Beyond Individuality: Embracing the Interdependence of Life
Beyond Individuality: Embracing the Interdependence of Life
A reflection on how every person’s life is sustained by the collective contributions of countless beings and phenomena.
Voiceover Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
In an article I was reading on Tricycle, a professor of religious studies, Jeff Wilson (1999), comments the following on the notion of interdependence,
Nothing exists separate from all the other things in the universe. Every person lives only by relying on the support of others. No matter how far out you trace the web of relations, there is always more that can be said about it. (ibid. para. 4)
I spent some time reflecting on this phrase where Jeff Wilson delves into the profound interconnectedness of all elements within the universe. He contends that nothing exists in isolation; instead, every entity is intricately woven into a vast web of relations. From the most minute building blocks of matter to the largest celestial wonders of the cosmos, each component relies on the support and influence of other elements for its existence and function.
This points out how every person’s life is sustained by the collective contributions of countless beings and phenomena.
This interconnectedness extends far beyond our immediate perceptions, and this web of relations stretches into the depths of space and time.
On a personal level, if we reflect and look back on our lives. We are where we are today, not solely of our own accord. For some of us, we would not have achieved, what we achieved in life if it was not for the support of our families, loved ones or friends. Not to mention those times where we felt like giving up on something and a friend or mentor gave us some words of encouragement. And we cannot forget all those people who imparted to us their knowledge, without which we would not know what we know today.
If we think about it, we would probably notice a support network around us which contributed to us being here today.
And no matter how far we attempt to trace this thread, there will always be more layers of complexity and interdependence to explore, as we would not be here today if the universe did not exist, reinforcing the notion that all is interconnected in this cosmic web of existence.
This is the story of our lives. At the individual level, no one is an island. We all have a group of very close individuals whom we depend on in difficult and happy times or vice versa.
At the community level, we all need each other, the bus driver, the shopkeeper. And at the global level, we are linked and intertwined together in ways we can’t even imagine.
For example, reflect on this analogy; probably in the making of our TV set, some contribution was made on the other side of the world by a particular person, and if that person did not wake up that day, our TV set would not be there.
Furthermore, reflect on the immensity of the universe where there is only one place we call home, EARTH. A one-of-a-kind majestic place which humbly provides us with all that we need for our survival. And yet sometimes it seems we are asleep to this reality.
Look at us globally! Because of an individualistic consumerist ideology, we seem to be setting ourselves on the path of extinction through the indiscriminate use of Earth’s resources.
We are asleep to the reality that there is only one “Earth” and that we rely on each other.
But does acknowledging or relying or being dependent on the persons next to us for our needs diminish our individuality? On the contrary, it enhances it. Why?
Because we are all different from each other, not because we are alone, but because we make part of humanity.
Reflect, what defines us as an individual?
It is all the other humans on this Earth who are different from us that defines us as who we are. And to the extreme, if one of them dies or cannot express his humanity, our individuality is less pronounced.
Further to this we need to acknowledge, wake up and realize that our strongest ability as humans is not segregation or separation but cooperation, and when we cooperate both at the micro level or macro level, history has shown us that we can achieve what we thought was impossible.
And still, we are asleep - look at the state of the Earth and humanity, all the pain and suffering, a seemingly endless self-perpetuating cycle.
So, we might ask ourselves what can we do, what can I do, and where do we start from, as this practically implies changing the world.
We start not by changing the world but, as Antony De Mello (1992) says, by changing ourselves. By waking up to the reality that we are all human and that we all what to be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
From there, from what Neff (2003) calls our common humanity, the universal contemplative golden rule of compassion (Neusher & Chilton, 2009). By listening to each other with intent, compassion, and loving-kindness. Remembering one thing that listening with understanding, compassion, and loving-kindness are the epitome and essence of our humanity and the basic tools that we must carry with us always through life.
Ultimately embracing this profound interconnectedness could engender a shift in our perspective, fostering a deeper appreciation for the intricate fabric of life and our place within it.
Finally, recognizing this interdependence that binds us all together might inspire a sense of responsibility to nurture and preserve the delicate balance of our shared reality. Moreover, it may encourage us to cultivate compassion, empathy, and cooperation, understanding that our actions ripple through the interconnected tapestry of existence, influencing the lives of others in ways we might not fully comprehend.
In essence, Jeff Wilson’s contemplation urges us to acknowledge and celebrate the unity of everything, fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness that transcends boundaries and embraces the vastness of our existence and the cosmos at large.
Bibliography
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
Neusher, J., & Chilton, B. (Eds.). (2009). Golden rule: The ethics of reciprocity in world religions. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
Wilson, J. (2019). Born together with all beings. Retrieved from Tricycle: https://tricycle.org/magazine/shin-buddhism/