This episode explores the relationship between ego, genetics, and the deeper structure of human existence from a Vedantic perspective. Vedanta explains that every living being is shaped by subtle inner forces that influence the body, mind, and personality. In human beings, this structure becomes especially complex because two Seed Bodies are involved: the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body. The Ego Seed Body carries the soul’s history, tendencies, and karmic impressions, while the Genetic Seed Body carries the physical and biological blueprint received from parents. Together, these two forces shape our actions, desires, instincts, and inner growth. Understanding their interaction helps us gain deeper insight into human nature, behavior, and spiritual evolution.

The Makeup of Living Beings

According to Vedanta, all living beings share a fundamentally similar inner structure. Although they may appear different outwardly, Vedanta explains that every living being is composed of three bodies:

1. Seed Body

2. Subtle Body

3. Gross Body

Let us first understand the Seed Body. We are all familiar with the seeds of plants, flowers, and trees. It is remarkable that a large plant can emerge from such a tiny seed. This suggests that the potential form, or blueprint, of the plant is already contained within the seed. When the seed germinates, this hidden blueprint begins to unfold. A rose seed produces only a rose plant and nothing else, because the blueprint within it determines what it will become. Vedanta invites us to consider whether a similar principle may apply to all living beings. In this view, every living being has a Seed Body. Just as a rose plant emerges from a rose seed, every living being unfolds from its own Seed Body.

When the Seed Body begins to unfold, the Subtle Body comes into being. Vedanta identifies the Subtle Body with the mind. As we will see, the Gross Body then follows its own distinct and independent journey.

Understanding the Seed Body for Human Beings

When we examine our inner structure carefully, we can see that every human being is made up of three main components:

1. Ego

2. Mind

3. Body

These three components form the basis of our human experience. When we compare them with the three bodies discussed earlier, a clear relationship begins to emerge. The physical body corresponds to the Gross Body; there can be no confusion about this. As mentioned earlier, the mind corresponds to the Subtle Body. This leaves the Seed Body, which appears to be represented by the ego.

Logically, we might expect each person to have only one Seed Body, with everything in life growing and unfolding from that single source. However, Vedanta presents a more nuanced view. In reality, the ego–body–mind complex is shaped by two distinct Seed Bodies rather than one. At birth, these two Seed Bodies come together and begin functioning as a single unit. Throughout life, we may assume that we have only one Seed Body, but in fact we are influenced by the following two Seed Bodies:

1. Ego Seed Body

2. Genetic Seed Body

Each of these Seed Bodies begins to germinate and unfold according to its own independent blueprint. Naturally, each has its own direction, tendencies, and agenda. As we proceed, we will see how these two Seed Bodies sometimes support each other and sometimes work against each other. Understanding this interaction gives us valuable insight into the nature and functioning of human beings.

Ego Seed Body: For many people, the idea of a Seed Body is new. This naturally raises an important question: where do we find the Ego Seed Body within ourselves? How do we recognize or understand it? Upon reflection, we can say that the Seed Body is the soul. The soul is the starting point of our existence, and everything in life unfolds from it. In this sense, the soul and the Ego Seed Body are synonymous.

The Ego Seed Body, or soul, is like a spiritual résumé. It carries your history, your skills, and your personality profile. This Seed Body travels with you and, with each rebirth, attaches itself to a new body. Every individual’s Ego Seed Body contains a blueprint shaped by its past history. Some of the information contained in the Ego Seed Body includes:

1. Ego—the feeling of “I-ness”

2. Past history

3. Personality traits or vasanas

4. Pending karmas that still need to fructify

The Ego Seed Body is your essential nature; it belongs uniquely to you. It is like a passport that you carry from one birth to another. Another important point is that the Seed Body is not static—it is dynamic and continuously updated. Every experience is recorded in the Seed Body as an impression, or groove. When the same experience is repeated repeatedly, the groove becomes deeper. These deeper grooves can gradually modify the personality traits of the Seed Body. For example, if a person practices music, tennis, or meditation with great intensity and dedication, that skill creates a deep impression on the soul. This impression then becomes part of the Ego Seed Body and is carried forward into future births.

Genetic Seed Body: As we have just discussed, the Ego Seed Body belongs to you; it is your passport to future births. The Genetic Seed Body, however, follows a very different path and exists independently of the Ego Seed Body. We may begin with a simple question: what is the source of the Physical Body? The simple answer is that the Physical Body comes from the parents. A tiny cell is formed through the combination of chromosomes from both parents. This tiny cell is the Seed Body—the Genetic Seed Body. It carries the genetic blueprint received from the two parents. From this tiny cell, the body begins to grow in the mother’s womb. All the different parts of the body, both internal and external, develop from this Genetic Seed Body. It is truly remarkable how this process unfolds—the magic of Nature.

Combining the Ego Seed Body and Genetic Seed Body

It is important to notice that the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body are distinct from one another. The Genetic Seed Body grows within the womb, while the Ego Seed Body is separate from it. In Vedantic terms, the Ego Seed Body is understood as waiting for a suitable Physical Body. Without the Ego Seed Body, the developing Physical Body remains incomplete. This raises an important question: when does the Ego Seed Body combine with the Genetic Seed Body? In other words, when does the soul enter the Physical Body in the womb? There is no scientific data or proof for this, but the Garbha Upanishad addresses this subject. It provides a detailed timetable describing when different parts of the body appear in the womb and indicates that the soul enters the Physical Body in the seventh month. This timetable may or may not be accurate; no one can say with certainty. However, it is reasonable to understand that the Genetic Seed Body is already present in the mother’s womb when the soul enters the Physical Body. Only when the Ego Seed Body merges with the Genetic Seed Body does the person become complete. This supports the idea that the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body are separate entities.

Traits of Genetic Seed Body

The Physical Body grows from the Genetic Seed Body. Its organs, traits, and characteristics are shaped by this genetic foundation. The Genetic Seed Body has many important features; let us look at a few key ones.

DNA Code: Scientists describe deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, as the basic genetic code of living beings. DNA carries the instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. In this discussion, the DNA code represents the Genetic Seed Body.

The human body contains trillions of cells, and each cell carries DNA. The traits and tendencies of the Physical Body are encoded within this genetic material. These traits come through the genetics of the parents and ancestors, and they are passed on to the human body through the Genetic Seed Body. It is important to understand that these traits belong to the body; they do not belong to the Ego Seed Body. The Ego Seed Body has its own collection of personality traits, which belong uniquely to you, while the traits of the Genetic Seed Body come from your biological lineage. This may seem complicated, but the key point is the clear distinction between the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body.

Procreation: Procreation is one of the key functions of the human body and, indeed, of all living beings. The continuation of the species is its central purpose. This tendency is built into the Genetic Seed Body. Attraction between the sexes is also part of this genetic program, because without such attraction, procreation would not take place. Therefore, this characteristic belongs to the Physical Body and not to the soul.

Sense Organs: Human beings have five sense organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. Through these five senses, we connect with the external world. Since the sense organs are part of the Physical Body, they arise from the Genetic Seed Body. These organs are powerful because they have their own desires and preferences. The eyes seek pleasant sights and avoid unpleasant ones. The ears prefer soothing sounds and avoid harsh or irritating noise. In the same way, all the sense organs seek pleasant experiences and try to avoid unpleasant ones. These tendencies come from the Genetic Seed Body. The sense organs can become a power center of their own, capable of influencing and even dominating the Physical Body in pursuit of their goals. We will look at some examples of this shortly.

Survival Instinct: All living beings possess a survival instinct. When there is danger, they do whatever they can to protect the body. When they are hungry, they search for food. This instinct is programmed into the Genetic Seed Body and plays a central role in preserving life.

Working of the Ego Seed Body and Genetic Seed Body

When the Ego Seed Body combines with the Genetic Seed Body in the womb, a remarkable transformation takes place. The soul, which is the Ego Seed Body, brings with it the Power of Awareness. Through the soul, the power of the subject, the power of the object, and the power of intelligence enter the Physical Body. This power gives rise to the mind and activates the functions of the body. In this way, the body–mind complex becomes operational.

By itself, the Ego Seed Body, or soul, is nonfunctional. The ego cannot act without a body; it needs a body through which to operate. In this sense, the ego or soul seeks a suitable body. When the soul enters the Physical Body, the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body come together and begin functioning as a single unit. The ego then closely associates itself with the Physical Body and begins to say, “I am this body.” Although the two Seed Bodies remain distinct in origin, the ego identifies completely with the Physical Body and associates itself with all its strengths and limitations.

As mentioned earlier, the sense organs of the Physical Body are powerful and have their own desires and needs. In the same way, the ego or soul is also a self-centered force with its own desires and needs. It is almost as if two rulers are trying to govern the body–mind complex. Each wants to dominate the other. At times they cooperate, and at other times they oppose each other. This tension between the ego and the Physical Body has many consequences. Vedanta teaches that the ego–body–mind complex expresses itself through three gunas, or qualities. These gunas arise through the interaction between the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body. Whenever we act, one of the three gunas is involved in completing the action. Sometimes one guna dominates, while at other times another takes over.

1. Rajas Guna

2. Tamas Guna

3. Sattva Guna

Rajas Guna: In rajas guna, the ego is dominant and constantly seeks action. It is driven by strong desires—to become wealthy, famous, successful, or powerful. To fulfill these desires, the ego uses the five sense organs of the body to engage with the external world. Once one desire is fulfilled, another quickly takes its place, creating a never-ending cycle of activity and restlessness. In rajasic action, the ego takes charge, while the body–mind complex plays a supporting role in carrying out its goals.

Tamas Guna: There are times when the ego becomes lazy, lethargic, or dull. It may feel depressed and lose interest in action. During such periods, the five sense organs can begin to influence and control the ego. If vigilance is lacking, the sense organs may dominate, and the ego may lose control over its actions. When this happens, the possibility of non-dharmic action increases significantly. Such actions are tamasic in nature. They can occur in many situations, ranging from small everyday choices to serious life decisions.

1. A doctor may have told you that sweets are not good for your health. Yet, when you see a tempting sweet on the table, the taste buds take over and direct the hand to pick it up and put it in the mouth. The ego seems helpless, and the sense organ drives the action. This is an example of a tamasic action.

2. When the ego is depressed and lethargic, it becomes vulnerable. Under these conditions, the sense organs may take over and seek pleasure and satisfaction through say drinking. If the ego does not resist, this pattern can grow stronger and may lead to alcoholism.

Sattva Guna: In sattva guna, the ego becomes clear and strong. It recognizes that lasting satisfaction and happiness cannot be found in external objects. Instead of being pulled outward by the sense organs, the ego turns inward and seeks the true source of happiness. This inward movement can bring about a deep transformation. Qualities such as compassion, goodness, forgiveness, and inner peace begin to emerge.

Thus, we can see that there is a continuous interaction between the ego and the body–mind complex. Sometimes they work together and other times they operate in opposite directions. This interplay continues throughout life. At death, the soul, or Ego Seed Body, disengages from the Genetic Seed Body and no longer has access to the body–mind complex. The Ego Seed Body becomes isolated once again and waits for a new body through which it can resume its journey and actions.

Seed Body and Other Living Beings

We have just seen that human beings possess two Seed Bodies: The Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body. Does this mean that all living beings also have both of these Seed Bodies? This is not an easy question to answer. It seems likely that most living beings other than human beings have only a Genetic Seed Body. They do not appear to have an Ego Seed Body. Such living beings do not have the same sense of “I-ness,” nor do they possess the same power of thinking and rationalization found in human beings. Instead, they function primarily through the Genetic Seed Body. They rely on survival instincts to find food, avoid danger, and procreate. As discussed earlier, these characteristics belong to the Genetic Seed Body and not to the Ego Seed Body. In this sense, most living beings appear to function instinctively rather than through ego-based self-awareness. Human beings seem to be unique in possessing an Ego Seed Body. Other living beings may display more advanced organizational skills, but these abilities still arise from the Genetic Seed Body rather than from an Ego Seed Body.

In conclusion, Vedanta shows that human life is shaped by the interaction of the Ego Seed Body and the Genetic Seed Body. The Genetic Seed Body provides the physical structure and instincts, while the Ego Seed Body carries awareness, karmas, and inner tendencies.
Together, they influence our desires, actions, personality, and spiritual growth throughout life.
Understanding this relationship helps us see human existence as both biological and deeply spiritual.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we now have a library of around 35 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

In this episode, we’ll explore how speech happens. What is the process behind speaking? Who Really Chooses the Words We Speak? Because speaking comes so naturally to us, we rarely give it much thought. Yet, as we will see, the process of speech is remarkably complex and is guided and managed by intelligence in the mind. One of the most striking insights is that we do not consciously decide every word we speak; rather, the intelligence in the mind makes those choices. We will see that this intelligence is a gift from Awareness to the mind.  We—or the ego—serve mainly as the gatekeeper.

Introduction:  

If you search online, you will find many similar explanations about how speech happens. Here is one common example:

“Speech starts with the diaphragm, a large muscle that helps push air from the lungs into the voice box. The voice box, or larynx, contains the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound. Then the lips, tongue, and teeth shape these sounds into speech.”

This explanation seems to describe only the final physical stage of speech. It feels incomplete because it begins at the point where sound is already being produced. In reality, speech appears to start much earlier—before the diaphragm, before the lungs, and before the vocal cords begin to act.

It would seem that some important questions remain unanswered as follows:

1. At birth, none of us knew any words or any language. Yet, slowly and steadily, we learned our mother tongue and often other languages as well. This raises an important question: How do we learn languages? What is the inner power that enables us to acquire words, meaning, and expression?

2. Speech cannot exist without words. Words are an essential and inseparable part of communication. This leads to another question: Where and how are these words stored within us? After all, we can speak only those words that we have learned and know.

3. If there is a storehouse of words within us, then another question naturally arises: How are words selected from this inner store? Who makes that selection? Who decides what we are going to say and how we are going to say it?

4. Once that decision is made, another mystery remains: How are these chosen words transmitted to the vocal cords and the physical organs of speech so that spoken language finally emerges?

There are so many fascinating and still unanswered questions. The process of speech does not appear simple; rather, it seems subtle, elaborate, and deeply complex. Unfortunately, science offers only limited answers to many of these questions. So where should we turn for deeper insight? We must look elsewhere. According to this perspective, the most suitable place to seek such answers is in the teachings of Vedanta.

To explore these questions more carefully, we will divide our discussion into the following topics:

1. Understanding the Power of Knowing

2. How do we Learn?

3. Role of Mind in Speech

4. Interface between Mind and Vocal Cords

Point 1 – Understanding the Power of Knowing

We have explored the Power of Knowing in several earlier episodes. It is one of the fundamental powers inherent in Awareness. In those discussions, we explained that within every living being there is a Bulb of Awareness, which is our innermost essence or core. This Bulb of Awareness radiates Awareness and expresses itself through three remarkable powers:

1. Power of Knower (Subject)
2. Power of Known (Objects)
3. Power of Knowing (Knowledge and Intelligence)

This Bulb of Awareness is the source of everything in the universe. It is the underlying substratum of all objects and experiences. The Power of Knower enables us to stand as the observer of the universe. The Power of Known allows Awareness to appear in the form of all objects in existence. The Power of Knowing is the principle of intelligence itself.

Let us now examine Power of Knowing more closely. Awareness is the reservoir of all possible knowledge and intelligence. It may be compared to a complete and limitless library within Awareness itself, where no form of knowledge or intelligence is absent. The Power of Knowing is the capacity through which we access this boundless store of wisdom and intelligence already present within Awareness.

1. If you know that , it is because that knowledge exists within Awareness. If you understand calculus, it is because the knowledge of calculus is present within Awareness. If you know Sanskrit, that knowledge resides within Awareness. If someone knows Chinese, music, science, or any other subject, it is because that knowledge is already contained within Awareness. Whatever knowledge can possibly exist is present there; nothing is lacking.

2. Not only knowledge, but all intelligence is also present within Awareness. Logic, inference, creative thought, the ability to form connections across different fields of knowledge, memory, understanding, learning, perception, and countless other capacities—all of these are rooted in Awareness. Every power of intelligence that we experience is already contained within it.

Thus, Awareness is the storehouse of all knowledge and all intelligence. This vast treasure is present within us, though what we ordinarily know is only a tiny fraction of all that is possible. The rest remains veiled by individual ignorance. When the proper effort is made, the Power of Knowing removes this ignorance and reveals the knowledge that is needed. In this sense, unlimited knowledge is already present within Awareness. It is truly breathtaking.

Point 2 – How Do We Learn?

When a baby is born, the mind processes no knowledge; it is covered by ignorance and is, in that sense, like a blank slate. This naturally raises the question: How does knowledge arise? We have all passed through this process ourselves. Through repeated instruction, observation, and practice, a child gradually begins to recognize simple objects, sounds, and words. As this happens, the Power of Knowing removes ignorance, and knowledge takes root in those areas. In this way, the mind acquires both knowledge and intelligence related to those subjects. The mind slowly starts to become intelligent.

As children grow and begin formal learning, this process accelerates. With continued exposure, repetition, and practice, more ignorance is removed and more knowledge is revealed. It is remarkable how quickly this development takes place, especially in the early years, when learning appears almost exponential. This rapid growth happens because the Power of Knowing progressively uncovers the knowledge already available within the mind.

Take language learning as an example. Suppose a person begins to learn English and is first introduced to its basic words and sentence structures. At the beginning, learning requires deliberate effort. But after a certain point, the mind begins to absorb much more on its own—simply by hearing others speak, listening to television or films, reading, and observing conversations in daily life. New words and patterns are picked up with very little conscious effort. Learning begins to happen almost naturally. This is true not only of language, but of many forms of knowledge.

A well-prepared and receptive mind makes full use of its connection to the Power of Knowing. In this sense, the mind is a powerful self-learning instrument, constantly gathering knowledge and refining intelligence in the presence of that power. This is the strength and beauty of the mind: it is capable of learning continuously. The more knowledge one gains, the stronger and more capable the mind becomes, and the richer its inner store of understanding grows.

It would not be entirely wrong to say that the mind becomes the ultimate self-improving intelligence system, continuously learning and upgrading itself in the presence of the Power of Knowing.  Even so, a great portion of this power remains veiled by ignorance. Only the knowledge that has been uncovered becomes available to the mind; the rest remains hidden. The knowledge of calculus, for example, does not reveal itself automatically. It must first be studied and learned. Only then does that knowledge become available to the mind. The same principle applies to every field of knowledge.

Individual Mind Profile:

Each person possesses a unique balance of knowledge and ignorance. Some individuals excel in certain areas of intelligence, while others show strength in different skills and abilities. According to Vedanta, the soul preserves this distinct knowledge–ignorance profile, carrying the imprint of our accumulated intelligence.

From this perspective, such a profile is not formed in this life alone; rather, it is the cumulative result of many previous lives. If a person is naturally gifted in mathematics, it is because that capacity already exists within the soul, having been developed over past lives. Similarly, if someone has a natural ability for languages, Vedanta would say that this aptitude has been carried forward from earlier births.

These latent abilities within the soul continue to support us in the present life. For example, a person with a strong inclination toward languages may learn a new language far more quickly than someone who does not possess the same inner preparation. In this way, the individual mind reflects a deeper inherited profile that influences how easily different forms of knowledge are acquired.

Point 3 – Role of Mind in Speech

A useful comparison may be found in digital assistants such as Siri on the iPhone or Alexa on Amazon devices. These forms of artificial intelligence are now common in daily life, and we interact with them regularly. When we ask a question, they respond in ways that appear intelligent and meaningful. Many other robots and smart tools also function in a similar manner. At the heart of these systems lies a database of information, together with programmed connections that allow them to relate one piece of information to another. When a question is asked, the device searches for these connections and produces an appropriate response. In this way, such systems can appear to learn and to grow in intelligence. Yet their functioning remains limited by the size of their database, the quality of the information it contains, and the sophistication of the programming behind it.

In that respect, the human mind may be compared to an advanced intelligence system, though far more subtle and dynamic. As discussed earlier, the mind with the power of knowing is self-learning and continually expanding its inner store of knowledge. One of its important functions is to support speech and communication. Depending on the topic, the question asked, or the flow of a conversation, the intelligence in the mind draws upon its inner database and forms the words and sentences needed for expression. As noted earlier, every living being has a distinct mind profile: a unique store of words, a unique style of expression, and a unique pattern of thought. All of these factors shape the way the mind prepares language for communication. For this reason, each person speaks differently, thinks differently, and responds differently.

The key insight from this discussion is that the highly intelligent mind is the true starting point of communication. All speech begins in the mind because of the intelligence provided by the power of Awareness. The formation of words and sentences takes place there first, and what we eventually speak is initially shaped by this intelligence. This may sound unusual, because we are accustomed to thinking that the “I” is the direct source of speech. Yet, from this perspective, it is the intelligence in the mind that performs the essential work of preparing and organizing communication. In that sense, the intelligence in the mind stands at the origin of all spoken expressions.

Mind and Ego:

Does this mean that we are entirely at the mercy of the mind, as though we were captive to whatever it decides? If the mind alone determined everything, that would indeed seem dangerous. Fortunately, this is not the case. We also possess the ego—the sense of “I-ness”—which has the capacity, and indeed the responsibility, to guide, regulate, and restrain the mind.

What seems to happen is that when the mind prepares words and sentences for speech, it presents them to the ego for approval. The ego may either approve them through like (raga) or reject them through dislike (dvesha). If the ego approves, the speech is allowed to move forward. If it disapproves, it can direct the mind to revise what is about to be said. We all experience this in daily life. At times, we are on the verge of saying something unwise, yet we pause, reconsider, and alter our words. In such moments, the ego has withheld approval, and the mind responds by making the necessary changes. From this standpoint, the ego appears to function as the governing authority. In fact, one may even say that the presence of ego is a major difference between human beings and robots, for robots do not possess this sense of inward selfhood.

At the same time, the ego must remain alert and vigilant. It must carefully observe the movements and outputs of the mind. If the ego becomes careless or passive, the mind can begin to dominate and may create confusion, impulsiveness, or disorder. For this reason, true inner discipline requires the ego to remain watchful and discerning in its supervision of the mind.

Point 4 – Interface Between Mind and Vocal Cord:

We have seen that the true starting point of speech is the mind. It is the mind that prepares the words and sentences that are eventually spoken. In what exact form these words exist within the mind is not fully known; perhaps they exist in a subtle form. Yet one thing is clear: if speech is to occur, these words must somehow be conveyed from the mind to the vocal cords and the organs of speech. How does this happen? For the sake of understanding, the process may be divided into two steps:

Step 1 – Mind to the Brain:

We know that the brain governs and manages everything that takes place in the physical body. Therefore, if speech is to occur, the mind must in some way send a signal containing the intended words to the brain.

The brain contains many different functional centers, each specializing in particular kinds of activity. Some are associated with vision, others with sound, and still others with coordinating the body’s organs and movements. How, then, does the brain receive instructions from the mind? The link between mind and brain is mediated through the billions of neurons within the brain. These neurons act as messengers of information. When activity arises in the mind, the relevant information is conveyed through these neural pathways to the parts of the brain involved in processing and action. In this way, communication between the mind and the brain is understood to occur through neurons.

The auditory cortex and the temporal lobe are among the parts of the brain associated with the processing of sound. In this account, the speech signal is conveyed by neurons from the mind to these relevant centers in the brain. How this process truly unfolds in its deepest detail remains a mystery known only to Nature. We may not fully understand it, yet the process is clearly taking place.

Step 2 Brain to Vocal Cords:

A different set of neurons then coordinates and organizes the various parts of the brain so that the intention formed in the mind can be carried out. For this to happen, the brain sends signals through the intricate nervous system to the organs and body parts involved in speech. In response to these signals, the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and other speech-related organs become active and produce the desired sound. The whole process is extraordinary. It is like the operation of a highly complex machine. We imagine that we ourselves are moving the tongue and shaping the sound, but in reality, the work is being executed through the brain’s instructions. The ego then claims credit for an action it did not independently perform.

What a subtle and complex procedure speech truly is. These steps are repeated again and again each time we speak, yet the process unfolds with remarkable ease and precision.

I hope this episode has helped clarify how speech arises. As we have seen, it is a subtle and intricate process, guided and managed by the mind. The words we speak are selected not by the ego, but by the intelligence within the mind. This intelligence is a gift bestowed on the mind by the Power of Knowing. The ego’s role is that of a gatekeeper: it approves, restrains, or redirects what the mind prepares before those words are passed on to the brain and, ultimately, to the vocal cords, where speech finds expression.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we now have a library of around 35 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

In this episode, we’ll discuss the amazing discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope. These discoveries have shattered the foundation of the Big Bang theory. They have discovered that the universe is much larger than it seems. The age of the universe is 13.7 billion years, but they have discovered a galaxy which is 33 billion light years away. How is this possible? This is a fascinating illusion being created by nature. Please continue listening to find out how and why this is happening.  

Introduction

If you’re interested in science, you’ve probably heard about the James Webb Space Telescope, launched on December 25, 2021. James Webb Space Telescope represents a major leap forward compared to its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, which has been orbiting Earth since 1990 at about 525 km altitude. Unlike Hubble, James Webb Space Telescope orbits the sun, positioned roughly one million kilometers from Earth with our planet always shielding it from direct sunlight. James Webb Space Telescope’s light-collecting ability outpaces Hubble by about six times, allowing it to capture clearer and more stunning images from the depths of space. While Hubble has delivered remarkable views of the cosmos, James Webb Space Telescope’s advanced technology and location in deep space mean its photos are even more awe-inspiring.

The primary mission of James Webb Space Telescope is to look further into the universe than ever before and investigate what happened around the time of the Big Bang. Scientists believe the Big Bang occurred about 13.7 billion years ago, marking the beginning of the universe. According to current theories, all energy and matter were compressed into a minuscule point known as Singularity, which then erupted with unimaginable force and heat. As the universe expanded, stars and galaxies began to form. Galaxies, immense systems containing hundreds of millions of stars, are thought to require more than a billion years to develop. The universe is estimated to contain around a billion galaxies, varying in size and age.

Building on this foundation, James Webb Space Telescope began its mission to explore deep space in June 2022. Hubble’s capabilities limited how far they could be observed, but James Webb Space Telescope’s powerful instruments have revolutionized our view. It captured images of the universe when it was only 200 million years old—meaning James Webb Space Telescope is probing light from 13.5 billion years ago. At that point, the universe was still in its infancy, with hydrogen atoms beginning to form in a vast gaseous state.

When scientists reviewed James Webb Space Telescope’s data, they anticipated seeing galaxies in their earliest stages. Instead, they were astonished to find mature, well-formed galaxies much sooner than expected. This discovery was surprising, as galaxies are thought to take billions of years to evolve. The presence of these advanced galaxies has challenged astronomers’ and cosmologists’ confidence in the Big Bang Theory, prompting some to reconsider fundamental assumptions about the universe’s formation. It has led researchers to believe they may need to rethink their approach and develop new models to explain these unexpected findings.

This episode proposes a fresh perspective for understanding the universe. It suggests that the expansion of space may be related to the stretching of the time fabric, which causes distant galaxies to appear farther away than they actually are. This optical illusion, created by nature, makes the universe seem larger than anticipated. To resolve this confusion, it’s crucial to examine these key topics:

1. Starting Point of Space
2. Expansion of Space
3. Structure of Space

The Starting Point of Space

What exactly is the starting point of space? This question often leads to confusion. According to modern science, space began with the Big Bang roughly 13.7 billion years ago. In this view, the Big Bang marks the origin of both space and time. But does that mean the Big Bang is the starting point of space even now? The answer is a bit more complex.

