This morning I came across this quote from don Miguel Ruiz Jr.’s book, The Five Levels of Attachment. He wrote:
"The main job of the ego is to protect the false image of a separate self. One way it accomplishes this is by reinforcing the illusion of personal importance.
Internal voices that say, “I am better than you” or “I have more than you” represent a deep undercurrent of personal importance in our society. Our collective egos have set up many mechanisms to support these inaccurate notions, and pursuing these false ideals leads to unhealthy comparisons, competition, and ultimately violence in our human family.
Awareness is the key to exposing this illusion, and unconditional love is the antidote. You, me, and everyone else in the world are equal. We are all expressions of consciousness. We are One. When we love each other without conditions, we create a dream of perfect harmony. I call it heaven on earth.
With awareness today, remember that everyone you see, everyone you meet, everyone you interact with is a part of you. What you do to another you also do to yourself. Loving and recognizing the equal divinity in all beings is recognizing the divinity in yourself."
Perhaps I was drawn to this because I have been thinking quite a bit about holism this month and how interconnected we are as a human family. When I stop to remember that I am just an instrument in a global symphony then I remember that the world does not revolve around me, nor am I any more or less important then anyone else. I find myself remembering a scripture from 1 Corinthians 12:21 which reads, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”” What would happen if we remembered that we truly do need each other to survive?
Maybe that is why I love the lyrics to Hezekiah Walker’s song I need you to survive. The song begins with
I need you
You need me
We're all a part of God's body
Stand with me
Agree with me
We're all a part of God's body
It is his will that every need be supplied
You are important to me
I need you to survive
What if we remembered that we were all a part of one human family; that we need each other to not only survive, but also thrive in this world. As I thought about this quote and song, I found myself wondering if, and when, my ego gets in the way. Do I fall into the trap of thinking I am better then someone else? Do I ever feel as if I have more then somebody else? Do I ever elevate myself over others and forget that I am no different or of no different value then anybody else in this world? While I work each day to not fall into this trap, I have come to the realization that it is important that I be mindful and impeccable with my thought and word. I have to remember to be intentional about coming from a place of love and respect for all of humanity. So while I continue to work to make it on earth as it is in heaven, I need to remember to pray for all and ask that others pray for me. It is only through this unconditional love that we, as a human family, will transform this world and make it on earth as it is in heaven.