One

Awakened beings seem to like this theme:  all One.

Someone might ask, that sounds nice, but how does it work?

Well, maybe like this:  those dishes you're scrubbing in the sink, those dishes are your lover giving you a soapy rub down.  That boy's hand you are holding, that is your grandmother's hand.  The clouds you are staring at in the sky, those clouds are the latest political scandal you've read about in the paper today.  That traffic light changing, that is your mother's smile when she first laid eyes on you after your birth into this world.  That step you are taking, that is your next big success. That breath your are exhaling, that is your next big setback.

Mothers, who may or may not be awakened beings, have told us repeatedly that we should do unto others as we would have done to ourselves.  Mother once told me "Be with others as you would be with yourself.  After all, you are others."

Sure.  I'll believe that when I see it.  You might say.  How does that work?

Like this.

That person you flipped off on the freeway is the pain in your neck.  Those people you are bombing are your kidneys.  Those people you are cheating are your heart.  Those things you are throwing away are your spine.  Those words your are speaking are your lungs.  That dog you are petting is your hand.  That car you are driving is your legs.  That television you are watching is your eyes.  That universe you have yet to explore is your mind.  That Beloved you have yet to embrace is your Self.