Understanding Nonmanifestness: The Idea That Reality Hides More Than It Reveals

Nonmanifestness refers to the idea that some aspects of reality are not directly perceptible or observable, and therefore cannot be known through our ordinary senses or cognitive processes. In other words, nonmanifestness suggests that there are aspects of reality that are not explicitly present in our experience, but rather implied or inferred from what we do experience.

For example, the concept of "time" is often considered a nonmanifest aspect of reality, as it cannot be directly perceived through our senses. We can only infer the passage of time based on changes in our experiences and the physical world around us. Similarly, abstract concepts like "justice" or "love" are also considered nonmanifest, as they cannot be directly observed or measured, but rather understood through their effects on our experiences and behaviors.

The idea of nonmanifestness is central to many philosophical and spiritual traditions, which often posit the existence of realms or dimensions of reality that are beyond our ordinary perception. For example, in Buddhism, the concept of "emptiness" (shunyata) refers to the nonmanifest nature of all phenomena, which are seen as empty of inherent existence and dependent on other factors for their meaning and existence. Similarly, in Advaita Vedanta, the concept of "Brahman" refers to the unmanifest, all-encompassing reality that underlies the manifest world of our experiences.

In summary, nonmanifestness refers to the idea that there are aspects of reality that cannot be directly known through our ordinary senses or cognitive processes, and must be inferred or understood through their effects on our experiences and behaviors. This idea is central to many philosophical and spiritual traditions, which often posit the existence of realms or dimensions of reality that are beyond our ordinary perception.