1.3.1 general topics on brahmacakra

1.3.2 microvita and brahmackara

3.1 microvita

Oct. 5, 1995

This chi will not manifest except when there is life force. It need not be within a particular physical structure, but it will not exist apart from life force. You see, this chi is living energy. It is vibrant with life. It comes into existence at the critical point between the extroversial phase of evolution and the introversial phase.

Now, this chi is the result of the condensation of matter to the point where it must break free of the constrictions on it. At that point, life and life force are produced, which was described as chi by the ancient Chinese philosophers. Now, when it breaks loose, it associates itself with atomic structures which are capable of carrying life energy. When it is formed into a living being, it is transmuted into mind and as the being develops and mind expands, this life force grows and grows in magnitude in the form of mind. But this life force, this chi if you call it that, will exist outside of physical structures also, but it is from this life force that living beings come into existence. This energy is different from the energy produced in the extroversial phase of evolution which produces physical energy from which you will get electricity, atomic fusion, you will get so many physical forces. But the life force energy produced at the initial phase of introversial evolution is of a different sort. It is by nature sentient. It is less bound, it is more vibrant, it is vibrant with life, it is alive.

This energy is produced when the matter becomes so condensed that consciousness cannot be restricted to such a degree. When this over condensation of matter occurs, there is a release of life force, a release of energy which causes the development of life force. Now this energy may be produced under certain circumstances. For example, in the core of a planet this life force energy will be produced due to the condensation of matter. And when it is produced, it becomes available for the development of life upon that planet. So this chi does exist outside of the physical structure but it is still a part of the introversial phase of evolution. It is produced from matter. It is a part and parcel of the introversial phase that is evolution which has reached its utmost point of crudification and now is returning towards consciousness. This chi is the medium for the introversial phase of evolution because, in the introversial phase of evolution, chi is released from the material substance and it becomes mind. It is transmuted into mind and from mind it again returns to consciousness.

I have said there are three layers of chi. There is that which is physical, it remains on the physical sphere and in fact with the proper instruments, it can be detected. There is also psycho-physcial and in this realm it is not sufficiently physical to be detected by physical instruments but it becomes the media for ideas and in this media mind is developed and the formation of ideas occur. So ideas travel on this chi. I would call this microvita, but ancient philosophers of Chinese origin call this chi.

Now, there is a third grade of chi, this is the psycho-spiritual and in this grade the chi becomes subtle. It is neither life force nor is it mind. It is not physical but psycho-spiritual. It becomes a very pure, sentient energy which carries the wavelength of consciousness. It is the media upon which very subtle spiritual phenomenon arise. It is the medium in which the Cosmic Entity forms ideas. From this chi, the introversial development of conscious beings towards the Cosmic Nucleus can be facilitated. So never think that Parama Parus'a, or the Supreme Entity, is without media, for this is His media for expression and intervention in the arena of manifest expression.

So you see, this chi has many dimensions when it expresses in the physical body. Then it becomes psycho-physical and this is what is most commonly referred to as chi. In this context, I am using a larger definition because of your experience, but what you are experiencing is microvita or life force. It is very real and you have directly touched it, directly experienced its existence with your intuitional knowledge. You come to know it, define it and understand it. For real understanding may only come through direct experience.

Purusottama is the Cosmic Nucleus. The very center of this manifest universe. He is Purus'a; Purus'a means consciousness in the position of nucleus. So when consciousness is formed or conceived as the nucleus of the manifest universe, it is called Purusottama, the central point from which all creation expands. It is the Cosmic Nucleus. But this is a conceptual point referring to a particular stance of the Cosmic Entity. Parama Purus'a, on the other hand, refers to this consciousness in a more generalized aspect. Parama means supreme, paramount. Purus'a, again, is consciousness. So Parama Purus'a is the paramount stance of consciousness. Purusottama is that Parama Purus'a of the nucleus, they are one and the same. But for conceptual purposes, Parama Purus'a is a more generalized term.

