Bodenham's Belvedere

The Upanishads are a collection of ancient Indian texts that were composed over centuries, beginning around the 8th century BCE. These texts form the concluding part of the Vedas and are known as Vedanta, meaning "the end of the Vedas." Written by various sages, the Upanishads were initially oral compositions, passed down through generations in a mix of prose and poetry. They reflect a shift from the ritualistic practices of the Vedic period to a focus on introspective spirituality, emphasizing meditation and the search for ultimate truth.The Upanishads emerged in response to the growing interest in understanding the nature of existence, the self, and the relationship between the individual soul (Ātman) and the universal soul (Brahman). Presented in the form of dialogues between teachers and students, they explored deep metaphysical questions and offered new ways of thinking about the divine and human consciousness.While The Upanishads vary in style and content, they collectively influenced the development of Hindu philosophy, especially the Vedanta tradition. Their teachings have continued to inspire both Eastern and Western philosophical thought, leaving a profound legacy in spiritual and intellectual history.