A few questions on Advaita and their answers
[size =3 ] Namaste Satay,
You expressed desire to know my stand on your doubts & I am writing it down below :
Q1. Why Brahman got deluded to begin with ? Why if I am Brahman, I can’t find my ‘self’ ? How is it that the all pervading Brahman whose nature is sat-chit-ananda got deluded or has the impression of delusion or has a dream of delusion ?
Answer : Let’s try to see the way I see it :
The Brahman is infinite consciousness. Let’s forget ourselves & the world for a moment & see a vast infinite space filled completely with Consciousness. Though it is infinite but the Consciousness is one alone. Now, this Consciousness is has inherent infinite possibilities to manifest Itself. It vibrates at various frequencies in its four different parts or layers. Let’s remember Maandukya Upanishad which describes this Atma or Brahman having four parts. The first two parts have infinite sets of vibrations at different coordinates of time & space combination (this time & space is within mental realm) within the infinite consciousness. So, there is one set of vibration at some point of space & time & we call it "Devotee". This entity "Devotee" has, in reality, no separate identity on its own but having a unique vibration of the Consciousness it seemingly acquires a separate identity & characteristics. To understand this further, let’s visualize a vast infinite Ocean in front of us. The Ocean is one but within its vast expanse, the water molecules are not having similar vibration everywhere. So, at some places, you see minor waves, somewhere high waves, somewhere hot water current, somewhere very cold water, somewhere peaceful bed of water, somewhere water vapour, somewhere icebergs etc. etc. …. there are infinite spots & each spot has a different characteristics of its own due to varied levels of vibration of the molecules. The Brahman or Atma has much more possibilities to offer than this simplistic example (let’s remember that Atma is unique … it cannot be compared with anything we know ..… so we must visualise more than what we are used to) …. these infinite spots having different vibrations can have individuality & a mind of their own (all these manifestation can be perceived only within our mental realm) which can differentiate itself from others … which can feel pains & pleasures.
When did it happen … how did it happen ? It never “happened” ... and so there is no question of how it “happened” ? This question comes from our conditioned mind which likes to believe that everything must have an origin. However, if everything must have an origin then even God must have an origin … so this explanation of the universe through “origin” theory doesn’t clear all doubts. The reality is something unique & for understanding that we must think beyond our conditioned way of thinking. There was never an origin & there will never be an end. Does it sound like, “Matter & energy can neither be created nor be destroyed” ? There are only changes in levels of vibrations which in turn changes the forms & perceptible characteristics of the “spots” on the bosom of the infinite ocean of consciousness.
The question was, “Why Brahman got deluded to begin with ?”. Here, we are mixing different possibilities from different states & creating confusion for ourselves. The Brahman has different characteristics & possibilities in different states (of vibration). The Carbon comes in the form of carbon black, graphite & diamond. The carbon black, diamond & graphite are all same substance & yet they are completely different. In a coal mine, you can find coal, graphite & diamond all together. They are all carbon but coal is not graphite & graphite is not diamond or vice-versa. So, Brahman in the first two states of existence i.e. waking & dreaming states is not called Brahman as it is not perceived as sat-chit-ananda then. It is not omnipotent, it is not omniscient, it is not the lord of all, it is not the cessation of all activities (vibrations). In these two states, because of the apparent individuality acquired, there is duality. There is "Devotee" …. there is the world which is different from "Devotee" & there is God. There is the fourth one too which is the primal peaceful ocean of infinite consciousness (on cessation of all vibrations/activities) where all the three states appear & disappear which cannot be described by anything we know or can know within our mental realm (i.e. within the first two states).
So, when Brahman is known as Brahman or perceived as Brahman in common parlance, there is no delusion as when we talk of Brahman, it is either the third state which is in our mind or the fourth state which is in our mind. This mind doesn’t perceive things in the first two states as Brahman due to our conditioned way of thinking. There is nothing which can delude it. The delusion is one of its characteristics within these two states … it is its inherent property.
If I am Brahman why I can’t find my own “self” ? Who says you cannot ? You are Brahman & you have to realize this Truth to be out of this world of delusion, pains & pleasures. This is the game we are all in. We have to change our vibration by treading on the path of Jnan Yoga & attain realization of our true state.
Q2. The neo advaitins are quick to say that muslim and christian scriptures teach the same thing as hindu scripture … that muslims and christians are brahman but then they turn around and attack anyone that questions them. Why do the neo advaitins get upset when questioned if everything is brahman? It doesn't make any sense!
Ans : Perhaps it is me, you are talking about as Neo-Advaitin. That is OK. Let me try to offer the answer to your question :
If anything is unconditioned Truth, it must be available to the entire mankind without any bias to race, country & scriptures. The Pratyaksha Pramaana is available that the One-ness has been attained in non-Hindu religions too irrespective of whatever they worship, whatever they think of God or whatever scriptures they have etc. The intense Bhakti takes you to one-ness of God irrespective of name & form you use. Al Mansoor Hallaz was a Muslim by faith … but he attained One-ness with God & proclaimed, “ I am the Truth” ! Rabia & Rumi were among others who attained One-ness with God though they belonged to Islam & might have never read Advaita Vedanta. Jesus too said, “I and my father are one”. Ramkrishna too proved this Truth by following different paths.
Advaitins cannot see “others” different from Brahman … otherwise they cannot follow this path. They always try to see the One-ness but they have to interact with this world within duality otherwise no interaction is possible and we have to go a long way before we can drop our ego completely.
I won’t say that Muslim & Christian scriptures too teach the same thing … but I can say with confidence that whether anyone worships Allah or Jesus or Krishna or Shiva or whatever chosen deity …. if the devotion is intense enough … if the love is intense enough … they all will attain the same Reality as Reality is one alone.
I cannot say what you mean by your later part of the question … as I see it, they don’t get upset on that question … they very well know the answer. But who is there to listen & understand ? No one can make anyone understand this complicated Truth unless he tries to understand that very carefully. What happens, as I see, is that the other person is in no mood to listen & understand but to attack by bringing in illogical arguments …. & there the communication breaks as the minimum requirement for a meaningful communication is not fulfilled. For a proper communication to be possible, there should be someone to say something & there should be someone ready to listen to that thing. But it doesn’t happen. You can understand that it can only bring bitterness & breakdown of communication. It is like you are trying to teach Quantum Mechanics to a student of Arts/Commerce but he doesn’t understand (expectedly), doesn’t listen to you but keeps attacking whatever you say ( & also your teachers & ideals). After a certain point of time, you are going to be irritated unless you are very advanced in spirituality or seasoned & can take it all calmly. The neo-advaitins you are talking about, including me, are not so much spiritually advanced or seasoned enough to take it all calmly. If they were, they, perhaps, would not have been on this forum in the first place.
I am surprised that you didn’t ask this question from a dualist. They too get irritated … imo, much more than the neo Advaitins … use more derogatory terms & sarcastic language etc. But perhaps, they are just normal human beings … & neo-advaitins are just not normal ! I will ask you to please check how many times the so called neo-advaitins on this forum criticized any of paths of devotion or their Gurus in derogatory terms & how many times the normal human beings, following the paths of devotion criticised Advaita & its teachers ! No one can accept derogatory terms being used against his Guru(s) & traditions. Advaitins are no exception. [ /size]
(to be continued in my next post ...)
OM
"Om Namo Bhagvate Vaasudevaye"
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