Sunday, March 4, 2012

The One is the Other The Other is the One

Advaita is one source of universal humanism.
Q. What is the philosophical source of the Sanskrit phrase vasudhaiva kutumbakam? [ the Earth is One Family]?
The main point of philosophies of the universal condition, is not necessarily even the phrase vasudhaiva kutumbakam which is an existential fact (Hitopdesa 12 century CE ) but the philosophy of advaita itself ( 7th century CE) — nondual consciousness points to this universality — if we practice nondual consciousness which is our true self, atmam, then the One is the Other, the Other is the One, therefore vasudhaiva kutumbakam The Earth is One Family
Think about the connectedness of these ideas with African (ubuntu), Native American (Great Spirit) and other ancient philosophies of a possible human trajectory that develops us rather than limits or even destroys us, through our own thoughts and actions. We face a choice -- universality vs implosive nihilism.

In fact the ideal of vasudhaiva kutumbakam is preceded and predated by Advaita and is both evolutionary and revolutionary, like advaita itself.

Chithra KarunaKaran
Ethical Democracy As Lived Practice
http://EthicalDemocracy.blogspot.com