Introduction to Universal Kinship
“The world is a community of kinship.” This poetic quote captures the essence of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual philosophy we will be exploring together. To truly understand this statement, we must first comprehend that our true Self, Atman, is the same as the ultimate reality, Brahman. There is no separation between us. However, we have lost sight of this truth, caught in the spell of Maya, the illusion of multiplicity.
Understanding Non-Duality: We Are All One
Advaita Vedanta teaches that our true essence, Atman, is the same as the ultimate reality, Brahman. There is no separation. This principle echoes the idea of universal kinship—we fundamentally belong to each other. The Mahavakya “Tat Tvam Asi” encapsulates this teaching: “You are that.” Unity amidst perceived diversity.
Through skillful analogies and reasoning, I will unpack the philosophy behind this non-dual perspective. We will question the idea that we are small isolated selves, separate from the world and each other. And we will explore what happens when this illusion falls away.
To set the stage, imagine you are sitting with me in a quiet garden as we discuss timeless truths. Feel the warmth of the sun and smell the sweet flowers as we delve into this journey of unity and interconnectedness.
Now to begin..
The Mind’s Dance of Duality
Our mind, Manas, constantly whirls in dualistic perceptions – self/other, good/bad, right/wrong. It is supported in this dance by other facets like Buddhi (intellect), Chitta (memory) and Ahamkara (ego), together veiling our intrinsic unity.
The Dance of Maya: The Grand Illusion
In Advaita, the division between self and other is considered Maya, an elaborate illusion spun by the mind. Think of it as an intricate dance or play. When we forget we are the audience, we get lost in the drama, forgetting that the actors are all part of the same troupe.
Yet, there are clues. Moments when the curtain lifts and we recognize a familiar face in a stranger or feel at home in a foreign land. Signs we are part of one interconnected whole. I will share teachings, stories and experiences to help us see through this magical display and remember who we really are.
‘Balance’ through Vedic Psychology: The Mind and Universal Connection
Vedic psychology, intertwined with Vedantic philosophy, offers insights into the mind’s dynamics which veil our true nature. Understanding these components is pivotal in realizing our interconnectedness with the cosmos, guiding us to transcend individual ego and embrace universal kinship.
Cultivating Trust and Embracing Change
A genuine embrace of non-duality requires trust—not blind faith, but an openness and willingness to expand one’s sense of self to include the whole of life. This process also calls us to courageously examine long-held assumptions about who we are.
‘Trust’ and Kinship on the Path
Here Shraddha becomes key – not a blind belief but an intuitive trust in one’s experience of connection. This conviction fuels the perseverant practice of Tapas. By learning to trust the intrinsic kinship underneath illusion, unity is revealed.
‘Perseverance’ in Realizing Kinship
Tapas is a fiery discipline, a willingness to burn through obstinate habits of isolation and fragmentation. Every act of letting go reawakens us to the unity underlying diversity, until a steadfast remembrance remains: the world is truly a community of kinship.
Integrating Insight into Daily Living
For this knowledge to truly take root, it must permeate our moment-to-moment living. Along our journey, (maybe in the next articles) I will share practical guidance for integrating non-dual insight into everyday experiences. These are lived experiences that I am using to what I am terming ‘guidance’ but which truly is nothing that you already do not know. I am just waking it up by making you see through the illusion of separateness in actual life situations. This is the way we honor and give power to this ancient teaching and realize it as living ‘reality.’
Meditation and Self-Inquiry: Paths to Oneness
What I have learnt over the years is that as self-inquiry matures, we unconciously ignite the fire of conciousness within us that integrates ‘the truth’ into our daily living. We learn to balance our individual needs with those of others, knowing their well-being is our own. Hardship becomes opportunity to embody Oneness through compassion. Joy is multiplied when shared without separation.
Slowly, through devoted practice, the mind-wall crumbles. Subject and object dissolve into one taste, like rivers merging into the sea. Now whatever we perceive – be it Earth’s beauty or humankind’s sorrow – it sparks recognition: This too is part of my Self.
As this real-ization crystallizes, the question arises – how shall we live with open hands and tender heart to serve this WORLD COMMUNITY OF KINSHIP?
That’s where we come into contact with the concept of what I like to call the ‘Nourishing the beehive of the Unified Field of Existence with the honey called Adviata Vedanta.’ But how exactly do we do that? We learn from the masters –
“Yogaḥ Karmasu Kauśalam” proclaims the Bhagavad Gita – “Yoga is skillfulness in action”. Through Karma Yoga, we serve the unified Field of Consciousness skillfully, nourished by self-inquiry.
As Adi Shankaracharya declares in Vivekachudamani:
“अर्थं तत्त्वजिज्ञासाय नित्यं संशयच्छेदनम्।
अत्मविवेचनं कुर्यात् सततं विवेकरत:॥
Arthaṃ tattvajijñāsāya nityaṃ saṃśayacchedanam |
Atmavivecanaṃ kuryāt satataṃ vivekarataḥ ||
For the sake of realization, doubt must be nurtured constantly through which we understand. Wise people practice intense self-inquiry to understand. (Without ‘the doubt’ anymore, but lived experience).”
In meditative stillness, we inquire “Who is serving? Who is served?” This Atma Vichara investigates the one called “I”, questioning notions of individuality. Like waves understanding their water-nature, we recognize our shared essence with all forms.
