“Nature is an infinite sphere of which the center is everywhere and the circumference nowhere.” ~ Blaise Pascal
“God is an infinite sphere, the center of which is everywhere, the circumference nowhere.” ~ Hermes Trismegistus
“God is an intelligible sphere, whose center is everywhere, and whose circumference is nowhere.” ~ Alain of Lille
Salutations to Brahman, who is beyond speech and thought, who is with manifest form, who is free from attributes, who is the very nature of qualities, who is manifest as the basic support of all the worlds.
~ Mayan in Surya Siddhanta
Is “Absolute Space” is the God? It would be interesting to explore this topic further as a continuation from yesterday’s post on “What is God”. Throughout our learning on spirituality, science, philosophy, we are finding this same universal truth repeated again and again in scriptures, mystical poems, ancient science and ancient medicine, even though it has been interpreted in different ways by different people across the ages in their own forms and names. But at the end all are pointing towards one ultimate reality.
Vastu and Vaastu Science
Brahmam – Vastu Brahmam or Vastu Purusha or Vastu refers to primal, unmanifest, potential energy – Consciousness as energy. It is the energy through which and within which material forms manifest. Vaastu Shastras speak of Cosmic Space as being the source of energy. Cosmic Space refers to Brahmam or Consciousness itself – the source of the entire material world. As per Dr. Jessie Mercy “Throughout history and among many cultures, this primal energy has been given many names. The names range from religious (God, Brahmam), artistic (Creative Intelligence) to scientific (the Unified Field). Vastu is that unmanifest, subtle or unseen energy field that lives eternally. It is the Field within which the manifest world exists as particles and is ultimately governed.”
Santana Dharma or Hinduism
Brahman – Brahman is the source of all living things in this universe. Brahman is the ground of all reality and existence. Brahman is uncreated, external, infinite and all-embracing. It is the ultimate cause and goal of all that exists. It is One and it is All. All beings emanate from Brahman; all beings will return back to the same source. Brahman is in all things and it is the true Self (Atman) of all beings. In its deepest essence, the human soul is identical with the immortal Brahman that sustains the entire universe.
Taoism and East Asian Philosophies
Tao – Laozi explains that Tao is not a ‘name’ for a ‘thing’ but the underlying natural order of the universe whose ultimate essence is difficult to circumscribe. Tao is thus “eternally nameless” (Dao De Jing-32. Laozi) and to be distinguished from the countless ‘named’ things which are considered to be its manifestations. In Taoism, Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism, the object of spiritual practice is to ‘become one with the tao’ (Tao Te Ching) or to harmonise one’s will with Nature (cf. Stoicism) in order to achieve ‘effortless action’ (Wu wei). This involves meditative and moral practices. Important in this respect is the Taoist concept of De (virtue). In all its uses, Tao is considered to have ineffable qualities that prevent it from being defined or expressed in words. It can, however, be known or experienced, and its principles (which can be discerned by observing Nature) can be followed or practiced.
Kabbalah
Ein Sof – Ein Sof or Ayn Sof (Hebrew), in Kabbalah, is understood as God prior to His self-manifestation in the production of any spiritual Realm. Ein Sof is the divine origin of all created existence. Ein Sof refers to “Infinite Nothingness” suggesting God’s absolute transcendence from all form of Beings.
Sufism
Wahdat – Major ideas in Sufi metaphysics have surrounded the concept of Wahdat or “Unity with God”. Two main Sufi philosophies prevail on this controversial topic. Wahdat-ul-Wujood (Unity of Being) essentially states that the only truth within the universe is God, and that all things exist within God only. Wahdat-ul-Shuhud (Apparentism, or Unity of Witness), on the other hand, holds that any experience of unity between God and the created world is only in the mind of the believer and that God and his creation are entirely separate.It is the state where there is no difference between God and human being who is trying to achieve a particular state i.e. ‘No One Except God’.
Native American
Wakan-Taka – The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit), and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. – Black Elk, Oglala Sioux & Spiritual Leader
Modern Science
Unified Field – The word God as we use it refers to something akin to Unified Field or Quantum Field. Physicists theorize that there is a single unified field of unmanifest pure energy that is the source of the material world. They view the material world as impulses or waveforms that are fluctuations of a unified field. In addition there are various other theories such as string theory that hold that the unified field is filled with “strings” that are one-dimensional oscillating lines or threads. Without going into too much depth, these oscillating strings are holographic in nature and ultimately produce matter.
In summary, the conception of God is denoted as Brahmam (Vastu and Vaastu Science), Brahman (Santana Dharma or Hinduism), Tao (Taosim, Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism), Ein-Sof or Ayn Sof (Kabbalah), Wahdat (Sufism), Wakan Taka (Native American), Substantia (Spinozism) and Unified Field (Modern Science). All is One, One is All.
