Dharmic Knowledge

[IndianSpiderman]

People assume that Indians just rolled over and submitted to invaders because of their adherence to Dharma. Dharma doesn't even prescribe anything of that sort. Indians have given the most heroic resistance to Islam through history, which is what annoys Islamists to this day. Even the British rule in India was less stable than they would have us believe. Sitaram Goel has written some seminal works on the subject. Indians have managed to remain a coherent force because of their adherence to their faith. Gandhi distorted the concept, mixed it with the Abrahamic concept of martyrdom and misrepresented it as a Buddist concept.

Fun fact: Ashoka, the much revered apostle of peace and demigod for Nehruvians remained brutal through his life, much after he embraced Buddhism.

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

On Laws of Karma and Atman

Physicallity doesnt survive death but Samskara and previous tendencies survive death. It is karma that is the unseen force that makes life unfold. Karma is the universal law of cause and effect so long as we are conditioned by this physical realitywe are bound to the universal laws that govern it. The important thing to realize is that karma is not some celestial moral personality that judges rewards and punishes based on some moral framework. Its just as gravity makes no distinction between objects , Karma too is indiscriminate it is a non-biased force where everything that happened has an equal and opposite reaction,t we may believe ourselves to be good bad beautiful or ugly but our opinions and ethics are ultimately irrelevant .

Whatever we put out into the universe our thoughts feelings words and actions leaves its mark on the cosmic canvas they create our future experiences and circumstances. Karma is the momentum that makes life happen. All living beings are constantly generating and sowing seeds for further experience. Karma is not designed to teach lessons although we can always learn from situations it is designed to allow us to create an experience. Most people walk through life completely unaware of how they are generating karmic results and manufacturing their destiny. Our thoughts are random and chaotic our intentions can be confused and conflicting and our words and actions are often inconsistent but as we become more spiritually conscious and aware of deeper aspects of ourselves we can become more sensitive to the consequences and benefits of what we think and feel. Even modern spiritual thinkers have realized the power of positive thinking in manifesting desires the universe will correspond to the nature of that inner feeling and manifest because that's the way you feel so basically what you focus on with thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience whether or not it's something you want.


Karma is not a response to our superficial whims and fancies, it is a response to our in a state. What we project is what we experience. Karma does not impose suffering or grant fortune it simply responds . Life situations are neither good or bad they simply are. It is our expectations of what we want that dictate whether we have been blessed or cursed. One person's apparent difficulty can be an opportunity to grow, another person's luck however can end up destroying them. What one person considers wealth another will consider poverty. Karma has no judgment in the matter. Good karma or punya is simply that which pushes you to your chosen goal bad karma or Pap is that which restricts or takes you away from your goal. A belief in karma has been criticized for encouraging indifference in the suffering of others. When we see someone in distress one could condemn them as rightly facing the Justice of their wrong actions. But to write up any person in such a way is unbelievably short-sighted. Any one life is just a snapshot of the souls cosmic journey and we cannot know the reasons and long-term implications of the person's situation .

Saints and masters and Rishis who have reached the peak of spiritual evolution (For example , Krishna's seperation from his mother and Vanvas of shri Ram) have often suffered immensely while evil tyrants have enjoyed wealth and power. That being said difficulties and success cannot be equated with a person's spiritual worth. They are simply passing clouds on a soul's path but adding to this a proper understanding of Karma does not resign one to selfish indifference instead it warns us of the dangers of such a stance.

Lord Krishna made clear in the bhagwadgita that one who sees action in inaction is the one who "truly sees". The point being made is that our cold attitude and lack of response to meet the needs of a situation is actually an action that bears result. In other words our lack of compassion is an action that will inevitably breed Kermit consequences.

Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras outlines exactly how karma is generated there are five kleshas or afflictions that affect us.

• Avidya or ignorance where we take that which is temporary as being permanent.
• Ashmita or having a false sense of identity.
• Ragah the longing for material desires.
• Dwesha the hatred for certain material things.
• Abhinivesha clinging to life and fearing change.

The interaction and churning of all these afflictions is what produces Karmic results. These karmic results bind us to this material existence and they create the situation's we experience and they propel us forward into future births. Nobody forces this upon us but the afflictions we carry keep us in the game of life. But there comes a point on our souls journey where we begin to see that this world and all it has to offer can no longer satisfy us. Material comforts relationships name and fame no longer nourish us. We become acutely aware of the temporary nature of everything and that nothing really lasts. From within there is a longing to ask the deeper questions "Who am I really" What is my purpose How do I find permanent happiness Is there something beyond this material world... All these questions are the whisperings of the "Atman" or soul.

