Second post blog freeze addition: Eastern philosophy and happiness
A good American friend of mine read my happiness essay and asked me what eastern philosophy had to say about happiness. I know little about eastern philosophy (Buddhism, Hinduism). Almost all the stuff I sent him when he asked the question is generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Generally, us computer types have quite a bit of trust on AI generated responses. I did some work to get him at least some response. He would have to pursue further if it interested him. I hope the AI output does not offend you if you are a Hindu or a Buddhist, but it is what I could do as a quick research effort to answer the question.
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Hinduism would say:
besides the sensory and cognitive consciousness that western psychologists and philosophers
know about, there is another true inner consciousness. They call it atman. They
say atman = Brahman where Brahman is the whole universe and the true eternal reality.
So, to be one with the universe, all you must do is find this atman within you.
You also experience bliss when you do that, and it is enduring not transitory. The
teachings and trainings and study of “Vedanta” is primarily to equip you with
the tools and discipline to find your atman. You hear the phrase “be at
one with the universe” in the west. The roots of this are from the east.
Buddhism would say: The
first aim is to overcome sorrow. Buddha describes sorrow as two types of
arrows. First is shot at you by factors outside your control - separation, loss
of job, hurricane, etc. All these cause pain. The second arrow comes from
you when one relives the incident, gets angry, "why me" self-pity,
etc. Buddha said nothing can be done about the first arrow, but one can prevent
the pain caused by the second arrow by having the right frame of mind.
And, by realizing that "I" am not my possessions,
job, or even the body and mind, but a "witness" of the pain caused by
the first arrow rather than sufferer of the pain.
By realizing what I am not, one turns inwards to find the true nature - infinite existence, consciousness, and bliss - brahman.
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So eastern philosophy ties it to concepts like consciousness and enlightenment. Let us look at that.
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The western and eastern view of consciousness
according to AI.
The differences between the Western concept of mind (includes cognitive consciousness) and sensory consciousness and the Eastern concept of true consciousness (often linked to concepts like Buddhist awareness, Advaita Vedanta, or non-dual consciousness) are significant in both their underlying assumptions and philosophical frameworks. Here's a comparison:
1. Western Concept of Mind and Sensory Consciousness:
- Sensory Consciousness: In Western thought, sensory consciousness refers to immediate, raw sensory experience—what we perceive through our senses like sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell. It’s generally passive and immediate, responding to external stimuli.
- The Mind: The mind in Western philosophy is often associated with thought, reason, emotions, memory, and higher-order cognitive functions. It is typically active, processing sensory information, making decisions, reasoning, and reflecting. Western philosophy also connects the mind to concepts of individual identity (the "self"), personal agency, and subjectivity.
- Dualistic Nature: In much of Western thought, especially after René Descartes, the mind has been seen in a dualistic framework. Descartes' famous dictum "Cogito, ergo sum" ("I think, therefore I am") reflects this emphasis on the thinking self. The mind is seen as distinct from the body, with the physical world being separate from the mental world.
- Focus on the Individual: The Western view typically focuses on the individual mind—the personal experience of thought, consciousness, and emotions. This ties into ideas of personal autonomy, free will, and subjective experience.
2. Eastern Concept of True Consciousness:
- True Consciousness (Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, etc.): In many Eastern traditions, true consciousness refers to a deeper, often more unified or non-dual awareness that transcends individual ego, sensory perception, and mental constructs. It is not just a passive awareness of sensory input or an active mental process, but a fundamental state of being that connects all existence.
- In Buddhism, true consciousness is closely related to awareness (or mindfulness) that is free from attachment, craving, and illusion, often described as a state of non-dual awareness where the distinction between the observer and the observed dissolves. It involves transcending the limitations of the sensory mind and understanding the impermanent and interconnected nature of all things.
- In Advaita Vedanta, true consciousness (often referred to as Brahman) is the ultimate, non-dual reality. It is not a state of sensory perception but the unified source of all consciousness and existence. The individual self (Atman) is ultimately seen as identical with this universal consciousness.
