Mother Nature

1. * Mother Nature is universal. Universal is a synonym for general, ubiquitous, comprehensive, common, omnipresent, all-embracing, all- inclusive, across the board, pervading, pervasive, permeating, etc. The key characteristics of Mother Nature are: - INHERENT NATURE • It bears with the characteristics of beginning-less and end-less because anything that inherently exists would not involve change. DEPENDENT NATURE • It bears with the characteristics of indefinite and continuous variations. Nothing stays unchanging for a slightest moment under the influence of conditional phenomena all the time.

2. * INHERENT is described as existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute. EXISTENCE is a made-up phenomenon generated by the mind. What exists is defined as that which can be known. If it cannot be known by the mind, then it does not exist. And conventionally, things can exist as in fallacy or in reality. But in an ultimate reality, things do not exist in the ways that concepts and language imply they do. PHENOMENON is thing that appears to or is perceived by senses or predominantly, the mind senses. When there is a mind arising, the phenomenon would arise - just like shadow follows the body. Thus phenomena do not exist inherently as this or that from their own sides, unrelated to the consciousness that perceives them. Phenomena exist as this or that - are dependent on the observers.

3. * For example, there is no arising of single or universal mind in the dependent nature. When there are 10 individuals, there would be 10 unique minds respectively. Supposedly, in a room, there are two individuals i.e. Individual A (Mind A) and Individual B (Mind B). Let's say, Individual A is holding a ball and it's hidden from Individual B. In this case, the ball does exist in the room as it is already known to Individual A (Mind A). However, the ball does not exist in the room if you were to ask Individual B (Mind B). In other words, whether the ball does exist or vice versa, the end result is dependent on whether it is known to the respective minds of individuals or otherwise. And phenomena would exist as this or that - are dependent on the observers i.e. Individual A (Mind A) and Individual B (Mind B) respectively.

4. * CONVENTIONAL REALITY Mind is the forerunner of conventional reality that unfolds against a backdrop of dependent nature and there is a need for subject and object to arise concurrently. Both the subject and the object are two aspects of the same thing i.e. both are cause and effect for one another. Cause and effect are inter-depending, inter-waving and inter-relating functions i.e. there is no separate case of cause, no separate case of effect. In other words, conventional reality does not exist in a linear orientation - therefore, there is no real first cause, no real first effect. At the end of the day, there is only rising or falling of phenomenon against the backdrop of cause and condition in the dependent nature.

5. * ULTIMATE REALITY Ultimate reality arises beyond mind and beyond concepts and words in the sense that it is beyond our usual ways of perceiving things. It is such label- less, bound-less, stereotype-less, colour-less, beginning-less, end-less and for the ease of our expression, we could summarise it as the ‘deepest fact about things.’ In other words, it is an inherent phenomenon and nothing would rise and fall under the absence of time. Time is merely a dimension created by the mind for gauging events. And it is difficult for one to see into this ultimate truth because the mind is dependent arising and the presence of the waves of dependent phenomena have clouded the mind from discerning the reality of circumstances i.e. ignorance arises.

6. * Mother Nature has three inherent elements: - • Energy • Matter • Space ENERGY The ability to cause change or do work. It travels in a wavy mechanism and at a high frequency span. MATTER It is a standing wave of energy that occupies space and also known as the crystallisation of low frequency waves of energy. SPACE An expression for the existence of energy i.e. no energy in play, no space arising.

7. * As a summary, Mother Nature would evolve around the orientation of energy and matter in space at all times. Every existence (sentient, non- sentient, or any material things) is nothing but merely basic elements i.e. energy, matter and space that would orientate in accordance with the conditional phenomena. And there is no transmigration of all things or matters in Mother Nature but instead, a constant and continuous transformation of all things or matters via the process of permeation (diffusion). Just like the orientation of energy in the cosmos i.e. energy would only transform - to transform is to change, to change is to become, and to become is to reborn. So energy is ever ‘reborn’ all the time in the dependent nature. By understanding well and observing thoroughly into the characteristics of energy, one could gain insight into Mother Nature and its orientation, wholesomely.

