Tat Tvam Asi: "You are it." I mean, you are me and I am you. We do not exist separately, but as manifestations of one and the same essence. If we understand this, our mental health will improve
The divine essence is present deep within each of us
The statement "Tat tvam asi" comes from the Chandogya Upanishad and is one of the four Mahāvakas, or Great Sayings, summarizing the essence of the philosophical direction of Advaita Vedanta. The latter is one of the most important philosophical movements of Hinduism and focuses on the concept of non-duality, or advaita. Advaita Vedanta has its roots in the Upanishads, which were written between the 8th and 6th centuries B.C. They are philosophical texts that deal with the nature of reality and human existence. "Tat tvam asi" translates as "You are it". The term "tat" refers to the ultimate reality (Brahman in the Hindu concept), while "tvam" refers to the individual self. And why can understanding this statement help our mental health?
Simply by realizing that we all share the same essence. The duality we perceive in the world is illusory. The true nature of all things is non-duality, which means that the individual self and absolute reality are not separate, but are one and the same. This view has profound implications for understanding ourselves and the world around us. In other words, the nature of our existence is the same as the nature of the universe; there is no real separation between the individual and the universal being. Understanding "Ta tvam asi" is liberating for our soul because it brings inner peace.
Whoever wants to know the "divine essence" must first know himself
According to Advaita Vedanta,understanding the non-dualistic view of reality is the highest knowledge that can be attained through meditation, among other means. And it is a journey that begins with each one of us. Whether we want to know the divine essence or believe in a cosmic essence or a god, we must always begin with ourselves by asking: Who am I? Who wants to know the reality, the truth? And "who" is the key word. For first we must understand human existence. And we can start with something that is easy to grasp even for those who otherwise avoid philosophy.
So let's start with anatomy: everyone knows from biology classes in elementary school that we all have one heart, one brain, one stomach... We all have the same blood flowing through our veins and arteries, which is made up of the same blood cells, we all breathe the same air - so yes, all humans are the same. And similarly - just a little more complicated - one can go further: we all have a divine essence (or cosmic energy, if you will) within us. There is therefore only one "oneness" that we all share. So there is no "you" in the form of universal being and no "I" in the form of our individuality. It must be noted that according to Avaita Vedanta, only a fraction of people can attain this knowledge.
There are several ways to achieve liberation from the perception of the duality of reality, but none is easy: The path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) is based on contemplation of the sayings of the Upanishads and deep contemplation of one's true nature; the path of devotion (Bhakti Yoga) requires surrender to God as the ultimate reality; the path of meditation (Raja Yoga) is concentration and control of the mind leading to realization of Brahman; and the path of action (Karma Yoga) can be described as selfless service and action without attachment to results. At the end of these paths, liberation or Moksha awaits when we understand that our true nature is Brahman and cease to identify with the body and mind.
But even we "ordinary mortals" can use "Ta tvam asi" to our advantage. Just by beginning to address the question "Who am I". Self-awareness is an important step on the road to becoming aware of oneself, of one's otherness, but in this perspective it loses its negative significance. This statement therefore has its reflection in modern psychology and personal development.
