Introduction:

   – Begin with a brief meditation to center the group and foster a sense of presence. – https://youtu.be/hd7vu89Rv9w?si=NmAxbl_6qbM5pOIx

 Introduction to the concept of unity through separation (explaining how our identification with thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations can obscure our true nature.)

Imagine yourself looking through a dusty window. The world outside seems blurry and distorted. This is how many of us experience life. We identify so strongly with our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that they act like a layer of dust, obscuring our true nature, the vast and unified reality that underlies everything.

The concept of unity through separation might seem paradoxical, but it’s a powerful tool for spiritual awakening. Here’s how it works:

• Our False Self: We often build an identity based on fleeting experiences. We are our thoughts, our emotions, our bodies. This creates a sense of separation from the world and limits our potential.

   

• The Dust on the Window: Think of each thought, emotion, and sensation as a speck of dust on the window. They color our perception and prevent us from seeing things clearly.

   

• Separation as Cleaning: The practice of separating ourselves from these identifications is like wiping clean the window. It doesn’t mean denying our thoughts or feelings. It simply means acknowledging them as transient experiences, not our core essence.

   

• Discovering Unity: As we remove the “dust” of identification, our awareness expands. We begin to see the interconnectedness of everything, the unity that flows beneath the surface of our daily lives.

   

Here’s an analogy: Imagine yourself as the ocean. Waves (thoughts, emotions, sensations) constantly arise and fall on the ocean’s surface. By separating yourself from the waves, you realize you are not the waves but the vast ocean beneath, ever-present and unchanging.

This practice takes time and dedication. Here are some exercises to get you started:

• The “I Am Not This” Practice: When a thought arises, silently say, “I am not this thought.” Repeat with feelings and bodily sensations. Notice the awareness that remains after these identifications pass.
• Observe Your Observer: Imagine yourself watching your thoughts flow by like clouds in the sky. You are not the cloud, but the vast awareness witnessing their passing.

By separating ourselves from our fleeting experiences, we open ourselves to the profound truth of unity. It’s like finally wiping clean the window and seeing the world in all its breathtaking clarity.