HPI 05 - Do it Yourself - Indra’s Search for the Self in the Upanisads
Nov 15, 2015
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Explore the role of gods in Indian philosophy and the search for self. Follow Indra's quest for wisdom and self-discovery in the Upanishad as he questions the limitations of each answer. Discover the challenges of finding the self and different ideas of self as an aware entity behind faculties like smell, speech, hearing, and thinking.
The true self cannot be a reflected image or an entity of dreamless sleep, but is discovered through the phenomenal character of experience.
The self is known indirectly by catching it in the activity of sensing and thinking, highlighting the need for gradual understanding and self-discovery.
Deep dives
The Religious Context of Indian Philosophy
Indian philosophy emerged and was pursued in a religious context, with gods playing a significant role in Upanishads and Mahabharata.
The Quest for Self in the Upanishads
Indra, a prominent god in the Rigveda, embarks on a search for self-discovery. He encounters Prajapati, who offers false explanations of the self, gradually leading Indra to realize that the true self cannot be a reflected image or an entity of dreamless sleep. Ultimately, the self is discovered through the phenomenal character of experience.
The Nature of the Self and its Challenges
The journey to find the self proves to be challenging, as the self is not an object of sensation, mind, or language. Prajapati's hesitant and deceptive approach highlights the need for gradual understanding and self-discovery. The self, as that which underlies thought, speech, and sensation, is known indirectly by catching it in the activity of sensing and thinking.