Now, Purus'a, pure undifferentiated consciousness, is not bound by the three gunas. It remains ever unbound, undifferentiated, undivided, pure, beyond the scope of time, beyond the taint of any limitation. What is it? What it is must be known by direct experience to understand. Purus'a is not definable in any language. The only faculty which a human being has which can define or recognize Purus'a, is cognition. You cannot recognize Him, you cannot experience Him with the mind for His experience lies beyond the scope of mind. He is the container, the vessel for mind. Mind lies within Him. All expression lies within Him. He is unexpressed. You cannot define Purus'a by any boundaries. There is nothing outside of Him so you cannot say, "I have known what Purus'a is because I have defined what He is not." Everything lies within Him and yet He is untouched, pure, self resplendent, self known. If you want to understand Him, you will have to hone your knowledge, your intellect, your feelings, your entire being to a pinnacle point in which the mind becomes the launching pad for cognition, or awareness. Become self aware. In this self awareness, come to know the One who is the knower of your own existence. Who is the knower? Who is the one that knows "I exist?" Who is the one who may experience mere existence, not even "I" but existence itself? It is cognition which may experience your own existence, and in the heart of that experience, you will come to experience Parama Purus'a and then you will have the answer to this question. He cannot be known by the intellect as mind cannot contain what He is. So, for purposes of reference, we use words that are only approximate.

You see, this manifest universe is neither linear nor is it progressive. For purposes of philosophical discussion due to the context of human thinking, it is described in a linear fashion, but this description is evasive. It is said in the philosophy that Purusottama, or pure undifferentiated consciousness, lies like the central point of an equilateral triangle in the very hub of existence, in the unmanifest state. The three gunas, which are the qualifying principles, operative principles, which will form the operation of the manifest universe and are known as Prakriti, form a kind of equilateral triangle around this hub. That is, they are in complete equipoise. So this is a philosophical statement and it is said in the philosophy that when the first generation of waves has come forward out of the apex of the triangle, the first wave distortion begins in the pure field of consciousness. In the undifferentiated, undefined consciousness, the first wave appears and as it crudifies, the gunas begin the process of manifestation. Now, this is what is said in the philosophy but it is a bit misleading. For you see, Purusottama, this timeless and unbound existence, is never bound, is never defined, is never confined and never altered. What occurs can be described in another way also. Let us say that within the unbound, timeless, formless, limitless array of unmanifest existence, there is ever the potentiality of manifestation, there is ever the potentiality of any and all existence. For it is the wellspring of all potentialities and all potentialities exist simultaneously and multi-dimensionally, sustained within the very nature of that which is unformed. Formation from potentiality is not linear. It has always been, it will be, for eons, the same. There was never a time when it did does not exist. For in the very potentiality, the reality already exists. In the very potentiality it has already occurred. In the very potentiality it has grown, expressed, dissolved and come again. Do you understand? It is not so linear. All expression has ever been, always will be and has never existed at all. Your separation from Parama Purus'a is a complete illusion.

The five fundamental factors are those elements which are formed through the combination of the three gunas to formulate the manifest universe. At first, there is the development of mind. Mind is very subtle but as the extroversial flow and expression continue from the cosmic nucleus, mind becomes crudified as the static principle gains more and more dominance. Cosmic Mind becomes mutated into the etherial factor. So mind is there, Cosmic Mind, and it has several stages of development as it becomes more and more expressed. Then it becomes mutated into etherial factor due to the change in the wavelength produced by the continuing development of rajasic and tamasic factors. So as these operative principles continue to exert greater and greater influence and the sentient principle begins to exert less and less influence, first there is the etherial factor. Then with further crudification comes the aerial factor and as the static principle begins to take more influence and the rajasic principle begins to become more dominant there is the luminous factor.

