A little experiment in cyberspace. Trying to put technology to work in a spiritual way.
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Digital Blackboard - July 26, 2004
The mortal (Jiva) is hounded by illusion (Maya), due to doubt (Vikalpa). It is Illusion which actually deludes him. An ordinary human being is ignorant of his true nature and continues to exist as a mortal, completely oblivious to the fact that he is immortal (Shiva).
The notion that he is mortal, itself is delusion. This delusion, or Maya, is of two types. The delusion that pertains to the mundane, transient world, is called Avidyamaya, and the delusion which is beyond the appearance of the world and is directed towards the "Ultimate Truth" is called Vidyamaya.
That which is nonexistent or untrue, appears to exist due to Avidyamaya, and when everything that appears in the world is seen to be untrue, it is Vidyamaya.
Both Avidyamaya and Vidyamaya are derived from the primal illusion, or Moolamaya, which is Consciousness itself. Our true Self, is prior to, and beyond, even this Consciousness. We are Brahman.
It is the Self that is prior to Consciousness. Both Avidyamaya and Vidyamaya constitute the ocean of mundane existence. This ocean has come into existence after the appearance of Consciousness. He who is disinterested, detached from, unaffected, and unsmeared by illusion, is truly powerful. He who has renounced illusion has long since renounced desires, too. He is purged of both sorrows and joys.
A devotee is the one who serves and honors the saints. The one who feels honored and achieves a sense of complete fulfillment while serving a saint, is the true humble servant. One should be detached from illusion, disenchanted by it, and should understand Brahman through discrimination.
Detachment is indeed the "True Essence".
Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj - From a talk dated January 26, 1933