In Dakshinamurthy Stotram, Adi Shankara describes the inner Guru revealing this wisdom through eloquent silence:
बाल्यादिष्वपि जाग्रदादिषु तथा सर्वास्ववस्थास्वपि
व्यावृत्तास्वनुवर्तमानमहमित्यन्तः स्फुरन्तं सदा ।
स्वात्मानं प्रकटीकरोति भजतां यो मुद्रयाभद्रया
तस्मै श्रीगुरुमूर्तये नम इदं श्रीदक्षिणामूर्तये ॥७॥
Baalya-Adissv(u)-Api Jaagrad-Aadissu Tathaa Sarvaasv[u]-Avasthaasv[u]-Api
Vyaavrttaasv[u]-Anu-Vartamaanam-Aham-Ity[i]-Antah Sphurantam Sadaa |
Sva-[A]atmaanam Prakattii-Karoti Bhajataam Yo Mudrayaa-Bhadrayaa
Tasmai Shrii-Guru-Muurtaye Nama Idam Shrii-Dakssinnaamuurtaye ||7||
Meaning:
7.1: During Boyhood and Other stages of Life (Youth, Old age etc), during Waking and Other states (Dreaming, Deep Sleep, Turiya etc) and Similarly in All Conditions …
7.2: … the Atman Always Shines as the “I” Within, Free from All Conditions but at the same time Present in All Conditions,
7.3: The Inner Guru Tattwa Awakens this Knowledge of One’s Own Atman to those who Surrender to ‘Him;’ (the outer – available guru). This Knowledge which is represented by the Auspicious Cin-Mudra,
7.4: Salutations to Him, the Personification of Our Inner Guru Who Awakens The Knowledge of ‘that’ through His Profound Silence; Salutation to Sri Dakshinamurthy.
Here lies our unity – the shared child-like wonder arising from awakened inner silence, beyond individual identity. Serving this wholeheartedly, we nurture all beings.
Through meditation (Dhyana) and self-inquiry (Atma Vichara), we quiet the mind and question our individual identity. This practice deepens our understanding of the world as a community of kinship, revealing our inherent unity with the Absolute.
That is just the tip of the ice-berg. Many such practices exist and I hope to explore them in the future. But coming back to the point at hand:
Nourishing the Unified Field of Existence
Slowly, through devoted practice, the mind-wall crumbles. As Adi Shankaracharya declares, “The wise practice intense self-inquiry.” By inquiring “Who is serving? Who is served?”, we recognize our shared essence with all forms. Advaita teaches us to navigate life’s dualities with equanimity and not just equality.
Serving the ‘Guru’ in both forms internal and external wholeheartedly, we arrive at the realization that to balance our individual needs with those of others, knowing their well-being as our own is the key. Hardship becomes opportunity to embody Oneness through compassion. Joy is multiplied when shared without separation, as we tend the unified Field of Consciousness.
Continuing the Journey
As the journey continues, words spark remembering yet integrating Advaita Vedanta requires tasting the nectar our ancestors celebrated – no difference between self and the other…Consciousness dancing in endless forms as this community of kinship.
Through gradual surrender, we return to peace that passes understanding.
In my next article, I shall try and venture deeper into the oceanic depths of the nectar that is advaita vedanta the skillful art of fighting maya while nourishing all manifestations of the One and embracing oneness.
For those of you keen on what to expect next in this series, these are the possible directions I would like to take it –
1. I will be sharing my personal examples and stories, which describe specific situations from my own experience where Advaita teachings helped me navigate challenges in life and enhanced my wellbeing. I would try to share the most relatable stories that may connect with you readers and show real-life application.
2. I would may be post snippets from interviewing others that just don’t talk the talk, but walk the walk. I plan to ask them about the integration challenges and successes, practical tools they use, changes over time, which will help us all gain additional perspectives on the same core concept.
3. I would also like to create a minor spinoff “Advaita lens” series analyzing common scenarios. The scenarios I would like to explore may include relationships, (between spouses, siblings, business partners, etc.) Even everyday things and practices like nature walks, driving in traffic, preparing food etc. In this spinoff series, I would like to break down how non-duality shifts perception and our response to the same where I would be comparing and contrasting Advaita vs mainstream approaches.
4. I would like to outline step-by-step guides/templates. For example, I would like to create a guided meditation with non-dual awareness for beginners. Or a daily life self-inquiry process focused on disidentifying from false narratives to reveal true nature. For the same I plan on including props/reminders.
5. I would be writing on rituals and home/altar design principles based on Advaitic unity. I would like to create an environment to reinforce teachings.
6. I also would like to talk about ‘Family/parenting advice’ that integrates Advaita, to raise connected and conscious kids. I hope that helps our future – the kids, overcome societal conditioning from a young age. (I would maybe include a few real life-experiences from my Vedic Psychology practice that I have done as a licensed psychologist.)
7. I plan on writing articles that build a constructive Advaita perspective on current affair issues such as Social justice, Feminism, Gender Studies, Environmental Sustainability etc.
8. I would 100% be sprinkling all of these articles with quotes, poems, chants and everything that comes to my mind as a vidyarthi and sadhaka of Advaita.
Overall if I could inspire one piece of media for continual contemplation of Advaitic wisdom and integrating it consciously into one’s life, I would consider all my effort to have fruitioned.
Conclusion:
Advaita Vedanta offers a path from the illusion of separation into the blissful realization of our interconnected nature. Together, through balance, trust and perseverance, may we embody what the inner Guru is hoping for – recognizing the threads of unity that weave this World Community of Kinship by surrendering to the Guru we have outside.
Offering this to the charana aravinda of all my Gurus (not teachers) outside.
Om Tat Sat Om!