Life as an ocean

In this article, Mother Nature will be our teacher and inspiration. Nature offers us a lot of wisdom and inspiration. All we have to do, is slow down and become quiet. Listen, observe, and receive Her generous teachings.

For this article, we are going to explore the ocean, and how the ocean tells us about life and ourSelf.

The analogy we are going to use for this article is not the author's own idea. This is a story the author heard and read quite a few times, and felt that it is worth sharing and writing about too.

Let's explore!

Diversity

Being at the ocean and observing, we see many different things. Most obviously, we see a massive body of water, full of movement and life. We also see waves of different shapes and sizes breaking on the shore.

Further, we observe streams flowing and whirlpools of different sizes forming. We also see waves crashing into each other, we see bubbles forming, tides flowing in and out.

Sometimes, the surface of the ocean is flat and peaceful, almost like a mirror. Other times, it is wavy, foamy, and even a bit scary. 

We see all these different activities, appearances, and we give them different names too. Considering all this diversity, we can easily misunderstand diversity to be separation.

Not two

Now, let's consider the following. Have we ever seen a wave, separate from the ocean? Except for the Mexican waves we see at sport events - ha!

But, in all seriousness, the waves cannot exist separate from the ocean, isn't that true? The streams, the whirlpools, the bubbles, all of these are the activity of the ocean, but they are not separate from the ocean. 

Even when we have waves of different sizes, different speeds, different colors, are they not made of the same essence? Are they not all only the ocean itself?

Upon closer investigation, we see that the only reality, is the ocean. The rest is just the activity or characteristics of the ocean. Even though these characteristics have specific names and appearances, they are only the ocean and nothing else.

This same understanding can be applied to ourselves and our experience of life. Physical and non-physical sensations, perceptions, and thoughts. Are we truly separate from our reality?

Are our sensations, perceptions, and thoughts merely waves in the ocean of consciousness? We can check up and see for ourselves.

The waves and the ocean are not separate. Why do we think that we are separate from our reality? 

Related articles on this blog:

Removing the space, part 1 - 6 May 2021
Separation and suffering - 6 July 2021
How are we all connected? - 31 July 2021