It is mentioned that Swami Dayananda said that the “world of microcosm is more wonderous than macrocosm”. Spend time to contemplate on that.
My wonder and amazement continues to grow at this amazing Ishvara’s creation, in which the “universal intelligence” permeates and manifests in the minutest of organic “life forms” that have NO “MINDs” but display a sense of “presence, learning and adaptation”!! It is a wonder of interdependence of life forms worth contemplating on.
Microbes, often invisible to the naked eye, are remarkable living beings that play crucial roles in the balance of ecosystems. These tiny organisms, which include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa (protists) and virsuses, thrive in almost every habitat on Earth—from the depths of the oceans to the human body. Despite their small size, microbes are incredibly diverse and adaptable, capable of surviving extreme conditions like high temperatures, acidity, and pressure. While some microbes are responsible for diseases, the vast majority are beneficial.
They are vital for processes such as decomposing organic matter, cycling nutrients , and even producing oxygen (50% of our needs!). In the human body, microbes contribute to digestion, immunity, and overall health. Their ability to interact with and transform their environment makes microbes fundamental to life as we know it.
All living beings have DNA code. However, Viruses which can have either DNA or RNA codes are not accepted as Living, because they need a Host cell to execute their functions of metabolism and duplication.
Humans have studied and applied Microbes in many ways (and more to come). They are used in food production, such as fermentation of yogurt, cheese, and bread. In biotechnology, microbes are employed to produce pharmaceuticals (e.g penicillin, DNA analysis), biofuels, and other valuable compounds. Furthermore, they are utilized in environmental remediation to clean up pollution and in the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies for human diseases (e.g. targeting cancer cells).
If curious and amazed, see this document for more info.
However, due to AVIDYA (not knowing about the “Self” ). The Veiling (“Awarna”) power of Maya leading to deluded Projections (“Vikshepa”) power that lead to insecurity and entrapment in the world of Names and Forms.
Then the Body and Mind’s presence and activity become major obstacles to spiritual growth. Assumptions such as:
- I am the physical BODY, My strength, my health etc taken as Me.
- IMAGE of a “personality” in the mind.
- “Role” assumed, Father, Boss, Master (all changing),
- holding onto Name and Fame
- capability of Memory, Intellect (scholarships) etc
- “Becoming” something is wasted energy
- not “happy” with some aspect, or “bored” and so wanting to “change”
- invokes minds activity in new process and subsequent bodily actions and commitments
- keeps one “busy” in side-ways activities, not making progress
- scholarship in history of spirituality, or sanskrit is wrong direction
- Karma and Bhakti (in triangular format) assume relegation to be a limited being
- “Contradicting” behavior, makes feel guilty, sad etc, and waste more energy and will power
- Wanting to become spiritual but still engaged in hobbies, and clubs and not progressing
- Habitual / Mechanical behavior in thinking and acting based on learned Impressions (Vasana) just because “reacting” is easier than “acting” with attention. This leads to likely inappropriate actions leading more consequences (more karma).
- Indifference – Treating Spirituality as just another task. e.g. Vedanta club.
- Not appropriate Value – Relegating spiritual learning as background, and in the future at old age.
Humans have been blessed with a “powerful” mind capable of many specialized tasks for interactions and transactions. AND also, to just be “silent” and “reflect” like a clean mirror, the “Light of Awareness” within. This is key to spiritual development and Discovery of the Self. This quality of the human mind distinguishes itself from all other life forms known in creation.
For the purpose of Transactions and Samsara the mind functions are very essential and all can be fine tuned to facilitate better transactions.
a) Memory capacity and quickness – short and long term memory of “names and forms”
b) Intellect helps learn accumulated knowledge of fact, figures, events that have occurred in the past. it also helps in discernment/Viveka between facts.
c) Emotions substantiates “knowledge” with “feelings” to helps deeper “experiencing” of knowledge and events.
d) Observation and Recollections helps analyze the repeated/habitual actions of the body and thoughts in the mind for “improvement” of interactions and relationships.
e) Commitment and Goal pursuing keeps focus and passion towards improvement.
f) Confidence in Self worth (image) to remain confident in easy and difficult situations.
All the above (and more) skills developed positively can help in ‘Samsara/interactions of worldly transactions”.
However, on the spiritual journey of Self-discovery (and Human minds have the unique property), to WITNESS oneself that, I am NOT the MIND (and I AM not the BODY), I AM (beyond the Body-Mind), a spiritual being as the center/ ground, embodied in a body-mind complex. For that understanding, many of ” transactional capabilities” of mind become a hinderance as well as stumbling blocks or even total obstacles that some cannot get over!
For spiritual progress we need to discover and abide in, I AM –
- I am the Witness (Sakshi) to the functioning of my body and mind
- Beyond SPACE (Body space, makes one limited in space). I exist (sat) is all that is needed
- Beyond TIME Any Minds activity (thoughts) creates a sense of movement in TIME. I am Light of Awareness (Chit)
- Beyond opposites (Happy/unhappy) I am Fullness (diminished Raga/Dwesha), Completeness, Fearless. In synch with Thoughts, actions, and speech.
- I am Alert, in the present moment unaffected by any Habitual behavior (Vasana, or past Karma)
- I am FREE always. Nothing/no one can stop me.
- Expression of life as LOVE and Compassion. See the spiritual beings in all things, and interact at that level primarily
- Silent Mind, Abiding in the Self, in the Light of Awareness and PEACE
The means/sadhana to discover the above Truth requires the Mind to have the following steps as described in the Sadhana Chatustaya
- Viveka – Clarity of the mind to discern between Atma (non-changing) from Anatma (changing substances e.g. body, mind, nature)
- Vairagya – Dispassion towards the changing material world to focus on the unchanging
- Sad Sampat – Developing the 6 fold mental qualities of Shama (tranquility), Dhama (sense control), Uparati (withdrawal of outer), Titiksha (forbearance, endurance), Shradda (firm faith), Samadhana (concentration)
- Mumukshutvam (strong longing for liberation).