THE ZERO THAT MATTERS

[amandeep]

THE philosophers and scientists are in tremendous search for knowing
the basis and origin of Matter. Can Matter create itself by its own
power? Even the acceptance of this basic question shall lead to the
conclusion that Matter must have existed in invisible no-matter state,
for when we see something newly emergent it is understood that it was
not seen previously and existed in a formless state. Then also in the
process of deifying matter as the self-creator, we read into matter
some intrinsic and spiritual meaning as if something non-material that
was latent in matter, created it.
All Matter is the "Manifestation", which is adorned with the qualities
of form, motion, density, etc. etc. Logically, a thing with these
qualities is the display of an effect, or rather is an Effect in
itself. In a way, all matter is the manifested effect. Whatever is a
series of effects of an ordered Manifestation, cannot exist in itself.
By its very nature, it cannot be self-caused, for it is relative and
not absolute. Matter is just an ordered effect of a single cause. If
the existence of Matter has a sense of the "Material" about it, the
existence of the cause has the subtle characteristic of consciousness
and mind. Matter has motion, form and density, whereas the cause of it
is divested of all form, density and motion.
In another way, the relative cannot be the cause of the relative. Only
the absolute can produce the relative. A thing which is bound by laws,
cannot exist without the laws. 2 might be in immediate relation to 1,
but in the ultimate sense, it is in relation to 0. Like this, all
matter may be inter-related, but in the ultimate analysis, it is in
relation to something non-material and formless which exists and has
Cosmic Entity.
If Matter and Energy are interchangeable, then which came first?
Logically, there must be something third which produced both. Verily,
that third force must be different from matter and energy and should
be formless and unchangeable, for whatever moves or has form, belongs
to the sphere of Matter and Energy. It is the Formless, non-material
substance that has the faculty to manifest the varying forms. Matter
in all its varying forms is delusive and possesses no definite form.
Only the unchangeable Formless, with the definitely eternal form of
"non-form" is beyond all delusion. By virtue of its definite form it
can create all indefinite forms. Matter does not fulfil this
condition. Only the Formless substance has this capability of causing
the phenomena.
State of Nothingness
In Mathematics, all the digits have relative values. 9 has value
because 8 precedes it; 7 has value because 6 precedes it; likewise, 2
has value in relation to 1, but 1 has value in relation to 0. Now 0
has no relation to a digit. It is 0 in relation to itself. 0 is
absolute and beyond positive or negative value. The value of the digit
is ultimately latent in 0. If the Theory of Relativity applies to
digits, the theory of absoluteness applies to 0. It is self-existing,
independent entity. It is in itself non-active, but when used in
relation to digits, it can increase their value to infinity.
Now this 0 signifies a state of nothingness. It is fundamental and
possesses negative capability by virtue of which it can become
"Everything" and yet in itself remains "Nothing", for whatever is
"Something" cannot be "Everything". Anything that limits itself to
some qualities, shall not be able to assume all qualities. To
illustrate this let the example of a writer be taken. If he is to
write a prefect drama in which each individual character posseses
living vitality and life-like individuality of his own, then the
writer shall have to efface all his personality and become essence of
life itself. He should be completely unbiased, unprejudiced and beyond
all values, good or bad. He should favour none and hate none. His
should be unmanifested life which manifests with equal fervour and
fulness in all characters, whether heroes or villains, males or
females, kings or the underlings. Now such an author has no dogmatic
personality, no particularised quality and yet creates personalities
in his characters. He identifies himself wholly with all, and yet is
detached from all: you cannot say which particular character
represents the viewpoint of the author fully.
Indeed, the personality of the author is the material out of which
personalities of other characters are made. He is the raw stuff of
life itself which gives birth to countless cults on the scale of
relative values, yet remaining entirely detached from his creatures.
He does not fully lose his essence in the process of creation, for
creation is his art and not dissolution of his primeval self.
As in the case of the author, likewise zero (0) is immanent in all
digits and leads them to infinity and yet retains its individual
personality of Nothingness. Verily, like this there is a substance in
the universe which is formless in itself and yet has manifested itself
in all forms (Matter). In another way, the word "Form" is suggestive
of some manifestation, some effect which leaves it understood that
there is something already present which is formless or unmanifested.
When we say "1" (one), it is understood that there is "0" already. Our
very speech in day-to-day life is suggestive of relativity of objects
as when we say "Goodness", it automatically means that "Badness" is
also there. Where goodness is, evil must be, for both are relative.
Similarly, the concept of Matter and its forms in itself proves the
prior existence of Non-material and Formless substance.
Formless is Present
Logically, Formless has precedence over Forms and Matter as 'O' has
precedence over 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on to ¥. So, this Formless substance
is at the core of all Forms, and is universally present. Though all
Matter is disjoined, this Formless indivisible substance is present in
every pore of it. If Matter is endowed with the qualities of Motion,
Density and Form, then this Formless has no motion and density. It is
rather the place itself which is occupied by all matter. Thus when we
recognise Goodness and, at the same time, its counterpart Evil, and
all colours are recognised only in relation to colourlessness, then we
must accept "Formlessness" and "Nothingness" in relation to all
material forms. As scientific people, we shall have to recognise that
as yet unrecognised, the prior and primeval existence of the Formless.
Failure on this point shall be tantamount to deliberate omission of
something that stands logically and even scientifically proved.
The digits symbolise matter, and 0 represents the Formless substance.
St. Augustine compares this substance with a circle (which is also
like zero), whose centre is everywhere, but whose circumference is
nowhere. All forms are the grossening of this Formless substance. It
is so subtle that it has lost all form, and is yet all-pervasive. Its
existence is full and eternal. The things when they are subtlised
become more powerful. The subtler a thing, the greater its powers. An
atom is capable of destroying a mountain. So much so that in the case
of the Formless it has lost its self, and yet it exists. That is why
it is the most powerful basic substance of the universe. It is perfect
and full in itself. Matter is just its expression (Lila or Sport). It
is not that it dissolves itself to create Matter. Dissolution is not
creation. Creation is just a game, an art of the Formless Artist.
Self-Created
As for its creation, It did itself. For, who can create the Formless?
Only the Formless can create the Formless. 'It was full in the
beginning, full in the middle, and full in the end.' It was never born
and so shall never die. You take the Formless out of the Formless, yet
the Formless remains.
Is not: 0-0=0;
or 0+0=0;
whereas 1-1=0
and 1+1=2?
In case of Zero (Formless) the result remains the same, whereas in
case of digits (Matter) the results differ. "Nothingness" minus
"Nothingness" is "Nothingness". This Formless is unchangeable,
eternal, full, and proof to all effects.
This Formless substance is not dead, as some might think. It Lives and
is Consciousness in itself. It is akin to our Consciousness. This
Consciousness in our body is formless, and is a portion of this
universal Formless substance. As when a drop of water merge in the
ocean for it is a portion of it, likewise our tiny consciousness shall
merge in this cosmic substance when it recognises its universal
presence. This is fully practicable and not an abstraction. To see the
Formless and get identified with it is to transcend all material
manifestations, is to cross the limits of Time and become established
in the Eternal Essence of the Universe where no duality (goodness or
badness, hell or paradise) exists, where sheer unconditioned Absolute
Existence exists with its fulfilled nature.
The Formless was never born and shall never die and so its eulogisers
and votaries, too, shall cross the duality of life and death. This is
not El Dorado but everyone can reach this state of mind within a
second on this earth within this life, and even while discharging all
social obligations. The spiritual law is that this Formless has to be
seen from a Perfect Teacher. Whosoever realises it practically,
attains to fuller and abiding spiritual ecstasy and prosperity for all
times to come.