Einstein on Optical Illusion of Separateness

While doing research on the definitions of the ego mind, I ran across this quote from Albert Einstein that really resonates with me. The reason that I say this is this dovetails into the concept of “Being” awake. When one is “Being” awake, one is open to the many, sometimes unseen opportunities that the universe allows us through the notion we call serendipity.

I’m reminded that we must also “Be” awake to say no. And the reason that I say this is as I write this, I’m reminded of a number of occasions this week where I have turned down work that certainly wasn’t out of my experience, it was just out of my niche.

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us “the universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical illusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening the circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” – Albert Einstein