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Prologue
When I first set out to write this essay to my peers I was not particularly sure of the best possible way to discuss topics of such a polarizing nature. Moreover, even more daunting a task has been trying to conceive the correct vehicle with which to relay that information. The advent of the internet as a means of communication allows information (and consequently mis-information) to be spread to the masses at a rate never comprehended by generations before our own. In addition, the internet provides a broad canvas in which human beings from all over the globe can collaborate digitally despite the many hurdles presented by distance, language barrier, etc. It is with this in mind that I have chosen to publish this essay here online via several digital outlets. I hope that this will allow my sentiments to be expressed to the widest audience first hand. Often authors of similar works express a lack of sentiment to change readers’ minds. I do not share that sentiment. At no point is the human mind static or at a stand still. The human mind is ever-changing. That said, I will rephrase the common disclaimer referred to above: I hope that after reading this essay people change their own minds. For a change in mind(state) with regard to this information (or any topic) is the sole responsibility of the individual. I hope with this essay to present information and to share with you, my thoughts but more importantly my questions with regards to the way we currently live our lives.
-Jonathan Wesley Lewis
The Illusion of Separation
By: Jonathan Wesley Lewis
“Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay”
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
-Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Illusion of Separation:
I often wonder why we as humans separate ourselves. In every aspect of our lives we are categorized and placed into cross sections according to our differences despite the fact that our similar and contrasting traits are often more closely related than we acknowledge. If one were to set out in no particular fashion and name everything different and alike about another human being and themselves they would quickly find that for every difference they could conceive a common trait of similarity could be contrived as well (especially when the scope of similarities is widened from character and physical traits to include physiological traits, biological traits, etc). This line of thinking may seem inconclusive in regards to human interaction. One might ask, “What does it mean if we all have an equal number of differences and similarities?” As important a question as that may be to discovering the true nature of Human relation, I have begun to ask a more fundamental question first. “Where does the idea of difference and similarity come from?” Much of the answer to that question is rooted in perspective. For example, suppose that I enjoy Jazz music and you enjoy Rock music. Some would say that we are different in that respect. Or consider two brothers: The older brother thinks chocolate is the best flavor of ice cream in the world. The younger brother feels the same way about strawberry ice cream. It would be an accurate statement to say that the brothers differ in taste of ice cream. This is a very basic example of the Illusion of Separation. For although you and I differ in preferred music choice, and the brothers differ in taste of ice cream, I f one were to say that, “We are different” the acceptance or repudiation of this statement is greatly dependant on the interpretation of the word “different”. In the case of the brothers they both like ice cream, although different flavors. As for the example of difference in musical preference, the fact that we both like music at all is a similarity in and of itself. The Illusion of Separation is a mental distortion of the true nature of self, that being self relative to others. It is created by our society (although society is made up of its individuals it also has variable inputs and driving influences that effect the body as a whole) and perpetuated by our own minds. This distortion of actuality leads the mind to ignore the natural inverse properties of difference and similarity in favor of a difference-centered state of mind. In other words, when we as humans begin to view others as though they are somehow more different from ourselves than they are alike we are operating under the Illusion of Separation. For the differences and similarities that spawn from our ways of life can be viewed in both a “glass half empty” and a “glass half full” perspective. The examples above are no exception. In the case of the brothers, one could either choose to focus on the fact that they like two different types of ice cream or the fact that they both like ice cream. Common sense would say that the brothers would not let the fact that they have conflicting opinion in ice cream stop them from going to eat ice cream together at the local parlor. This begs the question “If for every similarity there is a difference, then why should I choose to act on the similarities over the differences?” Before the question can be fully contemplated I would like to consider one additional concept and pose one additional question that slightly alters the former: “Is there a difference or similarity in which there is no inverse (or rather, an inverse not possessed by anyone)?” Or to put it another way, “Is there some similarity (or difference) that we all share (or don’t share) without exception?” If there is a universal similarity (or