Consciousness is Central to the Functioning and

the Objective of the Universe

Sandeep Gupta

Towards a Science of Consciousness – TSC 2013

DEI, Dayalbagh, Agra

8th March, 2013

Two Schools of Thought

• Idealist:

– view reality as an “integrated whole”

– interpret “consciousness” as something primordial, independent

and the all-creating essence of existence.

• Materialist:

– view reality as a “fragmented whole”

– interpret consciousness as a function of the brain, the essence of

which lies in the reflection and constructive-creative

transformation of the world.

2

The East & West Divide

• East:

– Believing in the concept of “oneness in creation i.e. single point

reality with multiple manifestations of different shades” - has

always been a proponent of the „Idealist school of thought‟

– Replete with information about consciousness & its nature

• West:

– Influenced by physical sciences in the 1900s adopted a materialist

stance and since then has been viewing consciousness as a

product of physical reality and reducible to it

– Still struggling with the concept of consciousness

3

„When a higher system is investigated by applying the laws of the lower

system, one only gains a peek into the higher system but not the full

knowledge of the higher system‟ (Boulding, 1956)

The East & West Divide (continued)

– “We have neither any idea how consciousness emerges from the

physical activity of the brain nor do we know whether consciousness

can emerge from non-biological systems. we also accept that the

term consciousness is currently being used in many different and

often ambiguous ways, and presently it is too premature to make any

precise definitions of consciousness.”

[Richard Frankowaik, 2004, „Human Brain Function‟]

– There are and have been people like Joseph Campbell who believe

that „consciousness and energy are somehow the same thing‟

and „consciousness does not originate in the head, it is only

inflected by the head in a certain direction‟ – a thinking that

comes very close to Indian wisdom

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1. The nature and origin of „consciousness‟

2. The objective of the creation

3. Role of consciousness in the creation

4. Relationship of human consciousness with the

macrocosmic consciousness

5

The Nature and Origin of Consciousness

• Consciousness is singular in nature

• Human consciousness is only an extension of the consciousness of

the „Creator‟ which is popularly known as “Pure Consciousness” or

“Universal Consciousness”

• Consciousness at the Creator‟s end manifests as „Param Sat-Chit

(Prem)-Ananda Svarupa’

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Manifestation of Consciousness at Human End

7

Pure Spirit

& Spiritual

Plane of

Existence

The Absolute Brahman The Divine Consciousness (integral vision of all planes) - Existence (Pure

Spirit), Conscious Force, Delight

Super Knowledge by Identity – Truth (object of knowledge sought created within)

Intuitive Intuitions, Revelations (total object of knowledge without thought)

Illumined Light & Illumination (descent of knowledge without thought)

Higher Silence of Mind (enabling better thought, greater knowledge)

Mental

Plane of

Existence

Pure Mental Ideas, Concepts, Rational Thinking, Logical, Pure Thoughts, Conscious Self-

Conception

Vital Mental Knowledge Imbued with Emotions, Feelings (interests, opinions, sentiments,

beliefs, values, ideals)

Physical Mental Input of Information, Storage, Understanding, Comprehension, Decision

making)

Vital Plane

of

Existence

Mental Vital Emotional Thoughts as Attitudes, Life Intelligence, Higher Emotions (incl.

conduct, social norms, conscience)

Pure Vital Emotions, Feelings, Passions, Intense Human Relationships

Physical Vital Sensation of the Nerves (urge, desire, fear, seeks action, relationship)

Physical

Plane of

Existence

Mental Physical Body Knowledge of How to Act, Primary Skills of Existence

Vital Physical Physical Urges and Sensations (pain, hunger, lust, craving, etc.)

Pure Physical Origin of Physical Movement, Instinct for Survival

[Source: Writing of Sri Aurobindo]

The Objective of Creation

• All traditions maintain that this creation has taken place for the

benefit of man

• According to Radhasoami Faith, the “Supreme Being” has created

this universe, with the objective to give “spirit-entities” with low

spirituality an opportunity to increase their spirituality and

become fit to eternally enjoy His Supreme Bliss and Refulgence

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SUPREME

BEING

“Spirit-

Entity”

Birth on

Earth

Life of

pain &

joy

Realize

temporal

nature of

joys & bliss

Search for

permanent

joy & bliss

Truth

realized

Spiritual

practice

Spirituality

increased

Construct & Nature of Creation

“The center of experience is the center of the universe – physical as

well as metaphysical, and this supreme center is the real center of

man, the Atman, the unchanging basis of an ever changing universe

composed of both nature and personality, above cause and

therefore above time and the self transcending in the perfect truth of

perfect non-duality”

