Author Topic: Jed Rant: About Maya  (Read 2425 times)

Jed McKenna

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Jed Rant: About Maya
« on: August 20, 2017, 08:42:43 am »
Dear readers;

A Nav student prompted a reply about Maya. Here is a little on the subject. I call it ''she'' out of convenience and convention, obviously there is no gender to Maya. So, what is she about. She is spoken and written about much but remains rather hazy.

Here is one Net definition: Maya, ( Sanskrit: “magic” or “illusion”) a fundamental concept in Hindu philosophy, notably in the Advaita (Nondualist) school of Vedanta. Maya originally denoted the magic power with which a god can make human beings believe in what turns out to be an illusion.

That goes only so far, so I would like to share my experiences and observations regarding her... and yes, I hold her in high regard, pretty much because she has a task and does it remarkably well. I have even said I love her, which I do in a sense.

The human ego has a tendency to think it's all there is and pretty much everything experienced is through ego's lens (I, me, my, mine). When Maya makes herself evident humans think it's their Maya, a personal version of her, specific to that apparent person. That, in my experience, is a miss-understanding and plays right into her hands.

There is only one Maya and she pervades all of this human dream. She arises (rather obviously and frequently) in students who are seeking to realize T/R. She can cause intense fatigue as one gets closer to seeing through her game. Sometimes she creates bodily pain which can rival a nasty flue complete with sore muscles and nausea. Other times just a headache like coffee withdrawal and a doubt that one should pursue the subject of T/R. Any distraction will do, but some are more subtle than others.

Probably you have experienced a little Mayanic kick-back, but the point that needs hammering home is that she is in everyone and everything in this dream and that has to be as it is to keep the dream together and sticky via her use of importances.

Here is an example which frequently arises. One half of a couple decides it's time to investigate the enlightenment thingy. Maya, sniffing her looming threat, will manifest in the other party. The search starts out slowly, but eventually our imaginary seeker really gets into it, devotes much time to it, buys all the books, beads and bangles whilst the other party pulls back. It's not really he/she who is pulling back, it's Maya trying to put on the brakes. I would guess you can understand that, but it goes much deeper.

Relatives and friends come together with a chorus of ''Don't go there'' or ''You are joining a cult'' or ''You are going to go nuts'' or ''All your relationships will fall apart''. You can make up almost any form of kick-back and it can be found, and.... it's all Maya. Perhaps an intervention is called for by well meaning but delusional others.

Now for the part that you might think a little strange (if you don't think this is strange enough already). She works through inanimate objects as well. A student is making some serious headway and is releasing importance quickly and easily. He merrily jaunts off to work and steps on a nail (Maya put it there). He manages to maintain a little equanimity and continues off to work. After all, it was closer to carpet tack than a three in spike.

Later that week he gets quite ill from his infected foot and takes a few weeks off work. Upon returning he finds he has been replaced by the latest computerized robot (he is in car manufacturing). Coming home, he explains it to his wife (hey gals, don't ask why it turned out this particular way, blame my hands for writing it). Being the intelligent and practical minded person (all sub-agents of Maya) she is not pleased and says he has to get rid of his beads, bangle, bells, whistle and the dolphin swimming fund.

One can look at these stories (and I have seen, experience and heard considerably weirder ones) and say they are just chance, or perhaps the result of an over active imagination, however, time and time over, I have observed Maya's marvelous work. Slippery, cunning and fully occupied in the maintenance of this/her illusion. Her tricks pervade the human experience and if it was not for her, all the dream characters occupying this human dream would promptly leave it.

No Maya, no dream... and no need to stick around. You have to admire a mechanism possessing that kind of skill and cunning. I suggest you love her as best you can. Resistance only provides fuel for her game, and she definitely doesn't need any more fuel.

Enjoy, and comment as you wish...

Love ya, Jed







« Last Edit: August 20, 2017, 11:18:49 am by Jed McKenna »

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alig

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2017, 09:29:54 am »
What about thoughts? Isn't every thought a plot of Maya? even the thought that tells the guy in your story he needs to become enlightened.
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Jed McKenna

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2017, 10:26:44 am »
Of course they are Mayanic, no one needs to become what they already are. Ergo, she is lying, as usual.

