Wholeness vs. Holiness

These babies are totally innocent to the world of separation that will begin for them in a few years.  

This is what, we, as adults, are trying to learn: to love one another, no matter the race, color, creed.

You see, we have forgotten, this most basic of human tendencies.

We've forgotten because of our worldly "gains." And now, the greatest challenge for all of us...whether we claim to be liberal, conservative, politically correct, spiritual, and/or religious ...is simply to live with love in our hearts for others, especially those who look different from ourselves. The world we now live in is skewed for separation  So,  while we may be born "pure in spirit," the world pollutes our Souls with its "crap." To get to Holiness then becomes a lifetime goal and only attainable by those marked for sainthood. Or, so it seems.

Holiness is a practice that requires us to be conscious minute by minute of our thoughts, words and actions. Not only are we required to be conscious, but we are required to be so deliberate in our actions that we do not cause harm to another Soul in our thoughts, words and deeds.

When compared to Holiness, Wholeness then becomes an 
easy-to-attain goal. 

My definition of Wholeness: A feeling of such completeness within ourselves that we need no outside validation of our worth.   

If you read "The Four Agreement," by don Miguel Ruiz  you'd support his thesis that we come into the world pure in our orientation towards others, like those babies above. But increasingly, we're taught about our walk through the world by our environment, culture, families and all the other myriad forces penetrating our conscious mind on a daily basis. The main thing we learn as we grow into the world is that if something is different...then, it's separate from us, and we must fear, or discard it, at all costs.

Age by age, we learn something new about differences and how separate we are from each other. Ignorance and racism are two of the greatest breeders of separation among us as people and truly challenge our ability to love others as ourselves.

Xenophobia: fear of what is perceived to be different or strange. Due to a lack of exposure to different cultures, some people have such a limited and skewed view of the world, they become scared of anyone of a different race, religion and creed. These folks have no awareness that a world beyond their view and beliefs really is thriving beyond their consciousness.

Racism: prejudice, discrimination or antagonism directed against someone of different race, believing that one's own race is superior. 

Ethnocentrism: judgment of another culture based solely on the values and standards of our own, believing that ours is superior.  

Ego-centrism: belief that oneself is the center of all things. 

Egotism: preoccupation with one's ego or self to the total exclusion of others and their needs .

This and the following two photos: Credit-Sociedad Argentina de Horticultura

The interesting part of Wholeness is that these five traits can remain intact in our evolution to becoming "whole," but Holiness is a different matter.
Note: Greenery, water, mountains: all different. But the differences highlight and create objects of pure beauty and majesty!

• There's no way to Holiness but through the breaking down of barriers of separation.

• There's no way to Holiness but through the recognition that every person is an extension of ourselves.

• There is no way to Holiness but through tolerance, patience and love for all of God's creations.

Holiness is a great and tremendous ambition.

    Is Holiness attainable?

This truly is a question for God.

But what I know for sure is that as we strive to get to Wholeness, and we begin to connect more and more to the spirit within us, our view of the world takes on a different flavor.

We begin to see things and people in ways we never before could have imagined.

We become repulsed by behaviors and patterns that may have been our own. (See this Superbowl ad :"Message for Drunk Drivers")


There are degrees of Holiness we can aspire to in our lives. Rather than trying to be another Jesus, Buddha,  Muhammad, or any of the saints, we can achieve our own levels of Holiness by becoming the best person we're capable of being for the specific purpose for which we've been called in this life. We know our purpose by recognizing, acknowledging and appreciating our gifts, talents and tendencies.  

(Do you have a deep need to share your wisdom with other? Then, you may be a great teacher.  Do you have a deep need to explore and build? Then, you may fulfill your purpose in a variety of fields that call for these skills. Some people find their purpose way beyond the "age of consent." Some grandparents find that they truly love the nurturing, caring and pampering of their grandkids and find their stride later in life by giving and being a loving presence for these younger, growing Souls.)   

Not everyone was called to sainthood or is qualified for sainthood.

Photo Credit: "The Other 98%"

What we are called to be each day in each way is giving the best of what we're capable.
People believe that by doing good acts, somehow, they will reach a certain level of purity. But,
we should examine every "good thing" we do, to uncover our motivation for doing it. Do we do "good" for the ego blast that we get , or is it a deep-down Soul response to truly reaching out to another in pure love?

Two verses from Matthew Chapter 6 come to mind here:

"But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." Matthew 6:3

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." Matthew 6: 5 

For the answer to your truth about "doing good," dig deep into your Soul.

The best way to keep a steady balance between your search for Wholeness and Holiness is to:

Pause in each moment before taking an action
Ask whether the action benefits you only, or others as well.
If only you would be the beneficiary, think again!
If only you would benefit, but others would not be harmed: Go for it!
If only you would benefit, and others would be harmed: Cancel it!

Doing the next right thing in each action that you take, ultimately, will lead you to
a level of holiness in your life.

If you don't achieve sainthood, at least you would have achieved an enviable condition:
Peace.

This basket of Easter Eggs, each different colors, is a reflection of our world
Different hues and colors but one, in a basket, like our world, and in the eyes of God.

Happy Easter!

Namaste',
Che'