Now then, after this, there is the emotive or liquid factor and as the tamasic or static principle gains further domination and becomes the dominant factor then the solid factor is formed. So you see in the extroversial phase of evolution, the five fundamental factors are formed as the configuration of the gunas alter. At the outward most extroversial development, one has the material universe and all of these factors are coming into play and the solid factor is fully manifest. Then the material universe exists in full. But life will not exist, chi will not manifest until, in the outermost play, the solid factor becomes so dominant and the Tamasguna becomes so dominant upon the consciousness that it is mutated to such an extroverted state that it cannot condense any further without undergoing a certain type of abnormal reaction. Then consciousness escapes this binding of the static principle and there is the formation of the life force. But in the extroversial phase of evolution, it is the play of these five fundamental factors and when one is released into another, that interim period when one is released, you will get energy in the physical stratum, physical energy; atomic energy, electrical energy, all of these physically based energies. They are not the same as chi. They are based upon the alteration of the dominance of the gunas within the five fundamental factors. They are not life force so though energy may play among the factors, still they are the components of the material universe.

Q. Could the three gunas be restated for greater clarity and are they meant to be descriptions of independent forces or descriptions of temporary states of energy flow?

The three gunas are not forms of energy. They are operative principles. They are patterning devices if you will. They are the structural components of the operative universe. There are certain operative principles by which manifest expression takes its forms. They are the architects of expression. So when the manifest universe is formed, there are certain operative principles which come into play and without the play of these dynamic principles, there will be no manifestation. First of all there is the play of opposites; light and dark, in and out, good and evil, male and female, expressive and receptive, the play of opposites. All of these are merely expressions or examples of the application of this operative principle, yin and yang, and the expression of the operative principle. So this is one important operative function.

Another important operative function is the play of three gunas, the three operative forces which, in various combinations, form the substantive aspects of the manifest universe. The play of polar opposites forms the energetic play of the manifest universe. The play of the three gunas forms the substantive play of the operative universe. So they are not forms of energy, they are patterns. They are patterns upon which creation is played out. They are fundamental patterns, or mappings for manifestation. They are not energy nor are they matter. They are formed of inherent tendencies. They are the very nature of Prakriti or the operative principles. They are her natural tendencies so they do not exist in energy, they exist in inherent tendency or patterning. You know if the little duck is born to the mother duck, it will follow the mother. Why does it follow? Is it energy that makes it follow? Is it matter that makes it follow? No, no, it is patterning. It is inherent in its nature to do so. It will swim in the water, why does it do? Because of patterning. It is born with this tendency. So in a like manner, this universe has a certain patterning and these operative principles are the patterns upon which the web of creation is formed. If the spider is to make a web it will form it in a certain way, it will create a certain pattern. Why does it create that pattern and not another pattern? It is it's nature to do so. It is the way the spider weaves so this is the way Prakriti weaves. So these are structural patterns for the operation of expressed consciousness and for the modulation of consciousness or cognition into the appearance of an expressed material universe. Do you understand?

Sattvaguna is that operative principle which embodies all the sentient qualities. It is dominated by a longer wavelength. You see, these operative principles are the forces which modulate wavelength so where they operate is in the realm of wavelengths, they modulate wavelengths. So where they operate is in the realm of waves, they modulate wavelengths. So sattvaguna modulates to the longest wavelengths. If one says that pure cognition of Parama Purus'a is a straight line, then it is an unmodulated wavelength. When sattvaguna is dominant, the modulation is very long and low so that there is the most proximity to the unmodulated wavelength of Parama Purus'a.

When rajasguna takes over, the wavelength becomes very short and erratic. It becomes very fast paced. When tamasguna takes over, the wavelengths become even shorter. So in sattvaguna that which is sentient, that which is very subtle may be expressed. With rajasguna, that which is active, which is dynamic will take precedence. And in Tamasguna, that which is fixed, which is immobile will be in dominance so matter is dominated by Tamasguna or static principle. The luminous factor, fire, light is dominated by Rajasguna, the mutative principle. The etherial factor is dominated by sattvaguna, sentient principle and chi, in the form of life force energy, is also dominated by sattvaguna because it holds sentience. It holds life, does is not? So sattvaguna has a higher density of consciousness. It is more diffuse, it has a longer wavelength. Tamasguna, consciousness, is condensed. But in that condensation there is a kind of shutting down of consciousness, it becomes transformed into matter. It becomes very unaware of itself so there is the least self awareness, the least consciousness in that which is dominated by tamasguna because the consciousness is condensed. If you take etherial factor, the atoms are very spread apart, the wavelengths are very long and then you make it more and more dense until it is a material substance what happens? The atoms get very close together. There are more and more atoms, wavelengths have become much shorter and the level of self awareness has gone out of it so it becomes a static element, fixed.