Love ya, Jed.
« Last Edit: August 20, 2017, 10:54:39 am by Jed McKenna »

Masahiro13

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2017, 12:25:52 am »
I was out surfing recently, mentally digesting my 20 year old sons psychotic episode of a few days before.
After exploring all the options I could see for myself in said situation, I came to the conclusion that I had no choice really, but to accept that he is as he is.
I said to myself a few times aloud "this. I choose this. I choose what is."
just then a nice little lefthander came right to me. I took off, got a couple of turns in then flicked off the end section, only to have my board turn in the air, recoil off the legrope and the nose speared me right by the knee cap. OOOOOWWWWW!!
Really? I said to my current experience. Are you gonna test me sooo quickly.
Damn. Oh well, I choose a sore knee too, cos that's what I've got.
Then I kept an eye out for a shark....
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Sandraanne

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2017, 01:30:09 am »
Yeah, I've seen Maya, but isn't Consciousness like completely "indifferent"?  And Maya is fueled by emotions?  Do I go to "battle" with Maya?  Like violently oppose and refute her?  Or is that asking for it?  Maybe, it's better to just acknowledge her and say 'nice try, very clever of you, I appreciate the effort but I'm the one that got away"?

Jed McKenna

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2017, 10:38:32 am »
Just be as aware as possible, and that will take care of it. Resistance equals persistence.

Love ya, Jed.

P.S. Masa... any blood?





stamate

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2017, 03:36:08 pm »
Why blame maya for my ... For my what? It is the only fun around. If i put anything on maya, isn't it like puting it on myself?

Jed McKenna

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2017, 07:26:13 pm »
Yes, in a way that's correct, and there is nothing but your Self, ever. No one or thing can be blamed for anything. It's just one big whole nothing. Maya is not to be blamed though because there is no free will in Maya. It operates on full auto, all the time. Blame is just another mechanism of hers.

Love ya, Jed.
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Dobby

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2017, 05:09:35 am »
Hi Jed,

In my experience, Maya was week. In the past 3 years, she only scored self-goals by giving me a hard time. Whenever she gave me a hard time, I would go further.

So she gave me good times, times in which I got all the love and attention that I wanted. But the little bastard kept asking how lasting the happiness and satisfaction would be, so it didn't douse me off completely, and didn't keep me sleepy for long.

I certainly don't know where I am, but Maya, she's not as smart as you make her to be.

Thanks,
Dobby.
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Jed McKenna

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2017, 08:13:20 am »
Good point Dobby:

Yes, in a way she is very dumb because she operates in a mechanical fashion, not thinking, just doing. She does and goes on and on like that energizer bunny. Glad she hasn't given you too much grief.

Love ya, Jed.

Kati

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2017, 10:44:59 am »
Hi,

Maya can be a distraction, but also a teacher. It depends a lot how you look at it, and the tools that are used. Universe aka Maya seems to teach reversally. Especially what comes to control. Trying to control usually leads to situation where the reality seems to be further from what was supposed to be. When you try more, it gets further and you need to try even more. So the basic should-stuff. Most people seem to be totally blind on this and can't break the loop of hitting their heads on the wall and they get trapped by their mind. What Maya is really teaching is that you can't control anything, I think it's pretty obvious (though even I don't get it). So, it's hidden there, but people see just the opposite, because their mind is set to "read" Maya like that. So I agree about the automation, things can look pretty different, when the transmitter is turned on different Hz.

One other example. A lot of people suffer of not being enough, they feel worthless etc. Maya arranges situations that feed those ideas. What happens is that most people fight against it, but they just keep absorbing behaviour that just strengthens those ideas. Well, I think Maya tells pretty straightly how it is. How could something that isn't, be anything?

