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Shaivism - Concepts and symbols - Names, Entities and Aggregates
Identifier
022561
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The following observation covers a number of concepts. In other mystic systems, there are classes of things – Entities or Aggregates – and then there are instances, occurrences. Thus there might be a class such as ‘dog’ with sub-entities/sub-types of the border collie or jack Russell. And an occurrence called ‘Flossie’. In the tree of life, the leaves are the occurrences.
The occurrences have an identifier that allows them to be ‘found’ spiritually when for example there is inter composer communication.
In yet other mystic systems this identifier is a ‘Name’ and Names apply for both classes and occurrences – hence the need to baptise one’s baby as until it has a name, symbolically speaking, the spirit world cannot talk to it.
A description of the experience
Alain Danielou – While the Gods Play
The Principle of lndividuality (Ahamkara)
"FROM Mahat comes the notion of identity, individuality, the Self (ahamkara), which makes differentiation and multiplicity possible" (Gaudpada, Commentary on the Samkhya-Karika, 3).
AII development implies multiplicity, but this can only exist if the different entities each have a separate identity, For this reason, the first of the principles that stem from Mahat, universal Intelligence, is the principle of identity, the notion of self (ahamkara).
The interplay of the three tendencies of Nature allows for the formation of energetic cells, atoms in which the notion of individuality, autonomy, and "self" will blossom.
The awareness of being autonomous is the characteristic of atoms, as well as solar systems, or individual beings, men or gods. Every cell in the world, whether infinitesimal or gigantic, gathers around a "self."
This self is inhabited by consciousness (cit), which is part of the omnipresent universal consciousness (mahat). It is this element of consciousness, apparently individualized, which allows the cells to detect each other, to communicate, to collaborate and organize themselves.
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An atom of hydrogen forms around its notion of being an atom of hydrogen and defends its identity. It possesses a "self ' just as does a man, who himself is also only an assemblage of various molecules. We all say "I" without really knowing to which part of ourselves this "I" corresponds.