Sarvajñatā — omniscience, all-knowing.

Facebook archive. First published on 06.05.2016.

I will share another inner discovery of mine. Those who are not interested in yoga may scroll on to the cats.

It seemed to me that omniscience was like a single-moment insight. But in Patanjali I came across the statement that every being possesses omniscience.

"In every being there is, to one degree or another, supersensory knowledge concerning the past, present, and future (the 'seed of omniscience'). If this knowledge, increasing, reaches a stage that cannot be surpassed, this is omniscience. It is inherent in Ishvara."

In forming the sentences in this post, I deliberately conceal the essence of the idea, lead toward thoughts, try to warm up interest — this process is called introducing intrigue (from Lat. intrico — "I entangle"). Every kind of literature is based on this; information is customarily given in parts for better assimilation. But this is also a kind of deception, because the author knows the final idea, yet refuses to give it whole and at once.

It seems that any idea should first be prepared, suitable comparisons brought in, correct descriptions and characteristics found, and only then, when the reader is ready, only then reveal the very essence. This is the whole lie; we do the same in everyday life, we constantly strive to satisfy it. With this approach, omniscience will not be available; with this approach, the function of the mind that is responsible for omniscience will move into the category of fantasies.