Does everyone looking at the above pictures see the same thing?

The Observer:

The internal factors may include the observer's apparatus, that is, his organ of vision, his eyes.

Example 1: Some people can see far objects clearly but not the near ones; whereas it is the opposite in some other people.

Example 2: Some people are color blind and may not see some colors at all like red, green or blue. For them, green tends to look like very pale green or nearly white and red seems like orange.

The internal factors may include the observer's inclinations, that is, his tendency to likes and dislikes.

Example 1: Some people like thick long hair and fair skin color, and therefore may be attracted towards people with these characteristics.

Example 2: Some people like horses, and therefore, when presented with beautiful paintings of many different animals, they may like the paintings with horses more than others.

The external factors may include the environment, that is, the space and time.

Example 1: Two persons observing a tower do not see the tower exactly in the same way. Due to the different spaces occupied by the two persons, there is a slight difference in the angle of vision, and therefore, the extent of the tower seen by the two persons standing next to each other is ever so slightly different, always. The tower is seen differently due to the difference in space.

Example 2: If the two persons were to switch places to observe the tower from the same angle as the other person, the time would have changed ever so slightly. Therefore, even if the angle of vision could be changed, the tower has not remained the same anymore. Every substance on earth undergoes constant change. Due to change in time, the tower has changed ever so slightly. The tower is seen differently by the two persons due to difference in time.

The Object:

There are some inherent properties of an object that affect our perception of things.

Example 1: All objects are made up of elements. All elements have physical and chemical properties and all elements are radioactive. When any of these properties change, we may perceive the object differently.

The same object may seem more or less beautiful if it's color was changed. This is due to a change in it's physical property.

Ice may melt to water. In extreme heat, ice or pictures of ice may seem more beautiful. This is due to a change in the chemical property of an object.

Some elements like uranium are very radioactive. Such elements quickly decompose to more stable elements. The beauty of such elements in very temporary.

Example 2: All humans are made up of several subtle bodies. These subtle bodies constitute the person's thoughts and feelings.

The same person may seem more of less beautiful if his mental or emotional state were to change. A person may seem to be more beautiful when he is loving or caring rather than when he is angry or abusive. These states are temporary, and therefore, the beauty of such states is also temporary.

Why do we find it difficult to understand some concepts?

We are made up of several bodies, among which are the gross Physical body which is made up of bones, muscles, etc., the Astral body which is made up of our emotions, the Mental body which is made up of our thoughts, our Causal body which is the vessel for our Individual Consciousness, the Buddhi which carries our Inclinations and the Atma, the 'Pure Will'.

The physical body is at the lowest vibrating frequency. The subtle body (astral and mental bodies) vibrate at a higher frequency than the physical body. The causal body and Buddhi vibrate at a still higher frequency than the subtle body. The Atma vibrates at the highest frequency.

Thus Pure Will is a higher aspect than Love.

Unconditional Love is a higher aspect than Individual Consciousness.

Individual Consciousness is a higher aspect than Mind.

Mind is a higher aspect than Emotions.

Emotions are a higher aspect than pure physical actions.

Thus, we may use our Will to develop Unconditional Love.

We may use Unconditional Love to develop our Individual Consciousness.

We may use our Individual Consciousness, awake and aware, to develop our Mind.

We may use our Mind to develop the higher Emotions of love and devotion.

We may use our Emotions to control physical actions.

From the point of Creation, the Will aspect appears first.

There is a Will to Create/Manifest. Thus the Atma is formed.

The Atma expresses itself through pure Unconditional Love. Thus the Buddhi is formed.

The Buddhi becomes the carrier of our Inclinations. Thus the Causal body is formed. The Individual Consciousness resides in this Causal body.

The Causal body becomes the carrier of our Mental, Emotional and Physical body seeds. It carries these seeds from birth to birth, until the seeds are dissolved by the dissipation of Inclinations.

The Mind is a part of the Mental body. This is where the ideas and thoughts are formed.

The Mind starts creating pictures, ideas. Thus the Emotions come into being. The Astral body is formed (likes, dislikes, etc.).

These become the template for the Physical body.

This is why we find it difficult to understand concepts like 'PURE WILL'. It is much higher than the mind. Therefore, we need more than the MIND to grasp the concept of PURE WILL.

Consider a letter written in black ink, on a black paper, lying on a black desk that I am trying to read at night.

What will I see?

