Oneness - Reloaded

I wondered while riding my bike the other day what happened if we took seriously that God and man are one. Truly one, not two. A big, good, bold ONE.

It would mean, I thought, that the many billions of lives - of people, animals, plants - are all one in the spiritual dimension of Life which is the essence of it all. It would mean that all is thought - because matter is a concept including separation, not worthy of pursuit. And truly not up for consideration when it comes to the topic of oneness.

Taking seriously that God and man are one would also mean that in our experience we could depend less on other mortals for happiness, safety, and joy, because we have already all. We could safely lower our expectations in others to grant us their attention, appreciation, back up - because if God and man are truly one, we have already all. And are grateful, relaxed, and joyful.

Being aware that God and man are one would also mean that struggles for supply and prosperity can be less fierce, because we approach solution seeking from the authority of completeness. Companies in search of customers (other mortals) to fill their order books, and in need of a consistent cash flow could become more confident. Ideas could replace objects, and motives and actions could be tested in regard to their integrity. From the perspective of oneness. It would leave no one dependent on circumstance and would empower everyone to do something bold, something honest  - without the fear of being thought different, because truly authentic. (If you speak the truth, you need a fast horse, they say!).

It could also mean that relationships are more meaningful, because we don’t require anything from anybody, but rather rejoice in expressing the goodness that is already there. Relationships then being about giving, not taking. God being infinitely good, what would you need from someone else? And what can you give? If "I AM" is good enough for the supreme Power, could this be enough to fill our lives, too? Because this oneness is like living within a source, a sense of unity with our divine source - or if you rather like this image, living in the middle of an inexhaustible fountain. It would mean to stop yearning for a slice of the cake, because you have access to the bakery, including their infinite stock of tested recipes.

Now enough of "would" and "could". The shift from complaint to learning is not as big, as one might think. The oneness IS the thing, the wisest people in the past and present were teaching. Like Mary Baker Eddy who learnt from Jesus how to live a life of unity with God - that is why her voice is so authentic and her spiritual teaching so powerful. It is not her invention, she is finding words for timeless truths that resonate with anybody who has an open heart and a listening ear: 

"True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection. Prayer is the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us. Prayer begets an awakened desire to be and do good. It makes new and scientific discoveries of God, of His goodness and power. It shows us more clearly than we saw before, what we already have and are; and most of all, it shows us what God is. Advancing in this light, we reflect it; and this light reveals the pure Mind-pictures, in silent prayer, even as photography grasps the solar light to portray the face of pleasant thought.“ (Mary Baker Eddy, No and Yes, p. 39)