Day 306: The Infinite Consciousness as All and Nothing
Day 306: The Infinite Consciousness as All and Nothing
Rama’s Inquiry into Causation and the Nature of Existence
Why Doesn’t Causeless Creation Continue Today?
Rama asked why, if the world-appearance arose in the infinite consciousness without any cause, such uncaused events do not continue to manifest even now. Vasistha responded by emphasizing that in the infinite consciousness, both causation and causelessness exist simultaneously. Just as the human body contains both conscious and inert elements, like hair and nails, causation and spontaneity coexist within Brahman. Therefore, to one who perceives Brahman alone, there is no duality of cause and effect, and all notions of “created” or “uncaused” are mere perspectives.
Creation and Delusion in the Mind of the Ignorant
Rama then asked about the existence of causality for the ignorant, questioning what, if anything, is uncaused in their world. Vasistha clarified that to the enlightened, the concept of the ignorant is nonexistent; it is only in delusion that such ideas arise. When seen as a dream, the creation is neither caused nor causeless—it simply exists as a phenomenon of consciousness. Vasistha highlighted that speculative reasoning on creation’s cause leads to confusion, not wisdom.
He illustrated this with fire’s inherent heat, asking, “Is fire the cause of its heat, or are they one and the same?” Similarly, the physical body and the universe are ultimately causeless, existing only as perceptions within the one consciousness.
The Subtle Nature of Reality: A Story of Creation
To further explain the subtle nature of creation, Vasistha shared an ancient story:
A Brahmana named Indu had ten sons who sought to achieve the highest state of contemplation. They engaged in deep meditation in the forest, renouncing worldly life until their bodies withered away, consumed by nature. Immersed in thoughts of “I am Brahma the creator,” “I am the world,” and “I am the entire creation,” their focused minds gave rise to the creation itself, reflecting their contemplation. Vasistha explained that this universe, including all physical elements like mountains and oceans, is pure consciousness. Like a potter shaping clay, consciousness molds creation, as it is both the creator and the creation.
The Non-Solid, Dream-Like Nature of the Universe
Rama questioned how the subtle consciousness could move the body if it were solid. Vasistha responded by asserting that nothing in the universe is truly solid. All forms—earth, water, air, even the mountains—are subtle consciousness. He clarified that physical solidity is an illusion, much like a dream where objects seem tangible but are intangible upon waking. This world, therefore, arises in pure consciousness, much like dream objects that seem real but lack substance.
Vasistha affirmed that all things exist within consciousness, and even the senses and body, though appearing solid, are purely subtle. He encouraged Rama to view the body and world as formless, arising within consciousness, and to recognize that true reality is free of all forms.
Oneness and Many: The Unity of Existence
Vasistha noted that just as rivers converge into the ocean or seasons blend into the flow of time, the many are truly one within consciousness. Similarly, dream and wakefulness, although seemingly distinct, are both expressions of one state—consciousness. The reality of this unity reveals that what appears as a separate world is nothing but consciousness reflecting itself. Recognizing this oneness dissolves sorrow, as one understands that all suffering is born from the illusion of separation.
Through the story of Indu’s sons and their cosmic contemplation, Vasistha underscored that the mind alone is the creator and that the world, like all experiences, exists within consciousness. When one realizes the world’s true nature, like seeing through a dream, sorrow and suffering dissipate. This universe, he concluded, is the result of the infinite potentials of consciousness, much like radiance is to a jewel.
Reflection and Realization
Vasistha advised Rama to remember that the seer, seen, and act of seeing are all consciousness, and any distinction between them is illusory. Just as the nightmare ceases to affect once one awakens, so does the suffering born from seeing the world as separate dissolve when one realizes its inherent unity. Vasistha explained that peace is inherent within consciousness, and the experience of the external world is merely consciousness’s play within itself.
In essence, Vasistha reminded Rama that everything, from mountains to individual thoughts, is manifestation within the infinite self. This realization, when firmly rooted, brings one to supreme tranquility, allowing one to move through life unaffected by sorrow, with the knowledge that all is one, and all is consciousness.
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