While it’s technically accurate to say that space began with the Big Bang, that event occurred a staggering 13.7 billion years ago. So, where would we locate the starting point of space at this very moment? To pinpoint such a location, we would need to find a fixed, stationary point—something that never moves. However, the Big Bang itself isn’t such a point. Rather than being a stationary spot, the Big Bang represents the initial start of the universe, which, due to cosmic expansion, is always receding from us. In other words, the Big Bang location is not a motionless origin point, so it cannot serve as the current start of space.

Finding an unmoving reference point in space is difficult, because everything in the universe is in motion. The Earth rotates on its axis and orbits the sun, the sun and the solar system travel through the Milky Way, and even galaxies themselves drift apart. In reality, there is no absolutely fixed point in space.

Typically, we think about space in terms of physical distance—a tree might be 100 feet away, a house a mile distant, or a jet flying at 30,000 feet. This everyday approach doesn’t help us find a true starting point for space itself. Alternatively, we can shift our perspective and think about space in terms of time: specifically, the time it takes for light to reach us from various objects. This time-based viewpoint offers a fresh way to consider the structure of space.

The Observer as the Starting and Nonmoving Point of Space

Let’s consider the concept of a “nonmoving point” in space by thinking about time taken by light from different objects. The further away an object is, the more time its light takes to reach us—sunlight, for example, needs about eight minutes to get to us, while light from a nearby tree covers the distance in just ten microseconds. As the distance between observer and object decreases, the time required for light to travel also lessens. If we follow this reasoning to its logical end, light will only take zero time to reach us if the source and observer are at the same place—within our own mind. This can be thought of as the observer’s starting point in space.

Your mind acts as the starting point of space; it’s where space begins for you. The mind exists just outside the boundaries of space, and space starts precisely at the edge of your mind. Since the mind isn’t in space, it serves as the unmoving and original point from which space unfolds.

This “outside of space” is found within each of us, and it’s an awe-inspiring realization. We all carry something beyond space inside ourselves. This idea applies to every living being, everyone should understand that the unmoving origin of space resides within them. This starting point is constant and universal. No matter where you travel, your mind remains the reference point from which space starts. Wherever your body is, your mind is always the nonmoving start of space.

Expansion of Space

Is there a connection between time and space? Absolutely—time and space are fundamentally linked. Time acts as the driving force, while space emerges as its result. Without the passage of time, space would not exist; in essence, space can be viewed as stretched out time.

To better understand this relationship, consider what scientists say about the universe’s age: it is approximately 13.7 billion years old. If light were to travel from the farthest edge of the universe to us, it would take 13.7 billion years, meaning the distance is 13.7 billion light-years. A light-year is simply the distance light covers in a year.

Let’s explore how the universe’s age and size relate. If the universe is 13.7 billion years old right now, its size is 13.7 billion light-years. After one second passes, the age becomes 13.7 billion years plus one second. In that extra second, light travels an additional 186,000 miles. So, the universe’s size increases by 186,000 miles, making it 13.7 billion light-years plus 186,000 miles. Ten seconds later, the universe’s age is 13.7 billion years plus ten seconds, and its size grows by 1,860,000 miles. After a year, it’s 13.7 billion years plus one year, and the universe expands by another light-year.

This demonstrates that time directly causes the expansion of space. As time flows, space continues to expand. Each second, the universe expands outward by 186,000 miles. In other words, the edge of the universe is growing by 186,000 miles every second, which is a remarkable insight.

Understanding Time Fabric 

To begin, it’s helpful to clarify some of the main terms used when talking about space. Einstein introduced the concept of a “fabric” underlying space and called it spacetime fabric. The term spacetime can be confusing since it seems to refer to both space and time together, but the distinction is important. Space is what we observe directly—it’s the three-dimensional arena where distances are measured. For example, you might see a tree 200 feet away or a plane flying at 30,000 feet. All these measurements are made using distance units, and this domain is what we typically think of as space.

Spacetime, on the other hand, describes phenomena in terms of time rather than physical distances. The term itself can be misleading, as it suggests a blend of space and time, but in this context, it is primarily time that is being considered. For instance, when we say light from the sun takes eight minutes to reach us, or that a star is 500 million light-years away, we are measuring in units of time. Thus, everything in spacetime is quantified by time alone. Using the term “time fabric” can be more precise, emphasizing that time is the true variable at play in spacetime. As discussed in the episode “Understanding Time,” time is not something that exists in the three dimensions of space but is the fourth dimension. The fourth dimension can exist only in the mind. Therefore, it’s more accurate to think of the spacetime fabric as a time fabric that exists within our mind.

But how does space come into existence? Space is formed by the stretching of this time fabric. For a more in-depth discussion, refer to the episode “Dark Energy and Space.” Dark energy has the unique ability to stretch time, and this stretching is what creates space. To put it simply, when one second of the time fabric is stretched by dark energy, it becomes 186,000 miles of space. This means that all the space we perceive around us is actually the result of time fabric being stretched out to form space. While this concept may seem unfamiliar, it is both logical and consistent.

With a clearer grasp of the time fabric and how space originates, we can derive a few key insights about the structure of space:

1. The starting point for both the time fabric and space is the observer within us. This observer serves as the fixed, unmoving reference point for all space.
2. The outermost edge of the universe’s time fabric lies 13.7 billion years away, and it continues to expand at a rate of 186,000 miles per second, or the equivalent of one light-year every year.

Revised Framework of Space:

Consider space as having a fixed starting point that never shifts. However, its outer boundary is constantly expanding—by one light-year each year. To visualize what happens between the fixed beginning and the ever-expanding edge, think of a rubber band anchored at one end while the other end is pulled outward. You’ll notice that as you stretch the band, areas closer to the anchor point expand less, while those near the moving end stretch much more. The farther you move from the fixed point, the greater the expansion in the rubber band.

This analogy applies to the fabric of time as well. The beginning of the time fabric is fixed, while its outer edge is continuously expanding. As time progresses, the fabric gets stretched more and more at its edges. Because the starting point remains unchanged and the edge moves outward, the entire time fabric is pulled and expanded. This stretching isn’t uniform—near the starting point, time is less stretched, but at the extremities, it’s stretched much more. In practical terms, this means that a “second” is not the same everywhere along the time fabric: it’s shorter near the beginning and becomes increasingly stretched as you move toward the outer edge.

How does this stretch of time influence space? Each second of stretched time translates into 186,000 miles of space. When a second is more stretched, it creates proportionally more space—so, the 186,000 miles become an even greater distance. Therefore, as the stretching increases, the universe appears larger than it would if time weren’t being stretched. This effect is most noticeable at the universe’s outer edges, making these regions look much larger from the observer’s viewpoint, and giving the impression the size of the universe is much larger than what it actually is.

Nature’s Optical Illusion

Nature has created a fascinating illusion, making space seem far more expansive than it really is. This effect is currently challenging scientists who use the James Webb Space Telescope to study distant galaxies. Despite the universe being about 13.7 billion years old, researchers have found a galaxy that appears to be 33 billion light years away, even though logically it should only be around 13.7 billion light years distant. As previously discussed, this inconsistency stems from the stretching of time across the fabric of the universe, causing it to appear larger. To address this, scientists will need to update their calculation methods to account for this stretching effect. By making these adjustments, they should be able to accurately measure the distances of both nearby and faraway galaxies, leading to a clearer understanding of the universe.

I hope you found the exploration of the space framework both fascinating and enlightening. It’s essential for the scientific community to recognize that the starting point of space is the observer within each one of us. Furthermore, the universe’s outer boundaries are stretching the fabric of time, which creates an illusion that makes the universe appear much larger than it truly is. Understanding this concept is crucial for clarifying the misconceptions caused by images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we now have a library of around 35 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

In this episode, we’ll demonstrate that classical physics and quantum physics operate in distinct domains—classical physics governs the tangible, physical world, while quantum physics pertains to the more subtle universe made up of waveforms in the mind. Although this may sound remarkable, we will use scientific reasoning and logical arguments to establish that this distinction is indeed factual.

Introduction

Physics, as understood in Western science, is typically categorized into two major branches: Classical Physics and Quantum Physics. Classical physics traces its roots back to the dawn of civilization, where humans sought to comprehend the universe and its observable phenomena. Over centuries, pivotal discoveries were made and foundational laws established—many of which continue to be vital today. The main focus of classical physics was on macro-objects and the universe was often envisioned as a predictable machine given the starting conditions, one could theoretically forecast the future movements of planets and other objects. This led many to believe that the core principles governing nature were fully understood.

This certainty was disrupted in the early 20th century, as attention shifted from large objects to the tiny particles that make up matter—atoms and their components. Classical laws proved insufficient for describing phenomena at these microscopic scales. To address the results observed in atomic and subatomic experiments, physicists developed a new theoretical approach: quantum physics.

At extremely small scales, many phenomena challenge our classical expectations. One of the most significant discoveries was wave–particle duality, which revealed that entities such as electrons can behave like waves in certain situations and like particles in others. This pivotal finding marked the emergence of quantum physics. As the understanding deepened, De Broglie—a French Nobel laureate—confirmed that not only subatomic particles but all forms of matter, from the tiniest particles to the largest galaxies, possess both particle and wave characteristics. For a better understanding about quantum physics, we have two podcasts – the first one is Quantum Physics Overview and second one is Connecting Quantum Physics with Vedanta. Please listen to them at your convenience.

With this background, let’s explore the following two topics:

1. Understanding the World of Particles

2. Understanding the World of Waveforms

Understanding the World of Particles

Let’s begin with a thought-provoking challenge: can you point to a truly “live” or “now” object in our world? Everything we observe or interact with in the realm of particles is actually a “memory” object—something from the past. Every object we perceive is dated. But what does this mean?

Take the sun, for example. The image we see of the sun is not a real-time view, but rather the sun as it was eight minutes ago. This is because light from the sun takes about eight minutes to reach us, so what we see is always “now minus eight minutes.” It’s not the current sun, but an eight-minute-old version.

Similarly, the moon appears as it was three seconds ago, since light from the moon takes three seconds to get to us. A plane flying overhead is seen as it was 300 milliseconds earlier, and even the tree outside your window is a “now minus 10 microseconds” version. No matter how close the object, light always takes some finite time to travel to our eyes.

This principle extends to everything in the physical world—even people, animals, and any living beings. We never truly experience a “live” or present moment object; instead, we’re always interacting with slightly outdated, or “memory,” versions due to the limitations imposed by the speed of light.

Surprisingly, this topic of experiencing only dated objects isn’t widely discussed in the scientific community, despite how fundamental it is. So, the question remains: Where are the true “now” objects? Where can we find something genuinely live?

Understanding the World of Waveforms

Where exactly does the concept of “now” objects exist? What is its true location? It’s clear that it cannot be found within physical space, since everything we perceive “out there” is merely a memory or a representation from the past. If “now” isn’t present in the external world, then where can it be? Here’s a hint: the “now” objects must exist outside the bounds of space. But what does it mean for something to be “outside”?

Looking for “Now” Location for each object: 

To pinpoint the “now” object, the simplest method is to identify the spot where light would take zero seconds to reach us.

For example, we know that the sun we see is actually the “now minus eight minutes” version, because it takes eight minutes for sunlight to reach our eyes. Let’s imagine if the sun moved closer and we saw the “now minus four minutes” version—light would take four minutes, placing the sun halfway between its current position and us. If it were even nearer, and we observed the “now minus 30 seconds” version, light would take only 30 seconds.

Continuing this logic, where would the “now minus zero seconds” version be? It would be right at the point where light takes no time at all to arrive. That means the “now” version of the sun is not somewhere out in space, but within us—within the Observer.

Therefore, all “now” objects exist within the Observer, which resides inside the mind. In essence, each person’s entire “now” universe is contained within their own mind. Reflect on this concept—it’s truly awe-inspiring.

Particle and Wave Duality versus Memory and Now object duality

Quantum physics reveals that every object possesses both particle and wave properties. Previously, we discussed the ideas of memory objects and “now” objects, and wondered if there’s a connection between the particle-wave duality and the duality of memory and “now” objects. The answer is affirmative.

We established earlier that everything in the physical world is made up of memory objects, which align with the particle aspect in quantum duality. Put simply, memory objects and the particle aspect are fundamentally equivalent.

When considering “now” objects, we observed that the “now” universe exists within the mind, so it cannot include the particle aspect. Particles are absent from this mental realm, leading us to conclude that “now” objects are associated with the wave aspect of duality. Therefore, “now” objects in the mental universe are inherently wave-like, and since this universe resides in the mind, these waves manifest as mental vibrations. As we have discussed in the episode Understanding the Universe of waveforms, there is fully functioning universe made up of object waveforms. Everything happens first in the subtle universe and then in the physical universe.

Classical Physics vs. Quantum Physics

Science reveals that the laws governing the classical world are not effective in the quantum world, and vice versa. This suggests that classical physics and quantum physics each operate in distinct domains. But what sets these worlds apart?

We have just seen that there exists a universe composed of waveforms, as well as a universe made up of physical objects. The subtle universe is made of waveforms which are operating within the mind. The gross universe is the universe which is made of dated objects which is available “out there.” Quantum physics aims to explore and understand the wave aspect, focusing on the subtle universe. On the other hand, classical physics centers its study on the gross universe of physical objects.

There is a clear distinction between mental waveforms and physical objects. Studying physical objects through classical physics will not yield insights into mental waveforms. Therefore, quantum laws are not applicable to the gross physical world, where only classical physics is relevant. Similarly, classical laws do not suit the subtle universe; only quantum physics can explain its phenomena.

We hope this discussion has given a good understanding of the difference between the domain of classical physics and quantum physics. classical physics is concerned with the physical universe “out there,” while quantum physics is concerned with the subtle universe which is functioning within our minds. They operate in two mutually exclusive realms.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we now have a library of around 35 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

In this episode, we undertake a careful examination of happiness. Each of us experiences brief moments of happiness, yet we desire this happiness to be lasting and uninterrupted. When it inevitably fades, it gives rise to dissatisfaction and frustration. To address this, we will explore the true source of happiness and seek to understand why it eludes us despite our constant pursuit.

