In Hinduism, the concept that a person remains ignorant as long as they feel that God is far away is deeply rooted in the spiritual teachings and philosophies of the tradition. This teaching highlights the importance of understanding and realizing the presence of the divine within oneself and the universe.
Atman and Brahman:
Atman: The individual soul or self.
Brahman: The ultimate reality or world soul.
Hindu philosophy, especially in the Advaita Vedanta
tradition, teaches that Atman (the inner self) and Brahman (the universal soul)
are one and the same. Realizing this oneness is the essence of spiritual
enlightenment.
Ignorance (Avidya):
Avidya is the term used to describe ignorance or the lack of
true knowledge in Hindu philosophy. It is the mistaken belief in the separation
between the self and the divine.
This ignorance is what binds individuals to the cycle of
birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).
Realization (Jnana):
Jnana, or knowledge, refers to the realization of the true
nature of the self as non-different from Brahman.
Enlightenment or liberation (moksha) is achieved when one
realizes that God is not a distant entity but is within oneself and everything
in the universe.
Devotion (Bhakti):
Bhakti Yoga emphasizes loving devotion to God as a path to
realizing God's omnipresence.
Through devotion and surrender, a person can cultivate a
sense of closeness to God, breaking down the perceived barriers of separation.
Scriptural References:
The Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and various other Hindu
scriptures reiterate the idea of the divine presence within. For example, in
the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that he resides in the heart of
all beings (Bhagavad Gita 10:20).
The teaching that a person remains ignorant as long as they
feel God is far away emphasizes the need for spiritual insight to recognize the
omnipresence of the divine. By overcoming ignorance and realizing the presence
of God within, one can achieve true knowledge and spiritual liberation in
Hinduism.