Universality Is Not An Idea, It Is Reality

I feel that this passage illuminates a subtle distinction between two different ways of knowing: on the one hand, we may know intellectually and speak about the concept of "universal oneness," and on the other hand, we can experience the reality of Universal Oneness as a state of being. In the second, we experience and live the truth; in the first, we are living in an illusion while thinking—and maybe talking about—the idea of "universal oneness." Sathguru Vasudev points out how different the two states are: that we may think and talk about oneness, while not living the reality of Oneness. And that's damaging. Metaphorically, it's like two kids trapped in the attic, playing a video game together. In the world of their video game, they escape the attic and explore the rest of the house. But if someone in their family tries to tell them that they are stuck in the attic, they insist that they have already escaped, and are roaming through the house freely. They are looking at the house only in their imagination—the video game. But meanwhile, they are rotting away, starving in the attic. The reality of the house *as it really is* is less likely to be experienced by them, because they feel they have already escaped. And everything they tell people about is not from a place of actually knowing the house, but only imagining the house. So not only will they likely hinder their own awareness of Union, but they may give others a false understanding and hinder other's awareness as well. I know myself how inflated my ego becomes when I think I understand something of a spiritual nature, and talk about it as if I know. But it only causes problems for myself and others. I become a pretender, a mountebank, charlatan, and ultimately, a hypocrite. But as Sadhguru Vasudev concludes, any idea or thought kills the experience of Reality, which is beyond ideas or thoughts. I think he is urging us to slay and bury ALL of our thoughts—particularly our "spiritual" ideas (spiritual illusions)—if we long for a true understanding through yoga. This passage is profound and so helpful four our times—particularly in the United States. Thank you for sharing it with us.

This article represents to me two forms of reality, individual and universal. Individual reality is understood intellectually. It is like  an ego identity. It has space and time boundaries. It is defined by what I have, what I do, and by my age,race, gender, nationality and religiosity.Individual identities are like bubbles in the process of creation. If I limit myself and bound myself by this version of who I am, I may create and contribute to harmful and immature actions created by my individual identity. Is an individual reality is really a reality or a delusion? According to Sadhguru, it is an idea, not a reality. I perceive individual reality as as relative reality and not an ultimate reality.

Universal reality is our true nature. It is not bound by time and space and by boundaries created by our ideas of reality. Yoga means union. Yoga as Sadhguru states is that union "that which brings you to reality." Yoga helps us move towards an experiential universal reality, union with Oneself . Such experiential knowing is universal, non-dualistic where one knows the ultimate nature of existence.

When I relate to others from my heart, I feel the existence and presence of universal reality. In Hindu spiritual tradition we call this Yoga Bhakti Yoga- the Yoga of Devotion. My mother was the embodiment of Bhakti Yoga. She did not talk about it. She lived it. And though she is physically not  with me, I still feel her presence. In deep meditative state I experience such universality. It is called Dhyana Yoga-Yoga of Meditation. I experience such non-dualistic existence when I serve others from my heart. It is called Seva  or Karma Yoga. There are many paths of Yoga. The challenge for me is to stay the course.

May I remain awakened and alert to walk on the path of Yoga!

Namaste.!
Jagdish P Dave