Universal Religion
“Honey!” my wife called as I left the house, “Don’t forget the carrots on the way home.” I rode my bicycle to my father’s home and over breakfast he suggested, “Tim, have some more toast.” “Doctor,” one of my patients inquired a bit later, “What do you recommend for my injured knee?” After work, I ran into one of my meditation students at the store who addressed me, “Namaskar [salutations] Jyotisha, I’ll see you at group meditation.” “Thank you, sir,” the clerk said after I purchased the carrots. And finally, “Daddy! I need a goodnight kiss!” my youngest daughter shouted from the bedroom.
Honey, Tim, Doctor, Jyotisha, Sir, Daddy. . .so many names! Am I so many people?
I am one person, a singular entity, but my name changes depending on the relationship of the person who is addressing me.
In a similar way, God is known by countless names. Language, culture, religion, and philosophical context all shape how we refer to the Supreme. But there is only one God who does not change when called by different names.
Even within the science of yoga there are many names for God. As the infinite consciousness from which all has come and to which all returns, God is called Parama Purusha (supreme consciousness). As the eternal witnessing entity, this same consciousness is known as the Atman (soul or witnessing self). As the controller of the created universe, God is called Ishwara (controlling entity).
Regardless of the name used, God remains one, a singular entity, simultaneously associated with every particle and entity of the created universe as well as with all creation as a whole.