It's Maya

Having established that the absolute ground called Brahman is unborn, undying, and changeless consciousness-existence, what is one to make of this world which is all about birth, death, and change? It’s Maya.

There’s nothing else to say. In fact, there is nothing one can say. Maya is as indescribable as Brahman. As there’s no describing the Christ in anti-Christ, there’s no describing the Brahman in not-Brahman, or Maya.

Metaphors use words to describe the indescribable. In this way, metaphors aren’t words. A rope is seen as a snake. Mirages appear in the desert. And it feels real because it’s not unreal like the horns of a hare. All is Brahman.

a. Four Viewpoints of Japan

I swear I saw Mount Fuji while looking west on the train to Narita Airport but I’ll never really know.

While on northernmost Honshu IsIand, I saw Hokkaido from Oma Point but didn’t know it. Looking at the photos later, I saw its landmass filtered through the mists of Tsugaru Strait.

On the bullet train from Tokyo to Hachinohe, we tunneled underneath the Shirakawa Barrier, which Basho had to cross when entering the deep north of his Oku no Hosomichi.

During the Neputa Festival in Hirosaki, I see large illuminated fan-shaped floats depicting fantastic images of mythic warriors parade through the city accompanied by taiko drum and flute bands one after another over and over like crimson and cherry blossoms.

b. On Mayasakti

Maya does not preserve and protect; Maya veils and projects.

Maya veils the metaphorical rope with a beginningless ignorance of my true nature.

Maya projects it all, from the inner astral body to the furthest reaches of the universe.

c. Maya 321

Maya is everything. Brahman is no thing. All things are Brahman.

Maya is the universe. Avidya is hell.

Enlightenment is in Maya but not of Maya.

d. Om Maya

Strictly speaking, Aum is Maya. The silence surrounding and pervading Aum is Brahman.

Also strictly speaking, Aum is the waking and sleeping dream states, and the deep sleep dreamless state.

In Isvara's Trinity, Brahma wields Maya, Vishnu pervades Maya, and Shiva shatters Maya.

e. grateful tao

yellow forsythia

blossoms blossoming in april

right now and right here

f. seaing

reality is all there is.

samsara is neither reality nor unreality.

although a wave is not the sea,

the sea pervades the wave.

Drg Drsya Viveka 11 Trans/Notes

 DDV 11

Thought modifications of the inner mind identifying with the reflection of consciousness project various ideas in the dream state, and in the waking state imagines objects outside with the eyes.

~A

Antaḥkaraṇa-vṛttiśca citicchāyaikyam-āgatā, vāsanāḥ kalpayet svapne bodhe’kṣair-viṣayān bahiḥ.

अन्तःकरणवृत्तिः – the thought modification of the inner equipment; च – and; चितिः छाया ऐक्यम् – identity with the reflection of Consciousness; आगता – having attained; वासनाः – impressions; कल्पयेत् – project; स्वप्ने – in the dream; बोधे – in the waking state; अक्षैः – with the eyes (sense organs); विषयान् – objects; बहिः – outside

The thought modifications of the inner equipment having attained an identity with the reflection of Consciousness in the dream state, project impressions, and in the waking state imagine objects outside with the eyes (sense organs).

~T

अन्तःकरणवृत्तिः च the inner organ that is nothing but a modification (वृत्तिः) चितिच्छायैक्यं identity with the reflec- tion of Consciousness आगता having attained स्वप्ने in dream वासनाः ideas कल्पयेत् imagines बोधे in the waking state अक्षैः with respect to the sense-organs बहिः external विषयान् ob- jects (कल्पयेत् imagines).

The inner (1) organ (mind), which is itself but a modification (वृत्तिः), identifying (2) itself with the reflec- tion of Consciousness imagines (various) ideas (3) in the dream state. And the same inner organ (identifying itself with the body) imagines (4) objects external to itself in the waking state with respect to the sense-organs.

~N

Notes

We remember our dream experiences in the waking state. The dream experiences, which have the same nature as the waking ones, are known to be internal only in the waking state. The waking experi- ences are also mere ideas or thoughts of the perceiving mind.

