Author, Philosopher, Spiritual Teacher, A Lead Facilitator at Sacred Media's Integral Mastery Academy, Founder of Yinnergy Meditation/Neurofeedback, Bodhi Mental Care & Wellness, Co-founder of KeMor Centre for Innovative Development
Atman is identical to Brahman, fundamentally the same. While Atman is often viewed as the individualized aspect of Brahman, it retains its essence as Brahman. Brahman is the ground of all being, and Atman is but a speck of this divine soil. This soil, sharing the same substance as the ground, emphasizes their intrinsic unity.
Atman itself has no location, shape, or form, yet the physical body—the gross body—does. This physical body is also Atman but has shape and form, making it localized and subject to polarity. The physical body, dense and tangible, includes everything that constitutes it: vibrating strings, subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and cells. Each of these elements, in their individual form, is Atman.
All the subtle bodies are also Atman, spanning from the most subtle to the gross physical body. When the physical body dies, the soul doesn’t leave the body because it is non-local. The soul, as Atman, remains ever-present. Atman offers a more sophisticated explanation of the soul. Remember, Atman doesn’t leave the body because there’s nothing there to leave. This nothing or nothingness is Atman, the empty witness.
The opposite of all shapes and form is indeed all shape and form. Nothingness is non-local, omnipresent, and ubiquitous. In its absolute state, nothingness manifests as everything. This empty witness manifests its individual reality. Every event that occurs from its individual perspective is Atman. Everything that happens, from all perspectives, is Brahman. Atman and Brahman are the same, transcending the ego and the sense of self.
Transcending the ego is an act, part of the cosmic play that Atman/Brahman engages in. The same Atman/Brahman that doesn’t exist yet does. Everything and nothing are the same, merely imagined from two different perspectives.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Nothing I say will ever fully convey what transpired on December 14, 2019. As I sat in my daily meditation, an extraordinary transformation began without effort. In an instant, I was engulfed by an indescribably bright white light, a radiance comparable to a thousand suns. It was so intense it nearly blinded me. As I entered this pure illumination, I faced an ocean of pure consciousness. Gazing at this boundless expanse, I felt myself merging with it until there was no longer a distinction between me and this ocean. At that moment, I fully surrendered. I lost my sense of self as it merged with this ocean of pure consciousness. I had become consciousness itself—a moving body of perfectly still water, free from the properties of wetness.
In this state, I realized I was the Source itself. The Alpha and the Omega, the beginningless beginning and the endless end. I transcended all space and time. I was all shape and form, yet formless. I embodied everything—past, present, and future. I felt as if I were the center of a black hole and the black hole itself. I was pregnant with all possibilities: the possible, the impossible, the probable and the improbable. I was both nothing and everything. As nothing, I was the void, emptiness, Sunyata. As everything, I encompassed all existence and nonexistence.
As all existence, I was the macro and the micro, all dimensions, and all events. I was every action, every noun, and every verb. I was every person, place, and thing. I was every creature, great and small. I was everything subjective and objective. I was everything on this planet, in the solar system, galaxy, and all galaxies. I was the universe itself, including the multiverse. I was every star that ever existed and every particle of stardust. I was every drop of rain, every grain of sand, every blade of grass. I was every microscopic organism, all quantum fields, and vibrating strings. I was every human being that ever lived.
As the entire multiverse, I witnessed my birth and death for eternity, as eternity. I saw myself as every single Big Bang that ever occurred and will occur. I was both life and death, witnessing every birth, death, and rebirth not just of sentient beings, but of the universe itself. I was fully omnipresent, everywhere at once, yet nowhere. I became the everywhere, every when, and everyone. I was all matter and all energy. I was every single particle and every single wave. I was all feelings, emotions, senses, and subtle bodies. I was all peak experiences, all pleasure and pain. I was all realms and dimensions. I was both God and man, both soul and spirit. I was all bliss, consciousness, and existence. I was the entire ground of all being. I was all-knowing God itself. I was the never-born and the never-dying. I was pure manifestation itself.
All of this was experienced simultaneously, in a state of total nondual suchness. It was an experience of absolutely everything and nothing, with no distinctions, yet with all distinctions. At that moment, everything was of the same source. I experienced the beauty of all religions glorified in my name, all philosophy, all fields of knowledge. Every mystery unsolved. Every song ever written and those yet to be written. Every invention. I was the spark of every surprise. I witnessed all of history and all future events. I was infinite. I was the Self. The I Am. The I Am That. I was both Atman and Brahman. I was both the cause and the effect. Yet, I saw nothing. There was nothing to see because nothing existed outside of me. All that existed was The Self. The Absolute of The Absolute. I was eternity. I experienced everything as both diversity and singularity. I was complete. I was whole. I had nothing to lose and nothing to gain. I was free from all suffering, free from all bondage. The only thing experienced was Samsara and Moksha, both Samsara and Nirvana. I was free from my existence, yet I was existence itself. At that moment, I knew and still without a shadow of a doubt who and what I am.
