Atman, Buddahism and Other.

Greetings All!
Today's discussion is about Buddhism and various aspects of Vedic Religions.
Buddhism has gained tremendous popularity here in the States, and all around the world, and there are many kinds of Buddhism practiced, such as the

1) Theravada, earlier Buddhism taught in its original cradle in India and Southeast Asia, emphasis on the right living and awareness.
2) Various Mahayana schools, into which fall the Tibetan Buddhism as a whole, as well as Chan and Zen Buddhism in Japan.
3) Vajrayana, the Diamond Vehicle Buddhism, is differentiated from the Mahayana as being rather "Tantric". Tantric Buddhism took deep roots in Mongolia, Tibet, Japan, and various countries around the world due to the efforts of some very prominent lamas and teachers.
Buddhism, especially the Mahayana Buddhism is popular because it is easily accessible, and is the everyman's religion, metaphorically speaking. Buddhism doesn't stop anyone from reaching enlightenment for any reason. Everybody has a Buddha waiting to bloom within and the Buddhism practice revolves around accessing the right teacher, and the right kind of method for you.

Depending though on which kind of Buddhism is closer to your heart, your idea of enlightenment will probably differ as well. Beyond mysticism and obscurity , Buddhism is about awareness, a very keen awareness, and it prophesies something similar to the Tat tvam Asi, You are that of the Vedas, only through its own terminology. As Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet have rightfully pointed out on one of the Kumbah Mela Darshans, which is the greatest spiritual gathering in India, and probably in the world, "You call it atman, and we call it anatman, but meaning is the same". The atman being referred here is the Sanskrit word for the lesser soul, dwelling within us. Lesser, because there is a greater one, the Eternal Brahman, we have that in us, and this is truly the Mahaguru, the Seer, and the Sage in us - our Atman, our Soul. There is no greater teacher they say. And this is truly the seat of the Satchitananda - the tripartite Being/Awareness/Bliss. In my opinion this is the essence of Vedanta.

As you can see, this is simplicity itself:) Although it takes a while to understand these concepts.

Buddhist teach anatman, they do not consider the soul to be "it", "one" but rather a conglomeration of many many different elements. According to them, the truth lies in the universal nature of "Buddha", the "awakened one". However, I have to agree with His Holiness, that beyond the outward form and practice, they are same.

In Buddhism as in the other Vedic religions one is invited to take a look within and introspect on what exactly is going on, in that "within". This is great work, but it is not enough to just look, one has to also see, and to that extant there is a great set of practices, of which many revolve around sitting down with a straight back and watch your thoughts emerge and disappear.

Although "soul" may not be a word preference for some people, I think, in the depth of their personal meditation many encounter some sort of  a command center, central shine, light, which is what is being referred to as Atman in the Vedic religion. Although of itself and within, it doesn't seem to belong to the body, it is as though it was installed in the body, and operates on its own accord.

Indeed, although we say "me", "my body", "my soul"  - how much truthfully can you say that you are in charge of your body? Thinking about it - not much. And the questions are plenty, while answers - few. If you think that you are in charge of your body - don't get ill. Move where you want to at once. Say what you feel, and do what you want....Easier said than done, and so we come back to the initial question.
There are a lot of things to be considered, when referring to the body as "my". And that is of course a deeper realization of the selfhood. Not unlike "Know Thyself" of the Ancient Greeks.

Whether you choose Buddhism or not, if you take this path, you are doing some sort of a practice, a yoga, which is basically introspection and an attempt to restrain the senses. at least in the beginning.

The restraint is not there to hurt you, and deprive you of your favorite things that make your life enjoyable, but to help you to better see yourself, not in the context of things that you want but separately from them, as a Soul. Once that is achieved you can gradually start to want again. In actuality you never stop wanting, just sort of wrap yourself up in the protective cocoon. However, on one point the cocoon does break, and if all done right there is a butterfly waiting to fly out, into the world.

I greatly revere the source of this knowledge, which is most likely non-human. Its scope is just too rich,  and its lore too immense to be assigned to anyone individual, or even a group. It cannot be discussed in one post, but I think it is a good beginning.

And for the conclusion, please remember that "Namaste" actually means that "the divinity in me salutes the divinity in you" Atman within me salutes the Atman within you. Such greeting paves the way for peace, understanding and love in the world. Namaste!

With Love,
Iggy.