Upanishadic Conception of the Self (Atman) Literature & Language Essay

Upanishadic Conception of the Self (Atman)NameInstitutional AffiliationDateBrihad Aranyaka Upanishid teaches that our kin is not only made of fellow human beings but rather it is an interconnection of other beings. These beings can be bodies, all the worlds, all the gods and all the breaths. In human nature, there is the concept of atman which is used to refer to the ultimate self within a human being. This ultimate self- atman does not exist on its own but it is rather connected to other beings. Atman does not operate on its own but it works with other beings. Atman can be well described as the ‘lord and being of all kings’ (p. 32). Brihad Aranyaka Upanishid also teaches of an atman that cannot be adequately defined. It cannot be compared to anything else therefore making it difficult to accurately define it. Other Indian passages also state that atman is made up of mind, hearing, sight, breath, water and others. Atman is also usually identified with brahman which is the source of all life and root of existence. Atman is also the source of human consciousness and can be defined as consciousness itself. Upanishids teaches that indeed life is a long series of life and death. When people die, they are reformed into a new body.
In relation to human nature, the concept of atman is actually an accurate definition of whom we are. However, we rarely show this accurate definition. In most situations, human beings tend to show the other self, known as ahamkara. Ahamkara is a self within a social environment. We usually manifest this self whenever we are in any social environment and we always strive to preserve it. For instance...