Student: Hello, Ramji.
In your video in Trout Lake about the gunas, video four, you say that the first material that is created is the pure reflective light, pure sattva, and in that sattva is the knowledge of the whole Creation. When rajas becomes predominant, then it shatters and scatters the pure mirror of sattva to many pieces.
Isn’t this pure sattva Isvara? If it is Isvara, then how can Isvara be shattered into pieces when it still has all its knowledge when the Creation is finished? I understand that the pieces become the jivas, but where is Isvara in this? If the pure sattva is not Isvara, then where is Isvara in the creation stage?
Also, which video/book do you recommend where you go through the ajati vada entirely? I feel I have good knowledge of the dristi sristi vada but I am curious about ajati vada.
James: Isvara/Maya is sattva, rajas and tamas. The idea that rajas breaks the sattva and scatters it is purely a metaphor. It is just a way of saying that there are innumerable conscious beings of all shapes and sizes scattered throughout all the planes of experience (lokas). It means that they are limited in their capacity to act, think and desire. The sattva is never shattered. It is always pure. Rajas is the power that keeps the world of objects moving, and tamas is the inertia of gross material objects. These all just concepts to help understand the nature of the Self and to develop discrimination between experience and the knower of experience, i.e. awareness.
The other point is that dristi-sristi-vada and ajati vada are just different teachings that reveal the fact that there is only consciousness and that the Self is consciousness. Both negate the Creation as unreal.
I suggest Mandukya Upanishad and Gaudapada’s Karika and video from the ShiningWorld shop for the discussion of ajativada (click this link).
Skype Satsang with James or Sundari
Vedanta doesn’t work properly without the help of a qualified teacher. While qualified inquirers will definitely benefit from the books, videos, website and seminars, occasionally questions arise that can only be resolved by personal contact with the teacher. Now that we are settled in Spain, ShiningWorld is pleased to offer donation-based Skype satsangs with James/Ramji and Sundari.
“You don’t have problems; you are the problem.” – Swami Chinmayananda
If you are new to Vedanta, you need to know that Vedanta only works for mature people who know that fixing the ego’s problems is not a solution. Only when an individual entertains the right self-concept are psychological problems resolved. We are happy to briefly hear your story to get an idea of your qualifications but only offer suggestions in keeping with the teaching itself.
Keeping in mind that we are situated in Spain (European Standard Time), we are available between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm and from 8:00 to 10:00 pm most days. To schedule, contact Sundari at sundari.shiningworld@gmail.com or James/Ramji at swartz.jb@gmail.com. Once we agree on a date, make a donation at the website.
