Do we have a spirit and, if so, what role does it play in our relationship with God?

[Thomas]

It does not happen that way. the world cannot be renounced. Can one live without air, water or food?

That's an over-simplified reading of the text. It's easier understood if you come from Eckhart's Christian perspective.

 

[Aupmanyav]

That's an over-simplified reading of the text. It's easier understood if you come from Eckhart's Christian perspective.

Why would I go by Eckhart's perspective when I have my Hindu and Buddhist traditions?
Buddha, for us, is the latest avatara of Lord Vishnu.

"nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha sruti-jatam
sadaya-hridaya darsita-pasu-ghatam
kesava dhrita-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare"
Jayadeva, Gita Govinda

You decry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the rules of Vedic sacrifice because of your compassionate heart. O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! you have assumed the form of Buddha! All glories to You!

 

[Thomas]

Why would I go by Eckhart's perspective when I have my Hindu and Buddhist traditions?

Why indeed.

I'm not asking you to do that, simply pointing out that you have not accounted for perspective when critiquing the text – so the comment is invalid.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why indeed.
I'm not asking you to do that, simply pointing out that you have not accounted for perspective when critiquing the text – so the comment is invalid.

Hindu scriptures are very miserly about words. A whole upanishad may contain just 18 verses. As you know, Brahma Sutras can carry meaning which can fill up 100 pages in a book in just one small aphoristic sentence. We keep the kernel and discard the shell.