Page 318 - Complete Works of Dr. KCV Volume 1
P. 318

 Cosmic Consciousness
The goal of man's consciousness or knowledge seems to be the consciousness of the entire universe.
Philosophy usually aims at this knowledge (vijnana); whether it be through the process of science, or through the process of Yoga or inner physic awakening. That the poets seem to have such moments of universal consciousness seems to be conceded. One embraces all the world, and seems even to feel that he knows the universe. It is not, however, any part of the universe that he discerns, but the whole itself. Individual or particular knowledge of any object is transcended, and the particular itself is seized as mirroring the whole universe. These experiences of the cosmic consciousness have also been narrated by many saints.
The knowledge of events happening far from where one is, and of events to happen hereafter, seem also to fall into this category. It is said to be even non-mediated by the sense organs, which could only see and hear and sense particular objects before them.
Cosmic consciousness has sometimes been said to be similar to some of the experiences of the Upanisadic seers :
1. It appears like a flash of lightning.
2. It is the perception of the atman in all, and of all in the atman; and it is that which has become all these( sarvabhutam sarvamidam)
3. It is that from which all have come into being, by which all are sustained, and into which all merge at dissolution.
4. It is a liberating experience.
One enters into the cosmic field. It is held that this universe is something that one can know when one passes beyond the individual mind, the senses and even the ego centred in the body for its knowledge. The cosmic consciousness is thus held to be consciousness without the ego-centredness

























































































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