All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop

All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop

Kabir, the revered Indian mystic poet and saint, often used simple yet profound metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths. One of his most famous sayings is, “All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.” This seemingly paradoxical statement holds a wealth of wisdom and insight into the nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things.

In this saying, Kabir is pointing to the fundamental unity of all creation. The drop represents the individual self, the ego, the limited sense of identity that we cling to in our daily lives. The ocean, on the other hand, symbolizes the infinite, the universal, the divine. It is the source and essence of all existence, the vast and boundless reality that underlies and sustains the world of appearances.

When Kabir says that “all know that the drop merges into the ocean,” he is referring to the common understanding that the individual self ultimately dissolves back into the universal consciousness from which it arose. This is a central tenet of many spiritual traditions, the idea that the ego must be transcended in order to realize our true nature as part of the cosmic whole.

But Kabir goes a step further by saying that “few know that the ocean merges into the drop.” This is a more subtle and profound insight, suggesting that the divine is not only immanent in all creation but also present within each individual soul. The ocean of existence is not separate from the drop of the self; rather, they are intimately connected and interdependent.

This teaching challenges us to look beyond the surface level of reality and recognize the divine presence within ourselves and all beings. It invites us to see that we are not separate from the vast ocean of existence but are in fact an integral part of it. By realizing this truth, we can transcend our limited sense of self and experience the oneness and interconnectedness of all things.