Māyā
या मा सा माया
That which is not is Māyā
Māyā works through two powers:
- āvaraṇa (Veiling) - veils the real nature of thing - causes Ignorance
- vikṣepa (Projection) - then projects it as something else - causes Desires, Fears etc.
It is best illustrated through the classic Vedāntic example of snake in a rope. Say, there is a rope at a distance and it has fallen dark. Now, you see it but can't figure out its real nature. It is a state of confusion of whether it is a snake or a rope. Then, such winds blow that it starts to move, lights and shadows play such a role that you become certain it is a snake. You develop fear.
Likewise, All this is verily Brahman, but due to wrong perception caused by two powers of Māyā, we go through many favorable and unfavorable experiences.
We experience it via three states:
- Deep Sleep (Veiling)
- Dream (Projection)
- Awake (More Projection)
In other words, we are not really awake, but we are asleep and dreaming.
[in-progress]