Unique nature of Supreme Brahman and the Holographic Universe projected by it – In order to understand this, we will first briefly look at what is a Hologram in simple terms.
Hologram is produced using light waves to create a virtual three dimensional image of an object on a two dimensional surface which is a specially coated holographic film or plate. Large holograms that are produced using lasers show very fine 3D details of real objects. Even if a small piece from this holographic plate is cut off, it will still show the entire image (the word “holo-gram” means “whole-picture”).
As shown in picture below, creating a hologram requires: 1) Red Lasers (pointed towards the beam splitter that emits energy in one wavelength – monochromatic) 2) Lenses (used to diverge light) 3) Beam Splitter (Splits light from the laser into two exactly same laser beams– object beam & reference beam. Object beam illuminates the object being filmed. The reference beam falls directly into the holographic plate which then creates an interference pattern when it meets with the light reflected from the object, producing the 3D image). 4) Holographic film/plate to capture the hologram. Essentially, a 3D image is captured due to the interference created when the scattered light of object and the reference beam meet at the 2D holographic plate.
The interference pattern captured on the plate shows only light & dark bands (blur) and does not look like the object at all. The object is then removed and the red laser is pointed directly at this plate revealing the 3D object in clear detail which also provides a 360 degree view. As per Karl Pribram, an expert on holonomic brain theory, this is like our camera going out of focus and creating a blur when we view an object. As the focus is re-adjusted the image becomes clear. So in essence, the image is already contained in the blur and this blur is nothing but a hologram. He therefore suggested that similarly, both thought and memory are holographic in nature. Human brain can store 2.5 million gigabytes of memory. Therefore, it is concluded that such a huge amount of information cannot be stored in our brain which has volume of about only 1300 cubic centimeters, unless it is done non-locally or as a hologram.
Even when the holographic plate is covered partially, it still generates the whole image! A tiny piece of the hologram projects the whole image, indicating that the hologram is imperishable or non-destructive! The astonishing fact is that the entire hologram is embedded in each and every molecule of the holographic plate. Similarly, our memories pervade the entire brain cortex and cannot be destroyed. After death, this is how our karmic imprints are perhaps carried away as a hologram to Hiranya-garbha – “Cosmic Womb of Light”.
“Askhara” is the Sanskrit word for “imperishable” which is commonly used to refer to Brahman or Supreme Consciousness. A tiny piece of this plate can therefore be compared to Jivātman or the individual Soul and the whole image to Paramātman (Brahman or Cosmic Soul). Part consists of the whole and this is in line with the Vedantic thought!
Understanding Supreme Brahman within the “Cave or Space” in the heart:
The terms “cave, space & cavity within the heart” are often mentioned in the Upanishads. An attempt is made to understand what is actually meant by this space within the heart, through a few verses from Upanishads given below:
Quote from Taittiriya Upanishad 1.6.1:
Translation: In this ‘space within the heart’ – ‘antarhridaya akashah’, there is “Purusha” (Supreme Self) who is made up of thought, is immortal & radiant. In the middle of the throat’s two pillars (tāluke) is a like a nipple (uvula in English) that hangs down between the palates and is birth place of Indra (sendrayoniḥ); where the hair end splits the skull into two parts. In Agni (fire) he stations himself as Bhūh and in Air as Bhuvah.
Explanation: The space within the heart is a metaphorical way of saying that Brahman who is all pervading is always within us and can be realized any time. Our body is made up of both gross & subtle elements. At the time of death, our gross body perishes and the subtle body made up of particles of light – Maha Prana, Karma & Vasanas (<click here for more information from my previous blog, if required) goes back into “Hiranyagarbha – the womb of light” together with the individual soul! We will try and understand this space that exists both in the “space within the heart” & “space within the brain cortex”. These two (brain & heart) are the possible primary spaces that can be said to be connected with the Supreme Brahman.
Space within the Heart:
Heart is considered as the seat of the soul because it is the heart that forms first after the embryo stage when the fetus starts developing in the womb. Brain forms later. Adi Shankara says that when a person knows that the Supreme is in close proximity which is within his heart, it aids him during meditation. If we are to literally translate meaning of “spaces in the heart”, then these spaces are in 1) Four chambers or spaces within the heart (right & left ventricles & right & left atrium). But these spaces are filled with blood during its functioning. 2) The other space of the heart is the pericardium which is a protective fluid sac that surrounds the heart, filled with pericardial fluid and this keeps the heart in its position & provides a lubricating effect as it beats.
