What Does "Tat Twam Asi" Mean?

Dear Brother Ron

What is your understanding of the phrase "Tat Twam Asi"?

Digilook

Dear Digilook

"TAT TWAM ASI" - "Thou Art You" is the ultimate in human experience - an experience that allows the external truth and fundamental reality to be revealed through human realization.

"Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man", defines Swami Vivekananda. Hence, the primary aim at Vivekananda School Of Post-Graduate Studies (VSPGS) is to help both the students and the faculty to realize the human potential in total. VSPGS has set four clear goals to pervade the students' lives at the School and even beyond. These are:

To Comprehend reality as one whole
To develop value based relationships
To draw out potential from within
To develop passion for excellence

My problem with this is the attempt to bring this realization to students from an external source. The goals set forth by the school are internal goals and must be developed internally by communion with God, not through lectures or materials from external sources.

Your friend is right. This is not a new idea. Jesus told us the same thing two thousand years ago:

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Once you have fully internalized this truth, accomplishment of the listed goals is easy.

Best always
Brother Ron