SUMMARY
As
stated previously, Book III is likely to be abstruse and complex owing to its
philosophical nature but as it seeks to solve the enigma of existence and unveil
the Reality, I ought to catechise its salient features:
1. Where does the universe come
from?
Either it comes out of nothingness
or it has always been here. If it does come out of nothingness, then nothingness
is the fountain of existence, and the difference between the two disappears.
Therefore, the straight answer is that the universe has always existed in one
form or another.
2. What is the basic form of
existence?
This question is for the scientist,
who has already made a major contribution towards it. However, the basic
principle of growth has been known to man for centuries: that is, things grow
from small to large, simple to complex, low to high. In other words, the basic
situation is always embryonic which is endowed with a potential to be; existence
or life is all about becoming. Therefore, there is no room for a Creator God
because this concept implies the reverse order of growth i.e. from perfection to
imperfection, high to low and complex to simple. It is because the Creator God
has to be perfect to exist in the beginning.
3. Is God transcendent?
No. God is within the reach of
human capacity. It is the ultimate aim of man to be a part of God. The God that
cannot be understood or contacted is not worth looking for because He plays no
part in human life.
In fact, man is God and God is man
because man is the only species that gives birth to souls. God is nothing but
the union of souls, though the entity of God is over and above its components as
the entity of a motor car, for example, is over and above its constituting
parts.
God is the greatest mystery and can
be understood by becoming a part of Godhead. It is the state of total
illumination.
4. Does man need revelation to
know God?
No. Revelation is the biggest fraud
that man invented to use it as the most effective tool of dominance. Since man
is potentially God, the Reality lies inside him. He needs knowledge for this
purpose. It means that the knowledge of one's self is the true knowledge which
is achieved through observation, meditation and pious conduct.
Again, the universe is based on the
principle of mystery. Therefore, God does not reveal Himself. He has to be
found. This can be done through knowledge only.
5. Does man need religion?
Yes, he does. The only religion for
man is human brotherhood based on active philanthropy; colour, creed and race
have no place in it, whatsoever. Again, religion is a strictly personal affair.
6. Is faith in God necessary to
become part of Godhead?
No. Righteousness automatically
leads to Godhead, and faith is irrelevant to it. However, consciousness of the
goal is likely to make the search for it less tough and more interesting.
7. What is reality?
a. Simply stated, it means
existence. In philosophical terms, it is an enigma: does the universe exist or
is it an illusion? Of course, the universe is real. If it were not so we would
not be interested in avoiding pain and looking for pleasures. Illusions cannot
have such problems.
b. Things appear and disappear,
grow and die, and evolve and devolve. Thus the process of existence is founded
on the principle of change which operates through the mechanism of polarity such
as push and pull and action and reaction. In layman's language, things come into
being and operation because they are based on directly opposed principles which
happen to be exactly equal in efficiency and intensity. For example, sweet
cannot exist without bitter, nor does intelligence mean anything without
stupidity. This equally applies in the field of physics where negative and
positive forces serve as the agents of becoming. However, polarity or the
opposition is not real but operational because poles (the opposite sides) are
liable to undergo depolarization and repolarisation. It is the tool of change.
c. Change, initially, is a random
force. It is restless and keeps tossing and turning without any reason. This is
its nature. While evolution is essentially the process of change, it gradually
develops into an Evolutionary Principle through interrelationships which it
initially creates haphazardly. For example, a savage becomes a father through
rape but he naturally develops a bond of mutual love and care with his children
and grandchildren. Why? Because interrelationships have the latent tendency to
preserve themselves. This is the reason that the loss of a child or friend hurts
badly. This mechanism of interrelationships is evident at human level because it
gives birth to morality, law, customs and culture to regulate interrelationships
and shows their magnitude. This example equally applies to the things inorganic;
atoms develop family traits like the family traits of human beings; and
everything small or large exists in relation to something else. It is the
tendency or urge of preserving these interrelationships that gives birth to
mathematical precision or definite formulas of existence to preserve these
relationships. This is the special trait of change which evolves from its
infantile position to become the Evolutionary Principle, and acts as the
fountain of gradual development.
