A good starting life observation point is to state the simple fact that we all want Perfection. Taking this for granted, from our present state of understanding, what would be the nature of that Goal? Following Vedic terminology, we may indicate it by one term, "Brahman", or by three terms Satyam, Jnanam, Anantam, Existence (or Truth), Knowledge, Infinity (Taittireya ll.i.l). We expect this Goal to be realised at the end of an evolution in time and so logically then, it must be involved, so that it could flow out in time. In other words, It must be an Abiding Entity, unaffected by the time-space-motion complex and so what is appearing as evolution must be a display of the Truth,--refracted by the medium of expression, namely time, space and motion. It must be more or less like the presentation of the rainbow. We know it appears when clouds stand in a specific relation to the sun and the observer. If the observer goes above the clouds, he will not see any rainbow. He will see, instead, the mother of colours, not excluding infra-red and ultra-violet. Suppose the aspirant manages to station himself above the space-time complex, what would he perceive from there? Surely, he would be blessed with an all-comprehensive Vision. Without violating Its Integrity, It would be expressing Its glory within the field where refraction becomes a possibility, an enjoyable sport. In the words of Sri Ramakrishna, It will be an enjoyment of the Nitya, the Eternal and Its Lila, Play.
The movement or sport of the Infinite can be followed up to the five subtle elements called Tanmatras. 1. Akasa, the basis for all sounds and vibration catchers called ears,2. Vayu, the basis for all touch sensations and skins, 3.Agni, the basis for all colours and eyes, 4. Api, the basis for all tastes and mouths, 5. Prthivi, the basis for all smells and noses. These five Tanmatras become compounded taking very different proportions of themselves and the modes of Nature; Sattwa (leading e.g. to light and harmony, Rajas (leading to egoistic pain-causing activity and Tamas (leading to inertness, wrong perception and pain). In this way they mould the variegated external world of our daily experience. Not all combinations cause pain. For instance when they combine without human intervention, they produce the heavens with Self-luminous bodies which regulate the universe in their own ways. They also manifest the Interspace where non luminous sound waves etc. move without discord. They also form the Earth with its plentiful food supply. In addition, they mould the physical, vital and other sheaths of every creature.
Now for spiritual practice, we take our own or any other physical body. We look at it objectively and mentally see its head and other parts in distinct positions. Then we, with proper understanding affirm the fact that all bodies in the “field” are transformed matter or food. We extend the affirmation to the truth that from matter all creatures, not only men, are born, that matter sustains them and that finally matter takes them back. In such an understanding that all bodies are matter, we smoothly and knowingly transcend the limiting concept of “I” and “mine”. The unclarified identification with the body alone becomes a harmless “seedless” memory. to be continued.......
