The greatest math formula one needs to master is one that we are not taught in our maths class in school. In primary school, we learn that one plus one is two. But in spirituality, we learn that one plus one equals one. We also learn that one alone does not equal one. One by itself means two. What does this mean? When we feel we are one, without any connection with God, it does not lead to being one or experiencing oneness with God. Instead, it leads to remaining two or having duality, which means we think we are one without God, which makes us two — ourselves and God — as separate. That duality keeps us from union with God. Our ego makes us think we are apart from God. True spirituality is in realising that one being ourselves and one being God together make one. Two become one when we lose our ego. Our ego also makes us think we are separate from all others. True spiritual development comes when we realise that we are all one.
Spirituality is a way of living in which we become closer and closer to each other. The more we develop spiritually, the more we find ourselves closer to God, which means shedding our ego. As the ego diminishes, we realise that we are all one. When we rise above the awareness of this world on our journey through meditation, we realise our unity. The same Light of God in us is in all other living forms, whether human or animal. We realise that none of us is superior to anyone else. We reach a state in which we recognise that all are important. We may all be different, but we are all equal in the eyes of God. As we become one with God, we look at others as God looks at everyone — that we are all one, we are all the same at the level of the soul, and we are all equal. When we achieve oneness with God, we automatically achieve unity with all life. We see that no one is high, and no one is low. We may have different talents and strengths, but all are equally important. We all have a role to play in this universe. No one is more important than another, as we are all equal in the eyes of God. We then recognise that God resides in all creation.
Meditation is the great equaliser as it helps us to see the oneness of all life. We recognise that someone who is a janitor, a clerk, or a cashier is just as important as someone who is head of a company. We know that the head of the company could not function without all the workers, whether highly paid or those paid the smallest amount. Similarly, all people are important no matter what their level of expertise in a job, how much they make, or their cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Living a life in which we have love and respect for all people is a godly life. This develops through spending more time in meditation. In meditation, we see ourselves as a soul, a part of God, and that all other people are also souls. We recognise that our true nature is light, love, and consciousness. Similarly, we find that others are also made of the same essence of Light, love, and consciousness.
When we achieve that spiritual awareness, we then begin to treat others with love and respect. As a result, our ego will decrease when we realise that at the level of soul, we are all equal. We will become nonviolent for we will treat others as members of our own family. We will become loving to all. We will serve all selflessly as we realise that we are serving God within each person. We will want to do unto others as we want others to do unto us. When someone needs help, we will feel what we would want if we were in their shoes. Thus, we realise the pain that others are going through. We would want to relieve their pain just as we want others to help us. As we develop these ethical qualities, we will become purified.hAs our ego becomes less, we will then become empty cups through which the love of God can radiate. We will go from being one individual feeling separate from God to being one with God. Then, one plus one will become one, rather than one alone separate from God, becoming two, as dual entities. When we lose duality, we become one with God. Then, we realise that there is only one and that one divided into many is truly one God, and that each of those entities is as important as the next. If each person attains this realisation, the world would become a much more peaceful and loving place.
When we realise that all human beings are part of our family, we love and serve each other and radiate love to all, then we are making an individual contribution to happiness, joy, and peace in this world. Let us spend daily time in meditation, for it will not only bring about our spiritual development but will spread peace throughout the world.
The author is the head of the Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission.