-By Mrs. Joginder "Jogi"

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.