Passage 8

Principle of oneness implied by "Thath Thwam Asi"

To take another example. There is the vast fathomless ocean. Innumerable waves arise from the ocean. The waves appear to be different from each other, but are not really different. They are expressions of the same water of the ocean. Only their forms appear to vary. From the waves arise foam. The foam is inseparable from the waves. The foam cannot separate itself from the waves and the waves cannot separate themselves for the sea-water. The ocean is present both in the waves and the foam. The unity of these three is called Kootastha by Vedantha. Kootastha refers to the Thath that is present in all things (that differ in name and form). This principle of oneness is proclaimed by Vedantha in the pronouncement, "Thath Thwam Asi." The fourth declaration is: "Ayam Atma Brahma." Ayam means that which is self-luminous and self-created. It is unmanifested - Paroksha. Its form is self-chosen. Next to it is the term Atma. The Atma is present in all beings in the form of Chaithanya (Consciousness). Such Consciousness, which is present in all beings, has been called Sathyam. The reason for this appellation is that this Atma is Nithya (ever-present). Moreover, it is called Sathyam because, as pointed out in the Thaitthireeya Upanishad, the Atma is the basis for all good thoughts and good actions.