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Frank-in-SanDiego
USA
363 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 06 2006 : 11:18:35 PM
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Hari Om
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There is a saying joi pinde soi brahmande - or whatever exists in ones body also exists in the universe, or as above so below. There are some advanced concepts here, and definitely not your plain vanilla discussion points, so if this captures your attention read on...
There is this notion (truth) that Sarvam khalvidam brahma - 'All this is verily Brahman' . That must mean you , me, the environment, sub-atomic particles to the swirling galaxies, thoughts, feelings, past-present-future, everything is this Brahman , this wholeness/fullness (from Brh , to expand, greater then the greatest). If the WHOLEness produces you and me, then we too are whole and full i.e. Brahman.
Now, what is also thought and I subscribe to, [yet my knowledge is flawed, as I do not ‘live’ this level of consciousness on a daily basis], is that the ultimate enjoyer of all we do is ultimately the Supreme Self, or universal Self. This is pointed out in many agamas (‘that which has come down’ e.g. Puranas, Ved, Upanishads). Because we cover the infinite with the perception of the finite i.e. ignorance of our SELF, we think I am the ultimate doer/enjoyer of these things done by me – I feel the pleasure (and pains) of my actions...
Please hold that thought as we layer on an idea two:
This Brahman is understood in different ways. The Manduka ( lit. frog) Upanishad says this Brahman, even whole and indivisible can be viewed as 4 quarters , also called 4 feet ( Chatu-pada). Now, one of these pada’s is called Vaishvanara, from the root Vaishva or Vishva, the universe, totality, and nara is leader, some say hero. So, HIM they call Vaishvanara, is the leader of totality, of this total universe.
Let’s fast forward Vaishvanara to the Chhandogya Upanishad and it says, ‘in all the worlds, in all beings, in all selves he (Vaishvanara) eats the food’. What food is this? It is all that is taken in by the senses. Who’s senses? OURS! And your pets, and the animal kingdom, etc. It's He that takes this all in. He (this consciousness) is pervasive, provides for the experience of experiencing to happen... This is the epiphany one has as one develops and unfolds the SELF. Again, there is only one SELF, so when we experience this, that is why some call it cosmic Consciousness, as, you experience THAT which is the root of all, this universal consciousness of SELF.
Now before we get back to the ‘above and below’ concept we started with... the Manduka Upanishad says this Universal SELF (Vaishvanara) that eats the food has 19 mouths. This is how this Universal SELF takes in as it were, the experiences. The 19 mouths you will recognize:
The sensory organs of eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin; Motor organs are mouth, hands, feet, regenerative organ and excretory organ; The five vital airs ( vayu) of prana, apana, samana, vyana and Udana ( these are associated with seeing, hearing, speech or vak, mind, etc); then the final 4 of mind , intellect, consciousness, and ego. All add up to the 19. So, it’s our physical, mental, and vital components that are the entry points for this Universal SELF.
This is why when we talk of what we eat, its good to consider all the things we ‘eat’ i.e. take in.
This ‘above and below’.I like to call ourselves the different notes in this symphony called life, we're part-and-whole at the same time.
Our vision today may not allow us to ‘see’ this today ( some may have glimpses) yet this is the destination at hand.
Last, each one of these quarters or Chatu-pada has an associated level of awareness (wake, dream, sleep and turiya or pure consciousness). Each are associated with the quarters of Omkara, which is the sound vibration of Brahman, Om.
AUM: A is Vaisvanara and owns waking state, is the first condition; As Om pervades the totality of the universe, so does Vaisvanara. Even in the Bhagavad-Gita , Krsna says ‘ Aksharanam Akarosmi’ or of the letters, the ‘A’ and I am.
U is Taijasa, and the middle of AUM, and His sphere is dream. M is Prajana, and His sphere is deep sleep where all the senses are collected and merged.
The last letter is __ no letter! It’s turiya, the 4th. All bliss, non dual, pure consciousness, w/o parts or meter and this is called Amatra, without measure, unbounded.
For one knowing each one of these Chatu-pada, the benefits (boons) are delightful;
For A (of AUM) brings fulfillment of desires, and becomes the first. With U (of AUM) one becomes great in knowledge. With M (of AUM) one is able to measure all and to comprehend all within himself. With Amatra, one merges his self in the SELF and there is no more to do.
So, as above (infinity), so below ( us human spirits) are infinite too... as we realize our real nature and the extension of our SELVEs as this universe.
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Edited by - Frank-in-SanDiego on Sep 10 2006 6:39:28 PM |
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alan
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 02:12:21 AM
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Interesting Frank, thank you. I got a nice image of a self with nineteen mouths. You wrote an enlightening description of Omkara. The Four-Feet of Brahman, also interesting.
Sarvam khalvidam brahma |
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Frank-in-SanDiego
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2006 : 8:45:32 PM
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Hari Om
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quote:
Originally posted by alan
I got a nice image of a self with nineteen mouths... The Four-Feet of Brahman, also interesting.
Hello Alan, thxc for the note... yes, the more we get a vivid idea/concept of this, the easier it is for us to be 'reminded' of who we are. Its kinda like talking about a place that you have visited , but you only have faint memories of it. Like that, these discriptions help us (you, me, and those that choose to consider these vidya's) remember our core-infinite nature.
This plays a role in our unfoldment. The last words of Arjuna to Krsna in the Gita is 'My dear Krsna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory....'
This hearing/pondering/considering plays a role in ones unfoldment. This is one reason I like to bring some of the Upanishad concepts to AYP.
The UPanishads, as it means 'come sit [down] near'. Definately not near Frank! Near the Truth...sit near and listen to the Truth. This grooms and prepares the field for us to remember who we are.
thx again, |
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alan
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 5:30:36 PM
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Hi Frank
Yes, that image is an awesome sight. More like a body of light. Here's something to superimpose on that image. It has a lot of movement, or action surrounding stillness. There's a passage in the Katha Upanishad that describes the body as a chariot with all its symbolism: the chariot driver is Buddhi, the highest mind faculty of the individual; the reins are manas, or lower mind, always held firmly; the horses are the senses; the fleeting ground are sense-objects; the passenger is Atman. That image helps to break the habit of human form we hold so dear.
Peace, alan
I forgot to mention there, of course, are Krishna and Arjuna counseling on choosing the action for liberation, the movement of yoga |
Edited by - alan on Sep 08 2006 7:26:50 PM |
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Frank-in-SanDiego
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2006 : 10:27:03 PM
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Hari Om
~~~~~~~~
quote:
Originally posted by alan
Katha Upanishad that describes the body as a chariot with all its symbolism: the chariot driver is Buddhi,
One of my favorates.... as Katha's disusssion of Yama with Nachiketas ( or one who is not conscious of the in-depth questions he asks).... this Upanishad, for one that has interest gives a glimpse of what happens to the soul after this world has been experineced. thx for your note. |
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