Chandogya Upanishad
This Upanishad is a anthology of passages and stories
Easwaran's introduction says that according to Indian tradition, the universe is founded on two principles:
1. rita = law, rhythm, regularity
2. yajna = sacrifice (in the sense that you should take nothing, but give of yourself)
He compares this with the teaching of Jesus: do as you would be done by; give up
all and follow me. Easwaran also says (p. 174): "A human being's most powerful act
is willing renunciation of self-
Some selections which have caught my attention (Chapters as in Easwaran's edition):
Chapter 1
Those who know the Self and those who don't do the same thing; the difference
is that the act done with knowledge grows in power.
Chapter 4
( Satyakama's story) By observing the world you come to know the true nature
of the world.
Chapter 6
(Svetaketu's story) Svetaketu's father tells him that by knowing one thing
(e.g. a lump of clay) you know the nature of all similar things.
Brahman created all things out of himself, including the Self. ("You are that.")
In dreamless sleep you're at one witht he Self, but don't know it. The mind settles in its proper abode.d
All creatures are one, but don't know it.
As rivers merge in the sea, so all creatures merge in pure Being.
On death the Self leaves the body; the body dies but the self lives.
Svetaketu breaks a banyan seed, and sees nothing. His father tells him that the hidden essence is like the Self. It is unseen, but is the source of life.
The idea of salt in water: you can;t see it, but it is there. So it is with the Self.
Chapter 7
(Narada's education) The infite is independent. It's all things. One who
meditates on the Self and realises the Self sees the Self in all things; realises
that all things come from the Self.
Control the senses and purify the mind. A pure mind is constantly aware of the Self, and is free from bondage and sorrow.
Chapter 8
The lotus of the heart -
In the Self all desires are fulfilled.
The Self denies only what is real, thinks only what is true.
The self is a bridge between the material world and the world of Brahman/eternity.
If you cross this bridge you leave all ills behind. Only those who are pure and self-