04. Exploring Vegetarianism: Beyond Beliefs and Concepts

When we talk about ‘reality,’ we’re referring to something that’s universally acknowledged by all beings, sentient or not. It’s not just a human-centric idea. Concepts, on the other hand, are subjective and can be seen as both ‘real’ and ‘unreal’ depending on who’s looking at them. They’re flexible and can be challenged or even dismissed.

Take the idea of being ‘vegetarian,’ for instance. In India, it’s a lifestyle choice for many, deeply rooted in tradition or personal values. Some are born into it, while others choose it later in life for ethical reasons or simply because they prefer vegetarian cuisine. But this status isn’t set in stone; it can evolve.

The notion that vegetables are ‘less sentient’ or choosing vegetarian food over non-vegetarian options is influenced by various factors like personal taste, culture, or religion. For many vegetarians, their diet excludes meat, eggs, and certain veggies like onions and garlic. Some even view this dietary choice with a sense of superiority or reverence.

My curiosity about vegetarianism led me to an experiment with a money plant at home. I noticed that with just water, the plant sprouted new leaves without changing its essential composition. It dawned on me that the plant’s material was no different from the water it absorbed when combined with air and sunlight. This observation extended to animals like sheep or goats eating grass—they’re all made of the same stuff. The distinction between ‘vegetarian’ and ‘non-vegetarian’ lies not in the material but in our mind.

Here’s another thought: if a vegetarian person stops eating for a few days, they lose weight because their body starts consuming its own flesh—essentially digesting non-vegetarian elements within. This suggests that deep down, we’re all cannibals by nature. Yet, many identify as vegetarians for social acceptance.

If we view all organic matter—air, water, veggies, meat—as just different forms of food, the lines between life forms start to blur. This challenges belief systems that place some life forms above others. Recognizing that all organic matter is fundamentally similar could help reduce conflicts over choice of food that one eats.

By considering everything—from plants to animals to humans—as equal, we remove mental divisions and foster an inclusive understanding of existence’s interconnectedness. The money plant analogy is a powerful prompt to question beliefs that limit our thinking and embrace a worldview that celebrates life’s unity and diversity.

03. Concepts and Belief's

As humans, we experience sensations of sight, sound, and more. In truth, it could be said that there is a knowing of these sense perceptions—of sight, sound, and so forth. One could even suggest the existence of 'visual knowing' and 'audible knowing', and so on. The mind acts as a tool that interprets these sensations dualistically. It often creates a sense of a separate 'me' perceiving these sensations as 'objects' to be known. In reality, it subconsciously turns these sensations into 'objects' to establish a counterpart or a complementary subject, allowing for the emergence and maintenance of a sense of duality.

Although we typically believe the mind is located in the head, we won’t delve into the specifics now, but this analysis aims to understand how sensations are interpreted and stored in memory. This leads to the creation of a 'subject' as 'we' and a set of independent 'objects' as 'the world', external to the subject, by ascribing 'meaning' through conceiving or experiencing sensations as objects in concepts. Such meaning is often automatically attributed by what could be considered a 'cosmic intelligence'; although we often consider it our own, it might be more appropriately labelled as universal. It is the 'intelligence' that life embodies, unfolding 'forms' and attaching meaning to these 'forms' as if they were real and independent 'objects', creating an objective 'subject' as 'me'.

For instance, consider when we see an object (like a tree) with its brown, thick trunk and branching into leafy limbs. This particular sight is segmented from the rest of the visual experience and compared with our accumulated knowledge, conceptualized simply as a 'tree'. Initially, the word 'tree' merely represents the shape or form, serving as a term for communication. However, through repeated use, it gains its own significance and characteristics. Over time, the word 'tree' comes to represent the tree as an independent entity, almost as if the tree itself demands to be known as 'tree' since its inception.

We could provide numerous similar examples of how, as we progress through life, we begin to believe firmly in the reality of a 'tree', such that considering the word 'tree' to solely indicate its shape or form seems outright silly. It must be seen as a 'tree' in its own right, and if the tree refused its identity as such, it would be deemed 'doomed'.

However, there's a flaw in this perspective. If we were to ask someone what they understand by the word 'leaf', they would confidently say ‘yes’. Yet, we have various kinds of leaves – from small 'touch me not' leaves to big banana leaves, dry leaves, wet leaves, green leaves, brown leaves, and so on. The word 'leaf' is insufficient to comprehend its reality; it serves as a communication tool. 'Leaf' is a 'meaning' attributed to IT, something agreed upon, serving as a limitation of the human mind regarding IT. IT perpetually surpasses such limitations projected by 'man'. We often perceive our own projected knowledge about 'what' IT is, and we'll 'never' perceive IT as 'IT'. There is no way to experience IT other than through the knowledge we possess about IT; in the absence of a concept, nothing is experienced.

