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Vedanta, one of the most ancient philosophical traditions, offers timeless insights into the nature of consciousness, existence, and the universe. At its core, Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality, or Brahman, is non-dual and all-pervading. It asserts that everything in the universe, including individual selves, is an expression of this singular, boundless consciousness. In this philosophy, the perceived separation between the individual self (Atman) and the universal self (Brahman) is an illusion, known as Maya. This illusion gives rise to the sense of duality, where we mistakenly identify ourselves as separate from the world around us. Vedanta calls upon us to awaken from this illusion and realize our inherent oneness with the universe, where the individual self is not distinct from the cosmic self.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches on consciousness as the eternal and unchanging essence of every being. He explains that the Atman, or self, is neither born nor does it die; it transcends the cycles of birth and death and remains unaffected by time, space, or causality. In Chapter 2, Verse 20, Lord Krishna declares, “The soul is never born, nor does it die; it is unborn, eternal, and imperishable. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed.” This teaching highlights the immutable nature of consciousness, which is distinct from the physical body and mind.
The Upanishads, the crown jewels of Vedic wisdom, illuminate consciousness as the eternal, unchanging reality that underlies all existence. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad states, “Prajnanam Brahma”—Consciousness is Brahman, asserting that the essence of the universe and the self are one. In the Chandogya Upanishad, the profound teaching “Tat Tvam Asi”—That Thou Art—reveals that the individual soul (Atman) is not separate from the infinite consciousness (Brahman). The Mandukya Upanishad deals further into the nature of consciousness through the symbolism of AUM, explaining that consciousness exists in three states: waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, with the fourth state, Turiya, representing the pure, undivided awareness beyond all dualities. This timeless wisdom guides seekers to transcend the illusion of separateness (Maya) and recognize their unity with the infinite, unveiling the ultimate truth of existence.
The Drg Drishya Viveka, a revered text in Advaita Vedanta, provides an important analysis of consciousness by distinguishing the “seer” (Drg) from the “seen” (Drishya). It establishes that the physical body, senses, min, and intellect—all subject to change—are objects of perception and hence part of the “seen.” The true seer is the Witness of Atman, the pure consciousness that remains unchanging eternal, and self-luminous. This consciousness is distinct from the body-mind complex and is the ultimate witness of all experiences. The text asserts that by discerning the seer from the seen through inquiry and detachment, one can realize the non-dual nature of reality, where the seer and the infinite consciousness (Brahman) are one and the same.