god and transcendence
TRANSCRIPT
GOD &
TRANSCENDENCE
Where do we come from?
Our Source
Do we come from: - Something? - Nothing? - Someone?
External Exploration
Internal Search
Bodily Limitations
The quest of Consciousness
How do we find our source?
Matter as the Source -Replicating the Big Bang
In search of the Higgs boson: “God particle.”
The Nature of Matter
• Inert
• It has no capacity to create
• It has no capacity of being conscious
• No capacity to manifest itself
Nature of Spirit & Matter
Spirit or Soul (Jiva)
• Never changes; eternal
• Conscious and aware; capacity for knowledge
• Capacity to feel and experience
Matter
• Temporary; changes
• Insentient – no capacity for awareness of knowledge
• No capacity to experience
Does God Exist?
The Vedic Paradigm
Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution. (Gita 7.6)
Brahman
Bhagavan
Paramatma
Brahman
Manifestations of the Absolute
The Absolute Source 1- The Energy (Brahman)
Vitality / Function
2- Localized (Paramatma)Conscious presence in living entities, molecules and atoms
3- Godhead Personality (Bhagavan)Definition/Name; qualities; activities; relationships.
Definition of Bhagavan
“The supreme or ultimate reality, which is the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Definition of Bhagavan
“The supreme or ultimate reality, which is the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
20
Strength
Fame
Knowled
ge
Wealth
Beauty
Renunci
ati
on
Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is defined as one who is full of six opulence ---who has full strength, fame, wisdom, wealth, beauty and renunciation.
Vishu Puräna 6.5.47
Vedic Definition
Why are there so many religions in the world?
Religion in IgnorancePractice, Belief and Characteristics
• By a person who is envious and proud. • By a person who is violent and angry.• With the desire to commit violence
against others. • Extremism• Without clear knowledge• Understands the opposite of truth as truth
Religion in Passion Practice, Belief and Characteristics
• By prescribed duties with the hope of gaining material benefit.
• With a separatist mentality.• With a motive for material
enjoyment, fame, and opulence.• Difficulty in distinguishing truth
from non-truth
Religion in Goodness Practice, Belief and Characteristics
• With simple loving devotion.• Offering prescribed duties without
material attachment. • Offers the results of activities in
order to become free from bondage.• Provides clear knowledge and
understanding
Religion in Transcendence
Practice, Belief and Characteristics
• Uncontaminated goodness.• No influence of passion or ignorance.• For the satisfaction of the Supreme
Absolute.• No element of selfish desire.• Pure surrender.• Pure absolute knowledge.• Not dependent on time, place or
circumstance.
Which road to take?
I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me…
Bhagavad Gita 10.8
Questions?