As is your Concept, So will you see

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From a talk on Dasbodh: Chapter 12, Subchapter 8, Verse 1

"The Lord of the universe is the "Primal Illusion," afterwards, the eight-factored Prakriti further expands. Afterwards by sequence of nature, the manifestation of shape and form occurs."

The "Primal Illusion" means the "Lord of the Universe," or Ishwara. From this one God, the manifestation, Prakriti, has emerged bearing eight factors (the five elements and three gunas). The universe took shape later. When tainted by nothing, our nature is like empty space. There is no time, or place, in the formless. Place and time are associated with shape. The moment one becomes aware of oneself as an individual, place and time come into existence. For example, when we are asleep we are unaffected by time and place. It is only when we become aware, in Consciousness, that time and place, come into being.

As is your concept, so will you see. It is "The Lord," who has conceptualized this world. Concept is itself the mind, and "The Lord" is your own incarnation. When you form the concept that there is nothing, everything vanishes. Birth and death are the innate qualities of the body. As the Self brings down the qualities of the body on itself, it is obliged to endure the consequences, which are inseparably linked with the qualities of the body.

Because the Self identifies with the mind, it is hounded by joys and sorrows, that really only affect the body. The Jnanis know that they are not the body, and do not identify with the body, so after the demise of the body, they merge into the "True Form of the Self," (AtmaSwaroopa). The Yogis consider it as great fortune when this type of detachment penetrates in the mind.

Birth-death, joy-sorrows, and thirst-hunger are called the six urges. Devoid of these six urges "I Am Shiva" (Shivoham). He, who is aware that the God resides in the body, is free from birth and death. The concept of sins and merits was introduced to set fools on the right path. Once one has taken to treading the right path, these concepts cease to exist. You are the "Supreme Self," in the form of Parabrahman. Everything else is mere sentiment. If you remain fast asleep to objectivity, giving up all distinguishing properties, you are not bound by time or space.

- Shri Siddharameshwar Maharaj, No Date Given