What I Find to be 'Maya'

[Madhavan]

Hari Om
~~~~~



Namaste Madhavan,
and this mAyA माय as used in the posts are that of what some deem illusion. I see a pure definition of this mAyA as the infinite measured out , from mA, to measure.

As if the Infinite can be divy'ed up that is the illusion. As if one can cut up Brahman into parts. As if we look up and see the sun pass overhead and one tells you it is the earth that is moving not the suun.

I do not see this as 'supernatural' as that is considered conventional wisdom and in vogue as of late. What is supernatural about the very core of life? I do not see this. [ no need to answer as this is asked rhetorically ]

I appreciate your input , yet my intent on its use is clear in my application and in my mind.


pranams,

I would think the representation of mAyA are 'pure illusion' or other custom definitions is that of later day advaitins, who had very different and confused views regarding the nature of reality.( eg: ekajIva, bahujIva etc).

Sri Shankara frequently uses mAyA in the meaning of daivIshakti, meaning a glorious power of the Lord.(read his BSB 1.1.2 & 1.1.3) From the POV of Ishvara, mAyA is indeed an expression of his infinite power, while from the POV of the jIva it is avidyA which needs to be crossed over.

It is very surprising to see you say that there is nothing supernatural about mAyA, while many saints have glorified the Lord about his acintya adbhuta shakti.

[Kaos]

It is very surprising to see you say that there is nothing supernatural about mAyA, while many saints have glorified the Lord about his acintya adbhuta shakti.

While the post was not directly addressed to me, allow me to join in.

It seems to me, that if creation is maya, therefore, it is both supernatural and natural. Therefore, if Brahman is All, ultimately, there is no distinction between natural and supernatural...

[yajvan]

Namaste yajvan,

Thank you for your response.
Tat Avam Asi (Thou Art That).

Brahman is All. Brahman alone thou art and Brahman alone exists.
True, even maya is of Brahman.


Could it be for the same reason that Buddhists, pay homage, respect, gratitude, pray? to their own true nature.

Namaste K,

This is a brilliant assessment. The Highest vidya, level of meditation, is to adore oneself as Brahman. Many are use to praising the devata, Purusa, etc. outside of ones self. There are a few vidyas that teach the adoration of oneSELF non-distinct from Brahman.

Now there may be a few that will say you are not that - how can you say you are Brahman? Because of Brahman's homogeneity. Is the spark differnent then the flame?

The Chandogya Upanishad [3.17.6] says: Indestructable (akshitamasi) you are, Unchangable (achyutamasi) you are, You are the subtle essence of Prana (pranasamshitamasi).

This in itself is a subtle vidya one should practice. The rishi is Ghora Angiras, and he suggests one remembers this at the time of dropping the body.

Thanks again Kaos for your insights...

pranams,

[atanu]

Namaste Atanu,

Yes, I agree.
Therefore, it can be said that for humans, the world around us (creation?) is based on the power of human consciousness to conjure objects.

As a human being perceives and divides the world differently than that of a frog or a bat.

Yes. Consciousness is said to be kalpataru or chintamani of Lord. But what we see is sensual. The point is that maya is a wonderful power of Brahman. And Maya can lead to Avidya or to Vidya.


Om

[Kaos]

But what we see is sensual at least for us.

Agreed. Since creation is maya, and maya is none other than THAT also,
it goes to show that what we see and perceive around us is merely a product of our consciuosness, quite different from how a frog or a bat interprets the world.

Since creation as we see around us is merely a product of our evolved consciousness, ultimately, there is no difference between the "this" and "that".

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Yes. Consciousness is said to be kalpataru or chintamani of Lord. But what we see is sensual. The point is that maya is a wonderful power of Brahman. And Maya can lead to Avidya or to Vidya. Om

Namasate,

What we see in this state of consciousness, before Brahma Sakshtkara ( Self Realization).

Yet each day I see just a little more of this... the strands/ropes are coming loose!

pramams

[Kaos]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Namasate,

What we see in this state of consciousness, before Brahma Sakshtkara ( Self Realization).

Yet each day I see just a little more of this... the strands/ropes are coming loose!

pramams

Pranams yajvan,

In the Bhagavad Gita, it is written:

The Supreme Lord said: There is a banyan tree which has it's roots upward and it's branches down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.

Srila Prabupada's commentary:

The entanglements of this material world is compared here to a banyan tree. For one who is engaged in fruitive activities, there is no end to this banyan tree. He wanders from one branch to another, to another, to another. The tree of this material world has no end, and one who is attached to this tree has no possibility of liberation. The Vedic hymns, meant for elevating oneself, are called the leaves of this tree. This tree's roots are upward because they begin from where Brahma is located, which is the topmost planet of this universe. One should understand this indestructible tree of illusion, and then one can break away from it.

Bhagavad Gita 15.1

[Kaos]

Therefore, it can be said, that under the influence of maya (creation), the individual forgets "Thou Art That" (Tat Avam Asi).

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~

Therefore, it can be said, that under the influence of maya (creation), the individual forgets "Thou Art That" (Tat Avam Asi).

Namste Kaos,
Yes, this makes sense as the operative word 'forgets'. Just as one perhaps 'forgets' where they have placed their keys. Now one needs to remember where they are. They own the keys already.

So we are looking for the keys to samvid.

pranams,

[Kaos]

Namaste yajvan,

It is said, that the veiling of maya, creates the illusion "me" and "mine", of "this" and "that", and creates the ignorance in the individual consciousness. This ignorance comes through the mind. That is why, the ancients practiced yoga, to keep the mind in check, to go beyond the mind, to realize one's true nature.

I would be interested to hear your thoughts on these.

Thank you.