Compiled by:

General Education 1
Understanding
The
S E L F
Compilers:

Khadiguia Ontok-Balah, MALT, MPsych, RPm

Khristine Joy B. Garcia, MSPsych, RPsy
Jerose L. Molina, MPsych, RPsy, RPm

Published by:

Department of Psychology
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
University of Southern Mindanao
Kabacan, Cotabato

August 2018
LESSON 4:
HINDU PHILOSOPHY
There are six (6) Philosophies" (ṣad-darśana)

1. Nyaya 4. Yoga
2. Vaisheshika 5. Mimamsa
3. Samkhya 6. Vedanta

1. Nyaya (Reasoning)
• It was founded by the ancient sage Gautama
• It deals with logic which is the process of reasoning
• Doubt is considered a prerequisite for philosophical inquiry.
2. Vaisheshika (Physical Sciences)
• It was developed by Prashastapada
• It emphasizes the physical sciences such as chemistry
• It includes exploring the elements of earth, water, fire, air and space, as well as
time, mind and soul.

(Fig. 1-a. Hindu Philosophy on Chakras as energy centers)

3. Samkhya (Framework of manifestation)

• It offers a framework for all the levels of manifestation
 • It comes from samyag akhyate: that which explains the whole
• Sankhya deals with prakriti (matter), purusha (consciousness), buddhi or mahat
(intelligence), ahamkara (I-am-ness), three gunas (elements of stability, activity,
and lightness), mind (manas), cognitive and active senses (indriyas), and the five
subtle and gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space).
• It contains all of the domains of Vaisheshika, Nyaya, and Mimasa
4. Yoga (Practical methods for direct experience)
• It systematically deals with all of the levels of one's being, striving to experience the
eternal center of consciousness
• It involves systematic witnessing of one’s inner states, so as to experientially go
beyond all of them to the center of consciousness.
• It is often called Samkhya-Yoga, as it contains the practical methods to realize in
direct experience the truths of Samkhya philosophy
5. Mimasa (Freedom through action)
• It has a detailed philosophy related to ritual, worship and ethical conduct, which
developed into the philosophy of karma.

6. Vedanta (Contemplative self-inquiry)

• It is contemplative methods of self-inquiry leading to the realization of one's true
nature, that which is not subject to death, decay, or decomposition

Fig 1-b. Seven Chakras as energy centers

Central ideas of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Western Core:

Source: The Executive management Committee/Blackwell Publishers Ltd. 1995

JAPANESE CULTURE (BY DE VOS)

• Tension within the self and one’s role in the society

There are two (2) Dimensions:

1. “etic” – conformity and cohesion (loyalty to the group and country)
2. “emic” – concept of the self through interaction with others. To be obedient and to
have high achievement

ISLAM
• Hekma (in the Islamic view of the universe, society, ethics and life)

Overview of Sufism
• The aspects of Islamic tradition

What is Sufism?
• Mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine
love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God.
 • It consists of a variety of mystical paths that are designed to ascertain the nature of
humanity and of God and to facilitate the experience of the presence of divine love
and wisdom in the world.
• A way of life in which a deeper identity is discovered and lived. This deeper identity,
or essential self, has abilities of awareness, action, creativity and love that are far
beyond the abilities of the superficial personality.
• The ultimate aim of the Sufi is communion with God through spiritual realization,
which is achieved through the knowledge revealed by Quran (ilm) and the practice
of Islam (amal).
• Sufism’s claim to universality is founded on the broad recognition that there is only
one God, the God of all people and all true religions.
• Sufism recognizes one central truth, it is the unity of being, that we are not separate
from the Divine.
• If there is a single truth, worthy of the name, it is that we are all integral to the Truth,
not separate.
• Sufism is about realizing the current of love that runs through human life, the unity
behind forms.
• Love as the highest activation of intelligence, for without love nothing great would
be accomplished, whether spiritually, artistically, socially, or scientifically.
• Sufis regards the soul as the agency for communication with God: (1) Calb (heart), (2)
Ruh (spirit), and (3) Sirr (conscience).

Levels of the Self in Sufism:

1. Commanding Self
• Self that succumbs to evil
• Seeks to dominate individuals
• No sense of morality or compassion and marked by unbridled selfishness
• Similar to the id; closely linked to lust and aggression

2. Regretful Self
• Where effects of the first state of state are realized/ made apparent
• At this level, wants and desires still dominate, but the person is repentant from
time to time.
• People do not yet have the ability to change their lives, but they can see their own
fault which fosters regret and encourages change.

3. Inspired Self
• The individual begins to taste the joys of the spiritual experience.
• Considered the beginning of the real practice of Sufism, where the seeker is truly
motivated by ideals such as compassion, service and moral values.
• New level reduces the power of the desires and the ego.
• The goal is to live in terms of higher values.

4. Pleased Self
• Individual is content with life and even with the trials and difficulties, realizing that
they come from God.
 • A difference in the way that the world is experienced.

5. Self-Pleasing to God
• Realization that the power to act comes from God and that nothing can be
achieved on one’s own.
• Inner marriage of the self and the soul wherein genuine inner unity and wholeness
is achieved.

6. Pure Self
• “There is no god, but God.”

Exercise 1.3

• Instruction: In a table, show which theories from the ancient times to until Sufism
share the same ideas. Cite 5 references to support your analysis

.
Exercise 1.4

• Instruction: Make a concept map for the theories starting from the ancient
philosophies until Sufism.