Brahman and Atman and Their Similarities to Western Culture

Brahman and Atman and Their Similarities to Western Culture

As we have seen throughout the varying religions, each culture although varies in its beliefs, have similar ultimate goals. Hinduism is no different. Their beliefs are somewhat of a mix between Taoism and Buddhism. Their beliefs are very open ended, and they really give complete freedom of worship. There is no one correct way to be a Hindu, and their core beliefs they all share are their dharma, karma, and samsara. The Hindu's beliefs of God are very unique as well. They believe in the spirit of God, but are not against nor oppose other religion's Gods. Their core beliefs in an everlasting spirit fall within what is called Brahman and Atman. Again, this is very similar to other beliefs, as the Brahman represents the universal spirit, while the Atman is a representation of the self. The Brahman is the fabric and destiny of everything in existence, while Atman is your immortal spirit that lives forever. Although we have different beliefs in the western culture, the similarities we share with Brahman and Atman are very clear and present all around us.

At its basic form, we see Brahman and Atman constantly around us, we just call it something else: cause and effect. We are all interwoven in a greater interlocking connection where one action causes an equal and opposite reaction. This is similar to the Butterfly Effect. Any action will cause a string of future reactions that all stem from the connection they share. The idea of the connection between everything is easily relatable to Brahman, while Atman is the individual self within each of those reactions. To take this one step further, the Brahman is what lives in all of us. The Brahman is that power inside us that connects us and challenges us throughout our lives. The Brahman at its core is much harder to see relative to the Atman, as the Atman is your eternal soul.

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