Four Symbolic Expositions in Upanishads

 

Introduction 

Namaskara!

*What is the symbolic language used in Upanishads?*

There are countless symbolic languages in Vedas (in general) and Upanishads (in particular). 

For a layman it is difficult to comprehend these symbolic languages.

Philosophers like Aurobindo, D V Gundappa ...etc have observed simple approaches to understanding

these symbolic languages.

“Vedic Tribe” is happy to introduce you one of such simple approaches explained in D V Gundappa's

writings

In the coming days we will share these approaches under the title *Four Symbolic Expositions in

Upanishads*

*Please note that, this is only a simple approach and is intended to create interest in Upanishads.

Advance study shall be done only with the guidance of the learned*. 

Wish you all the very best!

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

1. "Brahman” is symbolically represented in various names.*

What is that intelligence that creates this cosmos? What is that intelligence that sustains it,

destroys it, pervades it and transcends it?

Vedic nomenclature for this intelligence is “Brahman”. Vedas in general & upanishad in particular

symbolically represent this “Brahman” by various names depending on its activity, appearance...etc.

“Om” for example is a very famous name of “Brahman”.

“Om” represents countless attributes of “Brahman” (which can be comprehended via study of

grammar, phonetics..etc)

So, while reading Upanishads, when we come across “names”, then we should remember that

they represent “Brahman” in different ways.

2. *”Upanishadic concepts” are symbolically represented in various forms.*

How do you explain something to someone who has not experienced it? 

Simple; we give examples, metaphors, comparisons...etc

Vedas in general & upanishad in particular symbolically represent unknown concepts in various

forms which are known to us.

“Yajna” for example is a very famous form of “worship of Brahman”.

“Yajna” represents countless ways of “worshiping Brahman” (which can be comprehended via

study of vedanta, bhagavadgeeta ...etc)

So, while reading Upanishads, when we come across “forms”, then we should remember that they

represent “upanishadic concepts” in different ways.

3. *”Process of connecting with cosmic consciousness” is symbolically represented in various actions.*

How can we connect with cosmic consciousness or Brahman? 

Meditation / dhyana is a very famous method of connecting with the cosmic consciousness.

Vedas in general & upanishad in particular symbolically represent this process through certain actions.

In Vedanta, the goal of Dhyana is to connect with Brahman (which can be comprehended via study of

bhagavata, bhagavadgeeta ...etc)

So, while reading Upanishads, when we come across “actions”, then we should remember that they

represent “process of connecting with brahman” in different ways.

4. *”Universal values” are symbolically represented in various stories.*

Are values fundamental / eternal? 

If values were not fundamental / eternal, then humans would not be able to grasp them and act upon

them. So values are fundamental to reality and also are eternal.

Vedas in general & upanishad in particular symbolically represent eternal values through stories.

In Chandogya upanishad, the story of Satyakama Jabala represents the universal value of

"truthfulness”.

So, while reading Upanishads, when we come across “stories”, then we should remember that they

represent “values that are universal, fundamental & eternal” in different ways.

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ!

Greetings!

ಮಧ್ವೇಶ ಕೆ, ವೇದಿಕ್ ಟ್ರೈಬ್

Madhwesh K, Vedic Tribe

Ten pranava (om) in pranayama

Introduction 

Namaskara!

*What should our mind do while doing

 pranayama?*

It depends on what system of yoga - one is

 following. 

Some count seconds, some concentrate on

 movement of energy ...etc

The Vedic system provides for *“ten-step-

process”*.

This ten-step-process is done for each

 inhalation, retention & exhalation. 

I.e., while inhaling the mind has to go through

 this ten-step-process; while retaining breath

 the mind has to once again go through the

 same; and while exhaling the mind has to

 once again go through the same.

This ten-step-process involves ten levels

 which are ten planes / dimensions of

 existence.

It starts with our plane / dimension of

 existence and goes further up into higher

 planes / dimensions.

