Abstract: The understanding of Brahman as Universal Consciousness is consistent with the Hindu Texts. In the beginning there was only a uniform “matter-consciousness.” This “matter-consciousness” that was simultaneously both matter and consciousness. This uniform… “matter-consciousness” wanted to evolve and separated into matter and consciousness. The driver of this evolution was consciousness. The consciousness then prodded the matter to evolve up the evolutionary ladder to life to man. We give the name “Brahman” to this Consciousness.
Brahman | Universal Consciousness| Electron| Proton| Molecule| Creation:
Brahman is the combined consciousness of all living beings and non-living things. Every electron that revolves around a proton does so because of the prodding by the Universal Consciousness within it (Picture 1). The Universal Consciousness is present in every particle in this universe. Just as the cloud has only air and water in all its constituent parts yet it appears in different colours and shapes, similarly, the Brahman or Universal Consciousness appears in the form of earth and living beings (Picture 2). There is water and air in every part of the cloud and the air surrounding it. However, at some places water is 90 percent and air is 10 percent; at other places water is 10 percent and air is 90 percent. This difference gives it different colour and other properties. Brahman or Universal Consciousness is all pervading. However, the mud has, let us say, 1 micro volt of consciousness while Lord Rama had 1 billion volts of consciousness. Brahman is not distinct from the Universe. Brahman is Universe.
Then the consciousness in every particle of the matter evolved. It made effort to grow just as child learns to crawl or walk (Picture 3). Thus matter sequentially evolved into dry ground, vegetation, sea creatures and lastly humankind.
More on Universal Consciousness| Captain| Football Team| Seed| Germination:
Think of a football team. All players are thinking independently. Their Universal Consciousness manifests through the captain. Each player and the captain are interconnected in a web. They mutually influence each other. Similarly every living being in this universe has its independent consciousness and it is interacting with all the other living beings. Among the infinite numbers of living beings, some living beings are able to connect with large numbers of other living beings. These living beings manifest the Universal Consciousness. Incarnations like Rama, Vashistha and Krishna were in connection with large numbers of living beings hence they are close to Brahman, or they are Brahman themselves. The consciousness in the seed propels the seed to germinate. We only need to recognise its existence (Picture 4).
Rig Veda| Yajur Veda| Taittiriya Upanishad| Austerities:
The Rig Veda says:
There is only One Brahman. Worship him (6:45:16).
The Brahman-Universal Consciousness is all-pervading. It encompasses all that exists. There is nothing beyond the Universal Consciousness. The Yajur Veda says:
Brahman is formless and bodiless (32:3).
The Consciousness attribute of Brahman-Universal Consciousness is formless and bodiless since it is consciousness. It is the Universal Soul of which our individual soul is a constituent part. The Taittiriya Upanishad says:
He desired: “May I be many, may I be born. He performed austerities. Having performed austerities, He created all this— whatever there is (2.6.1).
The Universal Consciousness wanted to differentiate its constituent parts from their undifferentiated form. Thus, it said “May I be many.” The constituent parts of the Universal Consciousness made effort and evolved. Thus it is said, “He performed austerities.”
Conclusion| Bible| Brahman| Universal Consciousness:
On above considerations, we submit that the concept of Brahman as Universal Consciousness is consistent with the Hindu Texts.
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