Individuals come together, entangled by shared values and beliefs, regardless of the contrasts they experience in life.
By Jo Mooy
Who are “we”? In the United States, “We the people” are the first three words of the Constitution, which initially meant the male citizens of the 13 original states. The word “we” is not singular. It always means more than one. Besides many, it also can mean a whole group that believes a certain way. If you are outside the group, you’re not part of the “we.” Even if someone lets you into the group, it takes time for the majority to see if you fit into their ideas before you can call yourself part of the “we.”
For example, in the U.S. Constitution, “we” lays out wide aspirations. When you read it, it begs the questions: Are “we” seeking common ground? Do “we” subscribe to what was written on the parchment as a guiding directive? Do “we” identify with the words? Do “we” see a harmonious way of being? Perhaps the answers depend on which group of “we” you belong to because clearly the truths “we” hold to be self-evident are not the truths other groups of “we” hold.
Competing factions of “we” often are hell-bent on tearing the fabric of respect, dignity and unity into shreds. “We” even can disagree on what “we” means. And many groups of “we” have devolved into “us vs. them”, with each “we” claiming to be the “good guys.”
The implied unity of “we” doesn’t exist in competition—it exists in cooperation. So, who holds the ultimate authority to declare who “we” are and what “we” stand for in the opposing factions? “We” is nothing more than a bunch of individuals who have come together. Though these people form a communal “we”, each “I” is unto itself sovereign. “I” may, but not always, have certain values, a moral compass, a belief system, and maybe even a world view.
Another “I” also has values, a moral compass, beliefs, and perhaps even a polar opposite world view. But when sovereign individuals become part of “we”, those ideas may get swept aside and swallowed up in the collective beliefs.
Someone may change their views and beliefs over time—change being the natural order of how things work in this universe. Some may cross over to the other side and vice versa. But there’s also balance in the universe and, while an “I” may strive wholeheartedly for equilibrium, contrasting and opposing views propel the change process forward. Without contrast there is no swing of the pendulum into action or reaction.
The Mystic View
For thousands of years, mystics have taught “we” are a single consciousness appearing as millions of individuals. Everyone is a unit having greater or lesser degrees of awareness. Why that is has many intriguing answers beyond the scope of this article. Yet each individual progresses on a chosen path while the single consciousness hums quietly in the background. It remains there until the day it lights up and changes the individual’s trajectory.
Quantum mechanics alludes to the same oneness of consciousness. It states the very essence of matter is more fluid and interconnected than classical physics would imply. This blurs the lines between distinct objects, suggesting that “separate” entities are, at some fundamental level, part of a broader, unified whole.
It goes even further in proposing who “we” are. One of the most striking features of quantum mechanics is entanglement, where two or more particles become linked. This is the state where one influences the state of the other, no matter how far apart they are. Entanglement challenges the traditional understanding of separateness in space and time. Entangled particles act as if they are part of a larger, unified system. This interdependence suggests everything may be fundamentally interconnected in ways that transcend space and time.
Who are “we”? Groups linked by individuals who, whether “I” know it or not, are part of a whole oneness. “We” come together, entangled by shared values and beliefs, while trying to do our best in life regardless of the contrasts “we” experience. What’s best? That remains to be seen. But I believe there’s an overriding force governing all permutations and, at the end of the day, the Universe is unfolding as it should and all will be well, despite the outward appearances.
“I” hope “we” will all get to that entangled realization sooner rather than later.
Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to
http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.
