Approaching the Divine
How should we approach divinity? Freely, wildly? Or carefully?
Well, this all depends on where you are coming from.
Dual Path
In dual paths, a distance is created between us (the profane) and God (the divine). God is spoken of above all as an all-powerful being external to man—above everything, even the laws of nature.
In dualistic thinking, especially within monotheistic religions, there's often a notion that mortals should approach the divine with caution, even dissuading aspirations to embody divine qualities themselves.
Humans are called to place themselves in a relationship of subordination and humility before the divine. They must not seek to become God, nor to perceive the divine within themselves. This can be seen as a temptation of the human ego to appropriate what is reserved for God alone, an act perceived as a sin against the purity of monotheism and against divine majesty. Recognition of the divine therefore requires an act of devotion, prayer, and obedience to transcendent divine laws, rather than a spiritual experience that seeks to merge man and the divine.
Non-Dual Path
In non-duality, there is no bridge, there is no separation. The divine is within you, within the breathing world, in every living thing. Non-dual spiritualities speak of divinity as a principle that fundamentally exists within. God would be present in each one of us, in the nature that surrounds us and as a universal law governing the balance of the world.
Non-duality insists on the unity and interdependence of the phenomena of the Universe. Enlightenment would make one aware of the indivisibility and interconnectedness of beings and things in the world and the changing and fluid character of reality.
The dual conception of a nature divided into distinct elements would then be qualified as illusion. For the non-dual, duality is an illusion.
Path of Becoming Divinity
There are certain traditions and philosophies that encourage humanity to transcend its limitations and seek divinity within itself. These teachings often stem from mystical or esoteric traditions, such as the Hermetic tradition, the Gnostics, or even certain Eastern philosophies like Tantra or Daoism. In these frameworks, humans are not just called to submit to a divine power but are seen as having the potential to become divine themselves. This perspective often views the human experience as a journey toward self-realization and unity with the divine essence. By overcoming the ego, transcending suffering, and awakening to one’s higher self, individuals are encouraged to become co-creators with the divine, seeing the divine as not just an external force but a force of transformation within their own being. This path may be more fluid, focused on awakening latent divine potential rather than submitting to an external deity.
Hinduism, Sufism and Buddhism, in many of their traditions and teachings, encourages humans to recognize their potential divinity and to cultivate divine qualities within themselves.
This does not mean seeking to become gods in the literal sense but rather recognizing the divine essence that already exists within and striving to embody the qualities that reflect a higher spiritual consciousness.
Inherent Divinity and Jewelry
Although it may escape our immediate perception, ornaments have woven an essential part of this history. Since ancient times, kings and queens adorned themselves with jewelry to draw closer to the divine or even to become divine themselves.
Ancient jewelry served as powerful conduits to the divine, where purity, brilliance, and sacredness fused together. With their ability to transcend time, certain metals carried the promise of "eternal life," adorned with shapes, emblems, and sacred symbols. Ritualistically charged, these ornaments became instruments of transformation, acting through those who wore them.
In many cultures, jewelry was a symbol of power, status, and sanctity, considered as channels of divine energy or gateways to the spiritual world. They adorned rulers and deities, allowing them to reflect their connection to higher realms. These ornaments were not mere decorations but were deeply embedded in spiritual practices and beliefs, often imbued with magical or protective qualities and adorned with sacred symbols representing gods, goddesses, and cosmic elements.
Across these diverse cultures, jewelry was not only a physical ornament but a spiritual tool, embodying spiritual power and reflecting the individual's relationship with higher forces.
Jewelry as a Modern Expression of Sacredness
In our modern world, the art of adornment continues to hold great significance. By wearing jewelry with intention, we become living altars, outward expressions of inner transformation and connection to the sacred. By wearing pieces that carry personal meaning or spiritual significance, we embody our own sacredness.
Jewelry, much like in the ancient world, has the power to channel energy, protect, and reflect our values, beliefs, and connection to something greater than ourselves.
Much like our ancestors, we use adornments to signal our inner journey and to manifest our spiritual identity. In this sense, jewelry is not just something we wear, but something we live, helping us to embody the divine energy that we seek.
Adornment, then, becomes a tool for personal transformation, an opportunity to wear our divinity in the most sacred and intimate of ways.
Inherent Divinity: A Diverse Concept
The concept of inherent divinity is subject to diverse interpretations. Perspective on the divine can vary greatly among different traditions and individual perspectives. It's this diversity of interpretations that makes it even more interesting.
In my personal perspective, feeling deeply connected to the divine grounds me even more in this existence. I trust. Amidst the chaos, we can find sacredness everywhere. Whether through silence, beauty and connection, divinity is present—not as something distant and unattainable but as an ever-present reality that we are a part of, that we reflect, and that we continually seek to understand. In recognizing this, we can live with intention, creating beauty and meaning in the world around us.
© NOIR KĀLA
Sources :
Sophie L. B. E. MSpira, Adornment and Identity: The Role of Jewelry in Ancient Cultures, 2011
Susan B. Levitan, The Sacred and the Profane: Jewelry in Ancient Civilizations, 2005
Rupert Spira, The Essence of Non-Duality: Exploring the Nature of Reality, 2017
Photography: Bianca Des Jardins