A soul wishes long to attain "Moksha"or freedom from Karma and repeated birth and death .The level of intensity of these feelings is what decides how far we will go to realize the truth. The whole science of yoga is ultimately geared towards stilling the fluctuations of the mind and gaining mastery of ourselves. Through repeated disciplined practice one realizes their "True identity as the Atman" we understand that we are not the body nor the voice in our head nor our desires or fears but We are intrinsically divine and part of the supreme Ishwara/Brahmana. This ultimate realization however can only happen once attachment and ties with the world have disappeared.

Lord Krishna declares in the Bhagwadgita that only when one has reached a stage of complete detachment from the world and mastered the mind and senses can one be free of Karma. Karma Yoga is the process of acting without any attachment to the fruits. The true yogi is one whois fully engaged in the world but has no desire and fear no expectation or selfish motives.

He ascended his consciousness on the " Atman " above and beyond this material reality and as a result despite being in the world he is not of it. And as a result there is no Karma generated despite walking in the sand he leaves no footprints .He is a master forever free and bound by nothing.

He's one who exists as a manifestation of divine will living for the service of humanity.

The various traditions within Eternal Sanatana Dharma have outlined different ways of attaining freedom from karma and rebirth. The some are , there are powerful meditation techniques designs to still our stream of thoughts and transforming the mind .For others deep contemplation and self inquiry on profound spiritual questions is the way by analysis of what we are not, we come to what we are - "The Atman" . The abrahmic cults lie showing fake fear of hell whining of life being some sort of retarded test . They are nothing but a retarded salvation theologies where followers are killed and butchered viz blasphemy laws if they dont adhere to abhramic retardation lool . Its followers study in nursery while Dharmic woke folks of Vedas and Sanatana Dharma do a phd thesis

In the devotional Dharmic traditions we rise to the ultimate state by constantly worshiping remembering and absorbing ourselves into our chosen form of deity / god (Remember "Na Tasya Pratima Asti" but at the same time "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti").

The intense ecstatic love that is developed captures the mind and heart it causes every ounce of our being to be placed in a different state totally fixed on divine (Ishwara). Again the process of bhakti-yoga allows one to transcend samskaras and reach the supreme state beyond karma and repeated birth. Woven into the devotional philosophy is also the idea of divine grace that we abandon all other methods if we give up our hankering for material gain and surrender completely if Ishwara and ascension becomes the only goal and refuge ,then through his love or Sadhna we will be free from the binding force of karma we will realize our true relationship with a divine.

The law of karma and reincarnation infact gives us an insight into the grand cosmic picture of life. It explains the uniqueness of every person the vast diversity of experiences we have as well the huge differences in the way each person views the world. We understand the responsibilities we have in creating our path we begin to realize that we are far deeper than we originally believed. Eventually the binding force of Karma motivates us to seek true freedom as we see the reality that we are spiritual beings entangled in a material world this is what compels us to take the journey back home .

 

[ezsasa]

Survival cannot be the sole objective of this infinite game when facing internal and external adversity, playing the survival game is one step closer to extinction. in our case we are already seeing the signs of extinction.

Themes for revival needs to be explored, i don't think hinduism as an umbrella is gonna cut it. i say Dharma should be the flag under which attempts to unify should be made, just like it was done many millennia ago. the term Hindu itself is of foreign origin. if vedas themselves never contained the word "Hindu", and it didn't exist when various cultures with in this land mass were brought under the Dharmic fold, why would such a artificial foriegn construct work now.

I say Dharma is the key, the dichotomy we see today is precisely because people are focussing on the wrong fundamental. Rules to protect and propagate dharma exist, where none exist for Hindusm.

Panel on building ecosystem, they too are arriving at the same conclusion that dharma should be the foundation instead of LW & RW.

 

[ezsasa]

Panel on building ecosystem, they too are arriving at the same conclusion that dharma should be the foundation instead of LW & RW.

One of the authors of the book which PM endorsed recently, also emphasises on Dharma as core foundation of our civilisation.
The way i am seeing it, in multiple contexts, Dharma keeps popping up again and again, this aspect needs to be explored, whether Dharma and not Hinduism is the path to our civilisational revival.

