The Vedas contain a lot which is neither in Bible or Quran. But probably the most important claim is “Aham Brahmasmi”. It cannot be found in Bible or Quran because it is considered heresy in both Christianity and Islam.
‘Aham Brahmasmi’ is one of the four Mahavakyas (great syaings) from the Upanishads, the last part of the Vedas, and means “I am Brahman”. Another Mahavakya explains what Brahman is: “Prajnanam Brahma”, Brahman is consciousness.
Brahman denotes the Absolute Supreme Consciousness, on which this universe or many universes appear, like a movie on a screen. Only the screen is real, the pictures are transient and have no separate existence. If you try to touch a person in the movie, you will only touch the screen.
Brahman is usually translated as God, though the Abrahamic religions do not have the absolute Oneness level in their belief system. They consider God as a separate entity who has likes and dislikes, more in tune with Devas in Hinduism, though even the Devas are ultimately not separate but one with Brahman. Nothing, absolutely nothing, exists apart from Brahman, according to the Indian Rishis.
Incidentally, modern nuclear physicists also discovered that all is one, however for most of those scientists this oneness is dead, while for the Rishis it is alive and aware. Yet those scientists, who discovered the One behind the many, were praising the Upanishads for giving them direction and explanation for their research results.
Not only Rishis in India, but also a few Christian mystics and Sufis discovered this Oneness due to intense devotion and meditation. They directly experienced that they are one with ‘God’. But claiming to be one with God or Allah is forbidden in Christianity and Islam.
So they were excommunicated and even killed by those who were the guardians of their faiths. Meister Eckehart of the 13th century was charged with heresy and excommunicated and the Persian Sufi Al-Hallaj of the 10th century was killed. Both had realised that they were one with the ultimate truth.
It’s really a pity that the two most powerful religions on earth do not allow any debate on what is true, but rigidly stick to their books. If they would allow a genuine debate, they might realise that the essence in all of us is indeed the same and eternal.
The two other Mahavakyas of the Upanishads point into the same direction: ‘Ayam Atma Brahma’ (this Atman (self) is Brahman and ‘Tat tvam asi’ (You are That). It shows that Oneness of all is central to Hindu Dharma. So Hindu Dharma is truly universal as it does not divide humanity into us, who are saved, versus them, who are eternally damned.
Ultimately, all are saved. It means, all will realise their blissful oneness with the great Brahman, because we are already one with it – like waves are one with the ocean… they just don’t know it yet.
By Maria Wirth
14 Comments
Excellent explanation.
The problem is, no one will believe you from any of the faiths. The problem is majority white washed Hindus won’t believe it either because of their education.
Yes
‘you are already one with it – like waves are one with the ocean…’ A small problem. It is true that the waves are one with the ocean. But waves cannot claim to be Brahman, so long they exist as waves. It is a mistake to say ‘I am Brahman’. One can say I am part of Brahman. Aham Brahmasmi has been greatly misinterpreted by scholars and it has caused much damage to Hinduism. It has developed a sense of false ego in everyone. A jeeva can only merge with Brahman, Once a jeeva merges with Brahman no jeeva or individual self exists, the rishis mentioned this truth in the moment of their realisation of this truth. That doesn’t mean every individual is Brahman.
Very true.
I think it was Mansoor who proclaimed , *Anal Haq* that’s aham brahmani. And he was executed for saying that.
I understand it that the basis or essence in all is the same. But how much comes through an individual depends on how much the ego has gone out of its way and doesn’t block it any longer.
Brahman is ever present yet as long as we feel we are a person, we have to do sadhana to have a chance to realize our oneness.
Such a simple explanation of Advaita Vedanta. Kudos to you!
The main culprit is present day education which only teaches how to earn money rather than how to live spiritually and peacefully. Ruining further to that, our Indian education is discussing more on a few hundred years history than real heritage and legacy of this country, how sad! Maria ji you done your job by blowing the conch, believe me, only very few takers in this World. Nice Maria ji as usual. Keep educating us!
Thank you for the appreciation and the good wishes.
But words don’t just flow like this, I took a few days to write it so clearly.
You are a Rishi – Maria Ji – else, words won’t flow like this from you. Hundreds of people like me would have been inspired by your thoughts. Please continue this great service to humanity. Let Dharma give you power, good health and happiness. The 4 mahavakyas you quoted from Upanishads alone is enough to assure us that we all are ONE. People who don’t believe it want to divide us for their own hidden agenda. This game will go on until all of us realize the TRUTH.
Madam,
The difference between what is already established in quantum science and Vedanta is very small but very significant. Quantum science accepts ‘all is one’ and ‘material is not made of material’. Dr Max Planck, regarded consciousness as “fundamental,” and matter as “derivative from consciousness.” Richard Conn Henry, Johns Hopkins physicist has put it, “Atoms are made out of invisible energy; not tangible matter.” But Vedanta goes further to assert that this very invisible energy is self conscious too. That is a significant difference. That cannot be experimentally found out by science; but it can only be experienced in deep meditation.
I have published a book titled “Hidden Messages in Indian Scriptures” in Amazon as kindle book only two days back. May see the chapter on ‘Vedanta and Quantum Science’. Pl visit: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07XL58DPH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Hidden+Messages+in+Indian+Scriptures&qid=1568200541&s=digital-text&sr=1-1
Prof G R C Nair
Thank y, your book looks very interesting. I went through the write up on Amazon.
Here are some of my thoughts from the angle of a layperson, not scientist. You surely go much deeper.
How can we convince humanity to search for truth and not to depend on blind belief.
https://mariawirthblog.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/blind-spot-of-modern-science/
Check the Mahavakyas of the Upanishads.
Ayam Atma Brahma, means the essence (pure consciousness) in all is the same. Same for Aham Brahmasmi or Tat tvam asi. To know what Brahman is: Prajnanam Brahma.
Please be clear, Brahma is not the Brahma as creator besides Vishnu and Shiva but that what is absolutely true.
Dear brothers, one of the most common misconception in understanding our spiritual identity is coming to a blind conclusion that all are one. Can you kindly give me reference to bagavadgita which verse quotes like that.