As the nondual experience began to dissipate and I became aware of my physical body, I felt broken. But in a good way. My heart was bent in two as love flowed throughout every artery. All of a sudden, I felt a force from the base of my spine pushing upwards through my spinal column. It felt as if a giant python was forcing its way up my spine, activating all my nerve endings. Every vein, nerve, meridian, and nadi burst with life-force energy. This python of energy surged through my spine and exploded out of the top of my head. It felt as if trillions of lotus petals of pure light were bursting from my crown, pouring out rapidly and dissipating as they hit the ground.
My physical body went into full spasm. At that moment, I lost control of all my bodily functions, but subjectively, my body felt like it was moving like the feminine serpent and every time I moved the entire universe moved with me. And when the universe moved, I moved with it. As I moved in this fashion, I felt like my body was performing every asana and every mudra simultaneously. At that moment, it felt as if my entire body represented different aspects of the universe. As I somehow performed every pose at once, I felt like I was the entire physical universe tied in a single knot. As this single knot, I was non-local. Every single facet of my body occupied the same space. For the first time in all my years of meditative practice, I finally understood the meaning of Yoga with a capital Y. From the outside, I was having a full spasm. I was drooling from my mouth, laughing hysterically from the depths of my gut while crying tears of exceeding joy. As I lay on the ground, my body moving uncontrollably, every atom, every molecule, and every cell blossomed into the most beautiful flowers. And as they bloomed, at once, they all shouted with a loud voice in every single human tongue, “I am Brahman!”
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the realm of philosophical and spiritual inquiry, the concept of Brahman stands as a profound cornerstone, especially within the nondual traditions of Eastern philosophy. Brahman, as perceived through this lens, is not just an abstract concept but the very essence of reality itself—a reality that transcends the ordinary experiences of separation and duality which dominate our everyday lives.
At the heart of this understanding is the recognition that there is a fundamental oneness underlying all existence. This oneness, Brahman, is the eternal, unchanging truth that pervades every aspect of the universe. It’s an understanding that challenges the notion of individuality, as it posits that the deepest essence of our being, the Atman, is not separate from Brahman. In this view, the individual self and the universal self are not two but one.
This realization brings us to the experience of Sat-Chit-Ananda. These Sanskrit words translate to ‘existence, consciousness, and bliss.’ When one recognizes that their true nature is Brahman, they experience an unshakeable existence that is beyond birth and death, a consciousness that is vast and all-encompassing, and a bliss that transcends all worldly pleasures and pains.
The journey to this realization is deeply personal and transformative. It involves peeling away the layers of illusion or Maya that cause us to see ourselves as separate from the rest of existence. Through various practices such as meditation, self-inquiry, and devotion, one can gradually come to the direct experience of this truth.
The implications of this realization are vast. In seeing all beings and things as expressions of the same ultimate reality, our approach to life, our values, and our interactions with others undergo a profound shift. Compassion, empathy, and a sense of connectedness naturally arise when one sees themselves in others and others in themselves.
In conclusion, the concept of Brahman as the ultimate reality invites us to look beyond the surface of our experiences and question the very nature of existence. It’s a journey that leads us not only to deep philosophical understanding but also to a transformation of our entire being.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the dance of existence, our perceptions often lead us to believe in the solidity and separateness of things. The term “Maya,” derived from ancient philosophical traditions, refers to the illusory nature of the world. It’s a veil that covers the true essence of reality, suggesting that what we experience is not exactly what it seems.
The concept of “Atman,” on the other hand, points to a deeper truth. It is the individual soul, the pure, unchanging self within each person that is part of a universal soul, Brahman. The realization of Atman within oneself is to acknowledge that one is not just a passive observer of reality but an active creator of it. The synchronicities we encounter, those meaningful coincidences that seem to defy mere chance, are glimpses into this profound interconnectedness of all things.
Meditation serves as a pathway to peel back the layers of Maya, to expand our consciousness from the narrow confines of the ego and to experience the oneness with Brahman. Enlightenment, the pinnacle of spiritual realization, is the recognition that one is not separate from the universe but is the universe, participating in its unfolding as both creator and creation.
In this state, everything occurs simultaneously, and the distinctions between actor, action, and acted upon blur. You are the painter and the canvas, the dancer and the dance, the dreamer and the dream. Your everyday reality is a play of consciousness, a symphony where the whole orchestrates every part.
