Shankara on the Soul

A. J. Alston:

The soul is the immutable Consciousness viewed in association with superimposed limiting adjuncts (upādhi),1 and this Consciousness, appearances notwithstanding, is also present in dreamless sleep. The connection of the immutable Consciousness with superimposed adjuncts is due to nescience.

The adjuncts in which the Self is apparently enclosed to form the multiplicity of individual souls derive from name and form as their material cause, and how the Self is in its true nature unborn and immutable, while only the adjuncts, like the gross material body, come into being and pass away.

The immutable Consciousness is said to be reflected in its closest and most immediate adjunct, the mind with its ego-notion. Śaṅkara regarded the use of the reflection-analogy as indispensable for explaining the facts of experience, and for reconciling the fact that the experiences of each individual soul are private to himself with the presence of one Self as the reality in all.

Another useful analogy for explaining the apparent individuation of the Self as the multiplicity of individual souls is that of the apparent separation of individual parcels of the ether of space within various pots.

The reflection-analogy, which is much the more important for Śaṅkara, as later sections will show, has the incidental advantage of suggesting to the beginner on the practical path that, even if he cannot attain to the Absolute at a single leap, he can acquire a higher degree of awareness of the presence of the Absolute in the course of daily life through purification of the mind, the medium in which its light is reflected.

~Alston, Shankara on the Soul, pp8,9

Snippets from Satprakashananda (wip)

1. ajñāna or avidyā

Brahman as controlling mayā is Iśvara. Brahman as controlled by mayā is jīva. From the position of the jīva, this mysterious principle, māyā, is designated as ajñāna or avidyā, which is usually translated as ignorance or nescience. But ajñāna or avidyā does not mean the absence or the negation, but the reverse, of knowledge. It is antiknowledge, which terminates with the knowledge of Reality.

2. mithyā

Since the world of becoming is indescribable (anirvacanīya) either as real (sat) or as unreal (asat), it is characterized in Vedantic terminology as mithyā, which does not mean, as is often misconceived, "unreal" but "other than real and unreal" (sadasad-vilaksņa). The manifold has an apparent existence grounded on the Supreme Being like the illusory appearance of a serpent on a rope.

3. Māyā

That which is real in Māyā is the Reality in and through Māyā. Yet the Reality is not seen, and hence that which is seen is unreal and it has no real independent existence of itself, but is dependent upon the Real for its existence. Māyā then is a paradox - real, yet not real; an illusion, yet not an illusion. He who knows the Real sees in Māyā not illusion but Reality. He who knows not the Real sees in Māyā illusion and thinks it real. ~Vivekananda (as quoted by S)

Column Advaita Style

1. Saints Say

If a dry sponge is a dead sponge and a wet sponge is a live sponge, consciousness gives existence to the material world and not vice versa.

The intent of an evolutionary universe is not to produce consciousness but reflect consciousness in a more subtle manner.

The subtle body is like a mirror. In reality, there is no mirror. People live and die in Maya while the saints go marching on.

2. To the Truth

This hydroscopic universe appears in absolute consciousness. Consciousness pervades this absorbent world like Vishnu do.

If God is a concept, so is your person. Atheism is only halfway to the truth. Halfway to the truth is a perilous lie.

The body is the bodhi tree. The mind is a mirror. If Bodhi is unborn, where does all the dust go?

3. View from Mesa Arch 2008

Artificial intelligence is neither intelligence nor art.

Only love reveals truth and beauty.

Between the desert and dark clouds is the rain of Ramana Maharshi like a Doric column.

~sr12

Canyonlands 2008

Artificial intelligence is neither intelligence nor art.

Only love reveals truth and beauty.

Between the desert and dark clouds is the rain of Ramana Maharshi.

To the Truth

This hydroscopic universe appears in absolute consciousness. Consciousness pervades this absorbent world like Vishnu do.

If God is a concept, so is your person. Atheism is only halfway to the truth. Halfway to the truth is a perilous lie.

The body is the bodhi tree. The mind is a mirror. Bodhi is unborn. Where does the dust collect?

