VARIETIES OF ONENESS
by contemplativeinquiry

When I say ‘oneness’, I mean interbeing rather than singularity. I am talking about the web of life, the great song, a field of living presence. Singularity allows only an I. Interbeing has room for I and You and We and They. This recent picture of a half-hidden corner in our garden, taken by my wife Elaine, makes the point. The fact that she took it also reminds me that the mature recognition of ‘you’ is the foundation of true relationship.
This oneness of interbeing does not need a myth of origin to sustain it. Interbeing just is. I’m an intuitive idealist, fascinated by metaphysical questions, including questions of origin, and the systems of myth and metaphor which address them. But I am not spiritually dependent on answers. That is the advantage of Druidry as a practice rooted in nature. Today is a day for celebrating the natural side of my path.
“not spiritually dependent on answers” I really like that as a phrase. Thank you!
Thanks Nimue. The phrase in question caught me unawares early this morning. I’m glad to find it’s of use.
Yes interbeing is a better term than oneness, the latter suggests the dissolution of diversity into sameness and blandness. The former is about celebrating diversity but acknowledging all of its relationships. The related term emptiness (sunyata) also suggests the dissolution of diversity.
Similarly I have never liked the term mysticism, it conjures up diversity being obscured in some all encompassing grey mist!
Thanks Keith. I can understand your view on mysticism too. I’m in two minds about that one!