What is reality? Who am I? These profound questions reach beyond mere intellectual curiosity, calling us into a deeper realm of reflection and introspection. In our fast-paced, material-driven world, we are often so consumed by external pursuits that we overlook the most essential exploration—our own existence. Though these questions may arise in fleeting moments, we seldom pause to genuinely contemplate them, allowing life's demands to draw us away from our inner nature.
Ancient wisdom suggests that we emerge from sat-chit-ananda—truth, consciousness, and bliss—an indivisible unity, or Brahman. Sri Aurobindo describes matter as emerging from an involution of Brahman, with life and mind evolving from this divine source. Kashmiri Shaivism teaches that we are composed of 36 elements, of which the foundational five, known as shuddha tattvas (pure elements), represent divine consciousness (Shiva/Shakti). These shuddha tattvas embody purity and divine awareness. However, as creation unfolds, it also gives rise to ashuddha tattvas—elements mixed with impurities or limitations. These impure elements make up the ego-bound aspects of existence, immersing us in the duality, attachment, and suffering of the material world. Yet, as we evolve and transcend, we begin to view these material aspects through the lens of our higher, divine dimension.
Our origin is divinity, and our journey is to rediscover that divinity within, striving for unity with the divine. Yet in a world influenced by ashuddha tattvas, our purpose often becomes obscured, overshadowed by our struggles with the external.
Vedanta reminds us, “You are Atman, an integral part of Brahman.” The Chandogya Upanishad affirms this with Tat Tvam Asi—“You are That.” This wisdom resonates across diverse traditions: in Buddhism, Tvameva Bhava (You are the truth); in Christianity, “I am in the Father, and the Father is in me”; in Islam, “Whoever knows himself, knows God” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad); in Taoism, “The Tao is within you”; in Sufism, “You are the universe, and the universe is you” (Rumi); in Jainism, “The soul is the ultimate reality” (Tattvartha Sutra); and in Confucianism, “The superior man seeks the truth within himself.” These insights reflect a universal truth, beautifully captured in the phrase Ekam Sat, Vipra Bahudha Vadanti—“Truth is One; the wise call it by many names.”
Sadly, religious divisions and an overemphasis on rituals often lead us away from this shared essence, making us forget that all traditions convey a common truth. Our true self holds the key to understanding interconnectedness and oneness—our natural state. At our core, we are spiritual beings navigating a physical existence. Our purpose is to evolve from the divine essence embedded in matter, moving from bodily awareness toward the higher consciousness of sat-chit-ananda.
When we become aware of our divine essence, we gain the potential to engage with the world meaningfully. Recognizing our divine nature empowers us to live with compassion and love, opening the path to a blissful existence. Greed and hatred gradually give way to a spirit of brotherhood (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), as we begin to see ourselves as interconnected parts of a greater whole. By turning inward and exploring our consciousness, we realize that we are all expressions of the same cosmic essence. In this recognition, divisions dissolve, and unity and harmony become our lived reality.
Rediscovering our innermost self brings a profound realization: we are not separate but integral parts of the divine. This awareness fosters inner peace and harmony, making compassion and empathy our guiding principles. We begin to see the world as a harmonious whole, united in its diversity.
Reflection and contemplation on this aspect inspire new insights on our journey of self-discovery, guiding us toward the realization that we are all interconnected elements of the same divine essence.
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