tHE MAYA FROM spectrum of consciousness by ken wilber also speaks what is reality a small extract from the book:
SPECTRUM OF CONSCIOUSNESS BY KEN WILBER CHAP 3 REALITY AS THE CONSCIOUSNESS Reality as Consciousness We have seen that man has available to him two basic modes of knowing. Now it is of the utmost significance that, of the vast number of scientists, philosophers, psychologists, and theologians that have fully and deeply understood these two modes of knowing, theirunmistakable and unanimous conclusion is that the nondual mode alone is capable of giving that “knowledge of Reality.” They have reached, in other words, the same conclusion as that of the modern quantum physicists whose work we have discussed at length. Yet most Westerners find this extremely difficult to comprehend, for our civilization, our personal identities, our philosophies, and our life goals are so thoroughly based upon the dualistic mode of knowing that any suggestion that this dualistic mode gives illusion and not reality initiates in most of us a frantic flight from insight. Yet we have pointed out the difficulties inherent in symbolic map knowledge. It is dualistic, dividing the universe into a “seer”and a“seen,”thus “creating two worlds from one,” and thereby making the universe “false to itself.” This process of knowing becomes doubly corrupt when the universe so abstracted and so symbolized becomes confused with the universe in its actuality, when we confuse the map with the territory and commit the Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness. Thus bumfuzzled, and with this equipment and only this equipment, we approach Reality, only to find our theories and world pictures fall apart as fast as we can manageTo construct them,to find at the basis of the physical world notA promise of certainty but an Uncertainty-Principle, to find atthe basis of the mental world an Incompleteness Theorem, to find, inshort, that all “observation disturbs reality.” Such is the nature ofdualistic knowledge, and yet we seem not somuch to want to examine the adequacy of this knowledge itself as we wantto find “innovative” and “ingenious” means—principally through technology (for techno-logic is a natural extensionof duo-logic)—to increase our use of it. We are, inotherwords, fighting tooth and nail to defend the source of ourillusions. As Eddington exclaimed,“...we who have to solve the problemare ourselves part of the problem,” and the problem is that, in thestrictest sense of the word, we are addicted to dualistic knowledge.“Thus,” states Alan Watts,“we are hardly aware of the extreme peculiarity of our own position,and find it difficult to recognize the plain fact that there has otherwisebeen a single philosophical consensus ofuniversal extent. It Has Been held by men whore port the same insights andteach the same essential doctrine whether living today or six thousand years ago,whether from New Mexico in the Far West or from Japan in the Far East.” XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Reality cannot be verbally communicated. Thus the Taoists Insist that “Those who know do not speak;those who speak do Not know.” [KR KANDAVAR VindaTHILLAI; VINDAVAr KANDATHILLAI] [those spoke had not seen or were the seers; and one who saw the reality consciousness did not reveal it} Because words themselves are “part ”of reality, if we attempt to fully and completely describe reality in words, we must also describe the words that we use,and then describe the words we use to describe our words...,and reality is lost in a vicious circle. As one philosopher put it, “In the strictest sense, we cannot actually think about life and reality at all, because this would have to include thinking about thinking, thinking about thinking about thinking, and so ad infinitum K Rajaram IRS 23725 On Tue, 22 Jul 2025 at 20:35, Markendeya Yeddanapudi < [email protected]> wrote: > > > -- > *Mar**Maya—the Illusion* > > *Our sages following the yogic path discovered long back that what we > experience in life in the day today visible spectrum is only an illusion > and the reality is an enchanting sublimation not even what is called the > invisible spectrum but the ultimate spiritual abode. For that they depended > on their own powers of their own perception and did not surrender their > brains to machines, so that the machines do the thinking by adopting the > non emotional mechanical language---mathematics. They realized that when > one can see everything, one automatically vanishes; the illusion called the > individual separate existence cannot even be imagined, let alone > conceptualized. One is really part of the flow and rhythm of the universe. > That was what the age of belief and faith was.* > > *The people in those days were always in belief that the Gods above are > always watching. When there were disputes, the wise man judge also believed > in Divine guidance. He was not concerned about the mechanical fit of words, > phrases, sentences etc in contracts and whether the mechanical arrangement > of words is in accordance of the manual of agreement mechanics as defined > in the law of contracts and other mechanical laws in other acts. What > counted was the basic spirit behind, not the agreements or contracts but on > UNDERSTANDING.