Science of Reality: Practicing the Daily Reflections

It is fascinating when you realize that everything is awareness, everything is made out of awareness, that the raw material of the universe is not matter, that the essential stuff of the universe is non-stuff. It is you. Practicing the seven daily reflections/mantras bring you into the awareness that is consciousness.

The Daily Reflections are the seven big ideas that come from knowing you are the consciousness that is conceiving, constructing, governing, and becoming the physical universe. So, this is a journey. And don’t be attached to outcome but be attached to the process because the process is very exciting. It’s the process of self discovery.

Aham Brahmasmi (ah-hum brah-mahs-mee)

I am the universe.

The first mantra is Aham Brahmasmi. Repeat it aloud a few times. Then, silently, with your eyes open, repeat it in your mind, without moving your lips or your tongue.

Aham Brahmasmi is the most fundamental mantra. Aham means “I am.” Brahmasmi is “the universe.” So Aham Brahmasmi literally means: I am the universe. The universe is a manifestation of yourself. Say it to yourself: Aham Brahmasmi, I am the universe. The core of my being is the ultimate reality, the roots and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists.

You are stating a fact, not a construct: I am the universe. The core of my being is the ultimate reality, the root and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists.

Now as a practice, imagine that the whole universe is being played out inside your being. Pause in that thought. Now, once again, imagine that the whole universe is being played out inside your being, your awareness. Whatever comes to your imagination. Stars, galaxies, expanding universe; Bodies, birds, animals, nature. Everything that we call existence is all happening inside you.

Spend a minute imaging the whole universe is being played out inside your being/awareness. Then repeat the mantra mentally, Aham Brahmasmi.

The second activity in this mantra practice is awareness. Imagine that you’re connected to everything that exists. Imagine that you’re connected to everything that exists. I am connected to that tree. If that tree wasn’t breathing, I wouldn’t breathe. If I wasn’t breathing, that tree wouldn’t breathe. You know, you put an animal, a rabbit in a vacuum, you put a plant in the same vacuum, they both live. You put them separately, in a different vacuum, they’ll both die. Everything is interdependent, and interconnected, these are just random examples.

So, think of your connection to all that exists a few times. Imagine what that means. And then mentally repeat Aham Brahmasmi a few times.

The third activity in this mantra practice is imagination. Imagine that you’re like a crystal bead. You reflect the light of all other sentient beings. You also reflect the light of the whole universe. The thread of all these beads is awareness. Each bead reflects a kaleidoscope of experiences that are holographically different representations of consciousness. You are a crystal bead, reflecting the light of all other beads, and the light of the universe. Now repeat, mentally, Aham Brahmasmi.

Here’s a similar metaphor. Imagine that you’re a strand in the cosmic thread connected to all other strands. Move this one strand, the whole web is affected. The web causes the movement of the strand. In physics they say when an electron vibrates, the universe shakes. When you vibrate, the universe shakes.

Finally, imagine that you are eternal, timeless. You can’t actually imagine this, because when you imagine endless time, the question is, “What’s at the end?” “What’s at the beginning?” So you can’t actually imagine it. But experience yourself as a timeless being, and just repeat the same phrase, Aham Brahmasmi. Aham Brahmasmi. Aham Brahmasmi.

Tat Tvam Asi (taht t’vahm ah-see)

I see the other in myself, and myself in others.

Translated from Sanskrit, Tat Tvam Asi means “I am that.” And what is that? It’s awareness. You and I are the same awareness. The “other” is me in a different disguise.

Tat Tvam Asi is one of the most sacred mantras or mantras in the wisdom tradition of the East. I see the other in myself, and myself in others. Tat Tvam Asi. This is not only others as people, or others animals, or others as plants, but it is that which you call the other. Whether it’s a cloud, or a galaxy, or an electron, or a gluon, or a photon, I am that, you are that, that alone is, and that is the mantra.

If you want to go deeper, say Tat Tvam Asi about every object, every person, every entity that you encounter. Tat Tvam Asi. That’s it. But since every mantra has a little bit of imagination attached to it, which helps getting to the source, here are some things you can do with the second mantra.

Imagine that your spirit is not only in you, but in all other beings, and everything that exists. Imagine that your spirit is animating not only this body mind, but all body minds, and then just repeat, Tat Tvam Asi. Imagine that everybody is a reflection of you. Tat Tvam Asi. Imagine that when you look at the universe, you’re looking at a mirror of yourself. Tat Tvam Asi. Imagine that you see what others see.

Now, this is very important. This is true understanding of empathy, what people call empathy, or emotional intelligence, or even spiritual intelligence. If you see somebody behaving in a strange way, imagine what they’re seeing. Their experience of that perception would be different. And then just say to yourself, Tat Tvam Asi.

