The Essence Is in the Form: Consciousness IS the Self – An Introduction to the Shiva Sutras

I’m so inspired by the Tantric texts which affirm that who we are is the individual expression of the universal energy. The essence of all that is, is contained within the form. The implications of this teaching are vast and incredibly empowering, because it suggests that we are all free to create our reality, to live our dream, to serve the light in our own hearts and in the hearts of others. 

This is what I’ve been teaching in Ashaya for the last 14 years – YOU are the point the universe is trying to make. You ARE that divine consciousness. The divine is hiding in plain sight and is right under your very own nose (as in the breath)! 

This teaching is found in one of the most profound Tantric texts, the Shiva Sutras, which was mysteriously transcribed by Vasugupta, over 1000 years ago. It is said that Vasugupta had a dream where he heard a voice that told him to climb to the top of a mountain where the Shiva Sutras would be revealed (written) on a large rock. 

Most yoga systems and methods today use Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras as the foundational and “only” text on yoga. The Tantrika yogi, however, understands that the Yoga Sutras were, and still are, a foundational text that gave rise to much, much more. It’s not the “only” text on yoga by a long shot! Consciousness has evolved and expanded far beyond Patanjali.

The first sutra in the Shiva Sutras, “Caitanyam Ātmā” (pronounced Chai [as in the tea] – tan [as in Don] – yum Aat-maa), expresses the notion that consciousness is the self. The first statement of any yogic text establishes the concept that will be the essence of all of the sutras that follow. “Consciousness is the self” is the foundational tenet of Kashmir Shaivism, declaring that supreme, universal consciousness is not out there somewhere in the distance, but is, in fact, the very essence, heart, and reality of every individual being.

Caitanyam means consciousness or awareness, and Ātmā means the self. This sutra posits that our true nature is pure, divine consciousness. Everything in the universe, including our thoughts and, by extension, the entire world, is a manifestation of the single, divine consciousness (Shiva). 

Here’s a further expression of this teaching from Tantric scholar, Paul Muller-Ortega.

“Consciousness is the self, perfect wholeness, the essence of all existing things. It is conscious of itself, as the self, in the self. Intelligently, it self-organizes. The perfect non-duality of Absolute Consciousness permits all forms of duality to arise within it. It combines with the value of wholeness and light, with the vibration and pulsation of the throbbing of reality. It is the essence place from which everything arises.”

“The self is perfect wholeness, and yet contains within that perfection, impulses towards its own self-concealment. Just as the self is self-illuminative, it is also self-concealing or self-shadowing. This process of self-concealment is intrinsic to the fundamental nature of reality itself. The fundamental essence of wholeness, if it is to truly be wholeness, is that it must contain both the illuminative and the self-concealing, the light and its apparent endarkening. In that process it expresses the totality of existence.”

Who we are is so conscious that it embraces everything about us, light and shadow. It accepts and holds the paradox that we are both “enlightened and endarkened” at the same time; that we are perfectly imperfect just the way we are; and that the universe loves us so much that it permits us to make mistakes, fail, misspeak, doubt ourselves, feel anxiety, unworthiness, and be afraid. The universe permits our feelings of lack and fullness. Our very essence is the acceptance of all that is. It’s the full acceptance of……wait for it……our humanness!

In this light, in this amazing circle of compassion and acceptance, there is love. Love is the way and the means to becoming more and more of who we are.

It’s exciting to realize how powerful Ashaya Yoga is to transform our consciousness, to release what’s in the way (e.g., unworthiness), and become who we already are – divine beings. How does one access this consciousness, this awareness, this revelation? Practice!

I look forward to seeing you on the mat.

Namaste,

Todd

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