Spirituality in Indian Philosophy: Vedanta & Upanishads

Understand the concept of non-duality in Indian spirituality: Explore the concept of spiritual awakening as per the Vedanta philosophy and the realisation of self through Upanishadic wisdom.

Take a look at the core concepts of philosophy and spirituality from the Upanishads: Discover the path to inner transformation through Vedic teachings and the path to moksha as per Hindu philosophical thoughts.

Introduction:

Spirituality is one of the greatest and mysterious journeys that we must all embark on in our lifetime. It is the ultimate purpose of being born as a human being. However, it is a shame how little attention some of us pay to it and keep pushing it off or procrastinating it to a later stage of our lives. Our mind has a way of persuading us that this journey is meant for later in life, when we are old, and we convince ourselves that our career, family, and children must come first, while the list of obligations keeps growing. And somehow, we go about living our lives thinking, feeling, and acting as if we are missing nothing, without realising that by postponing spirituality, we risk losing the chance to be spiritual even when we get old.

In this blog, we will take a look at what spirituality is as per Indian philosophy and get insights from Vedanta and Upanishads. In case you are wondering, what is Vedanta, let me clear it at the very outset. It is a school of Indian philosophy that teaches the concept of spirituality, which we will further elaborate on in this article.

What Is Spirituality According To Indian Philosophy?

As per Indian philosophy, spirituality is a voyage of going within and building a connection with our inner self, the inner source of divine energy. By asking ourselves the most pertinent question – “Who am I?”

Today, if someone were to ask us this question, we would simply respond by telling them our names. But Indian philosophy and spirituality challenge this very belief.

Think for a moment, are we just a collection of letters? If asked again, then our next most normal response to the same question would be, we are someone’s wife, husband, son, daughter, mother, or add a fancy professional tag to our reply. Indian philosophy and spirituality further critique this myth.

Think deeper in silence and ask yourself, does this mean that we did not exist before, we were someone’s wife or husband, or before being professionally qualified? And our inability to answer this question can shake us to our very core.

Unfortunately, we do not understand how deep this question is. The answer to the question is not restricted to a label or the experiences we’ve had since birth. Would we not exist if we had different parents, spouses, or had gone to different universities?

So who are we? An intriguing question worth pondering upon.

Another response to this question can be – I am a body that I see in a mirror. I am the person reading these words, who can listen and see different objects and have different experiences or feel different emotions. So let’s make another attempt to answer the question.

But are we really this? If we see an object in the universe, do we become the object? If one sees a beautiful red Lamborghini, do they believe that they are that object? The response would be “No. How can we be the object that I am looking at?”

If we cannot be any object outside in the world. So, how can we be the body or person we see in the mirror?

We are the ones who are inside the body, looking at the world. This may take time to sink in as it challenges our very beliefs and shakes the very foundation of our understanding of ourselves.

When we contemplate the very nature of self, in silence, we are meditating. In Indian philosophy, meditation is given the utmost importance. With time, through the help of meditation, the endless thoughts that occupy our mind begin to drift away, and our consciousness increases. This is when we begin our odyssey to return to the root of our inner being – a stage of simple awareness or being aware, beyond the body and mind.

Only then, we get pure consciousness that:

We are the ones who see, occupying the centre seat of self, we look out and are aware of the events, thoughts, and emotions that pass by us. We are the eternal, divine energy.

In the Hindu philosophy, especially the Upanishads, this divine energy is referred to as Atman.

It is beautifully explained in the Chandogya Upanishad: Tat Tvam Asi, which means liberation (moksha), freedom from ignorance and suffering. The path to self-discovery of the individual self (Atman) is one with the ultimate reality (Brahman).
In the Katha Upanishad: there is a verse that further explains the higher inner self (Atman). The Self is not born, nor does it die. It is unborn, eternal, everlasting, and ancient. It is not killed when the body is killed – Atman is beyond birth and death.
We are the sun, not the sunlight; we are the moon, not the moonlight; we are the ocean, not the waves; we are the fire, not flame; we are a soul, not a body.

We can reach the stage of consciousness, where we are aware of who we are, only by going inwards and not identifying or attaching ourselves to outside objects.

Continue to read, as we will further elaborate on the concept of spirituality as per the Indian Vedanta and Upanishads.

The Indian Lens On Spirituality:

Have you ever noticed the difference between a person who is consciously aware and a person who is not conscious? The answer is simple – the lack of awareness. The difference is that when our consciousness is not centred within, it becomes focused on external objects. That is when we look outwards for happiness and get easily agitated when things don’t go as planned. Whereas people who have a higher level of consciousness are centred and remain calm in the most challenging situations.

As per the Indian Vedanta and Upanishas, spirituality is not about following ritualistic practices, but is about realising your oneness with the inner self (Atman). It is an inner journey of self-discovery, where we realise that the soul (Atman) is beyond our mind, thoughts, body, and our bodily senses (pleasures); it is eternal, limitless, and unchanging. And this path of self-discovery reveals that the individual self (Atman) is one with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

The Indian lens on spirituality nowhere emphasises that one needs to renounce the world, to transform oneself, or to achieve this state. It can be achieved by living in harmony, while carrying out our daily duties (dharma), while remaining inwardly free, compassionate, and consciously aware.

Core Concepts From The Upanishads:

Spirituality, as per the Upanishadic wisdom, is the understanding of Brahman (the ultimate reality) and Atman (the individual self) and their interconnectedness.

All the Upanishads and Vedanta’s key teachings emphasise that spirituality is woven into every aspect of our lives. And our ultimate goal or purpose of our life is to recognise the unity of Atman with Brahman (the universal reality).

Here is a translated verse from the Mundaka Upanishad, which states:

“All that is in the front is Brahman, the immortal. Brahman is at the back, as also on the right and the left. It is extended above and below, too. This world is nothing but Brahman, the highest.”

The Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta have listed four primary paths of yoga, each attached with spiritual discipline tailored to natural human dispositions or tendencies, with the ultimate aim of Moksha – liberation from ignorance and suffering.

Jnana Yoga: Seeking Knowledge and Inquiry
Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti, devotion, and surrender
Karma Yoga: Selfless action
Raja Yoga: Meditation and discipline.

Vedanta And The Realisation of Oneness:

“Ayam Atma Brahma”, a quote from Mandukya Upanishad, teaches us that the highest truth in our spiritual journey is the realisation that our higher inner self (Atman) is not separate from the ultimate reality (Brahman). Brahman is the source of all that exists. Not a personal God, but a formless and all-pervading consciousness. And the path of realisation, followed by the oneness of Atman and Brahman, leads to Moksha (liberation from ignorance, suffering, and the cycle of birth and death), our ultimate goal of life.

Adi Shankaracharya, the great Advaita Vedanta philosopher, emphasised that we are lost in the world of Maya (illusion or ignorance). He questioned the practice of asking “Who am I?”

He further elaborated on the reasons behind our detachment from our inner selves. He explained that wearing these mystical glasses of Maya – illusion, we forget that each of us has a limited time on earth, but go about living our lives, accumulating things of comfort as though we are going to be here forever. In turn, the illusory world of Maya steals us from realising our main purpose of life, i.e., identifying our true self, Atman, and its relationship with Brahman.

Only when we choose to remove these glasses, go beyond the ritualistic practices and seek the path of Jnana (knowledge), raise our consciousness, and realise our oneness with God, the unity of Atman and Brahman.

One of Shankara’s most famous lines (from Vivekachudamani):

“Brahman is real; the world is illusory. The individual Self is not different from Brahman.” (Brahma satyam jagan mithya, jivo brahmaiva naparah)

Self-Realisation: The True Goal of Indian Spirituality:

In all scriptures, the human form of birth is considered as the most superior form of living forms not because of its intellectual or emotional power; but, because of its ability to raise its consciousness, realise its oneness of the inner self (Atman), and fulfil life’s ultimate purpose: liberation (Moksha) from the cycle of life and death. It is said that even devas and deities yearn for the human form, for it alone offers the possibility of realising the union of Ātman with Brahman.