So within the five fundamental factors, these three gunas, these three operative functions are ever in a kind of battle with each other, one taking more and more dominance, and then another, and then another. They are in a dynamic flow together and in this flow the energy patterns and the types of expression, that is the five fundamental factors, and the created universe are formed. When they operate upon the life force, there is a reversal of the process. Until that time as there is further and further crudification, the static principle takes greater and greater dominance. But at that critical juncture the sentient principle comes into play in a dynamic way and breaks free from the dominance of the static principle, is liberated, and life force comes to exist. Then again this life force, still influenced by tamas and rajas, begins to become more and more subtle and mutate once again into mind stuff. But at this point, it is the mind stuff of the unit mind, the kind of miniature replica of the Cosmic Mind.

So the chi, or life force energy develops the existence of the unit mind. And these little minds are the little replicas of their divine progenitor and slowly, slowly they grow and become more and more complex until at the human stage, they have all of the components, all of the layers of the mind that are inherited from their parent, the Cosmic Mind, in which they have taken their existence. But what have they formed out of? They have formed out of this chi, out of the subtle energy which has been transmuted into mind stuff and is the media of ideas. You see, then it becomes still more subtle with more and more dominance of the sentient principle. The rajasic principle becomes very much less and the static principle is losing ground altogether and at this stage, the mind stuff which has been developed, will mutate again under the influence of the sentient principle into consciousness. So goes the cycle of creation and I believe this question has been answered.

You know, if a person would learn about a subject what should they do? They should become scientists. That is to say, they must directly approach the subject in the laboratory of their own mind. For many books may be read, so much advice may be had so many theories may be put forth and that is good and well, all this research can be done to gain an understanding of these theories. But in reality, the understanding must go far beyond theory and be practical. It must, in the final analysis, become your practical experience, otherwise it has no value at all. It must be a practical experience. So if you want to make it a practical experience, you must do practices which will enable you to directly experience this phenomenon, these things within the laboratory of your own mind and then you may share what knowledge you are gaining with others. You may share it in the healing works that you do and in the words that you write. You may do great service in human society in this way, for each and every one of us is connected. The whole universe is one interwoven flow. None is apart, none is separate and the good work that you do is an aid to everyone. So, what can you do? You ask yourself. I think you know the answer.

Now I would add one other point in this discourse. Parama Purus'a, or the Supreme cognitive function, cannot be defined or bound by words. One may try to extrapolate a description and in fact there may be some success in this. But in truth, He cannot be known with words alone for words lie in the dimension of conceptual distinctions. It is the realm of ideas. But human hearts cannot be satisfied by ideas alone. The human heart requires more. For the human heart requires the depths of connectedness, of love which is the greatest attraction to Parama Purus'a. This entity is not merely a dry intellectual conceptualization. This entity is the very pinnacle of experience of the human heart.

To know the Supreme, the best way, the quickest way is to follow the path of love for it is in love that the inherent nature of Parma Purus'a is most easily grasped. Every human being, every living being has within them a deep and sincere longing. Deep, deep in the heart of every human being there is a longing and aching of the soul. And in that longing, the human being cries out aching, longing, and what does the human being long for? The human being longs to be united again, whole again, one with that Supreme Progenitor from whom they have taken their origin. The tiny replica of the Great, inherent in the fundamental nature of every human being, is the desire for this unity. It lies in the very core of your human existence. Deny it as you may, try to satisfy it with so many adventures, so many delightful experiences, but you cannot. For it is a deep, deep longing and it will pull you. It will pull you closer and closer to divinity. For in the core of your humanity lies your divinity and this divinity is calling to you, calling to you, calling you "Come home, come home." And what is this home you are being called towards? It is the pure undifferentiated consciousness, undefined, indescribable. But there is one human experience which gives rise to some understanding and that is the unity which is experienced in pure love. So open your hearts, open your minds and allow the grace of the Divine to flow into you and to take you home again.