Dear Sundari, Thank you for the answer and the clear explanation. In fact, I’m careless about my own “history.” I used to care more about that before, but now it doesn’t have any practical meaning for me. Now that Self-study is a priority in my life, for the first time in my life, what I am studying resonates deeply in my heart.
Yes, the difference between Sathya and Mithya is clear for me, at least from the intellectual point of view, but it seems a daily exercise of attention to differentiate between them.
Sundari: I am glad to hear that, good for you. Thank you again for your feedback, I can see how much you have progressed in your understanding, good for you for sticking with it! If dedication to Self-Inquiry is not a priority it will not bear the fruit of Self-knowledge, freedom from the bondage that duality imposes on the mind. I think it is just a language problem as I do think you know this – but bear in mind, as I pointed out in the Satsang last Sunday, self-inquiry is not the study of the Self. It is subjecting the mind to the nondual teachings so that Self-knowledge can do ‘the work’ of scouring the mind of ignorance. If you are studying the Self there is a doer involved. You cannot study the Self because you are the Self.
Lia: When I was invited to the zoom Satsang at the beginning of the pandemic, I had a question. And even though it was answered, I can’t remember the exact answer. I remember it was related to the spider and the web metaphor and related to Ishwara I and Ishwara II. But 2 more years had to pass and the understanding in my mind has evolved from there.
My question was: It seems that the material world is insignificant. If worldly experiences (from the human perspective) are so pointless and of no importance, what’s the point of existence?
Thank you so much, Sundari.
Sundari: The answer to the why of Maya and the apparent reality is unknowable because this reality is not real. The question is not really relevant because Vedanta gives you the full understanding of the how. Yes, Isvara 1 (Consciousness/Self) and 2 (Isvara) are involved in the answer. Of course, they must be. Vedanta gives us the complete and firm knowledge of who Isvara is (Consciousness wielding Maya), what the jiva and the Field of Existence are and the forces that run them (the three gunas), and the shared identity between the jiva/world and Isvara/God=Conscousness/Self. When you know that all apparent identities resolve into you, the Self, why not see the dream as a way to rejoice in the bliss of the Self? Life is so precious when you know that it is a dream appearing in you, and all fear is gone, forever.
Why not see that your jiva has an apparent life in an apparent reality for no other reason than to shine as the Love you are? As the Self you do not NEED this, but why not have it? There are no rules for the Self. Limitless means you are free to experience anything, even if you know it is not real and not you. Duality is beautiful from this perspective. It is full of gifts. It allows us to hold those we love, to make love, to enjoy a good meal, to laugh, to witness the miracle of birth, and so much more. A vast world of riches when you are not under the spell of Maya and can just enjoy is knowing that it is all you. Duality only causes suffering when you are under its spell
Does this help?
Love and blessings
Sundari
