Oneness

I came across a story that deepened my relationship with the Universe: The Parable of the Lake and the Great Ocean.

I’d like to share it with you today:

“Once there was a Great Ocean. 

All existence was birthed from this Great Ocean, lived off this Great Ocean, and returned back to this Great Ocean. In the beginning, millions of tiny rivers sprung from this Great Ocean. Each river snaked across the land like delicate veins. 

But one day, a great drought came. No one saw it coming. 

The scorching sun dried up each snaking river that they all turned into lakes. They were no longer connected to the Great Ocean, and felt great loneliness and isolation. As time went by, each lake became more and more depressed, forgetting the Great Ocean.

One day, a shaman came to drink from one of the lakes. 

He noticed it was depressed. “Why are you so sad?” he asked. 

The lake, despondent and gloomy responded, “Because I am nearly dried up and there is little water left. Time is running out. Soon I will be gone forever.”

The Shaman peered intently at the lake and laughed hysterically. 

“Silly lake, don’t you know that you are connected to the Great Ocean? Although you change, you are changeless. Your water evaporates and returns back to the Great Ocean. It is then reborn, repurposed and redistributed. 

How can you live or die? You are birthless and deathless. 

You are in all things. You *are* all things.”

~

Lesson 1: We’re not just connected to the larger whole, we are the larger whole.

The Great Ocean is the ultimate reality from which all existence is birthed, sustained, and returns. Just as rivers and lakes are not separate from the Great Ocean, we're not separate from the Universe. 

But we’re not just connected to it, we're an integral part of it. 

Our bodies are made of the same stardust of galaxies. Our consciousness is an expression of the same universal consciousness that pervades everything. Realizing this oneness transcends the illusion of separation.

Lesson 2: Our problems are not just personal, they’re universal.

The lakes became sad and forgot about their connection because they were too focused on their impending disappearance. Similarly, we're often so self absorbed that we forget the larger context. Our problems are not just personal, they're also universal. 

Challenges are part of the natural ebb and flow of life, shared by countless other beings. Recognizing this helps us approach challenges with greater perspective, resilience, and empathy.

Lesson 3: Embrace change and transformation.

Change is inevitable. And while it can be difficult, it can also bring new opportunities. Transformation is not an end but a new beginning. When we let go of what no longer serves, we create space for new growth and possibilities.

~

So as you go through life, remember these 3 lessons:

1/ We’re connected to the larger whole, we are the larger whole.

2/ Our problems are not just personal, they’re universal. 

3/ Embrace transformation.