~N

The phenomenon of dream fascinates man. It is of special importance to a seeker of Truth as it is the best example to understand the falsity of the waking world. The majority of people, however, are preoccupied in trying to know the meaning of objects seen in the dream. It is as meaningless as inquiring why one saw a pigeon, instead of a crow, perched on a tree in the waking state. Vedānta inquires into the mechanism of a dream.

~T

There is no reflection, there is no medium or anything; because it is mithyā. It is a very important thing to note, otherwise it can be very confusing. There is one vṛtti. Citicchāyā, reflection, reflecting medium, etc can be confusing. The whole blessed thing is mithyā. Every vṛtti is but consciousness and that vṛtti-consciousness is what is referred to as citicchāyā. That is the reflected consciousness we say; that is an expression. We have to understand what citicchāyā means.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Drg Drsya Viveka 10 Trans/Notes

DDV10

In the dissolution of the ego during deep sleep, the body also becomes unconscious. The half manifestation of ego is the dream state. The full manifestation of ego is the waking state.

~A

Ahaṅkāralaye suptau bhavet deho’pyacetanaḥ, ahaṅkāra-vikāsārdhaḥ svapnas-sarvastu jāgaraḥ.

अहंकार-लये – in the absorption of the ego; सुप्तौ – in deep sleep; भवेत् – becomes; देहः – the body; अपि – also; अचेतनः – unconscious; अहंकार-विकास-अर्धः – half manifestation of the ego; स्वप्नः – is the dream; सर्वः – full (manifestation of the ego); तु – indeed; जागरः – is the waking

The body also becomes unconscious in deep sleep when the ego is in absorption. The half manifestation of the ego is dream and its full (manifestation), the waking.

~T

सुप्तौ in deep sleep अहंकारलये when (the thought of) ego disappears देह: the body अपि also अचेतनः unconscious भवेत् becomes अहंकारविकासार्ध: the half manifestation of the ego स्वप्न: dream (भवति is) तु but सर्व: full (manifestation) जागरः waking state (भवति is).

In the state of deep sleep, when (the thought of) ego disappears, (1) the body also be- comes unconscious. The state in which there is a half manifestation of the ego is called the dream state, (2) and the state in which there is a full (3) manifestation of the ego is the state of waking.

~N

Notes

Vedānta defines deep sleep as the state in which the ego ceases to function. It is not destroyed but remains dormant.

The partial manifestation of the ego is the dream state. The ego identifies only with the subtle body (mind-intellect) but not the gross body. The mind projects the dream and the dream world and the ego identifies with these thoughts.

The total manifestation of the ego is the waking state. Here the ego identifies with both the subtle and the gross body and is technically called ‘viśva’, meaning complete.

It should be noted that these states belong only to the ego and not to the immutable Consciousness. These states, therefore, enjoy the same degree of reality. To us, however, the waking appears real and the dream illusory.

~T

Now the author talks about the function of seer 2, the mind, in a little more detail.

~P

Therefore, waking, dream and deep sleep, all of them are due to ahaṅkāra’s glory. Therefore, this whole glory is for ahaṅkāra, not for ātmā. Ahaṅkāra is mithyā, ātmā is there in all the three states of experience. The states are gained only by ahaṅkāra’s movement, puratraye krīḍati yastu jīvaḥ[22]. In fact, what has anvaya in all three states, what is available in all the three states, is only ātmā. Ahaṅkāra undergoes change ardha-vikāsa, pūrṇa-vikāsa and laya. Therefore, the variable factor is ahaṅkāra. Ahaṅkāra‘s manifestation is variable and what is invariable is consciousness; eṣa citiḥ na udeti na astam eti. Now.

~D

Quantum Isvara and Maya Stuff

Which came first? The waking dreamstate, the sleeping dreamstate, or the deep sleep state.

Consciousness is of course primary and is the only one of these three present in deep sleep.

The mind appears in consciousness as the sleeping dream, and the body appears in the mind as the waking dream.

In consciousness, does the dream mind appear and project a world body to act its dreams out? Like Isvara and Maya?

~A

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

The Play of Realization

1. Quantum Isvara and Maya Stuff

Which came first? The waking dreamstate, the sleeping dreamstate, or the deep sleep state.

Consciousness is of course primary and is the only one of these three present in deep sleep.

The mind appears in consciousness as the sleeping dream, and the body appears in the mind as the waking dream.

