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The Hindu idea that all of reality is divine and is comprised of one great whole, called “Brahman” lines up strikingly well with scientific findings that all matter is made from the same “stuff.” I find this belief exciting and challenging and wonder what its implications are for my own religious worldview, as well as our modern western secular society.
Of course this belief is logical. While a Hindu would say that all of reality is made of spiritual energy, and a scientist would say it is made up of the same physical matter, it’s not clear to me how those two views really differ other than semantically. Saying everything is spiritual to me suggests holiness. While the secularist may not believe in any sort of divinity, I think she would understand a non-religious definition of holiness as “something that is very, very, very, very, very, very, very special or important.” It seems to me that Hinduism and science are saying the same thing, and they are simply speaking from different orientations.
I find this belief incredibly appealing. Everything is something. Everything is made of the same something, otherwise, what is it? This corresponds well to the book of Genesis, where the creation is accomplished by separating the light from the darkness, the water from the dry ground, etc, not by creating from nothing, but by separating and organizing from the great divine storehouse of matter.
Literally believing that all things are connected by virtue of their ultimate source leads one to want to live in balance with all things. If acted upon, it destroys the separating ideals of power, materialism, and selfishness, and encourages living at peace with all things. This is an idea that everyone, religious or not, should get behind, since it’s true.
The great thing about this idea in Hinduism and science is that it gives us actual insight into our existence. Obviously, the conclusion of the atheist and the Hindu will differ as to some of the particulars, but there is great good that comes from believing and acting on this idea. Number one being the fact that all things are connected on a fundamental level, which I think ought to give everyone pause, because if everything is one on a material level, then what is stopping everything being one on the level of consciousness?
The first step in overcoming the seeming world of opposites is to see that many things that appear as opposites are not opposites, only the illusion of opposing forces. Does the day hate the night? Day and night only appear to us to exist as opposites, when in reality, the sun stands still as the earth moves and when the part of the earth one is standing on faces away from the sun, it is night for you. In my mind, accepting this idea would lead one to transcend things like political parties, us vs. them, and other dividing philosophies.
Accepting that everything is materially one, can lead us to the idea that a form of balance in our personal, familiar, and societal lives is actually possible.
Many problems and dilemmas that face our Western society would be helped by adopting this idea in some form. One example is the extreme selfishness exhibited by many in the West. If we believe we have common cause with those who suffer around us, perhaps we won’t buy that fast food meal, and instead donate the money to help the sufferer. If we perceive that we are all in this together, perhaps our orientation will shift from inward looking to outward looking and we can seek to build up others, rather than pursue the exhausting venture of focusing on one’s self at all times.
Neil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist, has said “We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us. Many people feel small because they're small and the universe is big, but I feel big.” If we truly spring from Brahman (whether a Hindu formulation or in the secular sense as Dr. Tyson explains), then our potential as individuals and as a species is unlimited, since we emanate from Brahman (or the universe). Above all other beings, humans have the potential to understand themselves and the universe consciously. One of the great promises of Hinduism is that Brahman can be known when the illusion of separateness is seen to be an illusion. Once this happens, what is to stop us from emulating Brahman? As Frank Morales wrote,
Brahman does not arbitrarily will the coming into being of the non-Brahman metaphysical principles of matter and jivas (individuated consciousness), but rather they are manifest into being as a natural result of the overflowing of Brahman's grandeur, beauty, bliss and love. Brahman cannot but create abundant good in a similar manner to how Brahman cannot but exist. Both existence and overflowing abundance are as much necessary properties of Brahman as love and nurturing are necessary qualities of any virtuous and loving mother.
When we believe that we are in the universe, and the universe is in us, our behavior toward others and ourselves will be transformed. We will seek to constantly expand outward, just as the universe (or Brahman) does! “All reality has its source in Brahman. All reality has its grounding sustenance in Brahman. It is in Brahman that all reality has its ultimate repose. Hinduism, specifically, is consciously and exclusively aiming toward this reality termed Brahman.” Thou art that. So let’s act like it.
References
Neil deGrasse Tyson. The Most Astounding Fact About The Universe, As Told By Neil deGrasse Tyson (VIDEO). Huffpost Good News. March 13, 2012. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/most-astounding-fact-universe-neil-degrasse-tyson_n_1339031
Frank Gaetano Morales Brahman of the Vedas. About.com Hinduism https://www.learnreligions.com/brahman-of-the-vedas-1770045
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