You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop.
Rumi
Once upon a time, in the vastness of space, there existed a very young planet. Far removed from its central sun, its surface was barren with virtually no signs of life. At first glance, it would have been easy to dismiss this planet as unremarkable. In actuality, however, this planet was literally teeming with life force within its great ocean that covered much of the planet. This immense body of water was not only conscious of itself—it was intelligent. As it was the source of all water on this youthful planet, it simply referred to itself as “Source.”
For as long as could be remembered, Source had lived in complete balance and blissful Oneness. Its ever-present experience was one of divine harmony and tranquility. This reality had always been assumed and never questioned, for what more could have been desired? It was simply the way things were and had always been—until they were not—until that fateful day that would forever change not only the planet at large, but also Source itself.
It all began one auspicious morning when Source entertained a series of profound thoughts. Radical in their implications, they centered on an entirely new concept that had never before been considered. What would happen if tiny fragments of Source were separated from the whole, allowing each to have an experience that was independent from Source? And what would Source’s experience be when those fragments returned to once again rejoin the Whole? There were so many fascinating potentials!
What would the experience of these separate pieces of Source be if they could come together to form their own bodies of water—on the surface—and attempt to function in harmony as a smaller version of Source? What if these drops from the greater ocean could cluster together on land as “freshwater” and create what might later be known as rivers, lakes, and streams? In this rapidly expanding vision, Source imagined freshwater giving birth to a limitless variety of plant species whose beautiful colors could be astounding. Beyond plants, Source envisioned creatures, of every size and shape imaginable, that this water could nourish and give rise to.
Source was so excited! Filled with a burning desire to bring this creation of limitless possibilities to life, Source toiled relentlessly to sketch the details for how such a bold experiment might unfold. It was an incredibly complex undertaking, requiring much planning and thought, but Source persevered, never losing sight of the vision.
The day finally arrived when Source’s plan was complete. Now it was time to present this grand plan to the countless molecules that made up the global ocean. A call went forth to All and rumors were rampant as news of a great gathering spread, for in fact, such an assembly had never before taken place. As the time ultimately arrived to come together, the excitement and intrigue were palpable.
As Source began laying out the details for creating this paradigm-shifting experiment, the tiny molecules were fascinated by this radical concept of separation from Source. Many were bouncing around with intoxicated giddiness, enthusiastic about this new possibility. Others were joyfully anticipating the sheer adventure of such an intriguing undertaking.
“But wait,” shouted one molecule above the din of the crowd. “Aren’t we forgetting something? How will we actually separate from the whole? How can that possibly happen?”
There was an immediate deafening silence as the difficult logistics of this proposed experiment settled upon the gathering. And for a moment, the enthusiasm was markedly dampened.
Source paused for a few moments as though stumped, and then playfully smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ve come up with a plan that I’m confident will work. As most of you know, we currently have a very small sun in our solar system. Ever since the inception of this new idea, I’ve been in negotiations with our sun and the great news is that it wants to experiment with a change as well. It wants to experience itself as a much larger ball of heated gas. I was overjoyed to hear this news for a hotter sun will allow our experiment to unfold as well! The increased heat will warm those of you who move to our surface and provide you with a radicala transformation—to water vapor.”
A gasp swept across the multitudes. Water vapor? Had Source lost its mind? Questions were now coming from all directions!
“What’s water vapor? What will it be like to be separated in this way? Will we still be who we are and be aware of our thoughts?” The previous jubilation was rapidly dissipating, with many experiencing the uneasiness of anxiety for the first time ever.
“One question at a time please,” said Source, chuckling with delight at their inquisitiveness. “Without getting into the chemistry of it, a process called evaporation will transform you into water vapor. It’s a totally painless process to move from a state of Oneness to an experience of yourself as one drop of water.”
Source patiently continued, “As the sun warms our surface, you’ll first transform into water vapor and then rise into the air, far above our current home. Once cooler air is reached, the particles of water vapor will cluster together to form what will be called clouds. Eventually the tiny particles become so heavy that an individual raindrop is formed—a new and very different version of you—and due to a force called gravity, you will begin your downward descent toward the surface of “land.” At that point, your individual journey will have begun.”
“What in the world is land” came a chorus of replies?
“Oh dear, that’s a very difficult concept to explain because it is so very different than what you know as water. I’m sorry, but I have no way of explaining something that is totally outside of your present experience. However, I can tell you this: the essence that you are can never perish or be threatened.
“But will we still be able to have thoughts?”
“Oh absolutely! You will be conscious just as you are now, but of course, you will be having a very different experience than your current one. I honestly cannot tell you what it will be like, for as you know, this has never been done before. There will undoubtedly be many obstacles and challenges. Colliding with other raindrops, picking up pollutants in your journey, touching down in places where you will quickly evaporate and have a very short experience—all these things are very real possibilities. I will not sugarcoat it for you. There are many unknowns for those of you who would undertake this venture.
