CC: Last Sunday James said/ gave an answer ( about matter ) which really put a lightbulb on, in a part of my mind. With that a whole bunch of other satellite questions ended 🙂
To be, Self, is indescribable – there is nothing else, so no comparison. I’ve known this for a long time but certain doubts got cleared.
Sundari: That’s great! I remember that question about matter. It’s a good one because using the logic of nonduality in combination with quantum physics, it can only be that matter (whether we are talking subtle matter likes thoughts or gross like a stone) is ultimately Consciousness, even though matter is not conscious. This is easier to understand when we are talking about a sentient, object whether human or otherwise. It’s not so easy to understand when an object is seemingly ‘just’ gross matter. Because of tamas, inert matter does not reflect sattva, but of course, Consciousness is there as the fundamental substratum of life, the creation.
There was a time when there was no creation and there will be a time when there is no creation. The Self, which is Existence itself and that which makes the creation possible, is prior to and independent of the creation. It is free (satya) because it is not created. For it to be created, there would have to be something other than it to create it but it is a matter of our (unexamined) experience that there is only one existence. Therefore, there is only one experience, despite the many discrete experiences the mind has, and that is Existence shining as Awareness.
The world is created out of Existence, so it is dependent (mithya); but when you look at reality from the point of view of the creation, the Self and the creation are mutually interdependent. You cannot have a creation without Consciousness and you can’t have a creation without Maya, i.e. Matter.
Maya (the creation) is a very difficult concept to understand because, although reality is non-dual Consciousness, Consciousness and matter are not the same. Non-duality does not mean sameness. Matter (prakriti) is the Self but the Self is not it (sat-asat vilakshanam). They are in different orders or dimensions of the one reality. So they are the same but they are different!
It is a logical impossibility. How can there be one reality with two (or more) dimensions? Yet, this is the way it is. If it weren’t this way, there would be no suffering and no liberation. Liberation (moksa) is understanding in which way they are the same and in which way they are not the same. Once this is clear you will never confuse the subject – you, Consciousness – with the objects (i.e.., not-you, the body/mind/world) – and you will be free of attachment to objects.
The problem is that the intellect exists in duality, the mithya dimension of reality. It thinks in either/or not in both/and. The teaching on satya and mithya explains the relationship clearly. All that is required, once you know what is satya and what is mithya, is to observe this paradoxical relationship in your own experience. Which I know you are doing.
Much love
Sundari
