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The notion that all these fragments are separately existent is evidently an illusion, and this illusion cannot do other than lead to endless conflict and confusion. Indeed, the attempt to live according to the notion that the fragments are really separate is, in essence, what has led to the growing series of extremely urgent crises that is confronting us today. Thus, as is now well known, this way of life has brought about pollution, destruction of the balance of nature, over-population, world-wide economic and political disorder and the creation of an overall environment that is neither physically nor mentally healthy for most of the people who live in it. Individually there has developed a widespread feeling of helplessness and despair, in the face of what seems to be an overwhelming mass of disparate social forces, going beyond the control and even the comprehension of the human beings who are caught up in it.

David Bohm#12

RealitySocietyCrisisSeparationUnityWar

About this quote

What does it mean?
Believing fragments are separate creates an illusion leading to conflict and crises like pollution and despair, while wholeness is the reality.
In plain terms
Thinking we are separate causes conflict and harm, while wholeness is real.
What can you take from it?
Recognize separation as an illusion that drives conflict and harm.

Where it applies

  • social reform
  • conflict resolution
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • foster unity
  • address root causes of conflict

Questions to consider

  • How does separation affect your life?
  • What unifies you with others?

Another view

Physical separation exists even if spiritual unity is the goal.

More from David Bohm

  1. In relativity, movement is continuous, causally determinate and well defined, while in quantum mechanics it is discontinuous, not causally determinate and not …

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  2. For both the rich and the poor, life is dominated by an ever growing current of problems, most of which seem to have no real and lasting solution. Clearly we h…

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  3. The quantum theory, as it is now constituted, presents us with a very great challenge, if we are at all interested in such a venture, for in quantum physics th…

    Permalink to quote #10

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