God Particle and Vedanta

A fundamental question that has been asked time and again, “is there a deeper purpose to life?” is there a common principle that is fundamental to all existence? Seekers, scientists, philosophers have been trying to search answer following different methods.

Practioners of modern science have analysed material world in search of the truth. Scientists discovered atoms, thought to be the most fundamental principle. It turned out, atoms consist of proton, neutron and electrons. Subatomic particles were further split into six quarks and six leptons. It is believed that quarks and leptons are indivisible. Quarks and leptons gain mass, it is believed, by association with Higgs Boson. Higgs Boson was discovered recently. Higgs Boson was called god particle. Some say, because it is so elusive, exasperated scientists named  it goddamn particle. From there, the name god particle has stuck. A second possible reason why Higgs Boson is called god particle could be, like god is responsible for creation, Higgs Boson helps other massless particles gain mass. Thus formless and form becomes different states of same matter.

Hindu seers have looked within, in their quest for the truth.  They reasoned, every observation is influenced by mind, the instrument. So it is important to understand the mind. The study of mind lead seekers beyond mind. Something that mind cannot describe. Because, it is limitless any description will make it limited. Hindus call it “abangmanasgochara” Something that is beyond speech and mind. Sri Rama Krishna, gave an analogy, a salt doll went to assess depth of ocean. In the process he became one with the ocean. There was no one left to explain what / how was the ocean.

One can arrive beyond mind, by negating answer to question, “is this me?” In Upanishad Shwetaketu, the seeker, was told by his guru, “Thou art that, oh Shwetaketu!” Disciple kept on asking the question within is his mind, who am I? I am not the body? I am not the mind? Ultimately, when he exhausted all possibilities, disciple realized his true state, that is “Brahman”.

Vedanta says “Brahman” is our true nature. It is our right to realize it.  For everyone of us, it may not be possible to grasp the concept of abstract “Brahman”, as the concept of reality. So, Hindus deviced the concept of meditating on forms. By forming relationship with the idol of an imagined god, as father, mother, son, daughter etc, a seeker attempts to establish connection with the universal force. Sri Rama Krisha use to say, the all pervading force, “Brahman”, can be shapeless and formless for a Vedantin, but assume form for a devotee. Like formless water   and solid ice are identical. By meditation, it is possible to realize this all pervasive force. If we call her mother, she may be reveal herself more easily. That is why Shri Rama Krishna worshipped the force as mother Kali.

In the end science and Vedanta arrive at conclusion that suggest that truth transitions between form and formless. Truth cannot be described in conventional sense, Truth can be experienced through experimentation.