Introduction
The philosophical and religious beliefs enable people to arrange their lives in certain ways and ultimately shape their vision of various phenomena. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, and it possesses numerous insightful concepts which, to this day, influence the way millions of people perceive the reality around them. Moreover, certain concepts promoted by Hinduism can actually be applied in different spheres and can help people to embrace a more reasonable approach toward certain matters. One of the most interesting ideas found in Hinduism is the dynamics between brahman and atman and the perception of them as one whole. The concept of brahman-atman can serve as a foundation for a more progressive view of the relationship between people and the environment and educate individuals on the need to avoid espousing a human-centered approach when addressing nature.
Main Body
It is first important to explore the concepts of brahman and atman separately and then establish a link between them. In Hinduism, brahman refers to a fundamental principle of nonduality, which postulates that there is only one reality (Dalal, 2021). Therefore, brahman is the term which describes the reality serving as the foundation for the entire existence, which transcends any individuality and plurality. It is possible to state that brahman can be understood as the source of the universe and a so-called cosmic soul. Brahman is the spirit which is pervasive, and it exists in all elements which are in existence, and simultaneously all objects in the universe, including people and animals, are part of brahman. At the same time, it is essential not to view brahman as God or a certain being. Instead, brahman does not have a representation since it constitutes an entire reality which is also ultimate. Many Hinduist scholars consider it impossible for humans to comprehend the concept of brahman fully (Dalal, 2021). Thus, brahman can be called a divine reality and source of everything what exists.
Atman is a concept which is also extensively utilized in Hinduism and constitutes a vital part of the religion’s philosophy. Specifically, atman can be directly translated as “self,” and it constitutes the essence of individuals and the psychophysical complex consisting of the mind, senses, and body (Chadha, 2022). At the same time, there is a debate among scholars on whether the body should be included in atman. Moreover, atman is also often translated as or called soul rather than self, which makes it easier to understand the concept. Atman can be viewed as the essence of a person, and every individual should aspire to gain knowledge of their atman. Atman is a collection of experiences which are separated from mental and physical states. Moreover, atman plays the role of the foundation of human consciousness, and it is eternal. Additionally, the key aspect of atman is that it is present in every object in the universe. Therefore, since people and animals possess atman, they can be reincarnated as any other object also having atman, including as stones.
The concepts of brahman and atman are interconnected and, in fact, are equated with each other in Hinduism. In other words, the essential core of atman, or a person’s self, is brahman, the ultimate reality (Black, n.d.). Such a relationship is similar to that of the ocean and a drop of water, namely, the latter and the former constitute one whole entity. Brahman is viewed as the universal soul, while atman is considered the individual soul, which simultaneously constitutes a sign of the universal soul. Thus, in Hinduism, the goal of every person is to achieve the universal soul through their atman. Specifically, the person needs to recognize the unity between brahman and atman to reach salvation. Thus, since brahman and atman are one, every being and object in the universe, including humans, possess infinite characteristics. Essentially, every sentient and non-sentient have the brahman-atman component and are part of the universe which is made of the same chemical materials. By recognizing the relationship of brahman and atman, it becomes apparent that all objects in the universe are ontologically equal.
The topic of brahman and atman and, namely, their relationship fascinates me because it offers a chance to view the world in an unorthodox manner and especially the human approach to nature and the environment. Essentially, the perception of all elements in the world, despite being sentient or non-sentient, as having their souls is exciting and hard to grasp at first. Moreover, the concept of brahman and atman shows that every object in the universe is part of the universe possessing the same fundamental elements as any other object. Thus, learning about the brahman and atman concepts enabled me to challenge my worldview and gain an insight into a completely different philosophy. The brahman and atman are concepts which can help people to change their mindset and to reorganize the way they see other beings and their personal place in the universe.
In order to lead one’s life in accordance with the Hinduist philosophy and, namely, the concepts of brahman and atman, the person needs to recognize the principles of absolute unity and equality. Specifically, by considering atman, a person will be able to understand that they and every being in the universe have their soul, which is eternal. Additionally, by recognizing the existence of brahman, a person will perceive their soul as being a part of the large universe. Moreover, by bringing together the two concepts, the person will be able to comprehend that their individual soul is the same as the universal soul. Such a worldview will mean living one’s life free of any attempts to hurt other beings. In other words, the person who recognizes brahman and atman aspires to maintain balance and harmony with the external world by highlighting their unity with the universe and equality with all objects in it.
Personally, I am not religious, yet my worldview is shaped by the Cristian philosophy, which implies having an anthropocentric approach. Essentially, normally, I place people at the center of the world and do not consider the needs of other beings, such as animals, as important as humans. Such a philosophy is shaped by the Christian belief that people are the masters since they were made in the image of God and therefore must rule over animals and the environment. The Hinduist approach and especially the concepts of brahman and atman propose the opposite perspective. Specifically, they postulate that people are not superior to other beings, and after their death, through the process of reincarnation, their souls may enter the body of an animal. Thus, the Hinduist worldview is not anthropocentric, unlike the one espoused by me.
At the same time, despite the fact that I do not consider myself a Hinduist, the two aforementioned concepts can be useful in the promotion of a more eco-centric perspective as opposed to an anthropocentric one. It is clear that the issues of climate change and environmental pollution are, to a large extent, a result of the human-centered approach espoused by people over the recent centuries. The discovery and the recognition of the brahman and atman concepts as important may encourage people to embrace a more eco-centric worldview. Essentially, the one implies respecting the needs of nature, animals, and the environment in general. In other words, by committing to the idea that all objects in the universe possess brahman and atman, people will be able to understand that all beings are important in existence.
Conclusion
The concepts of brahman and atman and the idea that they are the same can enable people to reverse a negative trend in terms of environmental changes and promote a more eco-centered philosophy. Brahman refers to the reality which constitutes the ground of the whole existence and the soul of the universe. Atman is the essence of a being which acts as the foundation of consciousness, and it is eternal. In Hinduism, many scholars equate these two concepts because atman is viewed as an individual soul, which is also a sign of the universal soul. The understanding of the two concepts can enable people to understand the idea that every being, both sentient and non-sentient, is equal to them and deserves to be respected.
References
Black, B. (n.d.). The Upaniṣads. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.
Chadha, M. (2022). Personhood in classical Indian philosophy. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.
Dalal, N. (2021). Śaṅkara. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.