On Guru Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti, we revere the luminary of Advaita Vedanta, embracing the essence of self-realization through his masterpiece, the Nirvana Shatakam. His teachings resonate as a guiding light, inspiring seekers on the path of spiritual enlightenment and unity with the divine.
Through the practice of equanimity, we learn to dance with the rhythms of the subconscious, allowing its creative impulses to guide us towards new horizons of possibility. And in this dance of surrender and trust, we find liberation—the freedom to express our truest selves and to journey ever closer towards the fulfilment of our deepest aspirations.
Vedanta and quantum mechanics approach the understanding of reality from different perspectives—one from ancient philosophical inquiry and the other from modern scientific exploration—there are intriguing parallels between their fundamental principles.
The interplay of consciousness, oneness, and energy bridges the spiritual depth of Isha Upanishad with the quantum scientific exploration of interconnectedness, suggesting a profound unity between ancient wisdom and modern understanding.
Intriguingly, the insights of the Upanishads find resonance with some of the most enigmatic statements of quantum science. The intersection of this ancient philosophy with modern scientific inquiry illuminates a fascinating convergence of thought.
The teachings of the Upanishads are not confined by time, culture, or geography. Their insights transcend the boundaries of tradition and speak to the universal human experience.
In non-dual philosophy, the ultimate reality, often referred to as Brahman, is considered to be infinite, timeless, and transcendent. It is beyond the grasp of ordinary perception and conceptualization.
Non-duality emphasizes the underlying unity and interconnectedness of all existence. Recognizing this interconnectedness can foster a sense of compassion, empathy, and understanding towards others and the world around us.
From a Vedantic perspective, this journey of self-realization aligns with the core principles of Advaita Vedanta, where the individual self is recognized as none other than the ultimate reality, transcending boundaries and limitations.
The Panchagni Vidya emphasizes the core principle of non-duality, asserting that the individual soul (Atman) and universal reality (Brahman) are fundamentally one. This revelation dismantles the illusion of separation, unveiling the intrinsic unity of all existence.
By combining both modern scientific perspectives and ancient philosophical wisdom, you’re approaching the concept of the “Absolute” from a rich and multi-dimensional viewpoint. This interdisciplinary approach can lead to a more holistic understanding of the nature of reality.
Non-duality invites us to recognize the wholeness of our being. It points to the completeness and inherent perfection that exists within each moment and within us.
All-Absorbent Meditation is a term from the ancient Indian spiritual tradition of Vedanta. It refers to a practice of meditation that involves focusing the mind on the ultimate reality or truth behind all things and experiencing a state of pure consciousness in which the individual self merges with the Universal Self.
When we realize our true nature, we no longer identify with the limited and impermanent aspects of ourselves, and we are no longer bound by the cycle of birth and death. Instead, we experience lasting happiness, peace, and fulfilment, which are not dependent on external circumstances.
Advertisements I had a blissful time by presenting a brief introduction on Upanishads (#Vedanta) in a club house at Bangalore City in India It was… Read More »A TALK SHOW ON VEDANTA
The Divine is Shapeless ( Divine formless), Birthless, Breathless, Mindless, above everything, outside everything, inside everything. Absolutely Pure, verily even from the Indestructible (Causal), higher than Highest means transcending even the transcendent Ishwara” means beyond the Causal state.
In the beginning, there was “Existence alone”, mere Being, one without a second. Some say there was mere nothing, nothing whatsoever; that everything has come out of nothing.
Our true nature is beginning less, endless, non-dual, unbounded, ever free, pure, aware, Supreme Bliss. Due to ignorance known as Maya (Avidya), we pass through cycles of births and deaths
King of Death continued: ‘ When man understands himself, understands Universal self, the union of the two, kindles the triple Fire, offers the sacrifice; then shall he, though still on Earth, break the bonds of Death, beyond sorrow, mount into Heaven.
Vedanta is an investigation to find out who or what we are? When we will realize that we are not limited to this body of flesh and blood, but we are immortal Awareness.
