
Discovering the Essence Within
Introduction:
In the tranquil tapestry of Eastern philosophy, where contemplation converges with existence, there lies a profound revelation – Everything in existence is composed of Pure Consciousness. Here, Consciousness is not merely an attribute; it is capitalized, symbolizing its omnipresence as the very fabric that weaves through the cosmos. It is akin to an ancient tale of a castle crafted from sand, reflecting that though it may don the guise of a majestic structure, it remains, in essence, sand.
The Sand and the Castle:
Visualize a child meticulously building a sand castle on the shore. The grains of sand, amassed and sculpted, assume the shape of a castle. Does the sand cease to be sand when shaped into a castle? Certainly not. This allegory mirrors the realization that while the myriad forms around us may appear different, they are all permutations of the same unyielding Consciousness.
The Essence of Consciousness:
Consciousness is akin to Brahman in Hinduism or the Tao in Taoism in the Eastern philosophical context. The unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality is the Divine Ground of all matter, energy, time, space, being, and everything beyond. Our ephemeral existence is a mere reflection, a ripple in the vast ocean of Consciousness.
Flow of Forms:
Just as a sand castle is subjected to the whims of waves and winds, forms in the material world are in a constant state of flux. The ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, illustrates this with the concept of ‘Lila’, depicting the world as a divine play of forms. The Taoist philosophy also reverberates with this thought through the Tao, which flows through and is the inherent nature of all things.
The Inner Alchemy:
One might inquire, how does this realization benefit our daily lives? Understanding that we are not just isolated entities, but integral threads woven into the fabric of Consciousness, can be transformative. It helps us transcend the illusion of separateness and cultivates compassion, humility, and interconnectedness with all beings and the natural world.
Conclusion:
As we embrace the wisdom of Eastern philosophy, let us be mindful of the sand castles we build and the sands that shape them. Let us embark on a spiritual odyssey to unearth the Consciousness within and around us, recognizing that the essence is unchanging, infinite and all-encompassing. Like the sand castles by the sea, our forms are transient, but the Consciousness that shapes us is eternal.
Morgan O. Smith
Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!