SHIVA

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LORD SHIVA

In Hinduism, Mahadev Shiva (the great god) is often described as "nitya" (eternal), "nirguna" (without attributes), "nirakara" (formless), and "akshara" (indestructible). These attributes suggest that Bhagavan Shiva transcends the limitations of time, form, and decay. The concept of Mahadev Shiva as immortal and imperishable emphasizes the idea of transcendence beyond the cycle of birth and death, symbolizing the eternal aspect of consciousness or the ultimate reality. This understanding is central to various schools of Hindu philosophy and spiritual traditions that revere Bhagavan Shiva.

In Hinduism, Bhagavan Shiva is revered as one of the principal deities, embodying various aspects of existence, including destruction, transformation, and transcendence.

Nitya (Eternal): Shiva is often referred to as "Nitya," signifying his eternal nature. This implies that Shiva exists beyond the constraints of time, transcending the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. As the eternal being, Shiva is perceived as existing before the beginning of time and persisting even after its end.

Nirguna (Without Attributes): The term "Nirguna" denotes the attributeless aspect of Shiva. It suggests that Shiva exists beyond all qualities and characteristics, beyond the realm of dualities such as good or evil, light or dark. This aspect highlights the formless, ineffable nature of Shiva, emphasizing the ultimate reality that transcends all distinctions.

Nirakara (Formless): Shiva is often depicted as formless, representing the boundless and infinite nature of existence. This concept emphasizes that Shiva cannot be confined to any particular form or shape. It signifies that Shiva transcends physical limitations and exists in a realm beyond material manifestation.

Akshara (Indestructible): The attribute of being "Akshara" denotes Shiva's indestructible nature. This implies that Shiva is beyond decay and destruction, existing beyond the cycle of birth and death. As the imperishable essence, Shiva symbolizes the eternal aspect of consciousness, which remains unaffected by the transient nature of the material world.

These attributes collectively emphasize Shiva's transcendental nature, highlighting his role as the ultimate reality or Brahman in Hindu philosophy. The concept of Shiva as immortal and imperishable serves as a profound symbol of spiritual liberation, inspiring devotees to seek transcendence beyond the limitations of worldly existence and realize the eternal essence within themselves. This understanding of Shiva is central to various schools of Hindu philosophy, such as Shaivism, Advaita Vedanta, and Kashmir Shaivism, each offering unique insights into the nature of ultimate reality and the path to enlightenment.

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Question:

Is it that the mind is in autopilot mode in dreaming, therefore the experience of the mind’s attention is less? But then even in waking the body-mind are on autopilot. Then what is the difference?

 

Answer:

The three states do NOT belong to Consciousness. They belong to the body-mind dear.

Waking state: The body is awake. The mind is awake. Consciousness is using the awake body mind as a peephole to witness the waking world.
Dream state: The body is asleep. The mind is preparing to sleep so it is hazy. Consciousness is using the hazy mind as a peephole to witness the dream world.
Deep Sleep state: The body is asleep. The mind is asleep. Consciousness is using the asleep body-mind as a peephole to witness the darkness caused on account of the absence of objects.

Pure Consciousness itself is devoid of any states. The quality of Pure Consciousness is Awareness/Knowingness. That is constant throughout the waking, dream, and deep sleep states. There is never a dip in Awareness or Knowingness. 

Waking state: Consciousness is knowing the waking world through the awake body-mind. The body-mind is on autopilot. The autopilot mode is due to the borrowed energy from Consciousness just like a fully charged phone. The full charge is reflected in the body as active energy and in the mind as focus/concentration, etc. This charge diminishes as the day progresses and is fully exhausted at the body level first. The body starts shutting down.
Dream state: The body is asleep. The mind’s energy is diminishing so it is hazy. Consciousness is using the hazy mind as a peephole to witness the hazy dream world.
Deep Sleep state: The body is asleep. The mind is asleep. Consciousness is knowing that there is an absence of mental and physical projection.

In summary, the meaning of the statement that the body-mind operates on autopilot is that the body-mind is not an inherently independent and conscious entity. Its consciousness is borrowed like the phone that borrows charge from electricity. The body-mind simply function based on its own past program like a phone works on its based programming. Although they appear to make sounds and vibrate [move], etc, yet, neither is the phone a live, conscious entity nor is the body-mind. It is Consciousness that runs the body-mind just like it is electricity that charges a phone.

The same autopilot mode is common in both waking and dreaming states, it is only the amount of charging that differs in the body-mind in the two states. Hope it is clear dear! 

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"When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure."

~ Mary Kay Ash

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