[Swami Ranganathanand]

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Construct & Nature of Creation continued

“The origin of the creation is an infinite spiritual energy source or

reservoir known as the “Supreme Creator” or “Being” (with

attendant features of supreme energy, supreme intelligence,

supreme refulgence and supreme bliss) with its accompanying

quantum spiritual force-field spanning the entire macrocosm. Each

constituent fundamental particle of this quantum spiritual force-field

known as the spirit-force, is the one which possesses prime-energy

and that all other forces (mind-force or physical force) of nature

have been evolved by the association of this spirit-force with media

(mind and physical matter) of different kinds. This concept of “spirit-

force” is no more intrinsically mysterious than “mass”.

[His Holiness Prof. Satsangi, 2007]

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Construct & Nature of Creation continued

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REGION OF PURE

SPIRITUALITY /

NIRMAL CHETAN

DESH

(1st Grand Division)

No. Region Constituents‟

6 Radhasoami Dham

SPIRIT

5 Agam Lok

4 Alakh Lok

3 Anami Lok

2 Sat Lok

1 Bhanwar Gufa

Maha Sunna

REGION OF

UNIVERSAL MIND /

BRAHAMAND

(2nd Grand Division)

No. Region Constituents‟

6 Sunn

SPIRIT

+

MIND

5 Trikuti

4 Sahas Dal Kamal

3 Sphere of Vishnu

2 Sphere of Brahma

1 Sphere of Shiva

Chidakash

REGION OF

UNIVERSAL

MATTER / PIND

(3rd Grand Division)

No. Region Constituents‟

6 Spirit or Moon Orb

SPIRIT

+

MIND

+

MATTER

5 Sun

4 Earth

3 Jupiter

2 Saturn

1 Neptune

MAHASUNNA

CHIDAKASH

Principle of Delegation Radhasoami Dham

Agam Lok

Alakh Lok

Anami Lok

Bhawar Gufa

Sat Lok

Sunn

Trikuti

Sahas Dal Kamal

Sphere of Vishnu

Sphere of Shiva

Sphere of Brahma

Spirit or Moon Orb

Sun

Earth

Jupiter

Neptune

Saturn

Region of Pure

Spirituality / Nirmal

Chetan Desh

(1st Grand Division)

Region of Universal

Mind / Brahamanda

(2nd Grand Division)

Region of Universal

Matter / Pind

(3rd Grand Division)

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Upon death

“spirit-entities”

present

themselves

Principle of Polarization

13

# Nirmal

Chetan

Desh

# Brahamand

# Pind

Adi Chetan Dhar

(Sound “Radha”) Shabd Dhar

(Sound “Soami”)

# The entire creation is an “omni quantum field of consciousness”

Principle of Elimination

Region of Pure Spirituality

/ Nirmal Chetan Desh

(1st Grand Division)

Region of Universal Mind

/ Brahamanda

(2nd Grand Division)

Region of Universal

Matter / Pind

(3rd Grand Division)

(Super „+‟ Pole)

(Negative Pole)

Spirit Force

Spirit

Force Mind Force

Spirit

Force

Mind

Force

Physical

Force

MAHA SUNNA

CHIDAKASH

• If „physical force‟ eliminated – Pind collapses

• If „mind force‟ eliminated – Pind & Bhramanda collapses

• If „spirit force‟ eliminated – entire creation collapses

14

Relationship of Human Consciousness with

the Macrocosmic Consciousness

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Nirmal

Chetan

Desh

Brahamand

Pind

Six apertures in

human brain

corresponding to

the six planes

Six apertures in

human brain

corresponding to

the six planes

Six chakras in

human body

“Consciousness in intrinsic to the grand cosmos, both

at macroscopic as well as microscopic levels. Man, a

creation on planet Earth happens to be a perfect

microcosm of the macrocosm. Spirit-mind-brain

consciousness interactions are at the microscopic

levels analogous to consciousness interaction

between Supreme Being (Universal Spirit) – Universal

Mind – Physical Universe at the macrocosmic levels”

[His Holiness Prof. Satsangi Sahab, 2010]

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From Self-centeredness to Selflessness

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Self-centeredness to Selflessness

Indiv

idual conscio

usness

I &

my family

MAN

SPIRIT

Figure - 3

Thank You

18

Post Creational Evolution of the Universe

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(Source: HH Prof. Satsangi Sahab, 2007, Description of Creation and Glory of Radhasoami-Mystical Name; Expositions

of Truth Ultimate Reality and Supreme Being; Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, Agra)