We all know that Rontgen discovered X-ray. We also read that he discovered them accidentally when some photo plates were accidentally affected. Any normal being would have assumed that the photo plates must have been damaged due to some accidental exposure to light. But not Rontgen. He went deep to find out the cause and ultimately discovered some new rays were hitherto unknown and named them x-rays.
Every effect is produced by some cause. While the effect is the perceptible change the cause must be unchanging, the cause is also the witness since it sees the change without connecting itself in any way. This is a fundamental truth.
Day and night are effects which are ever changing but these changes are effected only when we assume the sun is unchanging and the earth is changing its position. The sun neither takes part in the changes nor is it connected and hence, it remains the witness.
In nature every thing is in a state of relative change with respect to everything else. In Vedanta it is called Maya. From this fundamental truth, Einstein derived his Theory of Relativity but even behind the theory there are things that are unchanging and form the basis for witnessing all the changes. Or consciousness remains separate from all that is perceived.
We see the changes in our body, in our thinking process and in our mental states of happiness and sorrow. All these changes are perceivable by something that is unchanging. While the changes are the effects the unchanging is either the cause or the witness.
We perceive changes in waking and dream states. The unchanging self that is experiencing all the changes is called the witness - Self (sakshi). But in the deep sleep state we don't perceive any change. So in that state, that unchanging reality remains only as a cause and the body is called the 'causal body'.
Our true nature is that unchanging Self. But out of ignorance, we associate ourselves with the changes and say to ourselves, 'I am old, I am happy, I am rich' etc.
Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, tells Arjuna, "It is I, seated in the hearts of all as their inner controller; and it is I who am the source of memory, knowledge and doubt. I am the only one worth knowing through the Vedas, I alone am the origin of the Vedas and the Vedantic tradition".
The consciousness is the ultimate cause and the ultimate unchanging reality. When Rontgen discovered X-rays, he had superimposed his memory, knowledge and doubt on consciousness to arrive at the right conclusion.
Vedanta is not concerned with the effects but is concerned with knowing about the unchanging cause behind all changes. That unchanging cause is called pure consciousness or God!
* * *
Adieu Rishi Kapoor!
Rishi Kapoor, the romantic actor of the Hindi film industry, passed into the mist of time this morning, a trifle after a quarter past 8. He was 67 and was battling leukemia for the last two years. His end had come about in a Bombay hospital.
He had done Mera Naam Joker - as the childhood version of Raj Kapoor in the film - and had just wrapped up the shooting of the evergreen love story, 'Bobby' when yours truly had joined as a first termer at the National Defence Academy. A month earlier, the filming of the famous camp scene - in which Narendra Chanchal had sung that song at the campfire - had taken place a few metres outside the Pashan Gate of the NDA. The movie was shown to the entire staff and cadets of the Academy, on release!
Rishi Kapoor is, thus, a contemporary. RIP friend! My tears and prayers. Here's wishing that his family has the strength to tide over these stressful times.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The pressman, Selvam, had dropped by to press our clothes and Lekha had provided him with lunch.
Every effect is produced by some cause. While the effect is the perceptible change the cause must be unchanging, the cause is also the witness since it sees the change without connecting itself in any way. This is a fundamental truth.
Day and night are effects which are ever changing but these changes are effected only when we assume the sun is unchanging and the earth is changing its position. The sun neither takes part in the changes nor is it connected and hence, it remains the witness.
In nature every thing is in a state of relative change with respect to everything else. In Vedanta it is called Maya. From this fundamental truth, Einstein derived his Theory of Relativity but even behind the theory there are things that are unchanging and form the basis for witnessing all the changes. Or consciousness remains separate from all that is perceived.
We see the changes in our body, in our thinking process and in our mental states of happiness and sorrow. All these changes are perceivable by something that is unchanging. While the changes are the effects the unchanging is either the cause or the witness.
We perceive changes in waking and dream states. The unchanging self that is experiencing all the changes is called the witness - Self (sakshi). But in the deep sleep state we don't perceive any change. So in that state, that unchanging reality remains only as a cause and the body is called the 'causal body'.
Our true nature is that unchanging Self. But out of ignorance, we associate ourselves with the changes and say to ourselves, 'I am old, I am happy, I am rich' etc.
Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, tells Arjuna, "It is I, seated in the hearts of all as their inner controller; and it is I who am the source of memory, knowledge and doubt. I am the only one worth knowing through the Vedas, I alone am the origin of the Vedas and the Vedantic tradition".
The consciousness is the ultimate cause and the ultimate unchanging reality. When Rontgen discovered X-rays, he had superimposed his memory, knowledge and doubt on consciousness to arrive at the right conclusion.
Vedanta is not concerned with the effects but is concerned with knowing about the unchanging cause behind all changes. That unchanging cause is called pure consciousness or God!
* * *
Adieu Rishi Kapoor!
Rishi Kapoor, the romantic actor of the Hindi film industry, passed into the mist of time this morning, a trifle after a quarter past 8. He was 67 and was battling leukemia for the last two years. His end had come about in a Bombay hospital.
He had done Mera Naam Joker - as the childhood version of Raj Kapoor in the film - and had just wrapped up the shooting of the evergreen love story, 'Bobby' when yours truly had joined as a first termer at the National Defence Academy. A month earlier, the filming of the famous camp scene - in which Narendra Chanchal had sung that song at the campfire - had taken place a few metres outside the Pashan Gate of the NDA. The movie was shown to the entire staff and cadets of the Academy, on release!
Rishi Kapoor is, thus, a contemporary. RIP friend! My tears and prayers. Here's wishing that his family has the strength to tide over these stressful times.
Tailpiece.
Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The pressman, Selvam, had dropped by to press our clothes and Lekha had provided him with lunch.
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