Sadhguru says that to walk the spiritual path is to step beyond the self and embrace the infinite oneness that weaves all life together. True spirituality is the practice of seeing the divine reflection in every person, every life, and every moment.
Article | Kedarnath | April 29, 2016
Sadhguru: Spirituality is a deeply personal and profound pursuit, one that transcends the confines of religion, tradition, or external rituals. It is the inner journey toward understanding the true nature of existence, the self, and the divine. Spirituality often begins with a yearning, an innate call from within that compels individuals to seek beyond the material world, beyond the ego, and into the realms of deeper consciousness.
At its essence, spirituality is the quest for oneness — the experience of unity with all of creation, the cosmos, and the divine presence that animates everything. It is not merely an intellectual endeavour but an experiential path that moves the individual from fragmentation and separation to wholeness and interconnectedness. The destination of this spiritual journey is the realization that we are not separate beings, but rather integral parts of a vast and infinite web of life.
This article will explore the idea that spirituality is fundamentally the path to oneness, guiding the seeker toward unity with the universe, with others, and with the highest aspect of themselves. We will delve into how this sense of oneness can be realized and its implications for personal growth, transformation, and inner peace.
Understanding Oneness: The Foundation of Spirituality
Oneness is a state of being where the boundaries that usually define individuality dissolve, revealing the interconnectedness of all existence. It is the profound realization that we are not isolated, separate entities, but integral parts of a vast whole—a unified consciousness encompassing the entire universe. Spirituality, or Adhyatmikata, means आत्मा का अध्ययन, the study or exploration of the self. In Nigam Tantra, as well as in the ancient Indian tradition, this oneness is expressed as the tattva of मम आत्मा सर्व भूतात्मा—"my soul is the soul of all beings."
Spirituality is the journey from the illusion of separation to the truth of unity within all creation.
In our everyday experience, the sense of separation is reinforced by the ego, the part of the mind that creates a sense of individuality and identity. The ego is necessary for navigating the world, but it also creates the illusion that we are separate from others, from nature and the divine. Spirituality, then, is the path that helps us transcend this illusion, guiding us back to the recognition of our inherent unity with all that exists.
Oneness is not an abstract philosophical concept, but an actual state of consciousness that can be experienced through spiritual practice. When we reach this state, the distinctions between "self" and "other" disappear, and we come to understand that all life is interconnected, interdependent, and ultimately one. This shift in consciousness transforms our perception of the world and leads to a deeper sense of empathy, compassion, and love.
Oneness is not achieved by seeking, but by surrendering; it is the return to a home we never truly left.
The Spiritual Path: Stages of Awakening to Oneness
The journey toward oneness is not instantaneous; it unfolds gradually as we engage in spiritual practices that help us shed the layers of ego, conditioning, and attachments that keep us bound to the illusion of separateness. This journey can be understood in stages, each representing a deeper level of awakening.
Awakening to the Self: The first step in the spiritual path is awakening to the deeper aspects of oneself. This stage involves moving beyond identification with the superficial aspects of our identity — such as our job, social roles, and material possessions — and beginning to explore our inner world. It is a process of self-inquiry that leads to the recognition that we are more than just our thoughts, emotions, and physical bodies.
True spirituality is the practice of seeing the divine reflection in every person, every life, and every moment.
Meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative practices play a crucial role in this stage of the journey. Through these practices, we learn to quiet the mind, observe our thoughts without attachment, and connect with the deeper, more expansive aspects of our consciousness. This awakening to the self is often accompanied by a sense of inner peace, as we begin to realize that true fulfillment comes not from external achievements but from inner awareness.
Awakening to Interconnectedness: As we deepen our spiritual practice, we begin to see that the boundaries we place between ourselves and others are artificial constructs of the ego. This is the stage of awakening to interconnectedness, where we realize that all life is interconnected and that the well-being of others is inseparable from our own.
This stage often brings about a profound shift in how we relate to others and the world. Compassion and empathy naturally arise as we recognize that the suffering and joy of others are not separate from our own experience. We begin to see that our actions affect not only ourselves but also the entire web of life, and this awareness fosters a greater sense of responsibility and care for others.
Awakening to Unity: The final stage of the spiritual journey is the full realization of oneness, where the individual self merges with the universal consciousness. At this level of awakening, the ego dissolves completely, and we experience ourselves as one with the entire cosmos. There is no longer any distinction between self and other, between subject and object. Instead, we perceive reality as an undivided whole.
This state of unity is often described as enlightenment, liberation (moksha), or awakening. It is a state of pure awareness, beyond thought, beyond form, and beyond duality. Those who reach this level of consciousness often describe it as an experience of boundless love, peace, and joy, as they realize that everything in the universe is an expression of the same divine consciousness.