 

[N4tsula67]

I am Dixit from a Guru of very high order. You cannot confuse me.

No, Shaiv, Vaishnav and Shakti do not follow Veda.

You need years of deep study after deeksha from a very capable Guru to comment on such matters.

Can you elaborate how Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta don't follow Vedas.

 

[doreamon]

 

[doreamon]

 

[doreamon]

deference between budhism and advaita

 

[doreamon]

 

[doreamon]

guided meditation by rupert spira ( student of late Ramana maharshi ) based on advita vedanta . There are longer version as well . This one is a short version

 

[doreamon]

meditation based on true nature of self described in upanisad and further expanded by Adi shankaracharya

 

[doreamon]

Guided meditation inspired(little modified) from one of the meditation technique out of 112 meditation technique mentioned in Vighyana Bhairava ( a scripture in kashmiri shaivite school ) by rupert spira trained in non duality and kashmiri shaivite school .

 

[doreamon]

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT BEING A HINDU?
By Francois Gautier

1) Believe in God ! - Aastik - Accepted

2) Don't believe in God ! - You're accepted as Nastik

3) You want to worship idols - please go ahead. You are a murti pujak.

4) You dont want to worship idols - no problem. You can focus on Nirguna Brahman.

5) You want to criticise something in our religion. Come forward. We are logical. Nyaya, Tarka etc. are core Hindu schools.

6) You want to accept beliefs as it is. Most welcome. Please go ahead with it.

7) You want to start your journey by reading Bhagvad Gita - Sure !

8) You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads - Go ahead.

9) You want to start your journey by reading Purana - Be my guest.

10) You just don't like reading Puranas or other books. No problem my dear. Go by Bhakti tradition . ( bhakti- devotion)

11) You don't like idea of Bhakti ! No problem. Do your Karma. Be a karmayogi.

12) You want to enjoy life. Very good. No problem at all. This is Charvaka Philosophy.

13) You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life & find God - jai ho ! Be a Sadhu, an ascetic !

14) You don't like the concept of God. You believe in Nature only - Welcome. (Trees are our friends and Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship).

15) You believe in one God or Supreme Energy. Superb! Follow Advaita philosophy

16) You want a Guru. Go ahead. Receive gyaan.

17) You don't want a Guru.. Help yourself ! Meditate, Study !

18) You believe in Female energy ! Shakti is worshipped.

19) You believe that every human being is equal. Yeah! You're awesome, come on let's celebrate Hinduism! "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" (the world is a family)

20) You don't have time to celebrate the festival. Don't worry. One more festival is coming! There are multiple festivals every single day of the year.

21) You are a working person. Don't have time for religion. Its okay. You will still be a Hindu.

22) You like to go to temples. Devotion is loved.

23) You don't like to go to temples - no problem. You are still a Hindu!

24) You know that Hinduism is a way of life, with considerable freedom.

25) You believe that everything has God in it. So you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, River, Prani-matra, Earth, Universe!

26) And If you don't believe that everything has GOD in it - No problems. Respect your viewpoint.

27) "Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu " (May you all live happily) You represent this! You're free to choose, my dear Hindu! This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive .. That is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspects from everything . That is why it is eternal !!! T
here is a saying in Rigveda , the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hinduism philosophy in a Nutshell " Ano bhadrah Krathavo Yanthu Vishwathah" Let the knowledge come to us from every direction "

 

[SimplyIndian]

MAHASHIVRATRI : The Darkest Night to receive ....

Happy MAHASHIVRATRI everyone :

View attachment 81248


The word “Shiva” literally means “that which is not.” “That which is,” is existence and creation. “That which is not” is Shiva. “That which is not” means, if you open your eyes and look around, if your vision is for small things, you will see lots of creation. If your vision is really looking for big things, you will see the biggest presence in the existence is a vast emptiness.

A few spots which we call galaxies are generally much noticed, but the vast emptiness that holds them does not come into everybody’s notice. This vastness, this unbounded emptiness, is what is referred to as Shiva.

Mahashivratri is an opportunity and a possibility to bring yourself to that experience of the vast emptiness within every human being, which is the source of all creation.

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Light is a brief happening in your mind. Light is not eternal, it is always a limited possibility because it happens and it ends. The greatest source of light that we know on this planet is the sun. Even the sun’s light, you could stop it with your hand and leave a shadow of darkness behind. But darkness is all-enveloping, everywhere. The immature minds in the world have always described darkness as the devil. But when you describe the divine as all-pervading, you are obviously referring to the divine as darkness, because only darkness is all-pervading. It is everywhere. It does not need any support from anything.

