Lt Gen (Dr) Narendra Kotwal
Despite immense progress in science, technology, and global communication, humanity continues to grapple with division, ecological degradation, and inner disquiet. Ironically, the very knowledge that could unite us often coexists with behaviours that deepen our disconnect from nature, from one another, and from ourselves.
Yet, when we look beyond the surface, an astonishing truth emerges: every human being is built from the same fundamental materials. At the molecular level, our DNA , the blueprint of life is composed of just three basic constituents: nitrogenousbases, deoxyribose sugar, and phosphate groups. These are not unique to humans; they are common across all life forms. Biochemically, we share striking similarities with plants, animals, and even microbes. As Carl Sagan observed, “We are made of star-stuff.” The calcium in our bones, the iron in our blood, and the carbon in our cells were forged in the heart of ancient stars.
However, this shared elemental origin has not translated into lived unity. On the contrary, humans remain entangled in conflict, environmental exploitation, and ego-driven pursuits. If the building blocks of our existence are the same, what explains our disunity and disregard for the web of life?
To understand this paradox, we must turn not only to biology and chemistry but also to quantum physics, philosophy, and spiritual insight.
The Quantum Web of Oneness
Quantum theory disrupts the old Newtonian view of separateness. It shows that particles are not isolated but entangled, influencing each other instantaneously, regardless of distance. Reality, at its core, is not solid but vibrational, not divided but deeply interconnected.Physicist David Bohm called this the “undivided wholeness in flowing movement.” In this vision, individuality does not disappear, but it is held within a greater field of unity. We are like waves on the same ocean, distinct in form but not in essence.
Echoes from the Scriptures
Ancient spiritual traditions echo this insight with poetic clarity.The Bhagavad Gita (5:18) teaches that the wise see the same divinity in a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even one who is deemed outcaste. The Upanishads go deeper, declaring Tat Tvam Asi – “You are That” – pointing to the presence of the same Atman (Self) in all beings.The Quran reminds us that diversity among people is a divine design meant for understanding, not enmity: “We made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. “The Bible commands, “Love thy neighbour as thyself” – a call that becomes literal truth when one recognizes that the ‘other’ is not separate but an extension of the same life force.
The Root Cause: The Illusion of Ego
Philosophers like JidduKrishna murti and Eckhart Tolle argue that the ego – the constructed identity of ‘I’ versus ‘you’ – is the root of conflict. This ego, driven by fear and comparison, obscures the fundamental truth of unity. It fuels greed, domination, and the destructive pursuit of power. It divides what is inherently whole.
In contrast, awareness dissolves ego. When we silence the mind through meditation or deep reflection, we begin to sense the underlying field of connectedness , a field in which compassion, not competition, becomes our natural mode of being.
Towards Symbiosis with Nature and Self
How do we then move toward a society rooted in unity, not fragmentation?
Awakening through Education
We must shift from mere information to transformative education – one that nurtures both intellect and inner awareness. Teaching science with ethics, and spirituality with rationality, can inspire a generation that values both logic and love.
Shifting from Ego to Eco
Our relationship with nature must evolve from exploitation to reverence. Indigenous traditions saw rivers, trees, and animals as sacred – modern science now validates their critical role in sustaining life. Living in symbiosis with Earth is not optional; it is imperative.
Reclaiming Inner Stillness
Through practices like meditation, mindfulness, and contemplation, we can access a deeper awareness that lies beyond identity and ideology. This space, what the Upanishads call the Self and Buddhists call no-self is the source of true peace and joy.
Serving Selflessly
As the Bhagavad Gita extols, selfless action (Karma Yoga) done without attachment is the highest path. When our work is an offering ,not an assertion of ego , it transforms us and uplifts the world.
Conclusion: From Stardust to Soul
We are not separate sparks but a single flame , flickering in myriad forms, languages, and bodies. Science shows we are built from the same atoms; spirituality reveals we are expressions of the same consciousness.To honour this truth is to live in harmony – with oneself, with others, and with the planet. The moment we realize that the ‘other’ is not truly other, a shift occurs from fear to empathy, from division to unity, from chaos to collective well-being.In rediscovering our oneness, we do not lose ourselves but we expand ourselves, and in that expansion, lies the promise of bliss.
The post We are One appeared first on Daily Excelsior.