The Matter of Matter, Nama-Rupa of Sanskrit

I
The Greek origins of our word for "matter," is the same for "measure" and MEASURING, as well as a few other terms that carry surprises.

First, however, there is no separate word for matter in Sanskrit, or broadly Hindu VEDANTA Philosophy. Indians and Hindus use a joint term, NAMA-RUPA or simply NAMARUPA: "name and form." As a young Hindu child in South Africa  - of all places - I knew this. It was the term that stood for all REALITY - a combination of names and forms.

II
The surprises are for MATTER, its Greek  origins also connect with MAYA or "illusory reality." Maya also includes the individual "ego-identity," as Indian philosophy generally sees "ego" as a temporary identity that is fluid and transient. Like an iceberg floating in an ocean, will not be a separate form of water for long.

Matter is also connected with the words METER or "metre" and MATER for mother.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

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Wells Avatar
May 10, 2020 at 12:09 PM
The Greeks also referred to substance. Plato rejected attempts to explain everything in materialist conceptions as put forth by the atomists. He argued instead, that pure form was the driving principle which material objects attempted to copy. Plato's realm of perfect forms is immutable. Aristotle agreed with this dichotomy but added that there were 2 main types of substance. There were "the categories" and "the metaphysics."
Deo Avatar
May 10, 2020 at 12:29 PM
Thanks & PAZ Thomas. Going further ... form never comes alone! We are stopping ourselves: any form comes with shape, maybe even color, smell, (20 plus dimensions per Hindu Vedanta). We isolate form, because we are addicted to NAMING & DESCRIBING, not "feeling/sensing" life about us. We cut, dissect, & give labels, as with calculus (a curve is made into a nonsense series of "points," but Euclid's definition of a point is laughed away now). THX, Luv my Brother "Free" Thinker
Deo Avatar
May 9, 2020 at 3:17 AM
You are "the Man!" - "ecche homo" meaning "Behold the Man" the Roamns said of Jesus, innocent in Roman eyes, but cornered into saving Caesar's honor. They knew how RELIGION must have its pound of flesh, anticipating both Shakespeares and Shylocks in every nation and place. You are NOT in hiding ... my SHero. amen
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 7:38 PM
Why do I feel like I was supposed to find this. Like a moth to the flame or the fish to the worm on a hook. You got me. Fave. xomo
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2020 at 12:02 AM
...working on healthy x
Pigeon Tart Avatar
May 9, 2020 at 12:00 AM
I do go with the flow, even when I stick out like a sore toe. I share with you a key to mo, an oldest favourite poem, Stephen Crane: A man said to the universe "Sir I exist!" "However" replied the universe, "the fact has not created in me a sense of obligation." I've carried that around with me since I was eight, only fuelling my awe. xomo
Deo Avatar
May 8, 2020 at 10:19 PM
the one analogy happens naturally ...there is beauty in the MOTH who, if it overthinks the FIRE, will stay home & watch the news or write memoirs. And living with FLOW, did not end its species! You are healthy, alive, & the one & only Mo. Mo who goes with the FLOW ... the Universe is aware of our deep meditations. Not hostile to it. anil
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