Introduction

We all experience moments of happiness yet defining what happiness truly is, can be difficult. Although it is something we clearly feel, putting it into words is not always easy. Many people describe happiness as an emotion that brings joy, contentment, or satisfaction. Typically, this emotion arises in response to experience: when we enjoy an experience, we feel happy; when we do not, we feel unhappy. In this sense, happiness—like all emotions—is generally a reaction to our experiences.

If we observe life around us, we notice that the sources of happiness vary widely. For some, money brings happiness; for others, a good meal, meeting old friends, doing social service or simple everyday moments are the source of joy. The reasons for happiness are numerous, and no single cause applies universally. What brings happiness to one person may not have the same effect on another. Happiness, therefore, is deeply personal and differs from individual to individual.

Yet happiness remains a subtle and elusive phenomenon. Is there a single, underlying source from which happiness arises? To explore this question meaningfully, it is helpful to first examine what happiness is not and then identify its true source. We will also consider how the experience of happiness unfolds.

External Objects or Events and Happiness

Do external objects or events give happiness? To most people it does seem so. Because we are constantly engaged with external objects, it seems happiness lies in those objects. Buy a new car, you feel happy, get a promotion, you feel happy, eat your favorite meal and you feel happy. There are many such events which give us happiness.

We can all agree that happiness derived from external experiences is always temporary. It arises briefly, fades quickly, and is often followed by sadness because we do not want that happiness to end. This leads to an endless attempt to repeat pleasurable experiences. We try to recreate conditions that give us happiness, but life rarely cooperates. The repetition of happiness cannot be guaranteed.

Every living being seeks lasting happiness and contentment, something permanent and unchanging. Yet most people continue searching for this lasting happiness in external objects. This happens because of a fundamental error: the belief that external objects are the source of happiness. They are not, and they never can be. The following examples make this clear.

1. People often believe that eating chocolate brings happiness. The first piece gives pleasure, and perhaps the second does too. But as consumption continues, enjoyment diminishes and may even turn into discomfort. If happiness were inherent in chocolate, it would increase with quantity. Instead, it decreases. Happiness is not an ingredient of chocolate; it is projected onto it by the mind because of liking. Chocolate is simply a chocolate—the mind adds preference and value.

2. Many people believe money is the source of happiness, assuming that wealth enables unlimited enjoyment. Yet wealthy people are often unhappy, burdened by fear of loss, mistrust, or constant pressure. They may be so busy accumulating wealth that they have little time to enjoy life. Meanwhile, a person with modest means may be more content. Money is necessary for living in the world, but it is not a source of happiness. Once again, happiness is not inherent in money; it is a value superimposed by the mind.

This does show that external objects or events are not the source of happiness.  

Mind and Happiness

We have five sense organs—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. These organs are connected to the mind. The senses themselves do not judge or evaluate; they merely convey information from the external world to the mind. For example, the tongue reports sweetness or bitterness, but it is the mind that determines whether a particular taste is pleasant or unpleasant.

In the waking state, the senses are continuously active, transmitting information to the mind. The mind processes these sensory inputs and presents them to the ego. The ego naturally seeks experiences it finds agreeable and avoids those it finds disagreeable. Agreeable experiences give rise to happiness, while disagreeable experiences result in unhappiness.

Vedanta refers to this process as rāga which means liking and dveṣa, which means disliking. When the ego encounters sense objects, it superimposes like and dislike upon them. It pursues objects it likes, believing they are the source of happiness, and attempts to avoid experiences associated with unhappiness.

Does this mean that the mind is the source of happiness? A closer examination shows that this cannot be the case. The mind is fickle and constantly changing. An object that appears to be a source of happiness today may become a source of misery tomorrow. There is nothing stable or consistent about the mind. Such an erratic and unstable mind can never be the source of lasting happiness. According to Vedanta, the mind is not the source of happiness but rather the primary obstacle to realizing enduring happiness. While the mind may appear to provide fleeting moments of pleasure, it can never offer the permanent and unchanging happiness that every human being seeks.

Deep Sleep and Happiness?

We have seen that neither external objects nor the mind can be the true source of happiness. If that is so, then what is the source of happiness? The answer becomes clear when we properly understand the state of deep sleep. When we go to sleep, we generally pass through two distinct states.

1. Dream Sleep:
In dream sleep, we experience dreams. Although we are disconnected from the external world, we continue to experience an internal dream world created by impressions stored in the subconscious mind. The sense organs are inactive, yet the mind projects images, situations, and experiences based on past memories. Some dreams are pleasant, while others can be disturbing or frightening. Since both pleasure and pain are experienced in dreams, the dream state cannot be the source of lasting happiness.

2. Deep Sleep:
In deep sleep, there are no dreams and no experience of the external world. There are no perceptions, no thoughts, and no feelings. The mind is inactive, the ego is absent, and there is no awareness of the body or the world. In this state, there appears to be nothing at all. Yet, upon waking, everyone reports having slept peacefully and blissfully. People commonly say, “I slept very well” or “I had a deep, restful sleep.” Deep sleep is universally enjoyed by all.

This observation is significant. During deep sleep, there are no external objects, no mind, and no ego, yet happiness or contentment is still experienced. This clearly indicates that happiness does not originate from external objects or from the mind. Instead, the source of happiness must lie deeper—within oneself.

Source of Happiness

What is there within us that is the true source of happiness? From the standpoint of Vedanta, the answer becomes clear when we examine the state of deep sleep. During deep sleep, the only thing present is you—the Real Self. There is no external world, no body, no mind, and no ego. The ego appears only in the waking state when identification with the body arises. In deep sleep, all of this is absent.

Bliss and happiness are not produced in deep sleep; they are revealed when all distractions subside. Thus, bliss is the very nature of the Real Self.

If you are a student of Vedanta, you would learn that the Real Self is SatChitAnanada. We have discussed this topic in detail in my episode “Who Am I”. Here we discuss this briefly.

Sat (Reality)

Sat means that which is real—something that exists in all three periods of time: past, present, and future. Anything that comes into existence and later ceases to exist cannot be Sat. The universe itself came into being approximately 13.7 billion years ago and therefore did not exist prior to that. For this reason, nothing in nature qualifies as Sat.

The only thing that is truly Sat is your inner core, the Real Self. It existed before the birth of the body and continues to exist even after the body perishes. This is not an easy concept to grasp, but according to Vedanta, it is the fundamental Truth. The Real Self is uncreated, uncaused, unchanging, and ever‑present.

Chit (Awareness)

Chit means Awareness and it is the nature of Sat. This Awareness is self‑aware—the Self knows itself. Here, the Self is both the subject (the observer) and the object (that which is observed). There is no separation between knower and known. This non‑dual awareness carries with it a sense of completeness and fullness.

Because there is no division within the Self, Awareness is whole and indivisible. This is the essence of non‑duality taught in Vedanta.

Ananda (Bliss)

Ananda means happiness or bliss—but not the fleeting pleasure we experience in daily life. Ananda refers to your essential nature. Since the Real Self is complete, self‑sufficient, and independent, it does not require anything external to feel fulfilled. This state of completeness naturally expresses itself as continuous and unbroken bliss.

Because the Real Self is both the subject and the object, nothing is lacking. This absence of limitation is Ananda.

An Analogy

The Real Self can be compared to a bulb shining within us. Its nature is to radiate Awareness (Chit) and Happiness (Ananda) continuously. Just as the sun shines without effort, the Real Self effortlessly radiates awareness and bliss.

When an object comes into the field of Awareness, the ego becomes aware of that object. Similarly, when the ego comes into contact with the ever‑present light of happiness, happiness is felt. Happiness is not created at that moment—it is merely recognized.

Why Is Happiness or Ananda Blocked?

A natural question arises: If our inner core is continuously shining happiness, why don’t we feel it? Why don’t we recognize it? Vedanta explains that there are two main reasons for this.

1. Thoughts

Thoughts are the primary obstacle. They block the light of happiness, and as a result, we do not notice or experience it. In the waking state, the mind is almost always active with thoughts. Most thoughts arise due to perceptions from the five senses, while others arise from thoughts trying to fulfill desires. The mind is rarely quiet.

These continuous thought waves prevent the light of happiness from reaching us. This is the main problem.

Consider a simple example. You develop a desire to eat ice cream. This thought becomes dominant in your mind and blocks the light of happiness. You find it difficult to focus on anything else. To satisfy this thought, you go to the fridge and eat the ice cream. Once the desire is fulfilled, the thought subsides and temporarily disappears.

When this thought subsides, the mind becomes momentarily thought‑free. In that brief thoughtless state, the light of happiness shines through, and you feel happy. Notice carefully: happiness is not contained in the ice cream. It is experienced only when the desire‑thought subsides and the mind comes in contact with the ever‑present light of happiness.

Unfortunately, this happiness does not last long. Soon another thought or desire arises and once again blocks the light of happiness. This cycle continues endlessly. Thus, thoughts repeatedly block happiness and prevent it from being experienced.

If you closely observe your thoughts, you will notice that there is always a small gap between two thoughts. During this gap, the light of happiness does shine through, and a subtle sense of happiness is felt. However, this gap is usually so brief that we fail to notice it.

If the gap between two thoughts increases, the experience of happiness becomes more noticeable and longer‑lasting. A calm mind has fewer thoughts and larger gaps between thoughts, whereas an agitated mind has many thoughts with almost no gaps. Naturally, a calmer mind experiences more happiness.

For this reason, practices that calm the mind—such as prayer, meditation, breath control, and similar disciplines—are helpful. When the mind becomes quiet during these practices, the light of happiness is felt. However, this solution is usually temporary. Once the practice ends and the mind re‑engages with the world, thoughts return and again block the light of happiness. Therefore, while calming the mind is beneficial, it is not a permanent solution.

2. Ignorance

The second and deeper reason is ignorance of our true nature. We are born ignorant of the Real Self. Although the source of happiness lies within us, we habitually search for happiness in the external world. This is the greatest tragedy.

From birth, the mind is trained to engage only with the external world. This conditioning becomes deeply rooted. As a result, ignorance covers the true source of happiness within us, and we continue to seek happiness outside—in objects, relationships, achievements, and experiences.

This ignorance blocks our recognition of the inner source of happiness. We do not realize that happiness is our very nature.

When this ignorance is removed and you discover your inner core, you recognize that you are already part of the light of happiness. There is no separation between you and happiness. This realization is a permanent solution.

Once you abide by this source of happiness, the pleasure and pain arising from external objects no longer disturb you. External circumstances may change, but they no longer have the power to create misery. Happiness is no longer something to be acquired—it is simply known as what you truly are.

Self-Love and Happiness

Love and happiness are inseparably connected. We are drawn to people, objects, and pursuits because they bring us happiness; without this experience of fulfillment, love would not arise. Upon reflection, it becomes evident that all forms of love are motivated by the happiness they provide. If something consistently fails to bring happiness, it does not remain an object of love.

This insight leads to a subtle but important conclusion: the object of our deepest love is ourselves. Love for parents, children, friends, or others is secondary to this fundamental self‑love, as we cherish them because they contribute to our sense of happiness and well‑being. Without this inner satisfaction, such love would not endure.

Many resist this idea, perceiving it as selfish or self‑centered. They may argue that their actions are motivated solely by concern for the happiness and welfare of others. However, a closer examination reveals that even these actions are sustained by the fulfillment and contentment they bring to the individual.

The underlying motivation behind seemingly selfless actions becomes clearer when we examine everyday examples.

1. Parents make significant sacrifices for their children’s education, needs, and well‑being. When the children grow up and succeed, the parents experience happiness and a deep sense of fulfillment. This satisfaction reveals that their sacrifices are ultimately driven by the happiness they derive from their children’s well‑being. Self‑satisfaction, therefore, plays a central role even in acts that appear entirely selfless.

2. The same pattern is evident in people who work selflessly for their country, community, or religious causes. Such service provides a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and inner joy. The happiness derived from these actions sustains the effort and commitment, indicating that personal fulfillment is an essential motivating factor.

An illustrative anecdote involves former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. On one occasion, he reportedly rescued a pig trapped in the mud, even though the effort soiled his clothes. When asked why he intervened, Lincoln explained that he acted not solely to relieve the pig’s suffering, but to relieve his own distress at witnessing it. His action restored his peace of mind.

These examples suggest that self‑satisfaction—one’s own happiness—is the underlying motivation behind even the most selfless acts. While the actions benefit others, they are ultimately sustained by the inner fulfillment they bring to the individual.

This principle is articulated with clarity in verse 2.4.5 of the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad. In this dialogue, the sage Yājñavalkya instructs his wife, Maitreyi, on the nature of the inner Self and the true source of love and happiness. He explains that love is not directed toward others for their own sake, but for one’s own fulfillment. As the text conveys:

“It is not for the sake of the husband that he is loved, but for one’s own sake.”
“It is not for the sake of the wife that she is loved, but for one’s own sake.”
“It is not for the sake of the sons that they are loved, but for one’s own sake.”

These statements reveal a profound truth: we do not love our spouse, children, or others for their sake alone, but because they connect us to the happiness within ourselves. What we truly love is the inner source of happiness that these relationships appear to provide. Please take a moment to think about this.

We hope this discussion has given a good understanding about lasting Happiness. We saw, due to ignorance, we mistakenly attribute happiness to external people and objects, believing them to be its source. In reality, they merely reflect or reveal the happiness that already exists within us. Recognizing this inner source is essential to discovering lasting happiness.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we now have a library of around 35 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

This episode argues that the multiverse does indeed exist, but not in the form commonly proposed by mainstream scientific theories. Rather than speculative parallel worlds, we present a more precise and coherent interpretation of the multiverse grounded in a proper understanding of concepts behind quantum physics and the core teaching of Vedanta.  

Introduction

Multiverses, or multiple universes, are a topic frequently debated by scientists. These proposed universes are often referred to as parallel or alternative universes. Some interpretations of quantum physics appear to suggest the existence of multiple universes, raising a profound question: Is such a concept even possible? While several hypotheses have been proposed, our understanding of how—or even where—these multiple universes might exist remains limited.

