During yesterday's lecture, I found the exegesis of the Upanishads to be quite interesting but also a bit confusing. I understand that the goal of Hinduism is to achieve liberation by the act of understanding the relationship between atman and brahman. However, the part that gives me confusion is when the concept of diversity is mentioned. The Upanishads say that the "world is like a dream [and] diversity is a false superimposition  onto what is actually unity"(Hindu Interpretive Traditions), however I find this statement to be contradictory Hindu social structure. This opinion has to deal heavily with Hinduism's use of the caste system. The caste system brings diversity through its specific divisions and unity by creating a closer network within each caste. However, since liberation is reached by the realization of the brahman exists within everyone, what is the need for the caste system? If diversity does not actually exist, why must humans be divided and placed in specific groups? I thought this was quite interesting.
         Along with the concept of diversity, I also found the concept of cause and causality to be quite intriguing. I found the concept of parinama, which states that all change is transformation, to be very similar  to the cycle of reincarnation( Hindu Interpretive Traditions). A person is not simply does just disappear and a new one forms, but rather that person's next life is based on his or her karma. An individual's dharmic actions build up and eventually that person is "transformed" into another life, better or worse.