Ode Hymn Song Silence

1. New Ode to Satcitananda

Satcitananda are not three attributes of Absolute Brahman but that essence expressed three ways: consciousness, existence, holistic bliss infinity.

These three expressions are the nondual trinity of negative capability — Absolute Brahman is neither non-existent, unaware, nor limited.

Atman neither exists nor doesn't exist, is neither aware nor unaware. Atman is the principle of existence and the ground of consciousness, unlimited.

2. Hymn to Isvara

Absolute Brahman is Brahman without attributes – Nirguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman is Brahman with attributes, God, Isvara and its sword of Maya.

Maya is beginningless. Maya is intelligent. Duality is the mark of Maya. The laws of science are the works of Maya. The puzzles of the universe are the sword play of Maya.

The ignorance of Avidya is Maya mixed with busyness and inertia. Wisdom is Maya mixed with effortless non-doing and intuitive non-knowing. That is the will of Isvara.

3. Sun Song

The source of the sun is a black hole to big science.

The source of the sun god is consciousness-existence in maya.

In reality, the sun is an appearance in and of the self-luminous Self.

4. Voice of the Silence

In Acadia National Park, on the western slope of Cadillac Mountain, I watch the sun set like a nuclear power plant over Eagle Lake 1999.

From a park bench in the Santa Lucia Mountains of Big Sur on the grounds of New Camaldoli Hermitage, I watch the vast Pacific like Merton in Asia.

shizukesa ya
iwa ni shimi-iru
semi no koe

~Basho

~sr11

Sun Song

The source of the sun is a black hole to big science.

The source of the sun god is consciousness-existence in maya.

In reality, the sun is an appearance in and of the self-luminous Self.

Hymn to Isvara

Absolute Brahman is Brahman without attributes – Nirguna Brahman. Saguna Brahman is Brahman with attributes, God, Isvara and its sword of Maya.

Maya is beginningless. Maya is intelligent. Duality is the mark of Maya. The laws of science are the works of Maya. The puzzles of the universe are the sword play of Maya.

The ignorance of Avidya is Maya mixed with busyness and inertia. Wisdom is Maya mixed with effortless non-doing and intuitive non-knowing. That is the will of Isvara.

suite reality 10 the movie

1. woodfire

The body burns with the principle of existence. The mind reflects nonconceptual consciousness.

Is woodfire wood or fire? Am I the reflection or that which is reflected?

Mortality is a fundamental belief. Immortality is the fundament.

2. satcitananda

Atman neither exists nor doesn't exist. Atman is existence.

Is consciousness a product of the universe or does the universe appear in consciousness?

What's death if I don't think about it? Satcitananda is indescribable.

3. floes

Ice floes appear in the river.

Ice floes are nothing but the river.

Ice floes melt into the river.

Big wheel keeps on turning.

The hydrologic cycle is a game of gods.

The river is a metaphor for Brahman.

4. movie

The source of this reflected consciousness is smaller than a mustard seed and greater than a god.

Stuck inside the dreamstate with the kensho blues again waiting for spontaneous combustion.

Seeing through this smash hit of a movie is that silver screen of pure consciousness, five stars.

suite reality number nine

1. lucid dreaming

The real lucid dreaming is always being mindful the waking state is a dream state too.

Real lucid dreaming is not about dreaming in a certain direction but understanding

consciousness is the witness of the waking dream as mind is the watcher of the sleeping dream.

2. reality redux

Self-realization is the true apocalypse.

Self-awareness is the meaning of Maya.

Reflected consciousness is the ego.

Self-consciousness is the superego.

Brahman is the substrate of the universe. 

Atman is the ground of yourself.

The substrate of the universe is 

the ground of yourself.

3. the truth abides

There's no subconsciousness.

There's only sub-memory.

In reality, there's consciousness only.

As the body is self-functioning,

the mind is self-dreaming.

Psychology digs into maya.

The truth abides in awareness.

4. like a witchita line

The wise ones on the highest peaks see pure consciousness forever.

The wise ones in the deepest caves see absolute existence only.

The wise ones on the ground transmit consciousness-existence.

Talks on Aparoksanubhuti 104-124 (work in progress)

104.

All is Brahman. From this understanding, the senses are self-controlled.