8. * Mother Nature has already reached a saturated level of complexity and this circumstance has created difficulties for one to observe the events free from defilements. From the perspective of material Universe, one could mention that the form entity has a delusive nature and it is generated out of an ignorant point of view. Generally, entity is described as a thing with distinct and independent existence. In a way, one could not view form as an entity because it is an appearance, though not illusive, but devoid of inherent existence and varies under the influence of conditional phenomena. In other words, everything that exists is empty because there is no essence to anything and nothing has ever existed in its own quality – nothing is permanent and unchanging. This means all created objects are transitory and subject to change all the time, without exception. • • •

9. * All objects exist conditionally without an eternal essence. They only exist in relation to each other as appearances that in turn vary as per the perceptions of the beholders. And energy is the underlying element for all the existences and it is dependent on the conditional phenomena. Thus it is not that you come to understand that the object or phenomenon does not exist but rather, you find that its inherent existence is unfounded. This is the ultimate discovery about the orientation of Mother Nature. • • • Mother Nature is a universal system of existence fully occupied with factors that would rise and fall dependently. At the end of the day, the dualism of subject and object, and the discrete appearances of multiplicity that arise out of our ignorance on the true nature would vanish once emptiness is realised.

10. * One could then differentiate the way things are perceived to exist and the way things really exist. In addition, due to emptiness, all things or matters would rise and fall ad infinitum. Therefore, one could classify that emptiness is a universal quality that is inherent existing and dependent arising concurrently. In Mother Nature, the conditional phenomena would continue repeatedly to depict the rising and falling events, just like a continuum of wavy pattern oscillating up and down. However, such a dependent nature cannot be directly translated as a linear point of reference because the conventional reality does not work in-linear but in inter-dependence, inter-woven since the dawn of time in a very comprehensive and complicated network of existence. • •

11. * And the dependent nature is also known as ‘continuous flow’- referring to a repeating cycle of birth, life, death and re-birth. In other words, there is a repeating cycle of rising and falling activities that in turn would give rise to a regular balanced and imbalanced phenomena as being observed by the mind. This scenario can be portrayed in a cycle of dependent origination shown as below: - •

12. * Balance Aggregation Adjustment Information Imbalance Memory Segregation Ignorance Death Impulse Aging Volition Birth Consciousness Mind & body Becoming Six sense bases Clinging Contact Craving Feeling

13. * Balance leads to stability. Stability leads to aggregation. Aggregation leads to agitation. Agitation leads to information. Information leads to knowledge. Knowledge leads to representation. Representation leads to memory. Memory leads to compulsion. Compulsion leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to blindness. Blindness leads to disorientation. Disorientation leads to confusion. Confusion leads to irrationality. Irrationality leads to impulse. Impulse leads to sparkling. Sparkling leads to inkling. Inkling leads to volition. Volition leads to awareness. Awareness leads to consciousness. Consciousness leads to manas. Manas leads to mind and body….

14. * ….Mind and body lead to sensation. Sensation leads to six sense bases. Six sense bases lead to conductivity. Conductivity leads to contact. Contact leads to stimulation. Stimulation leads to feeling. Feeling leads to experience. Experience leads to craving. Craving leads to grasping. Grasping leads to clinging. Clinging leads to unsettling. Unsettling leads to becoming. Becoming leads to creation. Creation leads to birth. Birth leads to energising. Energising leads to mobility. Mobility leads to hauling. Hauling leads to aging. Aging leads to draining. Draining leads to death. Death leads to fragility. Fragility leads to segregation. Segregation leads to diffusion. Diffusion leads to imbalance. Imbalance leads to adjustment. Adjustment leads to alignment. Alignment leads to new balance.

15. * WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT ARISES OUT OF NOTHING ABOUT? • The material Universe would start with a dependent phenomenon that in turn conjures up the elements of energy. Since the dawn of time, energy has been in existence within the system of dependent nature i.e. Mother Nature (inherent existence). • Under a balanced phenomenon, the elements of energy would turn into the elements of matter through a process of aggregation. Likewise, under an imbalanced phenomenon, the elements of matter would turn into the elements of energy through a process of segregation (dependent arising).

