On Hinduism

There are over a billion Hindus. One out of seven people on this planet is a Hindu.

1. Let’s start with Who is God? To seek God, you do not have to look outside but inside–to our soul or atman–is God. You do not realize your inner beauty because of your ego, greed, and trying to impress others. Remember, the day that inner spirit leaves you, you are worthless and only the dead body remains, at best the prettiest dead body.  

2. Hindus believe in reincarnation; death is not an end but the soul moves to a new body. A tree doesn’t die but it goes back to where it came from, that is dirt, elements and water. In its place, a new tree will come.

3. On how to pray? Hindus have many ways to unite or yoga with divinity, like meditation—Raja Yoga, knowledge—Gnana Yoga, service to others—Karma Yoga and the most popular being the Bhakti Yoga which is devotional in nature.

4. Where is god? God is omnipresent. Namaste means I see divine in you and bow to you. Further, God is present in animals, plants, mother earth, sun and moon.  

5. We do not have doctrines, like “thou shall not eat beef.” As an example, Hinduism teaches us to minimize violence – in practice, and even in thought. It teaches us that animals have equal rights on this earth. Therefore, if you feel justified to kill animals just for your taste buds, then it is your choice.

6. We have many scriptures. One popular scripture is the Bhagavad Gita and is the most well-known. It is a self-improvement guide. Gita teaches us how to be happy in this life and teaches us to do good karma.

Other reading material: https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/july-august-september-2019/educational-insight-hinduism-in-a-nutshell/ 

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dilip Amin

Location of this post (3g): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-are-the-main-teachings-of-hinduism-for-a-layman/

The words bhakti (devotion), bhagavan (god), bhakta (devotee) and bhajan (devotional song) all share the Sanskrit root “bhaj”, which means sharing and participation. The root connotes intense devotion by emphasizing personal experience, relationship, emotional engagement, and expression. A spiritual aspirant feels deep love, or “bhakti,” towards the Divine.

The goal of cultivating Bhakti in one’s heart is the ultimate experience of love that dissolves all boundaries between the individual and the external world, feeling a sense of divine oneness and harmony with all living beings. 

Bhakti comes in many flavors, and causes a devotee to completely forget oneself. According to some Hindu schools of thought, there are five kinds of underlying emotions that can arise when feeling devotion towards the Lord: Shanta (peaceful devotion), Dasya (servitude), Sakhya (friendship), Vatsalya (parental love) and Madhurya (romantic love).

Historically, the expression of the beautiful sentiment of Bhakti brought about a change in the way religion was accessed in India. It made religion available to all people regardless of gender, language, or social status. We have evidence of this as early as in the 5^th century in South India, with the devotional poetry of the Tamil Nayanars (Shiva worshippers) and Alvars (Vishnu worshippers). Common themes in these poems include love, service and grace. This marked the beginning of the Bhakti Movement, a time period which gave voice to countless devoted men and women throughout the Indian Subcontinent. The devotional songs of these poet-saints, such as Kabir, Mirabai, and Saint Thyagaraja live long after their physical passing, carrying on the spirit of their soulful love and longing for God.

In modern times, the path of devotion (bhakti marga or yoga) is followed by many Hindus worldwide. This is practiced in conjunction with the path of knowledge (jnana marga). While a devotee enjoys devotional songs that help reflect on their personal relationship with Lord Krishna when in bhakti marga, another day they might engage in philosophical discussions on life’s most meaningful questions in the spirit of jnana marga (Knowledge Yoga). 

Other reading material: Bhakti Yoga,

Relevant videos: Swami Nikhil Anand Hinduism Q & A: What is Devotion or Bhakti , Bhakti on a street of San Francisco

Contributor: Lakshmi Subramanian

Location of this post (8a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-devotion-or-bhakti/

Hindu daily rituals include Pancha Karma (5 coveted aspects):

1. Taking shower (ablution)
2. Meditate (controlled breathing, mantra chanting)
3. Tarpan (offering to God, guru, ancestors): Could include water, food, lamp-lighting, incense, creating a pious environment
4. Yoga: Establishing connection between mind, body, and higher learning
5. Contemplation (focused deliberation, self-reflection)

The 7 days of the week are dedicated to invoking various virtues via worshipping energy sources (manifestation of Shiva for cosmic & inner balance, manifestation of Lakshmi for expansive prosperity via pious means, manifestation of Sun for vital energy, etc).

Other reading material: Atharva Veda
Relevant videos:

Contributor: Soma Chatterjee

Location of this post (19a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/are-there-hindus-daily-and-weekly-rituals/

OM, ॐ or AUM (pranava) refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles).

OM is a mantra. Its meaning slightly differs depending on how it is used. First of all OM is a sound symbol for God or Divinity. Just like cross is a physical symbol for Christ, OM is also a symbol, but it is in a sound form. OM is used as a sound during meditation practice. You chant OM and listen to it. Here it is used just as a soothing sound. OM also means “Everything together” as in Infinity.

