Does World Disappear Upon Advaita Vision? – Part 18
In previous part 17, we saw that even though Limitless One is the cause of the universe, it is not involved in the creation, sustenance nor destruction of the world.
No different to how the conscious subject in bed, remains free of whatever happens in the dream world.
If one person out of, suppose 8 billion, dies in the dream, it doesn't affect the conscious subject in bed.
Meaning the entire dream of MANY people and objects, has it's reality in the ONE conscious subject who isn't doing anything for the dream to take place.
At this point, one of the three students curiosity has sparked. So he asks what happens to the “dream world” when knowledge takes place…
Student proceeds, “Just as ignorance disappears with presence of knowledge, does the world vanish once we have fully understood the truth of ‘I' is the One Limitless Existence Consciousness?”
” No, it does not.
If we look at particles, they offer excellent examples.
Every object, every person is a mass of atoms. But we take forms as tangible, something solid and palpable.
While in fact they are nothing more than invisible particles, atomic dust.
Yet despite what science has proved to us, we continue to transact with the universe.
Knowing the facts, we don't begin calling our spouse or parents, “sub-atomic particles”.
Despite having full knowledge that both lines are equal length, we still perceive one shorter.
And despite saying the sun rises and falls, we know it is the earth that rotates and revolves.
The same is true for the world appearances.
We all start out, taking this existence as real, permanent and with substance.
And even after we understand it's level of realness being mithya only — the world will not disappear. It will continue in it's mithya state.
However it will not bind us. We will know it for what it is; a dependent-reality.
The entire world is superimposed; projected by our not-knowing-ness.
Superimposed on what?
The One Limitless Existence All-Pervading Consciousness (satchitananda) — which is the same in essence as the knower, the self. “
How shall I call my Aunt if she becomes Uncle?
The best answer is,
First let her grow moustache and beard.
Does the world vanish once we have fully understood the truth of ‘I’ ?
The best answer is,
First understand the truth of ‘I’ and then see.
Our discussion about the absolute reality, is taking place in the empirical word. We should have some control over our imagination and conclusion. There is no hurry in glorifying the “Destination” before reaching “It”. Consider the following answers.
Sri Ramana Maharshi in Who Am I?
5. Will there not be realization of the Self even while the world is there (taken as real)?
There will not be.
6. Why?
The seer and the object seen are like the rope and the snake. Just as the knowledge of the rope which is the substrate will not arise unless the false knowledge of the illusory serpent goes, so the realization of the Self which is the substrate will not be gained unless the belief that the world is real is removed.
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj: My actual experience is not different. It is my evaluation and attitude that differ. I see the same world as you do, but not the same way.
Acharya Andre
Applying analysis to Advaita Vedanta:
In the same way, Brahman and the world can never be equally real at the same time. As long as the worldview seems real, Brahman can not be real – hence one is not truly liberated, only intellectually.
For an enlightened one (jivamukti), Brahman is real – and the convincing reality of the world, is gone forever.