16. * In other words, the material Universe is merely a momentary appearance conjured up from a continuum of orientating energy and matter in space under the influence of conditional phenomena. Just like ice, water and steam are different appearances deriving from the orientation of H2O properties under the influence of the external conditions. In fact, it is the orientation of H2O properties that has taken place to conjure up the momentary outcome of it. • • Moreover, there would be multiples of material Universes existing under the influence of conditional phenomena. The material Universe per se is never stagnant; instead it is very much alive – continuously contracting and expanding in extrapolating manner. As a conclusion, one could clarify something that arises as in object is not out of nothing, but instead, the elements of energy that arise in Mother Nature. •

17. * WHY IS THERE SOMETHING INSTEAD OF NOTHING? • Mind is the forerunner of all states. There is a circumstance of duality or multiplicity in Mother Nature because of mind arising. But why is there mind arising? It is because of energy. Then why is there energy? It is because of emptiness. And why is there emptiness? It is because of emptiness of emptiness. In other words, the emptiness of phenomena is both the cause and consequence of the dependent nature of phenomena in Mother Nature. • Emptiness of phenomena exists in the way it appears in direct perception and without the need to reference of any other entity. It is completely defined by its own nature. In other words, emptiness of phenomena is an inherent existence that is uncaused. It is indestructible and eternal.

18. * Emptiness of phenomena is unchanging when viewed externally and cannot undergo any internal changes of state. It has no constituent parts and nothing can be thrown out or removed from it. Nothing can be added to it and no change in the external conditions can affect it. As mentioned earlier, the elements of energy would give rise to the mind that in turn conjures up perceptions, conceptions, labels, boundaries, names, activities, shapes, relations, descriptions, stereotyping, beginning, ending, etc. Energy is a quality that is universal i.e. it is inherent existing and dependent arising concurrently as per the law of conservation of energy and the alternate expression for energy is emptiness. • •

19. * Therefore, we shall be clear by now that mind is the forerunner of all states i.e. the architect for classifying all the existences in the dependent nature. The circumstances of duality or multiplicity are merely the end result of various activities of aggregation being observed by the mind under the influence of conditional phenomena. In fact, mind is known as consciousness in individuality i.e. it involves clear discrimination – differentiates and understands the characteristics of objects or matters. • •

20. * THE WHOLESOME TRUTH • The saying, ‘Two sides of the same coin’, would mean every subject matter can be viewed in two different ways. Literally, it means all things or matters are very closely related although they seem different. • This is what the principle of emptiness is all about i.e. all created things or happenings can never be in an absolute discrete orientation. Therefore, we could rightfully mention that all things or matters are closely inter-depending, inter-waving and inter-relating with one another since the dawn of time in a very comprehensive and complicated network of existence. • This is the rationale for the saying, ‘...neither identical to, nor entirely different from... but forms part of a causal continuum...’ And this scenario explains well on the saying, ‘No two minds are the same.’

21. * For instance, scientists have discovered that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed and it is ever transforming and changing all the time. But the sum of all energies in a system is a constant or never changes. So is energy a variable or a constant element? Paradoxically, energy corresponds well to both of these elements. As mentioned earlier, every subject matter can be viewed in two different ways and each way is very closely related with one another although they seem different. Therefore, energy is a constant element on one perspective and concurrently, it is a variable element on another perspective. By understanding well and observing thoroughly into the characteristics of energy, one could gain insight into Mother Nature and its orientation. • • •

22. * CONCLUSION • Both emptiness and energy are the fundamental qualities of Mother Nature because every single thing or happening would involve with it, without exception. On the one hand, Mother Nature would bear with the conditions of beginning and ending and on the other hand, it would bear with the conditions of beginning-less and end-less. • In other words, Mother Nature is a system that is universal i.e. it is inherent existing and dependent arising concurrently. Likewise, the best way to respond to the question of, ‘Who am I?’ would be, ‘I am what I am.’ ‘If you think this is what I am, then I am’ and ‘If you see that is what I am, then I am.’ At the end of the day, any conclusions made are merely two sides of the same coin.

