Being Reality

The meaning of knowing oneself according to Śaṁkara

Abstract

The fundamental intentions of this text consist in: a) referring to the link between the distortion in perspective and the confusion in conclusions according to Advaita argumentation; b) outlining the connection between jīva and ātman, as well as the path for its identification through knowledge-conscience; c) analyzing the conjectures about the meaning of knowing oneself, according to the Ātmabodha; d) sketching the necessary conditions, based on the Advaita, for the contemplation of the so-called That; e) contributing the arguments that sustain the alternative to being reality, according to Śaṁkara’s thought. The implied methodology for the achievement of each one of these intentions is the hermeneutic interpretation of Śaṁkara’s texts and the correlation between the metaphysical postulates contained mainly in the Ātmabodha and the Vākyavritti.