RETURNING TO SHIVA

[ajay0]

But who gets to decide what's superstitious? Anti-theists think theism is silly superstition, and harmful.

In theism , scriptures (srutis) are an authority.

Krishna rebuked Jarasandha for attempting to conduct a human sacrifice which had no sanction in the scriptures.

In terms of secular spirituality as well, a universal value system or moral criteria (charecterised by honesty, compassion, noninjury, generosity) coupled with objectivity can serve as a compass to guide human action free of retarded thoughts and actions. ( due to mental and physical health issues, deficiencies in education, or unsound ideas and ideologies)

 

[Kapalika]

Thus does the will of Shiva bring forth the world out of itself.
When this volitional energy of Kali dances and plays within the
void of the Divine Mind,

....

She becomes as one with Shiva by giving up her identity as an
aspect of Shiva. This feminine form of Shiva is merged back into
Shiva, the prime male, who is the form of the formless void and
perfect tranquillity.

In many ways this reminds me of how Trika sees Shiva, as Shakti as the expression of Shiva but also Shiva but at the same time, as it was stated by another:

It is about mAyA. About how there is nothing to grieve about in this world.

I can see that too. In Trika we believe that Maya is a concrete thing, not just an illusion (although we have illusionary ideas about it). It doesn't go away so much as retreats into itself of what it already was (Shiva) to reform as something new.

I guess it's another way to see/explain it, the difference might even be little. Shiva is Shiva is the creator, destroyer and preserver. I was delighted to read this, thank you for sharing @Srivijaya

 

[Valjean]

Interesting how the different varieties of Hinduism view the different deities. "Traditionally" (?!) I usually see Brahma credited as the creator (of Maya/illusion), Vishnu as the maintainer and Shiva as its destroyer/remover.

 

[Srivijaya]

In Trika we believe that Maya is a concrete thing, not just an illusion (although we have illusionary ideas about it). It doesn't go away so much as retreats into itself of what it already was (Shiva) to reform as something new.

Namaste Kapalika,
This is what makes the system quite unique (one reason at least) and it makes perfect sense from the POV of transformational energy. The beauty of it is, there needn't be any discursive speculative approach to the objects of the senses and the contemplative is dealing with his/her her grasping at them at source. It's very direct and powerful.

I was delighted to read this, thank you for sharing @Srivijaya

My pleasure. I'm extremely glad to encounter another person who appreciates the profundity of this material - and probably more so than I do, as I'm just a dilettante.