Splits and divisions We are at odds with ourselves internally; we believe that the inner is fundamentally different from the outer, that what is me is quite separate from the not-me, that divisions among people and nations are necessary, and yet we wonder why there are tensions, conflicts, wars in the world. The conflicts begin with minds that believe in fragmentation and are ignorant of wholeness. Vimala Thakar Indian social activist, spiritual teacher Western society has championed the reductionistic approach to life, believing that if we dissect anything and everything down to ever more basic components then we will understand ever more clearly how it works This approach has proven helpful in analyzing and understanding the structure, mechanics, chemistry, particle and wave aspects of nature, and has provided tools for manipulating the environment. In many ways, our lives have been made safer and easier through these approaches. We have shelter, durable and consumable goods, transportation and communications that can enhance our lives. Unfortunately, these have been far from unmixed blessings. The costs to the environment from short-sighted exploitation and depletion of resources, poorly planned and crowded cities, and pollution are now threatening not only the existence of human life but of all living organisms on our planet. We have become over-focused on production and commerce the what of our existence, while overlooking or ignoring quality of life and respect for the environment and for all other living beings the how of our existence. To a large extent, this represents a left-brain hemisphere style of relating to the world. See Table 1. for hemispheric brain functions. Socially, this attitude creates a me vs. them approach to life, in which those who are more rich and/or more powerful exploit those who are less fortunate.