What is meant by the concept of 'Separation'?

[Dward]

Could anyone tell me what is meant by the spiritual concept of 'separation'?

I understand the usage where consciousness acts as a container for everything so that nothing exists 'separate' or outside of consciousness.

However, I've often encountered the notion that human beings are souls that chose to separate from God because they were jealous of his/her power and wanted to create their own kingdom. So the world we see was not created by god, but by ourselves. God waits for us to give up the world and return to him.

Separation in this sense seems to tie in with the stories of the fall from the garden of Eden and of Lucifer the fallen angel. I like this idea a lot because it preserves God as 100% loving. On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that God has nothing to do with this world and that all of this started because I was jealous of God

Is there any truth to this concept? Maybe someone could recommend a book.

Thanks Guys

[lovingawareness]

There are many philosophies that teach that there is no separation. By this, it is not just that consciousness acts as a "container", but that truthfully there is no separation. You are the world. You are George Bush. You are every little cell in you and outside of you.

If you want a more Hindu tradition, then perhaps Advaita Vedanta is best, such as Ramana Maharishi. Since your writing seems to say Christian background, there have been Christian mystics as well such as Meister Eckhart.


Wrote a bit recently on this on my blog, actually :

Loving Awarenes: Breaking through the chains of identity

[Ernie]

Unconsciously we are united, consciously (not consciousness) we are separate because we have an ego always telling us such. For me the only sin is separation. In this third dimension man needs to objectify everything in order to understand it and so we have laws and more LAW! Unending objectification of the subjective sense of separation.

Western Christianity has moved from a diestic, She's (who is not a SHE) out there and no longer involved with us to a theistic He's still out there but from time to time we can coax Him (who not a HE) to combe out of the fourth dimension and intervene in this world.

We need to go beyond theism (one of my web sites- BeyondTheism.com) and into the reality that there is but ONE CONSCIOUSNESS and we are a part of that: a wave in the ocean or a ray light of the sun. But ONE WITH. Each of us is AS GOD.

And one day we'll return to the Source- the ground of our being that we really never left.

[Jennihul]

I love the Kabbalistic descriptions of separation.

I think separation isn't an actual physical separation but a perceived one. We think we are separate and that our actual purpose for existance is to re-discover oneness.

I also believe God/Source of all/The Universe is 100% love and knows nothing else. The rest of the spectrum is a manifestion of you and I and the rest of humanity. No demons. No devils. Just our minds.

I loved The Power of Kabbalah by Yehuda Berg.

Jennifer

[Ernie]

I agree that separation isn't physical because what we're talking about is consciousness, of which there is but ONE, and ALL that there is, is a part of that ONE. I can never be separate from that which I AM. One day we'll awaken and see clearly, but for now we see through the glass darkly.

[TheFlyingMan]

Another vote for loving awareness' blog here! Go read it, you won't be disappointed.

For the eastern (Taoist / Zen) interpretation, have a look at this:
What your ego is, Part 2: How it causes Separation and obstructs Compassion » Personal Development - The Urban Monk