The individual Self is a minute particle of will or consciousness —
a sentient being — endowed with a serving tendency.
This Self is transcendental to matter and qualitatively one with Godhead,
while quantitatively different.
The inherent defect of smallness in size in the minute Self
in contrast to the quantitative superiority of Godhead
makes the individual minute particle of consciousness
prone to the influence of illusion.
This is analogous to the example of a hologram
in which only a portion of the holographic plate
is illuminated with a coherent light source.
The resultant image, although apparently complete,
is slightly fuzzy and does not give the total three-dimensional view
from all directions
which one would observe when the entire holographic plate is illuminated.
Living in illusion, the atomic Soul sees himself
as separate from the Godhead.
As a result of imperfect sense perception
he is caused to make false distinctions such as good and bad,
happiness and distress.
The minute self can also live in an enlightened state
in complete harmony with the Godhead by the latter’s grace —
which is attracted by sincere petition or devotion.
The very nature of devotion is that it is of another world,
and for it to be devotion in the full sense,
it must be engaged in it for its own sake and nothing else.
This act of devotion is the purified function
of the inherent serving tendency of the self.
It makes possible a communion with Godhead.
In this communion the self becomes one in purpose
with the one reality
and eternally serves that reality
with no sense of any separateness from Godhead.
If we accept this theory
then there is scope for action from within the illusion,
such as prayer or meditation, to have influence upon the whole.
At least it would appear so, inasmuch as, in reality,
the inspiration for such action has its origin in Godhead.
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