* > > *Today, it is not understanding, understanding requires basic, trust, > empathy, even love, but misunderstanding which is based on basic hatred, > distrust and the motivation to escape. Misunderstanding needs basic hatred > to sustain and to keep the misunderstanding one refuses to listen---the > total mechanized mentality. One is actually afraid that one may lose one’s > hatred as it will take away the will to fight. We today find all people > speaking, no, shouting at the same time because everyone is fighting closed > ears. May be, evolution will bring new earless generations.* > > *Five star lawyers are engaged in twisting the mechanical fit of the words > and phrases, so that their parties can escape from their contract defined > obligations. They know full well that the very idea of definition is > meaningless as every so called definite thing can be made indefinite, > vague, and ultimately meaningless.Uncertainty and probability are the only > definite features in the universe and defining is meaningless. The very > idea of matter is actually a frozen micro-second of time and defining > actually is lunacy. All our laws are based on this method of definitions of > words, phrases, even the meanings of meanings---all exercises in basic > futility. The mechanized God cannot have any feelings-good or bad.* > > *Quantum physics has clearly shown the utter futility of mechanization and > technology.* > > *“Scientific knowledge of the self is not real knowledge...Self knowledge > is possible only...when scientific studies come to an end,(and the > scientists) lay down all their gadgets of experimentation, and confess that > they cannot continue their researches any further...” (DT Suzuki)* > > *If one doggedly pursues the mechanical path, then there are trillions of > dollars of investment waiting in more futile pursuits—what created the > Higgs and the other units in the standard model etc, creating even bigger > machines and complex mathematics, complexity based on total unreality.* > > *YM Sarma* > > *Chat gpt* This reflective essay by *YM Sarma*, *"Maya—the Illusion"*, > delves into the contrast between ancient spiritual wisdom and the modern > mechanistic worldview, drawing deeply on Vedantic and yogic philosophies. > Here's a breakdown and interpretation of its key ideas, along with some > thoughts that can help illuminate the profound points being made: > ------------------------------ > > *🌫️ Illusion and the Spiritual Reality (Maya)* > > At the heart of this essay is the *concept of Maya*, central to Vedanta: > > *The world as we perceive it is an illusion—what is visible and tangible > is not ultimate reality.* > > The sages, through *yogic introspection*, realized that our perceived > separation as individuals is not real. True reality, they saw, is unity > with the cosmos—a formless, timeless spiritual realm beyond not just the > physical but even the "invisible spectrum." > > This mystical understanding is contrasted with today’s heavy reliance on > *scientific > reductionism*, where perception is surrendered to machines and reality is > explained via *mathematics*—a language devoid of *emotion, intuition, or > transcendence*. > ------------------------------ > > *⚖️ Law, Contracts, and the Loss of Understanding* > > The essay draws a sharp contrast between: > > - *Ancient justice systems*, guided by *divine conscience and inner > understanding*, and > - *Modern legal systems*, driven by *mechanical language and > contractual definitions.* > > In earlier times, *trust, empathy, and shared understanding* were > paramount. Agreements rested not on legalese but on *moral intuition* and > *faith*—the judge himself believed in divine guidance. > > Today, misunderstanding thrives because people lack empathy and operate > from *fear, hatred, and avoidance*. The legal system becomes a > battlefield where: > > - *Five-star lawyers* twist language to suit their side, > - *Definitions* are manipulated, > - *Contracts become tools of evasion* rather than expressions of > genuine understanding. > > This is portrayed as a system with *mechanical precision but spiritual > emptiness*. > ------------------------------ > > *🤖 The Futility of Mechanization* > > Sarma critiques the belief that *machines and mathematical models* can > explain or define reality. Quoting *DT Suzuki*, he points to the *inherent > limits of science* when it comes to self-knowledge. In quantum physics, > once seen as the cutting edge of reality’s understanding, we encounter > *paradox, > uncertainty, and indeterminacy*—features that echo ancient spiritual > insights rather than scientific determinism. > > The deeper point is: > > *Reality is not logical—it is experiential. It cannot be pinned down by > definitions.