Swami Protoplasm Teachings

A few teachings of Swami Protoplasm.

Everyone is made up of cells and protoplasm. It is unavoidable truth that we all share the same family – that of a protoplasm. Through the discovery of protoplasm, scientists are corroborating the Vedantic principle that there is one Atman in all beings – the same that is in you is also in the weakest and strongest of human beings, animals, reptiles and birds. I do not see myself as separate from any of these.

Everything around us is protoplasm. What protoplasm is to science, Brahman is to Rishis. Consciousness is beyond definition. The wonderstruck rishis after intense Tapasya saw before them a vast source of creation that was endless, most compassionate and immensely blissful – that was the only Truth.

They exclaimed – that which pervades the entire unbroken form of the circle of creation, moving and unmoving to that beautiful and benevolent Guru through whom that state was revealed to me – salutations. 

Explanation:

Everything around us is protoplasm. What protoplasm ... immensely blissful – that was the only Truth.

This passage draws a profound analogy between scientific understanding and spiritual insight. Let's break it down:

Protoplasm in Science: Protoplasm refers to the living substance within cells, consisting of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other organic molecules. It is the basic material of all living organisms, the substance from which life arises and functions.

Brahman in Hindu Philosophy: In Hindu philosophy, Brahman is the ultimate reality or the supreme cosmic spirit, the underlying essence of the universe. It is often described as infinite, eternal, and beyond comprehension. Brahman is considered the source and sustainer of all creation, transcending the limitations of time, space, and causality.

Rishis and Tapasya: Rishis are seers or sages in Hindu tradition who attain spiritual knowledge through deep meditation and austerity, known as tapasya. Through intense tapasya, they seek to transcend the limitations of the mind and experience the ultimate truth or reality.

Consciousness Beyond Definition: Consciousness, in the context of spirituality, is understood as the fundamental awareness or sentience that underlies all existence. It is considered beyond the grasp of conceptualization or definition, as it is the very essence of our being and the source of all experience.

The Truth Revealed: The passage suggests that through their rigorous spiritual practices, the rishis were able to glimpse beyond the veil of illusion and perceive the ultimate reality, which they described as a vast source of creation, boundless compassion, and profound bliss. This ultimate truth, referred to as Brahman, transcends the limitations of the material world and offers a deeper understanding of existence.

In essence, the passage emphasizes the parallels between scientific inquiry into the material world and spiritual exploration of the ultimate reality. Both seek to understand the fundamental nature of existence, albeit through different methodologies and perspectives.