A Sangha of Not-Two.
My partner and I reconnected two years ago after being lost to each other for 30 years. We've known since that moment that we are what others call "Twin Flames": a single soul expressing itself in two bodies. Last night as we were preparing to sleep, we had a simultaneous realization that finally cast that awareness in terms of our own spiritual path.
She said, "You know, I just realized that our relationship is a perfect expression of..."
I heard the final word in her mind and we both said in unison, "Advaita."
Since Advaita is the path we are both on, the realization was quite profound.
Here's a quick description of Advaita:
"Advaita" means nondual or "not two." This oneness is a fundamental quality of everything. Although everything in the world appears to be separate and different, it is all a part of and made of one nondual consciousness. Common analogies are the fingers on your hand, or waves on the ocean. Although they appear different - separate and unique - they all come from the same source. This one Being has an infinite number of expressions that we experience as separate objects - or people. The delicious paradox is that both the appearance of multiplicity and the underlying Oneness are true. If we think of reality as a coin, it cannot exist without these two sides.
The gift of our relationship has made it possible for us to experience this paradox directly. Our obvious differences allow each of us to offer our particular flavor to the other. Our inherent Oneness allows us to see the other as clearly we see ourselves. This awareness of "not two" flows naturally into all our actions and thoughts. It acts as a standing invitation to remember who we are, and as a constant reminder that we are participating with all of you in the divine dance of Lila: reality at play with itself.