In the absence of a different color, there is no differentiation.

There is no way to know what black looks like, if I cannot compare it to any other color.

So to know 'black', I must know what is 'non-black'.

This explains the necessity of variety in the universe.

In a mix of different colors and shapes, it is easier to spot a color or a shape which is most different in some manner or another from the other shapes.

It will be much easier to spot a red or yellow triangle, or one big triangle, as compared to the small dark grey triangle or the small black triangle with a blue line running across it, in the midst of many small black triangles of similar shape and size.

This explains the necessity of developing the discriminative capacity (Buddhi), so that I may perceive the differences and appreciate them.

What color are the butterflies?

Depends. When cold, they are purple. When hot, they are pink.

In this case, can I call these butterflies pink? Or can I call them purple? Each would be a half truth, half lie.

What might be the basis for love?

Man is composed of several bodies, including the physical body, astral body, lower mental body and higher mental body.

When we derive happiness from someone or something, it is a measure of love.

Similarly, when we derive unhappiness from someone or something, it is a measure of hate.

Emotion is the energizing force which feels.

Emotion attracts us to an object if they afford us pleasure.

Emotion repels us from an object if they afford us pain.

Sometimes we instantly connect with some people.

Sometimes we form a judgement about someone without even meeting them or knowing about them at all.

Sometimes we lose connections that were formed before.

Sometimes we form connections that cannot be broken.

Connections may be favorable or unfavorable, depending on our proclivity.

The strength of the connection depends on our involvement.

Connections may be formed on different planes.

• The physical sense organs feed into connections formed on the physical plane.

When the consciousness loses interest in the materialistic pleasure or pain on the physical plane, connections formed on the physical plane, whether favorable or unfavorable, dependent on the sense organs, weaken.

This results in loss of sexual appetite and greed for money.

Thus relationships based on sex or material sharing are weakened.

God's Kingdom on Earth is founded.

• The feelings feed into connections formed on the astral plane.

When the consciousness gains control of feelings and sensations, connections formed on the astral plane, whether favorable or unfavorable, dependent on shared feelings, are overcome.

This results in loss of fear, hatred and ambition.

Thus relationships based on manipulation and abuse are overcome.

There is Splendor on Earth.

• The thoughts feed into connections formed on the mental plane.

When the consciousness is able to control thoughts at will, connections formed on the mental plane, whether favorable or unfavorable, dependent on 'intellectual' knowing, weaken.

This results in loss of pride, separativeness and cruelty.

Thus relationships based on power are weakened.

There is Victory on Earth.

• Love feeds into connections formed on the Causal plane.

When the consciousness is dipped in love, connections formed on the Causal plane, dependent on love, strengthen.

This results in gain of love and devotion.

Thus relationships based on love and devotion are strengthened.

There is Beauty on Earth.

This is how relationships are weakened or strengthened.

Relationships with people, relationships with things.

This is how the ascetic sacrifices.

This is how the ascetic follows discipline.

The ascetic does not have to do anything. His consciousness vibrates at a level where all unnecessary things are just automatically dropped. All that the ascetic does is to dwell in love and devotion. The rest is automatically dropped.

There is desire.

To fulfill the desire, there is action.

This action creates either merit or demerit.

The fruit of all merit or demerit must be borne out, therefore there is rebirth.

Action without an eye for fruit is action without desire.

When there is life, there is bound to be action.

When there is no desire linked to the action, the action loses its momentum.

Gradually, due to loss of desire, all unnecessary action is dropped.

Creation implies that we need the starting materials to create an end product.

But where did the starting materials come from? If something can only come from something, then where did the 'first' something come from?

Consider I need to derive the number thirteen (13).

Currently, I have nothing, zero (0)

From zero (0), I can derive thirteen (13). But minus thirteen will 'have to be created' along with it.

(0) = (+13) + (-13)

We only wanted to derive thirteen (13). Regardless, minus thirteen (-13) was created alongside with it and remains in balance.

When I perform an action (karma), I create an action. But I also create an equal and opposite action.

I only wanted to perform the 'action'. Regardless, the 'equal and opposite action' was created alongside with it and remains in balance.

This is how we build up our karmic balance.

Due to the overload, a 'rebirth' becomes a necessity for the execution of the balance of the 'equal and opposite actions' created by us.

When there is no desire, all unnecessary action is eliminated.

Only necessary action will be performed, with full recognition of the 'equal and opposite action' that will be created alongside with it.