Much of the popular discussion around multiverses can be traced back to the famous thought experiment known as Schrödinger’s cat, devised by Nobel Prize–winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger. In this thought experiment, a cat is placed inside a sealed box containing a vial of poison connected to a random atomic trigger. The trigger may or may not activate the poison. If it does, the cat dies; if it does not, the cat remains alive. Until the box is opened and an observation is made, one cannot know the state of the cat. From a quantum perspective, both possibilities—alive and dead—exist simultaneously until observation occurs.

According to some interpretations, if an observer opens the box and finds the cat alive, the alternative outcome—in which the cat is dead—must also be realized elsewhere. Schrödinger’s wave function mathematically allows for both possibilities, and this has led some scientists to suggest that the unobserved outcome occurs in a separate, parallel universe. Thus, if the cat is alive in this universe, it must be dead in another. This interpretation contributed significantly to the popularization of multiverse ideas.

However, this is a misinterpretation of Schrödinger’s wave function. Schrödinger himself did not intend the thought experiment to demonstrate the existence of multiverses. His goal was to illustrate how wave functions of interacting systems can superimpose and form increasingly complex waveforms, not to propose parallel realities.

A deeper and more accurate understanding of the wave function leads to a far more intriguing conclusion: we may indeed live in a multiverse. Each observer, through the act of observation, brings into existence a unique and exclusive universe. In this sense, no two observers inhabit the same universe. The existence of countless observers therefore implies the existence of countless universes. In this episode, drawing upon the principles of quantum physics, we will demonstrate how multiverses are not merely speculative ideas but arise naturally from the fundamental nature of observation and the wave function.

Understanding Schrödinger’s Wave Function

We have discussed Schrödinger’s wave function in other episodes like Quantum Physics – Overview and Connecting Quantum Physics with Vedanta. If you have time you must listen to these episodes. It is worthwhile to restate some key ideas here, because a proper interpretation of this wave function is essential for correctly understanding the concept of multiverses.

Quantum physics emerged in the early twentieth century when scientists discovered that all matter exhibit both wave and particle properties. This applies universally—to you and me, to molecules and trees, to planets, stars, and galaxies. Everything in the universe possesses this wave–particle duality.

In 1925, Erwin Schrödinger formulated a mathematical equation to describe the wave aspect of this duality. Schrödinger’s wave equation is a general framework capable of representing the possible wave functions of all objects in the universe.

A key insight of Schrödinger’s formulation is that a physical system consists of two components:

1. The observed system, which is the wave function representing the object or objects being observed.

2. The observing system, which is the observer or the measuring device performing the observation.

The observing system interacts with the observed system by making a measurement. In the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, the person opening the box functions as the observing system. When the observer interacts with the wave function, only one of the many possible outcomes is realized. This process is known as the collapse of the wave function.

As a result of this collapse, a single possibility emerges from among all available possibilities. In the case of the cat experiment, the outcome is unambiguous: the cat is found to be either dead or alive.

Composition of the Wave Function for the Observed System

The wave function of the observed system is highly complex. Ultimately, there is a single system wave function that represents every possible object in the universe—from a single atom to living beings, stars, and entire galaxies. This unified system wave function can be called the cosmic wave function, as it represents everything that exists in the universe.

1. Cumulative Nature of an Object’s Wave Function

Schrödinger’s wave function represents the energy profile of an object at a given moment in time. As time progresses, this energy profile continuously changes, and with every passing moment a new wave function is formed. Importantly, no wave function is ever lost. All past wave functions remain available within the object’s total wave function.

Thus, an object’s wave function is cumulative: it is the sum total of all its wave functions from the moment of its inception up to the present. In other words, the object’s wave function contains its entire history.

Consider the example of the Sun. The Sun is over 4.5 billion years old, and its wave function includes the energy profile of every moment since its birth. Each individual moment contributes a distinct wave function, and all these momentary wave functions combine to form a single, grand wave function for the Sun. As time advances, new wave functions are continuously added to this cumulative profile.

Because every moment in the Sun’s history is present within its wave function, this cumulative wave function contains all possible historical versions of the Sun. Every version—from its earliest formation to its present state—exists as a possibility within the Sun’s wave function.

To understand this more clearly, consider the role of observation.

Imagine that you are observing the Sun from Earth, your friend is observing it from Mars, and an alien observer is observing it from a planet located five million light-years away. Light from the Sun takes approximately eight minutes to reach Earth, thirteen minutes to reach Mars, and five million years to reach the distant planet.

Although the total wave function of the Sun is available to all observers, what each observer experiences depend on which part of that wave function collapses during observation. When the wave function collapses in your presence on Earth, you observe the Sun as it was eight minutes ago. Your friend on Mars collapses the wavefunction where the Sun was thirteen minutes ago, and the alien observer sees the Sun from five million years in the past.

Each observer collapses a different historical version of the same object. All these versions already exist within the Sun’s cumulative wave function. Even if millions of observers look at the Sun at the same “now” moment, each observer collapses a different possibility from the same underlying wave function.

This principle applies not only to the Sun, but to all objects in the universe. Every object—human beings, trees, cars, planets, and galaxies—has a wave function that contains the totality of its history. Your own wave function includes every moment since your birth.

2. The Cosmic Wave Function

The complexity increases further when we recognize that all objects, each with their own cumulative historical wave functions, combine to form one unified wave function for the entire universe. This is the cosmic wave function.

Nothing is excluded from this cosmic wave function. It contains every object, every interaction, and every possible configuration that has ever existed within the universe.

Unlimited Possibilities in the Cosmic Wave Function

We have seen that the cosmic wave function is a single, all‑encompassing wave function that includes every object in the universe. Within this cosmic wave function exists an enormous—indeed unlimited—number of possibilities.

First, a possibility may consist of any combination of objects, whether large or small. For example, when you look out of your window, you experience one particular combination of objects—trees, buildings, sky, and people. When you look away, you encounter a different combination. Each such combination represents a distinct possibility. In this way, the cosmic wave function can be thought of as being “sliced” into many different parts, with each slice corresponding to a unique possibility.

Second, each individual object contains multiple possibilities within its own wave function. These possibilities correspond to the object’s entire history—from its inception to the present moment. The Sun, for instance, is about 4.5 billion years old, and its wave function contains a unique wave profile for every moment of its existence. As we saw earlier, observers located at different distances from the Sun perceive different historical versions of it, each corresponding to a different possibility within the Sun’s wave function.

When these two ideas are combined—the innumerable combinations of objects and the vast number of historical possibilities within each object—it becomes clear that the cosmic wave function contains an unlimited number of possibilities. Each of these possibilities can be separated, or sliced, from the cosmic wave function.

Role of the Observer

The existence of the physical universe, from this perspective, depends on observation. Consider a simple example: when you observe a tree, it appears as a definite physical object. When you turn away, however, its physical status becomes uncertain, as it is no longer being observed. In this view, physical reality requires observation; objects outside perception do not exist as concrete physical entities but remain as uncollapsed waveforms.

Quantum physics supports this principle by demonstrating that all entities possess both wave and particle characteristics. A wave function collapses into a definite physical state only upon observation, underscoring the essential role of the observer. Prior to observation, a system exists as a set of multiple possibilities; observation selects and actualizes only one.

Importantly, there is not a single observer. Every conscious being functions as an observer—humans, animals, and potentially life forms beyond Earth. The number of observers is therefore immense.

Each observer collapses a unique subsection of the cosmic wave function. This subsection represents a specific combination of objects and a particular historical state of each object. When the observer interacts with this subsection, it collapses into the universe that the observer experiences. This universe exists within the observer’s mind and is not shared with others. As time progresses, new subsections collapse continuously, producing a changing universe unique to that observer.

Similarly, every other observer collapses a different and exclusive subsection of the cosmic wave function. No two subsections are identical. Just as each slice of a cake is distinct, each collapsed possibility is unique and cannot be shared. Consequently, each observer experiences a distinct universe derived from the same underlying cosmic wave function.

Multiverses

Each observing mind collapses a unique subsection of the cosmic wave function. When this collapse occurs, the mind experiences the objects contained within that subsection. Because no subsection is ever repeated, each observer brings into existence a distinct universe. From the perspective of Schrödinger’s wave function, every mind selects a different possibility, resulting in a universe that is unique to that observer. No two universes are identical. Given the vast number of observing minds, an equally vast number of universes are continuously realized.

At first glance, it may appear that multiple observers are perceiving the same objects. For example, if you and a friend are looking at a group of trees, it seems natural to assume that you are observing the same trees. However, a closer examination reveals that each observer is, in fact, perceiving a different version of those objects. While these versions may appear identical, they are not the same.

Different distances from the object.
If your friend is standing closer to the trees than you are, light from the trees reaches your friend slightly earlier. As a result, your friend observes a more recent version of the trees, while you observe an earlier one. Although this temporal difference is extremely small and imperceptible to human senses, the versions are nevertheless distinct. Even a separation of a few millimeters produces a difference. Since an object’s wave function contains its entire history, each observer collapses a different historical version of the same object, resulting in different subsection wave functions.

Same distance from the object.
Even if two observers are positioned at the same distance from the trees, they cannot occupy the same point in space. This spatial separation leads to a different angular perspective, producing slightly different visual information. The same view would require both observers to occupy the exact same location, which is impossible. This principle applies not only to nearby objects but also to distant ones such as the Sun or stars. Consequently, each observer collapses a distinct subsection of the wave function.

Because no two observers can collapse the same subsection of the cosmic wave function, no two minds can experience the same universe. Each observer perceives a unique set of objects or unique versions of the same objects. In this way, every individual creates and experiences a universe that is exclusively their own. Multiverses, therefore, arise naturally from the act of observation itself.

Conclusion

Multiverses, therefore, are a reality. This conclusion aligns naturally with Schrödinger’s wave function, which allows for multiple possible outcomes and holds that, in the presence of an observer or measuring device, only one possibility is realized through collapse. The remaining possibilities do not disappear; they may be realized elsewhere as alternative or parallel universes. While this idea may initially seem mysterious, it follows logically from the principles discussed.

In summary, there are many observers, and every living being functions as one. Given the vast number of observers, there is an equally vast number of collapses of the cosmic wave function. Each collapse corresponds to a unique subsection of that wave function, and each subsection represents a distinct possibility. Because no two possibilities are identical, each observer gives rise to a different universe. These parallel universes are not distant or abstract; they coexist within the same underlying cosmic wave function. As long as multiple observers exist, multiple universes will necessarily arise. Viewed in this way, multiverses are not mysterious but a natural consequence of observation itself.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer around 30 podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

In this episode we will discuss the difference between Brahman and Ishvara. Brahman and Ishvara are often used interchangeably, but are they truly the same? While their fundamental essence is identical—both rooted in Awareness, the underlying reality of everything—their functions and modes of operation differ. Vedanta explains this distinction in the following way:

1. Nirguna Brahman: Brahman without any qualities or attributes.

2. Saguna Brahman or Ishvara: Brahman endowed with qualities and attributes is Ishvara.

This discussion explores the relationship between Nirguna Brahman or Brahman and Saguna Brahman or Ishvara, focusing on how Awareness forms their shared core nature. We will examine how Brahman, devoid of attributes, transforms into Ishvara, who possesses distinct qualities and attributes. Additionally, we aim to understand what those qualities and attributes of Ishvara are, and how they shape its role in the universe.

1. Nirguna Brahman – The Non-Dual Self Awareness

The first question to start the discussion is – what is Awareness? What is Self-Awareness? Awareness is the innermost core of any living being. It is like an Awareness bulb shining within our inner core. If any object, it could be an image, sound, touch or feeling, comes in the presence of this bulb of Awareness, you will be aware of that experience. Here are some examples of awareness that we experience daily.

How do we know the tree is green? Because we are aware of it. 

How do we know sugar is sweet? Because we are aware of it. 

How do we know the smooth touch of silk? Because we are aware of it. 

How do we know we are listening to music? Because we are aware of it. 

The common thread to all these questions is Awareness. It would seem Awareness is a prerequisite to observe any kind of object. Without awareness, we would not know any objects which are perceived by the 5 senses organs – eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. These objects from the sensory organs must encounter Awareness, and then only we can observe the object. For an analogy, let us think of the sun. If there is no light emanating from the sun, the entire world will be dark; anything and everything become visible only when there is light. In the same way, when any form encounters the light of Awareness, we become aware of the object. If there is no light of Awareness, you will perceive nothing, not even the sun. 

At its core, awareness consists of three essential components: the Subject, the Object, and Intelligence. Each of these aspects holds a distinct power:

1. Subject holds the Power of the Knower, representing the aspect of awareness that is the witness or observer.

2. Object contains the Power of the Known. This power manipulates awareness to become any object. 

3. Intelligence embodies the Power of Knowing, the capacity that enables the interaction and recognition between the knower and the known.

Together, these three powers work in harmony, forming the basis of our experiences. For a more in-depth exploration of these ideas, consider listening to the episode “Understanding Self-Awareness,” which delves further into nature and mechanics of awareness.

It’s essential to understand that the Subject, Object, Intelligence, and the three powers are not separate, external entities existing out in the world. Instead, they all exist within Awareness itself and together make up what Awareness is. Wherever there is awareness, you will find the Subject, Object, and Intelligence, as well as all three powers. For instance, as you listen to this episode right now, you are experiencing awareness. The part of you is a listener which serves as the subject; the words you hear are the objects; and Intelligence is what allows you to comprehend what you’re listening. All these elements arise within your own awareness.

What is Self-Awareness? 

Our inner core is full, complete, and it stands alone. For Awareness to be full and complete, it must be Self-Aware. Self-Awareness means that “Self is aware of the Self.” Self is aware of itself. This has a feeling of completeness.  

Here you will notice – Self is the Subject or observer, Self is the Object, and Self is the Intelligence. This is not easy to grasp, but you can imagine an entity where both Subject and Object are the same. There is no separation between the subject and object. Even the Power of the Knower is the same as Power of the Known. Since Subject with the power of knower and Objects with the power of Known is one homogenous entity, it must have no attributes, and it has no qualities. There is only one entity, which is non-dual. This complete, self-standing Self-Awareness is our inner core.