This manner of giving 'concepts' the status of 'things' over time imbues them with a reality in our minds. The 'reality' of 'forms' is purely mental. Objectification involves realizing forms in separation, using knowledge or concepts. In reality, the subject, object, and sensation are simply inseparable, except through the mediation of the 'mind', which otherwise constitutes all as 'One' 'process'.

In this manner, all 'objects' appear real. For instance, take a flower: the feeling associated with the flower seems more real than an assembly of its leaves, stem, and petals. When we see the flower, the parts lose their reality, and when we focus on the parts, the whole loses its reality. It's a paradox. If the whole is the sum of its parts, the 'feel' of the whole should be the 'feel' of its parts combined. This sense of reality about the flower is not derived from the object but rather from the knowledge within us and our conditioning to believe in concepts as reality. We recreate the form in our minds, attributing reality to it through our knowledge as 'attributes', and then experience its 'reality'. There's nothing wrong with this, as it's simply the way the mind functions.

Consider a patch of powder on the floor. Amid this powder, trace a flower with your finger. Chances are, you are more likely to 'see' a flower as the absence of powder. Therefore, the absence of powder becomes the presence of the flower. Similarly, the absence of space equates to the presence of forms, and they are interdependent; one cannot exist without the other. This demonstrates the unreliability of reality, which necessitates its 'negative' to affirm its positivity.

The reality of the world resides in our minds; out there, there are only forms—actually, only 'form' in the singular. Some are fixed forms, like stones, some are partially animated forms, like trees, and others are fully animated forms, such as cars, people, or flowing water. Just as we impose the reality of the word 'Flower' onto the shape and form of the object when it's seen, we similarly ascribe the character of 'Tom' and 'Nanda' onto human forms and respond accordingly. This behavioural pattern is largely beyond our control because it occurs rapidly and is upheld by belief systems passed down through generations. It's not incorrect, but it's an entirely skewed version of reality.

Since the mind assigns meaning to what is seen, it also compels the perception to be conceived with meaning. This becomes a method of communication where the conviction that 'forms' are 'objects' is passed down through generations, and the 'false reality' about things becomes deeply ingrained, almost as if it's hereditary. The world of concepts evolves into a world of 'things', becoming a full-fledged reality.

The 'Thingness' of the object, which is just knowledge from memory, or mental stuff, gets projected onto the form, and the form gets transformed into the thing in the mind. Therefore, what we perceive is actually a concept of 'what is' analyzed by the mind and not ‘what is’ itself. form and the form is transformed to the thing to the mind. So what we see is actually - is a concept of 'what is' as analysed by mind and not as ‘what is’.

02. Belief System

When treading the spiritual path, it is crucial to ponder our ultimate destination. What is the essence of our efforts, and what straightforward approach can guide us from 'there' to 'here'?

Initially, the notion may seem far-fetched and nonsensical, but when embarking on a quest for understanding, our only tool is the mind. This inquiry often revolves around the enquirer itself.

At certain junctures in life, prompted by profound suffering or serendipity, we are nudged to reassess our perceptions of the world and ourselves. This prompts an intrinsic inquiry into the truths we hold about life and our identities. The pursuit of self-inquiry delves into the reality of our existence and the authenticity of the world as we perceive it.

We tend to compartmentalize our existence, believing that within the confines of our bodies lies the 'self,' and beyond them, the 'other' or the world. Alternatively, we conceive of ourselves as distinct 'individuals,' perceiving a separate 'world' with its nations, flora, fauna, and celestial bodies.

We embrace societal norms, cultural mores, and ethical frameworks as guiding principles. Birth, death, and the pursuit of accumulating merit points to secure a favourable afterlife dominate our aspirations. The concept of heaven, a realm devoid of suffering, becomes our ultimate goal.

The belief in a higher power, a benevolent entity offering solace in times of need, often shapes our worldview. Astrology and destiny, intertwined with notions of time and fate, influence our decisions. Seeking divine intervention through prayers or consulting astrologers becomes a means to navigate life's challenges.

We acknowledge the detrimental effects of vices like smoking, drinking, and substance abuse, viewing them as impediments to spiritual progress. Acts of virtue such as vegetarianism, meditation, devotional singing, and celibacy are deemed more rewarding, promising a brighter future or a favourable afterlife.

