Vedic Tradition and UFOs with Michael Cremo

The Vedic Tradition and UFOs: A Consciousness-Based Cosmology

This discussion between Jeffrey Mishlov and Michael Cremo explores the profound connections between the ancient Vedic tradition and modern UFO phenomena, arguing that the Vedic worldview offers a framework for understanding these contemporary mysteries. Cremo, author of "Forbidden Archaeology" and "Human Devolution," posits that the Vedic cosmos is fundamentally consciousness-based, contrasting with the materialist ontology of Western thought.

Vedic Cosmology vs. Western Worldview

Consciousness as Primary: The Vedic view posits that consciousness is the origin of matter, not the other way around. This contrasts with the Western materialist perspective where consciousness is seen as an emergent property of matter.
Personalist Universe: The Vedic cosmos is inherently personal, with intelligence and individuality embedded in its structure. It is inhabited by various conscious beings with established communication channels.
Monotheistic Element within Polytheism: While seemingly polytheistic, the Vedic tradition acknowledges one ultimate being of pure consciousness. Other beings, like the devas (akin to angels), exist at different levels of power and ability, mediating between the supreme being and ordinary humans.
Cosmic Hierarchy and Conflict: A central theme is the conflict between forces of good (suras) and forces of darkness (asuras), occurring in hyperspace or super-sensual realities. All beings are ultimately conscious entities, with the material universe offering opportunities for enjoyment or for returning to a realm beyond birth and death.

Immensity of the Universe and Multiverse

Vast Scale: The Vedic tradition has long recognized the immense scale of the universe, far predating Western acknowledgment.
Hundreds of Thousands of Worlds: It describes hundreds of thousands of different humanoid beings inhabiting other planets and hyperspatial dimensions, and even other universes.
Maha Vishnu and Cosmic Cycles: The material universes originate from Maha Vishnu, who sleeps on the cosmic ocean. As he breathes, millions of universes expand from his skin pores and are reabsorbed upon inhalation. Each breath cycle lasts 311 trillion years, encompassing vast cycles of creation and destruction.
Modern Parallels: Cremo notes that modern concepts like the multiverse, expanding and contracting universes (Big Bang and Big Bounce), and the challenge of explaining consciousness align with Vedic cosmology.

Yoga, Meditation, and Cross-Cultural Wisdom Traditions

Developed Practices: The Vedic tradition, and its offshoot Buddhism, feature highly developed practices of yoga and meditation, which are less emphasized in Judeo-Christian or shamanistic traditions.
Universal Themes: Cremo's research across 40 wisdom traditions reveals common features: acknowledgment of consciousness and personality as primary, a cosmic hierarchy of beings, connections between terrestrial humans and higher realms, and the ability of the conscious self to travel out of the body (e.g., shamanic journeys). These shared elements suggest different perspectives on the same underlying reality.

Vimanas: Ancient Flying Machines and UFO Parallels

Elaborate Descriptions: The Vedic tradition contains detailed descriptions of vimanas, ancient flying machines, some as large as temples or palaces, even described as "flying cities."
Material and Subtle Craft: Vimanas are categorized into material craft made of physical elements, subtle craft produced by mystic powers, and non-material craft.
Resemblance to Modern Aircraft: Some vimanas are described with wings, resembling modern airplanes, and were reportedly made of light wood. Notably, some were powered by mercury-fueled engines.
Shalva's Vimana: A Case Study: The vimana used by King Shalva, an asura, to attack the city of Dwarka (a center of good forces 5,000 years ago) is a significant example.
- Interplanetary Technology Transfer: Shalva obtained this vimana from a higher asura, illustrating a concept of technology transfer from extraterrestrial beings.
- Advanced Weaponry: The vimana employed weapons described as "arrows" and "spears" that roared through the sky like lightning, countered by weapons resembling modern anti-missile missiles.
- Stealth and Manifestation: This craft could appear in multiple places simultaneously, vanish, and project holographic images, mirroring modern UFO reports and military technologies designed to deceive radar.
Imagination vs. Reality: Cremo argues that the detailed and specific nature of these descriptions, which often align with modern observations and technological developments, suggests they are not mere products of fanciful imagination but reflect actual ancient events. He draws parallels to Leonardo da Vinci's visionary designs.

