi, it refers to what Gandhi has shown is possible for human beings to achieve, the intimate recognition that we are, together, making up the Atman. In this way, how can we harm another when he is a part of us? Ahimsa, non-violence, becomes natural because "any man's death diminishes me".
This week we will be practicing a meditation method that helps links us to all. Hope you enjoy it. See you in class.
-- Albert Enstein
No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee
-- John Donne
Whether scientist or clergyman, there is agreement. The view that we are separate individuals different from each other is an illusion. We are involved in mankind and we need to embrace all beings via compassion. . . and become the larger Self, the Atman, as they call it in Sanskrit. Mahatma means "great soul". It does not refer specifically to Gandhi, it refers to what Gandhi has shown is possible for human beings to achieve, the intimate recognition that we are, together, making up the Atman. In this way, how can we harm another when he is a part of us? Ahimsa, non-violence, becomes natural because "any man's death diminishes me".
This week we will be practicing a meditation method that helps links us to all. Hope you enjoy it. See you in class.