Imagine that you can feel what others feel. Tat Tvam Asi. Imagine that you are the qualities that you most admire in others, that’s why you like to be around them. Once again, imagine that you are the qualities that you most admire in others. They’re already there and you. Tat Tvam Asi. Imagine that others reflect the qualities you cherish most in yourself. Tat Tvam Asi.

Finally, imagine that you’re a person in a hall of mirrors, where you can see yourself for miles, and every reflection you see is of yourself but appears different. By the way, this was the basis of a song that George Harrison, formerly of the Beatles, wrote, called Sunrise. One of the phrases in the song is, “In the hall of mirrors I can see for miles, and everything there is me in disguise.” Tat Tvam Asi.

Sat Chit Ananda (saht chit ah-nan-dah)

Master your inner dialogue.

The order of words in this third mantra is important. Sat means existence, the truth of existence. Cit means awareness. And Ananda is the bliss that comes from being. [I have a friend in India named Anand. I will never forget his name because when I asked him what it means he told me that, in Hindi, Anand means Joy. I think that is an incredibly beautiful name.]

So, Sat Chi Ananda means: being, awareness, existence. Existence reflects awareness, being. Existence is reflected first as our inner dialogue, our inner mind. That inner dialogue then filters the daily experience of everyday reality, which is sensations, images, feelings, and thoughts.

As the sequence of words unfold, this mantra progresses very, very clearly, taking you from local to nonlocal.

Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you are centered and totally at peace. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you are looking at the world with knowingness and peace, and all is okay in the bigger picture. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that all beings are your equal, all sentient beings. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you’re not affected by flattery or criticism. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you are focused on the journey, and not the destination. The point of arrival is always now. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that in your presence all hostility is overcome by profound peace, because you carry your peace wherever you go. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you are detached from all outcome. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that a deeply profound ocean of calm exists in you, that is not affected by any turbulence. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you are in love with everything and everybody. Imagine that you are intoxicated with love. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that the right answer comes to spontaneously whenever you ask yourself a question, whatever the question is. Sat Chi Ananda. Imagine that you know exactly what to do in every situation. Sat Chi Ananda.

Sankalpa (sahn kal-pah)

Intention weaves the tapestry of the universe.

Sankalpa, usually pronounced Sankalp, is a Sanskrit word that means subtle intention, so subtle that it’s almost not in your conscious awareness. You’re seeding the intention into awareness, and then letting consciousness, in its infinite organizing power, orchestrate it.

Your intentions have infinite organizing power. Sankalpa. Once again, your intentions have infinite organizing power.

Imagine the whole universe is a vast ocean of consciousness, and your intentions shoot out from within your heart, and ripple across the vast ocean of consciousness, and then say the mantra in your mind, Sankalpa. Sankalpa.

Imagine that your intention is orchestrating the infinite activity of the universe, and balancing, regulating the whole ecosystem. The whole ecosystem of existence is organized through intent. Not your personal ego mind’s intent, but the awareness in which your ego mind is an activity. Sankalpa. Sankalpa.

Imagine that your intention can heal those who are not well. Sankalpa. Imagine that your intention can bring joy and laughter to those who are in sorrow. Sankalpa. Imagine that you can bring success to those who are failing. Sankalpa.

Imagine that you can bring strength to those who feel weak and fearful. Sankalpa. Imagine that you can bring hope to those who are feeling helpless. Sankalpa. Imagine that your thoughts affect the natural forces of the universe, that you can bring rain and sunshine, clouds and rainbows.

Clouds and rainbows—everything that we call natural forces—are also in us. They’re the same forces that, when you go to the ground of existence, all of that is being orchestrated by intention. So go beyond your personal identity. Imagine that every thought you have, every word you utter, every deed of yours brings some benefit to the world. Sankalpa.

This moves you from personal consciousness to impersonal awareness.

Moksha (moke-sha)

I am without limitation.

The fifth mantra is Moksha, or just Moksh. It means I’m free. I’m emotionally free, but I’m also free to create whatever I want. It’s also called Kaivalya. But right now, just let’s say we are free from karma, free from the emotional attachment to the interpretation of past experiences.

I am free. I am emotionally free, I am free from any finite manifestation of myself.

Imagine that you are without physical form, a field of awareness everywhere, and at all times. Moksha. Imagine that you have left behind forever any sense of resentment, grievances, or hostility. Moksha. Imagine that you’re free from blaming, free from feeling blame and guilt. Moksha. Imagine that you are never drawn into melodrama or hysteria. Moksha. Imagine that you can choose any emotional feeling you want to experience, like love.

