Ajata Vada and Drishti-Srishti (Vivat) Vada

Key Concepts Introduced

1. Ajata Vada

   • Suggests that nothing exists or even seems to exist.
   • No object stands out independently from the background of being.
   • Denies even the appearance of existence.

2. Drishti-Srishti (Vivat) Vada

   • Acknowledges that nothing ultimately exists.
   • However, it admits that the world appears to exist.
   • This is typically the level at which most teachings occur.

Explanation and Philosophy

• From the highest point of view (Ajata Vada), nothing exists, and nothing appears to exist.
• This contradicts our everyday experience, where appearances seem real.
• The challenge is reconciling this higher viewpoint with our finite, localized experiences.
• The teachings at the highest level we know (Vivat Vada) acknowledge the appearance of a world because it is our undeniable experience.

Meditation Insights

• Non-Manifestation
  • In deep meditation, the awareness of being can involve experiencing a state where nothing manifests or appears.
• Finite vs. Infinite Perspective
  • From the infinite's point of view, it cannot know objects in a subject-object relationship because both must be limited.
  • The infinite cannot become finite, so it cannot experience appearances.
  • Our finite minds, however, definitely experience the world.
• Teachings
  • Highest teachings recognize the appearance of the world because it aligns with our experience.
  • There's an understanding that above this level (Ajata) is a realm of pure being, which is typically not taught because it exceeds our regular experience.

Practical Implications

• Awareness of Being
  • Shifting awareness to the state of pure being disconnects us from the apparent world and aligns with the Ajata principle.
  • This experience is characterized by peace and lack of phenomena.

Philosophical Beauty

• Infinite possibilities are open because the fundamental reality is empty.
• This emptiness allows for any belief or appearance to manifest.
• Unpleasant experiences (evil) arise because viewed from finite, limited perspectives, individuals can act unlovingly.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Society is currently dominated by the presumption of separation.
• Future understanding might recognize this as a Dark Age, limited by the ignorance of separation.
• Higher teachings and individual realizations might eventually lead to a society founded on the understanding of non-separation.