Unique Spiritual Identity and Indian Soteriology

Vincent FURTADO

Vincent Gabriel FURTADO Kripalaya Institute of Philosophy, Mysore

Keywords: spirituality, contemplation, upanishads, yoga, yogachakra

Abstract

Indian Soteriology is a process of self-realization and God realization, as it presupposes the fundamental innate divine nature of humans. Wich remains unrealized due to some metaphysical error (avidyā) but nevertheless be brought to realization through strenuous self-efforts. In no way the futility of divine grace is presupposed but it said to be made active by attaining adequate level of ethical and spiritual perfection. This anticipated state of perfection can be considered as a unique spiritual identity. The essay attempts to succinctly highlight the Vedic and Yogic contemplative tradition which is said to be a process ad intra in order to realize the inner essence, the atman which needs to be complemented by another process of ad extra, leading the seeker to brahman realization. The spiritual engineering embedded in Yoga tradition consisting of breathing exercises (prāna-yāma) and energy centre (chakra) meditations are dealt with as an example of initial praxis.

Author Biography

Vincent Gabriel FURTADO, Kripalaya Institute of Philosophy, Mysore

Professor emeritus of Kripalaya Institute of Philosophy and Religion, Mysore, India. As a collaborator of the movement of Intercultural Philosophy participated in ten International Congresses on Intercultural Philosophy. Member of the International School of Intercultural Philosophy (EIFI) in Barcelona. Did doctorate in Comparative Religions at the Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet, Muenster, Germany. Doctoral Thesis: Ethical Perspectives of Classical Sāmkhya Philosophy (1992).

vgf1225@gmail.com

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