Why Is India So Spiritual:

India has always been seen as a land of mysticism and spiritual paradise. It is the birthplace of many religions of the world – Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. This diversity reflects India’s deep-rooted religious pluralism, where different faiths coexist. It is a pious and spiritual land, a world in itself, where many enlightened souls have walked. These divine souls are highly revered and worshipped and looked upon as our spiritual teachers (Gurus), giving us our path to spiritual guidance and knowledge. They not only rescued people from suffering, but also preached higher ways of life. Their teachings were later captured in the Upanishads, the Granths, and other holy scriptures. They may not be in physical form, but their aura and presence are still felt in many sacred spaces and attract pilgrims in great numbers on special occasions.

We, even from different faiths, celebrate each of these festive occasions with a lot of fervour, not privately, but as a community – a shared experience, reinforcing values and spiritual beliefs and reminding us of the divine presence in our daily lives.

The Indian cultural core teachings of Dharma (righteous duties), Karma (a belief that our actions affect our future), Samsara (Re-birth), Ahimsa (non-violence) – are the guiding principles and spiritual concepts that have been woven into the very fabric of our daily lives, families and communities, reminding us of our collective identity.

Can Ancient Wisdom Help Us Today?

If you have been reading this far, this thought may have passed through your mind. Do the ancient teachings or the wisdom of Indian philosophy – Vedanta, the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads still apply to the modern world? Would they help us today?

Well, it is more relevant than ever. These teachings may seem ancient; however, they are light-years ahead. They address our timeless inner struggles of fear, anxiety, stress, desires, search for meaning, etc. While the outside world may advance technologically, these struggles will continue to remain unchanged.

The scriptures clearly lay out that the path of attaining true eternal happiness is by ceasing to look outwards (external possessions) and going inwards. Realise that we are more than our body, mind, thoughts or experiences. We need to attain the consciousness that we are an Atman and our true purpose is to merge with the Brahman.

Visit UEF, a non-profit organisation dedicated to human literacy on sacred texts and spirituality. Here, we will get an understanding of the religions of the world, all the elements that are essential to nurturing a flourishing life, and how to be spiritual without getting stuck in ritualistic practices. By embracing religious pluralism, we will be able to connect with our higher selves and foster inner peace.

FAQs on Spirituality

What is spirituality in Indian philosophy?

In Indian philosophy, spirituality is the realisation of the true Self (Atman) and its oneness with the ultimate reality (Brahman), leading to liberation (moksha) from ignorance and the cycle of birth and death.

What do the Upanishads say about the Self?

The Upanishads teach that the Self (Atman) is eternal, unchanging, the inner witness of all experience, and ultimately identical with the supreme reality, Brahman.

What is the difference between spirituality and religion in Indian thought?

In Indian thought, religion emphasises the external ritualistic practices, traditions, and community worship, while spirituality is the inner realisation of the Self (Atman) and its unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman).

What is Advaita Vedanta?

Advaita Vedanta is a school of Indian philosophy that teaches the non-dual truth that the individual self (Atman) is identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman), and that liberation comes through realising this oneness.

How is moksha achieved in Vedanta?

In Vedanta, moksha is achieved through self-realisation — the direct knowledge that one’s true Self (Atman) is identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman), attained by removing ignorance through inquiry, meditation, and inner discipline.

Can ancient Indian philosophy help in modern life?

Yes. Ancient Indian philosophy and spirituality can greatly help in modern life by offering timeless practices like self-inquiry, meditation, detachment, and selfless action that cultivate inner peace, clarity, and resilience amidst today’s stress and uncertainty.

About the author:

Akhilesh Gupta is the founder of the Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (UEF) Foundation and a past Fellow and Impact leader in residence at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative. He previously served as senior managing director at The Blackstone Group and held leadership roles at Reliance Industries Limited and Hindustan Unilever. Akhil currently serves on the advisory boards of three of Harvard University’s entities- Harvard Divinity School, the Human Flourishing Program, and Harvard Chan Initiative on Health and Homelessness. Akhil is the author of two books. His first publication, Bridges across Humanity – Many Religions, Same Learnings, was published in April 2023. This book highlights 54 common themes across all religions. His second book, “To Flourish is to Love Learn Play”, is due for publication in Fall 2025 by Forbes

What Is Spirituality According to Indian Philosophy? Insights from Vedanta and Upanishads.

In This Article