According
to Buddhism, the whole universe is a single, dynamic web of energy which can
exist in three forms. These three forms of energy that exist in the universe
also exist in the human body.
Energy in
the universe can exist are:
- 1. Free Energy
- 2. Forces
- 3. Matter
Free energy
is pure, undifferentiated energy. Therefore, this form cannot be perceived
directly or indirectly. Free, undifferentiated energy exists in the human body
as consciousness. In Buddhism, consciousness is described as Vinnana.
Forces are
a type of differentiated energy produced by moving matter, which in turn causes
movement of matter. The forces that exist in the universe are:
1.
Electricity
2.
Magnetism
3. Gravity
These
forces do not exist in the material form. (i.e. particles or waves). Their
existence is in the form of an energy field which can be detected indirectly.
By these
forces, the movements that occur in all matter in the universe are
inter-connected.
Though
these forces are studied separately, in reality they exist in union, giving
rise to a unified field which can be called the thought force. This is the
force that moves the whole universe. The moving matter produces thought forces
which in turn cause similar movement in matter.
The thought
force exists in association with the living human body as the subconscious
force of the individual. By this force, the individual is connected to all
human beings and events in the universe.
The
subconscious force determines the future events of the individual. In Buddhism,
the subconscious force is described as Bhavanga.
Matter
Matter is a
manifestation of differentiated energy. This form of energy can be perceived
directly.
In an
individual, matter is represented by the physical body. The fundamental unit of
matter that exists in the universe and in the human body has four inseparable
but interchangeable qualities. They are Solidity, Liquidity, Motion and Heat.
Depending
on the predominant element, the quality of matter may differ.
Example:
- Solidity is predominant in the earth, mountains, bones, liver muscles, kidney etc.
- Liquidity is predominant in water, saliva, gastric secretions etc.
- Motion is predominant in the wind, breathing, blood circulation etc.
- Heat is predominant in fire, the sun, bile etc.
The
material body contains the following six sensory organs, by which the
individual perceives the universe:
1. Eye _
Visual perception
2. Nose _
Olfactory perception
3. Ear _
Sound perception
4. Tongue _
Perception of taste
5. Skin _
Perception of touch
6. Mind _
Perception of thoughts.
Mind is
simply an area in the brain (known as the Limbic system) by which the
individual perceives thoughts that exist outside.
A musician
trains his ears to a particular note. Similarly, the mind can be trained and
developed by concentration.
Consciousness
Consciousness
is awareness. It is pure undifferentiated energy. For the consciousness
(awareness) to manifest, it has to come in contact with one of the six sensory
stimuli.
Eg. eye
consciousness is awareness of vision. Thought consciousness is awareness of
thought.
The cycle
of events during a particular consciousness is analysed in great detail in
Buddhism.
The process
of eye consciousness can be analysed the following way:
- When a visual object comes into contact with the eye, the image is conducted to the brain.
- This image in the brain causes differentiation of free energy (consciousness) to eye consciousness. When an eye consciousness is born, this is the SELF that will perceive the image.
- Then the eye consciousness receives the visual image.
- The self inside the eye consciousness scans through the memory (which is in the brain) and identifies the object.
- According to the identification, a feeling is experienced by the SELF in the eye consciousness. It may be pleasant, unpleasant or neutral.
- Depending on the feeling, a volition is experienced by the SELF in the eye consciousness. During this stage the SELF will gather more energy and also it will divert body energy to act. Then at this stage VOLITION IS ACTION.
- Then the SELF in the eye consciousness will register the event in the memory.
- When the registration is done, the eye consciousness which is the SELF leaves the body. Then it exists in association with the body as a thought force. These accumulated thought forces of the individual will form its subconscious force.
This is the
last event of the cycle. The moment the eye consciousness leaves the body, the
concept of SELF dies off because it cannot exist without a body.
During this
cycle of events, the material body also undergoes changes; i.e. Respiration,
movements of blood in the circulation, movement of food in the stomach etc.
Then at the
end of the cycle there is a different, new body which will replenish its free
energy (consciousness) from the environment and is ready for the next cycle.
This cycle
of events can be called a unit of eye consciousness or a QUANTUM of eye
consciousness. (QUANTUM = a packet). The cycle of events is the same with all
six types of sensory modalities. This is the fundamental unit of LIFE. After
one sensory quantum wanes, another sensory quantum comes up like the waves in
the seashore. Life is a pulsatile interrupted flow of these cycles (sensory
quantums).
The time
duration of one quantum may be about 1/20th of a second (=50 milliseconds).
Then per every one second there is an interrupted flow of about 20 quantums of
life, with each and every quantum there arises a NEW SELF, with new perception,
new volition and a new body lasting only for about 1/20th of a second and dies
off.
Selflessness
In the
analysis of a quantum of life, it is very clear that there is no permanent,
unchangeable self inside the body who can perceive, think and act. Instead
there are different SELVES coming up with each consciousness and passes away
with the same consciousness which lives only for about 1/20th of a second (=50
milliseconds).
When the
next cycle of events are in progress, the self image of the previous cycle of
events (quantum) is still present in the memory. (Because a nerve impulse lasts
for about 50 milliseconds). So the Memory interprets and projects as if there
is a permanent, unchangeable self, who feels and acts.
