To see all as One

The test ...

The test is being indifferent to pain and pleasure, and perceiving them as being the same (sama-duhkha-sukha). We are, all of us, positioned on some point of the curve, the peak or the trough, that depicts movement from pleasure to pain and vice-versa.

He unto whom - self-centred - grief and joy

Sound as one word;

- Ibid.XIV.24

The test is seeing a clod of dirt, a rock (literally iron), or a piece of gold as being the same - having the same value. They are all the One.

to whose deep-seeing eyes

The clod, the marble, and the gold are one;

- Ibid.XIV.24

The test is perceiving those who are loved and that which is agreeable (priya) with the same evenness as those who are not loved and that which is disagreeable (apriya).

The test is reacting to both praise (samstati) and blame (ninda) with the same steadfast impartial dispassion (XIV.24). Everyone you know, every being is subject to their gunas - including all who dwell in the now invisible worlds, spirit guides and extraterrestrials, evolved or otherwise.

Whose equal heart holds the same gentleness

For lovely and unlovely things, firm-set,

Well-pleased in praise and dispraise;

- Ibid.XIV.24

Impartial to all ...

from:From the Bhagva Gita