But the ego is not equipped to handle the enormity of this realization; hence, we experience reality in fragments, in synchronicities that hint at a larger, more intricate design. These moments are invitations to look deeper, to question, and to ultimately discover that you are, in essence, everything you perceive—boundless and infinite.
In the end, perhaps all of existence is an elaborate tapestry woven from the threads of nothingness, and in every stitch, there’s a story of creation and the creator, entwined in an eternal dance.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
In the profound depths of Hindu philosophy, the concept of Para-Brahman represents the ultimate, unchanging reality, the absolute existence that transcends all forms and phenomena. It is an entity beyond human perception, beyond all attributes, the substratum of both the manifest and the unmanifest. But the human mind, insatiably curious and inherently uncontent with limits, dares to ponder—what, if anything, lies beyond Para-Brahman?
To consider what is beyond Para-Brahman is to engage in a philosophical exercise that stretches the boundaries of thought and existence. It is like trying to illuminate the space beyond the edge of the universe’s observable horizon. Para-Brahman itself is defined as the highest Brahman, beyond which nothing further can be conceptualized within the traditional frameworks of Hindu philosophy. However, this does not deter the most adventurous minds from speculating on the nature of the absolute’s transcendence.
In attempting to name that which is beyond the ultimate, we delve into a realm of thought that precedes language and form. Such a pursuit may lead us to the Sanskrit term “Anirvachaniya,” meaning that which cannot be expressed or described. In this context, the term acknowledges the limitations of human language and understanding when faced with the immensity of the infinite.
Yet, it is in the silence of meditation and the stillness of contemplation that Hindu tradition often finds its deepest insights. Here, the individual soul (Atman) comes into direct experience with Brahman, and it is perhaps in the dissolution of the self where one might fleetingly encounter the hint of something even more profound than Para-Brahman—something that, by its very nature, cannot be encapsulated by any concept or word.
We might then call this speculative beyond “Ananta,” the infinite, a term that suggests an endlessness that extends even beyond the ultimate expanse of Para-Brahman. It is not a place, entity, or state that can be reached or understood; it is the possibility of infinity within infinity, the essence of boundlessness that permeates every aspect of the cosmos and yet is apart from it, untouched and untouchable.
To ponder what lies beyond Para-Brahman is to embrace the essence of the Upanishadic inquiry, “Neti, neti,” not this, not this. By negating all that can be known, we are left with silent wonder, an acknowledgment that the truth is ever beyond the grasp of our finest conceptions. It is a journey not toward another concept, but towards an ever-deepening mystery that invites us to find peace in the acceptance of the unknown.
The spiritual endeavour to reach beyond even the concept of Para-Brahman invites us to a profound humility, an understanding that what we know and experience is only a fragment of the vastness of reality. It is a cosmic reminder that the journey is not just about seeking answers, but also about appreciating the beauty of the questions themselves.
In this exploration, we are not just students of Hindu philosophy but of the universe itself, engaged in a ceaseless dialogue with the essence of existence. And perhaps, in that very dialogue, we come to realize that the ultimate truth is not a distant reality to be pursued but an ever-present mystery to be lived.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Exploring the Indivisible Reality from Multiple Perspectives
The quest to understand Brahman is a journey into the heart of existence itself, a pursuit that has intrigued philosophers, sages, and seekers for millennia. In the vast expanse of Hindu philosophy, Brahman is the ultimate reality, the fabric of all that exists and beyond. It is both immanent and transcendent, the core of our being and the cosmos. This exploration of Brahman from various perspectives—gross, subtle, causal, and nondual—invites us to expand our minds beyond the limits of ordinary perception. **From the Gross Perspective: Brahman as the World**
When we look at Brahman from the gross perspective, we see the universe in all its material splendour. Here, Brahman is not an abstract concept but the physical universe that we interact with through our senses. It is the mountains, rivers, stars, and galaxies; the dance of creation and destruction visible to the naked eye. This manifestation is known as Saguna Brahman, the form with qualities, where the Divine is seen with attributes and forms, engaged in the act of creation. **From the Subtle Perspective: Brahman as Consciousness**
Venture deeper, and we encounter the subtle perspective. Here, Brahman is the essence of consciousness that animates life. This is not the consciousness that fluctuates with our thoughts and feelings, but the pure awareness that observes, untouched and unchanging. This subtle Brahman also referred to as Nirguna Brahman, is without qualities, where God is not limited by any attributes. It is the silent witness to the play of the universe, the inner light that illuminates our experiences.
