What is Brahman?
ब्रह्मन् (Brahman) — The Absolute / Supreme Reality
Deep Understanding
Brahman is the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality in the universe. In major schools of Hindu philosophy, it is the material, efficient, formal and final cause of all that exists. It is the pervasive, infinite, eternal truth and bliss which does not change, yet is the cause of all changes.
The nature of Brahman and its relationship with the individual soul (Atman) and the physical world is the central subject of the Upanishads and the primary point of debate among the Vedanta sub-schools.
Core Principles
- 1Sat-Chit-Ananda: Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss Absolute
- 2Nirguna Brahman: The Absolute without qualities or form
- 3Saguna Brahman: The Absolute with qualities, often worshipped as God (Ishvara)
- 4The underlying thread of unity in diverse existence
In Practice
Meditation on Brahman aims at shifting one's identification from the limited ego to the universal consciousness. Devotion (Bhakti) often focuses on Saguna Brahman, while Knowledge (Jnana) tends to focus on Nirguna Brahman.
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