Perceive the Unity since everything is connected in creation!

“Everything is connected”- In the present internet age, it is quite possible to say so. But the reality is, everything is really connected’ whether there is internet or not!

We all reside on one earth, continuous everywhere, on every side. The oceans exist on earth surface, of course in deeper surfaces. Air is flowing everywhere and the sky envelope all. Is this not the proof of oneness and connection? Human beings, animal species, birds and fishes may seem separate but they still exist on earth only and everything is sustained by one life throughout the cosmos.

The seeming differences are due to forms and names. Forms and names alone disrupt the unity in creation. It is said in the scriptures that God is “Ever existing, full of wisdom, and remains in Eternal Bliss. In fact, the entire creation is the outcome of Sat, Chit Ananda! (Existence, Knowledge and Bliss).

The superimposition of names and forms on the one underlying unity creates all this confusion and agitations. In fact, it is like the projection of a cinema on a pure white screen. The pure white screen is akin to existence, knowledge and bliss of Almighty. The falling of pictures of different kinds and different genres are akin to the manifestation of creation and cosmos.

The soul has no physical form and it has no qualities as such. The association of body/mind complex creates qualities in the pure soul. The soul is perceived to suffer or enjoy based on the perceptions of the mind which is rooted on a body! In the Upanishads there is a beautiful example to depict the soul and individual. The Upanishad states; “There are two birds on a tree, and both are alike, but one bird sits on the topmost branch, and watches the activities of the other bird. The other bird hops from one twig to other, eat the sweet and sour fruits and thus it experiences alternating joy and sorrow!

The soul is the bird that perches on the topmost branch, watching the activities of the individual who undergoes sufferings and sorrows interspersed with some little joy. The fact is that the individual is the reflection of pure soul which never undergoes any modification, nor affected by joys and sorrows. We need deep understanding of philosophical thoughts in order to grasp the lessons. The man, who is enslaved by the senses, can never learn or understand the truth of the soul. The mind has veiling effect. It hides the real and projecting the illusory.

Majority of people believe what they see, what they hear, what they touch and what they smell. But, the senses are deceptive in nature. For instance, our eyes are capable of seeing the outer form and external features. It is incapable to see through the outer form. But, the intellect can intuitively understand what lies behind the glittering skin. It is mere plasma and pus. When a Youngman look at the form of a young girl, he is attracted by the facial features and seductive beauty of the limbs. He ignores that the physical body contains all the nauseating things. Only because of make ups, we are able to look at the faces of some.

In ancient south Indian songs, many sages have warned the unwary public about the false and illusory beauty of the outer form. In fact, human body is useless when compared to the forms of other animals. Each part of an animal can be put into use in various ways. The skin of cows is used in drums. Even the urine and cow dung is used for medicinal preparations. In ancient villages, people used to clean the house with cow dung. It will protect the inmates from viruses and bacteria. During the “Bopal gas leak” tragedy, in which several people perished, certain people escaped since they were in the habit of performing fire rituals and they were using cow dung as fuel for the fire rituals. The smoke emanated from such houses acted as ant chemical agent and thus the inmates survived!

But, the human body is absolutely useless once life leaves. It will be burnt or buried as per the customs. The skin of many animals is used to manufacture leather goods like bags, shoes and coats. But for the thinking capacity, man has no intrinsic value.

Hence, we must try to understand the underlying unity of entire life systems. Flowers are many but the garland is one. Cows are many but milk is one. Beings are many but the sky is one. Jewels are many but gold is one! Hence look at the basic unity of entire universe instead of differentiating and segregating!