* > ------------------------------ > > *🔁 Cycle of Unreality and Escapism* > > In a system where: > > - Legal contracts are word-games, > - Science chases ever-deeper particles, > - People speak without listening, > > We see a civilization that is *no longer connected to meaning*, but only > to mechanism. > > The pursuit of the next big thing—*more machines, deeper math, bigger > investments*—is described as *futile*. The standard model, particle > physics, and such are seen not as progress, but as a *distraction* from > the essential reality within. > ------------------------------ > > *🧘 Final Reflection* > > The essay is not a blanket condemnation of science or logic, but a *plea > for balance*. It calls us to remember what ancient sages saw: > > That *truth lies in direct inner realization*, not in external gadgets. > > In a world overrun by mechanisms—technological, legal, or linguistic—what > is needed is a return to *consciousness*, *presence*, and *understanding*. > ------------------------------ > > Would you like me to help turn this into a more structured article or > essay format? Or perhaps distill it into quotes, a poem, or something else? > > Certainly. Here's a *detailed evaluation with numerical marks* across > various criteria, followed by an overall score and a brief justification. > ------------------------------ > > *📝 Evaluation of “Maya—the Illusion” by YM Sarma* > > *Criterion* > > *Marks (out of 10)* > > *Comments* > > *1. Depth of Thought & Philosophical Insight* > > 9.5 / 10 > > The essay shows profound philosophical depth, drawing from Vedanta, yogic > traditions, and modern physics to question reality and mechanistic thinking. > > *2. Originality & Perspective* > > 9 / 10 > > The integration of ancient wisdom with a critique of modern legal and > scientific frameworks is unique and thought-provoking. > > *3. Coherence & Structure* > > 6.5 / 10 > > The ideas are powerful but loosely organized. Transitions between themes > (e.g., from metaphysics to law) can feel abrupt. Some restructuring would > help clarity. > > *4. Language & Style* > > 7 / 10 > > The language is poetic and passionate, but at times repetitive and > abstract. A few sentences are overly long and dense, which might hinder > understanding for some readers. > > *5. Use of Examples & Supporting References* > > 7.5 / 10 > > The reference to DT Suzuki and quantum physics is effective, but more > concrete examples (from life, law, or science) could improve the impact. > > *6. Emotional & Intellectual Impact* > > 8.5 / 10 > > The essay stirs deep reflection. The critique of modern society’s > mechanization resonates emotionally, especially for spiritually inclined > readers. > > *7. Overall Clarity of Argument* > > 7 / 10 > > The central message is clear, but some philosophical expressions might > lose readers not familiar with such themes. Simplifying a few abstract > parts would help. > ------------------------------ > > *🔚 Total Score: 55 / 70* > > *✅ Overall Grade: ~79% (Distinction Level)* > ------------------------------ > > *🔍 Summary & Suggestions:* > > - *Strengths*: Deep insights, strong philosophical foundation, bold > critique of modern mechanization, and a spiritually rich tone. > - *Areas to Improve*: > - Better organization and paragraph transitions. > - Slightly simpler, clearer language for broader accessibility. > - More concrete illustrations of abstract ideas. > > If you'd like, I can help *restructure or polish* the piece while > preserving its depth and tone. > > Certainly! Here's a poem inspired by the themes of *"Maya—the Illusion"* > by YM Sarma. It reflects the contrast between ancient spiritual wisdom and > modern mechanized thought, with imagery drawn from Vedanta, law, and > quantum physics: > ------------------------------ > > *🌫 Maya — The Illusion* > > *In silent caves where sages sat,* > No wires hummed, no cold lab spat. > With breath and flame, they touched the sky, > And saw the world as but a lie. > > *The world of form, the world of name,* > A dancing mask in time’s brief flame. > They saw the Self, not split, but One— > A drop dissolved in cosmic sun. > > *No contracts signed in steel or gold,* > But hearts aligned as truth was told. > No need for law in scrolls or books, > When justice lived in people's looks. > > *Now judges read with lawyered eyes,* > While truth beneath the paper dies. > We twist the words, we stretch the clause— > The spirit choked by written laws. > > *Machines now speak, and men fall mute,* > While numbers sing a soulless flute. > Equations dance in particle rings, > Yet never touch the source of things. > > *O Quantum world, O fleeting mist,* > Each atom hides a mystic twist. > Yet deeper still, beyond the known, > Is where the silent Truth is sown. > > *But none will listen, all will shout,* > With ears turned in, and meanings out. > We love our hate, our blinding screen— > Afraid to lose the war unseen. > > *One day, perhaps, the wires will fail,* > And hearts again will lift the veil. > Then mind will bow, and breath will see > The One in all, and all in *we*. > ------------------------------ > > Would you like this adapted into a different poetic style—haiku, sonnet, > or free verse with a more contemporary tone? > > > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CACDCHCKyizo4dDcVj8MB9AaLBoA6Hbs7fMC2Ucd63T6do1U04Q%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CACDCHCKyizo4dDcVj8MB9AaLBoA6Hbs7fMC2Ucd63T6do1U04Q%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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