Introduction
In this enlightening conversation, Aasaan M. Senthamizhan explores the profound ideas of pluralism, diversity, uniformity, singularity, and oneness. While modern society increasingly pushes people toward standardization, conformity, and dependence on institutions, Aasaan challenges us to rethink these assumptions and reconnect with the natural diversity inherent in creation.
The discussion examines how human beings are not singular entities but living expressions of countless thoughts, emotions, experiences, and possibilities. Aasaan argues that true harmony is not achieved through sameness or duplication but through the recognition and acceptance of diversity.
At the heart of the conversation lies an important message: life is meant to express plurality while moving toward oneness. Understanding this relationship helps us live more authentically, creatively, and harmoniously.
Key Insights from the Conversation
1. Nothing in Creation Is Truly Singular
Aasaan begins by questioning the very idea of singularity.
While we often describe a person as a “single individual,” he argues that this applies only to the physical body.
A human being contains:
- Countless thoughts
- Multiple emotions
- Diverse experiences
- Constantly changing ideas
Therefore, no person is truly singular.
The mind itself is a continuous process of generating, nurturing, and discarding ideas. Human existence is fundamentally pluralistic.
2. Knowledge Naturally Leads Toward Plurality
According to Aasaan, the very nature of learning moves people away from singularity.
Knowledge involves:
- Gathering perspectives
- Understanding different realities
- Integrating multiple viewpoints
For this reason, knowledge itself opposes the idea of singularity.
The more a person genuinely learns, the more they become aware of the vast diversity that exists within themselves and the world.
3. We Must Understand Creation Through Diversity
Aasaan emphasizes that diversity is not an accident but an essential aspect of creation.
If we see ourselves as creations of the Divine, we must recognize that:
- Diversity exists within us.
- Diversity exists between us.
- Diversity exists throughout nature.
Human thoughts, emotions, and experiences are naturally diverse.
Trying to reduce life into a single pattern goes against the way creation itself functions.
4. Unity Is Not the Same as Singularity
One of the most important distinctions in the conversation is between being single and being unified.
Aasaan explains:
- Singularity implies isolation.
- Unity implies harmony among many elements.
A group of people may possess different:
- Personalities
- Knowledge
- Emotions
- Experiences
Yet still become united through a common purpose.
This shared purpose creates order and stability.
Similarly, an individual becomes unified when thoughts, knowledge, and emotions align toward a meaningful goal.
5. Understanding Oneness
A central teaching of the discussion is the concept of Oneness.
Aasaan describes oneness as the state in which:
- Mind becomes harmonious.
- Knowledge becomes organized.
- Emotions become balanced.
Oneness is not singularity.
Rather, it is the harmonious integration of diversity.
According to Aasaan, when a person enters the state of oneness, they become capable of perceiving the deeper truths of existence.
6. The Microcosm Reflects the Universe
Drawing from traditional Tamil wisdom, Aasaan explains that the universe can be understood through even the smallest manifestations of life.
Examples include:
- Understanding the five elements through a butterfly.
- Understanding motion through human breathing.
- Understanding creation through bodily processes.
This reflects the ancient idea that:
By understanding ourselves, we begin to understand creation itself.
7. Uniformity Is Often Misunderstood
Aasaan presents a powerful critique of modern notions of uniformity.
He argues that what institutions commonly call “uniformity” is often nothing more than duplication.
For example:
- Students wear identical uniforms.
- Workers wear identical costumes.
- Systems encourage standardized behavior.
Yet people remain fundamentally different.
Their needs, talents, strengths, struggles, and personalities cannot be standardized.
Simply dressing everyone the same does not eliminate inequality or create genuine unity.
8. True Uniformity Means Equal Acceptance of Diversity
According to Aasaan, real uniformity does not mean making everyone look, think, or behave the same.
True uniformity means:
- Accepting different colors equally.
- Accepting different textures equally.
- Accepting different perspectives equally.
- Accepting diversity without discrimination.
When all forms of diversity are respected equally, genuine uniformity emerges.
9. Pluralism Requires Understanding Contradictions
Aasaan connects this discussion to themes explored in earlier lessons, particularly contradiction.