In consciousness, does the dream mind appear and project a world body to act its dreams out? Like Isvara and Maya?

2. Vidyaranya Says

Furthermore, is avidya simply the feedback of forgetting the world is appearing in the mind and the mind is appearing in consciousness, believing instead that dreams are projections of the waking world and not vice versa?

Vidyaranya says, "The half manifestation of ego is the dream state. The full manifestation of ego is the waking state."

And "Thought modifications of the inner mind identifying with the reflection of consciousness projects various ideas in the dream state, and in the waking state imagines objects outside with the senses."

a. On Sun Mountain: Purple Mountain Majesty

Driving the highway to the summit of Pikes Peak, I see bighorn sheep, and stop the car.

They’re less than a football field away but I still want to take a closer look and get a better picture. Desire gets the best of me.

Hopping from rock to rock, avoiding the fragile surface vegetation, I find myself breathing heavy, and although it’s been but a few minutes, I have to stop and catch my breath.

It suddenly dawns on me we’re in the rarified air of 13,000 feet of altitude. This first encounter with bighorn sheep has literally taken my breath away.

For these Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (ovis canadensis canadensis) are like angels. Their summer range lies above 10,000 ft. Like gods, they walk the heavens. Excuse me while I kiss the sky.

b. Isvara and Maya are Alright

There's this tendency to look at the surface suffering of the world and get all kinds of depressed knowing it will never change. I know it all too well.

Except within this movie, there's an unintended message, a deeper truth, a freudian slip if you will.

All shall be well, says Julian of Norwich. Isvara and Maya are alright tonight.

c. See Satcitananda

The material world cannot grow consciousness. Consciousness is the ground.

This subtle astral body is reflecting pure consciousness like a mirror reflects light. (Caution, the image in the mirror is just an illusion.) The reflection of consciousness is consciousness as the reflection of light is light.

Satcitananda is the source. Plug in, turn on, shine. See I am Satcitananda.

d. Mirror, mirror

The world is this false image of individual consciousness. As if universal consciousness can be divided.

Let this mirror be a subtle evolutionary astral body. Let this mirror be so subtle, it actually reflects pure consciousness.

Within the mirror there is a bizarro consciousness. Some call it samsara. Some know it as hell.

I am not in the mirror. I am the light reflecting off the mirror.

e. nondual haiku number nine

my trinity times

your trinity

equals nine.

existence is

electricity itself.

consciousness is the light.

ananda is that seeing

of the beauty

of the truth.

Drg Drsya Viveka 9 Trans/Notes

DDV9

Between the mutually related reflection of consciousness and ego, annihilation is not possible. But through the exhaustion of karma and realization, the other two respectively disappear.

~A

Sambandhinossator-nāsti nivṛttis-sahajasya tu, karmakṣayāt prabodhāt ca nivartete kramādubhe.

संबन्धिनोस्सतो – between the mutually related which are taken to be real; नास्ति – is not possible; निवृत्ति – annihilation; सहजस्य – of the natural (identification); तु – but; कर्म-क्षयात् – with the exhaustion of karma; प्रबोधात् – with direct Knowledge; च – and; निवर्तेते – are eliminated; क्रमात् – respectively; उभे – the other two

The natural (identification) between the mutually related (ego and reflection of Consciousness) cannot be annihilated. But the other two (due to karmas and due to delusion) are eliminated with the exhaustion of karma and with direct Knowledge respectively.

~T

सम्बन्धिनो: of the mutually related (ego and the reflection of Consciousness) सतो: of those that are taken to be real सहजस्य natural (तादात्म्यस्य of the identification) तु certainly निवृत्ति: annihilation नास्ति is not possible उभे the other two कर्मक्षयात् with the wearing away of the (results of) karma प्रबोधात् च and enlightenment क्रमात् respectively निवर्तेते disappear.

The mutual identification of the ego and the reflection of Consciousness, which (1) is natural, does (2) not cease as long as they are taken to be real. The other (3) two identifications disappear after the wearing (4) out of the result of karma and the attainment (5) of the knowledge of the highest Reality respectively.

