Day 285 - Non-dual nature of Reality

Day 285 - Non-dual nature of Reality

In this section of The Yoga Vasistha, the sage Vasistha continues to explore the profound nature of reality, perception, and consciousness in response to Rama’s questions. Here’s a breakdown of the main points:

1. The Reality of Creation:

• Rama's Query on Reality: Rama asks whether the objects and forms that arise from the dynamic energy (Shakti or Prakriti) are real or false. Vasistha responds that they are indeed real because they arise within consciousness and are experienced by consciousness itself. Just as a mirror reflects objects, consciousness reflects within itself. Therefore, even if these forms are illusory, they are real in the sense that they are experienced.

• Consciousness as the Basis of Reality: Vasistha emphasizes that whatever is perceived in consciousness is real to the perceiving self, even if it may not be real for someone else. The reality of the external world depends on the observer’s state of consciousness, much like dreams or fancies are real to the dreamer.

2. Movement of Prakriti (Dynamic Energy):

• Kali’s Dance and Tranquility: The dynamic energy of consciousness (personified as Kali or Kalaratri) continues to move and dance until it comes into contact with the Lord (consciousness itself). This movement represents the fluctuations and manifestations within consciousness. However, when the energy recognizes or merges with its source (pure consciousness), it becomes tranquil and ceases to dance, much like a river merging into the ocean.

• Energy’s Return to Consciousness: Vasistha explains that when the energy (Prakriti) becomes aware of its true nature, it returns to its source—consciousness—and ceases its activity. This cessation represents the dissolution of duality and the return to the non-dual state of pure awareness.

3. The Process of Dissolution:

• Rudra’s Dissolution: Vasistha describes how Rudra (a form of Shiva) dissolves into pure consciousness. At first, Rudra observes the divisions within consciousness (creation), but he then "swallows" these divisions, becoming one with space. Rudra gradually shrinks in size and eventually becomes invisible, symbolizing the dissolution of the ego and the merging into the infinite consciousness.

• Perception of Creation: Vasistha observes the universe within the rock, noting how different worlds and creations manifest and dissolve. He perceives different stages of creation, including various ages (yugas), different types of beings (gods, demons, humans), and the cyclical nature of existence. Each creation follows its own order, with some worlds experiencing enlightenment and others enduring ignorance.

4. The Eternal Nature of Creation:

• Cycles of Birth and Death: Vasistha points out to Rama that both he and Rama have been born and reborn many times throughout the endless cycles of creation. However, from the perspective of ultimate reality, these births and the material world are like ripples on the surface of water—ephemeral and illusory.

• Creation Exists Within the Self: Vasistha reflects that all of creation exists within the self, just as a tree exists in a seed. Creation is experienced internally, and all experiences arise within the vast space of consciousness. Even though different elements like the five senses and their corresponding experiences seem to arise, in truth, nothing has ever really come into being—everything remains pure consciousness.

5. The Nature of Perception and the Mind:

• Creation of the Mind and Senses: Vasistha explains how, in the process of creation, the mind gives rise to the senses and their corresponding experiences (sight, sound, touch, etc.). These arise as notions within consciousness, creating the perception of an external world. However, all these experiences are illusory—there is no substance to them.

• The Role of the Ego (Ahamkara): The sense of "I" or ego arises from the mind and becomes grosser, forming the intellect and mind. This leads to the perception of a material body and a physical world, even though in reality, nothing exists outside of consciousness. The ego’s sense of individuality is an illusion that persists until one recognizes the truth of non-duality.

6. The Illusion of Materiality:

• Illusory Nature of Objects: Vasistha reinforces the idea that all objects and phenomena, including the earth, senses, and even the body, are illusory. They arise from notions within consciousness, much like dream objects. Even the sense of time, space, and causality is a product of the mind’s conditioning and has no ultimate reality.

• Perception as a Product of Consciousness: The sage explains that even though we experience objects like earth and the elements, these are simply experiences within the infinite consciousness. There is no actual material existence—everything is merely an experience of consciousness interacting with itself.

7. Unity of All Existence:

• Consciousness as the Only Reality: Vasistha concludes by stating that everything—whether it is the earth, mountains, gods, or living beings—exists only within consciousness. There is no objective world outside of consciousness. What we perceive as the material world is merely an appearance, a projection of consciousness. The enlightened person sees beyond these illusions and perceives only the infinite, indivisible consciousness.

Conclusion:

The conversation between Rama and Vasistha delves deep into the non-dual nature of reality. Vasistha explains that all creation, perception, and experience arise within consciousness and are, therefore, real in a relative sense but ultimately illusory. The dynamic energy (Prakriti) that drives creation eventually returns to its source—pure consciousness—where duality dissolves, and only the infinite remains. All that exists is consciousness, and the perception of a separate, material world is a temporary illusion shaped by the mind's conditioning.