OM is made up of 3 letters followed by silence;  (In Sanskrit; breathing pattern is explained) A (expel air from stomach area) + U (expel air from the chest region) +  M (think like you are expelling air from your mind and mouth) + silence (a brief breathless period). AUM stands for beginning, middle and end + silence. 

Other reading material: Yoga Sutra 1.27 , What is AUṀ? , The Significance of ॐ: A Linguistic and Philosophical Analysis

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla

Location of this post (23a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/om-what-does-it-mean/

The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. Yoga is essentially a practice and a spiritual discipline to reach your inner consciousness, to touch the non-physical dimensions (beyond body, mind and emotions) that we call the soul or atman.

Yoga, as posture and meditation, is the practical branch of a wider school that also includes philosophical inquiry and religious ritual practices. All these branches form the core of Hinduism.

As you gain understanding of Hinduism and Yoga, you will understand Yoga is a personal tool for self break away from the cycles of birth and death and to unite with Divine. As such, Yoga and Hinduism are inseparable from each other, the way Gravity is inseparable from the Physical realm of this Universe.

Unfortunately this question comes up because Yoga in the Western world has been confined to the Asanas (physical postures) that have gained popularity and wider adoption through the fitness studios for the physical wellbeing it brings. However, it limits and devoids one of the full potential Yoga can bring in attaining peace, joy, happiness, calmness and realization that one’s inner self is nothing but the manifestation of omnipresent God. 

It should be called out that Hinduism doesn’t ask Yoga practitioners to follow or convert to Hinduism, rather encourages all seekers to practice Yoga as a means of spiritual discovery and realization. As such, while Yoga belongs to the world, it finds its roots and essence in Hinduism and two can not and should not be seen separately.

This is time to recognize the roots of Yoga to its Hindu origin so it can be brought in its full glory by the Masters and Enlightened Gurus, rather than by the charlatans or self-proclaimed Yoga teachers who learn through textbooks or through limited training. 

.Other reading material: Short answers to real questions about Hinduism, The Origins and Ownership of Yoga

Relevant videos:

Contributor: Vikas Gupta

Location of this post (23b): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/is-yoga-a-hindu-practice/

The four paths of yoga are Bhakti, Karma, Gyana and Raj Yoga. These are four different approaches to connecting with the Divine or connecting with the Self. All individuals can benefit from any or all of these paths in their spiritual journey.  However, it is up to the individual to find the right mix to devote their time towards the practice of each path. Most Hindus follow all of these in some manner. All four paths lead to the ultimate goal of Enlightenment.

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Bhakti Yoga, or the path of love and devotion to the Divine is ideal to rid the mind of negative thoughts and emotions and replace it with blissful love of the divine.  It teaches us to see the divinity or the Supreme Self in everything and everyone.

Karma Yoga teaches selfless action.  It encourages the practitioner to seek perfection in actions without attachment to the fruits of the actions.  It is also a central teaching based on the famous doctrine of Karma–actions have consequences.  It is the best path for individuals seeking to make a positive difference in this world with their actions.

Jnana (Gyana) Yoga is the path of pursuit of divinity through pursuit of knowledge of the Self.  It provides a set of reasoning contained in scriptures that allow the practitioner to achieve Enlightenment or Self-realization.  It is the path that most directly addresses the famous question “Who am I?” or the process of Self-realization.

Raj yoga is the path for those seeking a spiritual journey through self-discipline. Many Hindu scriptures provide a detailed guide to the spiritual journey of a Raj yogi. This is also the path which is the basis of what most westerners know as ‘Yoga’ and meditation. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide an eight-step approach to enlightenment through the control of the body, mind and its senses.

Other reading material:

https://chopra.com/articles/the-4-paths-of-yoga

https://sivanandayogafarm.org/blog/4-paths-of-yoga/

https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/philosophy/the-4-paths-of-yoga

Relevant videos

Contributor: Shan

Location of this page (23c): hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/z-what-are-four-paths-of-yoga/

Meditation (dhyana) in Hinduism is a practice that helps you become the master of your mind, body, and emotions. Your mind, body, and emotions are your tools. You are meant to be in charge of them, not the other way around.

There are many ways to meditate, for example: OM/AUM chanting, chakra meditation, focussing on one’s ishtadev (who you identify as God) such as Lord Krishna with Hare Rama Hare Krishna mahamantra, singing devotional songs and so on. The the goal is the same: moving beyond your mind-body-emotions and ultimately realizing God and the true nature of your soul (moksha).

Other reading material: Purpose of meditation, Sadhguru-Yoga for Beginners , How do I meditate #78

Relevant videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGosHULQQk0, Hinduism Q & A: What is Meditation , 

Contributor: Swati Sugandhi

Location of this post (23d): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-meditation/