--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we approach the Upanishads for an…" description: "\"“When we approach the Upanishads for an understanding of the Cosmic Mystery, we are coming to the very heart of the Hindu experience of God. This is wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f5/bede-griffiths-22822_hinduism_when-we-approach-the-upanishads-for-an-u_753933.jpg" --- # When we approach the Upanishads for an understanding of… ![“When we approach the Upanishads for an understanding of the Cosmic Mystery, we are coming to the very heart of the Hindu experience of God. This is what we want to try to understand, not with our minds, but with our hearts: to enter into the heart and continually remind ourselves that the…” quote by Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f5/bede-griffiths-22822_hinduism_when-we-approach-the-upanishads-for-an-u_753933.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f5/bede-griffiths-22822_hinduism_when-we-approach-the-upanishads-for-an-u_753933.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f5/bede-griffiths-22822_hinduism_when-we-approach-the-upanishads-for-an-u_753933.jpg) > ““When we approach the Upanishads for an understanding of the Cosmic Mystery, we are coming to the very heart of the Hindu experience of God. This is what we want to try to understand, not with our minds, but with our hearts: to enter into the heart and continually remind ourselves that the Upanishads are intended to lead us to the heart. The Greek fathers of the Church used to say, "Lead the thoughts from the head into the heart and keep them there." This is to open to the Cosmic Mystery.”” [Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bede-griffiths/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding the Upanishads requires heart‑centered perception, moving beyond intellectual analysis toward experiential insight. **In simple terms:** Heart‑based insight into divine mystery. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner awareness, not just rational study. Themes spirituality philosophy religion Mood contemplative reverent Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - personal meditation - study groups - interfaith dialogue - teaching - spiritual counseling Key Concepts Mysticism heart‑mind integration cosmic mystery Questions to Reflect On - How can you shift from head to heart in practice? - What does “cosmic mystery” feel like for you? A Different Perspective Intellectual study alone may miss the depth of lived experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach Upanishads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach-upanishads-5859424/) [Hinduism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinduism/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Remind Upanishads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remind-upanishads-5859425/) [Try to understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-to-understand/) [Upanishads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upanishads/) [Upanishads Intended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upanishads-intended-5859422/) [Upanishads Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upanishads-understanding-5859423/) ## Related quotes > [There is a beautiful expression of this in the Chandogya Upanishad: 'There is this City of Brahman, (that is the body), and in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bede-griffiths/there-is-a-beautiful-expression-of-this-in-the-chandogya-upanishad/) [Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bede-griffiths/) > [I am Shiva-this is the great meditation of the yogis in the Himalayas...Hea ven and hell are within us, and all the gods are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/i-am-shiva-this-is-the-great-meditation-of-the-yogis-in-the-himalayas/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [“I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shih-t-ou/i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self/) [Shih-t'ou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shih-t-ou/) > [In the whole world there is no study so beneficial and so elevating as that of the Upanishads. 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The Upanishads are the Bible of India.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-gita-is-a-commentary-on-the-upanishads-the-upanishads-are-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [There is no book in the world that is so thrilling, stirring and inspiring as the Upanishads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-muller/there-is-no-book-in-the-world-that-is-so-thrilling-stirring-and/) [Max Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-muller/) > [“If a man begins his sacrifice when the flames are luminous, and considers for the offerings the signs of heaven, then the holy offerings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-mascaro/if-a-man-begins-his-sacrifice-when-the-flames-are-luminous-and/) [Juan Mascaró](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-mascaro/) > [“Om is the things, Om is the ingredient, Om is the container and the content of this universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banani-ray/om-is-the-things-om-is-the-ingredient-om-is-the-container-and-the/) [Banani Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banani-ray/) ## More by Bede Griffiths > [The main theme of the Bible is the restoration of humanity and, through humanity, of the whole of creation to its original harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bede-griffiths/the-main-theme-of-the-bible-is-the-restoration-of-humanity-and/) [Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bede-griffiths/) > [Stillness within one individual can affect society beyond measure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bede-griffiths/stillness-within-one-individual-can-affect-society-beyond-measure/) [Bede Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bede-griffiths/) > [Above all we have to go beyond words and images and concepts. 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