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The Origins and Nature of
Space and Time |
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Space and Time: The Universe
Space, Time, and the
Universe
The universe is held by the two planes of
Space and Time.
Space and Time: Extension, Movement
Space, Time, Extension, Movements Statements
Being is the Truth and Spirit of the Reality that exists before the universe and supports its existence. It is also called the Pure Existent or Sat in the East.
Space is the extension and objectification of Being/Spirit. Time is that extension in movement.
Space is the self-extension of Being/Existence in the form of constant or persistent movements that give the appearance of stable forms, in contrast to Time, which is the same self-extension of Being/Existence in the form of changing movements.
Being/Existence moves in two ways, as stable pattern of movement (space) and changing pattern of movement (time). The stable pattern appears as the backdrop for that which is changing.
Space is the self-extension of the Being/Spirit to hold its forms and objects.
Time is the Being/Spirit looking at its own movement.
Space is Being looking at itself in status. Time is Being looking at itself in movement.
Space is created at the point where a form is able, from its own unique vantage point, to perceive other forces and forms. Space then is perceived as a sense of extension from one form's perspective to another's. Time is created at the point where a form perceives one form, then another one, etc. in sequence, which generates the sense of movement in extension. The perception of movement in the extension of space is what we call time.
Time is a field of circumstances and forces meeting and working out a resultant progression whose course it measures. (Paraphrase of Sri Aurobindo)
Space and Time: Spiritual Origins
The Being is
Beyond Space & Time
The Being [pure existent,
spirit] is beyond Time and Space.
Source of Space & Time
The source of Space and Time are Being/Spirit; the
infinite, timeless, spaceless Divine Reality.
Space, Time, and the
Being
Space and time are different expressions of the Being [the
Spirit, the pure Existent (Sat)].
Space and Time of Force, Not Being
Both space and time exist in force, not Being. [I.e. it is lacking in the pure Spirit, Being.]
Spirit Creates Time and Space
Spirit created subjective Time and
objective space. Further, the
plane of Time splits into Time and Timelessness.
The
Original Status of Time; the Truth of Space
The original status of Time is
the eternity of the Eternal. The fundamental truth of Space is the infinity of
the Infinite.
Space and Time: Spirit, Subject, Object
The Being is
Beyond Subject-Object
The Being is beyond
subjective-objective relationship.
Space and Time
Space is
Brahman self-extended for the holding together of forms and objects. Time is
Brahman self-extended for the deployment of the movement of self-power, carrying
forms and objects.
Undifferentiated to Differentiated
Existence & Birth of Space and Time
When
undifferentiated existence became differentiated as formations
of cosmic Real Ideas of peace, oneness, knowledge, power,
love, delight, etc., where in each a subject experienced the
object, e.g. a knower knowing the known, or lover loving the
beloved, space and time were born.
Objectivity, Subjectivity of Space and Time
Space is the objective extension of consciousness while Time is the subjective extension.
Origins of Spirit, Truth, Time, Space
If the self-conscious Being splits itself into Spirit and Truth
subjectively, the spirit by a similar process creates subjective
Time and objective space. Further, the plane of Time splits into
Time and Timelessness.
Spiritual Origins of Time and Space
Space is created when the spirit looks at itself. Time is created when
the spirit look at its movements.
Reason for Space and Time
Space and Time are created as a result of the One (the Divine/the Absolute) separating itself so that it can as object experience itself as object.
Space and Time: How They Came To Be
How Their PRINCIPLE Came To Be
Origins of Principle of Space and Ti
meThe principle of time emerges when Being [Existence] extends itself subjectively to become Consciousness-Force. The principle of space emerges when Being extends itself objectively to become an object to its own Self-Conscious experience.
How They ACTUALLY Came To Be
How the One Became the Many; and Space and Time Emerged
[The following is based on the Theory of Creation presented by Sri Aurobindo in 'The Life Divine' and elsewhere, and further expanded on by Sri Karmayogi.]
