god and transcendence

GOD &

TRANSCENDENCE

Where do we come from?

Our Source

Do we come from: - Something? - Nothing? - Someone?

External Exploration

Internal Search

Bodily Limitations

The quest of Consciousness

How do we find our source?

Matter as the Source -Replicating the Big Bang

In search of the Higgs boson: “God particle.”

The Nature of Matter

• Inert

• It has no capacity to create

• It has no capacity of being conscious

• No capacity to manifest itself

Nature of Spirit & Matter

Spirit or Soul (Jiva)

• Never changes; eternal

• Conscious and aware; capacity for knowledge

• Capacity to feel and experience

Matter

• Temporary; changes

• Insentient – no capacity for awareness of knowledge

• No capacity to experience

Does God Exist?

The Vedic Paradigm

Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both the origin and the dissolution. (Gita 7.6)

Brahman

Bhagavan

Paramatma

Brahman

Manifestations of the Absolute

The Absolute Source 1- The Energy (Brahman)

Vitality / Function

2- Localized (Paramatma)Conscious presence in living entities, molecules and atoms

3- Godhead Personality (Bhagavan)Definition/Name; qualities; activities; relationships.

Definition of Bhagavan

“The supreme or ultimate reality, which is the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Definition of Bhagavan

“The supreme or ultimate reality, which is the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

20

Strength

Fame

Knowled

ge

Wealth

Beauty

Renunci

ati

on

Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is defined as one who is full of six opulence ---who has full strength, fame, wisdom, wealth, beauty and renunciation.

Vishu Puräna 6.5.47

Vedic Definition

Why are there so many religions in the world?

Religion in IgnorancePractice, Belief and Characteristics

• By a person who is envious and proud. • By a person who is violent and angry.• With the desire to commit violence

against others. • Extremism• Without clear knowledge• Understands the opposite of truth as truth

Religion in Passion Practice, Belief and Characteristics

• By prescribed duties with the hope of gaining material benefit.

• With a separatist mentality.• With a motive for material

enjoyment, fame, and opulence.• Difficulty in distinguishing truth

from non-truth

Religion in Goodness Practice, Belief and Characteristics

• With simple loving devotion.• Offering prescribed duties without

material attachment. • Offers the results of activities in

order to become free from bondage.• Provides clear knowledge and

understanding

Religion in Transcendence

Practice, Belief and Characteristics

• Uncontaminated goodness.• No influence of passion or ignorance.• For the satisfaction of the Supreme

Absolute.• No element of selfish desire.• Pure surrender.• Pure absolute knowledge.• Not dependent on time, place or

circumstance.

Which road to take?

I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me…

Bhagavad Gita 10.8

Questions?