The appearance of multiplicity is attributed to 'Maya' - a power which is assumed to be inherent in "Reality". Why the multiplicity? This cannot be answered from the level of multiplicity. When once "Reality" is understood, the multiplicity disappears. The multiplicity is mere appearance. Reality is 'Swaroopa' and 'Appearance' is 'swabhava'.
Maya is said to be "indeterminable ignorance". There are three terms (i) 'Avidya' (non-understanding); (ii) 'Adyasa' (misunderstanding) and (iii) 'Vidya' (understanding), connected with Maya. 'Avidya' conceals the Swaroopa; 'adyasa' confuses the Swaroopa and swabhava, superimposing one on another; and 'vidya' reveals the Swaroopa.
The analogy of 'sanke and rope' is often used by vedantins to explain 'adyasa' -'misunderstanding'. The common man (without understanding) thinks 'he is the body' ('appearance' is the only reality); the book-learned man endowed with intellectual knowledge, confuses himself with the mixture of appearance and Swaroopa, while, those who are endowed with wisdom knowledge, realize 'Swaroopa' alone, everywhere.
"Swaroopa' (Reality) is described as 'mayatheetha', Swabava is an expression known by the term 'mahamaya'; the appearance of universe is 'jaganmaya', and the reflection as 'individual' is 'avidya'. Another school equates "Paramashiva" with Swaroopa (Reality), "Parashakthy" with mahamaya , 'Athysakthy' with jaganmaya, and 'Iccha- kriya-gnana sakthy' with the individual. Yet another school describes these terms as 'Awareness'(Reality), 'I-Consciousness'(expressing Reality), 'I am the Universe'(appearance) 'I am the individual'(Reflection) and 'Individuality'(illusory reflection).
REALITY is 'Fullness', and Its expression is 'I-Consciousness', (difference between the two is only similar to "Light" and "day-light"). 'I- Consciousness' causes the universe and the individual. Water alone forms the Ocean, and the Ocean, in turn, appears as Waves and reflects as Individual Wave. One can understand this truth intellectually, but wisdom-knowledge is needed to realize the One Reality permeating everywhere. On realization of Reality, Maya disappears, similar to darkness in the presence of Sun.
Regarding the appearance of world, there are different schools of thought. One school assumes 'chit' and 'jadam' associating with Reality and causing a world as it appears. Another school holds the view that 'Maya', an inherent power in Reality, is the cause. Yet, another school brings in Shiva-Sakthy concept, and Shiva with the power of Sakthy, performs the dance of creativity.
Sri Sankara advises to relinquish ' world-appearance' by seeing Reality permeating all manifested things. Yoga-vasishta declares that just as Reality and Soul are non-different, the Soul and the Mind are the same; similarly, the Mind and the Universe are identical. Isavasya upanishad begins with the statement that all this, whatsoever moves in the moving world, is pervaded by God. In Kenopanishad, it is declared that Reality is beyond known and unknown. Kathopanishad declares "Knowledge of Self can be gained only by those whom He chooses". In 'upadesa sahasri', Sri Sankara says that one should clearly realize the Self in all being, having for an example, the relation between water and waves.
Reality is beyond Maya and beyond Vidya and Avidya. Vidya is only a pointer to Reality and not Reality as such. Reality reveals by Itself.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
UNITARY VISION OF "I AND I AM "
The terms "Absolute Reality", "I-Consciousness", "I am the Universe", "I & I Am the individual" and "Individuality" have already been discussed in this blog. Now, we may proceed with the thought on "Unitary vision of I and I am". In the 'individual, "I" is the LIFE and "I AM" is the LIVING. "I" is the Witness and "I AM" is the doer.
"I am" in the individual wants to probe "Who is this I". This probe is being witnessed by "I". What all one thinks, talks or writes, are within the sphere of "I am" only. "I am" is the doer and "I" is the witness. "I am" says 'I think and act', while 'I' keeps quiet with the knowledge 'I know'.
In the individual, 'I" is shining as 'Life' and witnessing the "living" (I AM) "I" is "Existence" and "I am" is the "sense of existence". The relationship between "I" and 'I am' is similar to a "dancer" and "dance", and "Ocean" and "waves" - The dancer witnessing his own dance and the ocean witnessing its own movements as waves! In the absence of a "unitary vision" of "I" and "I AM", dualities such as "subject-object" "life-living", "witness-doership", "God-Universe", "Akshara-Kshara", "Being-Becoming" "Para-Apara", "transcendental-immanent" "spatial-temporal" "vidya-avidya" etc., would arise. "I" has no duality. "I AM" only imagines duality.
"I" expresses "I AM" so long as "I" wills it. "LIFE" expresses "LIVING" so long as "Life" wills it. Finally, both dissolve in the 'ABSOLUTE". The 'dancer' and the 'dance' disappear in the 'person'.The 'waves' and the 'ocean' disappear in 'water'. The relationship between "I" and "I AM" can be understood only by realising the "Absolute" hidden in that relationship.
"I am" in the individual wants to probe "Who is this I". This probe is being witnessed by "I". What all one thinks, talks or writes, are within the sphere of "I am" only. "I am" is the doer and "I" is the witness. "I am" says 'I think and act', while 'I' keeps quiet with the knowledge 'I know'.
In the individual, 'I" is shining as 'Life' and witnessing the "living" (I AM) "I" is "Existence" and "I am" is the "sense of existence". The relationship between "I" and 'I am' is similar to a "dancer" and "dance", and "Ocean" and "waves" - The dancer witnessing his own dance and the ocean witnessing its own movements as waves! In the absence of a "unitary vision" of "I" and "I AM", dualities such as "subject-object" "life-living", "witness-doership", "God-Universe", "Akshara-Kshara", "Being-Becoming" "Para-Apara", "transcendental-immanent" "spatial-temporal" "vidya-avidya" etc., would arise. "I" has no duality. "I AM" only imagines duality.
"I" expresses "I AM" so long as "I" wills it. "LIFE" expresses "LIVING" so long as "Life" wills it. Finally, both dissolve in the 'ABSOLUTE". The 'dancer' and the 'dance' disappear in the 'person'.The 'waves' and the 'ocean' disappear in 'water'. The relationship between "I" and "I AM" can be understood only by realising the "Absolute" hidden in that relationship.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
INDIVIDUAL & INDIVIDUALITY
The term 'Individual' denotes a person and the term 'individuality' denotes a person with a 'sense of independence'. When we trace back the origin of 'individual', it begins with 'I-Consciousness' (Existence). This 'I-Consciousness' is the 'expression' of the ABSOLUTE. I-Consciousness appears as 'I AM - a 'sense of Existence'. 'Individual' is a reflection in 'I AM'. Upon this 'individual', there is a super-imposition of 'individuality' which is a delusion, otherwise known by the name 'ego'.
In the 'individual' the 'I-Consciousness' is 'Atma", and 'I AM' is the mind. Similarly, 'I-Consciousness' is God of the Universe and 'I AM' is the Universe. The 'individual' is thus both 'I" and 'I AM', i.e. Atma (Self) and mind. He is 'life' and 'living'.He is the 'dancer' as well as the 'dance'. He is the 'Witness' as well as the 'witnessed', He is the 'Subject' as well as the 'object'. Atma is witnessing the mind similar to God witnessing the Universe. These apparent dualities, ultimately merge with the ABSOLUTE where there is neither the 'witness' nor the 'witnessed', neither the 'dancer' nor the 'dance', neither the 'subject' nor the 'object'. ABSOLUTE REALITY is beyond I-Consciousness', and is indescribable.
The imaginary 'individuality' superimposed on the 'individual' creates the problems of likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain, attraction and repulsion, and disturbs the homogeneous Peace that prevails in the 'individual. The 'individuality', as already said, is a delusion, termed as 'ego', finding pleasure in 'division' disturbing the 'unity'. This ego has three aspects viz. (i) a sense of 'ME' with independent doership; (ii)'MINE' - a sense of possession, and iii) attachment to the 'body' considering the same as the ONLY reality.
The sages and saints have never asked us to discard the body. The body as an 'individual' can exist. Only the attachment to the body, considering the same as the only reality, has to be done away with. This false attachment only, brings along with it, "ME" and 'MINE"- the other two aspects of individuality (ego).
All the Enlightened individuals - saints and sages - have experienced the Ultimate Reality, enveloping the body, similar to water enveloping the wave in the Ocean of Consciousness. The dirt of 'individuality' superimposed on the 'individual' has to be wiped off, for the realisation of the Absolute Reality.
The teaching method of 'neti-neti' adopted by vedantins, is only to bring out the Truth that the ABSOLUTE REALITY is all pervading, and is not to be confined to 'individual' or "I AM' or "I-Consciousness". There may be 'difference' in appearance, but there is no separateness. Wave, Waves and Ocean, although look as different, are not separate, for it is water alone that pervades all.
The likes and dislikes and the pleasure and pain relate to'individuality' which conceals the true nature of the 'individual'. The 'individuality' can no more rule over the person, when he realizes his true nature as ABSOLUTE REALITY.
In the 'individual' the 'I-Consciousness' is 'Atma", and 'I AM' is the mind. Similarly, 'I-Consciousness' is God of the Universe and 'I AM' is the Universe. The 'individual' is thus both 'I" and 'I AM', i.e. Atma (Self) and mind. He is 'life' and 'living'.He is the 'dancer' as well as the 'dance'. He is the 'Witness' as well as the 'witnessed', He is the 'Subject' as well as the 'object'. Atma is witnessing the mind similar to God witnessing the Universe. These apparent dualities, ultimately merge with the ABSOLUTE where there is neither the 'witness' nor the 'witnessed', neither the 'dancer' nor the 'dance', neither the 'subject' nor the 'object'. ABSOLUTE REALITY is beyond I-Consciousness', and is indescribable.
The imaginary 'individuality' superimposed on the 'individual' creates the problems of likes and dislikes, pleasure and pain, attraction and repulsion, and disturbs the homogeneous Peace that prevails in the 'individual. The 'individuality', as already said, is a delusion, termed as 'ego', finding pleasure in 'division' disturbing the 'unity'. This ego has three aspects viz. (i) a sense of 'ME' with independent doership; (ii)'MINE' - a sense of possession, and iii) attachment to the 'body' considering the same as the ONLY reality.
The sages and saints have never asked us to discard the body. The body as an 'individual' can exist. Only the attachment to the body, considering the same as the only reality, has to be done away with. This false attachment only, brings along with it, "ME" and 'MINE"- the other two aspects of individuality (ego).
All the Enlightened individuals - saints and sages - have experienced the Ultimate Reality, enveloping the body, similar to water enveloping the wave in the Ocean of Consciousness. The dirt of 'individuality' superimposed on the 'individual' has to be wiped off, for the realisation of the Absolute Reality.
The teaching method of 'neti-neti' adopted by vedantins, is only to bring out the Truth that the ABSOLUTE REALITY is all pervading, and is not to be confined to 'individual' or "I AM' or "I-Consciousness". There may be 'difference' in appearance, but there is no separateness. Wave, Waves and Ocean, although look as different, are not separate, for it is water alone that pervades all.
The likes and dislikes and the pleasure and pain relate to'individuality' which conceals the true nature of the 'individual'. The 'individuality' can no more rule over the person, when he realizes his true nature as ABSOLUTE REALITY.
Monday, April 02, 2007
BEYOND "I" CONSCIOUSNESS,
Existence-Knowledge-Peace (Sat-Chit-Anandam) is the nature of 'I Consciousness'. Existence is the 'Presence' (Sat), the knowledge about the presence is 'Chit'. Existence and Knowledge bring in 'Peace'. This 'I Consciousness' only, permeates through the waking, dream and deep sleep stages, and at the same time, stands aloof as 'Thureeya'. This 'I-Consciousness' is known as 'Witness'. This I-Consciousness also denotes 'God', 'Presence', 'Sat', and 'Bhodam'. IT is like a mirror reflecting the three stages of waking etc, without being affected by the reflection. In the waking and dream stages, we see multiplicity whereas in the deep sleep what is reflected is the absence of multiplicity. Even this absence is a reflection in Consciousness.
The inquisitive mind wonders whether there is a Reality beyond I- Consciousness. Further, the non-dualists are not satisfied with the status 'Witness'which is assigned to I-Consciousness, for the reason that the I-Consciousness, as a Witness, brings in a duality, of 'witness' and the 'witnessed'. So, they contemplated whether there is a non-dual Reality beyond I-Consciousness. As a result, they declared that "Brahman" is the Ultimate Reality which is neither sat nor asat, neither chit nor jadam, neither a witness nor witnessed, neither consciousness nor unconsciousness, which has no outside, no inside, which is beyond seen, and cannot be grasped by the intellect. The Ultimate Reality is non-dual 'BRAHMAN', 'Awareness', 'Infinite'.
When we 'talk' of 'Brahman', we actually bring down the same to the level of Consciousness. Brahman is Pure Silence - nay It is beyond that. Brahman is Light as such. I-Consciousness is the first expression of the Ultimate Reality. I-Consciousness appears as I AM, a 'sense of presence'. While 'I'-Consciousness reflects space, 'I AM' reflects space as well as form. From 'I AM' all concepts arise. 'I AM' is the Universe with Elements and Gunas. From 'I AM', "I am the individual" arise. Thus, It is the I- Consciousness that alone appears as 'I AM" and reflects as 'I am the individual".
Whatever said, so far, are concepts - mere concepts arisen from 'I AM'. Where ego (a delusion of independent existence with a sense of 'doership') reigns the individual, Brahman, God and the Universe look apart. Where the ego is not, only Brahman remains - a non-dual Truth. "Just as Brahman and God - (the I-Consciousness), are non-different, the ''I-Consciousness and 'I AM' (the Universe) are same. Similarly, 'I AM' and 'I AM the individual', have no difference. The Great Truth "Jeevo Brahmaiva na aparah" declared by Sri Sankara, may be remembered in this context.
To sum-up: The Ultimate Reality is Beyond "I"-Consciousness; I-Consciousness is the expression of the Ultimate Reality. 'I AM' (the Universe) is an appearance on the surface of 'I-Consciousness'. 'I am the individual' is a reflection of 'I AM' as well as 'I'; The ego (individuality) is delusion. The 'individual' has to shed the ego, to realise oneness with Brahman. - "Jeevo Brahmaiva na aparah".
The inquisitive mind wonders whether there is a Reality beyond I- Consciousness. Further, the non-dualists are not satisfied with the status 'Witness'which is assigned to I-Consciousness, for the reason that the I-Consciousness, as a Witness, brings in a duality, of 'witness' and the 'witnessed'. So, they contemplated whether there is a non-dual Reality beyond I-Consciousness. As a result, they declared that "Brahman" is the Ultimate Reality which is neither sat nor asat, neither chit nor jadam, neither a witness nor witnessed, neither consciousness nor unconsciousness, which has no outside, no inside, which is beyond seen, and cannot be grasped by the intellect. The Ultimate Reality is non-dual 'BRAHMAN', 'Awareness', 'Infinite'.
When we 'talk' of 'Brahman', we actually bring down the same to the level of Consciousness. Brahman is Pure Silence - nay It is beyond that. Brahman is Light as such. I-Consciousness is the first expression of the Ultimate Reality. I-Consciousness appears as I AM, a 'sense of presence'. While 'I'-Consciousness reflects space, 'I AM' reflects space as well as form. From 'I AM' all concepts arise. 'I AM' is the Universe with Elements and Gunas. From 'I AM', "I am the individual" arise. Thus, It is the I- Consciousness that alone appears as 'I AM" and reflects as 'I am the individual".
Whatever said, so far, are concepts - mere concepts arisen from 'I AM'. Where ego (a delusion of independent existence with a sense of 'doership') reigns the individual, Brahman, God and the Universe look apart. Where the ego is not, only Brahman remains - a non-dual Truth. "Just as Brahman and God - (the I-Consciousness), are non-different, the ''I-Consciousness and 'I AM' (the Universe) are same. Similarly, 'I AM' and 'I AM the individual', have no difference. The Great Truth "Jeevo Brahmaiva na aparah" declared by Sri Sankara, may be remembered in this context.
To sum-up: The Ultimate Reality is Beyond "I"-Consciousness; I-Consciousness is the expression of the Ultimate Reality. 'I AM' (the Universe) is an appearance on the surface of 'I-Consciousness'. 'I am the individual' is a reflection of 'I AM' as well as 'I'; The ego (individuality) is delusion. The 'individual' has to shed the ego, to realise oneness with Brahman. - "Jeevo Brahmaiva na aparah".
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