Essays on Indian Philosophy

By Dr Neel Burton — Psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine writer; Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford; author of over twenty books.

Indian philosophy begins with some of the biggest questions we can ask. Who am I? What is consciousness? Why do we suffer? Do our actions follow us beyond death? And is there any way out?

Its answers are startlingly diverse. The Upanishads tell us to discover our true Self; the Buddha tells us that no such self exists. Yet for all their differences, the Indian traditions form a recognisable family, sharing many of the same concepts, questions, and concerns—and an emphasis not merely on understanding the world, but on liberating the person who seeks to understand it.

This page brings together my essays on Indian philosophy, its significance, and its influence.

Featured Essays

India’s Deepest Secret: The Secret of the Self — The Upanishads and the Search for the True Self

India’s Boldest Idea: The Illusion of the Self — The Buddha and Buddhism on the Illusion of the Self

The Psychology and Philosophy of Karma

Was Yoga Ever About Stretching? — If Not Physical Fitness, What Was Yoga Originally For?

The Greek Dog and the Indian Dog | The Odyssey and the Mahabharata — What Homer Can Teach Us About Ghosting

The Myth of Er: Plato’s Most Beautiful Myth — Given the Choice, Who Would You Be in Your Next Life?

Nietzsche, the Stoics, and Eternal Return — What If You Had to Live Your Life Again?

Schopenhauer: The Funniest Philosopher? — You Will Laugh and Cry

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