It is not dependent on anything else, and it generates its own light of Awareness. Nothing affects Self-Awareness; it is independent of everything. It is always at peace. Peace is its inherent nature. Because Self-Awareness does not do anything, all the powers of Awareness are lying dormant within Self-Awareness.

Brahman is the name given to this inner core of Self-Awareness.

2. Ishvara – The Reflected Awareness

If our essential nature is Self-Awareness, why aren’t we conscious of it—why don’t we feel it directly? The reason is simple: we are unaware of our innermost core because ignorance acts as a veil, obscuring Self-Awareness. When we lose sight of who we truly are, ignorance arises and hides our inner core, much like a curtain covering Awareness.

By now, it’s clear that Self-Awareness itself doesn’t “do” anything; it simply shines Awareness continuously. When ignorance covers Self-Awareness, that shining Awareness is reflected in the ignorance. Think of ignorance as a mirror—when light of Awareness is mirrored in it, we get what’s called Reflected Awareness. Just as the sun reflected in a mirror gives us both the original sun and the Reflected Sun, we have Brahman, the non-dual Self-Awareness, and Reflected Awareness. This Reflected Awareness is known as Ishvara.

1. It’s unusual but true: our ignorance is the root cause of Ishvara, or Reflected Awareness. Without ignorance, there would be no reflection, and therefore no Ishvara. The only thing left would be Brahman, the self-luminous Self-Awareness. In effect, Ishvara arises solely because of our ignorance.

2. Even if Reflected Awareness exists, Brahman—the non-dual Self-Awareness—remains untouched. It continues to shine Awareness regardless of whether ignorance is present or absent, much like the sun shines whether it’s cloudy or nighttime. Nothing can diminish the light of the sun, just as nothing can the light of Awareness.

3. It’s important to understand that ignorance does not affect Reflected Awareness itself. Reflected Awareness remains pure and unchanged, even though this might seem counterintuitive. One might expect ignorance to taint Reflected Awareness, but Ishvara is inherently pure and limitless. To clarify, imagine pouring water into a red bottle—the water appears red, but in reality, its color remains unchanged. Similarly, ignorance cannot affect the purity of Reflected Awareness; Ishvara remains untouched.

We’ve established that Self-Awareness is non-dual, meaning ‘Self’ is both subject and object. Unfortunately, due to ignorance, we forget this unity and experience a separation: the subject appears ‘in here’ and the object ‘out there.’ This simple act of forgetting gives Ignorance the power to transform non-duality into duality, creating this split. When duality happens the Power of the Knower, the Power of the Known and the Power of Knowing split and become active within Ishvara.

According to Vedanta, Maya Shakti is the force behind creation and the intelligence governing the universe. The powers of Knower, Knowing, and Known are present in Reflected Awareness; together, they constitute Maya Shakti:

Maya Shakti is the Power of Knower plus Power of Knowing and the Power of Known

This Maya Shakti is embedded within Reflected Awareness, and Ishvara uses it to manage and control the universe. Maya Shakti is the defining quality and attributes of Ishvara.

Let us discuss each of the 3 powers of Ishvara to understand their attributes and qualities.

Power of the Knower:

If we pose the question—who is it that sees the tree, hears the music, or tastes the sweetness of chocolate, and how do we do so—it becomes clear that the answer is not straightforward. Most of us take these experiences for granted and rarely reflect on their deeper significance. It is the force of Maya Shakti, particularly the Power of the Knower, that enables us to perceive the tree, listen to music, or savor the taste of chocolate.

The Power of the Knower shapes Awareness, allowing it to act as the Subject or Observer. Through this power, the Observer can assume a variety of roles. Within each person, this single Observer is constantly changing—sometimes it is the seer of the tree, other times it’s the listener to music, or the taster of the chocolate. With every new experience, the Subject adapts quickly and seamlessly, taking on new roles. The extraordinary flexibility of the Subject is made possible by the Power of the Knower, which manipulates Awareness to shift between different perspectives. This power is one of the great attributes of Maya Shakti within Ishvara and we use this power with every experience we have.  

 Power of Known

How do you know an object exists? The straightforward answer is that you are aware of it. Your awareness assures you of the object’s existence. If there is no awareness, the object effectively doesn’t exist for you; you simply wouldn’t know it’s there. Awareness is the foundation of everything you perceive. For you to experience an object, your awareness must “fill” it—taking on its shape so you can recognize and be aware of it. The “Power of the Known” is what enables this process—it shapes your awareness so that it conforms to whatever object you perceive, similar to how Play-Doh can be molded into different forms like a car, a tree, or a house. Just as Play-Doh can become anything, the Power of the Known can mold awareness to fit any object.

For example, if you notice a car parked outside, it’s the Power of the Known that shapes your awareness to take the form of that car. When you hear music from your device, your awareness fills the music, making it a conscious experience. If you savor the taste of chocolate, it’s because the Power of the Known impresses the flavor onto your awareness. In each case, awareness is the essential “ingredient” present in all objects.

While objects may appear different, their underlying content is always awareness. Since awareness is identified with Ishvara, it follows that all objects in the universe are composed of Ishvara. This realization is profound and invites deeper reflection, encouraging you to see the world around you in a new light—understanding that everything is fundamentally Ishvara in various forms. Maya shakti is the force which allows Ishvara to become all the objects in the universe.

The Power of Knowing

Awareness serves as the source for all possible knowledge and intelligence—a vast, internal digital library. Nothing that can be known or understood is missing from Awareness.

1. If you are aware that 2+2=4, it’s because this understanding exists within Awareness. If you know calculus, it’s because the entire body of calculus knowledge resides in Awareness. If you speak Sanskrit, that knowledge is also stored within Awareness. Every lesson learned since birth draws from this immense storehouse. Initially, ignorance conceals this knowledge. When you remove that ignorance, the Power of Knowing reveals what has always been present in Awareness. This is how you learn, comprehend, and become aware of new information. In truth, the knowledge we access is just a tiny fraction of what’s possible; the rest remains veiled by our individual ignorance. Through dedicated effort, the Power of Knowing can help lift this veil, granting us access to whatever knowledge we seek. It’s remarkable—all knowledge resides within Awareness, waiting to be discovered.

2. Likewise, all intelligence is present within Awareness. Logical reasoning, inference, creative insight, the ability to connect ideas across different fields, and memory—all these faculties and more are available within Awareness. Yet, our minds tap into only a small portion of this vast intelligence.

In essence, Awareness is not only the repository of every conceivable piece of knowledge but also the wellspring of all intelligence. It follows, then, that Ishvara can be understood as this very Awareness itself.

We hope this discussion has clearly shown the difference between Brahman and Ishvara. Brahman is the self-shinning non dual Self-Awareness. It is without attributes and qualities. It simply radiates and shines Awareness. Because of our ignorance, Brahman gets reflected in ignorance as Reflected Awareness. This Reflected Awareness is Ishvara. Maya Shakti is lying dormant in Brahman and because of our ignorance, this Maya Shakti is activated and this shakti is wielded by Ishvara to create, manage and control the universe.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer a growing library of podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

Listen to the Audio link or read the transcripts

In this episode, we’ll give a fresh and new perspective on the Big Bang. According to scientific understanding, the Big Bang occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago, marking the origin of our universe. The prevailing theory suggests that a tremendous concentration of energy was confined within an incredibly small point, often referred to as a Singularity. This dense point is believed to have erupted with extraordinary force, giving rise to the countless galaxies that populate the cosmos. While the Big Bang theory offers a timeline and general framework, the precise nature of what happened during that initial moment remains largely unknown.

Despite its widespread acceptance, the Big Bang theory leaves several fundamental questions unanswered:

1. How did so much energy come to be compressed in such a tiny point? The origin of this energy remains a mystery. Logic suggests that energy cannot emerge from nothing, so understanding the source behind Singularity is essential.
2. If the source of this energy existed at the moment of the Big Bang, where is it now? Since the universe continues to expand—a process that requires energy—the question arises: what is fueling this ongoing expansion?
3. Although the exploding point is described as minuscule, it still existed as an entity. What was its nature and properties? Was it purely physical as current science proposes, or was it something beyond our present understanding? How did this initial entity transform into the universe we observe today?
4. Scientists claim that this minute point became the physical universe, but is this the complete picture? Could there have been intermediate stages before the emergence of the observable universe? If so, what might those stages be?

These unresolved questions highlight the challenges and limitations of the current scientific explanation. The Big Bang remains shrouded in mystery, as science has yet to provide comprehensive answers to these core issues. Clearly, something extraordinary occurred 13.7 billion years ago, leading to the vast and intricate universe we now inhabit.

In this episode, I will explore these questions through the lens of Vedanta. Drawing upon its teachings, I offer a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the Big Bang, addressing the mysteries that science has yet to unravel. To facilitate this exploration, this discussion is structured around the following key topics:

1. The Source of the Big Bang
2. The Present Location of the Source
3. The Nature of the Initial Point
4. The Big Bang—A Fresh Perspective

1. The Source of the Big Bang

What caused the Big Bang? What existed before it? Logically, whatever was present before the Big Bang must be its source. However, this is a challenging question for scientists to tackle. The reason is that space, time, and our universe itself all began with the Big Bang. In essence, scientific knowledge as we know it also starts from this event. Still, when we think critically, it seems unlikely that such a vast and intricate universe could emerge from nothing. Something must have existed prior to the Big Bang.

Since science does not provide a definitive answer yet, we can turn to the teachings of Vedanta for answers.

According to Vedanta, SatChitAnanda—also known as Brahman or Self-Awareness—preceded the Big Bang. These terms are interchangeable, and we will refer to them throughout this discussion. SatChitAnanda is described as unchanging, uncaused, and uncreated: it existed in the past, exists now, and will exist in the future. It is eternal and unalterable, a quality that nothing else in the universe possesses. Everything in the universe, including the universe itself, comes into being and eventually perishes. For instance, the universe began 13.7 billion years ago; before that, it did not exist. The only constant is SatChitAnanda.

For more insight into Self-Awareness, you can listen to my episode “Understanding Self-Awareness.” This Self-Awareness is non-dual, whole, and complete—it requires nothing else to exist and is entirely self-sufficient. Its fundamental activity is to radiate Awareness, like a bulb shining with light. This Awareness serves as the ultimate foundation of everything and is the most powerful force in the universe. Awareness possesses remarkable powers, some of which include:

1. Power of the Knower: Enables the subject to perceive objects.

2. Power of the Known: Transforms Awareness into different objects.

3. Power of Knowing: The intelligence that deciphers the nature of each object.

4. Power of Infinite Energy: Self-Awareness is the wellspring of limitless energy.

5. Power to Create Time: Awareness itself is the origin of time. For more on this, refer to my episode “Understanding Time and its Powers.”

All possible powers reside within Awareness. As mentioned, the Big Bang required an extraordinary amount of energy. So, where did this energy originate? Vedanta teaches that it comes from Self-Awareness. How does Self-Awareness contain such immense energy? I’ve discussed this in detail in the episode “Awareness—The Infinite Energy Source.” I encourage you to listen if you’re interested. In summary, infinite energy is inherent within Self-Awareness, and, when properly interpreted, even Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity aligns with this perspective.

2. Where Is the Source Now?

The energy source behind the Big Bang is SatChitAnanda. Space and time originated with the Big Bang, and since then, 13.7 billion years have gone by. This raises the question: where is SatChitAnanda at this moment? Here is where the confusion begins. Scientists typically assume that space and time, having begun with the Big Bang, continue to expand outward from that original point. All scientific models of space are based on this assumption. Unfortunately, this perspective has led to a misunderstanding, creating obstacles in fully comprehending the nature of space.

While the Big Bang occurred 13.7 billion years ago, that moment is now situated at the universe’s outer edge. SatChitAnanda, the original source, cannot be fixed at the Big Bang moment, which is now so far away and moving further away in an expanding universe. It’s not lingering at this distant location. So, where is it now? For those familiar with Vedanta, the answer is simple: SatChitAnanda with the infinite energy source exists at the innermost core of every living being.

At the time of the Big Bang, SatChitAnanda was the source from which space emerged. If SatChitAnanda is our inner essence, then logically, space must also begin from our inner core. Please listen to the episode “Universe IS A Projection of the Mind”.  Using both logic and scientific evidence, this episode demonstrates that our inner core marks the true origin of space. It’s a significant insight, and science must recognize this reality. Space originates from SatChitAnanda—our innermost core. Therefore, the present location of the origin of space lies within us, and the infinite energy of SatChitAnanda is available for the ongoing expansion of space beyond.

3. The Nature of the Initial Point

Scientists have determined that the universe began with the Big Bang approximately 13.7 billion years ago. This event originated from an initial point—a singularity—that exploded to form the cosmos as we know it. Yet, science has not clarified the true nature, profile, or characteristics of this initial point. We only know it was densely packed with energy. To gain a deeper understanding of what transpired, it is essential to explore what this initial point truly was. Since science offers little insight, we turn to Vedanta for answers.

Vedanta explains the principles of creation by describing three foundational bodies of the universe:

1. Cosmic Seed Body
2. Cosmic Subtle Body
3. Cosmic Gross Body

The cosmic seed body gives rise to the cosmic subtle body, which then becomes the source of the cosmic gross or physical body.

To comprehend this process, we must first examine the cosmic seed body. Consider the way seeds function in nature—each tiny seed holds the blueprint of a plant, ready to unfold its potential. For example, a rose seed contains the information necessary to grow into a rose and nothing else. The blueprint for the plant is encoded within the seed. By extension, Vedanta suggests that the universe itself had a cosmic seed body at its inception, mirroring the process by which a plant emerges from a seed. The initial point at the Big Bang, therefore, was this cosmic seed body, from which the entire universe germinated.

1. The cosmic seed body is the collective sum of all individual seed bodies. Every living being—and even every nonliving object—possesses its own seed body. Each seed body carries a blueprint shaped by its history,

Together, these form the cosmic seed body, containing the accumulated histories, traits, and information. This comprehensive blueprint holds all information needed for the universe’s evolution, from its birth to its eventual end, including galaxies, stars, planets, and life forms.

