Science Meets Vedanta
The scientific rigor, logic, and reasoning of the teachings of Vedanta, applied to some key concepts in science, will lead to the realization that they share common ground—in fact, that they are looking at the same Reality. The ancient Indian rishis had already discovered this Reality and expounded their findings in the various Upanishads and scriptures. We can learn much from Vedanta about science. For example, it helps us interpret Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and quantum physics correctly. The interconnection of science with Vedanta can bring about a dramatic change in the way we perceive and understand the universe.
The focus of the podcast is to highlight these changes, which encourage us to question the conventional understanding of the universe. So, be prepared!
Science Meets Vedanta
Mind as a Projector: Step-by-Step Exploration
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In our previous episode, “Universe Is a Projection of Our Mind,” we delved into multiple viewpoints to illustrate that the universe isn’t an independent entity existing “out there.” We offered several insights explaining why the universe we experience is a projection of our minds. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we encourage you to do so.
In this episode, we’ll begin by comparing the mind’s projection to a digital projector, much like the ones used to display movies onto a screen. Afterward, we’ll walk through a step-by-step guide on how the universe is projected outward, drawing parallels to the process of painting on a canvas. The resemblance between the two is striking.
We look forward to hear back from you!
For questions or feedback please email us at
jayant@staminteractive.com
Greetings, and welcome to Science Meets Vedanta—a space devoted to exploring the foundational teachings of Vedanta while revealing the fascinating intersections between modern science and ancient wisdom. My name is Jayant Kapatker, and I am the author of the book Science Meets Vedanta.
Each week, drawing inspiration from my book, we’ll explore a variety of topics designed to enhance your understanding of Vedanta’s core ideas. Together, we’ll also investigate scientific principles and discover how Vedanta’s timeless wisdom can shed new light on them. Join us as we set out on this enlightening journey!
In our previous episode, “Universe Is a Projection of Our Mind,” we delved into multiple viewpoints to illustrate that the universe isn’t an independent entity existing “out there.” We offered several insights explaining why the universe we experience is a projection of our minds. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we encourage you to do so.
In this episode, we’ll begin by comparing the mind’s projection to a digital projector, much like the ones used to display movies onto a screen. Afterward, we’ll walk through a step-by-step guide on how the universe is projected outward, drawing parallels to the process of painting on a canvas. The resemblance between the two is striking.
Comparing the Mind Projector with a Digital Projector.
If you think about it, a digital projector typically consists of two main components: a light source (such as a bulb) and the content that needs to be projected. The mind operates in a comparable manner, with its own internal “light” and the “content” to be projected.
So, how does this projection happen? The process can be understood in two main steps:
1. Pre-projection Activity in the Mind: This is where the mind prepares the material such as perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and memories.
2. Projection by the Mind: The mind then projects this internal content outward, shaping the world we experience much like a projector casts images onto a screen.
1: Pre-Projection Activity in the Mind
Just like the digital projector, the mind projector has the bulb of Awareness and the content to be projected. Let's explore each of these two components in more detail.
A Bulb of Awareness
At the very core of every living being is Self-Awareness. Throughout our discussions, we’ve often likened Self-Awareness to a radiant bulb glowing deep within us, casting only the light of pure Awareness. Self-Awareness remains singular and unified, untouched by any sense of duality. This self-illuminating bulb of Awareness has several innate qualities, one of the most significant being its role as the source of infinite energy. Indeed, Self-Awareness is endowed with limitless energy. For a more detailed exploration, please refer to the earlier episode, “Awareness—Infinite Energy Source.”
The boundless energy present within Self-Awareness is the origin of all energy in the universe. In Self-Awareness, this energy exists in an unmanifested, potential state—it is dormant and inactive, yet it is always there. Soon, we will examine how this latent energy is harnessed in various ways to fuel the projection of the universe we perceive as the world “out there.”
The Content to be Projected
The “bulb” of Awareness serves as the power source that enables the projection of content. But what exactly is the content that gets projected? According to Vedanta, there exist individual minds, and collectively, these individual minds make up what is called the cosmic mind. The cosmic mind supplies the content for projection. To better grasp this concept, consider the analogy of Google Maps: the complete software, or code, for Google Maps resides somewhere in the cloud. This software contains maps for nearly every city and country worldwide. Yet, when we use the app, we only see the map relevant to our current location.