In essence, the cave within the heart is mentioned here only to indicate that the invisible Brahman is located in a secret place, hidden deep inside us and can be accessed only when we go beyond our mind & senses.
Space within the Brain Cortex:
Gen. GD Bakshi in his book on “The quantum book on Soma” says that more likely this heart-space would be that space within the brain, as the central control system of our body consists of the Hypothalamus together with the Pituitary Gland, Pineal Gland & Amygdala – the core of endocrine system. These organs control our growth, the functioning of various organs of the body & its metabolism. He says that perhaps this “space or location of the Self” is in the region of the four ventricles in the core of the brain. These ventricular cavities are filled with CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) (see image below). This fluid vibrates when mantras are chanted during prayers, enhancing positive energy within and facilitating our connection with the divine.
The reason for the cavity or space residing in the brain is because of the mention in the above mentioned verse from Taittiriya Upanishad 1.6.1 about an invisible channel (sushumna nadi) that comes from the heart and passes through the middle of the throat (uvula) and proceeds to the skull to a spot where the two regions of the skull split, indicated as the birth place of Indra. This spot is the “Anterior Fontanelle” or “Brahma-Randhra” where the soul enters the fetus (randhra means passage). It is also the same spot where the soul exits the body of an evolved person who has merged with Brahman, thus becoming immortal.
To conclude, the space within the heart can be understood only metaphorically. The individual soul is the same as the Supreme Brahman. Chāndogya Upanishad 3.14 also mentions about the “space within the heart” that says: Brahman located in the space of the heart is smaller than a mustard seed and also bigger than the three worlds of earth, atmosphere & sky implying that the inner space can be both tiny and also as vast as the space which is on the outside. Whatever is contained in the outside world is also there inside the cave of the heart. This is possible only if Brahman exits in a subtle form – the form of invisible pure light.
Brahman is hidden deep inside oneself (cave), very difficult to enter but can be achieved only through spiritual means & by shunning all negative vasanas or desires. Prāna (Vital Life Force) is Brahman, Bliss (Kaṁ in Sanskrit) is Brahman. Eternal Space (Khaṁ in Sanskrit) is indeed Brahman because just like Brahman, space has no body or form, is all pervading and is very subtle.
Understanding the unique nature or characteristic of Supreme Brahman:
1) Praśna Upanishad VI.1: “Supreme Brahman consists of sixteen parts”
Explanation: These sixteen parts are life (created by Brahman), faith (Śradhhā), space (ether), air, fire (light), water, earth, sense organs, mind, food, vitality, austerity, mantras (hymns), works (karma), subtle worlds & gross worlds. It is in Hiranyagarbha – Cosmic Soul, where everything exists in subtle form. From this subtle springs forth gross or manifested forms that we see all around us. So these sixteen parts are essentially manifested parts of Brahman. Faith is an approximate translation of Śradhhā. Śradhhā actually means reverence to a higher being (divine). From this reverence to the higher self, emerges all the other material elements mentioned above.
This can be further explained using the analogy of river & sea. On land, a river has a name & form which loses it name & form when it merges with the sea. Similarly, we as humans have names & shapes (an identity) and when die we lose this name & shape when our gross body perishes & the subtle body unites with immortal Brahman. Thus the person with sixteen parts merges with Brahman – the one without any parts. It is like sixteen spokes of a chariot wheel meeting the Hub located at the center.
2) Chāndogya Upanishad 3.18.2: “Supreme Brahman has four feet or quarters”
Explanation: This section of the Upanishad advices us on two levels – one on the Body & Mind (Internal level) and the other on the divinities or Gods (Cosmic level). The four parts of the individual self are speech, breath, eye & ear, encompassed by our Body & Mind (Internal). The four parts of divinities or elements are fire, air, sun & directions encompassed by Space (Cosmic). Speech is energized by the light of fire, Vital Breath or Prana by light of air, Eye by the light of Sun and Ear by the light of directions.
As stated in my previous blogs describing the Journey of the Soul upon death, light is nothing but Brahman! This light that shines within us and that which shines outside is the same. It is Brahman as Space that pervades all the four elements and the Mind as Brahman that pervades the four parts of our body mentioned in the above verse. Brahman has no feet and four feet is mentioned as a metaphor to indicate the infinite aspect of Brahman. This is also explained in my blog on Purusha Suktam – Verses 10.90.3 & 4 (<click here for more information, if required)
Soul in deep sleep:
Advaita Vedanta says both being & non-being are not different from each other. Jivātman (individual soul) & Paramatman (Brahman) are the same. Dvaita Vedanta says Brahman and the individual being are separate just like in other religions. Liberation or Moksha happens when the individual Self unites with Brahman. The individual soul or Jivātman is possessed of various qualities or attributes when we are awake. These qualities become dormant or inactive during deep sleep as it merges with Brahman. So how can the Jivātman with attributes merge with Brahman who is known to be without attributes?
