Immanence is a philosophical and metaphysical concept that means ‘to reside within’. In Hinduism, and other world religions, it is the polarity of transcendence.

This dual concept is often looked at from two points of view. However, immanence and transcendence are a balance. Whereas immanence refers to self-reflection, transcendence leads us to believe God is a physical presence outside of human existence.

Hindus essentially take both views as being correct. We see this is the principle of the Supreme God Brahman and the inner God – Atman. In Hinduism, we connect with Brahman through the Atman – the god that resides within.

Swami Adiswarananda of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center in New York writes:
“Brahman is non-dual pure consciousness, indivisible, incorporeal, infinite, and all-pervading like the sky. Brahman is of the nature of existence-knowledge-bliss-absolute-the ground of all existence, basis of all awareness, and source of all bliss. It is the reality of all realities.”
This is no difference from how many people in other world religions consider God. A belief in God’s immanence projects the idea that God is in all creation whilst still remaining separate from it.

The Rig Veda, the most ancient text still in existence says the same thing:

‘The human body is the temple of God
One who kindles the light of awareness within
Gets true light.
The scared flame of your inner shrine
Is constantly bright.
The experience of unity
Is the fulfilment of human endeavors.
The mysteries of life are revealed.

The Upanishads also enlighten us with wisdom that explains how human beings can be profoundly spiritual on the inside. Without awareness of your inner world, you are only aware of your ego in the physical world. And the ego often leads us along the wrong path.

When we are only aware of the ego, we struggle to recognize the rights and wrongs of our actions; we therefore continue to make the same mistakes. And we fail to understand our true nature. As a consequence, we roam the earth restlessly and without purpose.

Transcendence v Immanence

Whereas immanence points us towards the inner-word, transcendence teaches us that God is the substance of the Universe that he created. If we take the view that God is consciousness and energy, then we cannot argue with this concept. And it makes perfect sense.

Transcendence is a state of spiritual attainment that goes beyond our physical selves. Whilst it is true there is a higher power, a Supreme God that is not a physical aspect of mankind, the higher power can still be felt from within.

And this is how transcendence can be misconstrued by organized religions. Finding God by looking on the outside limits your view. Yes, Brahman is there, guiding you, nurturing you, delivering what you deserve. But Brahman can only be reached from within.

Thus God also resides within but as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad states he also resides on the outside:

“As a man, when embraced by a beloved wife,
Knows nothing that is without, nothing that is within,
Thus this person, when embraced by the Prajna Self
Knows nothing that is without, nothing that is within.
This indeed is his true form, in which he wishes are fulfilled,
In which the Self only is his wish, in which no other wish is left,
He is free from any sorrow.”

And so it is left to the initiate whether to connect with the Supreme Brahman, the divine energy that creates reality. Immanence is the choice of worshippers to find God through self-examination.

By understanding the Atman, you are with Brahman. And He will protect you. But to understand Brahman you know that the Universe is one mind and that reality is nothing but an illusion we create in the physical mind.

On the other hand, being with Brahman gives you more control over how He guides you and what He delivers to you. Essentially, you create your own reality. Braham is the creator in you.

Dissolving the ego

Immanence is a means of dissolving the ego. In search of spiritual attainment, enlightened beings have to gain control of worldly desires such as material possessions and emotional attachment.

It is customary that we look outside ourselves for recognition and happiness. We feel the need to hear someone tell us, “I love you’ or ‘I am so proud of you.” We have that desire to feel special.

Immanence is a means of understanding you are special without needing to hear it from others. Self-recognition is the light within you that reflects your true value into the mind of ego.

Once you come to realize your true self, there is no need for ego. The struggle for recognition and the multiple appearances we cloak our frailties with fade away and eventually disappear.

The ego is simply a means we use to measure our value to the world. But value is a falsehood that has been articulated by authorities that want to control the minds of their subjects to enslave us.

Hindus therefore strive for Moksha. This is a concept that enables initiates to liberate the mind from the burden of illusion. It involves living a pure life and understanding the inner world. Through immanence we expand our consciousness to discover Moksha.

The more we dissolve ego, the more understanding we have of the world and people in it. Then we recognize there is no reason to be angry, greedy, violent or jealous. We can survive on inner bliss.

Is there anything more satisfying than inner peace? Ask a rich man what makes him happy. He will not say money or his possessions. He is more likely to say, relaxing with his family. Being at peace with himself.

The more we struggle against the world, the more dissatisfied we become. Recognize the value of the Atman and ego will dissolve. Then you can connect completely with Brahman and know you are protected at all times. Life starts with immanence.

Although there are many gods in the Hindu pantheon, the question remains how do hindus see god as Hindus only believe in one true God. This ‘Supreme’ God is called Brahman and is present in each and every living thing.