~N

Notes

When we understand that the various identifications of the ego are the cause of bondage, we are anxious to end them. The verse, however, says that the natural identification between the ego and the reflection of Consciousness which gives rise to the knowership notion, cannot be annihilated. Then is not all previous discussions and talks of Liberation in vain? Here, it should be understood that the natural identification goes naturally. No effort can be put forth, nor is there a need to exert in order to end it. When the Self is realised, this identification drops automatically.

One may wonder that since all karmas end on Realisation, man would die the instant he realises the Self. This is most undesirable. If such were the case, there would be no living Master to teach! However, Realisation only negates the ego and its identification with the body. Man is thereafter not bound by the body. The body may remain or drop away, just like the pilgrim is not bound by the dog on the wayside. It may follow or not follow. This is called Jīvanmukti – Liberation while living. Hence with Self-realisation, all the three kinds of identification of the ego end simultaneously.

~T

Attainment, etc. The identification of the ego with the witnessing Consciousness (साक्षी चैतन्य) is due to error (भ्रान्ति) which is de- stroyed only by the attainment of Knowledge. Knowledge (ज्ञान) destroys ignorance (अज्ञान) and its effects. Ahankara or the ego is the effect of ignorance. Therefore it is also de- stroyed by Knowledge. Hence ahańkāra can no longer identify itself with the Witness after enlightenment, when it disappears in Brah- man.

The three kinds of identifications described above disappear simultaneously when the jīva realizes itself as Brahman.

~N

There is difference and non-difference. Sākṣī is mistaken to be ahaṅkāra. Ahaṅkāra is sākṣī and that is okay. But sākṣī is ahaṅkāra, sākṣī is antaḥkaraṇa, sākṣī is a sense organ is not okay.

~D

Consciousness, Pure Consciousness, and Mind

Identifying with consciousness is natural

but identifying with pure consciousness is delusional.

Identifying with consciousness is the best the mind can do

but identifying with pure consciousness is the worst.

I am, says the former.

I am something else, says the latter.

~A

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Consciousness, Pure Consciousness, and Mind

Identifying with consciousness is natural

but identifying with pure consciousness is delusional.

Identifying with consciousness is the best the mind can do

but identifying with pure consciousness is the worst.

I am, says the former.

I am something else, says the latter.

a. Naturally I Am

Ego identifying with reflected consciousness is natural; both manifestations in the subtle body are simultaneous.

Nisargayoga is all about this natural identity of ego with reflected awareness as expressed in 'I am'.

That 'I am' is like Vidyaranya's fiery iron ball.

b. A Labyrinth in Santa Fe

We are walking the labyrinth at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.

St Francis is the patron saint of this New Mexico city. Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy oversaw the building of the church in 1869 and beyond. Willa Cather wrote the book. I am writing this with a Lamy pen. Los Alamos is 33 miles away.

I could keep on going with these interconnections forever. Here’s one: I’m walking the labyrinth with my daughter and she bought me this fountain pen for Christmas.

Some say a labyrinth symbolizes the interior journey towards Christ consciousness. The original Greek labyrinth was constructed to hide the Minotaur from sacrifice. Nothing happens in the past. Everything is appearing in consciousness now.

c. On Drg 8 and Beyond

Egoic mind identifies with three entities: consciousness, the body, and the absolute. The first is natural, the second is karmic or evolutionary if you prefer, and the third is purely delusional. Let's investigate this last one for a minute.

Individual consciousness identifying with absolute consciousness is to cry. Free will is to laugh. This ignorant ego hasn't even understood universal consciousness yet, my love.

For universal consciousness may be an illusion but individual consciousness is absolutely unrealistic. This is the key to differentiating maya from avidya: enlightenment is in maya but not of avidya.

d. Effing Antichrist

Never deconstruct anything before knowing love. If necessary, let your god be love.

Love is not a science. That should tell you something.

Individual consciousness is the Antichrist. Isn't that obvious?

e. Love is not a science

Never deconstruct anything before knowing love. If necessary, let your god be love itself.

Love is not a science. That should tell you something.

Individual consciousness is the Antichrist. Isn't that fucking obvious by now?

The only thing you may truly do is love. Anything other than love is a virus.

Drg Drsya Viveka 8 Trans/Notes

DDV8

The ego identifies with the reflection of consciousness, the body, and also the witness. The first is natural, the second is due to karma, and the third is born of ignorance. 