2. The cosmic seed body is a functioning universe composed of countless individual seed bodies. Its operations are so subtle and complex that they are almost unimaginable. Despite its intangible nature, it must be well regulated and organized. Unlike physical entities, the seed body is subtler than even the mind. As outlined, the initial singularity was the cosmic seed body—a subtle, non-physical entity.

4. Big Bang—A Fresh Perspective

The Big Bang can be reimagined as the moment when the cosmic seed body began to sprout. Just as a plant shoot emerges from a seed when conditions are just right, the universe’s cosmic seed body started to germinate under circumstances we do not fully understand. While the exact nature of these conditions remains a mystery, we know with certainty that the germination of the cosmic seed body marked the occurrence of the Big Bang.

So, what emerged from this cosmic seed body? As it germinated, it unfolded into the subtle body, bringing to life the blueprint hidden within. The seed body serves as the foundation and driving force behind the creation of the subtle and gross bodies, becoming the origin of everything that exists in the universe.

In living beings, the mind represents the subtle body, arising from each individual’s own seed body. This mind is composed of waveforms known as vrittis (meaning “whirlpool” in Sanskrit), much like complex ripples forming in a pond. Every thought, feeling, and perception—no matter the source, whether it be sensory input, emotions, or memories—manifests as a unique waveform within the mind.

Just as individuals possess a subtle body, the universe too has a cosmic subtle body, referred to in Vedanta as Hiranyagarbha, or the “golden egg.” From this golden egg, the physical universe comes into being. The cosmic subtle body consists of vrittis that represent all individual minds, as well as every object, galaxy, star, and planet—nothing is left out. The sheer intricacy of these waveforms within the cosmic subtle body is beyond imagination.

As the universe evolves, new waveforms are constantly generated and existing ones are reshaped, adding to the ever-growing complexity of the cosmic waveform. These object waveforms interact and intertwine, fulfilling the blueprint of each entity. If you reflect on it, the universe itself is a vast, dynamic field of cosmic waveforms. The foundation of these waveforms is pure Intelligence—each one is infused with Intelligence, inherently aware and purposeful in its actions. Please listen to my episode “Understanding the Universe of Waveforms” which gives insights into this topic.

Is an Observer Necessary?

To perceive the physical universe, the presence of an observer is essential. Without someone to observe, the universe exists only in a subtle form, composed of wave patterns rather than tangible objects. While this idea may seem unusual, it’s a key point to consider. We are so accustomed to experiencing the physical world as something external and real that we often overlook the role of observation.

Let’s consider a simple scenario: you are looking at a tree in front of you. In that moment, the tree is unmistakably physical. However, if you turn away and can no longer see it, a question arises—does the physical tree still exist? Since you are not observing it, you cannot be certain of its physical presence. According to this perspective, observation is required for any physical object to exist as such. So, when your back is turned, it appears the tree no longer exists in its physical state. This principle extends to all objects that are currently outside your perception. What form do these unseen objects take? Since they aren’t physically observed, they can only exist as vrittis—mental impressions—in the mind, manifesting as waveforms in the subtle body.

This concept finds support in quantum physics, which shows that everything in the universe possesses both wave and particle characteristics. In Vedanta, this aligns with the distinction between subtle (wave) and physical (particle) forms. Quantum physics also demonstrates that a wave collapses into a particle when observed, confirming the crucial role of the observer.

Thus, in the presence of an observer, mental impressions or vrittis collapse into the physical universe. The observer, therefore, is fundamental for the manifestation of any physical object.

Let’s apply this logic to the Big Bang. Was there an observer at that initial moment to witness the explosion? Most likely, there was not. If no observer was present, then no physical objects existed at the Big Bang—only the subtle universe comprised of waveforms. This suggests that the dramatic explosion described by science didn’t occur in a physical sense. Instead, what actually happened was the cosmic seed body began to germinate, and the cosmic subtle body with waveforms started to unfold its blueprint. The physical universe only happened when individual minds capable of observation appeared. The exact moment the first observer emerged remains unknown.

In summary, the scientific account of the Big Bang as a physical event may not fully capture what occurred, since without an observer, no physical universe could come into being. Rather, the cosmic seed body initiated its unfolding within the subtle universe at that moment. To this day, the cosmic blueprint continues to play out in the subtle realm. Each observer collapses only a small segment of the universal wave pattern to create their experience of the physical world. Importantly, no one can perceive the entire universe at once—each observer interacts with only a limited portion at any given time.

I hope this discussion has sparked your curiosity and persuaded you to consider the fresh perspective of the Big Bang.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer a growing library of podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

You can listen to the audio or the transcripts below

In our previous episode, “Universe Is a Projection of Our Mind,” we delved into multiple viewpoints to illustrate that the universe isn’t an independent entity existing “out there.” We offered several insights explaining why the universe we experience is a projection of our minds. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we encourage you to do so.

In this episode, we’ll begin by comparing the mind’s projection to a digital projector, much like the ones used to display movies onto a screen. Afterward, we’ll walk through a step-by-step guide on how the universe is projected outward, drawing parallels to the process of painting on a canvas. The resemblance between the two is striking.

Comparing the Mind Projector with a Digital Projector.

If you think about it, a digital projector typically consists of two main components: a light source (such as a bulb) and the content that needs to be projected. The mind operates in a comparable manner, with its own internal “light” and the “content” to be projected.

So, how does this projection happen? The process can be understood in two main steps:

1. Pre-projection Activity in the Mind: This is where the mind prepares the material such as perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories.

2. Projection by the Mind: The mind then projects this internal content outward, shaping the world we experience much like a projector casts images onto a screen.

1: Pre-Projection Activity in the Mind

Just like the digital projector, the mind projector has the bulb of Awareness and the content to be projected. Let’s explore each of these two components in more detail.

A Bulb of Awareness

At the very core of every living being is Self-Awareness. Throughout our discussions, we’ve often likened Self-Awareness to a radiant bulb glowing deep within us, casting only the light of pure Awareness. Self-Awareness remains singular and unified, untouched by any sense of duality. This self-illuminating bulb of Awareness has several innate qualities, one of the most significant being its role as the source of infinite energy. Indeed, Self-Awareness is endowed with limitless energy. For a more detailed exploration, please refer to the earlier episode, “Awareness—Infinite Energy Source.”

The boundless energy present within Self-Awareness is the origin of all energy in the universe. In Self-Awareness, this energy exists in an unmanifested, potential state—it is dormant and inactive, yet it is always there. Soon, we will examine how this latent energy is harnessed in various ways to fuel the projection of the universe we perceive as the world “out there.”

The Content to be Projected

The “bulb” of Awareness serves as the power source that enables the projection of content. But what exactly is the content that gets projected? According to Vedanta, there exist individual minds, and collectively, these individual minds make up what is called the cosmic mind. The cosmic mind supplies the content for projection. To better grasp this concept, consider the analogy of Google Maps: the complete software, or code, for Google Maps resides somewhere in the cloud. This software contains maps for nearly every city and country worldwide. Yet, when we use the app, we only see the map relevant to our current location.

The cosmic map, in this comparison, is similar to Google Maps but vastly more expansive, intricate, intelligent, and adaptive.

1. The cosmic map encompasses the entirety of the universe. It is incredibly detailed, capturing every inch of existence. Nothing is omitted—every tree, every mountain, every planet, and every living being finds a place within it.

2. The cosmic map is perpetually current. Any change, no matter how small—like a branch breaking off or a stone being moved—instantly registers on the cosmic map. It is continuously updated and immediately, ensuring it is never out of date.

In summary, the cosmic mind contains the full, ever-changing map of the universe, while each individual mind accesses and projects only a particular subset of this cosmic map, determined by the individual’s focus and perspective. The content present in an individual mind becomes the content that is projected in their experience.

2: Projection of the mind

Once the content in the mind meets the bulb of Awareness, a transformation occurs—awareness arises and illuminates the content. This awareness then expresses itself in the external world, manifesting as the vivid “painting” we perceive. Sri Vidyaranya, a renowned 14th-century sage, draws an insightful parallel in the sixth chapter of Panchadasi, likening the external world’s display to any painting.

The analogy holds true: everything we see outside is like a canvas brought to life, with a richness and variety surpassing any artwork created by human hands. The marvels of nature, the interplay of colors and shades, all contribute to a spectacle that is truly awe-inspiring.

According to Sri Vidyaranya, preparing a painting involves several steps: first, a canvas (usually cloth) is needed; second, the canvas must be stiffened with starch to make it suitable for painting; third, a sketch is drawn; and finally, colors are applied to complete the painting.

Similarly, the mind’s projection follows a four-step process:

Step 1: Creating Space as the Canvas

Step 2: Harden the canvas with energy

Step 3: Create the subtle image of the painting

Step 4: Add awareness to finish the painting

By examining these steps in detail, we can appreciate how the projection process unfolds scientifically, moving beyond abstract philosophy into a tangible understanding.

Step 1: Creating Space as the Canvas

Space serves as the canvas upon which all images or projections appear. Essentially, it is the stage where everything is displayed, yet we often overlook the nature of space itself and how it comes into existence. Let’s explore these two aspects more closely.

Time as the Foundation of Space

It might surprise you to learn that time is actually the foundation of space. The size of the universe is directly linked to its age. For instance, if the universe is 13.7 billion years old, its size is 13.7 billion light-years—one light-year being the distance light travels in a year. When one second passes, the universe ages by that second, and light covers an extra 186,000 miles, expanding the universe by that much. So, as time moves forward, space increases: every second adds 186,000 miles, and each year adds a full light-year. This demonstrates that time’s passage actively causes space to expand, making time the true fabric and source of space.

How the Fabric of Time Is Built

According to the Planck constant, time is not continuous but made up of tiny, indivisible increments—each only ten to minus 44 seconds long. These small increments create a “fabric” of time, starting at t = 0 and progressing in steps: the first node at ten to the minus 44 seconds, the second at twice that, and so on. Collectively, these nodes form the fabric stretching across the universe’s entire age, with an unimaginable number of nodes making up 13.7 billion years.

How Space Comes into Being

Infinite energy exists within Awareness, available in both the cosmic mind and, in smaller measure, the individual mind. When a portion of this energy interacts with the time fabric in the individual mind, it stretches the time fabric—much like pulling a rubber band. This stretching transform each second of time into 186,000 miles of space, creating the space we perceive all around us. In essence, space is created by stretching time—each second of time is drawn out to become the space we perceive. Thus, space is generated when pure energy stretches the time fabric, forming the canvas for all projections and images.

Step 2: Strengthening the Canvas with Energy

Just as starch gives structure to a cloth canvas, energy fortifies every thread of the fabric of space. But what type of energy is responsible for this remarkable effect?

Previously, we explored the idea that an infinite reservoir of energy resides within each of us, existing in a subtle, latent form. This boundless source of energy plays several crucial roles in the universe. For one, it is the origin of all visible matter, giving rise to the entire electromagnetic spectrum and thereby enabling the formation of everything we perceive around us.

Another function of this energy is its interaction with the fabric of time itself. As mentioned earlier, this energy can stretch the time fabric, which currently spans approximately 13.7 billion years. All the 13.7 billion years of the time fabric is stretched out to create all the space we observe. This stretching is wholly attributed to this subtle, pervasive energy, which has expanded the universe and created all the space we observe. Scientists refer to this enigmatic force as dark energy—a phenomenon still not fully understood. Essentially, dark energy acts as the engine that stretches the time fabric and generates a vast expanse of space. It takes an extraordinary level of energy to expand the universe’s fabric, and current scientific estimates suggest that dark energy makes up about 79% of the universe’s total energy content.

Unlike the familiar energy forms within the visible universe, such as electromagnetic energy, dark energy is fundamentally distinct. Electromagnetic energy, while essential for visible matter, cannot stretch the time fabric. In contrast, dark energy lies outside the electromagnetic spectrum, and its main function is to stretch time. Its true essence and composition remain a profound mystery.

As the time fabric is stretched, dark energy is distributed evenly throughout, forming an underlying layer often referred to as vacuum energy or zero-point energy—a concept confirmed by scientific research. In the same way that starch rigidifies cloth, dark energy reinforces every aspect of space.

Step 3: Forming the Subtle Image of the Painting

Just as a sketch is the foundational outline for a painting, the subtle image is initially formed on the time fabric. This subtle creation happens entirely within the mind. Let’s explore how this unfolds. A segment of the cosmic map previously discussed appears in the individual mind, and as it merges with mental processes, it generates waveforms called vrittis in Vedanta. These vrittis are mental vibrations composed of energy and intelligence, which acts as their substance and base. Please listen to my episode “Understanding the Mind” for a detailed explanation.

Energy and the Time Fabric: How do mental waveforms interact with the time fabric? Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity provides insight, revealing that when energy or mass is present on the time fabric, it causes the fabric to curve—much like how a ball placed on a stretched rubber sheet creates a dip. The greater the energy, the deeper the curvature; even small amounts of energy produce a dent. The energy from mental waveforms leaves an imprint, or curvature, on the time fabric. Where energy is concentrated, the fabric bends more. This imprint acts as the preliminary outline—much like a sketch—before the painting’s colors are applied.

Step 4: Add Awareness to Complete the Projection

When observing any painting, you’ll notice it consists of two fundamental elements: form and content. The trees, people, houses, and other objects depicted are the forms, while the paint itself is the content. If you examine this closely, you’ll realize that aside from the paint—regardless of its color—nothing else truly exists in the painting. Similarly, when watching a movie, the various characters and objects represent different forms, but the underlying content is simply light in varying shades and colors.

We’ve compared the world’s projection to painting. In both cases, everything is composed of form and content. Let’s explore this further. As previously discussed, the form is the mental impression imprinted onto the fabric of time. But what provides content to these forms? According to Vedanta, the content is Awareness. Awareness is the essential ingredient present in every object we perceive in the world. To experience anything, Awareness must be present; it is the prerequisite for all experience. Without Awareness, experience is impossible.

