Abide In Chid Akash

Ananta Akash is full of anand — bliss. How does one experience this bliss? Is it experienced through the mind? Is the mind a function of universal consciousness , or does it emerge from the interaction of material synapses in the individual brain? Nature of the mind is to move upward into chid akash , which is both within and without, permeating all of existence and beyond. Spiritualists are concerned with space that lies beyond. Our existence is like an inverted tree with roots in space and earth. We need to sever roots on earth with dispassion to abide in ananta chid akash, infinite space of consciousness.

If we call ourselves spiritual yet worry about politics, international relations, and doomscroll environmental degradation and extinct species before bed, we are still grappling with problems of this planet. Spiritualists turn their gaze upward and outward. The mind is not bound by physical gravity, unlike the apple that fell on Newton’s head; the mind’s nature is to move upward. Perhaps there is a hidden law of motion that Newton has yet to discover. Newton’s observation of the fallen apple resulted in the theory of gravity. A spiritualist’s observation of the mind moving upwards, overcoming mental gravity through negative thoughts, pertains to her union with infinite consciousness.

In chapter 15, the Bhagwad Gita says that the Pipala tree is imperishable, with its roots in the primeval Being and its stem represented by Brahma, creator. Fed by the three gunas and having sense objects as its tender leaves, branches of the tree extend downward and upward, and its roots, which bind soul according to its actions in the human body, are spread in all regions, higher and lower. This tree of creation has neither beginning nor end, nor stability. Therefore, the Gita says, “Cut down this Pipala tree, which is most firmly rooted, with the formidable axe of dispassion.” The upside-down tree is a metaphor for the material world emanating from divinity and spreading out in physical space. Its roots are in chid akash, and its branches and leaves spread out on the physical plane, which can be perceived by senses. Our roots are in space and on earth, too. If we cut down roots on earth, our roots remain only in space. They are in infinity, as space is infinite.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says that the inverted tree is symbolic of our origin in Divinity, consciousness. “The mind and all its paraphernalia are like branches. All different types of rhythms in life and emotions are like leaves. They don’t stay permanently; they wither away. So, if you focus on leaves and forget to water roots, the tree will not remain,” he adds. Sri Sri explains that we need to prune the tree, otherwise, it grows haphazardly. “So, prune all that, and know that your origin is somewhere up. This world is a transit lounge. Don’t mistake it for your home,” he elaborates. In the ephemeral world — a transit lounge for souls on a spiritual journey — it is essential to prune leaves and branches, an allegory for being watchful of negativity entering our mindscape. In psychology, this is referred to as mental gravity, which pulls the mind downward. At the same time, we must cut the roots on earth to strengthen our connection with universal consciousness. Only through this refined mindscape can we nurture our roots in infinity, forever abiding in chid akash. Spirituality begins when our concerns rise above this planet — beyond mundane existence, politics, economics, and commerce of everyday life.

Authored by: Sonal Srivastava