To embody Divinity post-Brahman, there may seem to be two distinct processes.
This is akin to the 2 processes of development in consciousness – Atman and Sattva.
One aspect is becoming where we recognize we gain a deeper relationship with consciousness. This is the Atman part of the equation.
The other is Sattva, the refinement and polish that leads to deeper knowing and experience and embodiment. Together, they are the primary purpose of spiritual techniques.
But as is the way of all creation, this turns out to reflect deeper causal drivers. As above, so below.
In embodying Divinity, the sense of divinity descends in, from the perspective of the cosmic body. And also of rising up through, from the perspective of divinity itself. I mentioned possible stages of the second on More on Further Stages.
Of course, there is likely to be many variations in how it’s experienced and described. I don’t have a lot of examples yet and fewer are talking about it.
But the two views need a sense of layers to the expression – divinity, the cosmic body, and the local form. At some point, the cosmic is recognized to be or merges with pure Divinity. This ends any distinction between the three. Only the divine remains.
That merging has a rather curious effect on time. It’s like a vast swath of the timeline is resolved. Like jumping ahead years.
Just as the stages in consciousness complete leaving only sattva, so too the distinctions end leaving only development of divinity. Pure Divinity is beyond the gunas so is no longer a “sattva” process but is much the same increasing refinement, purification, and clarity – just in an upgraded way.
Davidya
I can kind of tell when Sattva is the ascendant process – I do not know when/if Atman is coming through. Though I faintly saw (like through a glass darkly) that the sunlight is a metaphor for what is and that objects exist in the sunlight. With Sattva what I find is that things, tendencies, life comes to the front to test the different aspects of Sattva or showcase it as a matter of fact. I have been praying for having “good speech” using a verse in Ramayana – a little bit along the lines of being “impeccable with one’s word” of Miguel Ruiz’s 4 agreements. I seem to be serving up in-artful though truthful speech. So not quite what I was praying for – which was “truthful and well-spoken and sweet-spoken”. Perhaps I have not been consistent in my praying.
Hi K
It’s good to think of Atman and Sattva as 2 sides of one coin, 2 aspects of one process. What is sattva making more clear? Atman.
We experience atman more as presence or the sense of detached observer when it’s strong.
Having an intention to speak truthfully is useful but don’t try to second-guess it. Your laws of nature and the need of the time may call for different words. You’ll see by the effect.
Yoga also talks about truthfulness. v2-36:
“When truthfulness is established, activity and it’s fruit [consequence] are closely connected.”
We don’t always recognize consequence because of the lag (backlog). But with truthfulness, results come more quickly so it becomes more clear.
Speaking the “sweet truth” is also valuable but don’t get into mood making. Sometimes it’s necessary to speak strongly and directly. 🙂
I am using this blog to help navigate my process – thank you. Recently, I had a big work deadline with a lot of intense work and following that I went into burn out more so than usual. I am still in burn out, I think. The only thing I want to do during this period is to read escapist novels (think Harlequin which may be unfamiliar to men). I do not know if I should let this play out or if this is some type of disintegration or what it is. I read your 2008 post on primacy of clarity and it seems relevant. (It came up when I did a word search on escapism). Really I do not know if I should discipline these escapism tendencies or let it play out. Thank you
That is why I write, so you’re welcome.
My mother read Harlequins. I enjoy a good, escapist movie. Arrival was a lovely mind-bender.
And yes, you should rest and let it play out. Then you have the opportunity to heal.
At some point, you’ll find energy returns and you’ll get bored and want to do stuff. Or you’ll find yourself investing in avoidance and know it’s time to get back into it more.
In other words, go with how it feels. Is it a need to rest or a resistance to what is?
We all need a break sometimes. That’s why we have weekends and holidays. Enjoy!