What is Brahman?

[wizanda]

This is complete and utter nonsense.

I'll take that as a revenge post, for me saying what you quoted from wikipedia was stupid.

In Hindu thinking the reality goes through renewal, within that how do we know that the end, isn't the beginning?.... We don't! So it is entirely likely that one day we create a singularity, that then becomes Brahaman. They've even made a film with this as a similar concept Transcendence.

Plus before you ask, yes I'm giving you a film guide to understanding the reality.

 

[metis]

Individuals, depending on background, have varying definitions, or views of the uniquely Hindu concept of Brahman. Even within Hinduism, these views vary. For me it is God, both Saguna Brahman, and Nirguna Brahman.

I still don't see what there is to debate, unless people want to opine that their particular view or definition they use is more correct that everyone else's.I'm fine with anyone having an opinion. For someone attempting to figure it out, in their search, I suppose this thread might be useful.

I repost this from you because it is well worth repeating.

 

[Aupmanyav]

So, you believe Brahman is divine?

Brahman is all that makes up this universe, humans, animals, vegetation, and non-living substances. Will you consider yourself to be divine?

..we can say babies are in that state breast feeding, it doesn't make them Brahman.

Well, for an advaitist, babies, young, adults, and elderly; of humans, deer, lions, crocs; all are Brahman. Advaita does not brook differences.

 

[Vinayaka]

It is also true that if one acknowledges/asserts having never had such experience, then one is also necessarily acknowledging/asserting that in their current state they may be in no position to determine who has experienced /is experiencing authentic transcendent self-realisation, which we refer to in language in various ways, be it brahman, turiya, grace, or sahaja.

I find this view helpful and humbling.

Not so sure about this. Even though we haven't got direct experience, we may still have the ability to sense who may have. Humans have the ability to sense a lot of things, especially when in the physical presence of someone, be it their mood, their darshan, their guilt riddled subconscious, or whatever else may be occurring in that moment.

If what you say is true, then there would be no guru-sishya relationships.

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. it makes a lot of sense that we might be inside a giant computer system.

We are not in a computer system, but the our brains are heavily conditioned by the limitations of our senses. That makes us take what is not true as the truth (that we call as 'maya'). The conditioning can be reversed and the truth can be seen, but it requires some effort.

 

[apophenia]

Brahman is all that makes up this universe, humans, animals, vegetation, and non-living substances. Will you consider yourself to be divine?

Is that a request ?

In relation to Brahman and creatures like us, Gita 9.4 , 12.5 , 15.7 make a nice garland. They seem to address this nicely, and meld some of the aspects of this thread.

If you would comment on any or all of those slokas, I would be delighted.

 

[wizanda]

We are not in a computer system

How can you prove we are not?

 

[Aupmanyav]

I see it as one of the God's name which is rahman, which means the merciful one

But friend, the Hindu Brahman is uninvolved. Properties like mercy or cruelty cannot be ascribed to it.

 

[Aupmanyav]

How can you prove we are not?

Of course, one can imagine anything. Is the computer operated by the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

 

[Aupmanyav]

Is that a request ?

In relation to Brahman and creatures like us, Gita 9.4 , 12.5 , 15.7 make a nice garland. They seem to address this nicely, and meld some of the aspects of this thread.

If you would comment on any or all of those slokas, I would be delighted.

No, that is a simple question. I will leave the verses at the moment. But tell me if you or Gambit consider yourself to be divine?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

How can you prove we are not?

It doesn't keep crashing, for a start.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Is the computer operated by the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Mine is.

 

[wizanda]

Of course, one can imagine anything. Is the computer operated by the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Multiple scientists are putting forth the idea, that we maybe are within a holographic universe. Brahman is the CPU and possible operator according to the texts.

 

[apophenia]

It is also true that if one acknowledges/asserts having never had such experience, then one is also necessarily acknowledging/asserting that in their current state they may be in no position to determine who has experienced /is experiencing authentic transcendent self-realisation, which we refer to in language in various ways, be it brahman, turiya, grace, or sahaja.

I find this view helpful and humbling.

If what you say is true, then there would be no guru-sishya relationships.

I did say " in their current state they may be in no position to determine who has experienced /is experiencing authentic transcendent self-realisation"

Actually, there are those who may believe or hope they are in such a relationship, but are not.
Also,there are those who may believe or hope they are in such a relationship, and are.

I do respect the fact that an open-eyed and honest student will recognise when they are in the company of someone with something to teach them. And a good teacher will only spend time with such a student.

 

[Aupmanyav]

.. are those names basically the same meaning, or slightly different ?

Different meanings. I think Qur'an gives 99 names of Allah.

 

[apophenia]

No, that is a simple question. I will leave the verses at the moment. But tell me if you or Gambit consider yourself to be divine?

Of course not. I am a human.

I can't speak for Gambit.

 

[apophenia]

Different meanings. I think Qur'an gives 99 names of Allah.

Yes. I had mistakenly thought Bismillah was one of them.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Somewhere between 1700 BCE and 1200 BCE, the Aryan People descended from the Khyber pass and invaded India.

I would not take all the points you have in the message, because they are religious trash. However, please note that Aryans were very well settled in the valley of River Saraswati which went dry around 1,900 BC due to tectonic upheaval. The area was known as Saraswat Pradesh/Brahmavarta/Aryavarta. Secondly, the Aryan immigrants never fought with the indigenous people, there is no mention of such a war in any of the Vedas. Aryan ways and Gods, except for Vishnu and Saraswati were consigned to secondary positions, and the indigenous continued worshiping their Gods and Goddesses (Shiva, Shakti, Rama, Krishna, etc.).

 

[Goblin]

monad. one essence that all is simply a variation. it varies based on philisophical school. but most would consider it the pantheistic impersonal God or absolute reality taking its place as the highest divine in the hindu pantheon

 

[Vinayaka]

I did say " in their current state they may be in no position to determine who has experienced /is experiencing authentic transcendent self-realisation"

Yes, I caught the 'may' and we agree. The question of legitimate teacher, and how to tell may be the subject of another thread.