4.3.2 In what way do mind and matter spring from a single source?

 

Are mind and matter separate?

 

Viewed from the narrow, limited and relatively illusory standpoint of mind in its individual and unenlightened form, there is a clear distinction between mind and matter. Viewed from the all-embracing and absolutely subjective standpoint of mind in its enlightened supra-individual form, both the individual mind and matter are intuitively known as illusorily separated and objectified products of that, the one universal mind which alone is. From the religious point of view, both mind and matter find a common source in God.

 

The transcending of the illusion that mind and matter are separate is achieved by the act of witnessing one-pointed meditation on the question printed above in bold. Take as long as you need to meditate on the question above. When your intuition enables you to understand the general principle involved, then move on to the more detailed one-pointed meditations which follow.

 

Deluded and confused by the apparent sensuous reality of this, mind in its unenlightened form has forgotten its origin and true nature. Mind has become unconscious of the reality that this is merely the product of its own thought process. The true goal is realisation of mind in its original state, transcending its thought products.

 

What is the nature of matter?

 

All material substance is an objectified product of mind in its unconditioned form. The individual mind, the unique point of view on this, is a thought product with only relative reality. From the relatively real (and equally so, the relatively illusory) perspective of individual perception, matter is both tangible and separate from mind. From the absolute, universal and real perspective of that, both matter and the individual mind which experiences this are simply conditioned thought products manifesting and unfolding simultaneously.

 

All of this is the unity, harmony and endless perfection of that made manifest. The mind, on becoming enlightened, accepts and understands the inherent harmony, wonder and perfection of this. Not having realised its true source and being in that, the unenlightened mind experiences this across all of time as endless birth, ageing, suffering and death. That is to say, the unenlightened mind is eternally immersed in the illusion of material reality.

 

How can the shape, colour and texture of objects be a product of mind?

 

Using the five senses as a guide, the shape, colour and texture of objects is clearly ‘out there’, an inherent property of all objects. Using the sixth sense as a guide, properly developed under a coherent and structured system of meditation, the relationship between the object perceived, the person perceiving and the act of perception is understood in a direct, intuitive way. Meditation-enhanced intuition informs the meditator that both the mind which perceives sensuous objects and the objects themselves are illusorily separate thought products of the one and only mind.

 

The act of perception is inseparable from the perceiver and that which is perceived. From the absolute perspective of the enlightened mind, all experience of sensuous reality – the everyday world we live in – is the product of projected concepts of the one mind. The experiencer, the experienced and the act of experiencing are all relative concepts of the one, universal, all-embracing mind.

 

All ephemeral things, this in its entirety, are produced, experienced and witnessed by mind in its unconditioned form. Both this and the thought in your head are products of that. There is a profound identity between a thought and this.

 

You have learnt from practice of the advanced meditations that thoughts arise spontaneously and uncontrollably, as a response to the stimuli of conditioned existence. Thoughts come into and go out of existence with immeasurable suddenness. Every thought is replaced by another, endlessly.

 

All of this is a thought of that. This comes into and goes out of existence with the rapidity and spontaneity of thought. This is so, because that thinks it to be so.

 

From the absolute viewpoint of mind in its enlightened state, this is witnessed in the same way as you have been learning to witness your own thought process. To travel along the path towards the final stage of enlightenment, act spontaneously, without interfering and with unwavering acceptance. To become enlightened, Live and Act.

 

How does ignorance of the true nature of this come about?

 

Mind in its unenlightened state is deluded and confused by the apparent sensuous reality of this.  Enlightenment clears away all errors and confusions about the nature of sensuous reality. You cannot know the world aright until you clear your mind of ignorance of the nature of reality.

 

Through incarnation after incarnation, as mind in its individual form experiences this, it becomes seduced by desire for more experience. Across immeasurable time, the individual mind forgets its real and enduring relation to that and comes to know only the limited and illusory experience of individual separateness. Mind only forgets, or becomes unconscious of, the truth that this is that: knowledge of the true nature of reality is always dormant in the mind, needing only meditative practices to re-awaken perception of the truth.

 

This current life is just one part of your long, long journey across the endless sea of this, the endless ocean of sensuous reality. The illusory and unreal goal is desire for the fruits of this – love, fame, wealth, possessions, power, success, health and all other sensuous experiences. The real goal of all lives is the realisation of mind in its true nature, not immersion in its thought products.

 

All suffering, all uncertainty all confusion is caused by ignorance of your own mind and nature. All sorrow can be transcended by realising and remaining in mind in its natural state. All fully developed spiritual paths make direct experience of the truth of reality accessible to anyone who seeks in a harmonious, natural and humble way.