As the line made by a moving fire-brand appears to be straight, crooked, etc., so Ataman/spirit, when set in motion, appears as the perceiver, the perceived and the like.
As the fire-brand, when not in motion, is free from all appearances and remains changeless, so Ataman/spirit, when not in motion, is free from all appearances and remains Changeless.
When the fire—brand is set in motion, the appearances that are seen in it do not come from elsewhere. When it is still, the appearances do not leave the motionless fire—brand and go elsewhere, nor do they enter into the fire-brand itself.
The appearances do not emerge from the fire-brand, because their nature is not that of a substance. This applies likewise to Ataman, because of the similarity of the appearances.
When Ataman is associated with the idea of activity, as in the waking /dream, the appearances that seem to arise do not come from anywhere else. When Ataman is none-active, as in deep sleep, the appearances do not leave the non-active Ataman and go elsewhere, nor do they merge in it. The appearances do not emerge from Ataman, for their nature is not that of a substance. They are incomprehensible, because they are not subject to the relation of cause and effect.
A substance may be the cause of another substance and a non- substance, the cause of another non-substance. But the individual cannot possibly be anything like a substance or a non-substance.
The three states are not caused by the mind, nor is the mind caused by them because they are mind itself. The mind is myth on the standpoint of the Ataman as self. Hence one has to hold to the principle of absolute non-creation.
