World of Philosophy

SR No.: 007005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 1002
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 30 MB

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The beauty of the Vedanta Philosophy is that, it shows the way to achieve the spiritual unity of all existence. It tells expansion of one's own individual Consciousness will lead to this unity. In this process first step is : every one should realize that I am spiritual being, my essential nature is spirit, pure consciousness, not just gross body and I am born divine , divinity is inherent in my nature. Second step is to realize that all human beings are divine, they also carry same divine consciousness. God dwells in each human being. So, there is essentially, no difference between myself and other human beings. We are all children of that glorious Supreme Being. Loving others we are loving ourselves and hearting others we are hearting ourselves, because same divinity resides in every one and every thing. The philosophy of Bhagavadgita tells that, the real Philosopher, Seer, is he, who sees all as his own self. Therefore, the Mahabharata, the greatest epic of Indian soil gives us a Golden rule , long before the Rabbinic and Christian era, that
'One should never do that to another which one considers undesirable for oneself' [Atmanah pratikulani paresham na samacaret].The sense of separateness should be given up. This sense of separateness is root cause of conflicts, grief and sorrow. Unity of minds brings peace and calmness mind. The Isha Upanishad, one of the oldest Vedantic texts decries erecting walls of separation between one's Self and other existence by advising us to see one's own Self in all existence and all existence in the Self. Once this spiritual unity is realized, there is no more conflict, hatred, grief and sorrow, peace will prevails within the hearts of every human being. ( Yastu sarvani bhutani atmnieva anupashyati. Sarvabhuteshu ca atmanam tato na vijugupsate). Third step is, realizing that , not only all human beings, but all living beings are divine, divinity is in all living beings. It is the same pure consciousness which flows in all living beings. All living beings are members of one extended family on account of common spirituality. Keeping this great idea of the Vedanta philosophy in mind it is said that 'To the large hearted, entire universe is one family, [Udaracaritanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam ]. Fourth step in this path of spirituality is , realizing that all things in the universe are Divine, because, everything is pervaded by same Divine Supreme Consciousness or God.Vedanta Philosophy again and again tells that expand yourself, your individual consciousness into everything. That brings you limitless happiness, tranquility of mind and peace.
This kind of philosophical approach in life will certainly change the attitude and outlook of the individual. Once this holistic philosophical attitude is developed in a person, and he begins giving expression to it in his mind, thought and action, he will be transformed in to a personality, possessing broader vision and all-pervading feeling of equality with greater love and sympathy towards all. The feeling of unity helps to eliminate or reduce possible causes of conflict between man and man, other living beings and the nature.
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