Any experience must have form and Awareness. Forms arise in the individual mind as vrittis or mental waveforms. Yet, for these forms to be experienced, they must be imbued with Awareness. Awareness must take on the exact shape of the form—if the form is a circle, Awareness must also be a circle. Just as paint fills the forms in a painting, Awareness fills all forms in our perception.

When Awareness fully permeates the form, the picture is complete. This final step finishes the projection of objects in the world, completing the image made up of Awareness on the canvas of space.

It’s important to recognize that the projection we observed represents just a single frame. On its own, a single frame is unmoving, but we desire to experience continuous motion. According to scientific principles, achieving this effect requires a minimum of 24 frames per second. While the exact number of frames generated by the mind remains uncertain, there must be at least 24 frames per second for motion to appear seamless. The intricate process of forming space and tangible shapes occurs with every frame, and each one differs from the last.

I hope this discussion has sparked your curiosity and persuaded you to consider new perspectives. In a previous episode, “Universe Is a Projection of Our Mind,” we explored the idea that every living being constructs and projects their own unique universe. In this episode, we’ve outlined the process of how such projection occurs, breaking it down step by step through scientific reasoning and logic. The universe we perceive is much like the sequential process of creating a painting on a canvas, with each step shaping the final masterpiece.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer a growing library of podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!

Transcripts – The Large Hadron Collider and the Vedantic Perspective

In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at the progress made by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), as well as its limitations. The LHC has led to the observation of numerous new particles, sometimes referred to as the “particle zoo.” Despite these exciting discoveries, however, the LHC has yet to achieve its ultimate objective: identifying the fundamental constituents of reality. As we’ll explore in this episode, there are reasons to believe that the LHC may never uncover the true building blocks of the universe, as its approach may be fundamentally misdirected.

Drawing upon the teachings of Vedanta, we will present an alternative perspective on understanding the nature of objects in the universe. According to Vedanta, the search for ultimate truth requires a shift in approach—one that goes beyond the confines of particle physics and explores deeper questions about existence and awareness. In this episode, we aim to shed new light on the quest to comprehend the substratum of our world.

Understanding the Large Hadron Collider

If you keep up with scientific advancements, you’ve probably heard of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Completed in 2008 by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the LHC was a monumental project involving 10,000 scientists from more than 100 countries. This impressive machine is situated in a subterranean tunnel with a circumference of about 27 kilometers. Within it, scientists collide elementary particles at incredibly high speeds to analyze their structure, aiming to uncover the fundamental components that make up our universe.

To grasp the functioning of the LHC, Einstein’s iconic equation, E=mc square, offers a helpful foundation. Atoms consist of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, surrounded by electrons. Scientists seek to go deeper and identify what lies beneath these elementary particles. In the LHC, particles like protons and neutrons are accelerated to extreme energies. According to Einstein’s equation, as the energy supplied to these particles increases, their speed climbs as well. This acceleration brings the particles close to the speed of light—though never reaching it, as doing so would require infinite energy.

Once these particles are moving at nearly the speed of light, further energy input doesn’t significantly boost their speed; instead, their mass increases. At these ultra-high energies, the particles possess both enormous speed and mass. Between 2008 and 2013, the LHC achieved energies of four teraelectronvolts. Scientists then directed two beams of these energized particles in opposite directions and crashed them together, observing how they fractured into even smaller particles. This process, repeated many times, allowed researchers to study the inner structure of these elementary particles and consistently validate their findings.

The LHC has enabled the discovery of many new particles, collectively known as the “particle zoo”—including fermions, bosons, tau particles, anti-taus, muon neutrinos, and various types of quarks. The catalog of particles continues to expand as research progresses.

Despite these breakthroughs, scientists remained unsatisfied. From 2013 to 2015, the LHC underwent significant upgrades, boosting particle acceleration energy to 6.5 teraelectronvolts —a leap of over 50%. This phase led to the groundbreaking discovery of the Higgs boson, the particle responsible for giving mass to everything in the universe. After three years of relentless experimentation, however, researchers felt there was still more to uncover and decided to further enhance the LHC’s capabilities. Currently, the LHC is undergoing another round of upgrades, with hopes that its improved power will help answer the universe’s lingering mysteries.

This prompts a crucial question: Is it possible for scientists to uncover the universe’s ultimate foundation by smashing particles at ever higher energies? The straightforward answer is no—not now and not ever. No matter how much money is invested or how much more powerful particle accelerators become, the true underlying layer of the universe will remain elusive; the fundamental building blocks will not be found. Their search for truth is focused in the wrong direction.

Investigating a Recorded Image

The current approach adopted by science is unlikely to succeed because it tackles the problem from an ineffective angle. To illustrate this, consider the following analogy: Imagine you’re viewing a playback of an event on a digital recording, and someone asks you to determine how many bones a person has by examining their image on a television screen. Is it possible? Not at all. No matter what methods you use, you won’t uncover the number of bones inside that image of an individual. You might attempt to digitally zoom in on the image, hoping to see beneath the surface, but this effort will also fail. Instead, you’ll realize that the image is composed of pixels. This realization might lead you to analyze the pixels in greater detail, expecting to discover the answer there. However, your focus has shifted from learning about the human body’s structure to studying the properties of pixels. In a similar fashion, when scientists continue to smash particles together at the LHC and uncover new particles, they are actually moving further away from grasping the true foundation of the universe.

Universe is a Recording of events

How does this example help us in understanding this universe? If you study it carefully, you will discover that this universe is also made of “recorded” or “memory” objects. There are no “live” or “now” objects in this universe. As discussed in other episodes, the sun we see is a “now minus eight minutes” version of the sun. It takes light eight minutes to reach us; therefore, the sun is a recorded image and not a “live” or “now” sun. Take the moon; it takes light three seconds to reach us, so the moon we see is a recorded image of the moon and not a “live” image of the moon. The plane flying at 30,000 feet is a “now minus one millisecond” version of the plane, because light takes that much time to reach us, so the plane is also a recorded image.

This phenomenon isn’t limited to celestial bodies like the stars, sun, and moon. It extends to all objects, whether large or small, animate or inanimate—trees, animals, people, and everything else. Every entity in the physical universe is, in effect, a “recorded” or “memory” object. This means that the external physical universe is comprised solely of such “recorded” entities. No matter how diligently you search, you’ll never encounter a truly “live” or “present” object in this universe. Just as investigating a person in a recorded image leads only to the discovery of pixels, probing the material world reveals only atoms and subatomic particles within these “recorded” objects.

Given this reality, the question arises: What is the correct way to investigate the true foundation of the universe? There must be an alternative, more effective strategy for uncovering the underlying reality and the true nature of objects.

Moving Beyond Particle Physics to Grasp the True Nature of Reality

Modern science, through endeavors like smashing particles in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), seeks to uncover what physical objects in the universe are made of. However, this approach may be fundamentally limited. Trying to reveal the true composition of matter by analyzing particle collisions is like attempting to count the bones in a human body by examining a photograph—an inherently impossible task. If particle physics cannot provide the answers, where should we turn?

The Vedantic Approach to Understanding Objects

Ancient Vedanta, as contemplated by the rishis of India, offers a different—and correct path to understanding the essence of physical objects. Instead of dissecting objects into sub-atomic particles, Vedanta encourages us to look at their fundamental nature. To illustrate this, Vedanta uses the metaphor of the clay pot.

Clay pots are found in countless shapes and sizes: tall, short, round, ornate, simple—the possibilities are endless. Despite their differences, every clay pot consists of two basic components: the content which is clay itself and the form that the clay takes. In this analogy:

1. The clay is the content, the material reality of the pot.

2. The pot form is the shape or design imposed on clay.

No matter how varied the pots may be, their content —the clay—remains constant. The clay is the true content, while the pot form is just a temporary form that the clay assumes.

Consider the question: What is the weight of the clay (the content) and what is the weight of the pot (the form)? The answer is clear—the clay holds all the weight; the form itself has no independent weight. Furthermore, it is impossible to separate the form of the pot from the clay that gives it existence. The form is simply an idea or concept superimposed onto the clay. Without clay, the pot cannot exist, and the form cannot be separated from the material.

This Vedantic metaphor provides profound insight into the composition of every object in the universe. Each physical object consists of:

1. Content: The underlying substance or reality that gives the object existence.
2. Form: The shape, structure, or appearance that the substance takes.

While modern science focuses on breaking down object form into sub-atomic particles, Vedanta teaches us to look at what is truly real—the unchanging content—and the temporary, mutable forms. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate the deeper truth behind the objects we encounter, moving beyond appearances to grasp the ultimate reality.

What is content of Objects?

What truly makes up the content of everything in the universe? Vedanta suggests that a good starting point is to ask: how do we recognize the existence of an object? The straightforward answer is that we are aware of it. We see it, understand it, and can interact with it.

For example, how do we know a tree is green? It’s because we are aware of its color. How do we identify the sweetness of sugar? It’s because we are aware of its taste. How do we know we possess two legs and two hands? It’s because we are aware of our own body. How do we feel the smoothness of silk or realize we are listening to music? The answer in every case is our awareness.

The connecting link among all these examples is Awareness. Awareness is fundamental—it’s required to observe or experience any object. In fact, awareness is essential for anything to exist for us. Without it, we wouldn’t know of any objects perceived by our five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Any sensation from these organs must meet Awareness before we can experience it.

To help understand this, Vedanta uses the analogy of the sun. In the absence of sunlight, nothing is visible; but when the sun shines, everything becomes apparent. Similarly, when something enters the “light” of Awareness, it becomes observable. Without the light of Awareness, nothing can be perceived, and not even the sun.

But what exactly is Awareness, and why is it so vital to the substance of objects? The answer is: everything. According to Vedanta, Awareness is the true essence of all objects in the universe. Everything we experience, everything that comes through our five senses—has Awareness as its fundamental content.

At first glance, Awareness might seem like just another word in English, defined simply as “knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.” However, Vedanta explains that Awareness goes far beyond a mere definition. It is an extraordinary force, the ultimate reality underlying the universe itself. Awareness fills up objects forms so that you can experience them in your mind.

As discussed in an earlier episode on self-awareness, Awareness consists of three elements: Subject, Object, and Intelligence and the three powers – Power of Knower, Power of Known and Power of Knowing. Importantly, these components are not external things found somewhere in the world. They are intrinsic to Awareness itself, forming its very nature.

Wherever there is Awareness, the Subject, Object, and Intelligence—along with their three powers—are always present. They are inseparable aspects of Awareness, and together, they constitute the true content of all objects in the universe. To understand how the content of every object in this universe is only Awareness, we need to understand Power of the Known.

Power of Known

The Power of the Known is an aspect of Awareness that specifically relates to objects perceived through our five senses. Rather than creating objects, this power enables Awareness to become or take the form of any object presented to it by sensory experience.

Awareness, in its pure state, is without form. However, it holds the potential to assume the shape of any object, depending entirely on sensory input. Imagine Awareness as a lump of Play-Doh: by itself, Play-Doh has no defined shape, but it can be molded into countless forms. Regardless of the shape, the substance remains Play-Doh. Similarly, no matter what object is perceived—whether a tree, a melody, or a splash of cold water—the underlying reality is always Awareness.

The next time you see, hear, or touch something, remember that what you are experiencing is Awareness itself, manifesting as that particular object. The essence of every object in the universe, despite its form or appearance, is Awareness and nothing else.

What Is Form Made Off?

We now recognize that the essence or substance of any object is pure Awareness. But this raises another question: What constitutes the shape or appearance of the object? Where does this form originate? To fully grasp this, it’s important to understand how the mind operates.

As discussed in an earlier episode “Understanding the Mind”, the mind functions through mental patterns or waveforms, often referred to as vrittis. These patterns are composed of knowledge and intelligence. They enter our minds through the five sensory organs—eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin. These sensory inputs create intelligent mental waveforms, which serve as the foundation for the form of objects.

When these intelligent waveforms interact with Awareness, Awareness fills these waveforms and they take on the recognizable forms of the objects we perceive in the physical world. In this way, while Awareness is the essence or content, the forms we experience are constructed from the sensory inputs provided by our five senses. For example, waveforms from the ears become the sounds we hear; those from the eyes create the visual shapes we see; waveforms from the tongue give us taste; and similarly, smell and touch arise from inputs via the nose and skin.

Consider the earlier analogy of a clay pot: the only real substance is clay, while the pot itself is merely a form imposed upon that clay. In the same sense, Awareness is the true content of all objects, and their forms are created by the sensory information superimposed upon Awareness.

This understanding is accurate, yet in our everyday lives, we rarely feel that Awareness is the content of the objects around us. The reason is that our attention is almost always fixed on the outward form of objects, causing us to overlook their deeper content. For instance, when you visit a furniture store, your attention is caught by the various designs. You may think, “I like this style,” or “That piece would look great in my home,” focusing entirely on the form and not on the substance. Our habitual focus on form is so strong that we seldom realize that Awareness underlies every object.

Even scientific inquiry has traditionally concentrated on the form of objects, investigating ever-smaller components—molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles. While science has uncovered many layers of form, it seeks to discover the fundamental content of objects. However, by focusing solely on form, science misses Awareness, which cannot be found by breaking apart particles in a collider. The search is directed at the wrong aspect of reality—the form instead of the content.

In truth, there is no need to search for Awareness; it is always present and obvious. Whenever you perceive an object, Awareness is already manifest. It is right before you, in your act of perceiving. The next time you observe something, try shifting your attention from the object’s form to the simple fact that you are aware of it. Practicing this regularly reveals that Awareness pervades everything, and that the forms we see are merely superficial layers atop an ever-present Awareness.

We hope this discussion has made it clear that Awareness represents the true essence of all objects. Awareness stands as the most powerful force and serves as the foundational reality of the universe. Based on this, it is regrettable to suggest that the Large Hadron Collider will ultimately struggle to achieve its deepest objective. By concentrating solely on the physical form of objects, the LHC is unlikely to uncover the content of all objects. A fundamental change in perspective is necessary.

If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to explore our blog at Vedanta and Science dot com or discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer a growing library of episodes covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, we encourage you to share it with your family and friends. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an upcoming episode.

Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!