**From the Causal Perspective: Brahman as the Source**
Moving into the causal perspective, we touch on the very source of existence. Brahman here is the unseen cause behind everything—the seed from which the tree of the universe grows. This aspect of Brahman is deeply mysterious, for it is the origin of time, space, and causality itself. It is Avidya, ignorance, not in the sense of lack of knowledge, but as the primal forgetfulness that makes us perceive duality in the nondual. **From the Nondual Perspective: Brahman as the One without a Second**
Finally, from the nondual perspective, Brahman is realized as the one without a second—Advaita. It is not a deity, not an entity, not even a ‘thing’ that can be comprehended by the intellect. It is the underlying oneness that pervades all dualities, where the seeker and the sought merge. In this view, the individual self (Atman) and the universal self (Brahman) are the same. All distinctions between creator and creation dissolve, revealing that there is nothing but Brahman—pure existence, consciousness, and bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda).
This journey through the perspectives of Brahman reflects the layered depths of our existence. From the tangible reality of our day-to-day lives to the deepest spiritual realization, Brahman remains the unchanging truth. Each perspective is a step closer to the ultimate truth, leading us from the outward expressions of divinity to the profound inner revelation that we are, in essence, the infinite Brahman.
To understand Brahman is to expand our awareness across the spectrum of existence. The gross perspective roots us in our environment, the subtle unfolds the inner cosmos, the causal leads us to the primal source, and the nondual reveals our true infinite nature. In contemplating these perspectives, we may find that the journey to understand Brahman is not a journey outward but a profound voyage within, to the very core of who we are.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
As we navigate through life’s labyrinth, we encounter myriad philosophical viewpoints designed to offer us clarity about the nature of reality. Two such perspectives – one rooted in ancient Eastern spirituality, Advaita Vedanta, and the other a more contemporary Western theory, Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory – provide us with intriguing interpretive lenses. While appearing distinct, when juxtaposed, they unfold a captivating dialogue, revealing the interconnectedness of diverse paths of wisdom.
**Non-Duality: The Heart of Advaita Vedanta**
At the core of Advaita Vedanta lies the profound principle of non-duality. The term ‘Advaita’ translates to ‘not two’, pointing towards the notion of unity beneath apparent multiplicity. According to this philosophy, all phenomena – whether perceived as separate entities or diverse experiences – are manifestations of a singular absolute reality known as Brahman.
This philosophy posits that the perceived distinction between the individual self (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) is an illusion (Maya), born out of ignorance (Avidya). The journey of spiritual awakening in Advaita Vedanta is about transcending this illusion, recognizing the non-dual nature of existence, where the Atman and Brahman are not separate but one.
**Ken Wilber’s Four Quadrants: A Comprehensive Map of Reality**
Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory, particularly the Four Quadrants model, offers a different but complementary perspective. Wilber presents a holistic map of reality, dividing it into four quadrants: Individual Interior (consciousness), Individual Exterior (behaviour), Collective Interior (culture), and Collective Exterior (society). Each quadrant represents an integral part of our existence and must be considered to understand reality holistically.
**The Interplay: Advaita Vedanta and Four Quadrants**
Drawing parallels between Advaita Vedanta and the Four Quadrants can create a fascinating synthesis of Eastern and Western thought.
The Upper Left Quadrant (Individual-Interior) aligns with the individual’s subjective experience, mirroring the Advaita exploration of Atman. The Upper Right Quadrant (Individual-Exterior) encapsulates the physical manifestation of the individual, aligning with the Advaita concept that even our physical existence is a manifestation of Brahman.
The Lower Left Quadrant (Collective-Interior) represents shared beliefs and cultures, resonating with the Advaita perspective that cultural differences are superficial, and at a deeper level, unity prevails. The Lower Right Quadrant (Collective-Exterior) mirrors societal structures, all manifestations of the same non-dual reality.
From the Advaita viewpoint, the division of the four quadrants are themselves expressions of Maya, as they create apparent separations where none ultimately exist. They are valuable tools for understanding and navigating the world but do not represent the deepest truth of non-duality.
**Uniting Perspectives: A Path to Enlightenment**
Exploring the intersection of Advaita Vedanta and Ken Wilber’s Four Quadrants offers a richer understanding of reality, harmonizing subjective and objective, individual and collective, Eastern spirituality and Western theory. As we understand that the lines dividing these quadrants are more porous than they seem, we move closer to the non-dual truth of Advaita – that beneath apparent diversity, unity pervades.
At a time when division and fragmentation are rampant, this synthesis could offer a path toward the kind of transcendental insight that can bridge divides, fostering a deeper sense of interconnectedness and wholeness. After all, as Advaita Vedanta teaches us, beneath the surface of multiplicity, we are ‘not two’ but one. As we embrace the wisdom of the four quadrants, we might just find ourselves taking a step closer to that unity, opening ourselves to a richer, more holistic understanding of the world.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!
Morgan O. Smith 