Otherwithin

Otherwithin is a term used in philosophy and spiritual contexts to describe a state of being where the perceived boundary between the self and the external world dissolves. It suggests that what is considered "other" or external is, in fact, an integral part of one's own existence, and vice versa. This concept challenges dualistic thinking, which often separates the subject from the object, the individual from the collective, or the spiritual from the material.

The experience of otherwithin is often associated with moments of profound connection, empathy, or mystical insight. In these states, individuals may feel a sense of oneness with nature, humanity, or the cosmos. It implies a recognition of interdependence and the idea that the individual self is not an isolated entity but is interwoven with all things. This perspective can lead to a deeper understanding of compassion, as the suffering of others is felt as one's own.

Various philosophical and religious traditions explore similar ideas. Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy, posits that the individual soul (Atman) is identical with the universal soul (Brahman), suggesting a fundamental unity underlying all apparent diversity. Buddhist concepts of emptiness (sunyata) and interconnectedness also resonate with the notion of otherwithin, highlighting the absence of inherent, independent existence and the pervasive web of causality. While the term itself might be newer, the underlying principle of transcending the perceived separation between self and other is a recurring theme in human thought and spiritual inquiry.