You can experience any emotion you want. Imagine that you can set any goal you want to achieve, and actually achieve it. Moksha. Imagine that you’re free from your habitual compulsions and patterns of behavior, what people call addictions. Moksha, freedom, is the opposite of addiction. Imagine that you are free of addictions. Moksha. Imagine that you never participate in trivial banal gossip. Moksha. Imagine that you’re free to respond at the highest level, no matter what the situation is, or how anyone else behaves. Moksha. Imagine that there are no limitations to what you can manifest. Moksha. Imagine that you can see infinite possibilities at all times. Moksha.

Shiva Shakthi (she-vah shock-tee)

Celebrate the dance of the cosmos.

The sixth mantra is Shiva-Shakti. Shiva is all the archetypes that are considered masculine, or Purisha, the source. And Shakti is the feminine power that takes those possibilities and makes them into actuality. These are usually symbolized in mythical traditions as gods and goddesses, or as angels, or archetypes, but basically they are symbols of the infinite seeking manifestation at the highest level.

So what does Shiva-Shakti mean? The embodiment of all the masculine and feminine forces of the universe. I am the embodiment of all the masculine and feminine forces of the universe. The emerging archetype these days is the feminine, or what we call the divine feminine. If you use Greek mythology, it is Demeter, who is the mother, it is Hera, the archetype of power, it is Aphrodite, sexuality, sensuality, beauty, it is Artemis, connection with nature, it is Persephone, alchemist, healer, it is Hestia, homemaker, and on and on. These are the feminine archetypes that are emerging in our culture. In the East, there are innumerable goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Maa Durga, that all embody certain aspects of the infinite.

Imagine that you are a shape shifter. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you can be both masculine and feminine if you choose. It’s your choice, indeed, energy in the consciousness. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you’re strong, decisive, courageous, articulate and powerful. Shiva-Shakti.

That’s the masculine aspect by the way: strength, decisiveness, courage, articulate, powerful. But then imagine the complement to that, that you’re beautiful, you’re sexual, you’re intuitive, you’re nurturing, you’re affectionate, you’re creative, you are the divine feminine. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you’re as stable as a mountain. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you are as flexible as the wind. Shiva-Shakti.

Imagine that you are an angel with wings. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you are an enlightened being with infinite compassion. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you are a divine being of God, playing in celestial realms, heavens. Shiva-Shakti. They’re all manifestations of the self.

Imagine, once again, that you’re a shape shifter; that you can become any animal, any bird, any insect, any plant, even a rock. Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that all mythical beings reside in you Shiva-Shakti. Imagine that you can become the heroes and the heroines you most admire. Shiva-Shakti.

Ritam (ree-tahm)

Access the conspiracy of improbabilities.

The final mantra is Ritam. The word Ritam comes from a phrase in Sanskrit: Ritam Bhara Pragya. Ritam means the order and the rhythm of the universe, the harmony of the universe. Bhara Pragya that (or he, or she) whose mind is impregnated. The virgin conception. The mind is impregnated with the absolute, with the divine, and the harmony of the divine, the exquisite correlation of the divine.

So, the mantra is Ritam.

I am alert, awake to coincidences, and know that they are messages from the divine. I flow with the cosmic dance. My body is the cosmic dance. There’s a poem that says “Those seen dancing were thought to be mad by those who could not hear the music.”

So there’s a cosmic symphony that is playing itself out in your biology right now, but you can’t hear the music. You have to go deeper.

Imagine that you move in rhythm with the impulses of a conscious universe. Ritam. Imagine that you dance to the rhythm of the universe. You’re dancing to the rhythm of the universe. Ritam. Imagine that your body’s biological rhythms are in perfect order. Ritam. Imagine that your body is a symphony. Ritam. Imagine that you are the harmony of the universe. Ritam. Imagine that every time you seek something, the universe provides clues in the form of coincidence or synchronicities. Ritam. Imagine there’s a connection between what happens in your dreams and what happens in your waking life. Ritam.

Imagine that you’re transforming, and evolving into a higher being. Ritam. Imagine that there’s meaning and purpose to everything that happens, and everything that you do. Ritam. Imagine that you have a contribution to make to the world. Ritam. Imagine that life is full of coincidences. Ritam. Imagine that you notice what others may not notice. Ritam. Imagine that you see the hidden meaning behind every event. Ritam. Imagine that life is full of peak experiences. Ritam. Imagine that you have unique talents that you use to serve and help others. Ritam. Imagine that all your relationships are nurturing and playful. Ritam. Imagine that you delight in play and humor. Ritam.