Tag: Sat-Chit-Ananda

Brahman as the Ultimate Reality

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!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith



The Unfathomable Brahman

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!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith