Is the universe a single, interconnected family held together by a hidden, divine consciousness?

Science · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kaula is a Tantric tradition that views reality as a unified family, or Kula, where every object and person is a reflection of a supreme, transcendent substrate. By deconditioning the mind and embracing all experiences as expressions of divine energy, practitioners seek to dissolve the illusion of separation entirely.

At the heart of the Kaula tradition lies the concept of Kula, which translates to family, group, or self-contained unit. Philosophically, this represents a profound interconnectedness beneath the diversity of the manifest world. The tradition posits that all things—whether physical, mental, or spiritual—are concretizations of a supreme, unmanifest consciousness known as Akula. While Akula remains transcendent, it serves as the substantial and efficient cause of all manifestation, much like clay and a potter are both necessary to create a pot.

The binding force of this cosmic family is Kaulika, or Shakti, the creative energy that remains identical to the absolute even as it generates the universe. Kaula practitioners view this energy as both spirit and matter, bridging the gap between ego and divinity. Unlike traditions that treat the material world as an illusion to be escaped, Kaula adopts an affirmative approach. It teaches that the body is a vessel for the supreme, and that social life, artistic pursuits, and even forbidden actions can be transformed into vectors for spiritual evolution when performed with the right attitude.

Central to this practice is the role of the guru, who is considered to form a single Self with the disciple. Through initiation and group rituals, practitioners aim to experience the unity of the spirit with God, a state of absolute freedom where the powers of knowledge and action are unfettered. By achieving this, the adept moves beyond the constraints of time and space, eventually reaching a state of extroverted samadhi. In this pinnacle of evolution, the yogi perceives no difference between interior and exterior, experiencing the entire universe as a continuous, ecstatic expression of divine light.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The Metamorphosis of Brahman: A Universe Born from Divine Seduction
• Shakti is the primordial energy that sustains the universe, transcending all male and female deities.
• Is your consciousness a separate entity from the physical world you experience every day?
• The ancient forest text that claims nothing existed before the universe
• The universe is a repeating cycle of decay and rebirth
• A nuclear plant that produces constant heat but variable electricity
• How a Rising Political Star Lost His Doctorate and Career to Academic Plagiarism
• The first African American major-party candidate for Ohio governor
• How a high-stakes political battle over breast cancer funding reshaped a career and charity
• Two men, one name: a heart scientist and a sci-fi visionary
• How a 'crazy' idea about ceramics sparked a revolution in high-temperature superconductivity
• How Kenneth Wilson used a divide-and-conquer strategy to solve the physics of phase transitions.

More in Physics · More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics