God , in His Image
Hari Om
~~~~~~
Namaste,
God created man in His own image.... Genisis 1:27
What is this statement saying? How can this be? Is it the 'look' ? the arms , legs , of Him?
If we consider it from this perspective ( and it would be great to hear yours) perhaps it may resonate with you.
We have His same nature ( this is called swarupa). Just like the spark of a fire, has the same nature of the fire itself. Each individual soul ( jiva) is a spark of Brahman, this Totality, this Infinite Universal Self
Its not saying ( to me) we look or walk like Him, our our bodies take His shape, yet His nature ( pure consciousness) is our existence. The rishi's say our bodies ( and this earth, rock, liqiuid, gas, space, leaf, Animal, vegetable or mineral) is condensed consciousness, same as they say in quantum physics. And most of everything is really space ( my favorite element, akasha) at the atomic level.
Science even wonders how all this ( matter) stays together , cause there is so much space between atoms. This is where they talk of the various forces in physics that I am not knowledgable of, that bind this matter together. ( glueons have been called out - great name eh?)
That said, we are miniature HIMs. "Him" is like that sound Hreem - all encompassing. Its like another word Hamsa. A name for a Swan - they give Him this name , as one of beauty; As the swan also floats on the water ( life, existence) without getting wet ( or pulled into this existence) or without the possibility of any blemish.
When Hamsa is repeated , it turns into So-ham, as the front sound gets connected ( spills, as they say) with the back sound, and low and behold Hamsa turns into So-ham, a favorite mantra that means "I am He".
Now, the rishi's say, we naturally say this with each breadth, when we breathe in, its 'so' and out is 'ham'. So with every breath we take, He is on or lips.
A modern sanyas (or yogi) named Nisargadatta Maharaj , living during our time ( 80's) became enlightened by just using one mantra ,aham,
I AM. He was just an every day householder, but with a guru that gave him this sound ( this is called Diksha). In 3 to 5 years he became an enlightened Being. NO Great Yogi or Maharaj initially, just a regular guy in india that listened to his teacher. So , its possible we too can become enlightened while living ( Called a jivanmukti).
One of his quotes : " To know the world you forget the SELF, to know the SELF you forget the world". found in his book, I Am That.
pranams
Last edited by yajvan; 28 May 2007 at 10:28 PM.
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
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