Note: These are just my humble thoughts in the course of my learning from different sources. You are most welcome to share your thoughts and add more clarity to know our Self better.
God is not separate from man or any other thing. Hence, it is very easy for everybody to understand God if they try in the proper way. Innumerable living beings with different actions and concepts are enjoying their lives on the earth. Among them, man is a special being; his body and mind are so well-constituted by the nature. Although there are imbalances in the ability to understand and deal with nature by other species, man is a complete entity able to know the nature by his sixth sense and lead a balanced life.
For complete success and happiness man should realize God, Almighty, so that he can live his life in unison with the law of Nature and thereby lead a balanced life. With this purpose man is provided the capability to realize God. Even then, “Why do we see so much crime and disturbances in the world?” The reason is that most people don’t know the primordial force, God. Therefore they are not able to lead life harmoniously.
There are two steps in realization of God.
Let us raise the question first: What is God? God is the supremely divine, fluid, highly transparent, mighty force with omniscient consciousness, fully pervading all objects and places. If so, which mighty force can be taken as God? God is not separate from man or any other thing. Hence, it is very easy for everybody to understand God if they try in the proper way.
In a real sense, God is not other than the pure space which is characterized as Plenum, Force, Consciousness and Time. Because man is restricted with his activities and thinking only with the perceivable objects, his mind cannot extend to the stage of understanding of God, which is imperceptible by senses, but easily understandable by his sixth sense.
First we conceive the God as Pure Space. Pure space does not mean it is vacant or a vacuum. If it is a vacuum, nothing will appear from it. Therefore, we have to go to further depths to realize Almighty, God. Here are some words of identification to realize God in its true manner: Nature (God) is Absolute Space: everlasting, singular, almighty, all-penetrative, thoroughly permeable, highly transparent, imperceptible, dark fluid matter; it is characterized by quivering kinematic self-compressive, ever-increasing, surrounding pressure force, which results in automatic repulsion in its intensification and emerges as the infinitesimal energy particle.
Nature is identified as Unified Force, the source of all forces, with four indivisible innate qualities: plenum, force, consciousness and time. If these words of identification are kept in mind, gradually one will cultivate and retain the habit of becoming that supreme power, God. First of all, one has to keep in mind the divine truth that God and universe and all the actions and results of universe are not separate from one another.
If God is realized according to this identification, it is understood that God, the supreme Force itself, transformed as universe. First, because of its own self-compressive force it becomes a divine powder which is the ether, paramanu, or “formative dust.” By the surrounding pressure of Almighty every dust gets spinning action upon its emergence itself. Such spinning force magnetizes the dust. Again by the surrounding pressure of Almighty God the dust associates into a group and this becomes an energy particle, called by science as atomic particles (electrons, etc.). Again, by the same surrounding pressure the atomic particle is made to spin. By its spinning, its constituent dust gets increased magnetic power which creates a repulsive force, throwing away the constituent dust particles. As they go away, the travelling force of this divine dust originates all kinds of waves. As such waves emit within the five elements (Panch Bhutas) the dust particles (ether) transform into the five tanmatra (pressure, sound, light, smell and taste) and into mind in living beings. So the divine force, God, is not separate anywhere. It is a divine fluid filled in the whole universe and being such a powerful magnetic force it causes all kinds of images and forms to appear. In each and every atom and its group varied and wonderful appearances are formed and all are linked together by the universal force.
We have to remember the whole universe is constituted with Pure Space and the waves of energy particle. Therefore there are only two kinds of actions in the universe: One is self-compressive force and the other is repulsive force. Wherever the compressive force is surfeited, automatically it becomes repulsion. Repulsive force of Almighty is not other than the overflow of compressive force. By these two kinds of actions of force of God, the whole universe and all living beings are protected, guided and producing all the results we understand and perceive.
The four aspects of God – Plenum, Force, Consciousness and Time – extend in all kinds of transformation. In everything from the divine dust to the planets and living beings the very same wonderful power exists and functions in every place and thing. When one becomes aware of this truth he will give due respect to everything and all living beings so that in turn their cooperation and usefulness will enhance the happiness, satisfaction and peace of all. Realization of God is a must for every human being. The individual himself can rarely realize the Truth without guidance. There should be some arrangement in the society to teach this greatness of the universal treasure, God. To make the realization of God and self easily possible, a psychic practice called Kundalini Yoga is very helpful. With these words I conclude this article, with due respect to all realized souls living in the world. All may be blessed by the divine power with good health, long life, prosperity, wisdom and peace!
- Vethathiri Maharishi
Source: http://vethathiri.edu.in/vethathiriyam/philosophy/what_god_rituals_dogmas.aspx
Logical Method of Negation
The toy-elephant made of wood has hidden the reality WOOD when you take it for an elephant. Even so, these names and forms have concealed the Reality BRAHMAN (Absolute) behind these names and forms. Get rid of the illusion in the mind that is deep-rooted from beginning-less time. This is wood. This is not elephant. So also this is Brahman. This is not the world. This is Soul. This is not body. This is Apavada-Yukti or application of the logical method of negation. Take out the balance left that is true after throwing off the false thing, viz., elephant, wood, body, etc.
