Ananda Maya / Bliss Format Existence
Ananda maya is a legendary state of consciousness where the coreSelf is itself a piece of spiritual bliss floating in a cosmic expanse with other innumerable spiritual bliss selves (atma ananda / atmananda). Different yogis label different states as ananda maya. Here I will describe a seemingly bodiless state where the coreSelf is by itself with no adjuncts, not even with the sense of identity (ahankar), such that by itself the core exists with innumerable coreSelves in a cosmic space which has no other energy besides spiritual substance or chit akash.
This seems to be a bodiless state because no immediate border or membrane is perceived. There are no limbs used nor surfaces touched. There are no eyes but there is vision which is omniVision where innumerable selves of similar constitution are perceived nearby in that sea of bliss consciousness. The color of the environment is like that of the dark blue sky. Selves like sparks sparkle in it.
This environment is bliss in all directions, through and through. The coreSelf is uncovered, unshrouded, timeless, radiant and self-existent. This is a satchidananda state with the self existing, being aware of itself as bliss essence only, in an environment which is the same.
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Best first hand description of Anandamaya kosha
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Simply wonderful! I always felt that the coreSelf could be separated from the sense of identity. Perhaps this marks the end of form sphere and sensuous realm appearances for you. Well done!
I have to ask. Did the experience last long?
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I was researching definitions/ descriptions of anandamaya kosha. I came across this one which is quite detailed and mentions the other sheaths. This might not be in line with inSelf Yoga knowledge but seems to be in line with the Thai Forest Monk tradition. At the end of the article, the anandamaya sheath is referred to as the final veil of ignorance. Any thoughts on this?
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It is hard to pin down what is described there as anandamaya kosha. However some authorities in India, like Swami Shivananda standardized some meanings which set them in some rigid structure which I find to be inconsistent with reality.
The ananda maya which I described is not a kosha or sheath but is rather the material of the coreSelf itself. For example, a garment which is made of cotton is itself cotton. The cotton is not a sheath or kosha. It is the item itself.
It may be that there are better explanations of those terms elsewhere which would clarify. However it is part of the Indian attitude to make things rigid by these definitions like the one on that page which you referred to.
Someone may challenge like this:
If it is the actual self which is that ananda maya material, then explain why some other types of feelings of the self are experienced at other times, for example when a person is depressed or anxious, or when a person is fearful in an astral projection or when a person is sick due to ill health of the physical body.
That is a reasonable challenge, isn’t it?
The answer is that even though the material of the coreSelf is blissful spiritual light, still somehow by the power of nature, that material is apparently stained or cancelled or superimposed by other energies. Whenever that occurs it loses track of itself.
The example given to understand this was given by Paramhansa Ramakrishna where he cited a crystal gem. Even though it is absolutely transparent and has no defects in formation which are visible, still if you put it near to a red light, it will assume a red tinge. Then again if you put it near a blue light, it will assume a blue hue.
But then if you put it in sunlight at noon, it will show itself as being transparent. For some reason it is apparently affected by the environment it is placed it or is subjected to but even so, if somehow it is removed from contrary influences and is exposed to a clear environment, it will show itself as it is.
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Well, the idea is that there comes a time when any intermixture with the spiritual light ceases. That would be my speculation. I'm anticipating the event proclaimed by the Buddha:
It is liberated . . . birth is exhausted, the Holy Life has been lived out, what was to be done has been done, there is no more to come . . .'
Not necessarily in this life!
My Buddhist teacher said that when one gets nibanna, it does not involve going anywhere or becoming anyone. There is also the analogy of attaining arahantship as being like a flame that fades out.
I agree that traditional definitions of these types of experiences often fall short and tend to limit what may actually be a genuine supramundane experience. It certainly is inspiring and gives all the impetus to continue the practice, come what may!
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