Psychic Abilities and the Paranormal Dimension of UFOs

Mental Control of Craft: Vimanas, like Shalva's kamaga (meaning "going by will"), could be controlled mentally. This aligns with modern military efforts to develop mental or eye-movement control for high-speed aircraft.
Mystic Manifestation: The sage Kardama Muni manifested a flying city, complete with gardens, animals, and realistic robot birds, through mental power alone. This prefigures modern military drones designed to mimic birds for surveillance.
Paranormal Elements in UFO Accounts: Cremo notes the shift in UFO research from a "nuts and bolts" focus to acknowledging paranormal aspects, such as abduction experiences involving levitation, medical investigations, and inexplicable disappearances. This aligns with the Vedic concept of beings with advanced spiritual powers capable of manifesting realities.

Hidden Dimensions and Sacred Geography

Parallel Dimensions and Hidden Realms: The Vedic tradition suggests that UFOs may not originate solely from outer space but could exist in parallel dimensions or hidden within our own reality (e.g., beneath oceans, in caves, or Antarctica).
Sacred Geography: Vedic descriptions of earthly reality include concepts like the Bhū-maṇḍala, a central island with Mount Meru, surrounded by rings of oceans and islands. This "sacred geography" suggests realms inhabited by beings with powers beyond ordinary human perception.
Unseen Aspects of Reality: There may be dimensions to our present terrestrial reality with beings possessing mystical powers and technologies based on different principles.

Cosmological Order and Humility

Interacting Beings: The Vedic cosmology encompasses spiritual beings, physical beings from other planets, and evolved humans, all interacting over vast timescales.
Engendering Humility: This perspective fosters humility, recognizing that humanity is not the sole master of the universe and that other factors and beings are involved.
Cosmic Arrangement for Necessities: The universe is arranged with demigods and suras responsible for providing life's necessities. Misuse of resources or improper behavior can lead to restrictions from these higher beings, as seen in the context of climate change.
Hierarchy and Order: The Vedic tradition emphasizes a cosmological order and hierarchy, contrasting with the idea of an accidental universe.

Ancestor Worship and Reincarnation

Complexity of Ancestor Veneration: While reincarnation is central, the Vedic tradition includes a form of ancestor veneration through Shraddha, offerings to departed souls.
Preventing Ghostly Existence: Shraddha ceremonies are performed to prevent ancestors from remaining as ghosts, retaining desires without the means to fulfill them.
Handling of Souls: The Vedic cosmology includes a system for managing souls after death, determining their next destination, body type, and planetary level.
Yamaraj and Yamadutas: Yamaraj, the lord of death, and his servants, yamadutas, oversee the process.
Vishnu Dutas Intervention: Vishnu dutas, representatives of the supreme being, can intervene when yamadutas make mistakes in soul placement. The story of Ajamila illustrates this intervention, where a soul destined for a lower realm is redirected due to spiritual merit.
Near-Death Experiences: The story of Ajamila also touches upon near-death experiences, where an individual is allowed to return to their body after a death experience.

Conclusion

The Vedic tradition, with its consciousness-based cosmology, vast understanding of the universe, and detailed descriptions of advanced technologies and paranormal phenomena, provides a compelling framework for interpreting modern UFO sightings and related experiences. The parallels between ancient Vedic texts and contemporary observations suggest a deeper, interconnected reality that transcends our current materialist understanding.

Key Concepts

Vedic Tradition: Ancient Indian spiritual and philosophical system.
Consciousness-Based Cosmology: A worldview where consciousness is primary.
Materialist Ontology: A worldview where matter is primary.
Devas: Celestial beings or demigods in Vedic cosmology.
Asuras: Demonic or anti-godly beings in Vedic cosmology.
Suras: Saintly or godly beings in Vedic cosmology.
Maha Vishnu: A form of the Supreme Being responsible for material creation.
Cosmic Ocean/Causal Ocean: The primordial ocean from which universes manifest.
Multiverse: The theory of multiple universes.
Big Bang/Big Bounce: Theories of cosmic expansion and contraction.
Yoga and Meditation: Practices for spiritual development and consciousness expansion.
Vimanas: Ancient flying machines described in Vedic texts.
Kamaga: A vimana controlled by will.
Shraddha: An offering to departed souls in Vedic tradition.
Reincarnation: The rebirth of a soul in a new body.
Ghosts: Souls that remain in a disembodied state due to unfulfilled desires.
Yamaraj: The lord of death in Vedic cosmology.
Yamadutas: Servants of Yamaraj.
Vishnu Dutas: Representatives of the Supreme Being.
Sacred Geography: Geographical descriptions that include spiritual or mystical elements.
Bhū-maṇḍala: The earthly realm in Vedic cosmology.
Mount Meru: A mythical mountain at the center of the universe.