Within each of us resides a spiritual essence that animates our bodies and shapes our thoughts and emotions. Our language, rooted in the tangible world, falls short when attempting to describe something as profound and boundless as the spirit. Thus, we turn to metaphors, which provide a glimpse into the true nature of our spiritual selves. The paradox of spiritual truth lies in the coexistence of opposing concepts, all of which hold true simultaneously. In harmonizing these opposites, we begin to uncover the marvels of the spirit.
The self is neither small nor large—it is both at once. Our spirit resembles a drop in the vast ocean of spiritual energy. Although it may seem like a separate, minute part of a greater whole, it shares the same essence and has the potential to merge back into the infinite ocean. Our individual spirit appears to dwell within our bodies, like a traveler in a vehicle, yet it is not confined by physical boundaries. It can reach across distances to touch the heart of a loved one or expand to embrace the entirety of the universe. When we gaze at the stars, we may feel small and insignificant, yet we are composed of the same fundamental elements. Perhaps the stars reflect the intricate processes occurring within each atom and cell of our being. We are a universe within a universe. Our spirits are constantly renewing, yet timeless and everlasting. So, the self is neither new nor old but both simultaneously.
Our spiritual self transcends the dualities of small and large, new and old. In the material world, we experience life as good and bad, right and wrong, joyful and sorrowful, but these are merely reflections of a world of opposites, not the essence of our true spiritual nature. By turning inward and connecting with the eternal and unchanging energy at our core, we can move beyond these contrasting metaphors and experience oneness. In that connection, we can understand both the vast and the minute, the new and the ancient, motion and stillness. By embracing the paradox of spirit, we open ourselves to the complete expression of our being.
