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In the Hindu tradition certain phrases from
the Upanishads are regarded as important. One should meditate upon
them to appreciate their deep meaning.
1. You are THAT.
tatvamasi
(Ch. U. 6.8.7, 6.9.4)
2. Everything verily is this Brahman.
sarvam khalu idam brahma
(Ch. U. 3.14.1).
3. I am Brahman.
aham brahmāsmi (Br.U.
1.4.10).
4. This ātman is Brahman.
ayamātmā brahma (Br.U.
2.5.19).
5. Consciousness is Brahma.
pragnānam brahma (Ai. U.
3.3).
6. He, in the Purusha here and in the
Sun, they are One.
sa yaschāyam puruşhe yaschāvāditye sa
ekaĥ (Tai. U. 2.8)
7. The Purusha there and there, He am I.
yo'savasau
puruşhaĥ so'hamasmi
(Īsha U. 16).
The fundamental tenet of Hinduism is
that there is only one existence or one Purusha. Upanishads,
especially the ancient ones like Chhāndogya and Isha, have a
harmonious and integrated view of the Many and One. We will focus
here on the implication of these statements to one aspect of
everyday life.
Everyday we interact with many
persons who may be our friends or foes or indifferent. Statements
1 and 2 imply that mentally we should view everyone of them as if
she or he is verily Brahman. The particular feeling expressed by
the person which may not be pleasant to our ears does not imply
that s/he is not Brahman. Brahman puts on limitations of his own
accord and acts as individual persons with different opinions,
attitudes etc. If we recognize the innate oneness, then the effect
on us of the negative opinions expressed by the persons are
minimal.
The statement 3 (I am Brahman) is
liable for misunderstanding. Its (correct) interpretation is that
we should strive to improve ourselves all the time and not
complain about our supposed weaknesses or supposed injustices done
to us by others. Infinite power is latent in us and it can be
manifested. Consider the example of a child. It does not walk
straight suddenly. It tries to walk, falls down several times
before mastering the art of walking with the back straight.
Similarly we have to believe that our current limitations can be
overcome.
The statement 4 declares that the so
called individual soul along with the body etc ātma is also
Brahman.
The statement 5 declares that one
who wants to meditate on Brahman can meditate on the concept of
consciousness or awareness. The first step in respecting a person
is to become aware of his/her presence, speech etc. Then we
recall that this power of awareness is Brahman itself.
The statements 6 and 7 declare that
the Supreme Person, the Sun, Sūrya represented physically
by the solar orb seen in the sky is identical with our person. We
develop the relationship of identity with the Divine. As is well
known, one can establish various relationships with the Divine
such as that of spouse, friend, father, mother etc. The best
relationship is that of the identity.
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