When an
individual starts living with the memory projection of the illusion of a
permanent, unchangeable self, they become in it. They become actors of this
so-called permanent self which is actually a memory projection. When an
individual becomes an actor of the SELF, he himself cannot watch the drama as
an outsider; i.e. he cannot perceive the impermanence of self.
But if an
individual can come out from the illusion of a permanent self and watch the
drama of life as an outsider, then he could see the flow of quantums (life
packets) which lasts for about 1/20th of a second and dying off.
At that
stage there is no person who observes the process; Only the observation exists.
Then there
will be no person to perceive; Only the perception exists.
There is no
person inside the body to act; Only the action exists.
There is no
person inside the body to think; Only the THINKING exists.
Action and Effect
When a
thought comes in contact with the mind, the consciousness will differentiate
into thought consciousness. The SELF inside this thought consciousness will
identify and fell the thought. Depending on the feeling, there will be
volition, which will manifest immediately as the act (Volition is Action). Then
the particular SELF inside this thought consciousness will register the event
and leaves the body as a thought force and exists in the individual's
subconsciousness. Since the individual is connected to the whole universe by
its subconscious force, the registered event will manifest as REALITY in the
individual's life.
Then, by
repetitive thoughts, the individual CREATES its own social environment. This
social environment in turn will CONDITION all its activities, emotions, thinking
and activities.
Since the
social environment will only CONDITION the individual but will NOT CREATE the
individual, there is no place for absolute predeterminism of future events.
Though the social conditioning is present, there exists a certain element of
free will.
The Buddha
mentioned that by being conscious at the present and by consciously altering
the thought forces, the previously accumulated undesirable thought forces can
be neutralised or abolished before being manifested. It is similar to the
potential energy of a seed. Only when the conditions are favourable, it will grow
up as a plant. If the conditions are not favourable, the seed dies off.
In the same
way, evil deeds will manifest similarly in the individual's life giving rise to
unpleasant feelings as the result of the action. Virtuous deeds will manifest
similarly giving rise to pleasant feelings as a result of the action. Also, the
previously accumulated undesirable thought forces can be altered or neutralised
by doing virtuous deeds at present.
Life after death
At the time
of death, a thought comes up from the individual's subconscious field and it
will be perceived by the mind.
The last
thought may:
- Related to a habit the individual would have practiced during life.
- Related to a strong volitional activity performed by the individual during life.
- Indicate the next birthplace.
This last
thought is perceived by the thought consciousness. At the stage of volition, it
will divert body energy to act and also gather more energy. After this stage
the LAST THOUGHT CONSCIOUSNESS leaves the body with the remaining subconscious
force. This last thought consciousness can exist in the environment as a force.
During this period it consumes some of the subconscious forces which it had
gathered during life. This is also another form of life (life in fine material
world Rupa Loka). Also depending on the development of the mind, of the
individual and according to the last thought consciousness, the subconscious
forces can exist in the form of free energy till the energy in the subconscious
forces wane. This form of life is described as Arupa Loka in Buddhism.
The
disadvantage in this form of life is that it cannot collect NEW thought forces
because of the lack of a physical body. (Since thought forces are produced by
moving MATTER).
After some
time when most of the subconscious forces are consumed by this form of life,
the last consciousness will be attracted to an embryo with a similar potential
energy. (Similar to a radio-signal being attracted by a radio tuned to the
particular FREQUENCY).
Then the
last thought consciousness of the previous life will become the first thought
consciousness of the present life, and the cycle of change proceeds. (Samsara).
So it is
clear that there is no transfer of matter from one life to another life but
only a transfer of energy as thought force. Then again the process of change
begins. In reality there is nothing to change but only the process of change
exists.
Conclusion
Life is
made up of an interrupted flow of life-packets (quantum of life). Each life
packet contains a self which feels and acts and dies off within about 1/20th of
a second. That is, about 20 different `selves,' feelings, acts come up within
about 1 second - with a definite gap between each self.
Since the
critical fusion frequency (the rate at which stimuli can be presented and still
be perceived as separate stimuli) of the human memory is also about 20 per
second, the memory projects and interprets as if there is a permanent self
inside the body which acts and feels. Because of this ignorance of selflessness,
emptiness and unsatisfactoriness, various volitional activities are done by the
individuals. The root of volitional activity may be due to the illusion of a
permanent self, greed or hatred.
When
volitional activities are performed, it will gather more thought forces, which
will again give rise to another new material body. So the life cycle goes on
forever (Samsara).
Due to
ignorance, there will be greed and hatred which will produce more thought
forces and the cycle goes on.
If a person
has completely eradicated the illusion of self, greed and hatred, such an
individual will not accumulate more thought forces. The past collected thought
forces will manifest in present life. Since there will be no further collection
of thought forces to be manifested in a next life, there will not be a
continuation of the process. Such an individual has stopped the process. The
process of change has come to an end.
At this
stage, the person has attained Nirvana. There all the sensory perceptions are
interpreted as selflessness, impermanence, and emptiness by the memory.
Then at
this stage, the person has completely eradicated the illusion of self. Then
there is no person to achieve Nirvana. There exists only the greatest
achievement. The ultimate truth of nothingness. The truth of impermanence.
Post Written By Dr.
Senaka Ranasinghe