The cosmic map, in this comparison, is similar to Google Maps but vastly more expansive, intricate, intelligent, and adaptive.
1. The cosmic map encompasses the entirety of the universe. It is incredibly detailed, capturing every inch of existence. Nothing is omitted—every tree, every mountain, every planet, and every living being finds a place within it.
2. The cosmic map is perpetually current. Any change, no matter how small—like a branch breaking off or a stone being moved—instantly registers on the cosmic map. It is continuously updated and immediately, ensuring it is never out of date.
In summary, the cosmic mind contains the full, ever-changing map of the universe, while each individual mind accesses and projects only a particular subset of this cosmic map, determined by the individual’s focus and perspective. The content present in an individual mind becomes the content that is projected in their experience.
2: Projection of the mind
Once the content in the mind meets the bulb of Awareness, a transformation occurs—awareness arises and illuminates the content. This awareness then expresses itself in the external world, manifesting as the vivid “painting” we perceive. Sri Vidyaranya, a renowned 14th-century sage, draws an insightful parallel in the sixth chapter of Panchadasi, likening the external world’s display to any painting.
The analogy holds true: everything we see outside is like a canvas brought to life, with a richness and variety surpassing any artwork created by human hands. The marvels of nature, the interplay of colors and shades, all contribute to a spectacle that is truly awe-inspiring.
According to Sri Vidyaranya, preparing a painting involves several steps: first, a canvas (usually cloth) is needed; second, the canvas must be stiffened with starch to make it suitable for painting; third, a sketch is drawn; and finally, colors are applied to complete the painting.
Similarly, the mind’s projection follows a four-step process:
Step 1: Creating Space as the Canvas
Step 2: Harden the canvas with energy
Step 3: Create the subtle image of the painting
Step 4: Add awareness to finish the painting
By examining these steps in detail, we can appreciate how the projection process unfolds scientifically, moving beyond abstract philosophy into a tangible understanding.
Step 1: Creating Space as the Canvas
Space serves as the canvas upon which all images or projections appear. Essentially, it is the stage where everything is displayed, yet we often overlook the nature of space itself and how it comes into existence. Let’s explore these two aspects more closely.
Time as the Foundation of Space
It might surprise you to learn that time is actually the foundation of space. The size of the universe is directly linked to its age. For instance, if the universe is 13.7 billion years old, its size is 13.7 billion light-years—one light-year being the distance light travels in a year. When one second passes, the universe ages by that second, and light covers an extra 186,000 miles, expanding the universe by that much. So, as time moves forward, space increases: every second adds 186,000 miles, and each year adds a full light-year. This demonstrates that time’s passage actively causes space to expand, making time the true fabric and source of space.
How the Fabric of Time Is Built
According to the Planck constant, time is not continuous but made up of tiny, indivisible increments—each only ten to minus 44 seconds long. These small increments create a “fabric” of time, starting at t = 0 and progressing in steps: the first node at ten to the minus 44 seconds, the second at twice that, and so on. Collectively, these nodes form the fabric stretching across the universe’s entire age, with an unimaginable number of nodes making up 13.7 billion years.
How Space Comes into Being
Infinite energy exists within Awareness, available in both the cosmic mind and, in smaller measure, the individual mind. When a portion of this energy interacts with the time fabric in the individual mind, it stretches the time fabric—much like pulling a rubber band. This stretching transform each second of time into 186,000 miles of space, creating the space we perceive all around us. In essence, space is created by stretching time—each second of time is drawn out to become the space we perceive. Thus, space is generated when pure energy stretches the time fabric, forming the canvas for all projections and images.
Step 2: Strengthening the Canvas with Energy
Just as starch gives structure to a cloth canvas, energy fortifies every thread of the fabric of space. But what type of energy is responsible for this remarkable effect?
Previously, we explored the idea that an infinite reservoir of energy resides within each of us, existing in a subtle, latent form. This boundless source of energy plays several crucial roles in the universe. For one, it is the origin of all visible matter, giving rise to the entire electromagnetic spectrum and thereby enabling the formation of everything we perceive around us.