“But here is the most difficult part of all—you will very likely forget what you truly are—a part of Source—a part of it All. It will be very easy in your forgetfulness to feel alone and separate, for your experience as separate will make it hard to see beyond that illusion. Although hard to imagine at this moment, you will initially believe that you are the drop of water, rather than a piece of Source. Moreover, many of you may never remember and that is likely to cause confusion, fear, and at times, great sadness.
“However, can you imagine the wonder of this adventure and how much you will have to share upon your return? All who stay back will be eagerly awaiting your return so that the wisdom gained from your experience can be shared with the Whole. Your willingness and courage will be a great gift to All.”
This was too much, too fast. Ripples of anxiety were now spreading among the masses. For the first time ever, the molecules felt the emotion of fear. For all of eternity, there had only been security and safety within Source. If they said, “yes” to this plan, the security they had always taken for granted would no longer be assured.
“But how will we find our way back Home?” one frightened molecule asked.
There was a prolonged silence. Separation had never before taken place. No one, not even Source, who knew all that was known at the time, could give an answer to this question.
“I can’t answer that because each journey will be unique. However, please know that you will make it back, for all pathways lead back to Oneness,” said Source with assurance.
“This is very important to remember. As a single raindrop, you will be chemically and energetically identical in every aspect to Source. That is the miracle of this plan! There is nothing that exists in Source that will not exist in you, for you are a part of it all. You will not be a drop in the ocean, but rather the ocean in a drop. Because of this, the remembrance of Home that is embedded within your chemical structure will propel you to make your way back to rejoin with the whole. The memory of Wholeness is seeded within you, for it is your very nature. Because of that, even in your separateness, you will seek that loving connectedness. Love is your truest nature and like a beacon, it will guide you back Home. Know and remember that I am you—you are me—we are One. Please try not to forget that!
“Yet, there will be times when you scream out in frustration, ‘Who did this to me?’ Of course, no one did, for you will have chosen the experience, but you will have forgotten having done so. It will be a bigger test than you can now appreciate, for the mirage of separateness will tug at you and draw you into a false reality. The illusion that you are separate will seem very real.
“Then why in the world would any of us want to put ourselves through that,” said a molecule sarcastically?
“In my grandest vision I see you re-creating on the land’s surface, the very Wholeness that you now experience. One drop of water will be very limited in the new world, but drops that join together will create possibilities that cannot yet be imagined. By joining with others, you can move beyond the limitations of ‘I’ to the power contained in ‘We.’ Re-creating wholeness, while being separate from the Whole, is the experiment and the plan.”
As Source paused, the angst was intense. Within each molecule, fear and excitement were engaged in an epic struggle. Source would not have been surprised had no one stepped forward to embrace the great experiment for it would have been understandable. Leaving the familiar presence of Wholeness for the unknown entailed considerable risk.
“This is not an experiment that has to happen. My vision began with a creative thought that is wonderfully full of potential, but none of you are obligated to make it a reality. You always have choice.”
Again there was a very long and sustained silence. Uncertainty filled the air as each molecule calculated its future destiny and desires. Finally, there was a rustle from the back of the throng as one very determined molecule made its way to the front and said in a tiny but courageous voice, “I’ll go.”
“Well you’re not going without me,” said a second!
“Hey, you’re not leaving me behind!” exclaimed a third.
And one by one, the desire to expand the knowledge and experience of Source through temporary separation spread like wildfire as millions called out with their desire to experience this new adventure. With curiosity ablaze and desire overcoming fear, legions were saying “yes.”
Source was enormously pleased. “Words do not exist that would do justice to the gratitude I have for your courage and your gift of service. You will be welcomed as heroes upon your return. Thank you!”
And so it was. The great sun went about its work of expansion and grandest experiment of all time began. Source could only imagine the surprise and wonder that awaited each drop as it was birthed into its experience as an individual drop of water. Each would have its own awareness, its own unique experience, and its own path back Home.
For an eternity, there had only been the Whole. It was a glorious adventure.
~~~~~~~~
Dear friends, we are those individual raindrops, often feeling alone and separate in our journey as humans on this earth. Yet, just as the chemistry of the entire ocean is contained in a single drop of its water, so the Source of which we are a part is contained within each of us. Our return Home awaits us, but our human journey offers us the opportunity to re-create that Wholeness within our current lives through Love.
Every life counts and like a stone tossed into the water, our actions create ripples that move across the lake, touching all with whom we come into contact. The Love of Source resides within us all. Our greatest human challenge is to claim that we are Love and to express the Love that we are consistently.
It’s hard, but it’s not impossible. Every moment counts and every interaction matters. Be the miracle!
by Steven Smith