Self-realisation: Matter And Energy, Brahman And Maya  

By Charu Singh  

Spirituality is man’s realisation of the spirit. According to advaita , the non-dualistic philosophy of Vedanta , this spirit, which is also called the Brahman , created this entire universe through matter and energy.

All objects are the outcome of one primal matter. All natural forces like gravitation, and thoughts and feelings on the consciousness level, are the outcome of a primal energy called prana .

The universe is a manifested or projected form of God, the Brahman , created through the combination of matter and energy. The absolute reality of all creations is the same Brahman.

He is 'the real me’ and 'the real you’, dissolving all differences between us. So, in hurting you, I hurt myself, in loving others, I love myself. When we increase our circle of love indefinitely to attain an all-encompassing love for all creation, then we experience universal identity. Our astitva (existence/being) changes into sat, chit, anand - an experience of absolute existence, knowledge and bliss.

Out of the three elements of a being - the atma , the mind and the body, the atma is pure Brahman . However, a person’s mind is made up of negative and positive traits. He is born with them. Based on the development of these traits under the interactive influence of a particular social environment, a person imbibes a way of living, that is, his sanskaras.

These sanskaras guide all his mental processes and physical actions in life. Co-existence of both negative and positive elements in the mind causes intellectual and emotional contradictions, creating confusions within us, making us experience fear, insecurity, hurt, hatred and jealousy, driving us to inflict pain on one another and develop prejudiced vision.

This distortion of vision causes maya or illusion/ignorance. Maya , man’s limited perception, is as pervading in this world as Brahman . The world of pain and pleasure, created by the human mind, appears as the ultimate reality. We have to see through this maya to become one with the real core of our existence, the pure Brahman .

By climbing the ladder of spiritual awareness, step-by-step, we can minimise and eventually eradicate pain and conflicting tendencies from our being and experience lasting peace and happiness.

There are several paths to attain this: Bhakti yoga , devotion, karma yoga , selfless work, jnana yoga, philosophy and raja yoga , intense concentration. Raja yoga involves intense self-introspection. One has to stand outside the self like another person, probing and analysing with detached objectivity, the tendencies, motives, responses and perceptions of the mind, and deliberate on the varied human complexities and the cause of existence of this universe.

This is a constant, lifelong process. Deep concentration is the key. When the powers of the mind are concentrated and turned back upon it, the mind penetrates its innermost secrets and enlightens us by revealing the real meaning of man’s existence in this world.

The climb on the scale of spiritual realisation through any chosen medium helps remove negativity in a person, transforming his sanskaras gradually with tremendous positive energy which radiates his inner self and his immediate environment.

Thus empowered, a realised man exudes his inner dynamism, joy, peace and compassion. As spiritual awareness expands in him, he can see through maya , and finally finds that light, which communicates to him - Aham Brahamasmi .

Spirituality is the core of human progress. Let us constantly strive to find our centre of equilibrium, to be able to fill ourselves and this world with a sense of oneness, boundless love and compassion for all.

(The writer, an artist and social worker, lives in Mumbai)

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See also: Self-realisation, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)