7 TONGUES OF THE FIRE - Viveka Shakti

Viveka Shakti: The Power of Clear Seeing

Viveka Shakti, the highest expression of spiritual discernment, is the awakened power of Buddhi (intellect) operating at its highest level. In some Tantric traditions, it is regarded as a Siddhi, or spiritual superpower. Imagine seeing the truth in every situation—free from projection, delusion, or confusion about yourself and your capacity. Such clarity would profoundly transform your life.

The Bhagavad Gita teaches that this clarity is not only the goal of practice but the purpose of human existence. Viveka Shakti allows us to see the luminous core of our being and the true nature of reality, enabling us to skillfully channel the energies cultivated in practice. Without Viveka, power can become misguided or even dangerous.

Clear seeing has two components: psychological and spiritual.

Psychological Clear Seeing

Psychological clear seeing involves facing ourselves honestly, acknowledging both our light and shadow. Yoga asks us to understand the mind, not dismiss it. For example, in meditation, noticing that the mind has wandered isn’t enough—we must investigate where and why it wanders. Similarly, in life, we must explore why we feel triggered, confused, or reactive under stress. By courageously examining these tendencies through contemplation and self-study, we move beyond delusion and gain deeper insight. Journaling can also be a valuable tool in this process.

Spiritual Clear Seeing

At a spiritual level, clear seeing acknowledges that the Soul carries imprints, or karma, which accumulate like dust on glass, obscuring clarity. This conditioning resides in the psyche, where the soul intersects with the subconscious mind. In yoga, the Vijnanamaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha play a key role in carrying these imprints from life to life. To cultivate spiritual clarity, dissolution of these karmic imprints is necessary, which can be accessed through the Chakras.

Laya Yoga: The Path of Dissolution

Laya Yoga, the Yoga of Dissolution, aims to dissolve the conditioning held in the Chakras. Unlike practices focused on activating Chakras, Laya Yoga seeks to transcend their influence and rest in pure, unconditioned awareness—the power of the true Seer. Practices such as Mantra Laya, Pancha Laya Kriyas, and Bhuta Shuddhi Kriya assist in this dissolution. 

Through Viveka Shakti, we unlock the potential to see, live, and serve from a place of truth and expansive awareness.