The Fractal Nature of Neti Neti: Zooming in, Diving Deeper, and Transcending Limitations.
The Infinite Teaching by Adi Shankara, in a Finite Phrase.
Adi Shankara was a philosopher and theologian who revived the ancient tradition of Advaita Vedanta, or non-dualism, in India. He taught that the ultimate reality, Brahman, is one and indivisible and that the apparent multiplicity of the world is an illusion or Maya. He also taught a method of self-inquiry, called neti neti, which means “not this, not this”. By negating all the attributes and limitations of the individual self, or Atman, one can realize the identity of Atman and Brahman, and attain liberation, or Moksha.
Neti neti can be seen as a fractal teaching, that is, a teaching that has a self-similar pattern at different scales. A fractal is a geometric shape that is composed of smaller copies of itself, each of which is also composed of smaller copies of itself, and so on. A famous example of a fractal is the Mandelbrot set, which is generated by a simple mathematical formula, but reveals infinite complexity and beauty when zoomed in. Fractals are also found in nature, such as in snowflakes, ferns, coastlines, and clouds.
Neti neti is a fractal teaching because it applies to both the macrocosm and the microcosm, to both the outer and the inner world. On the macrocosmic level, neti neti negates the reality of the physical universe, which is made of matter, energy, space, and time. These are all relative and contingent phenomena, which depend on the observer and the frame of reference. They are not the absolute and eternal reality, which is beyond all forms and names. Neti neti also negates the reality of the subtle universe, which is made of mind, intellect, ego, and emotions. These are also relative and contingent phenomena, which depend on the state of consciousness and the mode of perception. They are not the absolute and eternal reality, which is beyond all thoughts and feelings.
On the microcosmic level, neti neti negates the reality of the individual self, which is composed of the five sheaths, or koshas, according to the Vedantic model. These are the physical sheath, the vital sheath, the mental sheath, the intellectual sheath, and the blissful sheath. These are all layers of identification and attachment, which obscure the true nature of the self, which is pure consciousness. Neti neti also negates the reality of the ego, which is the sense of “I” and “mine”, which creates the illusion of separation and duality. The ego is the root of ignorance, or Avidya, which causes suffering, or Dukkha.
Neti neti is a fractal teaching because it leads to the same conclusion at every level of inquiry: that the ultimate reality is not this, not this. It is neither the gross nor the subtle, neither the outer nor the inner, neither the many nor the one. It is beyond all concepts and categories, beyond all words and descriptions, beyond all qualities and attributes. It is ineffable and incomprehensible, yet it is the essence and substratum of everything. It is the self of all, the source of all, the goal of all. It is Brahman, the supreme reality.
Neti neti is a fractal teaching because it is a recursive and iterative process, which requires constant and vigilant application. It is not a one-time or final answer, but a dynamic and ongoing inquiry. It is not a passive or negative denial, but an active and positive affirmation. It is not a way of escaping or rejecting the world, but a way of transcending and embracing the world. It is not a way of losing or annihilating the self, but a way of finding and realizing the self. It is a way of awakening to the truth, which is ever-present and ever-new.
Neti neti is a fractal teaching because it is a universal and timeless teaching, which is relevant and applicable to all seekers of truth, regardless of their background, culture, or tradition. It is a teaching that transcends all boundaries and divisions, all dogmas and doctrines, all religions and sects. It is a teaching that unites all paths and methods, all scriptures and teachings, all masters and disciples. It is a teaching that reveals the unity and diversity, the one and the many, in all existence. Neti neti leads to the direct experience of the divine within and without. Neti neti unfolds the mystery of consciousness and the unfolding of consciousness. Neti neti is the path, the practice, and the goal. Neti neti is the perennial philosophy that finds expression in all wisdom traditions. Neti neti is the essence of the inner sciences, which explore the landscape of the mind and the topography of the soul. Neti neti negates all that is transient and changing, to realize the eternal and unchanging. Neti neti removes the veil of illusion, to behold the truth of one's being. Neti neti is the alchemy of self-transformation, the sword that cuts through all knots and bonds. Neti neti is the gateless gate, the razor's edge, the inward path. Neti neti is the Net of Indra, the Jewel Net of Indra, where each node reflects the totality. Neti neti is the Bridge of Immortals, which crosses over from the mortal to the divine. Neti neti is the Third Eye, which perceives beyond opposites. Neti neti is the mystic heart, the sacred heart, the heart of hearts. Neti neti is the wisdom eye, the eye of wisdom, the eye that envisions nonduality. Neti neti is the lightning flash, sudden awakening, sudden enlightenment. Neti neti is the crown of crowns, the nondual absolute, pure undifferentiated awareness.
Neti neti is a fractal teaching because it reveals the infinite within the finite, the timeless within the temporal, and the whole within the part. Neti neti is the process of zooming in, diving deeper, and transcending limitations. Neti neti is the revelation of unity in diversity, order in chaos, and light in the darkness. Neti neti is the unfolding and enfolding of consciousness, the waves and the ocean. Neti neti leads from separation to union, from fragmentation to wholeness, from ignorance to wisdom. Neti neti is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the circle complete. Neti neti erases all lines, overcomes all opposites, and merges all distinctions. Neti neti points to what cannot be said, what cannot be known, yet is the all-pervading truth. Neti neti is silence, spaciousness, and pure potentiality. Neti neti is the clearing, the opening, the dawning of ever-present nondual awareness. Neti neti removes the dust from the mirror of consciousness, so one's original face shines forth. Neti neti leads from thinking to being, from concept to experience, and from words to reality. Neti neti culminates in sahaja samadhi, effortless equanimous abiding as pure consciousness, as the natural state.
Neti neti ultimates in turiya, the fourth state beyond waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Neti neti resolves into atma-anatma-viveka, discrimination between the real and the unreal. Neti neti consummates in aham brahmasmi, I am Brahman, the ultimate truth of nondual self-realization. Neti neti blossoms into jivanmukti, embodied liberation, freedom here and now. Neti neti ripens into videhamukti which implies complete disidentification from the body. The realized being no longer identifies with the body or the individual self., final release from the cycle of birth and death. Thus, neti neti is the fractal teaching that encompasses all, illuminates all, and delivers one to the ultimate truth of existence.
The words and letters of "neti neti" are arranged in a repeating, self-similar, fractal pattern:
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