# The Shiva Sutras  ## Metadata - Author: [[Ranjit Chaudhri]] - Full Title: The Shiva Sutras - Category: #books ## Highlights - One of the most important mantras for liberation is the sound of one’s breath. Listening to the sound of one’s breath quickly stills the mind. ([Location 340](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=340)) - Knowledge acquired through the mind can also cause bondage. The mind tends to separate, to divide. It sees separate forms, separate individuals. It creates beliefs that reinforce the sense of separateness. The belief that we are the body causes bondage. ([Location 428](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=428)) - Maya veils the unity of existence and causes us to experience separation. It works through the following five elements—   1) Kalaa, which causes us to identify with the body and not with Universal Consciousness. 2) Vidya (knowledge), which conceals our omniscience and makes up experience-limited knowledge. 3) Raga or attraction, which causes us to feel attraction towards other objects. Because we feel separate from other objects, attraction for some of them can arise. When there is no separation, there can be no attraction. 4) Kaala (time), which causes us to experience time in the form of past, present, and future, instead of experiencing eternity. 5) Niyati, which causes restriction in space and form. Our true self is all-pervasive. Niyati causes us to experience ourselves in a particular space and form.   All these elements create the illusion. When we are able to discern them and look past them, we begin to experience the Ulitmate Reality. ([Location 445](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=445)) - They are viveka (discrimination) and vairagya (detachment). Discrimination is important because we need to discriminate between what is real and what is unreal. Too often what we think is real, is actually unreal. ([Location 468](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=468)) - Detachment is considered important because when we are affected by external events, we are making the world real. ([Location 471](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=471)) - When our consciousness rises suddenly, our breath may get suspended. We may stop breathing for a short period of time. Ordinarily when this happens, our blood pressure would rise, but when we experience this in moments of enlightenment, there are no adverse effects on the body. ([Location 484](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=484)) - It is often said that the process of self-realization is one of remembrance. We had forgotten our True Self, and now we remember. ([Location 505](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=505)) - The question may arise that if we are like actors on the stage of the world, then what is the purpose of being in this world? The purpose is evolution. To have experiences that increase our level of awareness, till we reach a state of unity with God. ([Location 545](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=545)) - Buddha was once asked, “What have you gained from meditation?” He replied, “Nothing.” However, Buddha continued, “Let me tell you what I lost: anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.” When you become enlightened, you acquire freedom. You are no longer bound by the illusion and become free of pain and suffering. ([Location 572](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=572)) - The potential to reach a level of God Consciousness exists within all of us. Sometimes, when Jesus performed miracles, people were amazed by what he had achieved. He then said to them, “Why are you so amazed? These things and more shall you do also.” ([Location 616](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=616)) - triṣu caturthaṃ tailavad āsecyam THE FOURTH STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS SHOULD BE POURED LIKE OIL INTO THE OTHER THREE STATES. The fourth state of consciousness is known as turiya, and it is a state of super-consciousness. The other three states are the waking state, the state of sleep with dreams, and the state of deep sleep where there are no dreams. The sutra is saying that one should bring the awareness you find in the fourth state, to the other three states also. In other words, one should remain aware in the other states too. ([Location 641](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=641)) ## New highlights added May 15, 2023 at 7:06 AM - FROM A COMPLETE AND ALL-PERVASIVE VICTORY OVER DELUSION, ONE GAINS THE VICTORY OF NATURAL, INNATE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUE REALITY. ([Location 500](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=500)) - The truth is that there is no separation, and there is only One Being (Shiva, God), that we are all a part of. ([Location 781](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=781)) - When you are free of being affected by pleasures and pain, it means you have reached the liberated state. ([Location 822](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=822)) - This is the way to mastery. Change addictions to preferences, and change preferences to acceptance. ([Location 917](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=917)) - Our role in life is completely separate from our Self or our Soul. When you can stand back and observe your life, and understand that none of it is real, then you can truly enjoy life. You will be able to laugh at some of your failures and misfortunes, and understand there is a lot you can learn from them. ([Location 927](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B09CH3WNB9&location=927))