~A

Ahaṅkārasya tādātmyaṁ cicchāyā-deha-sākṣibhiḥ, sahajaṁ karmajaṁ bhrānti-janyaṁ ca trividhaṁ kramāt.

अहंकारस्य – of the ego; तादात्म्यम् – the identification; चित्-छाया-देह-साक्षिभिः – with the reflection of Consciousness, body and the witness; सहजम् – natural; कर्मजम् – born of past action; भ्रान्तिजन्यम् – born of ignorance; च – and; त्रिविधम् – is of three kinds; क्रमात् – respectively

The identification of the ego with reflection of Consciousness, the body and the witness is of three kinds – natural, born of past actions and born of ignorance, respectively.

~T

अहंकारस्य of the ego तादात्म्यं identification चिच्छायादेहसाक्षिभि: with the reflection of Consciousness, body, and Witness क्रमात् respectively सहजं natural कर्मजं due to past karma भ्रान्तिजन्यं च and due to ignorance त्रिविधं of three kinds (भवति is).

The identification of the ego (1) with the reflection of Consciousness, the body, and the Witness are of three kinds, namely, natural, (2) due to (past) karma, (3) and due to ignorance, (4) respectively.

~N

Notes

The word tādātmya means identification. Thinking of ‘that’, ‘I’ become of the nature of ‘that’. This is called identification.

Sahajam tādātmyam:

The subtle body can by its very nature manifest Consciousness (verse 6). Consciousness is eternal and omnipresent, so its reflection too is potentially ever-present. The ego manifests itself under the influence of this reflection. There is a natural identification of the ego with the reflection, the instant the ego rises. For instance, whenever I stand in front of a mirror in a lighted room, my reflection comes into being. Sunlight cannot help but be reflected in a pool of water. This identification is expressed as the notion of knowership (jnātā). Knowing, however, is a characteristic of thought and not the Self.

Karmajam tādātmyam:

The present body too, is the result of actions performed in the past. The ego identifies with this body and says ‘I am a man’ or ‘I am a woman’. The identification is due to past actions. The ego is neither a man nor a woman. The body is only a mass of inert matter, yet I think that the body is alive.

Bhrānti-janyam tādātmyam:

Thus man falls into a vicious circle of birth and death (action-enjoyment-action), all because of the notion that he is finite. This notion is born due to the identification of the Witness Self with the ego. Ignorance of our true nature gives rise to this fundamental error. The Self is infinite Consciousness-Existence-Bliss. The ego is finite, inert and changing. The mutual superimposition of characteristics is due to non-apprehension of the Self. This delusion is the root cause of bondage. It has been in existence since beginningless time and shall continue to bind the individual till true Knowledge takes place.

~T

Ignorance of the real nature of Consciousness is called here भ्रान्ति (delusion) which is without beginning and cannot be described as real or unreal. This identification of the ahaṅkāra (ego) with the Witness (साक्षी चैतन्य) is based only upon ignorance (भ्रान्ति). It can be removed only by knowing the real nature of Consciousness. The experience resulting from this identification is ‘I am’ or ‘I exist’ (अहमस्मि).

~N

I am the sākṣī and I do not have connection with the mind but I am worried about the mind and its conditions and I say I am disturbed, I am happy, I am jealous, etc. In all such expressions I am connecting ‘I’ the sākṣī with the mind because of delusion. The whole Vedānta is about knowing that I do have no mind and that I do not have any connection with the mind. Therefore the conditions of the mind cannot make me a saṁsārī. I do not have this knowledge and so I feel connected to the mind and jumping to the tunes of the mind and throughout life I am trying to satisfy the unsatisfiable mind. It is all because I have bonded with the mind out of sheer delusion.

~P

Sahajam means the ahaṅkāra is a conscious entity naturally. What is the problem in this? There is no problem. Some people want to remove ego. What for? If you want to remove ego, ego becomes real. If it’s real you can’t remove it. If it is not real, you need not remove it.

The second one Is tādātmyaṁ between ahaṅkāra and deha. Both have become almost one and the same. The body is conscious due to ahaṅkāra identifying with the body. This is also not a problem. This is karmajam. This association is born of karma.

