“All that is here is elsewhere. What is not here is nowhere”
When I first encountered the captivating passage from the Yoga Spandakarika—“All that is here is elsewhere. What is not here is nowhere”—I found myself immersed in hours of contemplation. This passage had ignited a deep introspection that extended into many areas of my life. But what does this enigmatic phrase really mean?
Understanding the Principle: More Than Meets the Eye
Is the text reminding us of the concept of non-duality, the oneness that transcends apparent differences? Or is it nudging us towards acknowledging the interconnected web of existence that binds us all? Perhaps, it's guiding us to realize the complex, all-pervading nature of divine consciousness. While the interpretation can be multi-layered, the principle finds numerous practical applications in everyday life, especially when we find ourselves quick to judge or criticize others.
The Mirror of Judgment: Reflecting Our Inner World
One of the most challenging yet essential ways to apply this wisdom is when we're tempted to judge, reject, or criticize others. If you've ever found yourself reacting emotionally to someone else's behavior or traits, consider that the reason could be because you see a reflection of your own inner potentialities. Whether the reaction is positive or negative, the emotional charge serves as a clue to something resonant within your own psyche.
Take a moment to contemplate: what are the behaviors, qualities, or traits in others that trigger a strong emotional reaction within you? Could your emotional response be revealing your own potential for similar behavior, even if you choose not to act on it?
Self-Compassion as a Pathway to Empathy
The inability to find compassion or empathy for others can often be a mirror reflecting our intolerance for our own potential shortcomings. Recognizing and integrating these darker, unconscious aspects of our personality paves the way for personal growth and self-acceptance. In doing so, we cultivate the empathy needed to connect authentically with others.
Anecdotal Explorations
For instance, imagine finding out that a friend's spouse is having an affair. You're filled with disdain, categorizing them as morally corrupt. Is this judgment necessary to offer empathy or compassion to your friend? Or are we unconsciously distancing ourselves from a potential within us that we'd rather not acknowledge? The truth is, we're often creating this separation to soothe an inner unease that stems from knowing we, too, could be susceptible to similar shortcomings. Recognizing this doesn't condone the actions of the spouse, but it does highlight that under specific circumstances, we may also possess the potential for betrayal.
Tying It Back to the Principle
When we feel such a strong emotional reaction, it's an invitation to explore the depths of our own moral landscape. Are we entirely different from this person? Likely not. The possibility for betrayal exists in us all, under certain circumstances. Recognizing this uncomfortable truth helps us see that our judgments serve less as objective moral evaluations and more as windows into our own complexities.
While you may still hold firm that the act of the cheating spouse may remain morally indefensible, our strong reaction reveals our own vulnerabilities and potentialities. It becomes an opportunity to confront these darker aspects within, allowing for more authentic self-awareness and, ultimately, growth.
Suppose you know someone who recently experienced a rapid career rise or perhaps won a significant amount of money. You might feel a sense of injustice, thinking, "Why them? They didn't deserve it. I've worked harder and gotten nowhere."
In this scenario, the emotional charge may stem from feelings of envy or resentment rather than the recognition of a similar trait within yourself. You might think the individual hasn't "earned" their good fortune in the way that you believe one should. But let's delve deeper: could it be that your emotional reaction reveals a latent sense of entitlement or a belief that life's rewards should be distributed based on your own perceptions of fairness?
While you may never act on these feelings in a harmful way, recognizing them can be valuable. It's not so much that you possess a trait you find objectionable in the other person, but that your strong emotional response exposes your own beliefs about justice, fairness, and what you feel you're owed by the world. It serves as a mirror for your own desires and disappointments, making this an equally important area for self-reflection and growth.
Tying It Back to the Principle
This anecdote illustrates that even when we're not rejecting a behavior or trait that we possess, our judgments and emotional reactions can still teach us about our own inner world. Whether it's uncovering hidden beliefs or confronting our own sense of entitlement or injustice, the principle of "All that is here is elsewhere. What is not here is nowhere" holds true. It serves as a universal call for self-examination, urging us to confront the complexities of our own psyche as we navigate the world around us.
Confronting Our Inner Blind Spots
Acknowledging this potential within us can be unsettling yet liberating. It addresses a blind spot that only grows larger when ignored. While this recognition can be emotionally taxing, it holds the promise of enriching our lives through greater self-awareness and improved interpersonal relationships.
A Call for Continual Growth
The principle that "All that is here is elsewhere. What is not here is nowhere" serves as a call for humility, vigilance, and a continual striving for personal and ethical growth. As we navigate the complexities of human behavior and emotion, let's remember that understanding ourselves is the first step in understanding the world around us. Remember, Svadhyaya is not a journey of self-absorption but a practice of weaving our individuality into the intricate tapestry of collective existence.