”Ishavasyamidam Sarvam Yatkincha Jagatyanjagat”
That is, whatever exists in this world is pervaded by HIS omnipresence.
So-hum (I am that)
In the earlier chapters, an attempt has been made to introduce the seeker to his Inner-Self and to various faculties of the mind covering it. In this chapter, we shall endeavour to understand the interrelationship between the individual Soul (Aham) and the Supreme Soul (Parmatma) i.e. God. As a matter of fact, the Aham of embodied beings is an inseparable portion of that Supreme Being. Basically there is no difference between the two. Thus understood, the individual Self has a far wider connotation – encompassing the whole manifestation and even beyond.
Similarly, Aham is impregnated with the cosmic energies of the Divine. Individual Soul (Aham) is being cared for and nourished by the Supreme Divine like a foetus in the mother’s womb. The seeker’s Sadhana ultimately culminates into an experience of unity of the individual Soul (Aham) and the Absolute Soul (Parmatma). Then will arise that state of awareness, which the Yogis describe as So- Hum i.e. I AM THAT (the Absolute Being).
Man as a tortoise in a river
Let us now practice the foregoing contemplation. Think of all people, places and things you know. Let your imagination wander far and wide to include everything you have seen, thought of or heard about. Your mental imagery will show you this world as an immense expanse of matter spreading to unknowable limits. This is how man perceives the world. What is overlooked is that, coextensive with the material world, there also exists an endless ocean of bio-energy (Chetna) as life and consciousness in living beings. Each unit of Chetna and matter is perpetually in motion in quantum space (Akash). The elements of matter constituting the physiology of beings are constantly and cyclically undergoing physical and chemical changes. Cyclic change – a phenomenon involving perpetual, repetitive movement – is the natural law governing all manifestations of nature – living or apparently nonliving. Changes in day and night; seasons in an year; birth-youth-old age – death and reproduction in living organisms; a seed growing into a plant, dying and its seeds again growing into a plant; rise and fall of civilizations; rotation of electrons around protons and neutrons in an atom and revolution of planets and planetary systems; birth and death of planets, stars, galaxies, etc, etc…. – all natural systems are in a state of cyclic movement and flux.
Let us first consider the cyclic movement of physical matter in the embodied beings. The chemicals, which are part of some organic matter today, will enter your body through your meals tomorrow, and will be expelled the day after in defecation to become part of some other organism. Medical science tells us that at every moment old cells of our body are being destroyed and replaced by new ones. In this manner, after a particular period, though apparently remaining unchanged, the entire body undergoes complete renewal. New matter keeps on entering the body through air, water and food and flows out in course of respiration, perspiration, urination, defecation etc. In this ocean of matter and energy, human beings and all other life forms are living like a tortoise in a flowing river.
The tortoise is only aware of the water surrounding it. It is ignorant of the renewal of water around it because of the movement of the current. We are hardly aware of the movements of perpetually flowing natural currents of matter around us. These currents are not merely flowing through the human bodies, but are engulfing all beings and even flora and other material objects regarded as inanimate. Everything in this world is undergoing a constant and unstoppable change. This is the absolute, immutable law of nature, governing not only the material world but also all realms of manifestation, including the spiritual. ”Everything in this world appears and disappears” – say the sages.
Having understood the phenomenon of perpetual movement in the visible physical, material world, let us now consider the transmissions of energy from the human mind as impulses, desires, emotions, ideologies, thoughts, resolutions, etc. These too are perpetually moving around the world. Mysteriously these energy waves travel around the world without the help of any tangible medium. (cf. rapid expansion of mystical, spiritual, religious visions and, political ideologies around the world in the past). Identical imaginations and ideas arise in many minds simultaneously. Ideologies of individuals get transformed into mass movements and revolutions. Mass thinking by groups of immoral persons pollutes the environment. A gentleman feels suffocated at such places. Conversely one feels relaxed at a place of healthy entertainment and peaceful at a place of worship.
Audio-visual transmissions are now being controlled by information technology. Communication of sound and images by Internet, television, mobile phones, satellite phones, are undisputable proofs of existence of invisible currents as carriers of information and ideologies around the world. Polygraphs (lie detectors) can now produce graphic pictures of thoughts produced in various emotional states. Like clouds, the invisible currents of thoughts and ideologies are hovering around us in space. Individuals are continuously interacting with these currents. With the power of mind it is possible to influence the masses by projecting specific ideologies on this ”Ideosphere.” This resurrected ancient sciences of great significance for mankind. It is, however, very complex and exhaustive. It is beyond the scope of this small booklet.
Each of the three faculties of mind, namely, Pravritta Manas Prabuddha Manas and Adhyatm Manas has its own independent, invisible field of energy transmission. As the older elements of body are being perpetually replaced by new ones, so are the constituents of mind (thoughts, ideologies, resolutions etc.) These are perpetually moving from one place to another.
The mindset of man is always in a state of flux. An individual pledged to continence throughout life till yesterday is found infatuated with sex today. The most hated enemy of yesterday becomes the most loved person of today. The person who sweats round the clock for earning more and more wealth, suddenly becomes a hermit. There are numerous examples of such transformations in the mindsets of individuals. Why? It is because constituents of mental energy as old thoughts and ideologies are being perpetually replaced by new ones.