Third is tādātmyaṁ of ahaṅkāra with sākṣī. The conclusion that I am as good as the body is because of this tādātmyam. The sākṣī is not recognised at all because of tādātmyaṁ. Really speaking sākṣī is always sākṣī.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

Drg Drsya Viveka 7 Trans/Notes

DDV7

Of the reflection of consciousness and ego, there is an identity like that of a heated iron ball. It’s further said that ego in turn identifies with the body causing it to attain consciousness too.

~A

Chāyā’haṅkārayor-aikyaṁ taptāyaḥ-piṇḍavan-matam, tadahaṅkāra-tādātmyāt dehaś-cetanatāmagāt.

छाया-अहंकारयोः – of the reflection (of Consciousness) and the ego; ऐक्यम् – the identity; तप्त – heated; अयःपिण्डवत् – like an iron ball; मतम् – it is considered; तत् अहंकार – that ego; तादात्म्यात् – due to identification (with the body); देहः – the body; चेतनताम् – consciousness (life); अगात् – has attained

It is considered (by the wise) that the identity of the reflection (of Consciousness) and the ego is like that of the heated iron ball. That (identified) ego (in turn) due to identification (with the body) enlivens the body.

~T

छायाहंकारयो: of the reflection and egoism ऐक्यं identity तप्त-अय: पिण्डवत् is like the identity of fire and the heated iron ball मतम् opinion (of the wise) तत् that अहंकार egoism तादात्म्यात् owing to the identification देह: body चेतनताम् consciousness अगात् has attained.

In the opinion of the wise, the identity of the reflection (of Consciousness) and of ego (1) is like the identity (2) of the fire and the (heated) iron ball. The body (3) having been identified with the ego (which has already identified itself with the reflection of Consciousness) passes for a conscious (4) entity.

~N

Notes

An iron ball is circular in shape, heavy in weight, black in colour and cold to touch. Fire is formless, weightless, bright in colour and hot to touch. When an iron ball is heated for a long time, fire envelops it so completely that we no longer perceive two different entities, but only a red hot fire ball. The ball now has the shape and weight of iron and the colour and touch of fire. Fire can never have weight, nor iron heat, but their characteristics seem to have become inseparably united. This mutual superimposition of characteristics is called ‘anyonya dharma adhyāsa’. Such a fire ball can, in turn, transfer heat to objects which come in contact with it.

The reflection of Consciousness is different from the ego. The reflection of Consciousness is sentient and unchanging. The ‘I’ notion or ego is inert and changing. The ego rises with every thought. The identification of the ego with the reflection of Consciousness brings into existence the ‘sentient ego’ or jīva.

~T

Conscious entity — That is, movement, etc., are ascribed to the body on account of this identification. Consciousness (चैतन्य) imparts the appearance of sentiency to all objects from egoism to the gross body, because it is the innermost essence of all. The body includes the places where the sense-organs are located. Therefore there is no separate identification with the sense-organs.

~N

Just as the fire and the iron ball get intimately connected, the mind and the reflected consciousness get intimately connected. This is the teaching of the tradition. This mind-RC (reflected consciousness) mixture comes in contact with the inert physical body at the time of every birth and the body borrows sentiency from the sentient mind. The mind borrows sentiency from the sākṣī and the body borrows sentiency from the mind and not from the sākṣī. The body becomes sentient because of its intimate contact with that mind, which has become sentient. The physical parts of the sense-organs in the body being available, the sense-organs become the seers. Thus seer 1 is formed. Seer 3, the sākṣī, makes the mind, seer 2. Seer 2 through the body, makes the sense-organs, seer 1. Sense-organs operate through the respective physical parts in the body. Thus seer 3 creates seer 2 and seer 2 creates seer 1.

~P

The being of aham, the consciousness of aham, is perceived as consciousness of the body. This mutual tādātmyam being there, one is taken for the other. This is sahajam, it is very natural, but it is a mistake. That is natural means avicāra-siddha, that it is a conclusion arrived at without any enquiry, without any pramāṇa. There is no analysis, no viveka. And so, an incorrect understanding, like the iron is taken to have the attribute of heat in hot-iron-ball, persists, unless it Is enquired into. If we look into it, we learn that the heat in the iron belongs to the fire, even though they are together. We understand which belongs to what. Heat belongs to the fire, the ballness belongs to the iron in the perception of a fireball and hot iron. In spite of both of them being together, our understanding is with viveka. If this viveka is not there, there is confusion.