Brahman lives in the soul of animals and humans as atman – the true self. Atman belongs to Brahman in living creatures and enables us to function. But it is the Supreme God, Brahman that gives us life and determines what we experience.

Hindus say Brahman is absolute consciousness. The only true God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Brahman is the one true creator of the Universe and is imperishable, undying and ever-present.

What are the three key aspects of Brahman?

This concept of Brahman is expressed succinctly by the three Supreme Gods of the Hindu Trinity – the Trimurti of Brahma (the creator), Shiva (the destroyer) and Vishnu (the preserver).

The Trimurti address the essence of life. And everything in life moves in cycles – including human consciousness. We have to learn how to do things to cultivate more depth of conscious awareness.

So Brahma is the spark of life that comes into existence. In human terms, this is the thoughts that triggers an idea. Without thoughts, nothing that is manmade comes into being. This is why the God Brahma is known as the creator – and why it is said that you create your own luck in life.

Shiva destroys aspects of creation that we don’t need. For example, when you begin a new project – a new cycle – you may have to learn new things.

But if these new things are not in your programming, you will make mistakes or feel uncomfortable. So you may have to adopt a different attitude or world view. Which means destroying old habits and thought patterns to make way for new habits.

This concept is symbolized in religions by the idea of death and rebirth. So as Shiva destroys, Brahma creates. It is then Vishnu’s role to preserve the new habits and attitudes so you can enjoy more success in your proceeding cycles of life.

The Trimurti Gods, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu are also seen in philosophical terms by Hindus. The concept is essentially the same as the religious view, but by combining the two it helps to understand how Hindus see God on a deeper level.

The Philosophical view of Hindus Gods

The ancient sages of India described God as having many aspects. As mentioned above, the all-pervading power that we call ‘God’ is known as Brahman. The other two aspects are the inner God, Antaryami, and the individual soul, Bhagavan.

But together, Brahman, Antaryami and Bhagavan are all seen as aspects of God throughout the Universe, Earth and individuals.

Therefore, whilst Brahman is considered the “all-pervading world soul” Yogis know that Brahman still lives inside them as they are part of the world. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says:

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart. 0 Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities.”

Therefore, Hindus accept there are many ways to receive God and feel his presence. And thus they also realise that God’s Brahman is to understand the changing nature of oneself so you can discover Atman which leads to Moksha.

Consciousness is one. God is one.

In the Sanskrit poem, Vivekachudamani ascribed to the 8th Century philosopher, Adi Shankara, “Brahman is the only truth, the world is unreal, and there is ultimately no difference between Brahman and Atman.”

So just as Brahman is universal consciousness and atman is the true self of the individual, finding our true nature through self-realisation is how Hindus see God.

To help initiates of Hinduism understand this, the ancient sages used the expression ‘Antaryami’ to explain that the Brahman God residing in our hearts enables us to take control of our thoughts, emotions and actions. This is a concept you will recognise in the Trimurti from the explanation given above.

Author Brian Warner, describes Antaryami as, “the controller within” – the Supersoul Hindus call atman or Paramatman. The Supersoul is perceived by the conscious mind through experiences which become instinct, intelligence, memories, abilities and so forth.

So essentially, the controller within is the sub-conscious mind which enables the Supersoul to express itself on the physical plane. This is the Brahman, the all-pervading consciousness experiencing a different reality.

It is common therefore for Hindus to meditate on the antaryami, the God inside as it is this force of consciousness that determines their thoughts, emotions and actions.

And it is this triangle of manifestation by which we are judged, both physically by others and spiritually by Supreme consciousness – the energy that manifests as reality. This is the unlimited power Hindus call Bhagavan.

God is unlimited power

Whatever action we take in life, we receive the consequence of that action, because for every action there is a reaction. This is the Universal law of Cause and Effect. And the ancients seemed to have a profound understanding of how it worked.

In the Katha Upanishad it is written:

“Those in whose hearts OM reverberates
Unceasingly are indeed blessed
And deeply loved as one who is the Self.
The all-knowing Self was never born,
Nor will it die. Beyond cause and effect,
This Self is eternal and immutable.
When the body dies, the Self does not die.

The ancient sages of India therefore applied one more piece to the philosophical puzzle of God; Bhagavan – “one who is endowed with unlimited opulence.”

Bhagavan is a word that is attributed to individuals that have six qualities, or “six opulence’s”; strength of character, wealth, knowledge, beauty, renunciation and fame.

The six opulence’s can be misleading. Fame does not necessarily mean you have to be famous in the common sense of the word, but recognised for what you do. Wealth does not mean material wealth, but richness of the heart and character.

Hindus recognise that the Supreme God of Brahman and Atman give us these six qualities. And this is why Hindus see God as one presence that resides in each of us yet is everywhere all the time.

So think with your head, feel with your heart and act in accordance with the six opulence’s, and you will see God in the same way Hindus see God.