Vigyan Bhairav Tantra is an ancient text describing the discourse between Lord Bhariava and Divine Mother Bhairavi, discussing several different ways to meditate. When it comes to Maya, the text says,

माया विमोहिनी नाम कलायाः कलनं स्थितम् | इत्यादि धर्मं तत्वानां कलयन्न प्रुथग्भवेत ||

Maya Vimohini Naam Kalayaha Kalanam Sthitam | Ityadi Dharmam Tatwanam Kalayanna Prathugbhavet ||

It means Maya is such a delusive principle in existence, causing name and limited activity. The one who realizes its nature and the nature of other elements is not separate from the supreme reality.

What is Maya?
अतत्त्वमिन्द्रजालाभमीदं सर्वम् वस्थितम् | किं तत्वमिन्द्र्जालस्य इति दार्ध्याच्छमं वज्रेत ||

Atatvam Indrajalabhamidam Sarvam Washshtham| Kim Tatvam Indrajalasya iti Dardhyachhamam Vajret||

In verse 133rd of scripture Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, Lord Bhairava says, this world is illusory like magic, lacking any essence. What kind of essence lies in such magic? The one who understands this attains an ultimate peace.

Maya means illusion. Maya is a spiritual concept, everchanging and spiritually unreal. Its also known as a powerful force responsible for a cosmic illusion. Many believe that the world is nothing but just a vibration of consciousness in the universe.

What different schools of thought say about Maya:
Vedas: Word Maya appears several times in the ancient texts of Vedas, with the context of magic, illusion, or power. In Atharva Veda, it is even used in the context of the power of creation as well. According to the Vedas, Maya stands for anything that seems real, feels real, in the worldly form, which has subtle unravelable principles and implicit knowledge.

Puranas: Puranas and in the Vaishnava sect, Maya is considered as one of nine Shakti (powers) of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is regarded as the master of Maya, and Maya is known to envelop the lord’s body.

Yoga: For the scholars of Yoga, Maya is neither an illusion nor a lie. Instead, Maya is the opportunity by the divine to perfect the mind’s creative discipline, creating a perfect balance of mind, body, and soul.

Advaita school: The Advaita school of philosophy contains two realities. One, empirical reality, and second, an absolute truth. Adi Shankara says Maya is true in a worldly sense but unnecessary and untrue from a spiritual point of view. Or Advaita discipline, Maya is nothing but who we are and how we perceive the things around us.

Buddhism: Buddhism considered Maya something of an illusion, which is beyond anyone’s grasp. The Mahayana sect of Buddhism describes Maya as magic, a dream, a bubble, rainbow, the moon reflected on the water, etc. Knowledge is the only way to have liberation from Maya, composed of fear, ignorance, and attachments.

How does Maya work?
The path of unraveling the Maya is said to be difficult and yet very simple. Almost all the scripture says that one does not have to learn new because the truth lies within yourself. In who you are. Let’s take a look at some types of Maya we face on our spiritual path.

Maya of Space: This place belongs to me, and this is where I am standing in the common misconception. When we access the universal consciousness through spirituality, we realize that even though our physical body has limitations, our consciousness is everywhere, connected to the supreme consciousness in each corner of the universe.

Maya of Time: We born, live our lives, and die is another Maya in our interpretation of the time. However, spiritual enlightenment tells us that when we are present in the moment, now is the time that matters. Everything that has happened, everything that is happening, and everything that will occur is happening right now, just at different frequencies. An enlightened being, looking beyond Maya, looks at time as a nonlinear, circular entity.

Maya of Knowledge: All of us have that inferiority of knowing not enough. Spirituality grants us access to infinite possibilities, carrying us to the state of all-knowing. When an individual reaches this state, he can tap into the unlimited potential.

Maya of fear: ‘There are few things in this world, we all must fear’ is one of the most corrupting Maya of all. All the negative energies like anger, jealousy, hate, judgment, intolerance, or aggression arise from one Maya: fear. The absence of love invites fear. Fears make us imagine things that do not exist, and hence, a seeker must be free from all kinds of anxieties.

How can a seeker free himself from Maya?
Witnessing attitude: When we acquire a witnessing attitude, observing our thoughts, behaviors, and the reaction from the third perspective, it helps to get a clear picture of the truth ourselves, shattering the illusion of Maya.

Beliefs: one must take note of his beliefs and should stick with them. Excuses and illusions we create for ourselves entangle us further in the web of Maya, prohibiting spiritual progress. When we decide on some beliefs and values and test them constantly on the scale of wisdom, they help us look beyond Maya and reach further into the spiritual realm.

Meditation: Our conscious mind is heavily engulfed with Maya. Mind is like an ocean surface, always in turmoil, with big weaves of emotions colliding. When you reach the bottom of the sea, everything is calm, serene, and transparent. This is what meditation does to the mind. Meditation is the most powerful tool to reconnect with yourself and find inner peace, helping you look beyond the deceptions and illusions.