~D

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda

On DDV 6: Reflections of Consciousness

Call the central nervous system, the subtle body. Call this subtle body, organic chemicals and functional compounds. Call its amplification of intelligence, a reflection of pure consciousness. Call this mind and ego complex, a superimposition of ignorance upon the self.

Do not mistake the mind’s synthesis of data for a means of knowing reality.  At best, the mind can lead you to the water. For the mind is an instrument of avidya, using all the wrong ways to drink in truth.

Pure consciousness may be indescribable, no matter what kind of mathematics are being used, but truth is not unknowable. Only to the mind is reality unknown. To nonconceptual being, that’s all that’s known.

a. Almost Mile High in the White Mountains

I never hiked Mount Washington. I might have been solo-hiking the Whites for therapeutic purposes, but I wasn't crazy. The almost mile-high (5249') Mount Lafayette would be my Everest.

It all started on a crystal clear blue June day with temperatures of 70° at the trailhead. Later it would be in the '50s on the summit where one can see for miles and miles and miles.

Somewhere where the birches disappeared, I hit the wall. Whether it was endorphins or just seeing through negative thoughts I cannot say but I broke through and soon was catching the first real view.

From then on, I wasn't hiking the mountain as much as it was hiking me. To the tree line and beyond! Where the woods become a desert and Henry David is turning into Anthony the Great.

At the summit, sitting on an outcrop facing east towards Owl's Head and the surrounding Pemigewasset Wilderness, I am taking 13 panoramic photographs with my Canon A1, later setting them in a purple mat and framing that in rosewood. Thirty years later it still hangs behind my head like a fading halo.

b. I'm Ananda When You Smile

Reflected consciousness is amplified consciousness. In other words, consciousness is foundational, and the body-mind complex doesn't produce it but only makes it louder.

Like pure consciousness is eternal music and the body-mind complex is like my Kenwood receiver. Jackie Wilson said.

Lightning strikes and the wilderness burns. Fire is fire.

c. The Happiness of Satcitananda

Appearance or not, the world exists. 

The world exists but only I am existence and consciousness. Eka jiva vada.

Knowing that is the happiness of satcitananda. Not that I know it all the time. And not that there's anything wrong with that.

e. Satcitananda Calling

Being Existence Presence Consciousness Awareness Intelligence Holistic Bliss Infinity—say it soft enough and sound precocious.

Nirguna Brahman is like the black hole. Saguna Brahman is like a sun.

Gaia is as Maya. Its people are eight billion moons. Werewolves of Brahman. Om!

f. ATTN:LOVE

Attention to thought equals attention minus thought.

Attention minus thought equals pure consciousness.

I, pure consciousness, am like the deepest sea.

Wave-particle duality is purely superficial to me.

Drg Drsya Viveka 6 Trans/Notes

DDV6

Because of the reflection of consciousness within, the intellect appears to be conscious. This understanding is of two kinds. One is called ego and the other, the inner instrument of mind.

~A

Cicchāyā’’veśato buddhau bhānaṁ dhīstu dvidhā sthitā, ekāhaṅkṛtiranyā syāt antaḥkaraṇa-rūpiṇī.

चित्-छाया – the reflection of Consciousness; आवेशतः – on account of entering; बुद्धौ – in the intellect; भानम् – there is awareness; धीः तु – and the intellect; द्विधास्थिता – is of two kinds; एका अहंकृतिः – one is the ego; अन्या – the other; स्यात् अन्तःकरणरूपिणी – is of the nature of inner instrument (mind, intellect, memory)

The intellect (thoughts) appears to be conscious on account of the reflection of Consciousness present in it. The intellect (thoughts) is of two kinds. One is the ego and the other is the inner instrument (mind, intellect, memory).

~T

बुद्धौ in the buddhi (intelligence) चिच्छाया reflection of Consciousness आवेशत: on account of entering भानं appearance (of specific knowledge) भवति happens धी: intelligence (understanding) तु and द्विधा of two kinds स्थिता is एका one अहंकृति: egoity स्यात् is अन्या other अन्त:करणरूपिणी of the nature of mind (mental faculties).

Buddhi appears to possess luminosity (1) on account of the reflection of Consciousness in it. Intelligence (buddhi) (2) is of two kinds. (3) One is designated egoity (अहंकृति, the other as mind (अन्त:करण).