Duality is the very nature of the mind. It can never think in terms of unity. It is through mental purity and spiritual practice that it should be trained to think in terms of unity. Clay is the only reality in all the three periods of time. Pot is an unreal thing: “Vacharambhanam vikaro namadheyam mrittiketyeva satyam“. – Clay only is the reality. The modifications such as jar, pot, etc., are in speech only like ornaments (Chhandogya Upanishad).
Similarly, Brahman or Soul is the only real thing, eternal Vastu which has no beginning, no end, no change. The modifications, body, mind, sense and world are all totally false. They are in name only. See the clay in all earthenware vessels. See Soul in all objects (Vision of Soul).
The cows are different. They differ in color and various other particulars. But, milk is the same. Man minus customs, manners, mode of dress and eating, is the same throughout the world. His passions and feelings are the same throughout the world. The languages are different in various districts and climes, but the idea behind all languages is the same. This is oneness behind variety, duality and multiplicity. There is one essence in sleep. All feel alike. Similarly, there is one homogeneous substance behind the objects. That is Soul. That is Brahman. That is your real Self.
There is a coconut made of sugar only. It has got marks, lines, external shell, ridges, eyes and everything. But, you have got internal feeling in the mind that it is only sugar. Similarly, even though you see the different objects of the universe, you must have a feeling and determination of the Soul that is at the bottom of all these objects, which is the ultimate reality and essence of everything.
Why do you look into the leaves, twigs, flowers, fruits of the mango tree? Look into the source, the seed. The cloth is only cotton and thread. Take the cloth as cotton only. Even so, take the world as Soul or Brahman. When you see any person or object, think and feel that he or it is Soul or God. By incessant practice, the name and form will vanish. Soul or God will shine. The world-idea will vanish. It takes a long time. It demands strenuous efforts. You will see and feel Soul or God everywhere. During the course of the practice, your old impressions will trouble you. They are your real enemies. Fight against them boldly. This is the practice of unclouded Jnana. You will have unclouded vision of Soul. You will transmute all objects into Soul. Think and feel that all actions are worship of Soul. Idea of inferiority and idea of menial service will disappear as you see God or Soul everywhere.
Reference
Mind – Its Mysteries and Control by Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhakti yoga is one of six major branches of yoga, representing the path of self-transcending love or complete devotion to God or the divine. Bhakti yoga is based on the doctrine “Love is God and God is Love”. A practitioner of bhakti yoga regards God as being present in every person or sentient being.
The practices of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are not suited to the majority of people in this age, while they have always an irresistible charm for such practices because of their apparent concreteness and promise of speedy rewards. A vast majority of persons have no good physique and robust constitution. They are weaklings. In this age, children beget children. There are baby mothers. Devotion or Bhakti Yoga is, therefore, easy and safe. Any man can repeat the Name of God. Anyone can sing His praise. Without a mother, you cannot have a son. Even so, without one-pointed or single-minded devotion, you cannot have True Knowledge. When Bhakti is fully ripe, Supreme-Knowledge dawns of itself, without much effort on the part of the aspirant.
Any Mantra is very powerful. It purifies the mind. It induces Vairagya (dispassion). It causes thought waves focusing inward. Every Mantra has a Rishi who gave it; a Deity as its informing power; the Bija or seed, a significant word which gives it a special power; a energy of the form of the Mantra, i.e., the vibration-forms set up by its sounds; the Kilaka or the pillar, that which supports and strengthens the Mantra. Kilaka is a sort of plug which conceals the Mantra-Consciousness. By constant and prolonged repetition of the Mantra with right mental attitude and concentration, the Mantra-Consciousness is awakened. There is a spiritual current in all Mantras. A Mantra takes the devotees soul first to one centre and then to another and so on, till access is gained to the goal or final region.
Nine Principles of Bhakti Yoga
The ‘Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu’ provides the following as the nine primary activities of bhakti, with the instruction that by following all or just one of these activities perfectly, the aspiring devotee can achieve pure love of God:
Unlike some other forms of yoga, however, bhakti yoga does not teach the devotee to completely lose his or her personal identity through absorption into the divine. God is regarded as infinitely greater than the human worshiper, even one at the highest levels of spiritual attainment.
These nine principles of devotional service are described as helping the devotee remain constantly in touch with God. The processes of chating and internal meditation on the aspirant devotee’s chosen deity form (favorite god) are especially popular in most bhakti schools.
Reference
1. Mind – Its Mysteries and Control by Sri Swami Sivananda
2. http://www.thesecretsofyoga.com/Bhakti_Yoga.html
