Everything is Both Whole and Part

I propose a perspective that every entity is both a whole and a part, a viewpoint that dissolves the boundaries between separation and unity and aligns deeply with the essence of non-duality.

Imagine that everything—every being, object, or phenomenon—is both a complete whole in itself and a part of something greater. In this way, an entity is not strictly an isolated whole or merely a dependent part but exists as both. A cell, for instance, is a whole with its own functions and integrity, yet it is also part of a larger organism. Similarly, a person is a complete, unique individual and, at the same time, a part of a family, community, or humanity at large.

This perspective reveals that the distinctions we make—whole versus part—are relative and fluid, dissolving the rigid dualistic boundary that typically separates one from the other. Every "whole" contains parts, but those parts, in turn, contain smaller wholes, and so on, in an infinite regression. Likewise, every "part" is simultaneously part of a larger structure, a larger reality. In this way, everything participates in both the role of the whole and the part, embodying a state that transcends the limits of dualistic categorization.

This recognition fosters a profound sense of unity: if everything is both whole and part, then all things are interwoven in an endless tapestry of relationships, bound by a shared existence where separation is merely a temporary viewpoint. In this view, non-duality isn’t an abstraction but a living reality in which everything, as both whole and part, is inseparable from everything else. Every entity becomes a unique expression of a single, boundless existence, reflecting the core of non-dual understanding.