Brahma Sutras - The Old Text that can End Suffering Permanently!

[@earthwiseindia4283]

A concise and well researched piece of work!

[@aungk2000]

Wonderful introduction to the Vedas and introduction to Sanatan Dharma- viewers should have patience and watch through till the end. Knowledge will grow from this experience

[@historicalowl-n2m]

How can self-awareness and direct experience of infinite consciousness lead to liberation from Maya?

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Lovely drawings Any link to the sources?

[@historicalowl-n2m]

What is the concept of Maya, and how does it relate to the idea of cosmic illusion?

[@sanathansatya1667]

Concept of Maya According to Sri Aurobindo Sri Aurobindo’s understanding of Maya significantly expands upon traditional interpretations found in Advaita Vedanta, offering a more dynamic and transformative view. In traditional Advaita Vedanta, as articulated by Shankaracharya, Maya is often seen as the illusion or veil that hides the true nature of reality, which is Brahman, the formless, absolute, and undifferentiated divine. According to this view, the world is perceived as an illusion, and liberation (Moksha) involves seeing beyond Maya to realize the ultimate oneness of the self with Brahman. However, Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy offers a more nuanced interpretation of Maya, aligning it with his broader vision of an evolving universe and the manifestation of the divine in the material world. He does not reject the concept of illusion but redefines it within an evolutionary framework. --- 1. Maya as the Creative Power of the Divine Sri Aurobindo recognizes Maya as a divine, creative power (Shakti) rather than merely an illusion. While in Advaita Vedanta, Maya is seen as an obstacle to realizing the ultimate truth, Aurobindo views it as the means by which the infinite Divine expresses itself in the finite world. Maya as Divine Shakti: Aurobindo refers to Maya as the power of the Divine that manifests the universe. This power is not an illusion but a means by which the infinite Brahman unfolds into the finite world. It is the force of divine manifestation-the activity of the divine consciousness that brings the cosmos into existence. World as Divine Creation: For Aurobindo, the world is not false or illusory in the absolute sense but is a real manifestation of the divine. The seeming separation between the divine and the material world is due to the veil of ignorance or partial understanding, not because the world itself is false. 2. Maya and the Evolution of Consciousness Aurobindo introduces the concept of evolutionary spirituality, where Maya is not seen as a hindrance to be transcended but as part of a grand spiritual evolution. The world, with all its apparent separations and limitations, is a stage in the unfolding of divine consciousness. The Evolution of the Divine: According to Aurobindo, the divine reality evolves through various stages, from inanimate matter to life to mind and eventually to higher spiritual consciousness. The world of Maya is the playground where this evolutionary process unfolds, and the ultimate goal is the realization of the supramental consciousness-the divine consciousness fully manifest in the material world. Maya as an Evolutionary Force: Instead of being merely an illusion, Maya is viewed as an instrument of the divine evolution, guiding the soul through various stages of development and ultimately leading to its divine transformation. 3. The Role of Maya in the Illusion of the Separate Self While Aurobindo views Maya as the power of divine manifestation, he also acknowledges that Maya creates the illusion of separateness in individual existence. Individual Ego and Separation: Maya creates the illusion of ego or individual separateness, causing us to perceive ourselves as distinct from others and from the divine. This illusion of separateness is the source of human suffering and ignorance, as individuals are caught in the trap of attachment, desire, and limited perception. Transcending the Illusion of the Ego: The goal of spiritual practice, according to Aurobindo, is to transcend this egoistic separateness and realize the underlying unity of all existence. Unlike Advaita Vedanta, which suggests the world and the ego are ultimately false, Aurobindo’s view is that the transformation of the individual ego leads to the realization of the divine presence in all. 4. The Relationship Between the Transcendent and the Immanent Aurobindo’s view of Maya is also intricately tied to his dual conception of the Divine, which is both transcendent and immanent. Transcendent Divine (Brahman): The absolute, formless, and eternal aspect of the Divine that is beyond time, space, and attributes. This aspect of the Divine remains unchanging and unaffected by the world of Maya. Immanent Divine (Shakti): The Divine also manifests as immanent within the universe, manifesting itself in the form of Maya. The world is an expression of this immanent Divine, and the process of evolution is the unfolding of this immanent divinity. For Aurobindo, the goal of spiritual realization is not to escape Maya (as traditional Advaita suggests) but to recognize the Divine within the world and bring the divine consciousness into every aspect of life. 5. The Divine Purpose Behind Maya Aurobindo’s view of Maya is teleological-it is not aimless or accidental, but has a divine purpose behind it. The world, as shaped by Maya, is the instrument of the divine will, through which the infinite consciousness expresses itself in the finite forms of life. Divine Play (Leela): Aurobindo’s understanding of Maya is also connected to the idea of the world as the divine play (Leela). In this view, the universe is a manifestation of divine consciousness at play, and the apparent illusion or duality of the world is part of this divine drama. The purpose of life is to realize this divine play and see the unity beneath the surface multiplicity. 6. Maya and Liberation (Moksha) In traditional Advaita, the ultimate goal is to transcend Maya and realize the non-duality of Brahman. For Aurobindo, the goal is not merely transcendence, but the transformation of the whole of life through the realization of the supramental consciousness. Transforming, Not Escaping Maya: While Aurobindo agrees with Advaita Vedanta that the ego and ignorance must be transcended, he emphasizes that the world and Maya are not to be rejected. Instead, the world must be divinized and transformed by the realization of the supramental consciousness. Divine Life on Earth: Liberation, in Aurobindo’s view, is not about renouncing the world but about transforming it. The ultimate goal is the manifestation of divine consciousness in every aspect of life, both individual and collective, until the entire world becomes a divine expression. --- Key Takeaways: Maya is not mere illusion but a divine power of manifestation through which the infinite divine expresses itself in the finite world. Maya is a tool of evolution, guiding the universe from matter to spirit, ultimately leading to the realization of supramental consciousness. The world of Maya creates the illusion of separateness, but the spiritual goal is not to escape the world, but to transform it into a divine life. Spiritual realization for Aurobindo is the recognition of the divine immanence in the world and the manifestation of divine consciousness in every aspect of existence. Sri Aurobindo’s concept of Maya offers a transformative perspective, where the world is not to be rejected but rather realized as the play of the divine in its most dynamic, evolving form.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Maya breaks down as ma-ya, not that

[@sanathansatya1667]

@@kaushalsuvarna5156 Sanskrit Etymology: The word Māyā (माया) is derived from the Sanskrit root "ma" (मा), which means "to measure, to form, or to create." The suffix "yā" implies an action or a process. Thus, Māyā literally translates to something like "that which measures or creates forms" or "the act of creation." This etymological meaning aligns with its philosophical usage, where Maya refers to the principle that creates forms and appearances in the phenomenal world, giving structure and meaning to the formless Brahman. Broader Implications of the Etymology: "To Measure": This suggests limitation or delineation, which is key to the concept of Maya. The infinite, formless reality (Brahman) is measured or delimited into finite forms, which is the essence of Maya’s role in manifesting the universe. "To Create or Form": This implies that Maya is a creative power, responsible for the apparent diversity and multiplicity in the world. It aligns with the idea of Maya as Shakti, the dynamic energy of the divine.

[@royp7541]

Maya is a man made ignorance of not learning those things about not so apparently visible or subtle realities. So we say it’s Maya. There is much more at work on that term and it’s various aspects