The Self [ the atman] is everywhere, without a Body, without a shape, whole, pure, unpierced by evils, wise, all knowing, far shining, self depending, all transcending, functions and duties are allotted by HIM alone to the Creator for eternity.
How can he feel delusion and grief who sees oneness (Non-Duality) alone everywhere. He who sees all beings and forms in the Self, he alone really sees.
Awareness: IT is That which is Absolute, fills all space, is complete in Itself, to which there is no second and which is continuously present in everything, in every being and everywhere. It is homogeneous in nature. It is known as “Brahman in Vedanta”
The Self is free from sin, free from old age, free from death, free from sorrow, and free from hunger and thirst. It is the cause of desire for Truth and for commitment to Truth”
When a person is in deep sleep, he is free from all worries. In deep sleep, mind lies inactive, desires nothing, dreams nothing, and knows nothing. This is his intellectual condition.
Within the City of Brahman, which is the Body, there is the Heart, and within the Heart there is a little house. The house has the shape of a Lotus, and within it dwells that which shines by its own light.
भूमैव सुखं : “Bhumaiva Sukham”: 1) That which is Infinite is true Happiness. 2) There is no Happiness in anything finite. 3) The Infinite alone is Happiness.
Only when one becomes full of steadfastness (devotion), then can one be full of faith. Without Steadfastness, no one can have faith.
Only when one is given to Action, then can one be full of Steadfastness. No, without action, one can not have steadfastness.
IT is That which is Absolute, fills all space, is complete in Itself, to which there is no second and which is continuously present in everything, in every being and everywhere. It is homogeneous in nature.
When man becomes powerful (gains great strength), he rises (gains spiritual power); as he rises, he serves (Karma Yoga). as he serves, he associates with wise (Discipleship), he sees, hears (Sravana), thinks (Manana), knows (Nididhyasana), acts (intense Tapas), and he realizes (Attains Self).
He who in Will, worships the Infinite, attains the sphere within reach of Will. He is free to act as he wishes. Such is he who in Will worships the Infinite!
Tat-Tvam-Asi=YOU ARE THAT: This statement relates the Individual Self to the Universal Self. The direct Knowledge of that total Identity is the immediate means to Liberation (Moksha).
In sleep, you get into yourself, you enter yourself, you become yourself, and know nothing but yourself. This is sleep. You have withdrawn yourself from all outside connections and relationships.
In the beginning, there was “Existence alone”, mere Being, one without a second. Some say there was mere nothing, nothing whatsoever; that everything has come out of nothing.
He can not be known through Discourse, nor through speech, nor through mind, nor through the eye can It be attained. Apart from Him who speaks of It as ” He Exists” finds Him. How can a man who does not believe so find Him?
When He shines, everything shines after HIM; by His light, all these Shine!” One Supreme Ruler is the inner Self of all; This one quality appears in all individuals. The wise realize Him in their own hearts.
Knowing the Truth, that the Individual Self, the eater of the fruit of action, is the Universal Self, maker of past and future, knows that he has nothing to fear.
” O King! Have neither pride nor vanity for the charities that you dispense. Go thou, great king, to thy palace. Give but not pride. Give generously but not with egotism.
“He who knows the sources and power of Life, how it enters, where it lives, how it divides itself into five, how it is related to the Self, attains immortality; yes! attains immortality”
Prana dwelling in the body is like a King (Prajapati)and the sense organs are like his Subjects. Offerings are token of love, reverence and respect to another. By Prana are all senses and mind supported.
The message out of this lesson is that it is the same life-principle in all creatures. There is no longer the individualistic view of life. Life is one; that there is one universal Life-force, and it manifests through all life forms. The Sun is indeed Prana, life, Energy.
” O Rama ! The world is nothing but a mere vibration of Consciousness in space. It seems to Exist even as a Goblin seems to exist in the eyes of the ignorant. All this is But Maya. For here there is no contradiction between the infinite Consciousness and the apparent existence of the Universe. It is like marvelous dream of a person who is awake”….. from “YOGA VASISTHA” as said to Lord Rama by the Sage Vasistha.”