Each step / level / plane / dimension - has

 one pranava (om) utterance. Hence, at the

 end of one inhalation, the mind would journey

 through these ten steps / levels/ planes /

 dimensions - with the utterance of ten

 pranavas. 

Similarly, at the end of one retention &

 exhalation mind would do the same. 

“Vedic Tribe” is happy to introduce you to

 these ten steps / levels/ planes /

 dimensions.

*Please note that, this is only theoretical

 knowledge and is intended to create interest

 in you. Practical exercise shall be done only

 by learning it from the learned*. 

Wish you all the very best!

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

-- - 

1. First, to become conscious of our physical

 plane of existence.

Everyone's spiritual journey starts from the

 physical plane of existence.

However, unless we are conscious of our

 physical plane of existence, we can't start

 this journey.

Vedic pranayama's first step is the mental

 utterance of "ॐ भूः (om bhuuh)"

This takes us away from our fantasies & day

 dreams and puts us in the "here & now" zone.

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

-- - 

2. Second, to become conscious of our mental plane of existence.

After we become conscious of our physical plane of existence, we move higher into the mental plane

of existence.

As we are aware, the mind’s reach  is wider than the physical plane of existence. Hence, mind’s reach

is metaphorically linked to the “sky” / भुवः / bhuvah

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's second step is the mental utterance of *"ॐ भुवः  (om bhuvah)"*.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone of subjective reality.

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

---- 

-- -  

3. Third step is to become conscious of our alternate mental plane of existence.

After we become conscious of our mental

 plane of existence, we move higher into the

 *alternate* mental plane of existence.

Mind is not only limited to humans; animals &

 plants also have mind. In fact everything in

 this universe has mind OR mind-like property.

 These can be viewed as alternate-states of

 mind.

Consciousness is capable of journeying

 through all the alternate states of mind. 

Hence, these alternate states of mind is

 metaphorically linked to the “outer-space” /

 सुवः / suvah.

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's third step is

 the mental utterance of *"ॐ सुवः (om

 suvah)"*.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone

 of higher reality.

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

--- 

4. Fourth step is to become conscious of the plane in which yogis dwell.

After we become conscious of alternate

mental plane of existence, we move higher

 into the plane where yogis dwell.

Yogis performing higher meditation practices,

 experience *yogi pratyaksha*, which itself is

 a higher plane of existence.

Hence, this higher plane of yogis is

 metaphorically called महः / mahah

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's third step is

 

the mental utterance of "ॐ महः  (om

 mahah)"

This elevates our consciousness to the zone

 of yogis.

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

--- 

5. *Fifth step is to become conscious of the plane in which enlightened yogis dwell.*

After we become conscious of the plane of existence in which yogis dwell, we move higher into the

plane where enlightened yogis dwell.

Yogis in nirbija-samadhi (dissolution of mind without any causal / supporting factor), experience

*aparoksha jnana*/ the knowledge of self.

Hence, this higher plane of enlightened yogis is metaphorically called *जनः / janah*.

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's fifth step is the mental utterance of *"ॐ जनः (om janah)"*.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone of enlightened yogis.

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

---

6. *Sixth step is to become conscious of the plane of

luminous energy.*

After we become conscious of the plane of existence

in which enlightened yogis dwell, we move higher

into the plane of luminous energy.

When the gross nature (moola prakriti) manifests

into observable nature, it's first formation is

"energy" (shakti).

Hence, this higher plane of luminous energy

(observed by the emancipated) is metaphorically

called *तपः / tapah*.

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's sixth step is the

mental utterance of *"ॐ तपः (om tapah)"*.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone of

"energy" (shakti).

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

---

7. *Seventh step is to become conscious of the plane

of absolute truth.*

After we become conscious of the plane of luminous

energy, we move higher into the plane of absolute

truth.

In vedic philosophy, Truth is a fundamental element

of reality; but it is hidden by multiple layers of nature.

Hence, this higher plane of absolute truth is called

*सत्यं / sathyam*.

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's seventh step is the

mental utterance of *"ॐ सत्यं (om Sathyam)"*.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone of

"absolute truth" .

