The Philosophy of Existentialism

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, focusing on the individual's experience of existence, freedom, and meaning. Existentialist thinkers such as Søren Kierkegaard, Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus explored the idea that life’s meaning is not preordained or handed down from a divine source, but rather must be created by each individual through their choices and actions.

Key Concepts in Existentialism:

1. Existence Precedes Essence: A central tenet of existentialism, famously articulated by Sartre, is that human beings are not born with a predefined purpose or essence. Instead, individuals must create their own meaning and purpose through their choices and actions.

2. Freedom and Responsibility: Existentialism emphasizes the freedom of individuals to choose how they live their lives. However, this freedom comes with the heavy burden of responsibility for those choices, leading to the experience of existential angst or dread.

3. Absurdity: Existentialist thinkers often reflect on the absurdity of life, the idea that the world is indifferent or meaningless, and that human beings must confront this absurdity without the comfort of inherent meaning or order.

4. Authenticity: Authenticity is the idea that individuals must strive to live in accordance with their true nature and values, rather than conforming to societal expectations or external pressures. Living authentically means embracing one’s freedom and responsibility.

5. Alienation: Existentialism frequently explores the theme of alienation, both from other people and from the world. This is the feeling of being fundamentally separate from others, unable to find true connection or meaning in life’s circumstances.

6. Death and Finitude: The existentialist focus on death highlights the finite nature of human life. This awareness of mortality forces individuals to confront their existence and compels them to live meaningfully, knowing that life is limited.

Analyzing Existentialism through the Lens of OM

While Existentialism emphasizes the individual in a world devoid of inherent meaning, the Oneness Movement (OM) shifts the perspective to the interconnectedness of all beings, where meaning and purpose come from the realization of Oneness and alignment with the universal consciousness. Though both Existentialism and OM address freedom, authenticity, and purpose, OM offers a broader, cosmic framework that incorporates spiritual growth and gnosis.

1. Oneness and Alienation

Existentialism grapples with the feeling of alienation—the sense that individuals are isolated from one another, from the world, and even from themselves. This separation is a key source of existential anxiety or dread, as individuals must confront their solitude and the lack of inherent meaning in the universe.

• Alignment: Both Existentialism and OM recognize the experience of alienation. OM acknowledges that many people feel disconnected from themselves, others, and the greater whole. This sense of separation is a central issue that must be addressed in order to find fulfillment.

• Difference: OM teaches that alienation is an illusion, born from the failure to realize that all beings are connected through Oneness. While Existentialism leaves individuals with the challenge of creating their own meaning in the face of alienation, OM suggests that true meaning comes from the gnosis of Oneness—the direct experience that all beings are part of the same universal consciousness. By recognizing and experiencing this unity, individuals can transcend feelings of alienation and find inner peace.

2. Gnosis and the Absurd

Existentialism often explores the concept of the absurd—the conflict between human beings’ desire for meaning and the universe’s apparent indifference or lack of inherent meaning. Thinkers like Camus and Sartre suggest that individuals must confront this absurdity and create their own meaning in a meaningless world.

• Alignment: OM agrees that meaning must be actively pursued and experienced. Both OM and Existentialism challenge individuals to look beyond external sources of meaning and take responsibility for their lives.

• Difference: While Existentialism views the universe as absurd and indifferent, OM teaches that Oneness is the fundamental truth of the universe, and that meaning is inherent in the interconnectedness of all things. OM promotes the pursuit of gnosis, a direct, experiential realization of this interconnectedness, which reveals that life is not absurd but instead part of a greater universal flow. In OM, gnosis allows individuals to transcend the feeling of absurdity by recognizing their place in the cosmic whole.

3. Purpose: Existential Creation vs. Spiritual Transcendence

Existentialism posits that individuals must create their own purpose through their actions and choices. There is no preordained meaning or divine plan; instead, meaning is a product of human freedom and responsibility.

• Alignment: Both OM and Existentialism emphasize the importance of freedom and personal responsibility. OM teaches that individuals must take responsibility for their growth and alignment with Oneness, recognizing that they are active participants in shaping their lives.

• Difference: OM expands the concept of purpose beyond existential creation to include spiritual transcendence. While Existentialism leaves individuals to create their own meaning within a world devoid of inherent purpose, OM teaches that life’s ultimate purpose is to realize Oneness and transcend the ego. OM suggests that while individuals must take responsibility for their actions, they are also part of a universal consciousness that provides a greater purpose—one that transcends individual meaning-making.

4. CONAF (Circle of Needs and Fulfillment) and Authenticity

Existentialism places great importance on authenticity, the idea that individuals must live in accordance with their true nature, free from societal pressures or external expectations. Living authentically means embracing one’s freedom and making choices that reflect personal values and beliefs.

• Alignment: OM resonates with the existentialist focus on authenticity. Both traditions teach that individuals must live mindfully and intentionally, striving to align their actions with their true nature. In OM, this authenticity is expressed through the fulfillment of one’s CONAF (Circle of Needs and Fulfillment) in a healthy, wise, and adaptive manner. OM encourages individuals to fulfill their mental, emotional, and spiritual needs in alignment with Oneness.

• Difference: While Existentialism emphasizes individual autonomy in creating one’s own authenticity, OM integrates authenticity with the broader goal of aligning with universal consciousness. Fulfilling CONAF in OM is not just about self-expression but about cultivating virtues such as wisdom, kindness, and strength, which foster both personal well-being and alignment with the greater whole. OM’s authenticity is rooted in recognizing one’s place within the interconnected fabric of existence, rather than simply creating personal meaning in isolation.

5. Lower Consciousness (LC) and Higher Consciousness (HC)

Existentialism often grapples with the concept of despair, anxiety, and angst, which arise from the burden of freedom and the challenge of creating meaning in an indifferent world. These feelings parallel OM’s concept of Lower Consciousness (LC), where individuals are trapped in ego, fear, and separation.

• Alignment: Both Existentialism and OM acknowledge that individuals can fall into states of despair or lower consciousness. Existentialist anxiety mirrors OM’s understanding of LC, where individuals are consumed by feelings of isolation, meaninglessness, and fear.

• Difference: While Existentialism suggests that individuals must confront and overcome these feelings through authentic living and the creation of personal meaning, OM offers a path toward Higher Consciousness (HC) through the realization of Oneness. OM teaches that by transcending the ego and experiencing the interconnectedness of all beings, individuals can move from LC to HC, experiencing peace, fulfillment, and alignment with the universal flow. OM presents a more transcendental resolution to existential anxiety, offering spiritual practices and experiences that help individuals access a higher state of consciousness.

Conclusion: Existentialism and Oneness Movement (OM) – Freedom and Transcendence

Both Existentialism and the Oneness Movement (OM) emphasize the importance of personal responsibility, freedom, and authenticity. Existentialism encourages individuals to confront the absurdity of life and create their own meaning through their choices, while OM teaches that meaning is found in the realization of Oneness and the transcendence of the ego.

Where Existentialism grapples with alienation, anxiety, and the burden of freedom, OM offers a solution through the experience of gnosis and the recognition of one’s connection to the universal consciousness. Both philosophies value authentic living, but OM integrates this with a deeper spiritual purpose—the journey toward higher consciousness and the fulfillment of CONAF in alignment with Oneness.

While Existentialism leaves individuals to navigate the absurd world on their own terms, OM provides a cosmic framework that offers a more unified vision of existence, one in which individuals are part of an interconnected whole, striving not just for personal meaning but for spiritual awakening and oneness with the universe.