A Change and Hardiness Strategy

The realization of Oneness is the most viable change and hardiness strategy available to us – as individuals, in business, and as a nation.

Say what? you ask.

Yep. Woody Allen said it this way:

“Students achieving oneness will move on to twoness.”

So there we have it, right from the authority of a world class comedian’s mouth. If that comes off as a bit too glib for you however, consider this from renown business and executive guru, Lance Secretan:

“Whenever we experience pain or sadness,
it is because we have become separated
from what, or whom, we love.
And whenever we are inspired and joyful,
it is because we are one with what, or whom, we love.
All human challenges and successes
can be explained through this awareness.”

And to further demonstrate that I’m not proposing some flighty new-age thinking, here is the earthy Greek philosopher Heraclitus weighing in on the subject:

“For those who are awake,
The cosmos is one.”

Now I ask you: What nation, business or person, asleep to or in denial of the oneness of Life, or whose senses are closed to the winds of change blowing in our midst, what such being in today’s world is ever going to achieve sustainability or change hardiness let alone thrive-ability?

I know I’m coming in a bit through the back door on this; the strategy I am suggesting however is real. Ask any extreme skier or kayaker or rockclimber or a master pianist or painter or dancer or surgeon….

That the strategy of Oneness is proposed by spiritual teachers of the world’s perennial philosophies, that it was utilized by indigenous societies for millennium in the creation of sustainable cultures of thrive-ability, that aspens, the world’s largest known individual life form on the planet, that these each utilize it as a strategy to thrive through what is eco-shock or eco-trauma for others, these are not reason enough to dismiss Oneness as a change and hardiness strategy. Particularly not now, not when the forces of fragmentation are pulling at us life and limb and toenail, not now during this time of our greatest need and opportunity.

No. Think of it this way: It is through the realization of our Oneness that we come to more fully appreciate our diversity, the polarities of Life, our twoness, our relationships.

It is in some ways perhaps as simple as the male and female relational dance of delight, where “the two shall become as one,” where sexuality becomes a path to God, to enlightenment in Tantric traditions. Spiritual practice there acknowledges that “it takes two to make one,” the One arising through awakening of the two-the male and the female-in each of us.

Here are a four practical skill sets that help me in realizing and applying this strategy of Oneness. They will help in navigating the challenges and turmoil of our time, whether for profit or peace making or personal joy….

1.    Seek to perceive Life as it is, in its wholeness, with clear eyes, a strong heart, and an open mind.

2.    Notice it is resistance to what is, within to any circumstance, that becomes the source of pain; it is not the circumstance itself.

3.    Notice too, it is after we say “Yes” to Life, to any circumstance, that we are free to create anew, not out of reaction now but out of freedom and vision.

4.    Saying “Yes!” to Life is to become One with it, with our inter-relatedness, interdependence, with our connect-ability. Paradoxically, it is out of this affirmation of Life that our response-ability and capacity and freedom to say “No!” arises.

So there we have it. “Students achieving Oneness will move on to twoness.” Students utilizing a strategy of Oneness position themselves to navigate if not enjoy the diversity of Life’s rainbows and moods, because they are not separate from the storm or from the deep silence within.

The universe and the world are woven of an ecological oneness, a collective consciousness, a wholeness. The realization of this Oneness is the most viable change and hardiness strategy available to us.

ONE
One song can spark a moment. One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest. One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship. One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea. One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation. One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness. One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey. One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits. One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom. One life can make the difference. You see, its up to you! —Future Positive

Notes and Resources: Lance’s latest book is One: The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership
My friend and colleague Tom Wojick, at The Renewal Group, works with Relationship Centered Leadership™ as a model of leadership development grounded in the reality and business acumen of Oneness.
My friend and businessman Marc Choyt blogs about the challenges and practicalities of such an awareness in today’s world of jewelry at Fair Trade Jewelry.
The ideals and practicality of this spirit of Oneness also runs through the Aspen-Body Wisdom material frequently found on this blog. It is also reflected in the Wild Resiliency Assertions
Also, I have recently posted a large resource list of links that reflect this awareness of Oneness: Collective Consciousness, Wisdom and Intelligence Resources