Human Mind Likes Division At Every Level Because Mind Disappears When The Reality Of Oneness Is Understood – Hinduism Teaching
This concept in Hinduism touches on the philosophical understanding of the human mind and its tendencies. Let's expand on this idea with a more detailed explanation.
The Nature of the Human Mind and Division
In Hindu philosophy, especially as taught in Vedanta, the human mind is often described as being naturally inclined towards division and categorization. This inclination can be seen in various ways:
Perception of Duality: The mind tends to perceive the world in terms of dualities – good and bad, pleasure and pain, life and death, up and down, above and below, success and failure. This dualistic thinking is rooted in the mind's nature to differentiate and categorize experiences.
Attachment to Identity: The mind creates a sense of individual identity, distinguishing between 'I' and 'other'. This sense of separation is fundamental to how we navigate and make sense of the world.
Desire for Control and Understanding: By dividing and categorizing, the mind seeks to control and understand its environment. This helps in survival but also reinforces the illusion of separateness.
The Reality of Oneness
In contrast to the mind's divisive nature, many teachings in Hinduism emphasize the ultimate reality of oneness. This concept is most clearly articulated in the Advaita (non-dual) Vedanta tradition:
Brahman: According to Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate reality is Brahman, the infinite and indivisible essence of the universe. Brahman is described as pure consciousness, beyond all distinctions and dualities.
Atman: Atman, or the true Self, is considered to be one with Brahman. The realization of this oneness is the goal of spiritual practice in Advaita Vedanta. It is the understanding that the individual self (jiva) and the universal self (Brahman) are not separate.
Maya: The concept of Maya refers to the illusion of the material world and the apparent divisions within it. Maya creates the appearance of multiplicity and separation, which the mind readily accepts and perpetuates.
The Disappearance of the Mind
When the reality of oneness is deeply understood and experienced, the mind's usual activities of division and categorization cease. This state is described in various ways in Hindu texts:
Turiya: In the Mandukya Upanishad, the state of Turiya is mentioned as the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. It is a state of pure awareness where the distinctions created by the mind dissolve.
Samadhi: In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Samadhi is the state of meditative absorption where the mind becomes still, and the practitioner experiences unity with the object of meditation, eventually leading to the realization of oneness with Brahman.
Jnana: The state of Jnana (knowledge) in Advaita Vedanta is the direct realization of the non-dual nature of reality. This knowledge is not intellectual but experiential, leading to the dissolution of the mind's divisive tendencies.