Lila

The universal play of cosmic energy, or [lila]

, in which each human being plays his or her part, has been formalized into a system reminiscent of "snakes and ladders" in which the player sees his progress through the play of life. As the individual plays he becomes identified with the persona, the role he is playing, and then his life is decided by karma. However, there are still moments when perception of non-duality breaks through. This perception may be strengthened and lengthened by practice. At a deep level of awareness the realization occurs that the world and God are a unity, the world being a diversified expression of God.

Perception of the positive non-duality of the timeless reality is referred to as [integral existential experience]

, and is the basis of illumined creative living. This state is referred to in Hindu philosophy as reflecting cosmic love, in which the individual joyfully acts towards human evolution free from personal desires or attachments. Such an expression of cosmic love, created through the burning of the ego, is contrasted with ethical love which maintains egocentric individuality despite active involvement in social improvements.

The game "Lila" itself is played on a board whose squares are related numerologically to produce a perfect rectangle. The board comprises an octave of horizontal levels, equally representing stages in temporal human life and psychic centres or chakras in spiritual development. Each level is divided into nine squares, representing in all the 72 primary states of being. The pattern of an individual's existence becomes clearer as pathways in the game (progressing according to the throw of a die with leaps upwards by means of arrows or downwards along snakes) tend to repeat themselves. Each horizontal level represents particular energy vibration. A player who, by karmic chance, reaches a level with whose vibrations his own are not in accord will soon reach a snake and slide back down. Synchronicity determines the fall of the die. There is no death; and eventually there is harmony at all levels, so there are no "ups and downs". The game only comes to an end when the player attains total understanding of the game and arrives at the state of cosmic consciousness.