Qualification is King #33

One of the revealing statements in spiritual life tells of the eskimo who must watch snow conditions very carefully every day in order that his survival, and that of his family, is assured. The meaning is that a sadhaka, or adept spiritual aspirant, must observe his/her own consciousness daily for signs of both dangers and realizations arising there, for his spiritual progress depends upon it. The wisdom chart concerning the Four Mighty & Noble Combats provides a simple and straightforward explanation for this necessity, like a sentinel on watch day and night for signs of progress or retardation. All is indeed well in the kingdom of the soul when such a watchman is on duty and scrutinizing the scene.

Vivarta, false superimposition, is a key principle in Vedanta philosophy, the point being that all manifestation/expression covers the formless nature of Reality. Left alone in Its purest state, Brahman is “partless, faultless, actionless, and divine,” to quote the Upanisads. When mentation begins, from the Cosmic Mind on down and out to the collective and individual minds, then does all that is “unreal” obscure the Real. Beings then take what has been projected by the mind, like matter and objects, as being the only reality. That there is more or less of the conscious shine of Brahman in every little thing, while Brahman remains partless and indivisible, this is the lesson of Vivartopadana taught by the Vedanta philosophy.