“Just as the opposite of addiction is connection, not mere sobriety, the antidote to separation and suffering is not enmeshed relationships, but the embodiment of our fundamental nondual nature—the acceptance that we are inherently interconnected beings. The separate self perspective acts as "inner colonialism," imposing an artificial individual identity on our interconnected consciousness. This colonization of the self dominates and subjugates our deeper, nondual nature, creating borders within our experience. Similar to colonial powers, it drains us of vitality and belonging. It leads to an "imperialism of consciousness," reinforcing the separate self narrative and undermining our interdependence with life. Recognizing this dynamic reveals the toll on our psyche, emotions, and spirituality, as it severs us from meaning and wholeness. Undoing this colonialism liberates us to reclaim our interconnected, nondual nature.”