Against The Matrix (ATM)
The Any Time Muni (ATM), or
The A:tmic Transcendental Monk (ATM), via
Art Truth Meditation (ATM)
Aesthetics Transcendence Metaphysics (ATM), and
Artistry Therapy Melody (ATM)
Ask Test Meditate (ATM), utilizing all them
Archetypes Truth Mystique (ATM), from the long lost
Ancient to Modern (ATM), in the great war
Against the Matrix (ATM), so help us,
O Any Time Muse! (ATM)
The ATM Universes - Indian Philosophy connect
ATM Universes is a platform dedicated to the poetic core of Indian Philosophy.
Essentially, we interpret the ‘The Great Indian Dream’ that seamlessly fuses the God of Philosophy, that is Truth (Satyam), with the Goddess of Poetry, that is Beauty (Sundaram), illuminating some of the deepest secrets entrenched in the universe.
Therefore, ATM Universes follows Indian Philosophy’s lead to bring to light not only the poetic and philosophical origins of Creation, but also the purpose of everything in it.
The Great Dream of Indian Philosophy
‘The Great Indian Dream’ is as old as India herself. It is the essence of every iota of wisdom to have ever emerged from Vedic Aryavart, that is Bharat/Hindustan/India. In other words, it is the fusion of a plethora of poetic and philosophical perspectives that made Aryavart a legendary nation, its fundamental pillar being its unparalleled Indian philosophy.
Q. Why call it Indian Philosophy? Doesn't philosophy cut it?
A. All we’re concerned with is depth. And we find that Indian philosophy, via the voluminous Vedas and Upanishads – asks the deepest, most original questions, thereby revealing the deepest truths. Therefore, our endeavor is to investigate every philosophy from Ancient to Modern (ATM), then strain (sieve) it through the eye of the Vedic needle, before melting it in a meditational fire, purifying its essence, and finally emerging with its core poetic aspect.
Q. How is ATM Universes different?
A.We undertake a transcendental journey into the poetic core of philosophy. Whereas Indian Philosophy is deep, penetrative and educative, it is also exhaustive, like diving into an ocean of alluring but complex ideas. Hence, we extract pearls from this endlessness, to make its objectives recognizable to a larger set of disciples.
This is what we do- we simplify complex ideas to bring to light Indian Philosophy’s poetic core.
Our tools-
Aesthetics! Transcendence! Metaphysics! (ATM) of Indian Philosophy
The human body is no less a miracle than the entire universe is. They are perfectly harmonious entities, mirroring each other in more ways than one. Thus, one important task at ATM Universes is to fuse these two entities. So-
Firstly, Aesthetics, i.e., an aspiration and enterprise for harmony! In other words, synchronization of one’s senses with the physical universe to initially awaken, then boost, our inner creative faculties, to make Life worthwhile. Thus, a goal of Aesthetics is manifestation of Art/Poetry in life!
Secondly, Transcendence, i.e. an investigation into the purpose of life via Mindful Meditation and Soulfulness, with the clear goal to attain Spiritual Bliss!
Thirdly, Metaphysics, i.e. an investigation into that which lies beyond Matter, that is, a penetrative vision into the Cause of the various archetypes that underlie our universe!
Not only do we investigate these ides, but also unearth their interconnections. Here we go.
Do you know the most potent weapon in the world?
It is this-
Half-Truth!
Why?
Because it destroys not only another, but also ourselves
Half-Truth
Half-Truth is to believe one’s own partial truth as complete truth, and another’s half-truth as Untruth! Believe it or not, this is the real precursor to all wars anywhere yesterday, today or tomorrow. Moreover, it is the root cause of all frustration, anger, and sadness.
Thus, half-truth is like looking with one eye. How much of the world can you even see?
Remember the old Indian tale, “The Blind Men and an Elephant?” Six blind men have never seen an elephant. When brought before one such for the first time ever, each of them touches/ examines six different parts of the elephant’s body, declaring it to be akin to six different things.