Visualization of the unified field
Be seated in meditative posture. Visualize that one and the same universal, cosmic consciousness is pervading, ordering and manifesting all animate and inanimate forms in the cosmos. Visualize further that it is this one force of cosmic consciousness which has differentiated into the five basic elements of nature constituting the physiology of all living species. In ancient Indian scriptures these elements are referred to as Prithvi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), and Akash (the subatomic space). As old physical cells are being perpetually replaced by new ones, so are the elements of mind (beliefs, opinions, philosophies, ideologies) being replaced by new ones. In other words, the particles of energy generating the mental concepts are also perpetually in motion.
Now let us think about matter and energy of the world in totality. The very fact that all visible and invisible constituents of the creation are in motion; that this movement is being experienced by all and that everything in this world is following its particular trajectory in movement for its specific objective, is sufficient proof that UNIFICATION IS THE BASIS OF ENTIRE CREATION. It proves that everything has been created in cosmos to follow universal laws originating from ONE Unified Field. In this manner, everything in this world is interrelated and interdependent. Saying, ”Nothing in the world belongs to me personally” or, ”Everything in the world belongs to me” – has the same implication; since in this Unified Field, everything belongs to everyone. Let us compare this Unified Field with a river. Standing in midst of flowing river, which molecules of its water you will claim to be related to your person? Consider the situation. The current of water is continuously flowing. The molecules of water that are touching your body at this particular moment will, in the next moment, go far away from you, but you are constantly in contact with the flowing current. As such, you have two options. Either accept the entire stream integral to your existence or say no part of it is in contact with you. Obviously, you cannot claim a relationship to a part, disowning the whole.
This world is an ocean of life and energy. The soul is progressively evolving in this medium and in this process taking what is necessary and discarding what is not. Nature is not unintelligent, inert or dead. Each particle of what we call physical matter is also instinct with intelligence and life. It is following universal laws. Each particle is being sustained, activated, and made to act intelligently within a particular paradigm in this Universal Field of life and energy. All of us, like fish in water, are dependent for our activities and very survival on this ocean of life. Particles of universally pervasive intelligence and energy, cosmic consciousness (Chetna) and life, are activating infinite systems, forms and forces of this cosmos.
You have to realize that all embodied beings, whatever be their form or body, are part of your own Self, since the same universally pervasive energy – consciousness (Chetna) which animates you is present in each of them. The rigid fences within which you have been limiting the physical objects – people, places and things – as belonging to you personally will have to be pulled down. You will have to realize that the present perception, that only a few drops of this cosmic ocean (manifested as people, places or things) belong to you, is an illusion. Visualize that being part of the omnipresence of God (as the air in a balloon is part of the atmosphere), your real Self (the Soul encased in body-consciousness), encompasses the entire world. This process (the process of blowing the balloon of body consciousness) is expanding your individual Self to the dimension of All-Self. When this balloon bursts on attaining this level of awareness, the seeker becomes a Yogi. A Yogi is one whose individuality has been consciously united (merged) with the cosmic Self. Thus, in order to become a Yogi one is required to cultivate a sense of at-one-ment and empathy with all beings.
Says Gita-
Sarva Bhutasthamatmanam Sarva Bhutani Chatmani;
Eekchate Yogyuktatma Sarvatra Sam Darshana.
(Gita: VI/29)
Meaning: Equal-visioned everywhere, the man whose self is in Yoga, sees the Self in all beings and beings in the Self.
That is: realizing that all beings are part of that unified existence, the Yogi interacts with them without discrimination and also perceives one’s own Self intrinsically related to all.
Such an individual, by expanding the limits of his thoughts and feelings to include everyone in the world, feels an intrinsic relationship (Atmiyata) with all living beings irrespective of their external appearance (Bahya Swaroop). Besides, apart from being interlinked with each other, the Souls of all beings are also individually linked to the Supreme Being. This is the truth behind the concept of universal brotherhood. In this way, all individual souls, which are masters of bodies of various species, are part of one unified existence. This unification brings us very close to God. Living experience of this unity makes us worthy of entrance into the portals of heaven and to become an integral part of it. This experience cannot be described in words. It is a state of perpetual bliss. In Yogic parlance, entering this indescribable, transcendental, super-consciousness state of absolute bliss is called Samadhi. Its by products are freedom from bondage of world, independence of action, freedom of self-management and attainment of Mukti or Moksha (Salvation, deliverance).
Meditation for awareness of the Unified field
Let us now practice meditation for awareness of the Unified Field.
Be seated in a state of meditation and concentrate on the life -force flowing through all beings. Visualize that:
There is only one cosmic consciousness vibrating throughout the cosmos.
It is this cosmic force, which has differentiated into the five basic elements constituting the bodies of all beings.
The perceptions of various types of pleasures and pains, happiness and unhappiness by the sensory organs of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are various chemical reactions produced as a consequence of interactions between these five elements and faculties of mind. The sensory perceptions are like the diverse frequencies of sound produced in a stringed musical instrument under the influence of different stimuli provided by the performer.