difference) that we all share (or don’t share), and we acknowledge that save for that universal truth all differences and similarities based on our ways of life are merely a matter of perspective, what then should be the scope with which we view other human beings? What might that universal similarity or difference be? Life. Co-existence. Every living entity shares the state of co-existence without exception. The inverse of that being non-existence. Death. This fundamental similarity between all things on the planet must be taken as the primary lens through which we view all other things. For when we begin to acknowledge our similarities in place of our differences our entire way of life is transformed. When a person is able to view other human beings (though I must note that this perspective should not be exclusive to human-human interaction, this particular essay is only on that topic) as more similar than different the natural connection that exists between all things in existence is then acknowledged. The Illusion of Separation shrouds that connection. Society at its current state bombards us with conflicting sentiments rooted in that distortion. Media outlets constantly hail one character or physical trait as correct or the norm. This practice marginalizes and ostracizes those not possessing the trait in adequate amounts. Perhaps, even more harmful effects can be found when those possessing the traits espoused by the Media begin to develop an elevated, albeit distorted self image based on that societal approval. That elevated self image is nothing more than a misplaced feeling of superiority. For when the Media outlets change the list of “recognized positive traits” the feeling of superiority can quickly change. Was the superiority felt by the individual ever truly there? Money spent on mass media to perpetuate the Illusion of Separation dwarfs that of spending on media supporting the contrary. The reasons for this are the topics of later essays. What should be noted is the fact that most of our societal imagery (news media, advertisements, entertainment, etc.) perpetuates separation. One must recognize this if he/she ever wishes to free him/herself of the Illusion of Separation.
The distorted nature of difference:
It has been my life experience that most differences observed and acted on by Humans take on a sort of “inverse iterative” property relative to similarity (i.e. any one difference can be reduced to a more fundamental similarity without exception). For example, In religious circles it is not uncommon to hear a Christian say that she/he differs from a Muslim or someone who practices Greek pagan mysticism (Greek Mythology) in that they believe completely different things regarding religion. The “inverse iterative” nature of difference in this situation is often pointed out by modern atheists who would say, “The Christian, Muslim, and Pagan are similar in that they all are religious”. The difference of individual religious belief can be reduced to the similarity of having a religious belief in the first place. If this is true, then one could say that that difference in regards to human interaction is in a way an extrapolation of similarity. The inherent flaw with extrapolation is it operates solely on a system with insufficient data to fully support itself (the claims that it makes, or function it’s proving). Extrapolations take known data and infer an unknown based on the known. The Illusion of Separation clouds our judgment and makes one view the trivial differences we have today as facts, inherent within themselves. They seem to be more extrapolation than anything else. The major differences we acknowledge today appear to be perceived observations and conclusions pertaining to an issue based on some truth (in most cases the similarity). An even more appalling symptom of the Illusion of Separation is the associated disvaluing of the truth on which the extrapolatory differences are built on. Soccer hooligans commit acts of serious violence towards others on the basis of preference in team. In this case the Illusion of Separation has blinded them to the fact that everyone rooting for a team has some degree of admiration for the game itself. The team in which they hold in such high regard means nothing to someone who has neither heard of nor played the game of soccer. The “inverse iterative” similarity in this case is the love of soccer, more specifically the state of being a fan(atic). Given the recognition of difference as an extrapolation of similarity at all levels, what becomes of the Illusion of Separation? It is then dispelled. When one truly internalizes the notion that our differences not only stem from but are contingent upon fundamental similarities it is only a matter of time before one sees the “one similarity”. That is, the one similarity that all things in existence posses; the actual state of Existence itself. When a human being keeps that one fact as the fundamental basis for all other notions of difference and similarity the quid-pro-quo nature of difference and similarity can be reduced to the similarity that we all share without exception. We exist. The irony is we often think of, and act more positively towards those who are truly different from us (those who no longer exist) than those who are fundamentally the same (those we co-exist with).
[Subject to addition and typographical revision]
If you made it to the end of my first (but certainly not last) post... THANKS!!! The topic of this essay along with a few others have rapidly become my life's work. I hope you all enjoy. I look forward to comments.