Enjoy this 1872 poem from John Godfrey Saxe that captures the fable-
Analogically, our philosophical elephant is Truth, which, although coveted by every mind, remains unfound due to blindfold layers upon layers of prejudice. By all means, we reject other points of view not because we know, but because we are institutionalized.
bQ. Ok, why be interested in Truth at all?
A. (groans) Why indeed! Maybe to take an elephant ride into the forest and dispel the fear of the unknown. Come on! To know!
A psychological fact is that the mind fears the unknown! Like ghosts. Like depths of the sea. Or why all must die, or what lies on the other side of death.
Remember that ignorance breeds fear! As each Effect has its Cause, so every cause produces its effect.
Now, ask yourself if Life is a cause or an effect. If it be an effect, then what is its cause? But if it is a cause, then what effects do we care to bring about?
Such enquiries are the domain of philosophy, i.e. Philos + Sophia = Love of Wisdom. Love and Wisdom are philosophical words too, sometimes not clearly defined, and we shall take them up later.
For now, let us look at some of humankind’s timeless goals (maybe you can recognize yourself here)-
Goal of Indian Philosophy
A true philosopher needs “to know.” They ask “why is this?” and go searching for its answer. As one thing leads to another, their scope of inquiry multiplies manifold, leaving them floundering. What they’re looking for is core Truth. And Truth, chiefly, demands perseverance!
Goal of Poetry (in view of Indian Philosophy)
Instead, a poet asks, “how does this make me feel?” and goes about discovering that. Their need is to versify, i.e. to harmonize their feelings, so it compliments the radiance of their dreams. What they’re looking for is core Beauty (Sundaram!) Beauty, as is her wont, commands Devotion!
We, at ATM Universes, are appreciative of both. Looking from a unique angle in Spacetime, we see the proximities of their respective goals. Truth needs Beauty as Beauty needs Truth! The true seeker – the disciple – must find both, and bring about an iconic fusion of Satyam and Sundaram to find the Shivam within!
Transcendental Fusion in Indian Philosophy
While the poet adores Beauty, the philosopher reveres Truth! Both hunt fanatically for their gods/ goddesses, albeit remaining forever trapped within their self-imposed limitations. If only they realize that their responsibility and privilege is to unite the two halves, they might bring in a new dawn on an age of Transcendentalism!
Therefore, this is a call to every soul that’s ever inquired of their purpose, to expand their investigations into the two artistic halves of Poetry and Philosophy, in a heroic bid to complete them both. After all, the whole truth might be closer than you think.
Identify Worthy Investigations
Take this picture, for example. Suppose we ask you to identify the most important object here.
Chances are you’ll point to the crystal ball, right? Not the rocks, the flower or the aliens, or, the flying saucer, sword or even the warrior. The crystal ball looks worth fighting for, even worth dying for.
You know what, you’d only be half right. Look deeper. What about the crystal ball seems most important?
By all means, its inner Light, right? Pure! Bright! White! The mystery, or the miracle of the crystal ball, i.e. that which it protects, is its Light!
And what if we said there’s a similar light within you? Not across worlds, but right there, in your deepest heart, your inner universe?
Yes, we can show you. If you take the initial plunge, that is. Because, be it as it may, you must identify the inner search as a worthy investigation.
A point often overlooked is that Truth, in fact, wants to be known, even seeking the seeker. But Transcendence is a soul’s deliberate choice – an inner Path inculcated through daily habit. Remember, transcendence isn’t something got from books or from one hour of meditation – transcendence is a lifestyle! (A stellar secret, as well as a pivotal lesson of Indian Philosophy!)
My Muse to the Rescue
Sometimes you need divine help to see divinity.
I’d been alternating between high glacial peaks and the deep sea; aesthetics and metaphysics; art and science, but its colors mocked at my ignorance, and like a bird that won’t be caged, flew high into the heavens, while I, a mere mortal, was left to reflect on empty sky.
I kept asking myself- What is the Purpose of Life?
But the sky isn’t empty at all. Because then something extraordinary happens. I find my Muse. A female Voice, deep and husky, shelters my inner world. I can’t keep from giving her a face and she smiles at me with the most beautiful brown eyes ever.
