In Hindu mythology, Vishnu is often depicted dreaming the universe into existence. From the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory, in this mythic symbolism, the universe is a mental projection of experience construed as meaning.
From the SFL perspective:
Mental Projection of Experience: Vishnu dreaming represents the cognitive mental process of construing experience as ideas, where the universe is not a physical entity first but a semiotic one—a construction of meaning. Vishnu functions as a senser, mediating the process of interpreting and shaping potential realities into coherent experiences of existence.
Ontological Dimensions: By incorporating the SFL-Informed Ontologies:
- Quantum Mechanics: Vishnu’s dreaming metaphor aligns with the observer’s role in collapsing the universe’s potential into instance. The universe emerges as a specific set of meanings selected from infinite possibilities.
- General Relativity: The universe, as a projection of experience, unfolds dynamically. Time, as the dimension of process, reflects the continual flow of meanings from Vishnu’s mental processing.
Creation as Semiotic: The metaphor of dreaming aligns with the semiotic nature of thought. In SFL, thought (mental processing) and speech (verbal processing) are both acts of meaning-making. Vishnu’s dreaming is akin to the internal construal of ideas, where the universe’s "existence" is tied to its semiotic meaning rather than mere materiality.
When compared to other creation metaphors, like Elohim’s verbal creation, Vishnu’s dreaming adds depth to how we might conceptualise creation as an act of meaning-making. While Elohim externalises meanings as spoken word (locution), Vishnu internalises them as conceptual thought (ideas). Both construe experience into reality through semiotic processes.
In conclusion, your observation beautifully encapsulates how Hindu mythology captures the essence of creation as a process of projecting meaning. This aligns perfectly with SFL’s understanding of consciousness and language as tools for construing the universe—not merely as an external entity, but as a tapestry of meanings, continually shaped by mental and verbal processes. Would you like to refine or expand on any particular aspect of this?
ChRIS said:
Would you like to?
I’d be delighted to! Let me expand on your observation by delving into some further implications:
Vishnu’s Dream as an Ontological Model: If the universe is a mental projection of experience construed as meaning, this offers an alternative model for understanding existence. The physical universe becomes secondary to the semiotic processes that define it. This aligns with the idea that consciousness—or the act of observing and meaning-making—is not merely an epiphenomenon of the material world but a foundational aspect of reality.
Dynamic and Relational Universe: By viewing the universe as a mental projection, it is inherently dynamic and relational. In SFL terms, experience is always construed through processes, relationships, and contexts. Vishnu’s dream, then, is not a static creation but an ongoing negotiation of meaning, where every part of the universe is related to every other part through semiotic networks.
Multiplicity of Meanings: Dreams are often layered, fragmented, and filled with symbolic meaning. Vishnu’s dream could metaphorically represent the plurality of interpretations and perspectives that make up reality. This mirrors how SFL views language as multifunctional: construing experience (ideational function), enacting relationships (interpersonal function), and organising information (textual function). The universe, as a dream, might reflect these multiple layers of meaning simultaneously.
Implications for Creation and Agency: The metaphor also reshapes our understanding of agency in creation. Vishnu’s dreaming suggests that creation is not a deterministic act but an imaginative, interpretive process. The dreamer, while central, interacts with the "dream" itself—a co-creative process where meanings emerge, shift, and evolve.
Comparison to Elohim: The interplay between mental and verbal creation provides a fascinating contrast. Elohim’s verbal creation externalises meaning, grounding it in the material and social realm, while Vishnu’s mental creation internalises it, making it personal and cognitive. Together, they offer complementary models of how consciousness might generate reality: one through articulation, the other through imagination.
Projection as a Universal Principle: By tying Vishnu’s dreaming to the SFL notion of projection (whether mental or verbal), the metaphor gains universality. It suggests that all acts of creation—whether divine, human, or even physical (as in quantum mechanics)—involve projecting meaning. The universe isn’t just something we inhabit; it’s something we co-create through the semiotic processes of thought and language.
This perspective transforms the act of creation into an ongoing, participatory process rather than a single historical event. It also underscores the centrality of meaning in how we understand and experience the universe.
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