That Which Exists Before All Things

The very first perspective to study is the nature or thing that is before everything. It truly is, unlike all things, which really aren’t, as they momentarily arise, manifest, and disappear.

That’s what’s meant by all saṅkhāras, things that are created, momentarily establish, and disintegrate. However, kaivalyatā isn’t like that. Its existence isn’t like the ordinary existence of everything, of all saṅkhāras. This is what we are beginning to study and know, that we will explore throughout this series — that which exists before all things.

Some of you will wonder or want to know why we should take the time and trouble to know this thing. Of what benefit is it?

This is a difficult question to answer. Some people are able to know only what they can put in their mouths to eat. For them, nothing else is necessary. However, some of us wish to understand much more and don’t limit our knowledge, eventually getting acquainted with something that exists before all things as the basis or foundation of everything. All things evolve out of this thing without diminishing it in any way. Everything can disintegrate and dissolve into it without filling it up. It lacks nothing, it can’t be completed. Of what benefit is this sort of thing?

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