The Priority of Self and Neighbors Connected in Christianity and Hinduism
Question: Eastern and Western religions appeared opposed in many ways. How can we relate their “core” beliefs, especially regarding concepts of God and self?
Let’s compare and expand upon a pithy statement of Jesus, ‘to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and likewise our neighbors as our self.’ This is the priority of life. Everything else needs to align with these priorities. The earliest Rig Veda in Hinduism expands upon the concept God (omni-potently understood as Brahman) connected with the Atman, the real “self.”
“Wow! Awesome! These two profoundly foundational statements of Christianity and Hinduism are very similar. I am very thankful for these clarifications direction to my life. Let’s understand more.”
Imagine for a moment that we are back in 1054AD, gazing in amazement at a bright “new” star appearing in the sky. This supernova occurs in the constellation of Taurus (just above the easy to find constellation Orion). Many people would gaze at this new stars, relate the radiance to God and feel the power inside. Likewise, we can sense God, feelings so close and intimate this feels like part of ourselves. We can all gaze into a bright light, as if connected by a “new star.” As if synergistically connected inside, we can all feel one with the power. We are all connected as we look to the star with hopes and prayers for a better life.
The Crab Supernova was seen throughout the world. This image is adapted from a Chaco Canyon rock painting. The “new star” was comparable to the moon and outstretched hand.
The concept to “love neighbors as the self” is further clarified in Buddhism that considers all of existence as interdependent consciousness/energy. Hopefully more of us will awake to the “fact” we are all connected as humans. If we hurt or kill people (or sit idly by while it happens) we are doing this to our “Self.” We are connected. Let’s realize this profound reality.
We can realize love for God and neighbors as the Self. Go, reach towards the height, the light, the radiant brilliance. Yes, we can reach higher. Motivate the self with priorities in life.
In your anger, do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD.
Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’ Let the light of your face shine upon us O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy … (Psalms 4:4-7)
Again, see from above. Recognize priorities. Lift above day to day problems. Perceive the larger picture. Let go of attaching thoughts and feelings to negative emotions and distractions.
In the New Testament is Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. This quote concerns Christ and how to realize our connection to Christ.
Surely you heard of him (Christ) and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4: 21-24)
Let’s finish with an intellectual, philosophical discourse that expanded on the Vedic hymns. Here, one of the ten main Upanishads is elaborating on the Atman as the “Supreme Self.”
As birds resort to a tree for a resting-place, even so, O friend, it is to the supreme Self (Atman) that everything here resorts: Earth and the elements of earth, water, and the elements of water, heat and the elements of heat, wind and the elements of wind, space and the elements of space, sight and what can be seen, hearing and what can be heard, smell and what can be smelled, taste and what can be tasted, the skin and what can be touched, speech and what can be spoken, the hands and what can be taken, the organ of generation and what can be enjoyed, the anus and what can be excreted, the feet and what can be walked, mind (manas) and what can be perceived, intellect (buddhi) and what can be conceived, egoism and what can be connected with ‘me,’ thought and what can be thought, brilliance and can be illumined, life-breath and what can be supported. Truly, this seer, toucher, hearer, smeller, taster, thinker, conceiver, doer, the conscious self, the person ― his/her resort is in the supreme imperishable Self, the Atman.” (Prasna Upanishad 4.7-9)*
(This quote can be found in my book “Love Your Neighbors” page 51 from Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Charles A. Moore (eds.), A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press: Princeton NJ, 1957, pp. 50-51.)
Take responsibility for the SELF. Realize wisdom from the Eastern and Western religions. We can prioritize and shine, treasuring our moments, as if storing precious moments in heaven.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
For Our Light, Scot Aaron
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