However, due to reduced action, the karmic load starts to diminish.

Until a point in time when it is possible to eliminate all the karmic load at once.

This is the road to emancipation.

I was building a beautiful sand castle.

Everytime there was a high tide, it created a chaos.

I tried to control the waves. I tried to protect my castle from the surrounding environment, and yet, the next tide would bring chaos with it.

I struggled with the chaos. So I tried to change my situation. By changing the environment which brought the chaos with it.

Then one day I saw a castle farther away, where the tidal waves could not reach.

The castle was beautiful and still standing strong even in spite of the tidal waves.

I understood my folly.

There are a lot of factors controlling the environment. I can only impact or change a subset of those parameters. Which means that I can never be in full control of my environment.

However, I can study the environment. Based on that, I can make decisions which allow me to make the best use of the environment without being negatively impacted by it.

Fast food definition: (Merriam-Webster)

Of, relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly.

Designed for ready availability, use, or consumption and with little consideration given to quality or significance.

Spirituality definition: (Merriam-Webster)

The quality or state of being spiritual

Man possesses various bodies vibrating at different frequencies.

• The Physical Body or Personality.

• The Lower Self consisting of the Ether Body, Astral Body and Lower Mental Body.

• The Higher Self or the Soul consisting of the Causal Body, Buddhi and Atma.

• The Spirit

There are specific qualities associated with each frequency.

The lower vibrations are more dense and are associated with the qualities of fear, passion, ambition, etc.

The higher vibrations are less dense and are associated with the qualities of love, devotion, Will to Good, etc.

All men possess the animal nature and the Divine nature.

Since all men possess the Divine nature that is called God, his body is a temple.

Our Body is a Temple!

If all humans possess Divine Nature, then why are some men evil?

Man is aware of those qualities which vibrate at the same frequency as himself.

In a density column, the liquids of different densities do not mix. They form layers.

When a solid is carefully dropped into the column, it will settle at the level depending on its own density.

Each person possesses bodies vibrating at different frequencies.

Each person himself vibrates at a variable frequency within a certain range.

Depending on the range of vibration, the person will feel emotions associated with that frequency.

This is the reason why some men feel emotions that are more dense or base in nature, resulting in evil.

In order to change our circumstances, it is not necessary to change our environment.

The different planes of varying frequencies exist to allow development of a range of different people.

In order to change our circumstances, it is necessary to change our vibrational frequency.

Then we will feel emotions associated with the higher frequencies.

The denser planes are automatically left behind.

We are three-dimensional beings living in three-dimensional space.

However, what would life look like in other dimensions?

One Dimension

Example of one-dimensional space is a line.

A line is made up of discrete points.

Movement on a line is possible in one direction, either forwards or backwards.

This gives us the dimension of length.

Suppose that one point, number 8 (the red dot in the middle of the bottom line) were to possess the power of perception.

Due to freedom of movement, it would be aware of two more red points, numbers 7 and 9, on either side of it.

However, due to limitation in movement, it would fear falling off the line if it tried to move in a second direction.

So, it would be totally unaware of the existence of any other points or colors.

Two Dimensions

Example of two dimensional space is a plane.

A plane is made up of discrete lines.

Movement on a plane is possible in two directions, either forwards or backwards, and either left or right.

A diagonal movement combines movement in both directions at the same time.

This gives us the dimensions of length and breadth.

Suppose that number 8 lies on the line which in turn lies on Plane 1.

Due to greater freedom of movement, it can move out of the line for the first time without fear of falling off.

The new dimension of breadth will support it. Now it has gained perception of two dimensions.

However, it's movement would still be limited and it would have the fear of falling off the plane if it tried to move in a third direction.

Thus, point number 8 may know about the existence of points 1 to 12 which lie on the same plane, Plane 1. But it would remain unaware of points A to L which lie on another plane, Plane 2.

Three Dimensions

Example of three dimensional space is a cube.

A cube is made up of discrete planes.

Movement in a cube is possible in three directions, either forwards or backwards, left or right, and at an angle which is perpendicular to these two directions.

This gives us the dimensions of length, breadth and height.

Suppose that there are 50 planes stacked up on top of one another that make up the cube.

Suppose that point number 8 lies on the line which lies on Plane 1, which is part of Cube 1.

Due to greater freedom of movement, it can jump off Plane 1 for the first time without fear of falling off.

