Understanding maya

 

What is maya? Maya is that which can be measured. The whole world can be measured, that is why it is maya. 

All five elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether – can all be measured. Can space be measured? Only in space can things be measured. Space is the first dimension of measurement. 

Measurement is always relative and not absolute. For example, if something weighs six pounds on earth, it will weigh only one pound on the moon. The light of the star you see today is not really today’s light. It has taken at least four years for the light to reach you. Both size and weight change in air, water and earth. 

So “measure” is illusory and not dependable. Your bones, skin, body, environment and the five elements can be measured; you can put a value, a quantity, to them. So, the whole world is maya. All measurements only provide a relative understanding. Einstein’s theory of relativity correlates with the advaita (non-dual) philosophy. 

But what is not maya? Everything that cannot be measured is maya. You cannot say one ounce of love, two ounces of peace and five kilograms of happiness. Can you be measured? It is not possible. Your body has weight, but not you. 

Truth cannot be measured, ananda – or joy – cannot be measured, and beauty cannot be measured. All these are part of consciousness – the Divine – and are called mayi.

Connection between Shiva and Ganesha

 

The lord of the diverse universe is called Ganesha. 

The whole universe is nothing but clusters of atoms – groups of qualities, of energy. Gana means group and a group cannot exist without a “lord.” Like the queen bee whose mere existence brings forth the honeycomb, this diverse universe in itself is enough evidence for Ganesha’s presence. 

Ganesha, or lord, was born from the unmanifest transcendental consciousness, the Self, called Shiva. Just as when atoms bond and matter comes into existence, so when all the fragmented aspects of human consciousness bond, divinity happens effortlessly and that is the birth of Ganesha from Shiva.

On Shivaratri

 

Peace is your nature, yet you remain restless. 

Freedom is your nature, yet you remain in bondage. 

Happiness is your nature, yet you become miserable for some reason or another. 

Contentment is your nature, yet you continue to reel in desires. 

Benevolence is your nature, yet you do not reach out. 

Moving towards your nature is sadhana. 

Sadhana is becoming what you truly are! Your true nature is Shiva. And Shiva is peace, infinity, beauty and the non-dual One. Ratri means “to take refuge.” Shivaratri is taking refuge in Shiva.

On Valentine's Day

 

Abiding in the Self you become the valentine for the whole world. Spirit is the valentine of the material world, and the material world is the valentine of the spirit. They are made for each other. They uphold each other. 

If you clutch onto material objects and do not respect the spirit, then the material world will be displeased. If you honor the spirit, then you will care for the world, and when you care for the world, it will take care of you.

On transcendence

 

The foolish one uses spiritual power to gain material comfort. 

An intelligent one uses the material world to rise high in the spirit. 

When you transcend the intellect, you allow yourself to be used by the spirit. 

One who is awake, neither uses anything nor loses anything. 

Become intelligent – transcend and wake up.

From ignorance to enlightenment

 

If you think you are ignorant, you know who you are. 

And if you know who you are, you are enlightened. 

And if you are enlightened, then you certainly are not ignorant. 

If you think you are intelligent, then you do not know who you are. 

And if do not know who you are, then you really are ignorant! 

It is better to realize your ignorance, and become enlightened!

Attaining perfection in one's actions

 

Buddha was enlightened under the Bodhi tree. He then stood up and watched the tree from a distance for seven days. He took sixteen steps towards the tree and under each step blossomed a lotus flower. This is the legend. 

The Bodhi tree is symbolic of both sansara (the world) and dharma. The lotus flower symbolizes clarity, dispassion, love, beauty and purity. 

It is only when you are detached in life that you can watch the sansara and all of its plays. When you witness the sansara, every step you take is benevolent and impeccable. 

When every action of yours is preceded by witnessing, then every move you make in this sansara becomes perfect and significant.

Why say "Jai Gurudev"?

 

There is a Big Mind and a small mind. Sometimes the Big Mind wins over the small mind and sometimes it is the other way around. 

When the small mind wins, it causes misery and when the Big Mind wins, it is joy. The small mind promises joy but leaves you empty-handed. You may initially be resistant to the Big Mind but it will fill you with joy. 

The word guru means great. Jaya means victory. Deva means one who is fun-loving, playful, light. Some who are playful are often not dignified, and those who are dignified are often not playful. Jai Guru Dev means victory to the Big Mind in you that is both dignified and playful. Jai Guru Dev means “Victory to the greatness in you.” You do not say victory to the master as he has already achieved the Big Mind. You say victory to your own Self, your own Big Mind, which is being protested by the small mind.