This approach is called authentic yama and should be cultivated again and again.

105.

The continuous current of that thought (I am Brahman) while excluding dissimilar thoughts

is called true niyama, which is supreme bliss and a regular observance by the wise.

106.

Renunciation of the phenomenal world by seeing it as the Atman of pure consciousness

is real renunciation and worshipped by the great ones as instant liberation.

107.

From where words turn back unable to reach the mind

is that silence attainable by yogis but which the realized one always is.

108.

Who can speak of that from which all words return?

Just to describe this phenomenal world is beyond all words.

109.

Let that silence of the wise be known as the natural state.

The silence of words is merely prescribed for the unknowing by the knowers of Brahman.

110.

Where the world does not exist, in the beginning, middle, or end,

is that all-pervading space only solitude knows.

111.

In the blink of an eye, Time produces all beings, beginning with Brahma the Creator.

Verily that is also called Timeless, the one who is unbroken bliss and nondual.

112.

That way in which unbroken meditation on Brahman flows with ease

is the right posture. And not some other Asana which destroys one's equanimity.

113.

That known as the source of all beings, the substrate of the universe, the immutable ground

upon which the enlightened one is seated — that truly is the perfect posture.

suite reality eight, brahman is great

1. That's Satcitananda

Brahman is the substrate of the universe. Atman is the ground of yourself. The substrate of the universe is the ground of yourself.

Existence is the ground of consciousness. Consciousness is the principle of existence. That's satcitananda.

That is the source of being, substrate of the world, immutable ground upon which one sits in natural posture, Aparoksanubhuti.

2. Consciousness Transcends Thought

Reflected consciousness is to consciousness as filtered light is to light.

People think reflected consciousness is consciousness but consciousness transcends thought.

Let your thoughts appear in consciousness and disappear like fireflies on the Fourth of July.

3. Satcitananda

I am the light in reflected consciousness.

I am that transcendental consciousness.

I am consciousness-existence, satcitananda!

4. Epilogue like a Lighthouse

To see through thought is like a lighthouse seeing through a fog bank.

This shimmering world is soaked in consciousness.

Consciousness is self-luminous in need of no lighthouse. 

Suite Consciousness (sr7)

1. practical metaphysics

At heart, Advaita is practical metaphysics. And not outlandish new age ritual nor unproven scientific theory.

As the world of thought appears in consciousness and not the other way around, that begins there.

As truth is beauty and beauty is truth, consciousness is existence and existence is consciousness. That is all.

2. caveat emptor

As that consciousness-existence (Brahman) is foundational, Brahman is eternal, immutable, and nondual.

Since the world is full of birth and death, transformation, and multiplicity, the world cannot be Brahman.

Since nondual Brahman is everything, the world is an obvious illusion. Like a dream called Maya.

3. naming names

In Advaita, Brahman is the nondual nameless formless absolute. That Nirguna Brahman is Brahman without attributes.

Saguna Brahman is Brahman with attributes, named Isvara. Maya is the sword of Isvara called duality.

Some worship particlar attributes and give them names. Some worship attributes but do not know it. These get adjectives.

suite reality six

0. Transcreating Aparoksanubhuti 110-111

Where the world does not exist, in the beginning, middle, or end,

is that all-pervading space only solitude knows.

In the blink of an eye, Time produces all beings, beginning with Brahma the Creator.

Verily that is also called Timeless, the one who is unbroken bliss and nondual.

1. Talking Aparoksanubhuti

Nirguna Brahman is timeless. Saguna Brahman is time.

Where the space of this universe doesn't exist is that all-pervading spacelessness.

Verily, spacetime is pervaded by that spaceless timeless Parabrahman.

2. Gods of Maya

In misty Maya, Brahman appears to be Brahma. In Advaita, Saguna Brahman is called Isvara. 

Brahma is the first name of Isvara. Vishnu is the middle name. Shiva is the last.

They are Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer. God has ten thousand nicknames. I call mine The Universe.

3. To every Jiva, there's an Isvara

Everybody has a god. Even atheists have their atheism.

Theists have their specific theology. Scientists have their particular scientology.

Advaita has Isvara. Accept your world as it is before transcending it.