When I first set out to write this essay to my peers I was not particularly sure of the best possible way to discuss topics of such a polarizing nature. Moreover, even more daunting a task has been trying to conceive the correct vehicle with which to relay that information. The advent of the internet as a means of communication allows information (and consequently mis-information) to be spread to the masses at a rate never comprehended by generations before our own. In addition, the internet provides a broad canvas in which human beings from all over the globe can collaborate digitally despite the many hurdles presented by distance, language barrier, etc. It is with this in mind that I have chosen to publish this essay here online via several digital outlets. I hope that this will allow my sentiments to be expressed to the widest audience first hand. Often authors of similar works express a lack of sentiment to change readers’ minds. I do not share that sentiment. At no point is the human mind static or at a stand still. The human mind is ever-changing. That said, I will rephrase the common disclaimer referred to above: I hope that after reading this essay people change their own minds. For a change in mind(state) with regard to this information (or any topic) is the sole responsibility of the individual. I hope with this essay to present information and to share with you, my thoughts but more importantly my questions with regards to the way we currently live our lives.
-Jonathan Wesley Lewis
The Illusion of Separation
By: Jonathan Wesley Lewis
“Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay”
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
-Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Illusion of Separation:
I often wonder why we as humans separate ourselves. In every aspect of our lives we are categorized and placed into cross sections according to our differences despite the fact that our similar and contrasting traits are often more closely related than we acknowledge. If one were to set out in no particular fashion and name everything different and alike about another human being and themselves they would quickly find that for every difference they could conceive a common trait of similarity could be contrived as well (especially when the scope of similarities is widened from character and physical traits to include physiological traits, biological traits, etc). This line of thinking may seem inconclusive in regards to human interaction. One might ask, “What does it mean if we all have an equal number of differences and similarities?” As important a question as that may be to discovering the true nature of Human relation, I have begun to ask a more fundamental question first. “Where does the idea of difference and similarity come from?” Much of the answer to that question is rooted in perspective. For example, suppose that I enjoy Jazz music and you enjoy Rock music. Some would say that we are different in that respect. Or consider two brothers: The older brother thinks chocolate is the best flavor of ice cream in the world. The younger brother feels the same way about strawberry ice cream. It would be an accurate statement to say that the brothers differ in taste of ice cream. This is a very basic example of the Illusion of Separation. For although you and I differ in preferred music choice, and the brothers differ in taste of ice cream, I f one were to say that, “We are different” the acceptance or repudiation of this statement is greatly dependant on the interpretation of the word “different”. In the case of the brothers they both like ice cream, although different flavors. As for the example of difference in musical preference, the fact that we both like music at all is a similarity in and of itself. The Illusion of Separation is a mental distortion of the true nature of self, that being self relative to others. It is created by our society (although society is made up of its individuals it also has variable inputs and driving influences that effect the body as a whole) and perpetuated by our own minds. This distortion of actuality leads the mind to ignore the natural inverse properties of difference and similarity in favor of a difference-centered state of mind. In other words, when we as humans begin to view others as though they are somehow more different from ourselves than they are alike we are operating under the Illusion of Separation. For the differences and similarities that spawn from our ways of life can be viewed in both a “glass half empty” and a “glass half full” perspective. The examples above are no exception. In the case of the brothers, one could either choose to focus on the fact that they like two different types of ice cream or the fact that they both like ice cream. Common sense would say that the brothers would not let the fact that they have conflicting opinion in ice cream stop them from going to eat ice cream together at the local parlor. This begs the question “If for every similarity there is a difference, then why should I choose to act on the similarities over the differences?” Before the question can be fully contemplated I would like to consider one additional concept and pose one additional question that slightly alters the former: “Is there a difference or similarity in which there is no inverse (or rather, an inverse not possessed by anyone)?” Or to put it another way, “Is there some similarity (or difference) that we all share (or don’t share) without exception?” If there is a universal similarity (or difference) that we all share (or don’t share), and we