Pluralism requires the capacity to:
- Accept differences.
- Understand opposing viewpoints.
- Live harmoniously with contradictions.
True growth occurs when we seek truth through engagement with diverse perspectives rather than attempting to eliminate differences.
10. Oneness Is Our Origin and Destination
One of the most profound statements in the discussion concerns humanity’s relationship with oneness.
According to Aasaan:
- All beings emerge from one source.
- All beings ultimately return to that source.
He explains that oneness is both:
- The origin of life.
- The destination of life.
However, oneness is not something reserved for the future.
It can be experienced during life through the acceptance of diversity, contradiction, and plurality.
11. The Danger of Duplication
Aasaan warns against becoming attached to systems of duplication that imitate uniformity without truly embracing diversity.
He argues that institutional structures often encourage people to:
- Think similarly.
- Behave similarly.
- Conform mechanically.
Such duplication suppresses creativity and individuality.
To truly understand pluralism, one must first recognize and move beyond these artificial forms of uniformity.
Memorable Quotes
Conclusion
This conversation challenges many deeply held assumptions about individuality, society, and human nature.
Aasaan invites us to move beyond simplistic ideas of singular identity and recognize the immense diversity that exists within every human being. He distinguishes between singularity and unity, revealing that true harmony emerges not from sameness but from the integration of differences.
The discussion also exposes the limitations of institutional notions of uniformity, arguing that genuine equality is achieved not through duplication but through the acceptance and celebration of diversity.
Ultimately, the lesson points toward a profound truth:
Plurality and diversity are not obstacles to unity. They are the very pathways through which oneness is realized.
By understanding ourselves, embracing our contradictions, respecting diversity, and seeking harmony within and around us, we move closer to the source from which we came and the oneness to which we ultimately return.
Full Transcript
Lavanya
Welcome everyone.
We are here again for another short session.
The subject that we are going to talk about today is Pluralism.
Similar to the other subjects that we have discussed, this is also a very broad and important topic.
I am here with Aasan at Semmai Vanam.
From what I understand from your teachings, human life should reflect pluralism. It should express diverse talents. This is what Ammai-Appan, the Supreme, desires for us.
But today society and our lifestyle push us towards similarity and uniformity.
It happens at every level and in every aspect:
- Schools
- Education
- Jobs
- Food
- Society
- Social roles
We can list many more.
Also, society has become increasingly dependent on governments, organizations, and influential people.
What I would like to understand today is:
What does pluralism really mean?
Why is it important and necessary in our lives?
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
I’m going to come to everyone.
There are a few terms we need to mention before discussing this idea.
Singularity.
Plurality.
Diversity.
Uniformity.
And so on.
I think I should start with the term singular.
Single means there is only one.
It doesn’t have duality.
Am I right?
When something is called singular, it means it doesn’t have another side, another version.
Do you believe such singular things truly exist in this world?
Nothing is single.
Everything possesses duality and diversity within it.
Who is single?
Nobody.
If a person is called single, it is actually a mistaken idea.
Nobody is truly single.
The term single merely denotes the body’s singularity.
The body may be singular.
If a man or woman is called single, that refers only to the body.
Not the mind.
Not knowledge.
Not emotion.
The mind is filled with innumerable ideas.
Nobody possesses singular knowledge.
Knowledge itself opposes singularity.
The process of gaining, gathering, and understanding knowledge moves people toward plurality.
Nobody is single in mind.
Nobody is single in knowledge.
Nobody is single in emotions.
So how can we call someone truly single?
As I mentioned earlier, the term denotes only bodily singularity.
If that is the case, everyone is single.
It becomes a meaningless statement.
Therefore, one must understand creation through its diversity.
If you accept yourself as a created particle of God, you will never consider yourself a single person.
Within your mind, countless ideas arise.
Some ideas you destroy.
Some ideas you nurture.
Some ideas you feed.
This is a continuous and perpetual process.
The same is true for emotions.
They constantly seek reactions, actions, approvals, and refusals.
Thus, mind, knowledge, and emotion communicate a truth:
Nothing is single.
Nothing possesses singularity.
