Much of the way we operate in our daily lives is driven by a dualistic paradigm of separation. In that, we have been educated to believe that anything that is not “me”, we must call “other”, rather than recognizing all that is present as one.
Socially, we make classifications on a basis of othering, i.e., people, environment, species, gender, religion, etc.
Organizationally, we separate ourselves by country, government, corporation, etc. with structures maintained by hierarchy, power, and status.
As a result, we see detrimental effects all around us:
- Judgments and discrimination towards “others” based on false perceptions.
- Abuse of power within organizations and social systems leaving people overworked or unappreciated.
- Conflict between governments being resolved via violence and war (more separation).
We spend so much time, energy, and resources on establishing systems that perpetuate separation, even though this is not in alignment with our true nature. As long as we come from a paradigm of separation, our thoughts, words, actions, and relationships with people and the world, we will not create joy, peace, and freedom in our personal experience. As long we use mechanisms of protection in order to solve conflict, we will not create joy, peace, and freedom in our social experience.
Freedom cannot be found in the pursuit of power and safety, freedom is transcending the need for them.
With heart,
Gil·ad (eternal-joy)
