Absolute Reality: Ultimate Answer to All Your Questions  

By VIJAY P BHATKAR  

Science attempts to define the nature of reality. Reality, however, presents itself in a variety of names and forms: Physical, mental and psychological realities; linguistic and mathematical realities, and with the advent of computers and Internet, digital reality. But science is yet to define physical reality conclusively... hence the quest continues.

If there are so many realities, what then is Absolute Reality? Spiritual science or Adhyatma is concerned with the understanding of this absolute reality which the Vedas call Brahman and which we refer to as God or Paramatma. Can God ever be defined, understood, or realised?

The central focus in all the six Indian knowledge systems, namely, Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Purva Mimamsa , and Uttar Mimamsa or Vedanta, is to answer this question and present the nature of man, universe and God, or the triad of Jeev-Jagat-Ishwar.

Brahman is defined in the Vedas as one that presents itself as absolute truth - one without second; eternal, omniscient and self-illuminating, as absolute bliss or joy. Absolute Reality is described as Sat-Chit-Anand or pure Truth-Intelligence-Bliss, as all-pervasive, omnipresent or vibhu; as the basis for all names and forms of objective reality or Nama-Rupa-Adhar ; as one which is absolutely pure or shuddha; and as one that is infinite or apar. All religions expound on this very definition of God in different ways; there is no essential contradiction.

If God can be defined, is God knowable? This is the next big question. According to Vedanta, our intellect cannot illumine or know God as an object of knowledge. But the same intellect can know Him when ignorance is dispelled, illumined by the knowledge of Vedic dictums such as Aham Brahmasmi or 'I myself am Brahman'. In this process, God or Absolute Reality presents itself as our own pure and infinite Self.

As the lamp illumines the objects surrounding it, the cognitive power of intellect is unable to illumine the ultimate reality. But the knowledge that 'I myself am the Absolute Reality' lifts the veil of ignorance - nescience or maya - about God and this is the process of knowing God, or what is called enlightenment. In this process, we require a Guru who has known God as the Absolute Reality; we require a pure mind, and an abiding quest to know God. Ultimately, reality presents itself as our own pure and infinite Self.

The Vedic definition of God shows that God is not a privilege of any particular religion, community, or individual; neither is He limited to any specific installation, be it a temple, mosque, church, or any other holy place; nor is He hidden in skies, mountains, or oceans. God is omnipresent; He is in the smallest of particles, even if it is as yet unknown to science. By definition, God is infinite. Since God is the basis of all names and forms, He can be perceived or sought in any name or form dear to us. In the ultimate analysis, God is nothing but our own pure and infinite Self, and is what illumines our intellect and the whole universe, by knowing which nothing remains to be known or defined.

How do we find God? Simply by understanding this definition and by striving to be one with this definition. Being truthful in thought, speech and action and upholding the truth; by acquiring the highest knowledge through a Guru who has the experiential knowledge of the Absolute Reality; by perceiving pure joy everywhere through steadiness of mind; by expanding our 'I'ness spanning the entire universe; by seeing oneself in all names and forms of objective reality; and by believing in and discovering one's own and everyone else's infinite nature and infinite capabilities; being pure in body, mind and intellect. So to find God, we have to only find our own Self.

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See also: Absolute Reality, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)