“Only love can unite all beings…for it joins them by what is deepest in themselves. When humans finally learn to harness the power of love, they will once again have discovered fire.”
These potent words were written by the French philosopher, scientist and Jesuit priest, Teilhard de Chardin. He was one of the first scientists to bring together the realms of science and spirit, before Quantum Physics was an accepted reality.
We now live in an era where science offers proof to our rational mind that we exist as energy, appearing as form. The very energy that we are composed of is what unites us, as its essence is the same in all life forms.
What is the nature of this energy that connects us all? In the words of Max Planck, father of Quantum theory, “Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. Because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are a part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.”
In PBPY, we do a warm-up practice called ‘Meeting with Equality’. It is a practice that reveals in a kinesthetic way, the impact we have on others. We explore what it feels like to be grounded in our own body while leaning into and fully connecting to another. Part of the practice is observing how it feels when our partner aggresses, and also when they withdraw. 90% of those who participate in this exercise find it more painful or uncomfortable to be withdrawn from then aggressed upon.
I find this very fascinating and have a theory about it. I think much of the violence we see in the world is an misguided and unskillful attempt to connect to others. Perhaps what propels the perpetrator (in all of us) to act out, is the desire to be recognized as an important part of the whole.
This human need for connection, to be recognized as inherently valuable and lovable, is a powerful drive in us. The question is how do we satisfy this need? How can we experience this recognition that we yearn for? Perhaps most importantly, how can we bring conscious awareness to all aspects of our humanity, particularly the shadowy parts that we tend to project outside of ourselves?
Although I have devoted decades to spiritual questing, it is only very recently that I have come to know in a direct way, that what I have been seeking is my own heart – and a deep intimacy with my own being. This intimacy invites and allows all aspects of my being to express – in ways that contribute rather than harm. It is only from this place of union with, and acceptance of myself that I can truly, unconditionally, care about another.
Quantum physicists have discovered that each physical atom radiates its own unique energy signature. This is also what we discover about ourselves when we ‘explore the mystery of what we are’.
It is exciting and often overwhelming to live in this amazing time when there is such radical change happening all over the planet…
May we each harness the power of love through embracing the light and the shadow, within and without, as valuable and powerful aspects of our being.
Warm love,
Elysabeth