Consciousness is that, in which all experiences appear. It is that with which all experience is known and it is that out of which all experiences are made.
Brahman is everywhere. Brahman is everything ( Brahmaivedam Sarvam). It has no beginning and no end. ” And Brahman is realized by knowing the Self, which is our True nature. This is Supreme knowledge known as Brahma Vidya
When the secret is known, no one will say, ” It is my son or my daughter.” It is neither yours neither mines. It belongs to that from where it has come.
He having realized oneness with Pure Consciousness, soared from this world and having obtained all desires in yonder heavenly world, became immortal! Yes immortal.
The Reality in the core of man and the Reality in the Sun is one and the same. I am Self- luminous like the Sun.
Who knows this, knows Brahman, Knows The Supreme.
Atman includes everything and everyone. It is the Total of all created beings, and so it is called Brahman. The ultimate in us is Atman. The ultimate in the cosmos is Brahman. Atman is Brahman. There can not be anything other than this Universal Reality.
He who lives in Man, He who lives in the Sun are one. He who knows this spiritual joy, mind cannot grasp, nor tongue speak, fears nothing.” “He who knows this, cries goodbye to the world, goes beyond elemental Self, living Self, thinking Self, knowing Self, joyous Self.
“Satyam jnanam anantam Brahman” which means “The knower of “BRAHMAN” attains the Supreme”. BRAHMAN is Truth, knowledge and Infinity, which is our own very Self, the Atman.
OM! , Whose form is manifold, and the Essence of Vedas, revealed in Vedas, revealed in the world, sprung from immortality! Lord, fill me with intelligence, that I may grasp immortality!
The only proof of His existence is union with Him. The world disappears in Him. He is the peaceful, the good, the ONE without a second. This is the fourth condition of the Self- The most worthy of all. This is the Atman.
From HIM arise oceans, rivers, mountains, herbs and their properties. And in the middle of the elements is the innermost Self. HE is the inmost Self of all.
“He who knows the sources and power of Life, the Prana, how it enters, where it lives, how it divides itself into five, how it is related to the Self, attains immortality; yes attains immortality”
Prana as a whole is composed of five Pranas (prana, udana, vyana, samana, apana.
Absence of knowledge brings fear of Death. With vidya( knowledge), people become fearless. Knowing this knowledge, people will welcome Lord of Death, Yama, not repel Him. He who knows the soundless, odourless, tasteless, intangible, formless, deathless, supernatural, unchangeable Reality, springs out of the mouth of Death
Atman, smaller than the small, greater than the great, is hidden in the hearts of all living creatures. A man who is free from desires beholds the majesty of the Self through tranquility of the senses and the mind and becomes free from grief.
Out of fire(Agni) arises all that exists in the Universe. Mastering this, one gains mastery over any field of human activity, and acquires whatever one desires in terms of worldly prosperity and power.
“May HE protect us both. May HE take pleasure in us both. May we show courage together. May Spiritual knowledge shine before us. May we never hate one another. May peace and peace and peace be everywhere”.
Definition of One unit of ‘Human Joy” as mentioned in Taittiriya Upanishad.
Let’s look into the section VIII of Brahmananda Valli, the second part of Taittiriya Upanishad which is one of among 10 Principal Upanishads.
We all know that our fundamental aim is to be always happy, joyous in our life. We always think of overcoming sufferings, miseries during different phases of life. We need permanent happiness which ordinarily is never seen. Any living creature will seek comfort zone with all good happenings all the time. Among all creatures, Human is considered to be the most intelligent creatures of this world. We the human being, though always search for joy and always try for a life with full satisfaction, yet we cannot achieve both joy and satisfaction permanently. Joys and sorrows come and go like waves’ crest and trough.
According to Vedanta, the goal of Human is: ” Attyantika Dukshya Nibritti, Paramananda praptyachya”.
Complete cessation of sufferings and attainment of Bliss is the goal of everyone.