From time immemorial, individuals have asked themselves how this
world came to be, and
what was the process
that enabled it to
happen. Here is one
perspective:
To begin with, there was/is an infinite, divine Source of all
things; a timeless,
spaceless, immutable,
ineffable Being. We can
think of it as the
"One," since there were
not yet distinct forces
and forms in a manifest
universe. I.e. there was
not yet a “Many.” Due to
some inner compulsion,
the One extended Itself
to become the Many,
which is in essence the
distinct, unique forces
and forms that will
become the basis of
Creation.
How then did the Many emerge from the One; i.e. the Creation from
the Creator?
In the Source/Infinite consciousness are Real Ideas, which are
possibilities It seeks
to render as living
realities; i.e. cosmic
determinants that the
Spirit seeks to make
real in creation. Among
them are spiritual
aspects or qualities,
including Oneness,
Knowledge, Creativity,
Beauty, Love, and
Delight. There are also
variations, combination,
and subsets of these
that the Divine seeks in
its extension from the
One to then Many.
Then how were/are the Real Ideas made real in the cosmos as unique
forces and forms?
The Truth Consciousness, which Sri Aurobindo calls "Supermind"
rendered through its own
Comprehending capacity
images of those Real Ideas. Or to put it another way,
Comprehending
Supermind imagined and
envisioned distinct
forces and forms that
would embody these
cosmic ideas and
determinants.
At this point however, these imaginations have not been rendered
real; as they are only a
conception of separate
formations. (We can
compare this to the
writer who has
established characters,
values and meaning, and
plot in his mind, but
has not yet committed
them to paper.) However,
through Supermind’s
Apprehending
capacity these
envisioned formations
are rendered real as
distinct entries in an
emerging cosmos. I.e.
Oneness, Knowledge,
Creativity, Beauty,
Love, Delight, et
al become distinct
forces and forms at the
unseen universal plane.
How then did these imagined forms become real?
To become separate, distinct objects, Apprehending Supermind divided each of the previously envisioned attributes of Knowledge, Oneness, Creativity, Love, Delight, etc. and their infinite variations into triplicities in the form of subject - subject/object experience - object. E.g. the distinct possibility of the spiritual aspect of "Knowledge" is rendered into Knower – Knowing – Known. E.g., as a knowing being one knows that which is known. (Or to put it in words of our own experience. I as knower am knowing what is known.) Similarly, there is the triplicity of the lover (the subject) loving (experience) the beloved (object). And so forth for the myriad of cosmic determinates/spiritual qualities of the Infinite Divine. In essence, the One reality has now divided itself in various ways so that each subject can experience itself as
object, thereby becoming the Many.
It should be noted that
at this point there is no physical universe. Before that can come
about, there needs to be
a foundation for it's
occurrence; which is in
essence what we
know of as space and
time. Though the
Infinite Source is
beyond space and time --
it is spaceless and
timeless -- a potential
universe requires these
as underpinning. How does
that happen?
When the triplicities of the cosmic determinates are established
through Supermind's
comprehending action,
which is, in essence,
how the spiritual
aspects/determinants are
made real as distinct
forces and forms, space
and time are created.
But why does this happen? To answer that we need to know more about the
nature of space and
time.
Sri Aurobindo and Sri Karmayogi tell us that space is created at the point where a form is able, from its own unique vantage point, to perceive other forces and forms. Space then is perceived as a sense of extension from one form's perspective to another's.
Then there is time, which can be thought of as an outgrowth of space. Time is created at the point where a form perceives one form, then another one, etc. in sequence, which generates the sense of movement in extension. The perception of movement in the extension of space is what we call time.
With the triplicities of subject – functioning – object occurring though the comprehending action of the Truth Consciousness, distinct forces and forms take shape. Though these are initially at the idea of force, power and knowledge, they eventually begin to take on properties of substance through the creation and dispersion of an essential Energy. As forms take on properties of substance, they more readily perceive other forms, creating the sense of extension which is space, as well as the sense of movement within the extension, which is time.
In essence, this is the process by which the One extends Itself and is rendered into the Many. The process begins with the rendering of Real Ideas/Cosmic Determinants of the Source Being into forces and forms as triplicities of subject, experience, object, through the comprehending and apprehending action of Truth Consciousness. This becomes the basis of space and time, as well as the further involution of the cosmos that will culminate in the material-based universe that we live in.
