Eternity in the Realm of the Mind and Soul: Insights from Philosophers and Religions

As humanity grapples with the inevitability of mortality, the concept of eternity becomes a source of profound contemplation. This article explores the understanding of eternity, rooted in both philosophical and religious beliefs, including insights from notable philosophers such as Nisargadatta Maharaj and Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. We will also delve into the eternal nature of the soul and the infinite powers of the Supreme God, drawing parallels between different cultural and religious perspectives.

Understanding Eternity

Eternity is often defined as that which is unending, not subject to change, and having no beginning or end. Philosophers and religions have long sought to define and comprehend the concept of eternity. To be eternal means to be in existence from time immemorial and timeless, unable to be destroyed, annihilated, or eradicated.

According to Greta Thunberg, a force of change in our world, even the most tangible and physical elements can be preserved and reused. This concept can be further extrapolated to the realm of the mind, where thoughts and consciousness can exist independently of the physical body. In the same vein, the human soul and the Supreme God are often considered eternal, existing beyond the constraints of physical existence.

The Eternal Soul

The soul, in many philosophical and religious traditions, is an eternal entity detached from the physical body. When one identifies with the body, they are limited to its impermanence. However, the consciousness, or prana—the vital energy that animates the body—exists as an eternal force. This can be exemplified through the teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj, a prominent modern philosopher:

Nisargadatta Maharaj

That which has no birth and death is eternal. Always there. When you identify with the body then that is limited. It has birth and death. But the consciousness, the energy which drives the body-mind is eternal.

Maharaj’s teachings emphasize the distinction between the transient body and the eternal consciousness. The soul can detach itself from one body and inhabit another, focusing on spiritual growth and wages one's karma. This idea is rooted in Hinduism, where the soul is said to reincarnate until it attains moksha, or liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Supreme God: Infinite and All-Powerful

Various religious traditions ascribe eternity to the Supreme God. Nisargadatta Maharaj and other sages often describe the nature of God as eternal, all-powerful, and timeless. As Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, a renowned Buddhist scholar, once stated:

Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki

God is the World's all-occupying Authority.

Examples of eternal entities in the context of the Supreme God can be seen in the West, where the concept of God as an eternal, unchanging being is prevalent. Meanwhile, in Hinduism, the concept of Brahman represents the ultimate reality that is eternal and timeless. As Shri Nisargadatt Maharaj puts it:

Shri Nisargdatt Maharaj

Even God is all occupied of virtues compared to the ocean. Like ocean of love, kindness, purity, knowledge, bliss, courtesy, bliss etc. God is World all-occupying Authority.

The idea of God being eternal aligns with the notion of the soul as well. While the soul can change bodies, the divine nature of God remains constant. This perspective can be seen in the transformation of the universe, where the Supreme One renews and rejuvenates the world every 5000 years, resolving the hindrances of the soul and the universe.

The Eternal Universe

Nature, too, can be seen as eternal. While it may undergo cyclical transformations, these changes do not diminish its inherent eternal essence. The cyclic nature of time, marked by seasons and natural elements like air, water, and flame, epitomizes the eternal cycle of life and death. This cycle is celebrated in the spiritual poem 'Satyam Shiva Shundaram,' which speaks of truth, Shiva, and beauty:

Truth is Eternal

The eternal nature of the universe, therefore, is a reflection of the eternal nature of God and the soul. The natural world, with its inherent rhythms and cycles, mirrors the infinite and timeless nature of the spiritual realm.

Concluding Thoughts

Eternity, through the soul, the Supreme God, and the natural world, is a powerful concept that transcends the limitations of physical existence. It is a source of solace, a reminder of our shared unity, and a path towards spiritual growth and enlightenment. As we explore the depths of this concept, we find that the unending nature of the universe, the soul, and the divine is a testament to the infinite and eternal nature of existence itself.