The dichotomy of good and bad luck, coupled with practices like Feng Shui and Vaastu, underscores our belief in manipulating fortune. Aging is perceived as a process of accruing wisdom and experience over time.

These beliefs extend to our relationships with family, friends, and societal constructs. Concepts like parenthood, employment, national identity, and organizational affiliations are ingrained in our understanding of the world. These societal, religious, and cultural constructs serve as the foundational pillars that shape our thoughts, conditioning our perspectives until our last breath.

In the forthcoming posts, we will examine specific beliefs to challenge the veracity of our belief systems, scrutinizing whether these 'concepts' are realities or mere illusions perpetuated by our convictions.

01. Introduction

This blog is aimed to discuss nonduality.

A Moment of Truth: Contemplating ‘Sound’ as a Measuring Tool

Two years ago, a simple sound outside my window led me down a path of contemplation. It was the caw of a crow, a seemingly mundane occurrence, yet it sparked a profound realization within me.

 As I listened to the crow's call, I found myself attempting to calculate its distance from me using sound as a measuring tool. In that moment, I grasped a fundamental truth - sound, in its essence, is a unique instrument of measure. Unlike physical objects that move through space and time, sound exists in a realm where source and destination are instantaneously present.

 This revelation challenged my understanding of reality. It forced me to acknowledge that in the realm of sound, the crow, myself, and the very essence of measurement were all intertwined in a singular moment. Time and distance seemed to lose their significance as I grappled with the concept that all that existed was the 'me' in that moment.

 The crow's call became a catalyst for a deeper reflection on the nature of perception and measurement. It left me in a state of mental exhaustion, yet also with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the world around me.

 In that brief encounter with the crow's call, I was reminded of the intricate interconnectedness of all things, where even the simplest of sounds could lead to profound insights. It was a moment of truth that resonated deeply within me, prompting a shift in my perspective on the nature of existence itself.

I had a glimpse of truth about two years before, when I heard a crow outside the window.
I could 'hear' the 'distance ' to be about three metres and I made an attempt to calculate the distance of the crow from me, using 'sound' as a measuring tool. This meant, the sound was the instrument of measure, and it had to have the source and destination, at 'one' time, to make a measure. Meaning, sound never travelled in time. It just meant, that 'me' was the measurer, sound was the measurement, and source and destination of sound were available all at once and If I had to define scientifically, the crow, me, sound etc, were all just there, which was here and distances in time, made no meaning. All was 'me'. Something like that. My mind was tired.

The journey of seeking and studying in the realm of spirituality has led me to explore the teachings of various spiritual masters such as Ramana, Nisargadatta, Wei Wu Wei, UG, JK, Antony D'Mello, and many others. Each of these teachers has offered unique insights into the nature of non-duality, guiding me towards a deeper understanding of the self.

 While most of the guidance I have received has been nurturing and motherly in its approach, there have been a few teachers like Wei Wu Wei, UG, and Tony Parsons who have taken a more direct and fatherly stance, challenging me to let go of my ego and illusions.

Listening to podcasts and readings from sources like Urban Guru Cafe, Gilbert, and Ariti has been a delightful experience, with their profound questions and background music adding depth to the teachings. The energy that drives me towards this path of self-discovery continues to grow, pushing me to explore further and delve deeper into the teachings of these spiritual masters.

I have been assisted in this search 'spiritually' by all 'masters' of the OA-study group. Mr. Peter Dziuban has been particularly propping me up from time to time.

In my experience, Mr. Raj Menon has been a valuable mentor in my base. He has been the go-to person for any assistance, whether it be clearing doubts on a subject or helping with computer-related tasks. Mr. Menon's expertise and guidance have been instrumental in quantifying my thoughts and improving my skills. I am grateful to have him as a mentor and appreciate his support.

Welcome to my blog where we delve into the deep and complex topic of understanding reality and the subject of all objects and thoughts.

I invite you to join me on this journey of exploration and share my insights and thoughts on this subject from time to time. The goal is not only to share my own perspectives but also to encourage you to reflect on your own understanding of reality and the world around you.

I believe that even a superficial understanding of this subject, will get up to plunge deep into the ocean of the so called ‘truth’ and will grab you to keep seeking in this direction, until you evolve gainfully and merge in the Truth. So let's embark on this journey and see where it takes us.

Thank you for joining in this quest for knowledge and understanding of TRUTH.