Comprehending Human Existence: A Logical Framework
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| A Grieving Bird |
Philosophical Concepts
- Ātman – the individual soul, a divine spark present in all living beings.
- Brahman – the universal soul, the infinite consciousness that is eternal, unchanging, and the source of all existence.
- Māyā – the illusion that conceals Brahman and causes us to identify with the temporary, changing aspects of existence.
- Punarjanma – the cycle of rebirth, which ensures that life continues beyond a single incarnation.
- Karma – the universal laws of cause and effect that govern the journey of every soul towards ultimate liberation (moksha).
- Samsāra – the cycle of birth, suffering, and death through which all beings pass.
- Moksha – the ultimate liberation from Samsāra, when the soul reunites with Brahman.
- It suggests that the soul is not exclusive to humans—all living beings are animated by this divine essence.
- It implies that relationships and consciousness transcend physical life, reinforcing the idea of rebirth.
- It reveals the interconnectedness of all beings and the workings of Karma guiding each soul’s path toward liberation.
- It makes us aware of Māyā, the illusion that binds us to the fleeting, and hides the eternal.
- It reminds us of Brahman, the unchanging, ever-present reality behind all appearances.
The above text is my Facebook Post from July 19, 2025. You can check out the comments from my readers. In response, I commented:
"I think I owe a detailed writeup to my readers, explaining how these philosophical concepts of Karma, Punarjanma, Samsara, Moksha, Atman, Brahman, Maya ... are interlinked to provide a solid and logical framework for comprehending human existence. Please give me some time."
Interconnectedness Of Concepts
My discussion above touched upon various Hindu philosophical concepts, but their true significance emerges only when their interlinkages are understood. It is through this interconnectedness that we can grasp how these ideas offer a solid and logical framework for comprehending human existence.
Let's explore how this fascinating set of interlinked concepts provide a comprehensive worldview. Here's a breakdown of how these concepts interlink to provide a framework for the existence of life:
Brahman (The Ultimate Reality):
Concept: Brahman is the supreme, ultimate reality in Hinduism. It is the unmanifest, infinite, eternal, and all-pervading essence of the universe. It is beyond all attributes, distinctions, and limitations. It is the source of all existence.
Framework Contribution: Brahman provides the foundation for all existence. It posits that there is a singular, underlying truth or consciousness from which everything originates and to which everything ultimately returns. It answers the fundamental question of what is real?
Atman (The Individual Soul/Self):
Concept: Atman is the individual self or soul, which is believed to be identical with Brahman. It's the eternal, unchanging essence of an individual living being. The core teaching is Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art), meaning your true self (Atman) is Brahman.
Framework Contribution: Atman provides the essence of individual life. It explains that each living being possesses an eternal, conscious core that is divine in nature. This gives inherent value and spiritual significance to every individual life.
Samsara (The Cycle of Rebirth):
Concept: Samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation). It is the phenomenal world of change, impermanence, and suffering, driven by desires and actions.
Framework Contribution: Samsara explains the continuum of existence beyond a single lifetime. It addresses the questions of what happens after death? and why are there differences in life circumstances? It suggests that life isn't a singular event but part of an ongoing journey.
Karma (Action and Consequence):
Concept: Karma (literally "action") is the principle that every action, thought, and word has a corresponding reaction or consequence, whether in this life or future lives. Good actions lead to positive outcomes (good karma), and negative actions lead to adverse outcomes (bad karma). It's a cosmic law of cause and effect.
Framework Contribution: Karma provides the mechanism and moral order within Samsara. It explains how one's actions determine their future experiences and their position within the cycle of rebirth. It gives agency and responsibility to the individual, emphasizing that one shapes their own destiny. It answers why do good or bad things happen to people? and promotes ethical living.
Punarjanma (Rebirth/Reincarnation):
Concept: Punarjanma is the specific manifestation of Samsara – the actual process of being reborn into a new physical body after death. The nature of the new birth (e.g., human, animal, a different realm) is determined by one's accumulated karma.
Framework Contribution: Punarjanma is the practical manifestation of karma within Samsara. It is the concrete expression of the continuous journey of the Atman. It provides a means for the consequences of karma to unfold across lifetimes.
Moksha (Liberation/Salvation):
Concept: Moksha is the ultimate goal in many Indian traditions. It is liberation from the cycle of Samsara, the attainment of true knowledge (Jnana) that one's Atman is Brahman, and the cessation of suffering. It is a state of eternal bliss, freedom, and union with the divine.
Framework Contribution: Moksha provides the ultimate purpose and direction for life. It offers a way out of the suffering inherent in Samsara. It answers the question, what is the goal of human existence? and provides a spiritual aspiration that transcends worldly pursuits.
7. Maya (The Illusion / The Veil of Reality):
- Concept: Maya is often translated as "illusion," but it's more accurately described as the "veiling power" or "creative power" of Brahman. It's what makes the empirical, ever-changing world appear distinct and ultimately real, obscuring the underlying singular reality (Brahman). It's not that the world doesn't exist, but that its perceived independent and ultimate reality is deceptive.
- Framework Contribution: Maya contributes to our entanglement in Samsara by making us believe that the transient, material world and its pleasures are ultimately fulfilling and real. It fuels ignorance (avidya), which in turn leads to desires, attachments, and the performance of Karma that binds us further to the cycle of rebirth. It prevents us from recognizing our true nature.
Logical Framework
How they provide a solid framework for the existence of life:
Meaning and Purpose: These concepts inspire life with profound meaning, suggesting that existence is not random but part of a grand cosmic order with a spiritual purpose – to ultimately realize one's true nature (Atman = Brahman) and attain liberation (Moksha).
Ethical Living: The doctrine of Karma provides a strong ethical framework. It encourages righteous conduct, compassion, and selflessness, as actions have consequences that ripple across lifetimes.
Coping with Suffering: Samsara acknowledges suffering but provides a context for it. It suggests that suffering is a result of past actions and can be overcome through spiritual growth and ethical living.
Transcendence: The concepts of Atman and Brahman offer a sense of transcendence, indicating that there is an eternal, divine aspect to every individual and to the universe itself, beyond the temporary physical form.
Continuity of Consciousness: Punarjanma offers a comforting idea of the continuity of consciousness beyond death, providing a different perspective on mortality.
In essence, these interlinked concepts offer a holistic and profound explanation for the nature of reality, the human condition, the purpose of life, and the path to ultimate freedom and bliss.
Summing Up
This logical framework provides a coherent and logical explanation for the human condition, the nature of suffering, the purpose of life, and the ultimate destiny of the soul within Hindu thought. The key takeaway is that this ancient wisdom, passed down by our rishis, was established millennia before any scientific frameworks existed.
In Hinduism, truth is not something you’re told — it’s something you realize. As the Chāndogya Upanishad declares: “Tat Tvam Asi” – That Thou Art — the truth lies within you to discover.
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