To understand what is meant by turning inward, we first need some context around this kind of knowledge. ### Ancient Wisdom Schools Various wisdom schools discuss these concepts, such as Hermeticism in Western cultures, Yoga philosophy in India, Qi Gong in China, Zen in Japan, Mayan philosophy in Latin America, and many more. All over the world, ancient civilizations were engaged with this knowledge, which was generally perceived not to be for the average public. So it remained hidden ("occult" in Latin) in closed circles for a small group of people (which is the definition of esoteric), with various local traditions around them. A lot has been written about these topics since these ancient civilizations were wiped out. The knowledge has been passed on through countless books, mostly speaking in symbolism that requires initiation to fully understand. ### The Good and Bad Side of the Internet The internet has played a major role in connecting researchers of this symbolism, helping each other further their understanding without being part of any secret society. This, of course, also means that a lot of nonsense circulates around these topics, heavily muddying the waters. Countless charlatans and scam artists have taken parts of this knowledge and manipulated it for personal gains, so it takes a trained eye to discern the truth. There may also be a coordinated effort to sow confusion around this knowledge, but this book will not delve into conspiracy theories because it’s unnecessary. We’ll discuss this later on. Right now, I will present my synthesis of knowledge about what it means to be connected with everything. I will explain it in my own words because, in a way, all these wisdom teachings are saying the same thing. I’ve selected these words carefully to avoid triggering any dogmatic belief systems. My aim is to make my explanations as unifying as possible. ### The Layers of an Onion A good way to approach this question is through a layered model, similar to an onion. Peeling away each layer of existence brings you closer to the core, where everything grows from—"The Source." This is considered divine, cosmic, or universal consciousness, the formless absolute. This is what everyone refers to when they say we’re all one or we’re all connected because, at the deepest levels of our existence, we truly are. #### The Outer Layer As we move through the layers of the onion, the different planes of existence become increasingly fragmented. Things seem more disconnected, with the physical plane, including our physical body, being the most fragmented experience. However, these physical things are simply fragmented expressions of the same core level of existence. We experience it as if everything is separate. #### The Core But in reality, everything is a unique expression of the same core or source. In this book, I’ve chosen to use the word "Source" to describe this formless level of existence. However, there are many different terms people use, such as Cosmic Consciousness, Cosmic Intelligence, The Original Spirit, or God. I chose "Source" because it is short and least likely to conflict with someone’s belief system. ### Unique in Appearance, Unified in the Core On the physical plane, we are all unique, with our own identities and experiences of reality. Everyone has their challenges to grow through and heal. One should take care of their physical body to render it a more perfect instrument, through which they can also experience the deeper levels. This is my attempt to provide the most concise answer to the question of how everything is connected. We will refer to the onion model and build upon it more in the coming chapters, making it easier to explain these concepts comprehensively. Let’s start with [[How Source Expresses Itself Through Us]].