The Upanishads.

just finished reading (part-skimming) The Upanishads by Eknath Easwaran...it was a really good book...just as an intro - the Upanishads are ancient writings that belong to the Indo-Aryan civilization that inhabited India thousands of years ago...they are in sanskrit...and are numerous...they generally are attached to the Vedas (another set of manuscripts that set the foundation for the vedic practice and rituals)...anyway - basic point is that the Upanishads are very important to understanding the thrust of the Hindu religion...so i thought i'd read a survey book to get an idea about it...what i found was pretty amazing...and i have a better understanding of what Hinduism stands for...i definitely recommend reading this book...

i just wanted to share a couple of translations / explanations by Easwaran that i felt were inspiring...this comes from the Mandukya Upanishad:

The word "AUM" - you hear a lot of people meditating use this word - is of great importance...it represents the supreme state of reality...the ultimate goal in life...so first let me explain the different sets of reality or consciousness recognized by the Upanishads...

First is Vaishvanara: this is everyday life we are used to...in which all the senses are turned outward - we see and realize only the external world as it affects us. Second is Taijasa: this is the state where we are dreaming in sleep...this is where our senses are turned inwards...and one enacts the impressions of past deeds and present desires...Third is Prajna: this is deep sleep...this is where you don't dream or desire...in fact you are in a state of consciousness where you don't even recognize your mind or body...there is no separateness...Fourth is Turiya: this is basically the Prajna state, but while being awake! this is the ultimate goal...and the way to reach this goal is through meditation (real meditation - not that hokey stuff in the strip malls)

So this state of Turiya is represented by AUM...though indivisible as a whole when you say it...it has three sounds that compose it...A stands for the Vaishvanara state..."Those who know this, Through mastery of their senses, obtain The fruit of their desires and attain greatness." U is for Taijasa. "Those who know this, By mastering even their dreams, become Established in wisdom. In their family Everyone leads the spiritual life." M corresponds to Prajna. "Those who knows this, By stilling the mind, find their true statureAnd inspire everyone around to grow." Together, they stand for the state of Turiya - the supreme state of consciousness.