The Illusion of Creation and the Dance of Consciousness

Day 124

The Illusion of Creation and the Dance of Consciousness

The World As Dream and Memory

Vasishta continues to dismantle a worldview based on the concepts of a created, solid, external reality. He strongly asserts that everything commonly perceived as 'the world' is a fleeting projection of memories and impressions onto the infinite field of consciousness. It has the solidity and persistence of a dream. This idea has parallels with Buddhist 'emptiness' teachings, where the material world is not denied but is recognized as impermanent and lacking ultimate, inherent existence.

The Illusory 'Seed' of the Universe

Vasishta argues against the idea that the universe exists in some potential state within an unchanging Brahman. This, he argues, creates duality where none exists. Everything within the appearance of creation IS already an expression of that infinite consciousness. Creation isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing dance of forms arising and dissolving within the vastness of that awareness. There is no separation, no cause and effect, between 'creation' and its source.

Infinite Potentials, Nested Realities

Vasishta paints a captivating image: millions of universes flicker into being like dust revealed in a sunbeam, yet they are not separate from the light that makes them visible. The analogy with uncarved marble, containing figures within figures, highlights the boundless potential and nested realities within the formless infinite consciousness. This view echoes some multiverse and holographic theories in contemporary science.

The Power of Perception

Crucially, Vasishta emphasizes that how we interpret our experience matters greatly. The enlightened being (unlike the ignorant) doesn't deny the appearance of a world but recognizes it for what it is: an ever-changing projection within consciousness. The unenlightened are trapped by their belief in its solidity and are thus bound by their own perception.

The Challenge of Language

Vasishta hints at the limitations of language. Even the word 'creation' becomes misleading, as it implies a concrete beginning where none exists. It suggests a division between creator and created, which is ultimately impossible within this nondualistic perspective.

Connecting to Today's World

• Mindfulness: Vasishta's views offer a powerful invitation to mindfulness. If our experience of the world arises largely from our thoughts and perceptions, what happens when we become skilled at observing them without clinging to them as solid reality? In mindfulness practices, we begin to see this inner world of 'creation' more clearly.
• The Nature of Reality: Vasishta's wisdom speaks to our enduring questions about consciousness and the fundamental nature of reality. How does his view relate to our modern understanding of the brain and its capacity to create internal models of reality? Is there a point where science and spirituality begin to converge in understanding how consciousness shapes what we experience?