What is change? Originally, it is
restlessness or all motion, but the interrelationships it evolves represent
stability which ranks as the opposite pole to change the same way as negative is
to positive or sweet is to bitter. It follows that the true purpose of change is
to create stability, microbe to moon, and the galaxies are examples of
stability. They may last for billions of years but eventually perish at the hand
of change. Reality emerges when stability is no longer subject to the process of
dissolution. This stage is referred to as the Dynamic Equilibrium, that is, a
body remains subject to the law of change but instead of causing dissolution, it
contributes to the stability of that body.
The entity of all live things, from
plants to man, is preserved by dynamic equilibrium (homeostatis). Animates or
cells die for lacking the ability to maintain dynamic equilibrium indefinitely,
but God eternalises Himself because souls have the qualities of perpetuating
dynamic equilibrium as man has the power to decide whether electricity should
roast or refrigerate.
Of course, this is an assumption,
but there are good reasons for it. The ability of the cosmos to rise from
nothingness, the elementary particles or the primordial stuff, and its most
mysterious nature, absolutely stunning laws of precision and flexibility and
countless baffling manifestations allude to its extraordinary powers and the
urge to exist at the highest possible level which is not subject to devolution
This is not a silly assumption. Why? Man is a product of the cosmic activity and
is operated by a mechanism of desires and dislikes. Obviously, cosmos, the giver
of life, is not a machine but a live and kicking organism. Therefore, it must
also have some desires and dislikes. As we know, the Evolutionary Principle,
which is nothing but a constant search for self-improvement, is the cosmic way
of living; it must be the desire of the cosmos to attain the highest possible
point of existence, and its main dislike is to see the pinnacle of existence or
stability subjected to Revolution. When change acts as the sole agent of
stability through dynamic equilibrium, it ranks as the Creative Principle and
becomes an integral part of Godhead, which is the highest, noblest and eternal
state of existence. This is the Reality.
8. Is it God that creates man?
No. God is the union of souls which
are produced by mankind. Therefore, the truth is the other way around: it is not
God who creates man but it is man who creates God. Why? Because to be the
Creator, God has to be perfect, but perfection or complete growth always comes
at the end and not at the beginning. Even the concept of perfection itself
implies a process of growth, having a simple beginning and rising to complexity.
Thus God (MAG) has to be at the end, and not in the beginning. What comes at the
end, cannot be the creator.
The entity (that is, existence as
you, I, tree, mountain, etc.) of everything is governed by its underlying
principle, and the underlying principle is the formula which decides that if
certain conditions are met in a certain ratio, a certain thing will come into
being.
For example, when atoms of hydrogen
and oxygen unite in the ratio of two to one, water emerges. Thus HERO is the
underlying principle of water. This principle can neither be created nor
destroyed. Of course, one can decompose a glass of water into hydrogen and
oxygen but one cannot call it the elimination of the principle H20 because the
combination of hydrogen and oxygen in their basic ratio will always lead to
water.
It means that principle must exist
before the phenomenon that it controls. This assumption is logical for several
reasons because it meets the preconditions of existence:
a. The underlying principle is the
simplest thing compared to what it creates i.e. the phenomenon, which represents
its complex form.
b. Since a principle cannot be
created, it vouches for the automatic and eternal existence of the cosmos in one
form or another.
c. As a principle cannot be seen,
it is compatible with the mysterious nature of the universe.
d. A phenomenon reveals itself to
the observer but the underlying principle has to be discovered. Thus, it negates
the value of revelation.
Since everything is based on a
principle, it may be convenient to call the underlying principles of different
things as subprinciples. Again, each subprinciple is a direct or indirect
offshoot of the basic principle i.e. the Change which I have variously described
as the Fundamental Principle, the Evolutionary Principle and the Creative
Principle according to its stage of development or mode of operation.
