Oneness

Throughout history, there have been many schools of thought around the concept of “oneness.” It’s the idea that everything is simply connected — that in addition to the notion of the “self,” there is something bigger to which (and within which) we are inextricably linked. For many of us, it can be hard for this idea to click. It takes time to fully grasp the idea of oneness because it’s an experience that we perceive. One way to think about it is to imagine a fractal of mosaic in 3D form — as a digital image, for instance. Every pixel is part of the bigger story. Every pixel is unique. Every pixel holds the truth, in its own way. Every pixel of truth is part of a bigger picture.

We see this concept unfold in nature, in a variety of ways. Trees, for instance, are known to build root-level networks to help each other withstand harsh conditions, overcome illness, and continue standing tall in the face of adversity. Beyond what we see above-ground, there’s an expensive and interconnected ecosystem underground, sustaining the lives of trees as we know it. Every tree has its individual identity, beauty, stature, positioning, and purpose. Every tree is also part of a greater community — not only of fellow trees but of a greater ecosystem that sustains life through the production of oxygen and vegetation.

The notion of oneness is also core to the humanity of our species. We share bonds with groups of people such as friends and family. We may also be employed by companies, part of clubs, or members in trade associations. There’s a lot that unites us. Even when we are divided, the chaos and dissonance that connect us are still a manifestation of “one.”?

If you’ve ever studied physics, you may have come across a concept called quantum entanglement. It’s the idea that particles can “communicate” at a subatomic level. Some scientists have been looking into the relationship between quantum entanglement and a state that the meditation community calls “connected consciousness.” One point of evidence pointing to the existence and presence of oneness and/or connected consciousness is the observation many people have, that emotions are contagious.

We see these patterns unfold in our own moods, as well as the moods of the people around us. It’s these shared perspectives that are the grounding force of companies, communities, and other types of groups. Many of us have also noticed that emotions are contagious on social media and virtual spaces — after all, digital environments are also places for people to come together.

Oneness is a concept that impacts us, just as much as we impact it. Just as we are dependent on our environment for our wellbeing, our environment depends on us for its own wellbeing.

Oneness is often something that we need to remember rather than something that we need to learn. After all, it’s oneness that has sustained our lives since before we were born. In business, the notion of consumption is simply oneness. Everything is connected. Everything is integrated. But because we are so hyper-fixed on our transactional lives and specific roles in the world, it’s hard for us to step outside ourselves. We have such little time in the day, and there are so many forces competing for our attention. It’s hard not to be selfish when we feel like we’re walking on the edge. It’s easy to lose sight of how our actions impact the communities, societies, and fellow living beings around us.

The key to returning to oneness is to remember that multiple concurrent versions of reality are always co-existing.?

Sometimes, it’s a bit of a process to remember that we are a part of something beyond ourselves. It takes small steps. Stick with it.