Pure mAyA and impure mAyA.

Pure mAyA and impure mAyA.

As the delight in meditation deepens there is a stage when the sAdhaka is so enamored of the nivRtti mArga (inward path) that he or she may seem to find engaging in the external world a chore, or almost repugnant. This is a stage in the path to jnAna, but it is not complete. Refer to the tripurA rahasya where Hemalekha instructs her husband HemacUda that simply sitting in samAdhi with eyes closed is not complete Self Realization.

dRShtim jnAnamayIm kRtva pashyet brahmamayam jagat

After making the vision full of wisdom one should see the world as Brahman.

The "external" world is not to be rejected. It is not external, but Brahman. But for this jnAna has to ripen into vijnAna.

At any stage one should be aware of the fact that there is an important distinction in mAyA, which is the world appearance. There is pure mAyA and impure mAyA. The words of Guru, vedAnta and scriptures (shAstras), Veda, the words of guide, and satsang are pure mAyA. They point to the exit from the state of ignorance. Pure mAyA is productive of jnAna and vijnAna.

The impure mAyA must be rejected in the initial stage as the sAdhakA takes the nivRtti mArga to gain jnAna.

After the direct experience of the Truth as awareness comes outward, one can walk in the world without being affected by mAyA, knowing always that it is the guNas that play with the guNas.