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Sayings And Quotes Of Totapuri – the Guru of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Brahman is the only Reality, everpure, ever-illumined, ever-free, beyond the limits of time, space, and causation. Though apparently divided by names and forms through the inscrutable agency of Maya (illusion), that enchantress which makes the impossible possible, Brahman is really one and undivided. When a seeker is merged in the state of supreme happiness of Samadhi, he does not perceive time and space or name and form - the production of Maya. Whatever is within the domain of Maya is unreal; give it up. Dive deep in the search for Self and be firmly established in It through Samadhi. You will then find the world of name and form vanishing into nothing, and this puny ego merging into cosmic consciousness.

Totapuri

It is said that Totapuri, unable to bear the pain of severe dysentery, decided to end his life in the Ganga River. But no matter how far he went into the river, the water level did not rise above his knees. Eventually, he reached the other side and turned to see Goddess Kali temple gleaming in the moonlight and experienced a sudden deep awakening. He recognized sheer divine light in all things and became aware of a higher consciousness controlling events. Thus, the demarcation between the form and the formless universe no longer existed for him, and he was absolutely free from attachment to the sense objects of the relative principle.

Explanation To Above Quote

When a seeker is merged ... the production of Maya.

In the state of Samadhi, the seeker experiences a profound merging with the infinite and transcendent aspect of existence, often described in various spiritual traditions. Within this state, the ordinary constructs of time, space, and individual identity dissolve into a unified and boundless consciousness.

Time, as we conventionally understand it, is a product of the mind's tendency to organize experiences into a linear sequence. However, in the state of Samadhi, the mind transcends its habitual patterns of perception, and the linear flow of time ceases to be relevant. Past, present, and future collapse into an eternal now, where the sense of duration fades away.

Similarly, space, which delineates the boundaries between objects and separates one entity from another, loses its significance in the state of Samadhi. The seeker experiences a sense of interconnectedness and unity with all that exists, where the distinctions between self and other, here and there, dissolve into an undifferentiated whole.

Moreover, the concepts of name and form, which typically serve to categorize and differentiate phenomena, also lose their relevance in Samadhi. The seeker transcends the limitations imposed by language and conceptual thought, entering a realm of direct perception beyond the realm of words and labels.

This dissolution of time, space, name, and form is often described as the dissolution of Maya, the illusory veil that obscures the true nature of reality. In Samadhi, the seeker glimpses the underlying unity and interconnectedness of all things, realizing the ultimate truth that lies beyond the confines of ordinary perception.

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Whatever is within the domain of Maya is unreal; give it up.

The statement reflects a philosophical perspective often associated with Hinduism. In Hinduism, the concept of Maya refers to the illusionary nature of the world, suggesting that what we perceive as reality is, in fact, transient and ultimately unreal. Maya is seen as a veil that obscures the true nature of existence, leading individuals to mistake the ephemeral world for something permanent and substantial.

To "give up" Maya means to recognize and detach oneself from the attachments and illusions of the material world, understanding that it is impermanent and ultimately illusory. This idea encourages individuals to seek a deeper understanding of reality beyond the superficial appearances of everyday life.

Many spiritual practices, such as meditation and self-inquiry, aim to help individuals see through the veil of Maya and attain a higher state of consciousness or enlightenment. By letting go of attachment to the illusory aspects of the world, one may find a sense of inner peace and liberation from suffering.

It's worth noting that interpretations of Maya can vary among different philosophical schools and religious traditions, but the underlying idea of the impermanence and illusory nature of the world is a common theme.