Each man is god, each woman a goddess, because only God exists.

This quote holds deep significance and contains the essence of many spiritual teachings that see the divine in all of existence. The idea that “Each man is god, each woman a goddess, because only God exists” is a way of expressing the non-dualistic perspective that underpins the oneness of all beings.

In many spiritual traditions, particularly those influenced by Advaita Vedanta and other teachings from India, there is the notion that the individual self (atman) and the universal self (Brahman) are one and the same. The separation we experience is an illusion – a veil called Maya – in Sanskrit.

The recognition of oneself as God, or as part of God, is not about the ego or the personal self asserting its importance, but rather about the dissolution of the ego to recognise the divine essence within. You, I, everyone – we are all manifestations of the same divine energy. We are waves in the ocean of existence, unique in form for a fleeting moment before returning to the unity of the ocean.

Understanding this idea, our interactions with others take on a profound spiritual significance. If we treat each person we meet as if they were God, we act with more compassion, respect, and love. It is a radical idea that has the power to transform how society functions, grounding our actions and relationships in the deepest respect for life.

To expand on this, one begins with self-inquiry, the constant, penetrating question of “Who am I?” Through meditation, contemplation, and mindfulness, we peel away the layers of identity that we have constructed – our names, our jobs, our roles, our achievements – and get closer to the core of our being. In doing so, we may find that there is no boundary between self and other, between man, woman, and the rest of creation; there is just one field of consciousness, dancing in myriad forms.

Understand that this notion isn’t just a philosophical musing; it has the potency to transform your life from a series of reactions to the unfolding of a conscious dance. When you embody this truth, you no longer feel the need to compete or compare, as you are complete unto yourself.

Imagine a world where each person recognises the other as a reflection of the divine. How would it change the way you speak, act, and think?

In embracing this, remember that realisation is not an intellectual exercise. It must be lived, must be felt, must be experienced. It is through your compassion, your silence, your joy, and your being that the divine is recognised.

As you walk the path of life, let this realisation not inflate your ego but dissolve it, allowing the totality of your divine nature to guide you in every moment.