To grasp the essence of Brahman, one must turn to analogies, as the intellect alone struggles to comprehend such profound ideas. The analogy of space serves as a powerful tool to illustrate the essence of Brahman and consciousness.
Let’s take an example of a living room.
Step 1 — Limitation and Identity of Object
It is a living room because of (a) walls and a roof that limits that as a room and (b) its contents. If the contents are changed, like replacing the sofas with a dining table, it will become a dining room. Likewise, one is a person XYZ because of the limitation of the body and its contents in the form of personality, characteristics, behaviour, values, emotions, feelings etc. So, everyone is different from the other because of body limitations and contents. The limited has an identity.
Step 2 — The Fundamental Presence of Space and Consciousness
But there’s something very fundamental in the living room. That is space. Space is not a tangible object, yet without it, the room cannot exist. Likewise, within myself there is consciousness, without which I would not exist. I do not need any proof of my existence. I exist; I am sure of. How am I sure of my existence? Is that because I have a body, mind and a name? Yes, I perceive my body and mind in my waking state but when I sleep and dream, I have no body perception. In my dream state, I only perceive my mind. But I am sure that I exist in my dream state too. And in my deep sleep, I neither perceive my body or mind but there is no doubt that I exist then too. In my deep sleep state, I am aware of the absence of things. This awareness, or consciousness, is comparable to space — ever-present, regardless of content.
Step 3 — No existence without Space and Consciousness
A natural question arises: is the space in the room or the room in space? The answer is obvious — the room exists in space. The entire creation and all things exist in space. Similarly, the body and mind exist in consciousness; therefore, one’s true nature is consciousness itself.
Step 4 — Oneness
Is the space in the living room different from the space in the dining room or any other house anywhere on this planet? No, there is only one space in which all objects of this universe and all universes exist. Similarly, there is only one consciousness in which all objects and entire creation exist. How do we experience this? Take the state of deep sleep. In deep sleep, there’s no difference between a sinner and a saint. The differences are there only in the dreaming and waking states. In deep sleep, it is the same consciousness that illumines the blissful state of sleep for all beings. Thus, there is only one consciousness, without a second.
Step 5 — Limitlessness
Does space have any boundaries? It is everywhere and infinite. Pure consciousness shares this same limitless nature.
Step 6 — Free from Contamination
Is space contaminated by its contents? It accommodates everything, be it filth or fragrance. It is totally unaffected by its contents. There could be a crime committed or a pious act done. Neither is influenced by the space. Similar is the consciousness. It is not contaminated by the contents — the person, body, appearance, mind, emotions, feelings, thoughts, perceptions etc. It just “Is”.
Step 7 — Self-Grounded Nature
Space does not require any external foundation for its existence; it is self-grounded. Consciousness, too, is self-revealed / self-established and needs no other support.
Step 8 — A Name for Unobjectifiable
When you look out and say it’s Sky, you are not pointing out at anything. It is the same space which is limitless and infinite. You just give that a name called Sky, to recognize what cannot be objectified. Likewise, the limitless & infinite consciousness has been given a name called “Brahman” which means vastness just to identify that which cannot be objectified.
“Tat Tvam Asi” — That Thou Art!!