The primordial source of energy is one throughout the cosmos and it is sustaining your life in the same it without any reservations. Let it become a matter of deep faith with you, requiring no reasoning.
Unification with the Universal mind
So far we have discussed the concept of five basic elements of material nature (Panch Mahabhoot) constituting the bodies of all beings. We have also discussed how all embodied beings are interrelated, being sustained by the same energy in the universal Unified Field. Now we proceed to examine how the attributes of various domains of one universal mind are manifesting through individualized minds of various beings. Like the universal basic elements of physical matter described above, the compartmentalized mental processes of individuals too are elements of a universal mental plane of consciousness. Your individual mind is a drop in this mega ocean of mind. Whatever knowledge, thoughts, ideologies, impulses and emotions are in your mind are basically a few particles of this universal field of knowledge and perception. The mind of an individual acquires bits of knowledge through books, by listening to the enlightened persons or directly as intuition by interacting with this universal mental plane. Like the omnipresent life force sustaining all living beings, the ocean of knowledge too is an all-pervasive active force and it is being utilized by all beings like the tortoise in the uninterruptedly flowing current of a river. As the tortoise drinks a part of water from the river and discards some in the same river by way of defecation and urination, man continues to interact with the omnipresent Ideosphere, receiving knowledge from this universal field. Ponder over this truth again and again and let it be firmly established in your mind.
Unity in Diversity
When one becomes convinced about the universality of the components of one’s body and mind, nothing appears personal or individual. The enlightened person becomes free of the illusion that the sheaths of his body and mind exist in isolation. With the realization of interrelationship between all beings and things throughout the universe, it is realized that each individual is intimately related to everyone in the world and is an integral part of the whole. Then nothing in the world appears alien. The two statements: ”Everything in the world belongs to me” and ”Nothing in this world belongs to me,” convey the same meaning, since in the Unified Field everything belongs to everyone.
Therefore, we must give prime importance to the Soul, which is eternally at-one-ment with the universal Self than to its sheaths of body and mind. The Soul is everlasting, indivisible, indestructible, immortal, cohesive and immutable. The person who has awakened to this awareness of the Soul views everything, including the inanimate matter, the less evolved beings of the lower order in the biological kingdom, the stellar constellations, stars and planets and all planetary systems of the cosmos with wonder and marvel. An enlightened person feels an intuitive affinity with everything in the creation. To him, nothing in the world appears alien, ugly, despicable or unworthy of close intimacy He does not consider the nests of the birds less significant than his personal residence. Such an elevated level of empathetic enlightenment is not only essential for spiritual progress but also a necessity for the well-being and happiness of the world. It intuitively promotes the feeling of universal brotherhood. From this exalted level of consciousness, the world is revealed in its true perspective and the awakened seer knows how to interact with equanimity under all circumstances. Once a seeker rises to this awakened awareness and vision, all attributes of nobility – love, compassion, selfless service, fearlessness, balance and poise – automatically become part of his nature and all traces of evil traits and impulses fall away like dry autumn leaves before the onset of spring.
Attitude of a person of steadfast Wisdom (Sthitpragya)
The person who attains the status of ”Sthitpragya”(Gita II 55-72), concretely realizes that although, apparently, all embodied beings seem to have their independent, individualities, they are constituents of one Supreme Reality; or that the same quantum space (Akash) is in each empty pot. That the water filled in these many vessels is reflecting the image of the same Sun. No doubt, the Soul has its immortal existence, but this is so in its inseparable relation to the Supreme Soul/Spirit (Parmeshwar); which transcends the limitations of Time-Space paradigm of the manifest universe. This is the ultimate state of unity. This is the ultimate level of Self-realization, attaining which, the individual soul declares: ”SO-HAMASMI” i.e. ”I AM THAT ABSOLUTE SPIRIT.” On this level of transcendental consciousness, there is a clear perception that in the multitude of shapes and forms of animate and inanimate objects of the world is hidden reality of one Life, one Cosmic Force, and one Truth.
The author again and again implores the sincere seekers of Truth to strive for attainment of this level of consciousness, since the quest for Absolute Truth ends with the answer to ”WHO AM I?” This is the highest wisdom, beyond which nothing remains to be known. The life of one who has acquired the Supreme Wisdom, will be full of love, compassion, empathy, truthfulness, benevolence and all other divine attributes. This is fulfilment of the supreme aim of human life.
Affirmations of this lesson
• My body, mind and associated people, places and things are only momentary manifestations of the all-pervading universal matter.
• All products of my mind – information, thoughts, ideologies, resolutions, are particles of an undifferentiated universal field of intelligence in the Master Mind.
• The elements of matter and mind are perpetually in motion. Therefore, there are no limitations to the number of things belonging to me. Everything in all planetary systems of cosmos belongs to me.
• My immortal Soul is an inseparable and indivisible portion of the Absolute Spirit (Parmatma) in its ultimate state.
• I have attained the at-one-ment with the Supreme Spirit and am even now experiencing the unity of my Soul with the Absolute Spirit.
SO-HAMASMI- ”I AM THAT”
