Excerpt from Chapter 1: A Human Map
Our human genome has evolved
and developed over millions of years. We know that we
receive half of our genetic instructions—our genetic
blueprint—from our mother and half from our father.
What is less widely recognized is that, although our
individual blueprint is unique (except in identical twins
and the occasional multiple birth), 99.9 percent of the DNA
contained in human beings is identical, indicating that we
have a common human blueprint. Unfortunately, this
commonality is often obscured when the emphasis is placed
on the differences between "us" and "them." We then become
separate from those we perceive as "the other." Conversely,
if we embrace those differences we can enrich our human
experience, giving us the feeling of being a part of the
whole of humankind.
Implicit in most spiritual heritages is the recognition
that we all originate from a primary Source, to which each
of us longs deeply to return. The great poet and
philosopher Kahlil Gibran alluded to this when he spoke of
"life’s longing for itself." This adds a new
dimension to the human blueprint. Unlike our genetic
instructions, however, it is not composed of strands of DNA
passed on through our lineage, nor can its contents be
examined under even the most powerful microscope. Instead,
it originates from the Divine, and it contains the inner
instructions that support and guide each of us on our
journey through life. This Divine blueprint defines the
essence of who we are, and provides the impetus to find our
true purpose and realize our potential. It inspires in us a
sense of awe and wonder about life itself and compels us to
deepen our connection to the Source.
During our lifetime, our human blueprint is shaped and
modified, creating our own unique map. It is colored by our
culture, religion, beliefs, gender, genetic coding, and
life experiences, all of which act as filters through which
we see the world. As we navigate the journey of our life,
this map governs our feelings, actions, thoughts, and
ultimately how we align ourselves to a central or guiding
principle. We are sometimes surprised to learn that our own
map is not the same as everyone else’s. Because we
are limited to our own perspective—our own
map—each of us interprets what we see differently. It
is therefore important to remember that "the map is not the
territory.".......