Light always comes from a source that is burning itself out. It has a beginning and an end. It is always from a limited source. Darkness has no source. It is a source unto itself. It is all-pervading, everywhere, omnipresent. So when we say Shiva, it is this vast emptiness of existence. It is in the lap of this vast emptiness that all creation has happened. It is that lap of emptiness that we refer to as the Shiva.

I don't subscribe to emptiness is shiva theory. Can you give a source of this in any indian scripture?

Looks like biased and opinion forming article.

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

I don't subscribe to emptiness is shiva theory. Can you give a source of this in any indian scripture?

Looks like biased and opinion forming article.

Why do you want to limit Shiva to a particular form? And how exactly is it biased?

Edit :
And btw in Dharma - The book is never an authority. The Truth is the real Authority. Life as an experience always makes sense wherease life as a test is abrahamic bs.

 

[SimplyIndian]

Why do you want to limit Shiva to a particular form? And how exactly is it biased?

Emptiness is shiva is limiting in itself. Parabhram is source of everything we call it vishnu.
Creation is cycle, emptiness will also be destroyed in pralay. Then new beginning.

No one know these barring yogis.

Shiva is destroyer who disrroy everything including emptiness.

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

Emptiness is shiva is limiting in itself. Parabhram is source of everything we call it vishnu.
Creation is cycle, emptiness will also be destroyed in pralay. Then new beginning.

No one know these barring yogis.

Shiva is destroyer who disrroy everything including emptiness.

How is emptiness is limiting Shiva itself ? There are 3 eternal beings when you know that . Universe Ishwara and Atman. Also when I say universe dont limit it to physicality.

Also you seem to ignore the eternal laws of cosmos : "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti"

Shiva means nothing; nothing from which everything was created; created and manifested to be adorned and respected. Observers cannot exist when the whole world is in non-duality because all is one; no distinction between observers and observed would be possible. Therefore to satisfy the urge for an observer, Shakti or energy manifests itself as consciousness. Consciousness, the manifested gives us the ability to perceive and experience. Religion originates from our perception as a medium to bring in morality and humanity and helps us experience reality. We emerge from nothingness and go back to nothingness.

 

[SimplyIndian]

How is emptiness is limiting Shiva itself ? There are 3 eternal beings when you know that . Universe Ishwara and Atman. Also when I say universe dont limit it to physicality.

Also you seem to ignore the eternal laws of cosmos : "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti"

Shiva means nothing; nothing from which everything was created; created and manifested to be adorned and respected. Observers cannot exist when the whole world is in non-duality because all is one; no distinction between observers and observed would be possible. Therefore to satisfy the urge for an observer, Shakti or energy manifests itself as consciousness. Consciousness, the manifested gives us the ability to perceive and experience. Religion originates from our perception as a medium to bring in morality and humanity and helps us experience reality. We emerge from nothingness and go back to nothingness.

I am just saying nothingness has a source. It is not sources less.

Before nothingness ishwar exist. Shiva is more than nothingness.

 

[asaffronladoftherisingsun]

I am just saying nothingness has a source. It is not sources less.

And Shiva is nothingness.Nothingness is the play of Shiva and Shakti or energy that can be perceived through its working; we are nothing without them; we are the manifested forms of this energy.

Transcending Ishwara is also possible with Yoga and meditation. I asked My Master he declared :

1. The end of religion is the beginning of spirituality.
2. The end of spirituality is the beginning of reality,
3. The end of reality is real Bliss.
4. When that too is gone, we have reached the destination.

 

[SimplyIndian]

And Shiva is nothingness.Nothingness is the play of Shiva and Shakti or energy that can be perceived through its working; we are nothing without them; we are the manifested forms of this energy.

Transcending Ishwara is also possible with Yoga and meditation. I asked My Master he declared :

1. The end of religion is the beginning of spirituality.
2. The end of spirituality is the beginning of reality,
3. The end of reality is real Bliss.
4. When that too is gone, we have reached the destination.

Atma is all prevading. It is everywhere. Nothingness is human concept. Ishwar is more than Nothingness. atma is more than Nothingness. Nothingness is physical construct. Peudo science. Now eather is in fashion.

Let us agree to disagree. Yoga and meditation are human concepts.

Transcending ishwar??? What is this??