Pure Existence

Sage Vasishtha

However difficult it may be to reach this state, Rama, strive for it and cross this ocean of sorrow.

This desire for experience arises as a thought in consciousness and by the repetition of this thought, it gains strength. Thus having brought about the illusory creation within itself, consciousness leads itself to its own liberation. Whatever it conceives of, that materializes. Thus having bound itself, having subjected to sorrow in due course of time it attains to liberation, because its nature is infinite consciousness. What is seen as the universe is nothing but pure consciousness, O Rama.

Pure existence alone is the seed for this infinite consciousness. They are inseparable like the sun and his rays. However, this pure existence has two aspects: one, diversity, and second, unity.That which is described as 'this' and 'that', 'I' and 'you' is known as diversity. When this diversity is abandoned and there is pure existence, it is regarded as unity. When diversity is abandoned and unity prevails, there is also non-experience: and hence unity is not a thing nor an object of experience. This unity is therefore eternal and imperishable.

Hence, O Rama, abandon all forms of division - division in terms of time or of parts or of substance - and rest in pure existence. These divisions are conducive to the arising of concepts. They are non-different from the pure consciousness; what is more, they are not facts as such. Contemplation of division does not lead to purity of vision.

Pure existence alone without any division in it is the seed for all these that we have discussed thus far: and there is no seed for this pure existence. It is the cause of everything and it is itself uncaused. In it are all these reflected. All the diverse experiences are experienced in this pure existence, even as diverse tastes are tasted by the one tongue. An infinite number of universes are born. exist and dissolve in it; and they come into mutual relationship in it.

That pure existence is heaviness in all heavy things; that is lightness in all that is light. That is grossness and that alone is subtlety. It is first among the first, last among the last. It is the light of the luminous and the darkness of the dark. It is substantiality of all substances and it is the space, too. It is nothing and it is everything; it is and it is not. It is seen and it is unseen. That I am and that I am not.

O Rama, therefore, by every means in your power, strive to get established in that supreme state and then do what is appropriate. They who reach that state, which is pure and undecaying and which is the truth of one's own self, attain to supreme peace. By reaching it, you will forever be freed from the fear of this worldly existence.