The new dimension of height will support it. Now it has gained perception of 3 dimensions.

However, it's movement would still be limited, and it would have fear of falling off the cube if it tried to move in a fourth direction.

Thus, point number 8 may know about the existence of points 1 to 12 which lie on Plane 1, and also about the existence of points A to L which lie on Plane 2. Both of these planes are part of the same 3 dimensional figure, Cube 1.

But point number 8 would remain unaware of points N to Y and points 21 to 32 which lie in another cube.

She (balloon) and He (balloon) were both together, free, happy.

Totally unaware of the threads that were tied to them.

Then one day the owners came along and pulled the threads.

She (balloon) and He (balloon) were at the mercy of the owners.

They moved where the owner moved.

She (balloon) and He (balloon) were separated.

To unite again, She (balloon) and He (balloon) must be free.

To be free, they must get rid of the threads that can be pulled by others and thus separate them.

The owners of the threads are the physical bodies.

The threads are the karmic seeds.

She and He balloons are the souls.

To get rid of the threads, the individual karmic load must be resolved.

A density tower is formed by stacking layers of liquids over each other.

Some liquids don't mix because they repel each other, like oil and water.

Other liquids don't mix because they have different densities.

When small solids are added to this gently, these will settle at different levels in different liquids, depending on their density.

The position of the object depends on its density.

If the object were to change its density somehow, it would settle in a different liquid layer.

Different feelings are like the different liquids of varying density.

Different feelings vibrate at different wavelengths.

The consciousness is like the solid object which is added to the density tower.

The consciousness is dipped in the layer of feelings which is most actively vibrating at that point in time.

We are capable of feeling the entire range of emotions, like fear, passion, ambition, love, devotion, will to good, etc.

When we predominantly feel any one of these emotions at any point in time, it is because that layer is vibrating the most at that point in time.

It is possible to alter our vibrations by the use of 'active intelligence'.

It is possible, by an act of 'conscious choice', to replace certain vibrations with others.

This is called 'positive thinking'.

How we feel is a matter of our choice.

Unconscious choice makes us feel trapped.

Conscious choice makes us free.

A child is born.

This is the beginning of 'ego'

It is given a name for identification purposes.

'I am John'.

It has a physical body with particular characteristics.

'I have a moderate physique, pointed nose, some hereditary disease, average intelligence'.

It is raised in an environment of some or the other belief.

'There is a God who created this world. When we die, we go to heaven. There is no rebirth.'

The child may identify with its environment, or may go against it.

'I don't think there is a creator God, there may be some super intelligence controlling the world. There is no rebirth.'

The child grows up.

There is 'ego' as long as there is a physical body.

There is acknowledgement of that 'ego' by the 'self' as long as there is an 'active intelligence' associated with the physical body.

Upon death, the 'ego' leaves the physical body.

The life of the 'ego' lasts from birth into a physical body to the death of that physical body.

The 'ego' is the lower mental body or the sum total of all 'thoughts' or 'knowledge' collected throughout a particular birth.

Each 'physical birth' is the birth of a new 'ego'.

Each physical birth into a human body with an active intelligence is an opportunity for the ego to collect knowledge.

The purpose of each new birth of the 'ego' is to learn specific life lessons.

At death, these lessons are stored in the Causal body or the 'Ego'.

The 'I" of the ego is the 'I' of the personality or the lower self.

The 'I' of the Ego is the 'I' of the soul or the higher self.

The Individual 'I' is the sum total of all the 'I's of the lower self and the 'I' of the higher self.

Perspective 1:

In the adjoining figure, I would guess line 3 to be the longest and line 4 to be the shortest line.

Line 5 appears to be the second longest line.

Perspective 2:

In the adjoining figure, I would guess line 4 to be the longest and line 2 to be the shortest line.

Line 1 appears to be the second longest line; Line 5 seems to be missing altogether.

Perspective 3:

In the adjoining figure, lines 3 and 4 seem to be the longest.

Line 1 seems to be the second longest line.

Lines 2 and 5 seem to be of equal length.

Our assessment of the length of the lines seems to change depending on the perspective.

Our perspective seems to depend on what is presented to us as the complete picture.

Right upto 8:59 am, my hormone levels were stable.

At around 9 am, my hormone levels changed.

Why?

Did I feel love or irritation because of my hormone levels?

Or did my hormone levels change because of how I felt?

What came first? The chicken or the egg?