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

--- 

8. *Eighth step is to become conscious of the "way of Brahman"*

After we become conscious of the plane of absolute truth, we move higher into the plane of Brahman's way.

In vedic philosophy, all spiritual practices are intended towards aligning ourselves to the ways of Brahman.

Hence, this higher plane of alignment is codified in last pada / line of gayatri mantra "dhiyo yo nah pracodayat".

Accordingly, vedic pranayama's eighth step is the mental utterance of gayatri mantra.

This elevates our consciousness to the zone the "way of Brahman"

Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthih!!

Episode 2 - Three meditation methods on Virat Purusha - Top down meditation

 

Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya!

Welcome to this short series on Virat Purusha meditation

In the previous episode, we discussed what is this Virat Purusha and also methods of meditating upon this Virat Purusha

In this episode, we will discuss the top down method of meditating upon this Virat Purusha

What is the grandest thing that we know?

Galaxies? Our universe itself? Or the multiple universes?

The cosmic consciousness that occupies all these infinite multiple universes, is the same as the universal consciousness that occupy our universe.

It is the same God that occupies all the stars that we see and the stars that we don't see

It is the same as this parabrahman that we worship through sun

It is the same as our personal God that we pray to everyday!

In Bhagavata purana, Lord Krishna commands chief of all these infinite universes to come before him.

Today string theory acknowledges the fact that there are ofcourse multiple universes.

Can we really imagine this Virat Purusha?

No; not really.

But we do experience this Virat Purusha, indirectly every moment of our life.

But we can experience bit of this Virat Purusha through meditation directly.

In the next one minute, there will be a guided meditation with respect to the top down method of meditating upon this Virat Purusha

In the next episode we will discuss about the bottom up method of meditatng upon this Virat Purusha.

Until then, Om shanthi shanthi, shanthihi!

Episode 1 - Three meditation methods on Virat Purusha - introduction

 Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya

Welcome to this short series on Virat Purusha Meditation

What is this Virat Purusha?

At a very gross level, Virat means “Grand”; Purusha means “Consciousness”

So Virat Purusha means “Grand Consciousness”; you may call it cosmic consciousness, you may call it universal consciousness, you may call it parabrahman, you may call it God, you may call it atman; you may call it by whatever name you want

Bhagavata purana says that the entire universe is filled with this Virat Purusha. This Virat Purusha  occupies the entire universe in the same shape that of the universe itself. The same concept is also echoed in some of the western philosophies such as Panentheism and panpsychism.

Ok. How do we meditate upon this Virat Purusha?

There are many methods. I personally follow three methods; first method I call top down method; the second method I call bottom up method; and the third the middle method.

In the top down method, we start with meditation upon the grand scale of the universe and then come down to our experiential level; and then go further down in to the subtle nature of the universe. 

In the bottom up method, we start with the subtle nature of the universe, and then come up to our experiential level and then further go up in to the grand scale of the universe

The centre method is where we start with our experience. And from there either we can go up to the grand scale of the universe or go down to the subtle nature of the universe.

Now for the next one minute there will be an introductory guided meditation. 

And thats it for this episode and in the next episode, we will discuss more on the top down method.

Until then, Om shanthi shanthi shanthihi!

Six meditation methods directly from Yoga Sutras

 

 

Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutra is the source material for the

philosophy and practice of Yoga school of thought

Patanjali mentions many meditation methods in Yoga sutras

and we have picked six meditation methods for you

At a basic level these methods will develop mindfulness

With continued practice, one will gain stability in mind.

A stable mind is a powerful tool in achieving whatever

we want.

Meditation practices with the understanding of yogic concepts

elevates our awareness of the workings of our mind.

This increases our ability to use the mind as a powerful tool.

While meditating, proper use of physical posture called asana,

breathing called pranayama and hand gestures called mudra -,

increases the potency of mind.

