yajvan
08 October 2007, 09:19 AM
Hari Om
~~~~~
Namaste Akala ( one without parts)
When we look to the Universe as a creation from Siva there are a few ways of looking at this from a non-dual advaita view. Since we have been discssiong a bit of Kashmir Shaivism, perhaps this post will stiimulate a few ideas and some conversations on this matter.
For those practicing Kashmir Shaivism do not hesitate to add corrections and additional insights as you see fit, as we are all students here.
Of Kashmir Shaivism we now it it be a non-dual (advaita) view of existence. Siva, this Being is the nature and existence of all beings. The Shaiva also holds that the world we view from the senses, although experienced as separate from one's self, does not have a separate existence. It is the energy, shakti, of Siva.
Kashmir Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta are both on par as they see creation-existence as non-dual. Yet Kashmir Shaivism is a bit different then Advaita Vedanta. How can this be ? It is the same Siva. Are we splitting hairs?
In a nutshell Advaita Vedanta suggests the universe and this existence is unreal, some call it a false projection , then named maya. We have taked much about this in multiple posts on this maya. Yet we scratch our heads on this.
To the Kashmir Shaiva one could say hold on... If Shiva is real, and we belive it to be so, gurus, sadhus, jivanmuki's tell us this is so, how could an unreal universe manifest from something that is real?
If Shiva, the ultimate essence of existence, is real, his creation must also be real. For the Kashmir Shaiva this universe is just as real as its creator.
We touch and taste and smell the evnronment - sure feels real to me. So here is the pickle for Kashmir Shaivism. If this universe is as real as Siva, it creator, how does Siva, this Tad Ekam [That One], this Unity of Consciousness create a multi-faceted diverse universe as One with Himself?
Just as Advaita Vedanta's view of this creation as maya, Kashmir Shaivism offers this notion of pratibimba-vada or reflection. The notion here is creation happens the same way that the image of an object, say an apple , can be reflected in a mirror. This is explained as abhasa-vada or the therory of appearance. If one Googles on this, you will find more information on this matter.
The next pickle...what causes the reflection if all this is Siva (pure consciousness , the Absolute, Brahman)? It is svatantrya, the independent will of God, His grace say the wise.
It is Siva that creates this whole universe in the mirror of his awareness by his absolutely independent will or svatantrya, his freedom. For me, and my understaniding this is His dance as Natraj. His joy of creating, yet never leaving Himself as all is within His Being.
So the gravamen [ essence or the most serious part] of this view of creation is what is real and what is not real depends on the school of thought. Yet once Moksha dawns, ignorance fades and the Truth is left there standing, then one knows what is real and what is not.
ॐनमःिशवाय
Om Namah Sivaya
pranams,
~~~~~
Namaste Akala ( one without parts)
When we look to the Universe as a creation from Siva there are a few ways of looking at this from a non-dual advaita view. Since we have been discssiong a bit of Kashmir Shaivism, perhaps this post will stiimulate a few ideas and some conversations on this matter.
For those practicing Kashmir Shaivism do not hesitate to add corrections and additional insights as you see fit, as we are all students here.
Of Kashmir Shaivism we now it it be a non-dual (advaita) view of existence. Siva, this Being is the nature and existence of all beings. The Shaiva also holds that the world we view from the senses, although experienced as separate from one's self, does not have a separate existence. It is the energy, shakti, of Siva.
Kashmir Shaivism and Advaita Vedanta are both on par as they see creation-existence as non-dual. Yet Kashmir Shaivism is a bit different then Advaita Vedanta. How can this be ? It is the same Siva. Are we splitting hairs?
In a nutshell Advaita Vedanta suggests the universe and this existence is unreal, some call it a false projection , then named maya. We have taked much about this in multiple posts on this maya. Yet we scratch our heads on this.
To the Kashmir Shaiva one could say hold on... If Shiva is real, and we belive it to be so, gurus, sadhus, jivanmuki's tell us this is so, how could an unreal universe manifest from something that is real?
If Shiva, the ultimate essence of existence, is real, his creation must also be real. For the Kashmir Shaiva this universe is just as real as its creator.
We touch and taste and smell the evnronment - sure feels real to me. So here is the pickle for Kashmir Shaivism. If this universe is as real as Siva, it creator, how does Siva, this Tad Ekam [That One], this Unity of Consciousness create a multi-faceted diverse universe as One with Himself?
Just as Advaita Vedanta's view of this creation as maya, Kashmir Shaivism offers this notion of pratibimba-vada or reflection. The notion here is creation happens the same way that the image of an object, say an apple , can be reflected in a mirror. This is explained as abhasa-vada or the therory of appearance. If one Googles on this, you will find more information on this matter.
The next pickle...what causes the reflection if all this is Siva (pure consciousness , the Absolute, Brahman)? It is svatantrya, the independent will of God, His grace say the wise.
It is Siva that creates this whole universe in the mirror of his awareness by his absolutely independent will or svatantrya, his freedom. For me, and my understaniding this is His dance as Natraj. His joy of creating, yet never leaving Himself as all is within His Being.
So the gravamen [ essence or the most serious part] of this view of creation is what is real and what is not real depends on the school of thought. Yet once Moksha dawns, ignorance fades and the Truth is left there standing, then one knows what is real and what is not.
ॐनमःिशवाय
Om Namah Sivaya
pranams,