2nd. Midterm on Monday, Feb. 25

Highlights of the Upanishads:

MUNDAKA: The distinction between Higher and Lower knowledge. Lower Knowledge is understanding the scriptures (especially the Vedas). Higher knowledge is of the changeless reality AKA Brahman. Higher knowledge is more sophisticated understanding than day to day religion.

MANDUKYA: Consciousness, mental nature. Consciousness comes from Brahman.

TAITTIRIYA: Pg. 54 "To a Lay Student"
- study and teach the scriptures
- have great respect for parents
- have great respect for guests
- directions to a lay students learning from a guru
Study of scriptures is important, even though scriptures are of lower knowledge.

AITAREYA: Creation story
- self=Brahman
- guardians=human beings
- Brahman entered humans at the Sahashrara (where the bindhi goes - between the eyes)
- the 3 states of the soul are the 3 states of the consciousness. The consciousness comes from Brahman

CHANDOGYA: 3 characters of this Upanishad are Satyakama, Upakasola, and Svetaketu.

Satyakama: Want's to learn from a guru. He goes to a religious teacher, who gives him the task of taking a herd of 400 sick cattle - he vows he will not return until they have numbered 1000. When they number 1000, he is taught "one foot of Brahman" by animals and forces of nature (pg. 66).
- Bull: 4 compass points
- Fire: Ocean, earth, sky, heavens
- Swan: Fire, lightening, moon
- Loon: Breath, sight, hearing, mind
The Guru saw that Satyakama had learned some knowledge, and taught him everything else there was to learn.

Upakasola: Student of Satyakama. Satyakama leaves on a long trip without teaching Upakasola everything. Upakasola cries out for knowledge, and gets it from Brahman via the fire. Satyakama comes home and sees Upakasola has been enlightened. The sacrificial fire reveals the truth that everything is Brahman in Upakasola's time of anquish over not being properly taught. This is a story of Dharma vs. desire\attachments.

Svetaketu: Prideful about having Lower Knowledge. His father teaches him some Higher Knowledge by using illustrations(pg.70)
- seeds broken into invisible bits
- salt water
Father teaches him about "self" which is "That art thou," which is Brahman
- that thou art
- that art thou
- thou art that
These all mean "You are the Brahman"

Upanishads finished. Will be starting on Buddhism Wednesday.