Understanding Indian Vedic Philosophy (Vedanta) — The Fundamental Problem
The starting point for understanding eastern philosophy
Vedanta is made up of 2 Sanskrit words. Veda means knowledge and anta means end. Vedanta is the end of knowledge. Meaning the knowledge of Vedanta provides the answer to the fundamental question of all spiritual pursuits, who are you?
Vedanta solves the problem of self-knowledge. Answering the questions of who you are through the removal of ignorance, centered on yourself, which is caused by insecurity and unhappiness.
You have viewed yourself as limited. Hence you struggle to find security and happiness. Vedanta states that you are not limited.
To know this through self-knowledge sets you free from the struggle.
Other philosophies and religions say you need to act and behave according to a set of prescribed rules and dogmas. That there is a place somewhere you go to when you pass away.
Born Helpless
After nine months of security then you are released into the world. There is a physical separation from your mom. You are unable to walk, communicate, see, or feed yourself. You are helpless and vulnerable.
You are taken care of and physically and mentally you grow.
You learn your name. You develop a sense of being a separate individual.
This sense of you being separate creates a sense of insecurity. Objects are recognized as being outside of yourself. This sense of otherness creates a feeling of fear.
With a new sibling, your mom’s attention and focus are suddenly taken away. This creates a sense of worthlessness.
You now look to gain acceptance from your parents. You do what you think they will like and avoid those behaviors you think they may dislike.
This drive for acceptance is then extended to your school teachers. Over time as you grow you see faults in them and the trust deteriorates.
Your parents are sometimes available and sometimes not. Sometimes they are happy to see you and other times they are not.
As you grow older and the sphere within you move in the world increases. There grows a similar trend in feeling vulnerable and seeing others prioritize their needs over yours, this continues to feed your vulnerability.
You look for those unmet needs from childhood to be met in your adult.
Your prayers to God go continually unanswered.
You judge yourself as a wanting person
Being a self-conscious being you can make a self-judgment. You conclude from your continual craving for support that you are inadequate.
Continual self-assessments are made about others. Judgments on your height, color, clothes, house, skills, etc. Until you get that which is of a similar standard you continue to feel inadequate.
You identify yourself as the physical body and the mind. Your mind experiences different emotions. Intellectually, there are subjects beyond your comprehension. You view yourself as a wanting person.
Become free from being a wanting person
A self-judgment is that I am insignificant and lacking in some way. You are displeased with yourself.
You seek happiness and a sense of completeness by acquiring and enjoying objects in the world. This provides a temporary sense of completeness.
The continual search for security and wholeness is a natural urge that drives behavior.
You are a slave to the efforts to the result of action
The Vedantic scriptures advise on 4 ends of actions:
- Security — actions motivated to gain that which provides food, clothing, shelter, money, relationships, reputation, etc.
- Pleasure — look to satisfy the senses through gratifying taste, sight, touch, smell, and sound.
- Ethical — these are behaviors based on a moral code of conduct. In this instance on the scriptures.
- Enlightenment — is freedom from bondage. Bondage is the notion you are limited in nature.
You undergo suffering in the pursuit of security and enjoyment. When the results come you realized they are limited.
There is an entrapment that comes from the result of actions.
The example from the Veda is that of the silkworm. The silkworm spins the cocoon around itself, not knowing it will be entrapped.
The spiritual seeker acknowledges and sees behind the veil. The starting point is understanding that the self-judgment is that you are lacking and not complete. The question now is this self-judge of being limited, correct?
