View source for What It Actually Means to Become One with God

The desire to "become one" with the Absolute Truth is a dominant theme in many philosophical circles. However, the definition of this oneness differs vastly between the impersonalist and the devotee. The impersonalist seeks to merge into the existence of the Lord, extinguishing their individual identity. In contrast, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true oneness is not the loss of self, but the harmony of will. To become one with God means to align one's interest perfectly with His, retaining one's individuality to render eternal, loving service.

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=== Flaw of Merging ===

The Māyāvādī philosophers propose that liberation entails the complete cessation of individuality. They argue that just as a river merges into the ocean or the air within a pot merges with the sky when the pot breaks, the soul merges into the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda counters this by explaining that the soul is eternally individual. To destroy one's individuality is a kind of spiritual suicide. He notes that those who aspire to this "homogeneous" oneness often fall back to material activities because they cannot sustain a relationship with the Divine.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Mayavadi theory is that after liberation everyone becomes one, one lump sum... What is called? Homogeneous spirit. No. Then Krsna is false. The Mayavadi theory accepted, that we become one lump sum|The Mayavadi theory is that after liberation everyone becomes one, one lump sum... What is called? Homogeneous spirit. No. Then Krsna is false. The Mayavadi theory accepted, that we become one lump sum.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The theory of monism is very difficult to apply in this case (BG 2.24), because the individual soul is never expected to become one homogeneously. BG 1972 purports|The theory of monism is very difficult to apply in this case (BG 2.24), because the individual soul is never expected to become one homogeneously.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although Mayavadis may be honored at first as very learned scholars, ultimately they descend to physical activities of politics, social work, etc. Instead of becoming one with the Supreme Lord, they again become one with these material activities|Although Mayavadis may be honored at first as very learned scholars, ultimately they descend to physical activities of politics, social work, etc. Instead of becoming one with the Supreme Lord, they again become one with these material activities.]]

=== Oneness of Interest ===

The Vaiṣṇava understanding of "becoming one" is dynamic. It refers to the synchronization of desires. In the material world, everyone has their own separate interest, clashing with others. In the spiritual world, the devotee has no interest separate from Kṛṣṇa's interest. This unity of purpose is the perfection of existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as a family acts as one unit due to a shared affection, the devotee and the Lord become one in love.

* [[Vaniquotes:Oneness does not mean void, no. Oneness means when our interest becomes one. Real oneness means to be interested in Krsna. That is oneness. Other oneness will not stand|Oneness does not mean void, no. Oneness means when our interest becomes one. Real oneness means to be interested in Krsna. That is oneness. Other oneness will not stand.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You are all individual. It is not something material. We are all spirit soul, so we are all individual. But if our interest becomes one, then we merge into one. This is oneness|You are all individual. It is not something material. We are all spirit soul, so we are all individual. But if our interest becomes one, then we merge into one. This is oneness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The devotee does not see anything separate between his own interests and those of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Both interests become one, for the devotee does not act for a separate interest|The devotee does not see anything separate between his own interests and those of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Both interests become one, for the devotee does not act for a separate interest.]]

=== Green Bird Analogy ===

To illustrate the persistence of individuality, Śrīla Prabhupāda often uses the analogy of a green bird entering a green tree. To a distant observer, the bird seems to vanish and "become one" with the tree. However, the bird has not lost its identity; it has simply entered the tree to enjoy its fruits. Similarly, a liberated soul enters the spiritual atmosphere not to become void, but to engage in the varieties of service to the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:One can enter into the abode of the Supreme Lord in his individuality to engage in His association and render service unto Him. For instance, a green bird enters a green tree not to become one with the tree but to enjoy the fruits of the tree. BG 1972 p|One can enter into the abode of the Supreme Lord in his individuality to engage in His association and render service unto Him. For instance, a green bird enters a green tree not to become one with the tree but to enjoy the fruits of the tree.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When a green bird enters a green tree it does not become one with the tree: it retains its identity as a bird, although it appears to merge with the greenness of the tree|When a green bird enters a green tree it does not become one with the tree: it retains its identity as a bird, although it appears to merge with the greenness of the tree.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The desire to become one with God, if understood as merging, is ultimately an expression of envy—a desire to usurp the Lord's position. But if understood as surrender, it is the highest path. As Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies, Kṛṣṇa never says that we shall eventually become one in existence; He confirms that we are eternally individual. By giving up the separate interest of sense gratification and adopting the interest of Kṛṣṇa, one attains the true, eternal oneness of divine love.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Becoming_One|Becoming One]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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