acknowledge that save for that universal truth all differences and similarities based on our ways of life are merely a matter of perspective, what then should be the scope with which we view other human beings? What might that universal similarity or difference be? Life. Co-existence. Every living entity shares the state of co-existence without exception. The inverse of that being non-existence. Death. This fundamental similarity between all things on the planet must be taken as the primary lens through which we view all other things. For when we begin to acknowledge our similarities in place of our differences our entire way of life is transformed. When a person is able to view other human beings (though I must note that this perspective should not be exclusive to human-human interaction, this particular essay is only on that topic) as more similar than different the natural connection that exists between all things in existence is then acknowledged. The Illusion of Separation shrouds that connection. Society at its current state bombards us with conflicting sentiments rooted in that distortion. Media outlets constantly hail one character or physical trait as correct or the norm. This practice marginalizes and ostracizes those not possessing the trait in adequate amounts. Perhaps, even more harmful effects can be found when those possessing the traits espoused by the Media begin to develop an elevated, albeit distorted self image based on that societal approval. That elevated self image is nothing more than a misplaced feeling of superiority. For when the Media outlets change the list of “recognized positive traits” the feeling of superiority can quickly change. Was the superiority felt by the individual ever truly there? Money spent on mass media to perpetuate the Illusion of Separation dwarfs that of spending on media supporting the contrary. The reasons for this are the topics of later essays. What should be noted is the fact that most of our societal imagery (news media, advertisements, entertainment, etc.) perpetuates separation. One must recognize this if he/she ever wishes to free him/herself of the Illusion of Separation.
The distorted nature of difference:
It has been my life experience that most differences observed and acted on by Humans take on a sort of “inverse iterative” property relative to similarity (i.e. any one difference can be reduced to a more fundamental similarity without exception). For example, In religious circles it is not uncommon to hear a Christian say that she/he differs from a Muslim or someone who practices Greek pagan mysticism (Greek Mythology) in that they believe completely different things regarding religion. The “inverse iterative” nature of difference in this situation is often pointed out by modern atheists who would say, “The Christian, Muslim, and Pagan are similar in that they all are religious”. The difference of individual religious belief can be reduced to the similarity of having a religious belief in the first place. If this is true, then one could say that that difference in regards to human interaction is in a way an extrapolation of similarity. The inherent flaw with extrapolation is it operates solely on a system with insufficient data to fully support itself (the claims that it makes, or function it’s proving). Extrapolations take known data and infer an unknown based on the known. The Illusion of Separation clouds our judgment and makes one view the trivial differences we have today as facts, inherent within themselves. They seem to be more extrapolation than anything else. The major differences we acknowledge today appear to be perceived observations and conclusions pertaining to an issue based on some truth (in most cases the similarity). An even more appalling symptom of the Illusion of Separation is the associated disvaluing of the truth on which the extrapolatory differences are built on. Soccer hooligans commit acts of serious violence towards others on the basis of preference in team. In this case the Illusion of Separation has blinded them to the fact that everyone rooting for a team has some degree of admiration for the game itself. The team in which they hold in such high regard means nothing to someone who has neither heard of nor played the game of soccer. The “inverse iterative” similarity in this case is the love of soccer, more specifically the state of being a fan(atic). Given the recognition of difference as an extrapolation of similarity at all levels, what becomes of the Illusion of Separation? It is then dispelled. When one truly internalizes the notion that our differences not only stem from but are contingent upon fundamental similarities it is only a matter of time before one sees the “one similarity”. That is, the one similarity that all things in existence posses; the actual state of Existence itself. When a human being keeps that one fact as the fundamental basis for all other notions of difference and similarity the quid-pro-quo nature of difference and similarity can be reduced to the similarity that we all share without exception. We exist. The irony is we often think of, and act more positively towards those who are truly different from us (those who no longer exist) than those who are fundamentally the same (those we co-exist with).
[Subject to addition and typographical revision]
If you made it to the end of my first (but certainly not last) post... THANKS!!! The topic of this essay along with a few others have rapidly become my life's work. I hope you all enjoy. I look forward to comments.
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