Are We Really Connected to Everything?
Understanding the Self
There are times when we ask ourselves: “WHO AM I?”. This is a very relevant question from a Buddhist perspective. Are we connected to each other and everything around us, if so, how?
Understanding Self in Buddhism
The nature of impermanence
In Buddhism they call it the relative. That means everything is in constant changing state. Due to the fact that our body and mind are changing we are part of the cycle of life. Therefore, that everything is connected. It happens often that we see ourselves filtered through the ego, through the mind, and that makes us think that we are unique and our appearance and essence is consistent.
Prakriti
To understand the universal connection between everything, we need to understand the Yogic term Prakriti. We humans, as all beings, are part of the Prakriti, the material nature that all existence is made from. Everything we see, touch and feel are parts of the Prakriti. Have you thought about that the functions of our mind are also part of it? To understand this, we might need to look things from a larger perspective, stepping outside of self and seeing how everything is connected in the nature.
In the video Doron gives an example of you going for a walk. You start sweating and the sweat coming through your skin dissolves into the air. It may become a part of a cloud that gives rain to to the earth. The water goes to the root of a lettuce that you or I might eat later. The question is: are you the lettuce? Something that is now part of the lettuce was earlier a part of you.
More philosophy sessions
If you are interested to discover more deeply the question of existence, please have a look at the video of Doron’s teaching and meditation about Who Am I from the buddhist perspective
How does the mind affect our thoughts and emotions? Can we control them? Have a look at Doron’s talk about reducing pain by controling the mind.
Another session is about our mind having a tendency to think that things are real and permanent. Doron talks about the concept of emptiness in Buddhism.
Share your Self
If this comment inspired you to discover more about your true nature, leave us a comment below and share it some friends who you’d like to start a discussion with!
For more yoga and philosophy, check out Doron’s YouTube channel, or visit us for a yoga retreat at Doron Yoga & Zen Center in Guatemala.
To gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist and yogic philosophies, read the Doron Yoga Manual.
Nice! It’s also nice to see how we are all connected. This explains why people who help others are so much happier in life, than those who focus on themselves.
Absolutely. When we recognize that serving others is a key source to happiness, we get even more eager to help. The more people happier in the world, the happier we are.
Yes indeed. Whenever we act selflessly, we gain the biggest reward!
Wow, it’s really lovely to think about how interconnected we all are. And not just us humans, but all of creation. Everything is helping to support each other in a perfect harmony that so often we take for granted. I am traveling in Guatemala. I am a transplant from the USA. But now, I am a part of Guatemala and Guatemala is a part of me. I have been eating the food that is nourished by the soil and river on this land. Guatemala lives within me. Thank you for these inspiring words.
I love how you described that we become part of a new country, a new land, part of the local people. It is so true. I feel deeply connected in Guatemala now, though it is recent. The people, the land, the air and water. We are never really apart except for when we think we are.
It’s a very interesting topic, thanks for sharing!
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