Tag: Indian philosophy

The Infinite and Beyond

Contemplating Brahman and Para-Brahman

In the profound depths of Indian philosophy, the concepts of Brahman and Para-Brahman emerge as pivotal ideas that transcend ordinary comprehension, inviting seekers to explore the very edge of cosmic understanding. Brahman is often described as the ultimate reality, the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality that is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond in this Universe. It is the singularity from which multiplicity flows, the essence that sustains and constitutes the cosmos and its myriad expressions.

Yet, within this already boundless concept lies the hint of something even more ineffable: Para-Brahman. This term goes beyond even Brahman, suggesting a reality that exists beyond the highest conception of the Absolute as known within the limits of human understanding. If Brahman is the white canvas upon which the universe is painted, then Para-Brahman is the very space that holds the canvas, the possibility of canvases yet untouched, and the idea of the canvas itself—both less tangible and more fundamental.

Para-Brahman is not just a step further; it is an exponential leap into the realm of the Absolute’s absolute. While Brahman can be approached through spiritual practice, described in scriptures, and meditated upon, Para-Brahman remains forever beyond the grasp of direct experience and intellectual articulation. It is the ‘Beyond’ in ‘Beyond the Ultimate’, the ‘Transcendence’ in ‘Transcendental’, where even the concept of ‘existence’ loses its footing.

The distinction between Brahman and Para-Brahman is not just of scholarly interest—it offers a radical perspective on the nature of enlightenment and the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit. It challenges practitioners to question the very foundation of what they consider to be Absolute. In Brahman, we find the dissolution of the ego and the union with the divine; in Para-Brahman, there seems to be no ‘we’ to experience the union, no ‘divine’ to unite with, only an unmanifested potentiality that defies duality and description.

This philosophical delineation beckons us to reconsider the nature of reality and our place within it. It humbles our narrative-driven minds to accept that the ultimate truth may be a mystery that remains forever out of reach, something that can be hinted at but never fully explained or understood. Yet, this is not a cause for despair but an invitation to expand our perception, to live with a sense of wonder, and to find peace in the ineffable mystery that is the grandeur of existence.

In this light, the journey of life transforms into a sublime trek across the expanse of consciousness—with Brahman as the guide and Para-Brahman as the destination that was never apart from us, yet always beyond us. The seeker thus becomes the ultimate pilgrim, traversing an inner universe where questions and answers merge into the silent eloquence of Being.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Bridging Quantum Realms and Turiyatita

The Web of Interconnection

In the intricate and mystifying world of quantum mechanics, one phenomenon stands out as particularly thought-provoking: quantum entanglement. It’s a concept that defies our everyday logic, connecting particles across vast distances in such a way that the state of one instantly influences the state of the other. This interconnectedness, existing beyond space and time, might find an unlikely companion in an ancient spiritual concept: turiyatita, the attainment of spiritual enlightenment.

The Interconnected Universe

Quantum entanglement illustrates how, at the fundamental level, all things in the universe are interconnected. This idea resonates with spiritual teachings across cultures that speak of the oneness of existence and the interconnectedness of all life. In Indian philosophy, turiyatita represents a state of consciousness that transcends the conventional realms of waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and even the transcendental state known as turiya. It’s a state of realization that everything is part of a singular divine essence.

Could these two concepts, one rooted in the cutting-edge science of quantum physics and the other in ancient spiritual wisdom, have something to say to each other?

A Metaphor for Enlightenment

Quantum entanglement could be seen as a metaphor for the experience of spiritual enlightenment. The entangled particles, seemingly separate but inherently connected, might symbolize how everything in existence is part of the same cosmic dance. Likewise, the experience of turiyatita transcends the illusion of separateness, revealing an underlying unity.

In this metaphorical sense, the realization of enlightenment could be likened to experiencing the world in its entangled state, where divisions melt away and a profound interconnectedness is revealed.

A Dance of Mystery

Yet, the relationship between quantum entanglement and turiyatita is more than a simple analogy. Both concepts challenge our conventional understanding of reality. They both hint at a world far more complex and interconnected than our ordinary senses can perceive.

Is it possible that these two ideas, one from the realm of science and the other from the domain of spirituality, are glimpses of the same underlying truth? Is there a hidden dance of connection that plays out both in the microscopic world of quantum particles and the expansive world of human consciousness?

Conclusion

The connection between quantum entanglement and turiyatita may be speculative and metaphorical, but it invites us to ponder the profound mysteries of existence. It’s a reminder that the world is far more complex and beautiful than we often realize and that science and spirituality, seemingly disparate, might have something profound to say to each other.

This dance of connection between the physical and the metaphysical invites us to explore, wonder, and perhaps even transcend our conventional understanding of reality. It’s a poetic reminder that we are all interconnected, in ways that both science and spirituality continue to explore and celebrate.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

Aham Brahmasmi

The One Identity That Transcends All

In the labyrinth of identity, where the self is often lost amidst the numerous labels and societal constructs, “Aham Brahmasmi” emerges as a beacon of profound insight. Translated as “I am Brahman”, it’s a phrase from the Upanishads, the ancient philosophical texts of India, that redefines the very essence of selfhood. A bold assertion of unity with the Absolute, it declares the individual self as non-different from the ultimate reality or cosmic principle, Brahman.

The phrase posits a paradox: it is both a declaration of identity and a negation of it. While it identifies the self with Brahman, it simultaneously obliterates all other identities that are predicated on the dualistic perception of reality. It deciphers the enigma of existence by presenting a radical understanding of the self that transcends all conventional forms of identity-based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or nationality.

In the assertion of “Aham Brahmasmi”, the identity becomes the Universe itself, simultaneously making it ‘The One Identity’. Yet, by embracing the entirety of the cosmos, it becomes ‘No Identity’ – for it is no longer confined by the limitations of individuality. It surpasses the perceived boundaries of the self and ventures into the realm of absolute oneness, a non-dual reality beyond all bifurcations.

This concept embodies the pinnacle of self-realization, where the ego-self is annihilated and one awakens to the inherent divinity within. It’s a state where there is no ‘other’. The knower, the known, and the process of knowing merge into one seamless entity, eliminating the subject-object dichotomy. It is a proclamation of the undifferentiated consciousness that pervades all existence.

Understanding “Aham Brahmasmi” prompts us to question the notion of ‘identity’ as we ordinarily understand it. It urges us to look beyond the surface, to delve deep into the essence of who we truly are. It seeks to elevate our consciousness from the transitory, ephemeral identities towards the eternal, changeless Self. It encourages the shift from multiplicity to unity, from diversity to oneness, from illusion to reality.

To comprehend and embrace “Aham Brahmasmi” is to transcend the shackles of perceived identity. It is to immerse oneself into the boundless ocean of consciousness, realizing that the waves of individuality are but manifestations of the same, unified reality. It is to witness the grand cosmic dance of existence and to understand that we are not mere spectators, but the dance itself.

This timeless wisdom reminds us of our inherent potential to realize the ultimate truth. It is an invitation to journey inwards, into the core of our being, to discover our true nature. It is to affirm that we are more than our physical bodies, more than our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. “Aham Brahmasmi” is the realization that we are that – the boundless, the infinite, the eternal. It is the unlearning of all we thought we were, to understand who we truly are.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation/Bodhi in the Brain, Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith