True Self or Consciousness
We come to acknowledge the existence of the true self or consciousness and the mind/body or ego self. The true self is awareness, silence or consciousness, which is real. The ego is mind and body which is not real.
Most of us function from the ego self (mind/body). We can touch, taste, smell, see objects etc which are real but are sensory experiences of the ego self. For example we can touch or see a table, tree or an apple. That is the reality of the ego self. When we function from the ego self (mind/body), we experience (perceive) everything as real hence we think the world is real. However, if we accept that only the true self is real then all the ego self (mind/body) experiences of the world is an illusion (maya) or “not real”.
The true self (consciousness) which is real feels nothing, experiences nothing. It cannot be described in words but is akin to a space of awareness, silence, peace, bliss. Only this is real.
We must be careful not to see the true self (consciousness) and ego self (mind/body) as two separate entities. That is duality. We are told repeatedly “we are not the body, we are not the mind”, hence when we drop the mind and body only the true self (atman) remains, which is in oneness with Brahman.
A Board Game
To improve my understanding of this, with the grace of the divine, I have articulated this in the following manner. I see everything before us as manifestations of Lord Brahma, looked on by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Every object such as trees, sand, water, mountains, animals, people are manifestations. Nothing is new, everything was already created before our arrival. New technology, new inventions etc only emerge when they (the source) is ready to release them. In my worldview, I see a board game with a playground in it. I am a participant in this board game. I see that Lord Shiva has placed toys (objects, animals, people) in the playground. The playground holds much of what we need to survive. We experience this playground by the ego self, as life. In addition to what already exists in the playground Lord Shiva provides more over time by granting our material wishes, desires and wants such as homes, cars, luxuries. He then carefully observes what we do with these items. Where material wishes are granted there is generally a tendency to want more. Furthermore, he watches how we use or interact with his other creations for example interactions between people, treatment of animals, respect for the environment, use of technology or intent behind medical advancements.
Rules of the Game
Viewing the board game, the playground, myself in it, operating from the ego self, which is not real, clarified why life often felt like swimming upstream, against the current. When playing a board game we are typically focussed on winning at all costs. However this is no ordinary game of Trivial Pursuit. How well did I understand the game, it’s rules, strategies to win, approaches to avoid loss, challenges, traps, intel around maximising winnings, rewards, benefits?. I further felt that I was signed up for a game I knew nothing about. I had to find a way to make sense of it all and understand every facet of the game to use it in my favour. I realised if there was any chance of winning at this game (the game of life), I would need to understand the rules, the rules formulated by Lord Shiva himself.
A plethora of information and guidance exists on how we should be living and co-existing with others on earth. There is literature available to suit the needs of people at all levels. Understanding the basic rules or laws of simple living is imperative to achieving any success at winning the game. In determining some of these rules I came upon the 7 Laws of Lord Shiva’s Karma:
7 Laws Of Lord Shiva’s Karma
(7 Laws Of Lord Shiva’s Karma, Times of India, 2023)
Truth
This is the first law. Must follow the path of truth and justice and be true to people all around. Any religion or God has never welcomed dishonesty and Lord Shiva devotees would agree that the truth is imperative to win any war. The war here could also refer to conflicts within the self.
Knowledge
No single person can have knowledge of everything. Every person has some knowledge about different things. As per this law, the seed of knowledge is there in us all and we must find that. After finding that part within, one should pursue their work around it. This could speak to finding one’s purpose here on earth.
The illusion
The third law states that everything is an illusion. Irrespective of the life one is living or one’s situation, one’s happiness should not depend on materialistic things. When this occurs happiness becomes an illusion hence once the materialistic thing is removed, happiness leaves with it. Happiness should not be attached to earthly objects.
Beyond happiness
The world has become self-obsessed, people tend to pay more attention to their own happiness and not to the happiness of others around them. Lord Shiva does not say that one should forget about oneself as self-happiness is important but paying attention to the joy of others is equally important. Real happiness is beyond limits, and can only be felt when we find that seed of knowledge within us. It is from there (within) that happiness surfaces.
Being formless
Sit and observe the person happy around you. The illusion of material comfort does not control the genuinely happy person. Put them in any situation and at any place, and they will remain the same, calm and content in their mind. One should be like water; formless. One should be adaptable, flexible and work according to one’s surroundings.
Use of senses
If the heart is at peace and you walk the path of self-realisation, all the senses come together and will be in sync. When this balance is achieved between your existence and enlightenment, the feeling shall be incomparable.
- Sight: The sense that allows us to see the world around us
- Hearing: The sense that allows us to hear sounds
- Smell: The sense that allows us to smell things
- Taste: The sense that allows us to taste food
- Touch: The sense that allows us to feel things, such as heat, contact, and texture
Other senses
- Balance:
The sense that allows us to maintain balance and orientation in space
- Proprioception:
The sense that allows us to keep track of where our body parts are in space
- Temperature:
The sense that allows us to sense temperature
- Pain:
The sense that allows us to sense pain
Enlightenment
After following all the 6 laws above, enlightenment will be achieved. It is the highest form of existence for a human. You get the proper understanding of reality and this can be achieved without letting go of your domestic life.
Your Discovery
This is not an exhaustive list but it encapsulates and consolidates much of what we may have gathered on any spiritual journey. The seven laws of karma provide a good blueprint of how we should be living. Following the laws of karma and connecting with nature are failsafe ways to grow and advance on a spiritual path. The true self can be sought through deep meditation, self-inquiry and spending time in silence. Constant practice of the above rules (laws) gradually diminishes the ego self (mind/body) and ultimately reveals the true self. The ultimate discovery of that “true self” determines one’s realisation of reality and illusion (maya). It brings us back to the prevailing question “Is the World Real or Is it all an Illusion?”. It is of no value if I answered the question compared to the value of your discovery of it, which simply removes all doubt.
Searching for One’s Life Purpose
People are constantly seeking and searching, supposedly for their purpose, peace of mind, happiness or something. This process of self-discovery revealed to me that which we are seeking is actually “the self”, because nothing else exists outside or beyond that. Mastery of this can only come with effort, persistence and perseverance, hence it is not a destination but always work in progress.
Self-Reflection
Please be encouraged to go through a similar process and put things into perspective as you see them and what makes best sense to you. Practice and persevere until it provides all the clarity you seek.