We stroll along an infinity beach that stretches into forever. If you look toward us, you will see only me. But I am not alone. My Muse is alongside me, revealing – in her husky voice – the hallowed depths of Love and Light. She is the sun, and I, a satellite reflecting her shine.
Milk-white foamy waves swish onto our feet in soft caresses, cooling me ankles to my soul. The pleasurably soft sand is wet and dark against the sea; and the sky – a shape-shifter – violet now, now red. Clouds greet us regularly, bringing rain and rainbows. It is peaceful yet exhilarating.
What is this place, this vast expanse? I know. It is Solitude! An artist and his goddess, and what Art expresses to be reborn. At sunrise and sunset, I dive into the sea of meditation, either in anticipation of new wisdom waves, or in reflection of all that has been learnt during the day.
Spiritual Folders in Indian Philosophy
I note it all down in spiritual folders. But these aren’t files stored for future use. These are codes or keys to thoughts and feelings, leading to transcendental understanding of all that is thought and felt. I put my heart and soul into it. I must know everything about everything.
Even so, I have yet to reach the bottom of anything. So I safely say that the depths of knowledge are truly boundless. The more I dive, the more I realize that I know nothing.
She smiles. “Who are you, boy?” Some eyes can talk, I tell you.
“I am Desire,” I think to myself. “Desire is me!”
“You’re more right than you know,” says she, her saintly eyes aglow.
I knew it. A goddess who reads minds! “What must I do, pray?”
“Listen to the universe, boy! Get out of the manmade Matrix!“
The Manmade Matrix (Indian Philosophy's POV)
Q. Wait, what is this manmade Matrix?
A. It is not easy to define. We might call it Materialism but that’s being too simplistic.
Essentially, the manmade Matrix is the cruel illusion that deceives human beings into believing their five senses as the entirety of their being, thereby limiting their lives to the fruitless fulfilment of their corresponding five sensual desires!
A system that begins at home, spreads via schools and institutions, multiplies in workplaces, to then enslave, and finally deliver its victims to Death. Think of it as the mythical Grim Reaper, or Yama – God of Death – brought by man upon himself.
Q. How? What? Where?
A. Simply put, it is that which won’t let you see Truth!
Q. For the millionth time, what truth?
A. That you are deeper than the body cloak and shallow senses. You, dear soul, are master of the senses, desiring no object of this world. You are after something infinitely more precious than simple material goods. Something much too eternal.
Q. But we do desire material things. Why do you say the Soul does not desire them?
A. Because the Soul is not a physical object, while worldly things are. We’re not saying that the material isn’t important. Oh, they are invaluable ornaments and securities to the body cloak, yet, the Soul, personally has no need for them. The non-material Soul seeks that which it can inherit and transport with it, when it takes leave of its present body.
ATMuniVerses (what's in a name?)
We choose not to be part of a Matrix that keeps Truth undiscovered.
So here we are, acquainting with souls inclined to dive into such investigations.
Utilizing poetic license within a philosophical framework, we begin with the name of our website itself, which contains many nested words and acronyms, each harboring a distinct concept-
ANALOGY TRUTH MYTH
ARTISTRY THERAPY MELODY
ARCHETYPES THROUGH MEDITATION
AESTHETICS TRANSCENDENCE METAPHYSICS
For all who seek... poetically
In their heart of hearts, all artists and scientists know that their Art/ Science exists eternally in an unseen river flowing deep and undissociated throughout the universe. These deep thinkers regularly dive into that divine river, exploring its various banks. Undeniably, they’re all trying to get to its source.
This aforementioned universal fountainhead of creative knowledge is the domain of all creative minds on this planet. With some effort, it can be yours too.
Exploration in Indian Philosophy
It is important to realize that walking for miles on a lighted Path is not real exploration. A single step taken in darkness is! It is the Way, as prescribed by Indian Philosophy, that is, not surrendering to the apparent, but enquiring into that which is hidden.
By all means, it should be impossible to get into ancient Rishi and Muni minds. But, with some effort, we may find codes that unite their transcendental theories, unlocking the answer to the most earth-shattering argument of all time-