Wise Words
Fundamental Knowledge
Chongeswar
Like This Article
**Fundamental knowledge ** As the sun was rising, the colours of the sky were changing from one heavenly shade to another, spreading across the vast horizon. The gentle winds were blowing, fluttering the leaves--their soft sound blending into the quiet morning. Birds could be heard chirping all around; a few were just moving out of their nests, while others were already high in the open sky, manoeuvring freely through the vast expanse. Below, the pond stretched out with its mirror-finish surface, reflecting the changing colours of the sky; once in a while, gentle ripples moved across the otherwise still water. The continuous chirping of crickets in the background added a mystical touch to the mesmerizing and serene morning. The road, which had been silent only a few minutes ago, was now hobnobbing, hustling and bustling with cars, jeeps, scooties, bikes, bicycles, pedestrians and jaywalkers, as people started returning from the sunrise view and others started leaving their homes to earn their livelihood. And as it generally happens, sooner rather than later, the traffic started coming to a halt. Then it started crawling. Honking started. Hawkers joined in and started moving between the vehicles. Some people tried to cut across the traffic, jump the line, squeeze through a gap even when there was hardly any gap to squeeze through. Boys in not-so-clean, torn clothes moved from one vehicle to another, cleaning windows that were not particularly dirty with clean rags, with no obligation to get paid.A few others came forward, trying to make a way through the jam. Then one vehicle touched another--just a little scratch--and that was enough. Shouting started. One started arguing with the other. Then a few more joined in, shouting at both of them to stop shouting. And, as usual, the crowd gathered. The crowd stood there watching the drama unfold as if the morning had suddenly found itself a new form of entertainment. The invitation of the mesmerizing morning is accepted and Naked feet touch the dew on the grass as every soft steps land on the patch of green. A sudden cool breeze passes through the body, enhancing the gentle tingling sensation. A feeling of freshness arises, and gentle emotions of happiness emerge without any apparent reason. A desire to live there for eternity slowly seeps in without knocking. Consequently, a desire to build a small shack nearby arises, so that one can come and witness this heavenly beauty every day.While stuck in the traffic, the body starts sweating, and an uneasiness slowly creeps in. The vehicle hardly moves, and the feeling of being stuck becomes more and more uncomfortable. With every passing minute, the frustration begins to bubble within, while the continuous honking and commotion around add to it. Slowly, the frustration starts giving way to a simmering anger. The desire to go back home grows stronger and stronger even thought there was nothing important to attend to. Amid these changing colours of heavenly beauty, chaos within chaos and commotion of the road, and the unfolding panorama of changing sensations, feelings, emotions and desires, wonder awakens a simple question perhaps courtesy of Observation, duality of change and curiosity: **Is there anything which does not change at all? Even one thing?*** If one remains amazed by this simple question, contemplation, discernment and attention can lead to the acknowledgement of the presence of something Unchanging. Let us investigate this unchanging a little more deeply. Since it is unchanging, its shape, size, colour or limits cannot be ascertained. It is unbound. Unchanging cannot be divided, if it could then it would mean that it changed. It is unchanging so it is not decaying too. Hence, it will not finish or die hence it can be inferred it did not start or take birth too.It cannot be located, yet its presence cannot simply be denied. it is there in happiness or sadness as unattached friend -Changing states does not matter to it. It is unfazed and unperturbed by any situation. Peaceful as There is no reaction or process in unchanging. The more one tries to grasp it, the more elusive it seems. Nothing can be removed from it, because nothing can be held there in the first place. Nothing can be added either. Whatever could be added belongs to the changing that would appear as a black dot on an otherwise unblemished beauty. one could not find anything like this, it is so unique- Pure. Indivisible. Unbound. Unperturbed. Unattached. Unique Elusive, yet ever present.* So even after saying so many things. realization - Nothing could be said conclusively about it because it is unchanging. attribute less and featureless. Hence true and effective contemplation or realization leads to silence. Compassion. Unchanging and Changing. they complement each other. It is this unwavering unchanging that enlightens the changing. If it is not for unchanging, changing will not be perceived. The changing appears to be happening in the background of unchanging. There is no gap. Unchanging witnessing the changing. It is empty presence that appears to be moving, evolving changing in countless varieties of experiences. It is the Unfolding that is conscious. Whatever appears it changes. Whatever changes appear. Changing is mere reflection of unchanging- So much so that changing appears Unchanging and unchanging appears changing. There is no TWO. This is fundamental knowledge. .......................................................................................................................................... This unchanging aspect is known as Ātman, Śhiva, Puruṣa, Draṣṭā, experiencer, Seer, Sākṣī, etc., depending on the traditions and language. Yet there's something else which seems to be Unchanging. Let's explore and investigate what it could be. As obvious from the scene in beauty of a sunrise and the chaos of the traffic that the experiences and its associated sensations, feelings, emotions, desires, they keep changing. So, all these things cannot be unchanging. For a while there can be impression that there is change which exists and is permanent . even change does not exist because If it changes in future then it means it is changing right now. It doesn't matter how big or permanent change seems to be it is still ephemeral and speck of dust. Natural calamities are polite reminder of that. This body-mind structure also seems to be changing but it is very intriguing too.For the sake of argument assume this situation. You get injured in an accident and fractured your limb but you have a lot of abrasions and scratches, which pain more than open wound. What is the first assurance you get .it could have been worse. At least you are safe and you also assure yourself, Yes- I survived. It does not matter how grim situation is, I Remain intact. it separates itself out yet ironically I is common thread which weaves the magic of continuity through all the experiences. The body keep changing but I remain . contents of the mind keep changing I remain. Flow of experiences keep changing, I remain. Predicate keep changing, I remain intact. Objects keep changing; subject is Unchanging . Subject is one . (1) It has already been established earlier that unchanging is unique. Hence, I is Unchanging. I is Experiencer. I is Seer. Remembrance of This simple knowledge loosens the veils of identifications and has power to destroy your suffering. Peace. ............................................................................. **Credit **: Tarun Pradhan Guruji , & Guru Ji Maharaj Dedicated to **Sage Dattatreya**,whose boundless openness to learning from anything has been a guiding light on my Journey. For any errors, feedback and suggestions on this article or past articles and for suggestions of topics for the next articles Please mail chaitanya.seeker@gmail.com *. Following word does not have a equivalent word in English language: अविचल -unperturbed, असंग -unattached अद्वितीय- Unique. 1. Observe the following sentences carfeully I am trembling. I feel a tingling sensation. I am boy. I am girl. I am healthy. I am injured. I am in pain. I am happy. I am sad. I love. I hate. I am Docotor. I am a failure. I am a father. I need water. I want to be actor. I want to build a home. The predicates keep changing; I remain intact.Subject is one ..............................................