OM! I bow to the the entire Universe. This is the 8th entry of my “Bowing to the Divine Mother in 1008 Moods.” You can read much more about that on the webpage about it. What follows is commentary that I wrote on that “Name” for a book I’m working on. (Which is not anywhere done, but probably by the end will contain essentially all of my teachings.)
The Universe is greater than any so-called individual—definitely great than me! Even simply as a mental exercise I can acknowledge first the existence of the Universe and then acknowledge my small but apparently fundamental place in It. In doing so, a feeling of humility—even smallness—will quickly arise. Humility is an important key on the Path.
To some, however, that smallness is disturbing, even terrifying. Any disturbance like that is a very good and useful thing on the spiritual Path. However, an explorer of the Inner World must be strong enough to watch it and let it be as it is. If that can be done, experiencing that feeling will do important work of shifting the consciousness to a more Right place. If a person finds that experiencing that feeling drives them into depression or anxiety, then they have to be honest with themselves and simply avoid this awareness until a later time when they have the strength for it. The spiritual Path is not a competition, and we certainly don’t do all the work of it all at once!
In humbling ourselves to the Universe, we can see that in many ways “I” am replaceable in the world—no one is “irreplaceable,” in a sense. Even if “I” play roles that truly seem irreplaceable—like mother, for example—even if “I” exit this life now, the Universe will manage and continue without “me” just fine. It’s in that sense that “I” am expendable if not, from a human sense, replaceable.
There’s a deeper level, though, in which “I” am not replaceable since there can be no other “me”—completely identical and able to fill whatever amazing, special role only “I” hold in the Universe. There truly cannot and will not ever be another “me.” That’s the nature of the Universe.
And here the paradoxical nature of the Divine Mother—and even simply of the physical Universe—begins to be acknowledged and praised: I am irreplaceable and replaceable—or at least expendable. When I bow to the entire Universe, I can both develop humility and begin to expand beyond small-minded, black-and-white thinking.
When I bow to the entire Universe, my consciousness—unbeknownst to “me”—expands to fill the entire Universe. The Yogic teachings tell the individual consciousness can do that because it is already bigger than the entire Universe. Though “I” exist as this cramped, apparently small, individual consciousness, it’s simply a misperception based on the limited experiences of the senses. In expanding like that, I can begin to realize myself as a bigger thing than I initially believed. Here’s another paradox: in bowing to the entire Universe, I get both more humble—smaller—and bigger—by allowing the consciousness to expand to closer to its rightful size.
I must point out the obvious here. I’m bowing to the entire Universe, not just some part or parts of it. Given the current political climate—of the world but especially of our country—it’s important to notice that I can’t bow to the entire Universe without bowing to the entire Universe. I don’t get to pick and choose. The Universe is a fundamental package—full of contradictions, paradoxes and things that may be painful and simply will not make sense to a mind unwilling to see and embrace what it can’t understand. The same is true of our local community, our State, our country, and the earthly world. If I want to love, I have to love it all.
In bowing to the entire Universe, I also avail myself of Its knowledge, wisdom and power. I no longer have to fend for myself against the Universe, but allow myself to willingly participate in Creation as a small but integral part of that Whole. This feeling can greatly unburden the Heart.
I bow to the entire Universe. You’re welcome to join me in that.