White House pulls Tetris-style ‘Build The Wall’ game after copyright concern as reflected on by Swamini Ananda Saraswati

The recent news of the White House pulling its ‘Build The Wall’ game, following a significant Tetris copyright concern, offers a poignant reflection for us. The Tetris Company asserts its proprietary rights, highlighting the world’s deep entanglement with ownership and boundaries. This incident, while seemingly minor, mirrors larger patterns in our collective consciousness. We often create artificial divisions, whether through physical walls or intellectual property, believing they offer security. However, true security arises from recognizing our inherent interconnectedness, not from reinforcing separation.

The Illusion of Separation

In Advaita Vedanta, we understand that all perceived divisions are ultimately part of Maya, the grand illusion. The game’s premise, building a wall, directly symbolizes this illusion of separation. We project our fears and desires onto external structures, mistakenly thinking these can protect us from the “other.” Furthermore, the dispute over intellectual property, like the Tetris copyright concern, underscores humanity’s persistent struggle with attachment. We cling to concepts of “mine” and “yours,” forgetting that all creativity flows from the universal Brahman. This clinging generates conflict, both individually and collectively.

The White House’s swift withdrawal of the game, prompted by the Tetris copyright concern, demonstrates the power of legal and corporate boundaries. However, these boundaries, while necessary for societal order, do not reflect ultimate truth. Our spiritual practice encourages us to look beyond these surface manifestations. We ask: where do we build walls in our own minds? Do we separate ourselves from others based on nationality, belief, or even digital ownership? We must transcend the technological ego that seeks to define itself through such possessions and divisions.

Cultivating Inner Equilibrium and Ahimsa

This event serves as a gentle reminder to cultivate inner equilibrium. When we remain centered in our true Self, the play of the world, with its disputes over games and walls, affects us less. We observe these events with detachment, understanding them as temporary expressions of a deeper reality. Consequently, our focus shifts from external battles to internal harmony. Ahimsa, the principle of non-harm, becomes our guiding light.

Ahimsa extends beyond physical violence; it encompasses non-harm in thought, word, and deed. Building walls, even in a game, can subtly perpetuate the idea of “us versus them,” which harms the spirit of unity. Therefore, we must choose actions and thoughts that foster inclusion and understanding. Instead of building walls, we aspire to build bridges of compassion. Ultimately, the path to peace involves dismantling the mental walls that separate us from our true nature and from each other.

Read the original news coverage on BBC Technology.

By Swamini Ananda Saraswati

Monastic teacher and Sanskrit scholar in the classical Advaita Vedanta tradition. Guides practitioners in non-dual philosophy, Upanishadic dialogue, and Ahimsa (non-harm). Writes on consciousness, animal welfare, transcendence of the technological ego, and inner equilibrium.