Apprehending
Supermind Creates Triplicities of Cosmic Determinants; Space
and Time are Born
Sachchidananda gives rise to eight fundamental determinants.
In Supermind, these eight determinants each give rise to three
aspects or expressions of itself – subjective, objective and
the experience or interaction between the two. In the
Comprehending Supermind the object of knowledge and subject of
knowledge are the same, but the apprehending Supermind creates
time and space by splitting it into three so the One as
subject can experience itself as object. We have said that
Knowledge is the reflection of Chit. In Apprehending
Supermind, Knowledge splits into three aspects -- the knower,
the object of knowledge, and the act of knowing. Similarly,
Will becomes the subject that wills, the object of the will
and the act of willing. Beauty becomes the perceiver of
beauty, the object of beauty, and the experience of beauty,
and so on. (MSS)
Origins
of Space and Time
The
apprehending action of Supermind enables space and time.
Space and Time: Energy
Continuum of Space and Time
Space and time
are continuum of energy and substance.
Space and Time: and Matter
Perceptions of Space, Time, Matter, etc.
-
Matter and space are one; of the same energy. Matter is energy in motion, space is that energy at rest.
-
Mind sees spiritual substance as material substance through the senses, and mental substance through pure mind.
-
(Perception of) The part is only a product if mind's tendency to divide. The being, even the physical being is one.
-
There is no inner and outer when we move to the very highest consciousness.
Time and Space: In Everyday Life
General
Spirit Overcomes the
Need for Time to Organize Life
Time is used by mind
to organize life for one's own self, and for our relation with others
and the environment. Spirit overcomes the need for time to organize our
existence; as it creates no time, or rather
timelessness in the becomings of time.
Space and Time
are Relative to Consciousness of Viewer
(Perceptions of) Space and time are relative to the level of
the consciousness of the viewer.
Clock Time
Clock time is the means by which Man has enabled Mind to perceive
movements within Space.
Overcoming
Overcoming Space
Capacity to wait for the world to come to one without trying to reach it is a
capacity to overcome space. (MSS)
See Entries on the Nature of Space and Time for the Spiritual Individual
Space and Time: Other
Space
Space is the coexistence of things or of souls. (MSS)
Time, Variation, & Delight
Space and Time was created to create infinite variation of forms for infinite possibility of delight.
The Division of Time
Time that is continuous has been divided into past, present and future.
Who has divided it? Why has it been divided? It is mind that has divided
it as mind is the only instrument that can divide. Time is so divided
because of the involution of knowledge into Ignorance. (MSS)
MSS Article on the Nature of Space and Time
The Nature of Time for the Spiritual Individual
To Be Parsed
On Space
Space is the self-extension of the Being/Spirit
to hold its forms and objects.
Space is the self-extension of Being/Existence in the form of constant or persistent movements that give the appearance of stable forms.
The principle of space emerges when Being extends itself objectively to become an object to its own Self-Conscious experience.
Matter is energy in motion, space is that energy at rest.
Space is the Being/Spirit [Existence] looking at itself in essence and principle.
On Time
Time is the Being/Spirit looking at its own movement.
Time is Brahman self-extended for the deployment of the movement of self-power
carrying forms and objects.
Time is the self-extension of Being/Existence in the form of changing movements.
Time is a subjective extension of consciousness.
Time is the self-extension of the Being/Spirit to deploy the power to hold forms and objects.
Space-Being; Time-Consciousness
Space represents Being; Time, consciousness.
Thoughts on the Nature
of Time
Time emerged from timelessness; from the timeless Infinite Divine.
Time is thus a form of timelessness.
Timelessness is thus imbedded, hidden in time; involved there.
When we evolve, timelessness comes out of time.
For example, through higher consciousness we evoke sudden good fortune, overcoming time.
Gradually the timelessness embedded in time rises to the surface through our evolution of consciousness.
We can also experience timelessness when we go within, such as when we meditate.
If we touch the deepest depths, our evolving soul and true selves within, we experience not only timelessness inside, but it consistently outside.
Space is extension. Time is movement in extension. Timelessness is instant movement in extension. Also, there extension disappears, as distance is overcome. It is timelessness in spacelessness.
Timelessness in time and spacelessness in space is experienced through meditation and soul within, and on the outside as life response.
