D - Upanishads

• Apara knowledge


  Material objects and rituals
• Para knowledge


  True self and ultimate reality
• Both forms of knowledge are important


  However, para knowledge leads to moksha and enlightenment
• External knowledge


  Less important than experiential knowledge of the oneness of God
• Guru / disciple relationships

  Chela = disciple
• Guru / disciple relationships


  • Required for experiential nature of jnana
  • Stress given to idea that only living teacher can impart this knowledge
  • Purpose is to fully elevate students' state of being towards higher knowledge
• Guru / disciple relationships

  • E.g. salt in water
• Katha upanishad


  Story of Yama + Nachiketa
• Self-realisation


  • Most important step for moksha
  • Requires guru
  • Requires renunciation of earthly things
• Sense control


  • Dangers of worldly pleasures
  • Should ignore maya and focus on ideal life
• All this is Brahman - spark of Brahman in every being, self is indivisible from God
• Nature of God


  • Apophatic = can only be described through negation
  • Impersonal, with no attributes
  • Understood through introspection
• Brahman + Atman


  • Jiva atman = lower self
  • Para atman = higher self
  • Equally part of Brahma, but one is embodied and caught up in the sense world