4. God is that which floats your boat

The whole is more than a sum of the parts. The sea is more than a number of islands, Matsushima.

Brahman is the grand in Grand Canyon, Nachiketa.

New Mexico is neither Santa Fe nor Sky City; Los Alamos is still off-limits. Atman is neither mustard seed nor god, Thor Heyerdahl.

The Books of Revelations

1. Revelations

In order to avoid the problems of social sects and personal opinions, the Upanishads are considered scripture in Vedanta, although Advaita puts a spin on this.

There is a higher teaching and a lower teaching. When the lower teaching contradicts the higher teaching, take the teaching where you're at.

Similarly any special power is considered to be a lower teaching. Power is by definition the territory of Maya.

2. from Mundaka 1.1-3 (vijñāte sarvam idaṁ vijñātaṁ)

1. Om! Brahma, the creator of the Universe and the protector of the world, was the first among the gods to manifest Himself. To His eldest son Atharva He imparted that knowledge of Brahman that is the basis of all knowledge.

2. The knowledge of Brahman that Brahma imparted to Atharva, Atharva transmitted to Arigir in days of yore. He (Arigir) passed it on to Satyavaha of the line of Bharadvaja. He of the line of Bharadvaja handed down to Arigiras this knowledge that had been received in succession from the higher by the lower ones.

3. Saunaka, well known as a great householder, having approached Arigiras duly, asked, 'O adorable sir, which is that thing which having been known, all this becomes known?'

(tr-Gambhirananda)

3. Divining Oneself

Brahmavidya is that limitless consciousness-existence transcending this reflected conscious life of a body-mind.

Intuiting the substrate of consciousness-existence is the great awakening of one in a million. Identifying with that substrate is enlightenment for one.

O Ananda, here I really am, standing on the ground of consciousness, pledging my time to that principle of existence, Satcitananda.

4. Scenic Viewpoints

Only Brahma knows Brahman and passes that on to Peter or Petra.

From the point of view of Maya, Brahman is Brahma.

From the point of view of Brahman, Brahman is Brahman.

~sr5

Suite Reality Four

1. Fountains of Satcitananda

In the sea of consciousness, the body of maya floats on satcitananda.

In beginningless mists, a most subtle body suddenly appears.

Through it rises a fountain, reflecting consciousness atoms under the sun.

2. Parabrahman

Parabrahman is not nothingness.

Parabrahman transcends all concepts.

Parabrahman is the substrate of nonconceptual consciousness-existence upon which all concepts are superimposed.

3. Revelation & Aparoksanubhuti

Listen to the revelation and confirm it for yourself. If there's affirmation, leave it on your playlist. Realization is just abyss away.

"From where words turn back unable to reach the mind is that silence attainable by yogis but which the realized one always is.

Who can speak of that from which all words return? Just to describe this phenomenal world is beyond all words."

Parabrahman

Parabrahman is not nothingness.

Parabrahman transcends all concepts.

Parabrahman is the substrate of nonconceptual consciousness-existence upon which all concepts are superimposed.

~rj29

Fountains of Satcitananda

In the sea of consciousness, the body of maya floats on satcitananda.

In beginningless mists, a most subtle body suddenly appears.

Through it rises a fountain, reflecting consciousness atoms under the sun.

~rj28

Near New Camaldoli

God is I Am, I know I Am, I love I know I Am. The highest truth is unborn says the Mandukya Upanishad. 

Lower truths become unwritten law. The highest truth is truth alone. Lake Manasarovar is like the highest lake in the world.

Matsushima Bay is the most beautiful view in the universe. We were somewhere near New Camaldoli when nonduality took hold.

Origin and Destination

1.

Atman is neither inner nor outer.

Brahman isn't individual or universal.

Turiyam is nondual.

2.

Rituals, practices, commandments, oh my!

If the problem is ignorance, the solution is knowledge only.

Consciousness is the foundation of all knowledge.

3.

At the end of the conceptual rainbow is consciousness and existence.

That satcitananda is like the consciousness-existence unlimited. All aboard!

That Consciousness-Existence Unlimited never leaves the station. For that's origin and destination.