Soul

17.11.03.

Soul

The soul of a thing, of anything – would it be the same as the soul of every other thing? If we say ‘same’, then we also mean that there is only one soul, for what is same (in totality) cannot be dual. When we reduce anything to its soul, we are essentially identifying the substratum of creation. The substratum being the ocean, creation is the waves. Vedanta says the substratum is consciousness. Like the ocean and waves being one, there is nothing other than consciousness in this world. But if the oceans and waves are one, whence come its sense of difference? In other words, why does consciousness have its sense of difference? Because that is the very nature of consciousness. For it is the sense of difference that makes for consciousness. Otherwise consciousness becomes unconsciousness.

Why does the conscious become unconscious? For consciousness to be there must be unconsciousness. The unconscious is the seed, the conscious the plant. Thus, we see that it is best to say that the substratum of consciousness is the unconscious. Unconscious is Brahman. Consciousness is Ishwar. And consciousness, Ishwar, having being brought forth by the sense of difference, differentiates and thus creates. Consciousness is the capacity to differentiate. It is this capacity that leads to creativeness.

The unconscious is not devoid of consciousness. It is only a state when its capacity to differentiate and thus be conscious of itself is not used. You could say that consciousness is at rest. Why? So that it can create again.

When does the steam of creativity or differentiation run out? When does creation reach a state of Pralaya? Does it mean there is a limit to creation or differentiation or consciousness? The whole process is cyclic, where the end is only coming back to the beginning. The cycle is infinite.