Question: Namaste. With regard to the states of consciousness
1. Do all states, including the Nirvanic state- coexist or do they alternate?
2. Are all states below nirvanic state, still operating in Maya- a play of consciousness?
Sri Prabhuji:
Dear Atmajyothi, Your question has two answers depending on point of view. 1) From absolute point of view called paramarthik view there is only existence – consciousness bliss. Reality is non dual hence nothing else exists. There are no states.
2) From the relative view point called vyavaharika, there is an experience of multiplicity in the form of world. In that multiplicity the unicity of absolute is forgotten. Whatever is experienced becomes real everything else concept. For example in waking state, waking state is real. In dreams, dream state is real. In samadhi samadhi is real. Everything else is concept until awakening happens.
Several states of consciousness are explained only to give a road map for realisation. In reality only two states are there – awakened, Un awakened. Each of them appears real and other is forgotten! Silence and bliss!
Question: Prabhuji, is Shakti also just a thought of Shiva?
Sri Prabhuji: Shakthi is the power of desire (iccha), action(kriya) and jnana (knowledge) of Shiva responsible for appearance of the world in the form of thoughts.