When we believe ourselve to be wholly different and seperate, then our actions are guided by our instinct to survive. If we understand our interbeing and interdependence, then our actions are guided by compassion. I find that through the course of a single day, I fluctuate between these two undersandings, these two states of being, but I find that I am much happier and am able to bring happiness to others when I focus on the interconnectedness between myself and others.