The journey of spirituality is not about adding to the self, but about shedding layers of illusion to reveal the unity beneath.
Practices that Lead to Oneness
While the realization of oneness is a profound state of consciousness, it is accessible to all who are willing to engage in sincere spiritual practice. Several key practices can help individuals progress on the path toward oneness.
Meditation: Meditation is perhaps the most effective tool for quieting the mind and accessing deeper states of awareness. Through meditation, we can observe the workings of the ego and begin to disentangle ourselves from its hold. With regular practice, meditation allows us to transcend the limitations of thought and tap into the vast, interconnected field of consciousness that lies beneath the surface of the mind.
There are many forms of meditation, from mindfulness and breath awareness to mantra and loving-kindness meditation. Each of these practices helps us cultivate stillness, clarity, and an open heart, all of which are essential for experiencing oneness.
Self-Inquiry: Self-inquiry, or the practice of questioning the nature of the self, is a powerful method for transcending the ego and realizing oneness. Pioneered by the Indian sage Ramana Maharshi, self-inquiry involves asking the question, "Who am I?" and tracing the sense of "I" back to its source. Through this process, we discover that the individual self is an illusion, and what remains is the pure awareness that underlies all existence.
This practice can be done in meditation or daily life, and it is especially helpful for those who are ready to go beyond conceptual understanding and directly experience the truth of oneness.
Compassion and Service: Acts of compassion and selfless service are not only expressions of oneness but also ways to cultivate it. When we help others without expectation of reward, we begin to see that the distinctions between "self" and "other" are illusory. Service to others becomes service to the divine, and in this way, we expand our sense of self to include all beings.
Compassion is the natural outgrowth of the realization of oneness. When we see others as extensions of ourselves, their suffering becomes our own, and we are moved to act with kindness and care. In this way, compassion becomes both a practice and a reflection of our deepening spiritual awareness.
Living in the Present Moment: One of the primary obstacles to experiencing oneness is the tendency of the mind to dwell in the past or future, which reinforces the illusion of separateness. By living in the present moment, we can access the timeless, undivided awareness that is the essence of oneness.
Practices such as mindfulness, breath awareness, and grounding exercises help us stay rooted in the present, where we can experience the interconnectedness of all things. In the present moment, the mind's habitual patterns of separation begin to dissolve, and we can directly perceive the unity that underlies all of existence.
The journey of spirituality is not about adding to the self, but about shedding layers of illusion to reveal the unity beneath
The Impact of Oneness on Daily Life
The realization of oneness is not just a mystical experience reserved for meditation retreats or spiritual practice. It has profound implications for how we live our daily lives, interact with others, and contribute to the world.
Expanded Perspective: When we experience oneness, our perspective shifts from the narrow confines of egoic self-interest to a broader, more inclusive view of reality. We begin to see the interconnectedness of all life, and this expanded perspective informs our actions and decisions. We are less likely to act out of selfishness or fear, and more likely to make choices that benefit the whole.
Greater Compassion: The experience of oneness naturally gives rise to compassion. When we see ourselves in others, their suffering becomes our own, and we are moved to help alleviate it. Compassion becomes not just a moral imperative but a natural expression of our deeper awareness of unity.
This compassion extends beyond human relationships to encompass all living beings and the planet itself. The realization of oneness inspires us to care for the Earth and all its inhabitants, recognizing that the well-being of the whole is inseparable from our own.
Inner Peace and Freedom: Oneness brings with it a deep sense of inner peace and freedom. When we no longer see ourselves as separate from the universe, the anxieties and fears that arise from a sense of isolation fall away. We realize that we are always supported by the larger flow of life and that we are not alone in our journey.
This peace is not dependent on external circumstances; it arises from within as a natural consequence of living in alignment with the truth of oneness. In this state, we are free from the constraints of the ego, free to live authentically, and free to experience the boundless joy and love that are our true nature.
As we release the ego, we expand into oneness, experiencing ourselves as part of the vast, interconnected universe.
Embracing the Path of Oneness
The path of spirituality is ultimately the path of oneness. It is a journey of awakening, a process of shedding the layers of ego and illusion that keep us bound to the idea of separation. Through practices like meditation, self-inquiry, compassion, and mindfulness, we gradually come to realize our unity with all that exists.
Oneness is not an endpoint but an ever-deepening experience. It transforms how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world, filling our lives with purpose, peace, and love. As we walk this path, we come to understand that spirituality is not just about personal growth or enlightenment, but about living in harmony with the whole of existence.
To embrace spirituality is to embrace oneness, to see the divine in all things, and to recognize that we are all expressions of the same cosmic consciousness. This understanding is both the beginning and the culmination of the spiritual journey, leading us back to our true nature as beings of infinite unity and boundless love.
