The Illusion of Self: Exploring Atman, Brahman, and Cognitive Psychology
Atman and Brahman are fundamental concepts in Hindu philosophy, particularly in Advaita Vedanta. Atman refers to the individual self or soul, while Brahman represents the ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness. These concepts offer intriguing parallels with cognitive psychology, which investigates the workings of the human mind, perception, memory, and consciousness.
Advaita Vedanta posits that the individual self, or Atman, is ultimately an illusion, as the true nature of reality is non-dual Brahman. This perspective resonates with cognitive psychology, particularly with the concept of the self as a construct. The influential theory of the self by psychologist Daniel Kahneman suggests that the self is a narrative created by the mind, which can be fluid and subject to biases and illusions.
Cognitive psychology explores perception and how our mental representations shape our understanding of reality. The work of perceptual psychologists like Richard Gregory and his theory of constructive perception highlight how our brain constructs our experience of reality based on limited sensory information, which echoes the Advaitic notion of Maya (illusion).
Similarly, Advaita Vedanta emphasizes the existence of a witnessing consciousness, beyond the fluctuations of thoughts and emotions. This concept aligns with theories of consciousness in cognitive psychology. Philosopher and cognitive scientist David Chalmers' theory of the "hard problem of consciousness" explores the nature of subjective experience and the challenge of explaining how and why consciousness arises in the brain.
In continuation, Advaita Vedanta challenges the notion of personal identity and continuity, suggesting that the self is an ever-changing illusion. Cognitive psychology investigates memory processes and the reconstruction of past experiences. Psychologist Endel Tulving's theory of episodic memory highlights how memory is not a perfect record of events but rather a reconstruction influenced by various factors, supporting the idea that personal identity is fluid and malleable. Advaita Vedanta suggests that liberation or self-realization occurs when one transcends the individual self and merges with the universal consciousness, Brahman. Cognitive psychology explores optimal experiences such as flow states, where individuals lose their sense of self and become fully immersed in an activity. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's concept of flow aligns with the Advaitic idea of self-transcendence and the dissolution of ego boundaries.
The interplay between Atman, Brahman, and cognitive psychology offers a fascinating exploration of the nature of self, perception, consciousness, and memory. While rooted in distinct traditions, the insights from Advaita Vedanta and cognitive psychology converge in their understanding of the fluidity and malleability of the self, the illusory nature of perception, and the transformative power of transcending the individual ego. By integrating the wisdom from both domains, we can deepen our understanding of the human mind, consciousness, and the potential for self-transcendence.
