So, as I said, these two examples I have given you are hardly the full range of ideas that people mean when they use the word God.
Now, may I, before we go into the proper examination of the Upanishadic teachings, tell you about what another well-known philosopher said about God? In one of his talks, someone asked him: “Tell us of God.” He said something very interesting.
Personally, I am not a Krishnamurthite, if there is any such word! But then, the essence of intelligence is to understand, accept what is right when somebody says it and not accept it if you find it illogical or irrational.
So, where is the answer to ‘Tell us of God’? He said: “Instead of my telling you what God is, let us find out whether you can realise that extraordinary state, not tomorrow or in some distant future, but right now as we are sitting here together quietly.”
Don’t you think that is much more important? But to find out what that God is, all belief must go. The mind that would discover what is actual, cannot believe in truth, because it cannot have theories or hypothesis about God.
Upanishads are called the wisdom section of the four Vedas known as ‘Jnana kanda’.
Please listen. You have beliefs, you have hypothesis, you have dogmas and you’re full of speculations. Having read this or that book about what truth or God is, your mind is restless astonishingly!
A mind that is full of knowledge is restless! It is not quiet, it is only burdened. When the mind is full of belief, either believing there is God or there is no God, it is burdened. A burdened mind can never find out what is the truth. To find out what is true, the mind must be free. Free of rituals, of beliefs, of dogmas, knowledge and experience. It is only then that the quiet mind can realise that which is true.
It no longer has the movement of going out or the movement of coming in. For that mind is still; and, in stillness, there is an abundance of energy. If there is any form of outward movement, then there is a reaction inward. But, all that has come to a rest, the mind is still and that mind does not dissipate energy. That mind has an abundance of energy. It’s energy that comes with complete stillness of the mind.
So, with this introduction, let us start examining the meaning of the word Upanishad. Upanishads are called the wisdom section of the four Vedas known as ‘Jnana kanda’. ‘Samhita’ is the first section, the ‘Brahmnas’ is the second section; and, finally, comes the ‘Aranyakas’ and the Upanishads.
The Upanishads were taught in forest hermitages. Now, you must understand ‘forest hermitage’ means a place where there are plenty of trees and fresh air and one can sit free, far from the pollution of the cities.