Without Maya's hidden hints no one could find their way out of the labyrinth, though without Maya I don't know would that be necessary  ;D
Maya can make our illusory lives like hell, but it's also the one that leaves us hints to get out of there, we just need to tune ourselves to see them.

Love,
Kati

EternalDawning

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2017, 11:02:21 am »
The more she tries and fails to tempt me to believe in illusions the more I know myself as the unchangable.  She waves a tattered piece of veil, tempting the bull.  I watch the game from the sidelines when I am not playing the parts.  It's a good dramatic comedy if one can get the right seats. 
« Last Edit: August 28, 2017, 06:41:46 pm by EternalDawning »

alyosha

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2017, 11:04:24 am »
According to Shankara's Advaita, maya is neither real nor unreal:      https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiMwIfvmPDVAhXK2SYKHYOJAcEQFggoMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Freligioperennis.org%2Fdocuments%2FOldmeadow%2Fsankara.pdf&usg=AFQjCNElQEQiyv4hwMnhmMSIPC0PSSsO-w

There are those who worship Her:   http://www.crystalwind.ca/mystical-magical/pantheons-and-myths/hindu/maya-illusion

Philosophically speaking, maya was necessary (as a concept) to reconcile the singular reality of Brahman (eternal & infinte) with the duality of the world (ephemeral & finite) in the non-dual philosophy of Advaita.

"To logic maya is a puzzle. Wonder is its
garment; inscrutable is its nature"      - Mahadevan



And at the risk of being didactic (but since you brought up Advaita):

From the above link:

"Maya is a power or potency of Brahman, coeval with Brahman, completely dependent
on and inseparable from Brahman, neither independent nor real in itself. It is not different
from Brahman on pain of contradicting Scriptural declarations of non-difference, but it is
also not non-different from Brahman as there cannot be identity between the Real and the
unreal. Nor can maya be both different and non-different as such contradictors cannot
reside in one and the same thing. The relationship between maya and Brahman is thus
tadatmya, neither identity nor difference nor both. A similar dialectic exposes maya's
status considered in terms of the Real. Maya is not real because it has no existence apart
from Brahman, because it disappears at the dawn of knowledge, because it does not
constitute a limit on Brahman. However, it is not altogether unreal because it does project
the world of appearances. It is not both real and unreal because of contradiction.

Maya is not possessed of parts. If it were partite it would have a beginning and
consequently the Lord and the jivas which are reflections thereof would have a beginning.
Furthermore, maya with a beginning would necessitate another maya as its cause and there
would thus be a contingence of infinite regress. However, maya cannot be partless because
of the contingency of its not being the primal cause. It is the cause only of partite
phenomena, and cannot be both partite and impartite because of contradiction.

Maya, has a phenomenal and relative character and is an appearance only (vivarta). It
is of the nature of superimposition (adhyasa) and is removable by right knowledge. Its
locus is Brahman but Brahman is in no way affected by maya. Maya is beginningless
(anadi), for time arises only within it; it is unthinkable (acintya), for all thought is subject
to it; it is indescribable (anirvacaniya), for all language results from it. Because its
nature is outside the determination of normal human categories it is indeterminable
(anirvaniya) and indefinable. Maya, indeed, is most strange!"
« Last Edit: August 24, 2017, 11:08:52 am by alyosha »

Stormborn

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2017, 06:11:09 pm »
1. Are you saying that humans have distilled Maya into a character within a character and called it ego?

2. If Maya is everywhere and everything then essentially not only is Maya resistance but there is also no escape from her game, right?

3. If I've understood this correctly then, I'm a character in a game but there is no game or character and I'm trying to wake up to this. If I were to ask the question "how do I get out of this?" then I'm obviously still in the game and don't understand it? This feels really circular.

4. By resistance do you mean anything that gets in the way of us doing SA (in the game)?

5. What are Maya's 'importances' please?

EternalDawning

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Re: Jed Rant: About Maya
« Reply #14 on: August 26, 2017, 12:27:03 pm »
Speaking of Maya.  You just manifested a **** storm?  I was just thinking about the intro to the book running from the cops.  Again, laughing. 

Godspeed.