Insights on Spanda

What is Spanda? Pulsation, vibration, spontaneity, freedom, autonomy. Spanda says that all that exists is pure consciousness (citi), everything is derived of pure luminosity of consciousness, and it is constantly pulsating/vibrating.

Why Learn About Spanda? It shows us the possibility of change from within, that the absolute is dynamic. It gives us an impetus towards kriyā śakti because it affirms that we are an agent in the world, not a victim. That very same lordship that Śiva has, we have too, if we only take up our agency.

Who Am I According to Spanda? The concept of purnāhaṃtā (perfectly full I-am-ness) explains how we are bound due to the limited nature of our desire, volition, and action (we think of ourselves as limited, finite, and separate ourselves from others) and freed when our sense of I-am expands to include the totality (including the suffering and joys of others).

What Does Spanda Do? The vibration is akin to an oceanic unfolding and enfolding of the single light of consciousness, a breathing in and out, a closing and opening of the eyes of Śiva. Spanda projects the manifold from consciousness within consciousness itself, as an externalization that unfolds materiality, while it also enfolds that materiality through internalization back into consciousness.

What is the Experience of Spanda? A spontaneity that is simultaneously characterized by antarmukhatā (inwardness) and viśvamayatā (externality), where the whole play of consciousness is affirming the manifold, experiencing bliss in becoming the many, while the manifold is confirming one's own Śiva nature, that "I am of the character of the totality."

Sign up for the course here: https://www.vimarshafoundation.org/challenge-page/spanda?programId=6d518f05-9ef0-4810-a422-598429f8e311