A drop is falling into the ocean

Every drop of water maintains its individuality until it merges with the vastness of the ocean. Once it falls into the ocean, it loses its separate identity and becomes that. In a similar way, I am known as “so & so” until I discover the true self. But once I realize the true Self, I become That and cease to be “so & so.”

Just as a drop of water is minuscule compared to the vastness of the ocean, consciousness within a physical body is inherently limited. All other faculties, such as the mind, operate within this limited scope. However, as time passes, consciousness expands and eventually realizes the true self. From this point, faculties like the mind begin to operate at an expanded scope.

All our faculties are always fully capable, but they simply operate at the level of our consciousness. When our consciousness is limited, our behavior is more personal and specific to our individual body or whatever scope. However, as our consciousness expands, our behavior becomes impersonal from the perspective of the body and aligns with the universe.

Enlightened individuals exhibit similar behaviors, such as being present in the moment, showing unconditional love, and embodying unwavering peace. However, the expression of these behaviors may vary based on the circumstances and experiences of their lives. For example, the actions of Krishna differ from those of Rama, Jesus, Mohammed, or Ramana Maharshi. They are dynamic and responsive to the situations they encounter, never static like mere followers. This is why I believe that religions should focus on guiding individuals towards realizing the true self, rather than prescribing specific actions.

Even though the constituents in a drop of water are the same as those in the ocean, the ocean has the capacity to do so much more than a single drop. Similarly, a person with limited consciousness may only be able to move their own body, but with expanded consciousness, they can influence and impact the lives of millions of people.