ADVENTURES IN ADVAITA VEDANTA...

Adventures in Advaita Vedanta, the philosophy and science of spirit. We are one you and I; are you curious why?..


Out There

Hari OM
Each 'Choose-day' we will investigate the process by which we can reassess our activity and interaction with the world of plurality.

The BMI chart. First, there was the intro, then the more general summary of the OM, V, BMI, PFT and OET… have you memorised those initials yet???

This really is the tool - actually, the map - for keeping yourself straight as you study Vedanta and negotiate the path of introducing it to life. Taking a more in-depth look at each component now. One could start anywhere, but let's take the builder's approach; bottom layer first.

OBJECTS; everything and everyone and every situation which is external to the individual. Does this need further explaining? Not regarding what those objects are - that would take an eternity. We are all aware of the external. It is impossible not to be, even if we have a disability such as blindness or deafness. The amazing 
Helen Keller was a prime example of how it is possible to interact with the external despite extreme restriction of the interactive 'tools'. Indeed, not just communicate, but have an impact also.

EMOTIONS; Being born into this world means that we are forced to have that interaction. Many find it overwhelming. Their sensitivities are triggered according to a complex set of factors. As this layer applies to the purely physical, then we are looking at the cascade of chemicals within the body which are triggered in response to the external stimuli. What is that which releases these reactions?

THOUGHTS; even the hard-wired 'flight/fright' responses we have for self-preservation are triggered by thoughts. It is said that we react by instinct, but no action can take place without there first being a thought. So fast is the reaction, we simply do not see the thoughts which engender the actions, but they are there. A classic example of Vedanta is the one of the rope and the snake. This is used to demonstrate the concept of the perception and misperception. Perception is the translation of a visual or external element into thought for the individual being to process. If we have learned that there is danger in the presence of a snake, on seeing something that resembles it, if we are unguarded, can appear to us at that moment to be a snake. Our quickening of breath, thumping of heart, breaking of sweat, scream or whatever other reaction might be possible when faced with potential risk is the physical response to the sight and then thought, 'snake!'

Thus OET is the point of contact of the individual with the external world and a response to that world.

SAADHANA;
Spend this week in self-observation and note any particular reactions you have to external stimuli. Look closely and discover the thoughts which immediately precede the response. Note them down, as well as the emotions which arose.