Oneness

Renee Lehman

(12/2016) In last month’s article about the life of Robert (Bob) Duggan, M.A, M.Ac.(U.K.), Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM), I mentioned how he always declared Oneness in every conversation and interaction. You may ask what is the importance of declaring Oneness? How do you know Oneness? You may not even be aware of the concept of Oneness.

Today, modern quantum physics tells us everything is energy (or Qi). It also talks about a unified field; that, at the deepest level of reality, in the energy field, everything in creation is connected. Separation is an illusion. Who we are, is pure consciousness or Oneness, expressing itself in different forms at different times in our evolution.

David Bohm, PhD, American-born quantum physicist, philosopher and neuropsychologist (one of the most significant theoretical physicists of the 20th century and born in Wilkes-Barre, PA!), said: "In some sense man is a microcosm of the universe; therefore what man is, is a clue to the universe. We are enfolded in the universe." He also said, "Deep down, the consciousness of mankind is one."

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the oldest continuously practiced form of healthcare, is also based on a profound understanding of energy (or Qi). Simply put, without Qi (defined as Universal Life Force) there is no life. Qi is the intelligent Universal Life Force of wisdom, consciousness and purpose. As Qigong Grand Master Nan Lu, OMD says, "Everything is Qi. All Qi has consciousness. All consciousness has a purpose."

Many people don’t realize that TCM is based in Taoism (pronounced Dowism). Taoism is a nature-based philosophy. It starts and ends with observation of nature. The Tao Te Ching (pronounced Dow Deh Jing), translated as The Book of the Way, was written by Lao Tzu (570-490 BCE). Below are excerpts from of the Tao Te Ching, translated by Stephen Mitchell:

The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things. (Chapter 42)

Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao. It springs into existence, unconscious, perfect, free, takes on a physical body, lets circumstances complete it. That is why every being spontaneously honors the Tao. The Tao gives birth to all beings, nourishes them, maintains them, cares for them, comforts them, protects them, takes them back to itself, creating without possessing, acting without expecting, guiding without interfering. That is why love of the Tao is in the very nature of things. (Chapter 51)

In the beginning was the Tao. All things issue from it; all things return to it. To find the origin,

trace back to the manifestations. When you recognize the children and find the mother, you will be free of sorrow. If you close your mind in judgements and traffic with desires, your heart will be troubled. If you keep your mind from judging and aren't led by the senses, your heart will find peace. Seeing into darkness is clarity. Knowing how to yield is strength. Use your own light and return to the source of light. This is called practicing eternity. (Chapter 52)

A modern perspective on this last chapter would require you to ask the following question: "Where do you come from?" You come from the Oneness. The Oneness that has no beginning or end. It is the potential of all things; manifests all things; disintegrates all things; is at one with all things. Change is Oneness’s constant. Oneness is the essence of peace and harmony. Therefore, flow in peace and harmony by remembering the Oneness of all things.

So, thousands of years after the beginnings of TCM, scientists like Albert Einstein and quantum physicists like David Bohm arrived at a similar conclusion through scientific research: Everything is energy, and in the energy field, everything is connected.

If you are still having trouble grasping this concept, it’s easy to understand why. As David Bohm said, "We often find that we cannot easily give up the tendency to hold rigidly to patterns of thought built up over a long time. We are then caught up in what may be called absolute necessity. This kind of thought leaves no room at all intellectually for any other possibility, while emotionally and physically, it means we take a stance in our feelings, in our bodies, and indeed, in our whole culture, of holding back or resisting. This stance implies that under no circumstances whatsoever can we allow ourselves to give up certain things or change them."

So, energy being, how can you develop this sense of Oneness, and apply it to your daily life?

• Join a community that fosters the principles of Oneness. This community will support you as you travel on your journey. It will also give you the opportunity to serve others. Community can connect us with a sense of Oneness.

• Begin a meditation practice. Meditation can allow us to experience the Oneness that is deep within us.

• Become more self-aware and take conscious actions in your life. Be conscious of your beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and actions toward people and situations in your life. Then be conscious of how your beliefs, thought, emotions, and actions effect your life and others around you.

• See your own image in the mirror, your own Oneness. Acknowledge that you are a child of the Universe. Love yourself. Live your life from love.

• Begin a Qigong practice. As Grand Master Nan Lu, OMD says, "Qigong is the path—the energy exercise that allows you to become part of the Universe. Qigong is much more than just energy work. Qi is Universal power and Universal life. Qigong movements help you build your connection to this Universal life. Through Qigong, you become the mirror of the Universe—the wisdom of the Universe."

"If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. If you want to eliminate the suffering in the world, then eliminate all that is dark and negative in yourself. Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation." - Lao Tzu

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." – Albert Einstein

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist with over 25 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg, PA. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.