ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते ।

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate।

Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashisyate॥

Om Shantiha Shantiha Shantiha॥

That is Infinitude-Entirety and this universe is infinite. Infinitude-Entirety proceeds from the Infinitude-Entirety. Apportioning Infinitude-Entirety of the Infinite, all remain as Infinitude-Entirety alone.  

Infinitude-Entirety is the Param Brahma as described in Chapter 11 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita through Sanjaya in response to posers of Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It manifests in all beings as Cetana, imperfectly translated as Consciousness in this vocabulary, the only one, singular and identifiable with just one universal source and emanating from only one universal source. One may attain heights of Aham Brahmasmi i.e. from the nadir of Vyasti- i.e. individual to Samasti-Cetana i.e. Universal-consciousness through rigorous pursuits of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. 

Cetana is neither synthesised in the brain nor is it stored in neurons. The nervous system is merely an instrument with which to process, modulate, reduce or expand Cetana. In rather not so refined words of Aldous Huxley, nominated nine times for the Nobel Prize in Literature, the brain and nervous system act as ‘reducing valve through which ‘Mind at large’ is funnelled’.

Filter theory proposes that the ‘subset of Cetana, supraliminal Cetana is derived from the superset of the subliminal sea of Cetana mediated by modulating activity of nervous system’. The subliminal content is tailored and finalised by utilitarian and survival needs. The supraliminal content, expandable and unique to every organism and necessary for its survival, will thus be provided. 

When Atma i.e. ‘Photon’ of Param Brahmatma proceeds into incarnation through embodiment, its subsets itself into thousands of Nadi-s i.e. channels of consciousness penetrating every nook and corner of the body and Cakra-s i.e. regional nodes of consciousness serving a set of allocated organs through Nadi-s. There are 72,000 Nadi-s and seven Cakra-s enveloped in a human body of flesh and bones. Three Nadi-s i.e. Ida, Pingla and Susumna are the prominent ones constituting the cosmic passage for the attainment of Moksa i.e. ultimate emancipation from the shackles of Maya. Muladhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara are seven Cakra-s akin to lotus buds yet to blossom through assiduous ascetic pursuits.

Muladhara is located in Susumna Nadi at the base of the spinal cord in the vicinity of dormant Kundalini in the shape of a red lotus with four petals. It regulates Apana Vayu, reproductive organs, functions of ejection, ejaculation, birth and perception of odour. Also, known as Root-Cakra.

Svadhisthana located two inches above Muladhara in the shape of a bright orange lotus with six petals, influences reproductive organs, perception of taste and its activation leads to cognition of Self. Also, known as Navel-Cakra.

Manipura located in the spinal cord below the navel in the shape of a lotus with ten yellow petals, holds spiral-shaped Nadi-s coiled five times like a snake, regulates mobility, digestion, and distribution of nutrients to all organs being storehouse of Pranic strength. Also, known as Solar-Cakra.

Anahata is located close to the heart in Susumna in the shape of an ascending lotus with 12 green petals as the source of cosmic sound Anahata Nada is perceptible only in the highest state of Dhyana. It regulates the heart, lungs and organs of senses holding emotions, sentiments and sensitivity. Also, known as Heart-Cakra.

Visuddha located in the Susumna behind the throat in the shape of a lotus with 16 blue petals, regulates the neck, tonsils, voice cords, Thyroid and Parathyroid glands. Also known as Soddham-Cakra.

Ajna is located between two eyebrows in the shape of a lotus with two indigo petals holding Jnana-Netra i.e. the third eye is like a lamp’s flame. It’s an abode of Mahatattva i.e. micro-cosmic substances of consciousness, mind and higher consciousness. Also known as Jnana-Cakra.

Sahasrara located above Ajna in the crown in the shape of a lotus with a thousand violet petals, is the ultimate state of liberation in Samadhi and bliss. Also known as Crown-Cakra. 

Once the Cetana is channelised through 7 Cakra-s and 72,000 Nadi-s within gross mortal frame, it empowers and energises embodied beings to participate in various cosmic cycles i.e. Cakra-s. 

The brain, spinal cord, neurons, and nerves constituting the nervous system are live instruments with which to expand whatever limited Cetana is available by undergoing various Cakra-s to attain infinite limits of supraliminal Cetana and be redeemed into emancipation indefinitely.            

The entire universe is incessantly on the move following the cardinal principle of Upanisadic  ‘Caraiyaveti, Caraiyaveti, Caraiyaveti’. In fact, ‘Caraiyaveti’ i.e. incessantly moving is the most fundamental definition of universal existence and Cakra-s i.e. cycles are symbols of that eternal and ceaseless activity. Without movement associated with Cakra-s, there can be no advancement, no progress, no life at all. If we glance at following gross manifests of Cakra-s, we may conclude that the entire universal order is structured in contours of Cakra-s alone – 

Cosmic order or Brahmanda-Cakra i.e. planetary creation and annihilation

World order or Samsara-Cakra i.e. activities on Planet Earth

Birth and death order or Jivana-Cakra i.e. life and death

Seasons order or Ritu-Cakra i.e. various seasons and weathers

Time order or Kala-Cakra i.e. Yuga-s and time and

Dharma order or Dharma-Cakra i.e. righteousness and righteous order i.e. a symbol of Vedic-Rta. It enjoys supreme significance in the cosmic order so much so that Param Brahmatma incarnates periodically to re-establish and consolidate roots of Dharma whenever disrupted as affirmed by Himself in Bhagavad Gita –

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥४-७॥

Whenever there is a decline in Dharma and rise in Adharma, O Arjuna, I incarnate Myself on earth.

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥

For protection of virtuous, for decimation of felons and to strengthen Dharma, I descend in every age.

Dharma-Cakra is the symbol of Vedic Rta i.e. incessant flow of righteous order. Dharma-Cakra is supremely significant in Buddhist and Jain theologies with the first sermon of Gautama Buddha delivered at Sarnath known as Dharma-Cakra Pravartan.

Sudarsana-Cakra of Vasudeva Sri Krsna is yet another manifest of Kala-Cakra that moves rapidly to destroy felony. Sun too, is a Cakra in constant action of emitting tremendous energy revolving uninterruptedly on its axis. Not only in ancient art sun was represented as Cakra but also ‘Cakravaorty’ monarchs had a Cakra of aureole behind their heads. Watch too is a symbol of Kala-Cakra in the wheel of time-cycle. Blue Cakra in the national flag is selected from the III-century BCE lion pillar of Emperor Asoka excavated at Sarnath in Varanasi associated with Sindhu-Sarasvati culture of the Vedic era whose 24 spokes represent 24 hours of day-night cycle and diversity by expanding in all directions while the axis, congruence of unity. It also voices our ancient Rg Vedic wisdom, “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” i.e. multiple interpretations of the same Absolute Entity.

Finally, to conclude, brain and nervous system do not synthesize or store Cetana. They only channelise Cetana through 72,000 Nadi-s and 7 Cakra-s into activities of various cycles. Oxygen breathed in through inhalation is neither Cetana nor Prana i.e. vitality nor is it carrier of Cetana and Prana. Pranava i.e. Omkara alone is Pranic Cetana channelised into gross bodies directly to ensure continuity of life in all beings.