At first, we will need to look at various versions in Upanishads that discuss what happens to us during deep sleep. Brihad-āranyaka Upanishad states that in deep sleep, all organs become dormant and the soul goes to rest in the 72, 000 invisible channels or Nadis (as minute as one thousandth of a human hair) called “Hitā” that extends from the heart to the outer pericardium. Chāndogya Upanishad states that the soul reaches the pure being or Brahman. Another section of the same Upanishad states that the soul enters these Nadis or nerve channels. So essentially three places – Heart, Brahman & Nadis or nerve channels are stated. But these nerves & the heart mentioned are merely passages, the ultimate destination during deep sleep is the pure Brahman only – the true nature of every human being!
Therefore, this merger is possible because the underlying nature of individual soul or Jivātman is Brahman or Pure Being itself. Brahman is un-manifested form or nothingness and the Jivātman is its manifested form. This manifestation is due to ignorance that stems forth from Maya that envelops it. Karma & Vasanas or Desires causes the further conditioning of this Pure Being inside us. We then start seeing only the external world and not Brahman! The individual soul is the “transmigrating self” caused by ignorance and the “transcendental self” is Supreme Brahman or Ultimate Reality! The differentiation between both can be further understood using the snake & rope analogy explained below
Understanding the Snake & Rope analogy:
In this very common analogy of Vedanta, a man is when walking on a dim-lit road and sees a snake lying nearby. He stops in his tracks as he is scared. He then he shines his torch on to the snake and realizes that it is a coiled rope and not a snake. The image of the snake was superimposed on the rope which created this illusion. Once this illusion was removed, what remained was the rope which was always the case from the very beginning. Nothing changed! Similarly the image of the Universe is superimposed on the Supreme Brahman. We as humans in our ignorance caused by Maya, see only the world and not its underlying substratum which is the Supreme Brahman.
An analogy is that which shows a comparison of two “similar” things. Similar means “nearly identical” and same means “exactly identical”. Analogy is therefore not an exact comparison. Some compare the rope to Brahman which is not the case, because the world itself is an illusion, the rope is also a part of that illusionary world.
It is actually the light from the torch that removed the illusion of the snake. Light is Brahman! Our Jivātman is veiled in Maya which creates this world of illusion and becomes conditioned. Brahman is unconditioned, without any attributes or qualities & pure being! Just like the Light removed the illusion of the snake, in the same way, once we realize that this light (knowledge) of Brahman is without any attributes or qualities, we can conclude that the Universe is only an illusion superimposed on it – a hologram!
Conclusion:
Shapes & forms of objects are revealed when light comes into contact with it, creating diverse forms. The light of the Sun covers the entire space and takes on different shapes as it gets reflected from lakes, ponds & different bodies of water. When the water moves the sun seems to move. The sun appears to show the qualities of water. But the sun by itself does not have any of these qualities. Just like Brahman, sunlight only puts on different appearances. Supreme Brahman is compared to a lump of salt which tastes the same, both externally, internally and in its totality.
Therefore, Brahman has no internal & external aspect apart from pure consciousness! Also, the same Brahman cannot be both – “with & without form”, as this is self-contradictory. It is the “un-manifested” Brahman that creates “manifested” forms. This is the Vedantic thought! Also, in Chapter 11 of Bhagavad Gita – Yoga of the vision of the Cosmic Form, Lord Krishna shows to Arjuna by giving him divine sight, the entire Universe in a single image containing both the microcosm & macrocosm, in holographic form. After seeing this awesome sight Arjuna realizes that the universe is only a holographic projection of Krishna who is actually Supreme Brahman himself!
References: Quotes of Upanishads taken from “The Principal Upanishads” by Dr. Radhakrishnan
I conclude this blog with an astonishing video below, of a holographic image filmed by me. The backdrop is the constellation of “Sigma Sagittarii” in the night sky. In this video (at the left of the screen), two parallel tube-lights moving across the night sky create a holographic image of a flying bird. This image when enlarged reveals a human form with wings (anthropomorphic form). I have named the video “Garuda” after the mythical mount or vehicle of Lord Vishnu, usually depicted as an eagle but having a human body. (Watch video in full screen)