When one’s self arises, all arises; when one’s self becomes calm, all becomes calm.
— Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi
I’m a science geek. I’m also a devout animist. So when I talk about the highest self or our true self or our connection to each other and to the divine, you can be sure that somewhere in my notes I have the science to back it up.
My thesis is this:
We are, all of us—human and non-human beings—interconnected.
Further, we carry within us a spark of the universe and its creative power.
Here’s some of that science to back it up.
Physics of Interconnectedness
In Robert Gilman's 1993 article, “The Next Great Turning," he lays out that the laws of physics are universal, not based on a specific culture. Therefore, they apply to us all.
The building blocks of the physical world (atoms, electrons, protons, light) act like particles (fixed in space) sometimes and waves (spreading and blending through space-time) other times.
John Bell's 1964 Theorem in Quantum Physics states that two particles that came from a single source (electrons from an energetic collision) later behave as though they have ongoing, non-local connection. This connection was measured by some property of each particle, such as the spin of each electron. (In the late 1940s, Einstein referred to this as spukhafte Fernwirkung, roughly translated from German as “spooky action at a distance.”)
All matter comes from a single source—the energetic collision of the Big Bang. So, on a quantum level, all of the physical world is inseparable.
Now the spiritual side.
God, et al.
Disclaimer: When I say “God,” I’m referring to the Great Mystery, or Great Spirit as that higher power or force is referred to in shamanic practice. God may be referred to as the Christian God or even Hindu god or gods, but what I mean is Great Spirit, Great Mystery, Godhead, the Universe, Creation. Choose whatever term fits for you.
So, bridging science and spirituality:
We come from Creation, we carry that spark of Creation within us. Another way of saying it is:
You are a spark of the universe.
You carry the great mystery of creation itself within you.
Christianity
Exodus 3:13 & 3:14:
Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
And that’s how we refer to ourselves. I Am. Interesting. But let’s move on.
Luke 17:21
Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would appear. He said, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
So, God says His name is “I am.”
And where is the kingdom of God? Within you.
When you refer to yourself saying, “I am,” you are saying the name of God whose divinity lives within you. That’s why Dr. Wayne Dyer reminded us, “Careful how you use, ‘I am’.”
Islam
Nafs al-Mutma`INna (the Soul at Peace):
The Quran mentions "the nafs [self, ego] at peace.” For Muslims, this is the ideal stage of the ego. At this stage, faith is secure, unhealthy behaviors are dropped, and the soul becomes tranquil, at peace. Followers of the mystic arm of Islam, Sufism, describe this state as having released the need for material gains and acquired satisfaction with living in accordance with the will of God.
Allah refers to Nafs/Self in this way:"O Self, in complete rest and satisfaction!" (Quran 89:27).
What a beautiful notion: The Self at peace within the Divine.
Judaism
Hasidic master, Dov Ber of Meh zer itch says:
“One should think of one's self as Ayin, and that ‘absolute all’ and ‘absolute nothingness’ are the same, and that the person who learns to think about himself as Ayin will ascend to a spiritual world, where everything is the same and everything is equal: ‘life and death, ocean and dry land’.”
That’s also non-duality. The Self within the Divine, not separate from it.
So, Who Are You?
Self-enquiry
South Indian sage Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi teaches the path of Self-enquiry: If you ask who is having thoughts and go deep into the center of the I-thought, you will find that there is peace of mind. A sense of holiness.
It goes like this:
· I-thought leads to self-awareness
· Self-awareness leads to effortless awareness of being
· Being in awareness removes the I-thoughts
· With I-thoughts gone, the mind comes to rest
· Self-realization/liberation occurs.
What exists in truth is the Self alone. The world, the individual soul, and God are appearances in it like silver in mother-of-pearl. These three appear at the same time and disappear at the same time. The Self is that where there is absolutely no “I” thought. That is called “Silence”. The Self itself is the world; the Self itself is “I”; the Self itself is God; all is Siva, the Self.
—Sri Ramana Maharshi
I encourage you to download Sri Ramana Maharshi’s free book, Who Am I? to learn more about Self-enquiry.
Shamanism
Part of shamanic work includes recovering lost parts of self. Our True Self is our perfected, highest self, as we were intended to be from our creation.
We can also connect to our True Self through journeying and receiving help and guidance from our known compassionate helping spirits. Because all is interconnected, the energy of all life around us is seen as our siblings. We can journey to communicate with our True Selves—the ones not formed by societal expectations or roles and labels.
This helps us to heal and grow into our highest selves. To be fully human—with our faults but at peace and connected to the world family.
What Does All This Mean?
We have a connection to Source, and therefore a connection to all things in the material and non-material world.
Obstacles are imaginary.
What is always at the root of struggle is the pain of separation from Source/God/Great Spirit.
We must learn to rediscover our love. Reawaken our love. Starting with ourselves.
If you love a higher power or if you love anything at all, you must love yourself.
Get out of your own way and let Source move you. You can handle anything with that power. You can heal yourself. You can radiate the you-ness that no one else in this universe has. Not in this dimension, anyway. It's your purpose in life to do this!
So, what is the message for us all? Come here to this place—this life—drop your bags, and relax into peace. We are all connected. We are all divine.
Remember that as you gather with family members this holiday season. Pass the figgy pudding and know whoever takes it from your hand is you.
Hey, Rachel. I love everything you're writing on Substack so far. Please keep writing and posting! Question: have you come across IFS and its implications for discovering and connecting with the Self? I've found it to be the most powerful modality of all the therapeutic and spiritual practices I've tried.