- Non-Duality and Unity: In Eastern traditions, true consciousness is often non-dual—meaning it doesn't separate subject from object, mind from body, or self from the world. The idea of separation between the individual and the cosmos is considered an illusion or Maya in Vedanta. In Buddhism, the ego or "self" is considered an illusion, and true consciousness is the realization that all distinctions are ultimately illusory.
- Awareness Beyond the Mind: True consciousness in Eastern philosophy is often portrayed as being beyond the ordinary mind. It is not confined to thoughts or sensory perception. Rather, it represents a direct, unmediated experience of reality that transcends dualistic categories like subject-object. It's often seen as a state of pure awareness, where one recognizes the interdependence and impermanence of all phenomena.
- Emphasis on Liberation and Enlightenment: The goal in many Eastern philosophies is to awaken to true consciousness, often described as enlightenment or self-realization. This involves transcending ordinary sensory consciousness and mental activity, leading to a profound understanding of the unity of existence and freedom from suffering (in Buddhism) or liberation (in Vedanta).
Key Differences:
Dualism vs. Non-Dualism:
- Western: The Western approach, especially in Descartes' dualism, often sees a division between mind and body, consciousness and the external world. Even modern psychology and cognitive science view mind and consciousness as distinct from physical processes, though this view has evolved in some schools of thought (e.g., materialism or functionalism).
- Eastern: Eastern traditions (e.g., Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism) typically embrace a non-dual understanding, where there is no real distinction between subject and object, self and world. True consciousness is the fundamental, unified state beyond individual ego.
The Role of the Ego:
- Western: The individual ego is often central to Western conceptions of mind, where personal identity and subjectivity are closely tied to consciousness and mental activity.
- Eastern: In many Eastern traditions, the ego is seen as an illusion or a mental construct that obstructs true consciousness. In Buddhism, for example, the concept of "no-self" (Anatta) suggests that the self is a temporary, changing aggregation of mental and physical elements, and true consciousness comes when one sees through the illusion of the separate self.
Nature of Awareness:
- Western: Sensory consciousness in the West is focused on immediate sensory input, and the mind on cognitive functions such as thought, reasoning, and reflection. Awareness is often seen as a process within an individual, tied to subjective experiences.
- Eastern: True consciousness in Eastern thought is a form of awareness that is not limited to sensory input or mental activity. It is often described as timeless, boundless, and free from attachment, representing a profound realization of the interconnectedness of all existence.
Liberation and Enlightenment:
- Western: Western philosophy tends to focus on self-improvement, personal growth, or understanding through reasoning, often with an emphasis on individual autonomy and freedom. Enlightenment or transcendence is typically more intellectual or moral rather than a spiritual awakening.
- Eastern: True consciousness is often associated with liberation (Moksha, Nirvana) from the cycle of suffering and rebirth (Samsara). It’s a state of realization where one experiences the world without attachment, ego, or duality, leading to enlightenment.
Summary:
- Western thought often views sensory consciousness and the mind as related to personal experience and cognitive functions, focusing on individual identity, reasoning, and perception. The mind is usually seen as distinct from the body and the external world, often in a dualistic sense.
- Eastern conceptions of true consciousness (e.g., in Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta) emphasize a non-dual awareness that transcends the individual ego and mental constructs. True consciousness is seen as the fundamental nature of reality, beyond sensory perception or cognitive thought, and is associated with liberation, enlightenment, and the realization of the unity of all existence.
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The Hindu view and Buddhist view of
enlightenment according to AI:
Enlightenment in Hinduism and Buddhism share certain
similarities, such as the idea of transcending the limitations of the material
world and achieving a profound spiritual realization. However, the concept,
path, and ultimate nature of enlightenment differ significantly in both
traditions.