Another function of this energy is its interaction with the fabric of time itself. As mentioned earlier, this energy can stretch the time fabric, which currently spans approximately 13.7 billion years. All the 13.7 billion years of the time fabric is stretched out to create all the space we observe. This stretching is wholly attributed to this subtle, pervasive energy, which has expanded the universe and created all the space we observe. Scientists refer to this enigmatic force as dark energy—a phenomenon still not fully understood. Essentially, dark energy acts as the engine that stretches the time fabric and generates a vast expanse of space. It takes an extraordinary level of energy to expand the universe’s fabric, and current scientific estimates suggest that dark energy makes up about 79% of the universe’s total energy content.
Unlike the familiar energy forms within the visible universe, such as electromagnetic energy, dark energy is fundamentally distinct. Electromagnetic energy, while essential for visible matter, cannot stretch the time fabric. In contrast, dark energy lies outside the electromagnetic spectrum, and its main function is to stretch time. Its true essence and composition remain a profound mystery.
As the time fabric is stretched, dark energy is distributed evenly throughout, forming an underlying layer often referred to as vacuum energy or zero-point energy—a concept confirmed by scientific research. In the same way that starch rigidifies cloth, dark energy reinforces every aspect of space.
Step 3: Forming the Subtle Image of the Painting
Just as a sketch is the foundational outline for a painting, the subtle image is initially formed on the time fabric. This subtle creation happens entirely within the mind. Let’s explore how this unfolds. A segment of the cosmic map previously discussed appears in the individual mind, and as it merges with mental processes, it generates waveforms called vrittis in Vedanta. These vrittis are mental vibrations composed of energy and intelligence, which acts as their substance and base. Please listen to my episode “Understanding the Mind” for a detailed explanation.
Energy and the Time Fabric: How do mental waveforms interact with the time fabric? Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity provides insight, revealing that when energy or mass is present on the time fabric, it causes the fabric to curve—much like how a ball placed on a stretched rubber sheet creates a dip. The greater the energy, the deeper the curvature; even small amounts of energy produce a dent. The energy from mental waveforms leaves an imprint, or curvature, on the time fabric. Where energy is concentrated, the fabric bends more. This imprint acts as the preliminary outline—much like a sketch—before the painting’s colors are applied.
Step 4: Add Awareness to Complete the Projection
When observing any painting, you’ll notice it consists of two fundamental elements: form and content. The trees, people, houses, and other objects depicted are the forms, while the paint itself is the content. If you examine this closely, you’ll realize that aside from the paint—regardless of its color—nothing else truly exists in the painting. Similarly, when watching a movie, the various characters and objects represent different forms, but the underlying content is simply light in varying shades and colors.
We've compared the world’s projection to painting. In both cases, everything is composed of form and content. Let’s explore this further. As previously discussed, the form is the mental impression imprinted onto the fabric of time. But what provides content to these forms? According to Vedanta, the content is Awareness. Awareness is the essential ingredient present in every object we perceive in the world. To experience anything, Awareness must be present; it is the prerequisite for all experience. Without Awareness, experience is impossible.
Any experience must have form and Awareness. Forms arise in the individual mind as vrittis or mental waveforms. Yet, for these forms to be experienced, they must be imbued with Awareness. Awareness must take on the exact shape of the form—if the form is a circle, Awareness must also be a circle. Just as paint fills the forms in a painting, Awareness fills all forms in our perception.
When Awareness fully permeates the form, the picture is complete. This final step finishes the projection of objects in the world, completing the image made up of Awareness on the canvas of space.
It's important to recognize that the projection we observed represents just a single frame. On its own, a single frame is unmoving, but we desire to experience continuous motion. According to scientific principles, achieving this effect requires a minimum of 24 frames per second. While the exact number of frames generated by the mind remains uncertain, there must be at least 24 frames per second for motion to appear seamless. The intricate process of forming space and tangible shapes occurs with every frame, and each one differs from the last.
I hope this discussion has sparked your curiosity and persuaded you to consider new perspectives. In a previous episode, “Universe Is a Projection of Our Mind,” we explored the idea that every living being constructs and projects their own unique universe. In this episode, we've outlined the process of how such projection occurs, breaking it down step by step through scientific reasoning and logic. The universe we perceive is much like the sequential process of creating a painting on a canvas, with each step shaping the final masterpiece.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into topics like this, we invite you to discover more in my book, Science Meets Vedanta, available on Amazon. Additionally, we offer a growing library of podcasts covering many different topics —feel free to browse through them at your convenience.
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Thank you for tuning in—we look forward to connecting with you again soon!