The destiny of humanity is to experience all of these things as one thing.
Time and Timelessness
Movement in Time is a moveless point
in Timelessness.
Time is the objective of the Timeless
that is subjective. Together they are the whole of Brahman the Spirit.
Origins of
Space and Time
TO BE CATEGORIZED
Timelessness, Time
How Time is Born
Time is born when
undifferentiated consciousness splits
into subject and object.
Benefit of Bringing
the Timeless into Time that Uplifts
Space
Originally there was
the Timeless. Then came the contrast
where Time began. Now our Secret Goal is
to bring the Timelessness into the Time
oriented details and moments of our
lives, thereby ennobling, uplifting, and
enjoying the experience of Space.
(Constant
Consecration -- i.e. opening to the
spiritual Force that is increasingly in
the atmosphere -- is the easiest and
most direct way to make this happen.)
Further Comment:
One day about 15 years ago I was driving
through the California Central Valley,
perhaps the most fertile, productive
farmland in the world. Since the drive
was in an endless straight line, with
mountains in the distance, I decided to
"space out" a bit. As I headed west
toward the coast in a long-straightaway,
I suddenly experienced timelessness. Not
my own personal timelessness, but that
Time had disappeared for everyone, for
life on earth forever. It was as if I
were in some future period when time had
disappeared as a reality in the world
for all sentient life.
I mentioned this
powerful experience to Karmayogi, who
thought it was wonderful. In addition,
he made the point that I had made a key
distinction in my experience. He
reminded me that I had indicated that
Time had disappeared for myself,
society, and the world, but Space had
not. He told me that this was an
important distinction.
Experience of
Eternal Now
Power of the Eternal
Now Through Consecrated Effort
When you consecrate
an act, past, present and future are
altered. E.g. a negative thing that
appeared to happen in the past is made
to have never happened, or if it did,
its negative effect is negated. It can
also bring a benefit that would
ordinarily happen in the distant future
into the here and now. This indicates
that True Time is undivided into past,
present, and future, but rather there is
only one continuous arc of time that you
can access in the Eternal Now.
Consecration, i.e. opening to the
spiritual Force, the supramental power
evokes that Triple Time Power for that
which was focused on. It is to evoke
Timelessness into the Ever-Present.
Earlier
Origins of, Moving
Beyond Time
In the Indian tradition, time is born when there was a split into
subject and object. Before that, there is timelessness, which is
the ongoing status of the Infinite Divine.
When we move beyond that split in consciousness, we recapture that
timelessness.
Moving within to the soul makes this possible. At that point, we
overcome space-time, enabling instantaneous miraculousness -- i.e.
sudden good fortune, in acts and events. It occurs similarly when
we open to the spiritual Force.
Timelessness and Spacelessness from Various Planes
As you move into the other realms of existence, time
and space are very different from that which we experience in the
physical universe. They tend to evaporate. Even in the material
world we observe, we can know timelessness and spacelessness in
the time and space we dwell in. E.g., when we discover our
evolving soul within, our mind expands into the spiritual
dimensions, where we experience life in instantaneousness and
timelessness. Opening to the Divine Mother’s Force also enables
such instantaneous miraculousness.
The Present Can Affect
the Past
Several
years ago, a group of French scientists published an experiment
indicating that what they did in the present could retroactively
change events that already occurred in the past. It was another
indicator of the true nature of time; that the past, present and
future are not three divided aspects, as mind perceives it, but
are one continuum of existence. Therefore, from any point in time,
any other point can be affected.
Untitled
In the third dimension of time, there is instantaneous
miraculousness. (paraphrase of Karmayogi)
(already copied)
The Potential Future that is Gone
The future is past relative to a present that
has gone by. I.e. the future is subjective to the moment, and when
the moment of perceiving it passes, so does that potential future.
Human Mind Can’t
Conceive Spacelessness & Timelessness of Universe; and the Reality
The human mind cannot conceive of the fact that the universe goes
on forever infinitely in terms of space; and has no beginning, and
has always existed and always will, in terms of time. That
incomprehension of the mind is also there when it comes to
perceiving the nature of the Reality that exceeds the universe,
and yet includes it.
