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I Consciouness

According to Abhinavagupta's supreme monism, absolute I-Consciousness is the sole existence, characterized by infinite creative energy that manifests relative unity and diversity. Kashmiri Shaivism views this diversity as real rather than illusory, with the divine essence being playful and blissful, leading to the understanding of creation and existence as part of a divine game. Realized yogis perceive the presence of Absolute God in both the manifested universe and the noumenal realm, achieving Self-realization through this understanding.

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78 views1 page

I Consciouness

According to Abhinavagupta's supreme monism, absolute I-Consciousness is the sole existence, characterized by infinite creative energy that manifests relative unity and diversity. Kashmiri Shaivism views this diversity as real rather than illusory, with the divine essence being playful and blissful, leading to the understanding of creation and existence as part of a divine game. Realized yogis perceive the presence of Absolute God in both the manifested universe and the noumenal realm, achieving Self-realization through this understanding.

Uploaded by

CesarGarcia
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© © All Rights Reserved
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"I-Consciousness"

According to the supreme monism of Abhinavagupta, absolute I-Consciousness is the only thing
that exists. It is an infinite, eternal, perfect and pure Consciousness, full of divine creative
energy.

This creative energy is inherent in vibration, and it actively participates both in the
manifestation of relative unity and diversity. (The term "relative unity" is used here because the
manifested unity is only relatively one in comparison with the absolute unity of the boundless I-
Consciousness, in which, as it is believed, there is an absolutely real universe). A real yogi who
has established himself in the paraadvaita sees one Absolute God in all diversity and oneness.

Kashmiri Shivaism does not consider diversity as an illusion, like "the son of a barren woman,"
but perceives it as real as a relative unity. Absolute reality shines in manifestations of relative
unity and diversity. According to Abhinavagupta:

"Nobody says that diversity does not exist at all in such non-duality." Variety is manifested even
in that it is devoid of all division. "

(Malinivijaya-vartika).

This divine creative energy (Shakti) is the basic essential nature of the monistic I-
Consciousness. In their studies of consciousness during deep meditative states, the Shivaite
yogis discovered that this divine essence is full of infinite bliss, playfulness and vibration.
Because of its divine and playful nature, ancient thinkers called it God, Shaktists - the Supreme
Shakti, and Shaivites - Paramashiva.

Creation, preservation, dissolution, defilement and unfoldment are the five basic actions in the
divine game of Paramashiva. He creates, preserves and absorbs all that exists. In this process,
He hides his true nature and is disguised as limited beings, forcing them to become more and
more identified with a limited ego. Passing through countless births and deaths, He, at last,
comprehends the true nature of the lord, concluding, thus, a divine game. All this is a
manifestation of His divine energy (Shakti) and is not different from Himself.

According to the absolute non-duality of the paraadvaita, He, and only He exists in the ever-
changing scenes of his representation. All creation is endowed with a real and eternal existence
within God in the form of the divine energy of His pure Consciousness. As soon as the universe
becomes manifest as a manifest phenomenal existence, it inevitably has a beginning and an end.
The realized yogis see the presence of the Absolute God both in the world of manifestation and
in the pure noumenal beyond the existence of absolute Consciousness. The Shivaite yogis
should not only know this truth, but also truly feel it. Only then can they achieve perfect and
complete Self-realization.

[ B.N.Pandit : Pleasure and liberation in Kashmir Shaivism ]

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