bheda bhAvana — idea of division

An emotional source of activity in all three spheres

Once a philosopher reaches a stage of being able to do simple, straightforward thinking at will; more theoretical foundations are introduced.

Beyond the rationality of mind, there is a set of emotions that forms basis of individual freewill. This is called as bhAvana. A strongly impressed idea of difference, i.e., “I am different from my capacity of consciousness”, “I am different from my experiences” is called bhEda bhAbana.

This idea of difference is the fundamental cause of all the action in all the three spheres of action (i.e., mind, speech and body). It enables distinction between the subject and object, speaker and listener and thinker and thought.

No one questions this idea of difference. This unquestionable axiom forms a barrier everywhere, imposes limitations and enables actions and their respective fruits in repetitive cycles. So, this differential thinking is polluting.

upadesa saram verse 8:

bhAva bhEdamu kanTeE paruDu nEnaneDu, bhavana abhEdamE parama uttamu agu.

same verse in Sanskrit:

bhEda bhAvanAt sO’ham iti asau, bhAvanA’bhidA pAvanI matA

A bhAvana of “I am THAT” (sah aham iti) is far better and purifying than the idea of difference. So, the idea of non-difference is introduced here which is the highest purifier.

When the individual has the idea of non-differentiation from the very existence and consciousness, the universal existence unites. Thus, there is no possibility of any harm by thoughts, words or deeds towards any other being! This is the highest one can achieve transcending beyond actions into the realm of universal unification.

Next Post: https://medium.com/upadesa-saram/bhakti-devotion-7275c305d8be