That which is the subtle essence

Aruni asked Shvetaketu to bring a fruit from a banyan tree and said: "Break it."
He broke it.
Aruni asked him: "What is in it?"
"Small seeds, Bhagavan."
"Break one of them."
"Broken, Bhagavan."
"What is in it?"
"Nothing," said Shvetaketu.
"In this atomic seed, you see this 'nothing'; in this very 'nothing,' a huge banyan tree is hidden." This invisible "subtle essence" original: "anima" is what contains the whole world. The invisible power "subtle essence" hidden in this atomic seed has transformed into the world—this subtle essence is the Soul original: "Atma", you are that Soul yourself, this is the truth.

What is that "nothing" or "subtle essence"?
The unmanifest power hidden in atoms.
Was this "nothing" non-existent?
Yes, this "subtle essence" was non-existent, but in the sense that it was not manifested as a creation with names and forms. Otherwise, can existence be produced from non-existence anywhere?

A decorative horizontal divider separates the text.

1. "That subtle essence which you do not perceive, my dear, from that very subtle essence stands this great banyan tree..." Chandogya Upanishad 6/12/2.

2. "That which is this subtle essence, this whole world is of that nature, that is the Truth, that is the Soul, you are that, O Shvetaketu!" Same, 6/12/3.