After this description, I may add
that the self-manifestation is a trait of the principle because its existence
cannot be known unless it exhibits itself. In fact, everything that we see is a
manifestation of its underlying principle, which is a form of change. However,
manifestation takes place through a process. For example, water comes into being
through the process of two atoms of hydrogen combining with one atom of oxygen.
Thus things come into being because the principle has the urge to manifest
itself through a process. Therefore, what follows is the product i.e. the
phenomenon. Enunciated as a general rule, Change is the fountain of becoming
because it is at once, the principle, the process and the product
(manifestation).
9. Can change come to an end?
No. Restlessness or constant motion
constitutes the nature and basic character of change. Coming to an end means
changing the change. It is impossible. Thus, change cannot cease to exist.
10. Why does mystery pervade the
fabric of the universe?
Without mystery there will be no
excitement or urge for exploring the unknown. Though mystery is a form of
darkness, it arouses man's curiosity leading to the development of his
consciousness which serves as the interconnecting link between various phenomena
of the world. In fact, life starts, and reaches its climax through consciousness
Without it, existence or non-existence of the universe will not matter. It is
mystery which makes life a practical affair. If, we all knew the future, the
intentions of our fairweather friends and the time of death, people would die of
apathy and boredom. Without mystery, knowledge will become absolute, and thus
fatal. The purpose of knowledge is survival not only at the elementary stage, as
the instinctive behaviour of animates reveals, but also self-elevation and
enlightenment, leading to eternity, the goal of existence.
Of course, true knowledge is the
knowledge of one's self but as life is a relative affair, knowing one's
fellow-beings through social intercourse and mutual understanding is an integral
part of knowing one's self.
11. Have messiahs and prophets
any relevance to salvation?
No. None whatsoever. These men want
to dominate the human mind to preserve themselves through the imagination of
their followers. All inorganic things and physical phenomena are governed by the
natural law, but man, to a large extent, takes over his conduct in his own
hands. It clearly shows that salvation or securing eternity is an individual's
own responsibility, and he/she is quite capable of achieving this goal through a
determined effort.
12. Is there really life after
death?
Yes. Definitely.
This world is the manifestation of
its underlying principle. Since a principle cannot be created, it also cannot be
destroyed; negative and positive electric charges vouch for this fact.
What we call "death" is,
in fact, a change in the state of existence. As all things come into existence
from the same source i.e. particles or primordial stuff (that is, whatever
existed that manifested itself as the universe), it clearly shows that the Unity
of beginning must also express itself in the Unity of ending. However the Unity
of beginning has to be humble compared to the Unity of ending which must be of
the highest quality. Beginning represents the origin whereas end refers to the
destination. It is only the best horse that wins the race. In terms of mankind,
the righteous person is the best horse that gallops to the destination, which is
Godhead.
As repeatedly stated, Godhead is
the Union of souls which portray the Unity of ending. If you are righteous
enough to produce a soul, eternity is not your problem. Achieving eternity is
the natural goal of mankind because all human actions seek self-preservation.
13. Is soul not a
fiction?
Not at all. It is a fact. Physical
existence automatically creates a spiritual state. In fact, physical and
spiritual aspects have a polar relationship with each other like the negative
and positive charges, and life cannot be sustained without their mutual
reaction. Take human body, for instance. It is not just a physiological process
because human conduct is affected by moral considerations, leading to the
emergence of a social environment, which represents the spirit of the society
and exerts a considerable influence on it. Has ever anybody seen the social
environment? Wherever humans live, social environment, which is the spiritual
aspect, comes into being spontaneously.
Just look into your self carefully,
you will find that you are not just a piece of flesh; your interior is a
tempestuous ocean of dreams and desires, dedications and detachments,
determinations and ditherings - all impatient for realization. These are the
traits which constitute the individual spirit. They may be
contradictory to one another in
many ways but when it comes to preserving one's self, they act in unison. It
indicates that the wish to live for ever is an integral part of human nature.