~N

The reflection of Consciousness enters into the intellect,

and energises the whole “inner equipment”, Indeed, this has a twofold structure:

One part is the Ego; the other is

Of the form of the “inner instrument” (Antahkarana).

~S

Notes

The Self is of the nature of Existence-Consciousness. All objects are known to exist because of this alone. The objects, however, differ in their subtlety. Generally, subtlety is measured by its pervasiveness. The subtler an entity, the greater is its pervasiveness. Inert objects, including the body, pervade their own form. The mind’s pervasiveness extends beyond objects. The mind, being subtler than the body which houses it, is part of the subtle body. The gross body manifests the Existence aspect of the Self only. The subtle body is capable of reflecting both the Existence and Consciousness aspects, thus appearing sentient.

The mind which reflects Consciousness is of two kinds, the ahaṅkāra (ego) and the antaḥkaraṇa (inner equipment). Here, the ego does not mean pride but refers to the ‘I’ notion. The inner equipment has three types of thoughts – the mind, intellect and the faculty of memory.

~T

The Conscious Self (चिदात्मा), though self-luminous, has no manifestation, because from the absolute standpoint there is no other object which can be manifested by Consciousness. But on account of the superimposition of ignorance (अविद्या) a modification appears known as mind (अन्त:करण) which, though insentient (जड), (being the product of अविद्या) appears as conscious on account of the association of Consciousness or Ātman with it. The Ātman appears as buddhi when associated with antaḥkaraṇa. The buddhi, on account of its association with Consciousness, appears to be endowed with agency, will, etc.

~N

I don’t use the word reflection of consciousness. If you use the word, understand in this way: sūkṣma-śarīra becomes conscious, means mind becomes conscious. The consciousness obtaining in the mind is as good as consciousness. That consciousness is in the form of vṛtti.

...

Ahaṅkāra is not a bad thing. Ahaṅkāra is the inner dynamics. This is how it works. Some people say “Remove ahaṅkāra, remove ego”. I ask, but you are talking now. Have you removed ahaṅkāra? If yes, then how do you talk? How do you get up? How do you decide? This is vyāvahārika. This ahaṅkāra is Īśvara manifesting in this form. Ahaṅkāra is not a bad thing or a good thing. That has to be understood. If you are trying to remove ahaṅkāra, in the name of removing ahaṅkāra, ahaṅkāra will be sitting there! If you have the delusion of having removed ahaṅkāra, ahaṅkāra will get stronger.

~D

How does the mind become the seer? A good example here is the moon. How does the moon illumine the earth on a full moon night? The moon borrows the light from the sun. A reflection of the sunlight is formed on the moon’s surface. When the reflection is formed, the moon gets illumined and the moon becomes the illuminator of the earth. The author says that the same phenomenon takes place with regard to the mind. Sākṣī can be compared to the sun and the mind can be compared to the moon. The caitanyam of the sākṣī is formed on the mind called chāyā praveśa. Chāyāmeans the pratibimba caitanyam or ābhāsacaitanyam is formed on the mind. The moment the reflected consciousness is formed, two things happen. First, the mind becomes known, experienced and shines. Not only does the mind gets illumined, the mind also becomes the seer or the illuminator of the sense-organs. This is how the mind becomes seer 2. Because of the formation of the reflected consciousness (RC) in the mind, the mind becomes sentient as though it has its own light or sentency.

~P

Reflections of Consciousness

Call the central nervous system, the subtle body. Call this subtle body, organic chemicals and functional compounds. Call its amplification of intelligence, a reflection of pure consciousness. Call this mind and ego complex, a superimposition of ignorance upon the self.

Do not mistake the mind’s synthesis of data for a means of knowing reality. At best, the mind can lead you to the water. For the mind is an instrument of avidya, using all the wrong ways to drink in truth.

Pure consciousness may be indescribable, no matter what kind of mathematics are being used, but truth is not unknowable. Only to the mind is reality unknown. To nonconceptual being, that’s all that’s known. 

~A

Translators / Commentators Legend

A: Aumdada

D: Dayananda

N: Nikhilananda

P: Paramarthananda

S: Sandeepany

T: Tejomayananda