In Search of the Supreme Being

Parts of this Article • Perceiving God • Realizing God

Join the Discussion "If GOD, has nothing to do with any sorrow or agony in this world, you may wonder why we even pray to GOD?" ~ VJR2

Related Resources • Hinduism Basics • What is Dharma? • What is Karma? • Yoga & Religion • Gods & Goddesses

POLL: Have Your Say >> Does God Exist?

In the story, the snake existed only at the time of the incident (the present), while the rope existed in the past (before the incident), the present, as well as the future (after the incident).

Likewise, the world exists in the present moment only — although it is a pretty long moment — while Brahman existed before the creation of the world, exists in the present, and will still exist forever after the dissolution of the universe.

Maya Shakti: The Veiling Power
Brahman is both consciousness and power or "shakti" that operates in many ways. One such power is "maya", the veiling power, which hides the spiritual truth of the oneness of consciousness. Maya shakti creates the ignorance of perception of separateness and diversity of objects in this world. It makes us believe that we are different from the world and all other beings. She makes us identify with our bodies, which are imperfect and bring pain to our lives.

Ways to Realize Brahman
The practical application of Advaita Vedanta is what is known as "Jnana Yoga", the yoga of knowledge or wisdom. It is the direct path to experiencing the truth of advaita, meaning to realize your true self, the "atman" (soul).

However, there are other ways to achieve this union ("yoga" means union), and it depends on who you are and what you do in life. There are four types of Yoga (not to confused with physical disciplines and exercises): Raja-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga and Jnana Yoga. And the person who seeks this kind of a union is called a Yogi. If you're a worker you're a Karma-Yogi. If you seek this union through mysticism you're a Raja-Yogi. If you search this union in love, you're a Bhakti-Yogi. And if you seek this yoga through knowledge, wisdom and philosophy, you're a Jnana-Yogi.

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