Come, lets learn six meditation methods directly from yoga

sutras, along with appropriate asana, pranayama and mudra:

Access the course content on ________________

Physicist's God and Brahman

PHYSICIST’S GOD AND BRAHMAN/ (ब्रह्मनंद) 

What is *physicist's God*?

Physicist’s God is an *ultimate fundamental reality which can be captured in a mathematical equation and observed physically*. 

They may be laws of nature or abstract concepts or virtual particles or anything else which is *objective*.

If you claim that something is beyond mathematics or observation, then such a thing is rejected as a contender for God.

So physicist's God has to be *an objective reality*. Consequently the physicist's God is always "knowable". It doesn't allow "unknowability".

Many scientists' philosophical view is that the ultimate fundamental reality is a "physicist's God" and not a "theological God".

*God* in abrahamic tradition is very different from *Brahman* in Vedic tradition.

In Vedic tradition, Brahman is *both knowable and unknowable*.

Depending on the individual's capacity, Brahman is knowable; beyond it, Brahman is unknowable. Here, Brahman is a *subjective reality*.

On the other hand, physicist’s God is an *objective reality*.

Physicist chooses to *prove* the ultimate reality through *experiments*; but a Darshanic chooses to *experience* the ultimate reality through *meditation*.

Choice is ours!

Reading recommendation: The Philosophy of Baruch Spinoza, edited by Richard Kennington. 

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ!

Greetings!

ಮಧ್ವೇಶ ಕೆ, ವೇದಿಕ್ ಟ್ರೈಬ್

Madhwesh K, Vedic Tribe

What is consciousness?

 

CONSCIOUSNESS AND JEEVATHMA

*What is consciousness?*

Theoretical physicist Freeman Dyson, argues that: "*The universe shows evidence of the operations

of mind on three levels. The first level is elementary physical processes, as we see them when we

study atoms in the laboratory. The second level is our direct human experience of our own

consciousness. The third level is the universe as a whole*.” The third level consciousness is widely

known as “Panpsychism”

In panpsychism, it is argued that a "proto-consciousness" pervades the universe.

Historically, the oldest school of thought is in Vedic domain which is called “Sankhya Darshana”.

Sankhya divides reality into two super broad categories: subjective reality and objective reality ie.,

Purusha and Prakriti.

Prakriti is just one, but takes many forms. It manifests into the entire objective reality and continues

to change forms.

Purusha consists of both Brahman and Jeevatma(s). While there are many Jeevatma, Brahman is

only one. 

Jeevatma being mirror image of Brahman, shares many qualities of Brahman. One of such quality is

consciousness. It is the individual exclusive experience of prakriti. Ie., at a subjective level,

experience of one Jeevatma is always different from that of the other Jeevatma.  

*Experience of the objective world is purely subjective. It is unique to each Jeevatma. This

uniqueness of experience is aggregated in one term “consciousness”.*

Jeevatma has many levels of consciousness. 

From one perspective, there are three levels: jagrit (wakefulness), swapna (dreamstate) and sushupti

(deep sleep). From another perspective, there are other three levels: asrijya (latent state; not yet part

of the creation), srijya (work-in-progress; part of the creation) and mukta (full expression of individual

self; transcended the creation). Experience of Jeevatma varies based on different levels of

consciousness.

While Jeevatma is subjected to different levels of consciousness, Brahman is not. Brahman stays

ever conscious and constantly experiences everything. 

A sadhaka being Jeevatma needs to journey through different levels of consciousness in order to

manifest individual potential in full. 

External references:

The article that quotes physist Freeman Dyson:https://curiosity.com/topics/panpsychism-is-the-belief-

that-the-universe-is-conscious-of-itself-curiosity/

For more details on “panpsychism”, one may read:”Can Panpsychism Become an Observational

Science?” by Gregory L Matloff, published in the Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research:

https://jcer.com/index.php/jcj/article/view/579

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ!

Greetings!

ಮಧ್ವೇಶ ಕೆ, ವೇದಿಕ್ ಟ್ರೈಬ್

Madhwesh K, Vedic Tribe