Sometimes I think all our troubles come from being “separate.” We sometimes feel separate from our comrades, from our loved ones, from our dreams of a happy life, even from God. We sense a separation from everything that is good—as though we’ve been let loose in a harsh world where we have to fight for what we want.
Where did this idea of separation originate?
Thematically, and certainly scripturally, it happened in the Garden of Eden. Remember the story? We bit into the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge and suddenly we understood that everything could be viewed as good or evil. We began to divide the universe into its separate categories, its separate shapes and colors, even its separate peoples. We believed that everything could be seen as right or wrong. We understood that for there to be a “me,” there must be a “not me.” Perhaps it was an easy assumption that the things that were “not me” must have their own conflicting goals and needs. Competition was born and the idea of a limited universe came right along with it.
But that’s not what we believe in the Science of Mind.
We believe that everything is part of God. That includes you and me—as well as the rest of the material and energetic universe. We cannot really be separate from God—because we’re part of it. We cannot really be separate from an experience of Love or Abundance, of Joy or Peace—because that’s just another part of the God in which we reside.
Perhaps the true lesson from the Garden of Eden is the difference between “differentiation” and “judgment.” It’s wonderful for us to see the world in all its colors and variety. It’s great to see everyone’s special gifts and different ways of approaching things.
But that doesn’t make things good or bad. It’s all part of God. It just “is.”
Even unfortunate choices can hardly be said to be “evil.” They may be poor choices. They may cause damage or havoc—but they, too, are part of life’s variety. The people making the poor choices are still part of God’s majesty.
Let us think of the ways that we are alike. Let us think of our connectedness. Let us understand that we’re all working together for the benefit of all. This is a Universe of plenty with room and support for everyone. The more we see ourselves as connected—as part of God—the more we can feel our universal participation in something larger than just ourselves.
We are part of the Divine! Let’s celebrate it!