Study Notes
PARAGRAPH 30
If we regard this aspect of the one Reality and put it in close connection with the other aspects, we can get a complete view of the relation between the eternal Self-Existence and the dynamics of the Consciousness-Force by which it manifests the universe. If we place ourselves in a silent Self-existence immobile, static, inactive, it will appear that a conceptive Consciousness-Force, Maya, able to effectuate all its conceptions, a dynamic consort of the Self of silence, is doing everything; it takes its stand on the fixed unmoving eternal status and casts the spiritual substance of being into all manner of forms and movements to which its passivity consents or in which it takes its impartial pleasure, its immobile delight of creative and mobile existence.
EXPLANATION
The Reality is one. But we live in a world of many aspects. How are we to relate this Reality which is one with the many aspects that we find in this world? Instead of seeing this Reality as separate if we put it in close connection with other aspects we can get a complete view of the relation between the eternal Self-Existence and the dynamics of the Consciousness-Force. It is by the Consciousness-Force that the Existence manifests itself in the universe.
We can place ourselves in a silent Self-existence, immobile, static, inactive – the static aspect of Brahman. Then it would appear that a conceptive Consciousness-Force, Maya is able to put forth all its conceptions as a dynamic consort (companion) of the Self of Silence.
It would appear as though the Force is doing everything taking its stand on the fixed unmoving eternal status of the Being; the Force casting the spiritual substance of being into all manner of forms and movements. Also it would appear that the being in its passivity consents to all forms and movements; or in which it takes its impartial pleasure, its immobile delight of creative and mobile existence.
Whether this be a real or an illusory existence, that must be its substance and significance. Consciousness is at play with Being, Force of Nature does what it wills with Existence and makes it the stuff of her creations, but secretly the consent of the Being must be there at every step to make this possible. There is an evident truth in this perception of things; it is what we see happening everywhere in us and around us; it is a truth of the universe and must answer to a fundamental truth-aspect of the Absolute.
EXPLANATION
We may call this existence real or an illusion. But the Reality must be its substance and significance. Consciousness is at play with the Being. Force of Nature does what it wills with Existence. It makes the Being the stuff of her creations. But we must understand that secretly the consent of the Being must be there at every step to enable the Force to manifest the Being.
In this perception of things there is an evident truth. It is what we see happening everywhere in us and around us. It is a truth of the universe. It must answer to a fundamental truth-aspect of the Absoute.
In other words there is a fundamental truth-aspect of the Absolute which governs the truth of the universe. Though the universe is apparently the play of the Force (Chit) yet it is fundamentally governed by the truth of the Being (Sat).
But when we step back from the outer dynamic appearances of things, not into a witness Silence, but into an inner dynamic participating experience of the Spirit, we find that this Consciousness-Force, Maya, Shakti, is itself the power of the Being, the Self-Existent, the Ishwara. The Being is lord of her and of all things, we see him doing everything in his own sovereignty as the creator and ruler of his own manifestation; or, if he stands back and allows freedom of action to the forces of Nature and her creatures, his sovereignty is still innate in the permission, at every step his tacit sanction, “Let it be so”, tath ¯ astu, is there implicit; for otherwise nothing could be done or happen.
EXPLANATION
How can one experience this truth? One must step back from the outer dynamic appearances of things. It is not into a witness silence one must draw back but into an inner dynamic participating experience of the Spirit. There is a participation of Spirit in all dynamic activities of Nature. It is that Spirit behind the outward action one must go into.
Once we go into the participating experience of the Spirit we find that this Consciousness-Force, Maya, Shakti is itself the power of the Being, the Self-Existence, the Ishwara.
The Being is the lord of the Force and of all things. We see him doing everything in his own sovereignty as the creator and ruler of his own manifestation.
Or he can stand back and allow freedom of action to the forces of Nature and her creatures. Yet, his sovereignty is inborn in the permission. At every step there is his implied sanction, “let it be so”, thathastu . If his implied sanction is not there nothing could be done or happen.
Being and its Consciousness- Force, Spirit and Nature cannot be fundamentally dual: what Nature does, is really done by the Spirit. This too is a truth that becomes evident when we go behind the veil and feel the presence of a living Reality which is everything and determines everything, is the All-powerful and the All-ruler; this too is a fundamental truth-aspect of the Absolute.
EXPLANATION
Being and its Consciousness-Force, Spirit and Nature cannot be fundamentally dual. Whatever the work Nature does, it is done by the Spirit.
This truth becomes evident to us when we go behind the appearances. We feel the presence of a living Reality which is everything and determines everything. It is the All-powerful and the All-ruler. This too is a fundamental truth-aspect of the Absolute.