|
Page24
What is the Hindu View of Philosophy?
India, and particularly Hinduism, has been the place of probably the greatest development of
spiritual philosophy, which it has regarded as part of the spiritual
path and the Yoga of knowledge. Hinduism has produced some of the
world's most important philosophies, particularly the various
schools of Vedanta.
Yet its view of philosophy
is very different than that of the West. The correct Hindu word for
philosophy is darshana, which means "a way of perception."
Each of the philosophies of Hinduism is a spiritual approach which
requires following a certain life-style, ethic disciplines and
practicing various yogic methods to arrive at this perception. Hindu
philosophies are meant to help us realize the Truth beyond the world
of the senses. They all have a view which transcends the ordinary
mind-body complex.
According to the Hindu view
there is little real philosophy in the Western world. Western
philosophical thinking has gone down hill since the time of Plato,
ever abandoning spiritual experience and a transcendent view of life
for mere rational, speculative, and utilitarian considerations. It
has become ever more increasingly under the domination of the
senses, and is now little more than an apologist for a
scientific-materialistic view that is unaware of higher dimensions
of consciousness.
Even Western religious philosophy, as in the case
of Christian and Islamic theology, has largely been devoid of the
kind of experiential spirituality and exploration of higher states
of consciousness and samadhi found in all Hindu and Buddhist
systems. Philosophy in India,
moreover, continues to be a living and experiential endeavor. Modern
India has not only maintained its ancient philosophical traditions
but has produced new philosophers like Sri Aurobindo who were also
great yogis.
|
