The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu has long been one of my sources for provocative thought and contemplation. These writings
entice me to think, then to think again, then to think a little deeper, then to think from yet another perspective. One passage
of the Tao can take me on a wondrous adventure.
Today, with a hearty dose of what seemed like serendipity I read these words of Lao Tzu from Hua Hu Ching:
The master told the prince and all of the followers “All of my friends and disciples should attune their minds to all
of life and hold no antagonism toward any living thing whether it be born of womb, egg, moisture, or any other kind of
transformation; whether it can think or is unable to think; whether it has form or is formless. You should dissolve all
discrimination of individuality and absorb all things into a harmonious oneness.
All lives are one life that can be called One Great Universal Life.”
Images immediately come to mind of humans moving as one energy through the universe honoring and receiving the
uniqueness of one another. I imagine beings of all races and creeds, all religions and all genders, all beliefs and ideas
being melded into one energy that moves through life in peace and harmony. What an outrageous and beautiful image
bursts open in my mind. Reading the news headlines of the day may plant seeds of doubt yet, I hold fast to the possibility
of humanity living in the harmony of oneness. Scrolling for only a moment on any social media outlet one will likely
encounter antagonism one toward another, this I know to be true. Yet, I still believe there is great goodness in the heart of
humanity. For many, life has become quite complicated by burdens of finances, health, family, racial inequity, job
insecurity, political strife and so much more. All of these issues are front and center in our thinking and have the potential
to bring stress to our bodies and minds, and spirits. Again, I shall say that I believe there is more goodness in the world that
we need to hear about so that the collective energy tips in the direction of positivity, compassion, and loving-kindness. I do
believe there is goodness in the heart of all beings. I equally acknowledge that people are not always acting from their
goodness. I am not always acting from my goodness. We, in our human frailty, may react from fear rather than love and
cause messiness to erupt in our wake.
Then I realize for this idea of oneness to be life as I desire to live it, I have a tremendous amount of transforming to do. It
will require me being able to look at every human and to see myself as them and to see them as me; without separation one
from another. I see those who live this life with addiction of any kind, who practice a faith or spiritual life that is so very
different than mine. Yes, I do accept them and I savor time spent learning and hearing of other’s faith and spiritual practices
that inspire their lives and guide their journeys. Yet, to “absorb all things into harmonious oneness” is a far deeper reach.
There is a seed of hope planted deep within me that calls me to carry on with all that it takes to make this image a reality
rather than giving up because attaining oneness of humanity seems out of reach, if possible, at all.
“All lives are one life that can be called One Great Universal Life”. This holds my attention as a great truth of life. Whatever is believed to be the source of life, we, all humans, all animals, all plants, all that is of creation is born of that same
source. Sit with this thought for just a moment and take that in. The homeless standing at the corner holding a worn and
weathered cardboard sign asking for help and the billionaire in the Bentley at the same corner are all of the same source.
The ones carrying peace signs and those raging with war are all of the same source. The one walking gently upon the
earth and the one stomping through life, yes, they too are of the same source. There is nothing to see that isn’t one with all
that exists. In a sense, we are all cousins born through the ages and generations of time. We, the family of humanity are
indeed one. Sadly, we have become grossly out of tune with one another. The dissonance is palpable even to the most
casual observer. The great pause of Covid 19 quarantine could have been a cosmic reset for all of us to re-establish our
perspective and now to re-enter the world with renewed outlook and intentions for how we shall view the idea of oneness.
It’s never too late to recalibrate ourselves. In fact, today is the perfect day to reset ourselves. Tomorrow and all the
tomorrows to come are equally perfect to reset and redirect our energies toward acknowledging the beauty of all humanity.
It’s always a great day to look into the eyes of another, any other, and to affirm the goodness that dwells within them and to
know you peer into the face of God’s beloved creation. To hold the truth for ourselves and all people that we made in the
image and likeness of our creator and at the moment of creation humanity was declared very good. As we move upon the
earth for as long as we shall live, let us look at all we see from the vantage point of oneness. Let us look at the ant and the
elephant with the same wonder and awe. Let us look upon great leaders and the working peasant and all in between and
know that we are gazing upon the One Great Universal Life. And yes, I shall look upon the cockroach and know that they
too are purposeful and part of the mystery of life.
Much love, many blessings,
Rev. Karen