23. * Furthermore, it is imperative for one to realise that the answer to the truth is not out there. The truth arises in you. You are the truth. You create truths and not someone else out there. Literally, it is difficult for one to see the truth because one’s eyes couldn’t see one’s own eyes. For instance, both the duck and the cow are created truths. Precisely, this kind of truth is also known as conventional truth i.e. a subjective-cum-relative truth. This means the truth orientation is dependent on the observer (i.e. the subject’s mind) to provide the description, definition, recognition, valuation, etc. on the other side of the object or matter. And the truth conclusion varies among different observers or minds. • • •

24. * For instance, if you were to show an I-phone to a caveman, he would describe it as merely a useless hard object. And if you were to show it to let’s say, an ant, it becomes a gigantic heavy object. Likewise, you can be named as a human, a son, a father, a preacher, a student, a Caucasian, an American, a thin man, an old man, a buyer, a supplier, a stranger, etc. concurrently. At the end of the day, the observer (be it your own self or another third party) would provide the definition or recognition based on their respective perception on the same referred object or matter. Once again, one does not need to be served with the truth because it is not out there. • •

25. * For a person who believes in the existence of God as creator and ruler of the world or universe, every existence in the cosmos would rise and fall within the kingdom of God. This means all beings or things are the essential constituents of God and therefore, as humans, we can also be known as namesake gods. In order to seek for the ultimate truth, it is imperative for one to abandon the stereotyping mindset that is associated with the ‘-ism’ or ‘- ology’ for it is a system of pre-conditioning or pre-disposition (a.k.a. a ‘locked-in’ mentality). Generally, liberation is the only right potion to the ultimate truth discovery and with the inculcation of right determination, the ultimate truth can be discovered by anyone right here, right now. • •

26. * This would mean observations on all the phenomena would need to be based on unbiased grounds i.e. on neutral and upright positions. As a start, one would realise that Mother Nature is the pinnacle of all the dependent and non-dependent circumstances in the cosmos. It is considered as the supreme state of all things with the attributes of emptiness. Emptiness of phenomena exists in the way it appears in direct perception and without the need to reference of any other entity. It is completely defined by its own nature. In other words, emptiness of phenomena is an inherent existence that is uncaused. It is indestructible and eternal. It is unchanging when viewed externally and cannot undergo any internal changes of state. It has no constituent parts and nothing can be thrown out or removed from it. Nothing can be added to it and no change in the external conditions can affect it. • •

27. * For a theist, this phenomenon is also known as One Supreme Being or God. In other words, all things or matters would rise and fall within the Mother Nature or so-called the One Supreme Being or God. This is the deepest fact about things and nothing can be recognised beyond its boundary. Without Mother Nature, nothing would ever exist - no things or happenings would arise. However, on another perspective, emptiness is the key attribute of all things or matters that ain’t stop for nothing and always in motion, just like the Chinese saying goes, ‘There is another mountain higher than this one, always!’ In other words, because of emptiness, all things or matters would rise and fall ad infinitum. Therefore, we could classify that emptiness is a universal quality that is inherent existing and dependent arising concurrently. • •

28. * Once again, seeing the truth can be direct and simple. Ultimately, one just needs a right determination to be enlightened on all the surrounding phenomena. For a reference, every phenomenal existence is the product of the proper combination of causes and conditions. Each of the causes would need other causes to be present together with their respective conditions. As humans, we are also subject to cause and condition all the time. In fact, we are basically the end result of a certain unique frequential pattern of consciousness – a wave of collated high and low vibrations that subsequently bring forth a conflation of mind and body. Our mind and physical body are merely an interim containment of certain blueprint of vibrational frequencies that fluctuates according to the influence of multiple causes and conditions. The only wise approach to comprehend this truth is via enlightenment. • •

29. * { } The Science of Emptiness