The Concept of Zero, Infinity and One

 

Some topic in Buddhist philosophy introduced me to the concept of Shunya, or Nothingness, often associated with Zero and while reflecting on commentaries from Vedantic scriptures, the notion of the Atman being Infinite kept surfacing.

As someone with an affinity for Mathematics and in the early stages of understanding these profound ideas, my curious and restless mind couldn’t help but explore the connections. 

The deeper I delved, the more I noticed intriguing similarities:

- Zero (0) and Infinity (∞) as symbols are timeless. They have no Adi (beginning) and no Anta (end) — they’re beginningless and endless.

- When the symbols are written in two-dimensional space, you can start anywhere, and eventually, you’ll circle back to the starting point.

- In three-dimensional space, Infinity defies explanation, just as Nothingness does.

- At Infinity, what exists? Nothing. At Zero, what exists? Infinity.

- How does one count to either Infinity or Zero? It’s impossible.

This left me wondering: Are Zero and Infinity the same?

Then came the inevitable question: “Who am I?” This led me to ponder the idea of One. 

What is One? 

- There is nothing more and nothing less. It simply IS. 

- It begins at a point and ends at a point. 

- Theoretically, One could start at Zero and end at Infinity. Yet, at the end of Infinity lies Zero again. 

- How many infinities exist? One. And how many Zeros? One, again.

So, is One - Zero or Infinity, or both? Or is it just itself? 

Advaita Vedanta beautifully scrambles the mind. 

The Mahavakya – Aham Brahmasmi – “I am Brahmn,” describes the One: Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Infinite, and Sat Chit Anand – Pure Awareness, Consciousness, and Bliss. 

And yet, Brahmn is Nothing — Zero.

So, are Zero, Infinity, and One the same?