Now I know fully that my own Soul is pervading everywhere as the universe. In fact, the cosmos does not exist; it never existed. For what we regard as the universe is only a conscious play of Chitshakti (the intelligent, conscious, Divine Energy that masquerades as the universe).
The Absolute bliss, attainable through the Vedantic contemplation; Thou art That, is in fact my own Self vibrating subtly within me.
The greatest fact is that this universe is a divine sport, a bursting forth of Chitshakti. It appears to be material owing to our ignorance of Chiti (the dynamic feminine aspect of Godhood). When the knowledge of Chiti is attained, matter will vanish and one will see only Chiti everywhere.
When mighty Shiva wishes to create, Chiti expands Herself of Her own accord, differentiates Her own Being and manifests into innumerable forms. Chiti expresses Her own creativity by unfolding as the external universe, which is Her immanent aspect. Despite appearing as the cosmos, She remains pure, self-illumined and untainted in her transcendent aspect. She projects Herself as happiness, sorrow, fear, disease, impurity, childhood, youth, heaven and hell. Yet her purity and transparency remain ever unsullied. Remaining unaltered, She revels in the external universe.
This entire world in which we live is a play of the self-luminous Universal Consciousness. To one with this vision, the universe is only an unfolding of divine Shakti. For him there is neither bondage nor salvation; neither means nor end; neither contraction nor expansion, for his eye of knowledge has been opened by the Guru's mercy.
The universe is nothing but a play of Universal Imagination. Chiti is absolutely free and self-effulgent. She holds the triple power of creation-sustenance-dissolution within Her. Though She is above space, time, and form, she voluntarily assumes these limitations. All spaces, times, and forms are Her expressions. Chiti maintains Her unity and identity in spite of Her manifesting as the universe. She is omnipresent, ever-full and ever-radiant.
Just as the numberless water drops, bubbles, waves and foam of an ocean are in no way different from it, similarly, the countless names, forms, and qualities of this universe are not at all different from Chiti.
Those who are ignorant of the divine play of consciousness, and consider the universe to be essentially different from Chiti, suffer in diverse ways because of this delusion. The entire universe is the field of the known, while the Universal Soul is the knower. The Supreme Lord is unity in diversity and diversity in unity.
The Absolute is real; the world is unreal.
Such is the truth.
But for Self-knowledge, suffering does not cease.
He who sees the One in all, alone attains peace.
The Absolute is the individual Soul -
Such is the Vedantic teaching.
He who continually contemplates his identity with the universe realizes that it is his own splendour. He will continue to dwell in his perfection.
O Siddha students! The universe belongs to you. You are its Soul. Different levels of manifestation arise from you. They are your own forms. You are perfect in your aspect as the Universal Spirit. Remain continuously aware that the universe is your own splendid glory. This is the Guru's command, the teaching of Parashiva, the Siddha mode of perception. This is the easy and natural means to liberation.
From: Play of Consciousness by Baba Muktananda
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Giri was an illiterate Brahmin boy who became highly proficient in Vedanta merely by his rare devotion to Sri Shankaracharya, whom he had accepted as his Guru. He was a simple and devoted soul who fully believed that service to the Guru was the source of all knowledge. He therefore devoted himself faithfully to the service of the Acharya (teacher). He never neglected his duties and was always quick to perform every possible service to the Guru. Whenever the Acharya taught Vedanta to his pupils, Giri would humbly stand by and listen. One day the Acharya held the class as usual but would not start the lesson. When the pupils asked him if he was waiting for something, the Acharya replied that he was waiting for Giri. The pupils laughed and said, "Gurudev! Giri has gone to the river to wash your clothes. You may begin the lessons. It doesn't matter whether Giri is present or not since he doesn't understand or grasp anything."
