Shiva Sutra 3.7- Conquering Illusion, Part One
Look around you— How would you describe the nature of ‘illusion’ in your life at this moment? How can you, and do you, use your yoga and meditation practice to conquer it?
In today’s class we discuss how “Illusion” is defined as the ‘universe of our impressions and experiences’, and how conquering this illusion is the path to pure knowledge, that is, knowledge that leads us to spiritual growth.
Shiva Sutra 3.7
Moha-jayād Anantā-bhogāt sahaja-vidyā-jayaḥ //“After conquering the field of illusion (māyā) by destroying its many impressions, one attains the victory of the pure knowledge of consciousness.”
(Swami Lakshmanjoo’s translation from “Shiva Sutras, The Supreme Awakening”)
Downloadable Audio Podcast
Class Quotes, Prompts and Explanations
“What is illusion (moha)? Illusion is this completely differentiated universe filled with impressions and experiences. When this illusion is conquered (jayāt), which means overcome (abhibhavāt), then victory is achieved… Through this pure knowledge (vidyā) is realized, where eternal aspects are revealed and supreme God consciousness is obtained.”
• Illusion is the universe of our impressions and experiences. Conquering this illusion is how we obtain pure knowledge, supreme God Consciousness.
• How do you define illusion in your life and practice?
How do you “conquer” it? If so, why, if not, what other word better describes your experience?
What is an example of “pure knowledge” you have attained in your life and practice?
“Bondage is just differentiated knowledge. It is experiencing the objects of the world as separate from God consciousness. Here, you think that God consciousness is pure and consciousness in worldly life is impure. You must quit experiencing these kinds of bondage (pāśas) and focus your mind towards pure God consciousness. When you abandon this experience of bondage and direct your mind toward God consciousness, experiencing only yourself, that is known as the pervasion of God consciousness, the pervasion of the self (ātmavyāpti).”
“Difference builds walls, Lack of Difference breaks down walls.”- Swami Rudrananda
In this section we are told that Differentiated knowledge leads to bondage, aka suffering. But what is "Differentiated knowledge”? The example we’re given is seeing the world and god as separate, but what does that look like through your experience? One way to encounter this concept is to ask yourself “Where do I feel difference in my day?”
Is this feeling of difference separate from the actual situation that causes it? Does the feeling of difference itself lead to suffering, or bondage, for you?
We are told that we can “quit” and “abandon” this experience of difference and “Focus” and “direct” our mind towards God Consciousness.Or as Rudi says we can “break down walls” through “lack of difference.” How do you break down the walls of difference with your practice? Do we have to change the situation externally to do so?
How do you relate to the term ‘God Consciousness’ in this process? Is that the word you would use for it? Why do you think it is described as “experiencing only yourself”? Wouldn’t experiencing only yourself make you feel more difference?
Share your reflections with us in the comments below, it could be of service and inspiration to fellow practitioners.