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
Now let us come to the real world.
You are not single.
You are unified.
Unity, universe, and similar terms consolidate singularities, pluralities, and diversities into one form.
When innumerable diversities and pluralities organize themselves into a sustainable order, a living order is created.
Consider thousands of people gathered around one cause.
Each person possesses:
- Different emotions
- Different knowledge
- Different mental states
Yet they all stand for one purpose.
That purpose forms an order.
That order becomes stable and self-sustaining.
Such a gathering is united.
That is unity.
Likewise, as a person, you should learn how to unify your:
- Ideas
- Mind
- Knowledge
- Emotions
If these are organized toward one meaningful purpose, then you become unified.
You are not single.
You are unified.
The words “uni” and “single” may appear similar, but they are very different.
What joins them together is Oneness.
Oneness creates a bridge between singularity and unity.
As a person, one must identify one’s own oneness.
Lavanya
What exactly is oneness?
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
We can understand oneness through harmony.
If you are able to create harmony among your:
- Mental states
- Knowledge
- Emotions
Then you have entered into oneness.
Infinite possibilities await within that state.
When a man or woman enters oneness, they become capable of seeing the universe within even the smallest particle.
In Tamil tradition (Thirumoolar Thirumandiram), there is an ancient understanding:
“Andamae Pindam, Pindamae Andam” – The universe reflects the subtle particle, and the subtle particle reflects the universe.
One can understand the five elements through a butterfly.
One can understand motion through breathing.
One can understand creation, destruction, and transformation through the body itself.
Anything becomes possible in the sphere of oneness.
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
We must clearly understand that oneness is not singularity.
And we should confidently say:
There is no singularity.
No person is singular.
No idea possesses singularity.
This notion has been taught largely to encourage obedience.
I always wonder about the meaning of uniformity.
Actually, what many institutions call uniformity is duplicity.
People wear the same costume and call it a uniform.
In reality, one design has been duplicated thousands of times.
Then people claim that everyone has become uniform.
Take a school.
Hundreds of students wear the same uniform.
Does that mean they are the same?
Of course not.
Every student has:
- Different needs
- Different talents
- Different challenges
- Different strengths
Each one must be treated individually.
Yet the system covers these differences with identical clothing and creates the illusion of equality.
The same happens in factories and institutions.
Uniformity has been replaced by duplication.
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
Real uniformity is something very different.
The real uniformity is accepting diversity.
The real uniformity is accepting all colors equally.
All textures equally.
All shades equally.
When diversity is respected and treated equally, true uniformity emerges.
When people attempt to paint everyone according to their own preferences and call it uniformity, that is merely a disguised form of control.
Many institutions promote this false idea of uniformity.
But in doing so, they oppose genuine uniformity.
The myth of the single individual is false.
The myth that a crowd wearing identical clothes is equal is also false.
The real uniformity is:
- Accepting diversity
- Understanding contradictions
- Understanding pluralism
Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
If you wish to be in a unified state of mind, you must accept your contradictions.
You must understand them.
You must interpret them correctly.
You must abandon the notion that you are a single person.
We all emerge from one source.
That source is one.
We come out of oneness.
One day we return to oneness.
But even while living, we can experience oneness by understanding diversity and pluralism.
To begin this journey, we must first eradicate the misleading practices of duplication.
Do not become attached to duplication.
Do not mistake duplication for uniformity.
These are some basic ideas I wished to share when you asked that question.
Lavanya
Thank you, Aasan.
There is so much to learn and so much to absorb.
Today’s lesson covered:
- Singularity
- Plurality
- Diversity
- Uniformity
- Oneness
- Pluralism
There were also important clarifications regarding common misconceptions about singularity, uniformity, and oneness.
Some of my key takeaways are:
- Nothing is truly single.
- What we call uniformity is often duplication.
- Real uniformity means accepting diversity.
- Understanding contradictions is necessary.
- Understanding pluralism is essential.
There is much more to reflect upon, and these teachings require time to fully understand.
Once again, thank you for your time.
I look forward to our next short lesson and the opportunity to explore another topic.
Thank you.
~ Aasaan M. Senthamizhan