However, this dream cannot be achieved through this body which decomposes after
a few decades. Its realisation must depend upon a spiritual mechanism, that is,
human spirit must transform into a soul which is the seed of future life. This
is not a nonsense. If the cosmos evolves particles into atoms, and the atoms
into cells to create life, it must evolve cells into souls to create a superior
and eternal life because the physical life as we know, is inferior and
imperfect. It is against the evolutionary principle which is a constant process
of self-improvement. Since human life requires a good deal of further elevation,
evolution cannot stop at man and must continue beyond this life. This goal is
achievable through the agency of soul only.
Can you honestly say that man,
whose conduct is motivated by fiery dreams, designs and determinations, is meant
to become a part of dust after a few decades? Modern sciences have persuaded us
to measure man's magnitude by inferior standards. Look at his intelligence and
ingenuity, his engineering and scientific skills, his artistic and cultural
attainments! Are these the traits of someone who is destined to stay a mammal?
14. Does man have a soul?
No. It comes into being at the
point of death which serves as the opening of a door to new life.
a. Are subhumans capable
of producing souls?
No. As salt cannot act as a
sweetener for not having the saccharine ability, a subhuman like a mouse or
monkey lacks the virtue to produce a soul. It seems the rule of nature that a
lower species evolves into the species immediately above it. Put it another way,
as it is only 8 that follows 9 and not 7, 6 or 5, it is only the existence at
human level that can lead to the emergence of soul but subhumans cannot.
15. What is final rejection?
I have coined this phrase to
emphasise the collective destiny of mankind in its biological sense. Millions of
species have become extinct in the past for lacking the ability to adapt
themselves to their natural environment. Exactly the same way, when humans
persistently fail to create a decent social environment, conducive to the
emergence of souls, Mag (God), after a good deal of tolerance, eventually
withdraws His protection from the wicked human race which faces annihilation. It
shows that salvation is as much a collective affair as it is individualistic.
Mag is not one but the union of countless souls. Unless a planet such as earth,
can supply sufficient number of souls to maintain the divine homeostatis
(dynamic equilibrium), the person of God is threatened. This points to the
significance of the righteous social order. However, threat to the person of God
cannot materialize because He represents the apex of evolution which is not
subject to Revolution for the reasons already given. Godhead means freedom from
the principle of evolution - Revolution - re-evolution. Everything is subject to
Revolution except God.
16. a. Is God perfect?
No. Structure of the universe is
relative, that is, everything exists in relation to something else. This
relative existence negates the concept of perfection. Since God's existence is
relative to souls, He cannot be perfect, yet being the highest point of
existence, He represents what is the best, the greatest and the noblest. To
explain this point further, I should add that what depends for its existence and
growth on something else, cannot be perfect because perfection denotes absolute
existence, that is, total independence of relationship with anything else. This
is completely impossible.
b. If God is not in the
beginning, then who guarded the universe while He was not there?
Existence refers to the state of
being which can be lower or higher. Things exist because of their
interrelationships, and nothing can exist without the necessary relationships
coming into being: birth of a baby and death of an adult are simply the
emergence of necessary relationships and their disappearance. However, these
relationships are subject to evolution, and a thing can exist irrespective of
its stage of growth though it goes without saying that the advanced stage of
growth is superior to its initial stage. The intellectual and physical
difference in a baby and adult prove this point.
It follows that because of
interrelationships, the cosmos has the ability to exist on its own but its
existence is inferior until Mag comes into being because He represents the
highest and noblest form of existence. This point can be easily understood with
reference to a garden and gardener; a garden can exist without a gardener, but
its growth will be wild and untidy. With a gardener it will be tidy, symmetrical
and far more pleasant.
After this discussion, now I ought
to consider the outline of a righteous society which relieves man of most
worries and gives him a chance to cultivate his divine potential. No society can
ever be righteous unless it is fairly free from the fear of injustice, hunger,
disease and ignorance. It is based on the brotherhood of mankind. Though law
plays its part in a righteous society, it is mainly operated by the moral force
of the people.
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