Brahman, Atman and Maya
What is your understanding about the Relationship between Atman, Brahman, Moksha, Karma, Samsara, and Maya?
Brahman is spiritual; pure consciousness, which is the supreme reality, and is indefinable. It is not this, or that, and has no name, and beyond all senses and intellect. It is unborn, and from that nothingness (Nirgunaparabrahman), originates all, and into it all returns. The Atman is the individual living entity, known as a spirit soul. The Brahman and Atman are one in quality, but they differ in quantity. The infinitesimal Atman is overpowered by illusion, which is Maya. The polluted consciousness of the soul acquires a series of coverings of different life forms, comprising of the 8,400,000 or more species of life. Once embodied, it undergoes a string of actions and reactions, called Karma, and the Nature creates an appropriate body for it to enter, subsequent to death. Thus, by freeing from the bondage of the karmas, and identifying the reality of the spirit soul (Atman), that is different from the body, we discard Maya. Leaving Maya, and the worldly life (the birth-rebirth cycle) called Samsara, the Atman acquires the spiritual form, that is Moksha, or salvation (Das, “The concept of Brahman”).
Where is the Ultimate/Foundation/Reality of the Universe, and how do we find it? Explain both the Advaida Vedanta and Visishta-Advaida approaches?
The Ultimate Reality, according to the Hindu philosophy, is Brahman. We attain the Ultimate through salvation, by freeing from illusion (Maya). The Advaita philosophy of Shankaracharya promulgates Monism (Non-dualism). The Advaita Vedanta, is the best known of all the schools of Vedanta, in Hinduism. The word meaning of "Advaita" is "not two", and refers to the identity of the Atman and the whole Brahman. In Visishta Advaita, the Soul and the Universe are part of the Absolute. The relationships between God and the Soul, connecting the Universe, is somewhat like how the Soul of Man is bonded to the body of Man. Individual soul forms part of Brahman. Here, God, Soul and Universe become an inseparable unity, making it the non-duality part (Valea, “The Ultimate Reality”).
According to Bhagavat Gita, only those who performed righteous deeds in the former lives are qualified to worship Lord Krishna. There are four types of such beings, categorized by the variations in their virtues. The first one is artto, who are persecuted by diseases. The second one is atharthi, the wealth seekers, who desire for enjoyment in the present life, as well as, their next life. The third being is jijnasuh. They acquire self realization to end the Samsara and death. The last one is jnanis, who have attained Atma tattva or self-realization, capable of knowing the Supreme Lord. If these four categories have performed virtuous things, through the Karma yoga in their former lives, Lord Krishna welcomes them to worship Him. And that too, only if they worship Him with faith and devotion (Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas).
How is Yoga more than just a physical exercise?
In Yoga, the Mokṣha is the key element in the attainment of awakening, salvation and freedom in this life. The Yoga principles, belonging to the Sankhya were the contributions of Patanjali. Many think that Yoga is only a physical exercise, but it is more than that. Yoga means the union of the mind, brain, senses, and the body, and the alignment of the individual with the universe. It is physical, as well as, spiritual. During the Yoga, the awareness rises above the source of thought, and enters Samadhi, which is the unity of the mind, intellect, senses, etc., wherein, the body becomes fully integrated. Many yoga practitioners apply the Transcendental Meditation in their yoga practice, to derive tranquility, consciousness, and appreciation of the life, itself (Yoga).
Works Cited
Das, Jahanav Nitai. “The Concepts of Brahman, Atma, Maya, Karma, and Moksha.” Bhaktivedanta Ashram. BV Ashram.org, November 11, 2005. Web. 27 January 2016.
Valea, Ernest. “The Ultimate Reality in World Religions.” Comparative Religon.com, 2015. Web. 27 January 2016.
Commentaries of the Four Authorized Vaisnava Sampradayas. Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth. Bhagavad-Gita Trust, 1998-2015. Web. 27 January 2016.
Yoga. The Transcendental Meditation Technique and the Journey of Enlightenment. Enlightenment for Everyone, 2016. Web. 27 January 2016.
