Mystic Martinez

"I feel today's education does not really teach freedom. If they try to teach freedom, it is just about individual rights but not about the inner freedom which comes from a deep inner sense of order. When you have this inner orderliness you can then sprawl out and breeze around in the chaotic world. Instead it sometimes seems modern education does the opposite, it makes us chaotic inside and tries to create some kind of external order."

1. Image of Compassion:

Kwan Yin, also known as Guanyin, is a revered figure in various East Asian traditions. She is recognized as the Bodhisattva of Compassion, embodying mercy, kindness, and unconditional love towards all beings.

2. Origin and Name Variations:

Her name has different variations depending on the region: “Kwan Yin” in China, “Kannon” in Japan, and “Quan Am” in Vietnam. The name roughly translates to “One Who Hears the Cries of the World,” highlighting her compassionate nature.

3. Gender Representation:

Historically, Kwan Yin was depicted as a male bodhisattva, following the Indian tradition of Avalokiteshvara. Over time, in Chinese and other East Asian cultures, she evolved into a female figure, often portrayed as a motherly, nurturing presence.

4. Symbol of Mercy and Protection:

Kwan Yin is often called upon by those seeking comfort and protection. She is considered a protector of women and children and a guardian of sailors and fishermen. Many believe she can grant assistance, deliverance from suffering, and help in times of danger.

5. Iconography and Symbols:

Commonly depicted with a vase of pure water and a willow branch, symbols of healing and soothing pain, Kwan Yin is also shown with a lotus flower, representing purity and enlightenment. In some depictions, she is accompanied by a dragon, symbolizing power and wisdom.

6. Modern Relevance:

चरण असुइयो से श्याम ने धुलाये,

ना घबरओ प्यारे जरा तुम सुदामा,

ख़ुशी का समां तेरे करीब आ गया |

"There is only the state of freedom which is the all and undifferentiated, which is devoid of the distinction of short and long of round and angular. Why dost thou, who art the identity in all, grieve in thy heart? Here is the One without void and absence of void, without purity and impurity, without the whole and the part. Why dost thou, who art the identity in all, grieve in your heart? There is no distinction of the different and nondifferent. There is no distinction of within, without or junction of the two. It is the same in all, devoid of friend and foe. Why dost thou, who art the identity in all, grieve in thy heart?"

- Sri Guru Dattatreya, Avadhuta Gita 5.7-9

I saw this beautiful Lakshmi Narayan art on pinterest and it's so beautiful, like wow 😭✨🥺

Trika Shastra

Kashmir Shaivism is a religio-philosophical creed that deals with the three fundamentals of human existence: Man, Universe and the Ultimate Principle governing the world. Outlining the key concepts of Trika system In his book Pamarthsara, Abhinavagupta describes Consciousness of man as the Atman, the core eternal witness of all that is undergoing ceaseless change in body and mind.

Since Shaivism treats Absolute Truth under the three broad principles of God, Soul and Matter, the system is known as Trika Shastra or simply Trika. It is based on the three energies of Lord Shiva, 1) Para, the subjective energy; 2) Parapara, the cognitive energy and 3) Apara, the objective energy of the Lord. It is a universal spiritual philosophy in which all aspects of life are integrated and taken in totality. The soul is said to be of the same nature as Consciousness and there is no difference either between individual soul, technically called the Pasu and the universal self called Pati, or between the world of consciousness and that of senses.

Trika philosophy aims at intelligent synthesis of all that is abiding and enduring in the six systems of Indian thought. It adopted monism from the non-dual philosophy of Vedanta, theism from the Vaishnavites, logic from the Nyaya system, discipline from the Yoga aphorisms of Patanjali and popular appeal from the Buddhists.

Yet, Trika system represents a positive and a theistic outlook in contrast to the absolute monism of Vedanta. Shiva is the Ultimate Reality endowed with sovereignty of will, omniscience and omnipotence. He is beyond everything. He is both immanent and transcendent. Time, form and space do not limit him, for He is above all mutation and change.

"In Vedānta [māyā is] un-real. In Shaivism māyā is transformed at the time of knowledge. At the time of real knowledge, māyā is transformed in his śakti, in his glory. Māyā becomes the glory of Parama Śiva then. When puruṣa realizes the real reality of his nature, māyā becomes glory for him, śakti, his energy, great energy [svātantrya śakti]."