FIRST FIVE EXCLUSIVE BLOGS OF 2008
NATURE OF REALITY
kvakutty
As regards the physical manifested universe some think it is real and others think it is illusory and non-existent. But the truth seems to lie somewhere between the two extremes.
God is the only Reality and Absolute Existence and the manifested universe is His projection or reflection and therefore a relative reality, in as much as it exists only in relation to God. The universe though not real in the absolute sense, it is real in the relative sense.
God is one. Relationships can arise only when two or more are involved. As the projected universe is made up of countless number of entities, they exist in relationship to one another. These countless entities are held together like pearls on a string.
The interdependence of existence of countless entities in the universe also makes it a relative world, as each entity exists only in relation to others near or distant. Also the universe is relative to space and time without which it has no existence even in a relative sense.
The relativity or dependence is the cause of bondage as our acts necessarily produce results. The law of cause and effect is another way of looking at this relatedness. Nothing in the manifested world escapes this law.
For practical purposes this world is real. When our idea of relatedness to other entities in the world ceases, then we gain identity with the Absolute.
Space-time is the screen on which the Absolute is projected. It is an illusion. It has beginning and ending. The Absolute has no beginning and ending.
Space-time is Maya and the cause of ignorance and ego.
God being infinite, the universe which is his projection is also infinite.
In infinity there is no center. If any one claims that he is at the center of the universe, so can everybody else. Yet everybody thinks that he is at the center of the universe. This seems natural as the universe extends in all directions from him as he looks around. In the physical universe his way of seeing seems justified. When man accepts the alternative view that the universe has no center, then the entire perception changes. Man is caught between these two alternatives and his life is shaped by his perception in this regard. In practice he is moving between these two extremes like a pendulum.
The relationships introduced above have wide implications. Individuals, as well as all entities, living and non-living, become relevant. While functioning in a world of relative relationships, one has to be anchored to the immovable reality if one is to preserve equanimity. Otherwise one may be swept off one’s feet by uncontrolled forces.
The above discussion is also helpful to understand the nature of the soul and the human being as the manifestation of an individual soul.
There is a mysterious power that keeps the human body alive. When this power is no longer there, the body becomes inert. That invisible power is usually known as soul. Many believe in the existence of the soul. Others believe in matter only and that life came from matter. After Einstein demonstrated that energy and matter are mutually convertible, more people are inclined to believe in soul.
Long before Science firmly established its pre-eminent and dominant role in human affairs, many people firmly believed in soul, which according to them was not something to be proved and established by pure reasoning, but an inexplicable experience of a mind calmed by solitude.
Also they had clear convictions about the nature of the soul. This was revealed to them after long meditation and concentration, while living a life of purity both in body and mind. They also proclaimed to the world that their statements were not to be taken on mere faith and that any human being can have this experience if he has the courage and determination to follow the path shown by them. There was no secrecy in it. Any apparent secrecy was only to prevent its misuse by the ignorant.
They also cautioned that the experience was indescribable and therefore the description given by each person could be different. This predicament has given rise to endless discussions, which will continue because of limitations in human communication. This is a healthy trend as it will encourage more and more people to search for truth for themselves in stead of going by mere hearsay or being led by others.
The purpose of all religions is to encourage people to follow the path shown by those who have known the truth. This will also enable them to avoid acceptance of misleading ideas which have crept into the practices of all religions.
This is part of ancient Indian thought. But, it is not dated. It is eternal.
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