Enlightenment in Hinduism:
In Hinduism, the concept of enlightenment is often referred
to as moksha or self-realization. It is the liberation from the cycle of
samsara (birth, death, and rebirth) and the realization of one's true nature as
Atman (the individual self) which is ultimately Brahman (the supreme, universal
consciousness). Hinduism teaches that the self (Atman) is not different from
the divine (Brahman), and enlightenment is the realization of this unity.
Path to Enlightenment: The
paths to enlightenment in Hinduism are various and can include:
- Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge): The realization of the oneness of Atman and Brahman through intellectual understanding and meditation.
- Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion): Achieving enlightenment through devotion and love towards God, often in the form of a personal deity.
- Karma Yoga (path of selfless action): Acting without attachment to the fruits of one's actions, surrendering everything to the divine.
- Raja Yoga (path of meditation): Controlling the mind and senses through disciplined meditation and physical practices.
Nature of Enlightenment:
Moksha is seen as a state of eternal bliss, freedom from ignorance (avidya),
and the end of the cycle of birth and death. In this state, the individual self
realizes its identity with Brahman, dissolving all distinctions between the
self and the universe.
Enlightenment in Buddhism:
In Buddhism, the concept of enlightenment is referred to as
nirvana, which means the cessation of suffering and the end of the cycle of
samsara. It is the ultimate state of liberation where one is freed from the
causes of suffering, namely ignorance (avidya), craving (tanha), and
attachment.
Path to Enlightenment: The
path to enlightenment in Buddhism is outlined in the Noble Eightfold Path,
which consists of:
- Right View (understanding the nature of suffering and the Four Noble Truths).
- Right Intention (cultivating thoughts of renunciation, non-attachment, and compassion).
- Right Speech (avoiding false speech, gossip, and harmful language).
- Right Action (acting ethically, refraining from killing, stealing, or misconduct).
- Right Livelihood (engaging in work that does not harm others).
- Right Effort (cultivating mental discipline and abandoning harmful states).
- Right Mindfulness (developing awareness of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena).
- Right Concentration (practicing meditation to develop mental clarity and focus).
Nature of Enlightenment:
Nirvana is the extinction of the three poisons (ignorance, craving, and
aversion), leading to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of peace.
Unlike the Hindu concept of merging with the divine, nirvana is often described
as the cessation of the self (or ego). It is a state of non-attachment and
freedom from the delusions of individuality. In some schools of Buddhism,
nirvana is understood as the realization of emptiness (shunyata), the
understanding that all phenomena are interdependent and devoid of inherent
existence.
Key Differences:
Concept of Self:
Hinduism: Enlightenment is the realization of the oneness
of the individual self (Atman) with the supreme universal self (Brahman). The
self is seen as eternal and divine.
Buddhism: Enlightenment is the realization of no-self
(anatman), meaning that there is no permanent, unchanging self. The concept of
ego is an illusion, and liberation comes from seeing through this illusion.
The Ultimate Goal:
Hinduism: The ultimate goal is moksha, the realization of
oneness with Brahman and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Buddhism: The ultimate goal is nirvana, the cessation of
suffering and the end of samsara, achieved by extinguishing the desires and
attachments that bind one to the cycle of rebirth.
Role of God:
Hinduism: God or gods can play an essential role in the
path to enlightenment, particularly in paths like Bhakti Yoga.
Buddhism: generally does not focus on gods, and
enlightenment is viewed as a personal attainment based on individual effort,
though in some forms of Buddhism, such as Pure Land Buddhism, the grace of a
Buddha is considered important.
Philosophical Approach:
Hinduism: Emphasizes the unity of self and divine, with
various paths tailored to different individuals based on their nature.
Buddhism: Emphasizes the
impermanence and interdependence of all things and the path of overcoming
suffering through mental discipline, ethical conduct, and wisdom.
In conclusion, while both Hinduism and Buddhism view
enlightenment as liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth, Hinduism
focuses on realizing one's divine nature and unity with the supreme reality,
whereas Buddhism emphasizes the cessation of desire, attachment, and ego to
attain nirvana.
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