In the previous post, we started with two approaches to understand the universe and the concept of universal identity. One is through concepts that can be comprehended by our senses and the mind. The other one that is purely abstract and more or less beyond comprehension.
In this post, I will talk about the former.
“This universe is made up of gross elements such as the five Bhootas (gross matter) – Bhoo (solids), Aap (liquids), Agni (energy), Vaayu (gases), and Aakaasha (space).
In addition to these five, there are subtler things such as Manah (mind), Buddhi (intellect) and Ahankaara (‘I’ consciousness).
These 8 are called apara prakrti (lower level existence). They are lower level because they are inert. They are not sentient.
There is something that gives life to these inert things. They are the souls. Souls are sentient. They operate the bodies made up of these inert things.
Together - these inert matter and sentient souls - makeup this universe.”
Universal identity is identifying oneself with this unified view of the universe rather than identifying with one’s body. You are an inalienable part of the whole and not just an isolated existence.
What is the other way of explaining this universal identity? We will see that in the next.
Based
on verses 7.4, 7.5 of Bhagavad Geetha, one of the most quoted and
widely translated of the ancient Indian scriptures, believed to have
been composed by Vyasa as part of the great Indian Epic Mahabharata,
5000 years ago. The interpretation of the verses and audio recital
are by Dr.King (Copyright © 2018 Dr. King)
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