Ordinary human existence is a finite experience marked by episodes of pleasure, but these moments of satisfaction are punctuated by periods of pain and change. It is not possible to reach fulfillment from a life within these boundaries, as an attachment to a changing world represents a connection that is tied to non-permanence. In cases of this tie to an erratic, unpredictable reality, we are undercut by the flux of the world, and ultimately made vulnerable by this change, and we cannot experience ultimate fulfillment. To break this free from this cycle of change, we must realize the self as Brahman. It is through this realization that we can achieve unification with the ultimate reality and we can reach fulfillment.
Brahman is the imperishable Self. The nature of Brahman lies within us and within all, but it also lies beyond our understanding. It is “not this, it is not that [this] (neti, neti). It is unseizable, for it cannot be seized; indestructible, for it cannot be destroyed; unattached, for it does not attach itself; is unbound, does not tremble, is not injured…” (Radhakrishnan 88-89). These passages from the Brhadaranyaka Upanishad lead us toward an understanding of Brahman as all that we are, and everything, but also highlights the indescribable nature of the absolute being which is Brahman. Brahman is the source of existence, but it does not exist. Brahman is all, yet nothing. It is impossible for us to describe any singular feature of Brahman because Brahman is not within our relative understanding of what reality is. Brahman is the Self, it is, “in the space within the heart…” (Radhakrishnan 88). Brahman is within and without, “he is your Self (atman), which is in all things…” (Radhakrishnan 83). Brahman is of many for...
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...complete oneness with changelessness and break free of the cyclical reality of the world. We must reject worldly pleasures, knowing that they are only so full of pleasure because of their contrast to other things that are displeasing. We must push past the immediate gratification that we can experience through a life of contrast, and know that there is a difference between the pleasurable and the truly good. The good is the more difficult path, the path of unification with Brahman, but in the end it provides the best path in connection with Brahman. We must embrace knowledge and strive to find our connection with the infinite, and by doing this we can be our true Self as the Brahman and experience eternal and ultimate fulfillment.
Works Cited
Radhakrishnan, S. "Brhadaranyaka Upanishad." Indian Philosophy. Princeton: Princeton
University Press, 1957. 77+. Print.
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