A reflection of ourSelf

This article reflects the view and understanding of the author at the time of drafting this article. Drafted March 2023; published July 2025

This article is inspired by Mother Nature. Recently, the author had a walk after it rained, and saw puddles of rainwater here and there.

Passing one of these puddles, the author observed some reflections in the water, and it brought about a reminder of life and ourSelf.

The puddle of water had a clear reflection. It reflected the blue sky, trees, and their branches. Observing the water puddle for a while, it is as if a world exists within it. Clouds moving, birds flying, leaves blowing, etc. 

Easily, one can get absorbed in this play and may even forget that it is just a reflection!

However, when we look closely and pay attention, we see and remember that it is only water. We know that there is no world existing in the puddle. The appearance is only made of water. Transparent, colorless, shapeless water.

Reflections

Now, we can apply the same understanding to our lives and day-to-day experiences.

We see a world with people, trees, animals, and living beings. At first, it appears that it is something real and solid. We have aversions towards certain things, and we feel attracted to others. Desires and attachments arise. 

Yet, when we observe with wisdom, we realize that it is only a reflection. A reflection of ourSelf.

Another way of putting it is: When we look closely at the world, we realize that there is only God, nothing else. We see God living in and through everything.

Or, we can conclude that all these appearances are actually consciousness and only consciousness. Just like water, consciousness is shapeless and colorless. Consciousness is ungraspable by the mind and cannot be objectified by the mind. Yet, it has the power to take on any colour and shape, and these can become objects within the mind.

One without a second

Coming back to the puddle of water, even when we realize that the reflection is only water, the reflection still appears. It does not disappear once we confirm that it is just water.

The same happens to the appearance of the world. Once we see what it really is, it does not mean that the appearance stops. The appearance continues, but we do not mistake it for something separate from ourSelf.

Once we acknowledge that the snake is actually a rope, we cannot unsee the rope. 

Seeing with wisdom only comes after looking within. After looking within and realizing who we are, we are no longer tricked by the appearance of the world. We know that what we see in the world, is the very same as what is within us, or who and what we are.

Our True Nature is reflected everywhere. There is only One without a second.

Related articles on this blog:

A beautiful paradox - 28 December 2022
A pointer inwards - 30 November 2022

My devotion, my service - 22 September 2022