Greek culture and history shares many parallels with that of the South Asian Vedic society

    Greek culture and history shares many parallels with that of the South Asian Vedic society with regards to their interpretation and value of the individual’s soul and journey to “enlightenment”. The Greek disposition focused on humans and their place in both the universe and society, bringing rise to many prominent thinkers and philosophers who attempted to grapple with the idea of harmonious relationships and little to no political corruption/decline (WTWA Ch 5, p.197). Socrates encouraged reflection on ethics and morality, emphasizing the importance of honor and integrity as opposed to wealth and power. He preoccupied his life with the asking of questions to dismantle practical ideas or inherited beliefs in the pursuit of true knowledge and truth, concerning himself with the human experience of virtue, justice, and liberation. Socrates’ searching led to the adopted Greek understanding that not everyone can distinguish right from wrong, and that they only commit immoral actions without the intention to do so. Greek culture focused on separating appearance from reality and engaging in active introspection and contemplation within the soul, which is the spiritual immortal part of us. The body and its desires is what distracts us from the “good life” (Herbst video, Wk 6 “Socrates-Life and Death” 4:10). Plato continued to expand on this concept, breaking down the soul into three compartments - appetitive, spirited, and rational. He believed that matter is flawed and that the body must be controlled for human elevation. This particular Greek school of thought is mirrored through the South Asain Upanishads, who possessed supreme knowledge and explored questions of deep concern (Herbst video, Wk 6 “Plato and the Soul”, 5:34). Similar to the Greek mindset, Upanisads believed that the problems of humanity were found within the heart, which could only be overcome through spiritualization, internationalization, close examination of the soul, and searching for a deeper meaning and liberation. They also believed that physical desires, ego, and fears and ambitions restrict one from finding their true self, or atman, which is the holy and eternal true essence of one’s being. Only through meditation will one reach Braham, which is the ultimate unity between self and reality (Herbst video, Wk 4 “Upanishads” 3:10). The similarities between the two different cultures reveals a common emphasis on reflection and a desire to dig deeper into the human experience. Both the Greek and Vedic emphasis on the exploration of the soul and path to enlightenment, or the good life, emphasizes the cultural similarity between the two societies that shaped its deeper understanding of the individual and their place in the world.