In the Second part of the Brahmananda Valli, there is one section (section eight), known as ” Ananda Mimamsa” which means an enquiry into the form of Supreme Bliss (Ananda). The Text first defines what is human joy and defines one unit measure, a standard unit of human joy. Then it explains about multiple units of this Joy at different levels and compare those number of Joys (Bliss) with one revelation. According to measurement model, it will take us to the highest level for clear conception about Joy. Very interestingly and mathematically described in such a fashion that one will understand and find what is Joy in reality.
Part of Sloka starts like this: –
2. "seisa ananda mimAMsA bhabati". This means " This is the enquiry for Joy (Bliss)"
Call his joy as “eko maanusha aanandah” means one unit of human joy”!
Above sloka defines measurement of one unit of human joy this way: —Think of a young man, well educated, ambitious, firm, strong, noble, and poses total wealth of this world. Call his joy as “eko maanusha aanandah” means one unit of human joy.Thus, the standard unit of Human joy is defined. We will now see what next is in the sacred text.
So, we have now one unit of human joy for further enquiry, further analysis. Before proceeding further, we will analyse the definition of one unit of human joy. The first point to be noted here is that the first condition is, the Man should be young.Why young? Because youth is the ideal condition in one’s life to enjoy, since at young age, body holds full strength, vigour and vitality. Looks very attractive, body heals faster and possess all the benefits of physical works. Second condition is that the youth should be well versed, ambitious, firm, strong, noble and have the wealth of the entire world. We may imagine him as the King of this world.
The Joy of such a person may be assumed as one unit of human Joy which is maximum possible Joy of any human in this world. According to Vedanta, even more than this Joy is possible, but not in this world ( loka /plane/heavens and also known as Astral Planes ). There are higher worlds beyond this world like heavens which is believed by most of the religions. I will write about those Astral planes in my other blog. However we should understand the concept of Joy in actuality.
Now we will move to the next part of the sloka.
Sloka continues :-
A hundredfold of that Human joy is now unit measure of Human Gandharvas, joy of those brought to the celestial choir (Gandharva loka) by their good deeds. A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
A hundredfold joy of Human Gandharva is now unit measure of joy of celestial Gandharva.A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
A hundredfold joy of celestial Gandharvais now unit measure of joy of manes (forefathers), living in their eternal paradise (Pitri loka). A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that one unit of joy of pitri loka hundred times and call it one unit of joy of Heaven born gods. A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that one unit of joy of Heaven born gods hundred times and call it one unit of joy of Gods brought to godhead by their good deeds . A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of gods brought to godhead by their good deeds. A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of ruling gods . A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of god Indra (known as King of Heaven and also known as God of Thunder). A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of Brihaspati, who is known to be Guru of gods. A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of Prajapati, who is known to be maker of gods.A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Multiply that joy a hundred times and call it one unit of joy of Spirit. A man full of revelation but without desire, has equal joy.
Sloka Continues:
'He who lives in Man, He who lives in the Sun are one. He who knows this spiritual joy, mind cannot grasp, nor tongue speak, fears nothing."
“He who knows this, cries goodbye to the world, goes beyond elemental Self, living Self, thinking Self, knowing Self, joyous Self. Here is my Authority. “[** End of Sloka 2.8 of Taittiriya Upanishad.]
Let us now analyze the amount of human joy which is One unit in this world. More happiness is possible. but not in this world. As we believe, beyond this world, there are higher worlds, higher planes commonly known as Etheric plane, Astral planes of different vibrational frequencies. All the planes are in ascending order according to the energy densities. Commonly we call it as Gandharva loka, Pitri loka, Deva loka, Indra loka, Brihaspati loka, Prajapati loka, Brahma loka etc. All these lokas* are in ascending order. According to description, joy of each loka is multiplied by hundred to that of joy of previous loka. Finally, the figure of joy becomes billions of times greater than that of maximum human happiness.
For the time being, let us assume and believe that those higher worlds exist and also believe in the text of the sloka. We may concentrate on the concept. What we have learnt from the above sacred text? We can have discussion over it. In the sloka, every time it has been pointed out that the amount of Joy in the new loka, remains same. The statement is “A man full of revelation, but without desire, has equal joy”.