Spirituality, or what goes for it, has taken another “I, me, mine” turn. Now, we hear about things like attracting to “me” what “I” want and being whatever “I” want to be. This is the old religion of “me-ism,” in modernism called “humanism.” This lack of reference to Grace can manifest a basic ignorance, as one slides into the faddish “i-ism” of “I can do it myself,” or hubris, that old problem called pride, or both.

Fundamentally speaking, we are each a dependent being. Separateness is an illusion. Each thing is interrelated and interdependent; and this runs the gamut from the cosmos to our bodies, and each part of our bodies. Religion and science agree on this.

In Hinduism and Buddhism is the net of Indra. This net signifies the cosmic interpenetration. Far away in the heavenly land of Indra is a wonderful net, the story goes, that has been hung by an artist in such a way the net extends infinitely in all directions. The artist has hung a glittering jewel in each “eye” of the net. The jewels, then, like the net, are infinite in number. The jewels hang, shining like the brightest of stars. And in each jewel, when looked at closely, is seen all the other infinite jewels. Each jewel, likewise, reflected in the shining surface of this one jewel, reflects all other jewels. So, each jewel reflects the infinity of jewels.

Likewise, in Buddhism is the concept “Inter-Being.” This speaks of our mutual-reliance. I am, for you are; you are, for I am.

Christianity has two symbols for this mystically natural unity. First, is the cross. The cross extends infinitely in the four directions. Also, the Body of Christ is a sign of this interpenetration of all persons, all Nature ~ seen and unseen.

Therefore, there is no absolute self-reliance. Even our self-assertion is netted in the fabric of a potentially infinite array of prior and present causative conditions.

Self-initiation proceeds best from a gratefulness for how what we do is prepared for, linked with, and to be a blessing to so many other persons and factors. Just imagine the interdependence within the eyes allowing you to read this writing now. A complex array of parts are working in consort. This diversity working in synchronicity entails the cooperation of an estimated 6 billion cells.

By understanding this interconnection, we are more likely to keep growing as compassionate beings, and also responsible to others and the earth and environment. A Jewish story tells of a man who began boring a hole under his seat on the boat. Other passengers asked him what he was doing. He said, “What do you care? Am I not boring under my own seat?” We are as interdependent as those passengers. What you and I do matters to everyone else; what they do matters to us. We're all in the same boat.