The Upanishads are the core teachings of Yoga and Vedanta, holding the essence of the Vedas as the way of Self-realization, unification with the Self of all beings and of the entire universe and all existence (Brahman).
The Upanishads are said to be the essence of the Vedas and are often regard as explaining the main teachings of Yoga, Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma.
NOTE OUR NEW WEBINAR ON THE UPANISHADS, JULY 26 WITH OPEN SPACEYOGA.
https://www.yogaopenspace.com/event-details/upanishadic-key-to-yoga-and-self-realization
We will examine the key teachings of the Upanishads, notably the four of the great sayings of the Upanishads, which we teach in detail in our courses and webinars.
1. Aham Brahmasmi–I am Brahman
The Upanishads teach that your inmost Self (Atman) is the Self of the entire universe and all existence (Brahman), the ultimate I AM as I AM ALL and all the universe dwells within me. This is not the ego-self or the self of identification with body and mind. It is the core of your inner Consciousness that you are born with and that will leave the body at death. It endures behind waking, dream and deep sleep. When we affirm that we are the Self of all beings this helps set in motion that universal Self-awareness within us as our abiding understanding of who we really are and its connection with all.
2. Ayam Atma Brahman–This Self is Brahman.
This I or Aham is the Self (Atman) of all beings and the I behind the I when we let go of our identification with body and mind. As reincarnating beings it is called the Jivatman or the individual Self behind body and mind. Here we confirm that our individual Self or Atman is one with the Supreme and Universal Self (Paramatman) that is one with Brahman.
3. Tat TvamAsi–Thou art That
The Self is what you are. You are That referring to the Univers and Cosmic Being at an embodied or personal. Just as the I behind the I is the Aham/Atman, similarly the you beyond the you is that same Self in all, which Thou, honoring the Self in the other as well as in yourself.
4.Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma–Everything is Brahman
Having identified the Self with all, we recognize that the Universe is a single Being, Consciousness and Bliss (Sat-chit-Ananda). Even what we consider to be in animate or lifeless is pervaded by that Supreme Brahman and Atman.
5. Purusha—The Cosmic Person
Purusha meaning the Cosmic Person, the subject, the seer and the knower is another important Vedic and Upanishadic term to consider here. The goal of Yoga as in the Yoga Sutras is the realization of the Purusha or the Seer or all behind and beyond all the vrittis or movements of the mind.
The Vedas say that Purushevedam Sarvam, the Purusha is everything, what has been, what is and what is to be. We as individual minds are meant to be the embodiment of that Cosmc Person, the universal being, at an individual level.
Author/Teacher –Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)
Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) is a Yogacharya and Vedacharya, who has written extensively on the Vedas and Upanishads over the last forty years and received the highest awards of the Indian govt,, notably Padma Bhushan. He brings these profound Upanishadic teachings to life uniting the wisdom of the ancient Rishis with the insights necessary to enlighten humanity today.
