This post was deleted by john alexander

in "I Am That" swami muktananda defines two different bhavas: pashubhava describes the individual consciousness, or small self, whereas Sivabhava describes the higher consciousness one attains through oneness with godhead.

www.experiencefestival.com/bhava defines bhava as "a being or a state of being; the world, a birth, a name of Siva. it then refers the reader to brahmacharya, (mental discipline) and these words from swami sivananda: "it is the mind that really does all actions. a desire arises in your mind and then you think. then you proceed to act. the determination of the mind is put into action. first there is sankalpa or thought and then comes action."

wikipedia currently has no discussion on bhava as an isolated idea but has one on bhava-cakra [chakra], "the wheel of life" or "the wheel of dharma," "a mandala or symbolic representation of the cycle of...[incarnation]...from which one is released through enlightenment (bodhi, nirvana, moksha, samadhi)." in this way we can see how bhava relates to dharma, the polar axis of destiny that brings us from our karma (the other polar axis) through our present incarnation and into future incarnations.

by word of mouth i have learned that the word bhava, depending on the context of its use, describes one's destiny manifested in the intensity with which they percieve (esp. when involved in sacred practice), a feeling of intense joy and/or devotion, or a gestalt (worldview) specific to such a state.