Spirit Online

June 14, 2009

Thoughts

How free is your mind?  Is it free from fear, worry and anxiety?  From jealousy, judgment and criticism?  From anger, bitterness and blame?

We often become so focused on external conditions and circumstances that our minds get trapped into negative thoughts and feelings.  The more our minds get caught up in the external world, the less connected we become to the peace, wisdom, joy, understanding and insight that is available to us from within, and the less aware we are of our “oneness” with God.

So how do we liberate our minds from this attachment to the external world, and allow ourselves to experience a greater level of spiritual peace, joy and fulfillment?

This week, we are exploring the wisdom of Hinduism.  Hinduism is a pathway that seeks to liberate us from the external “traps” that preoccupy our minds and, in so doing, enables us to experience the depth of our soul, the nature of our true self, and a full realization of our oneness with God.

Hinduism marks the third week in our series, “Many Paths, One God.”  It’s important to study different faiths, because God is so much bigger than any one religion.  No single religion can capture or comprehend the fullness, omniscience and total mystery of God.  Each religion encapsulates a level of wisdom, truth and insight, and it’s important for us to study and understand all of these perspectives, because it can provide us with greater insight into our own nature, our connection to one another, and our relationship with the divine.

Hinduism is the oldest known religion, spanning more than 7,000 years.  There are over 900 million Hindus in the world, making it the third largest religion.  Unlike many religions, Hinduism does not have just one holy text; it actually pulls from a variety of holy scriptures, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana and the Mahabharata (which includes the Bhagavad Gita scriptures).  And, unlike most religions, Hinduism wasn’t founded or inspired by one person (e.g., Jesus for Christianity or Muhammad for Islam).  Hinduism is based on the writings of a great number of ancient sages.

Hindus believe that there is only one God – or Supreme Being – but a number of deities represent a particular aspect of that Supreme Being.  Three deities in particular – Brahma (creation), Vishnu (preservation) and Shiva (dissolution and recreation) – together form the Hindu Trinity.  A large variety of additional gods represent different aspects of this same Supreme Being: for example, Saraswati represents learning and knowledge, and Ganesha – the popular elephant-shaped god – represents the faith to remove all obstacles.

A major doctrine of Hinduism is Karma, the law of “cause and effect.”  Hindus believe that God doesn’t cause any suffering or enjoyment.  Rather, all that we experience in life is the effect of “causes” we have put into action over the years.  For example, if we put out negative energy and behaviors, we attract back those same kind of circumstances.  If we put out positive energy and behaviors, we attract positive situations back into our lives.  All of our experiences are based on past “karma,” actions that have caused the “effect” of our current circumstances.

Another major doctrine of Hinduism is Reincarnation.  Hindus believe souls are reborn over and over again until they achieve full realization of their oneness with God.  Once that realization is achieved, the soul is liberated from the life and death cycle, and becomes a perfect, free soul.

Hindus believe that every soul is divine, that no soul is lost, and that every soul will ultimately experience liberation.  But to do so, each person must do the necessary work to purify their mind – to detach and free it from the external world – so that they can fully realize their oneness with God: their absolute connection with the infinite intelligence, power and source that created it all. 

What is wonderful about Hinduism is that each individual is personally responsible for finding their own individual truth, and is fully empowered to pursue their own spiritual life, growth and evolvement.  Hindus believe there are limitless paths that can lead to the full realization of our oneness with God.  As such, they are encouraged to explore a wide variety of different scriptures, paths and spiritual philosophies to achieve this goal.

The practice of yoga is a primary vehicle Hindus use to allow their spirit and divine essence to flow forth easily, to purify their minds, and to experience their oneness with the divine.  Four of the more common yoga paths are:

• JNANA Yoga (knowledge)
• KARMA Yoga (selfless action)
• BAKTI Yoga (total devotion to God)
• RAJA Yoga (meditation) 

JNANA YOGA focuses on purifying the mind by feeding it with spiritual knowledge.  This practice includes reading, studying, listening and memorizing spiritual truths.  It is the equivalent of studying the Bible, reading spiritual books, listening to wise teachers, memorizing particular scriptures and deeply analyzing spiritual principles.  The Bhagavad Gita says, “Fill the mind with me, and you will attain me.”  This practice demonstrates that one of the ways in which we purify our minds from all the “noise” of the external world is to fill it with truth: wisdom, insights and understandings that we gain from scriptures and sages.  The truth you attain helps to uplift and expand your consciousness.

How much do you do each day to feed your mind with spiritual knowledge?  This week, take the time to practice some Jnana Yoga and fill your mind with spiritual truth.  Read an inspirational book.  Listen to a message from a spiritual teacher.  Memorize a favorite scripture, and repeat it over and over again: “I can do all things through God, who strengthens me.”  “The Father and I are one.”   “With God all things are possible.”  Make a commitment to fill your mind often with whatever spiritual truths resonate with you.  Doing so will help you to purify your mind, and become more aware of your oneness with God.

KARMA YOGA focuses on doing things for others by embodying and expressing your god qualities of kindness, compassion, sensitivity and generosity.  This practice includes such things as reaching out and encouraging someone with a positive word, smiling at them, or sending a silent prayer for their peace and happiness.  We sometimes get so caught up in our own selfish needs that we don’t think often enough of others.  But, in truth, expressing the divine qualities such as love and kindness actually releases negativity and keeps the flow of the divine in our lives.  A Bhagavad Gita scripture says, “Therefore without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for working without attachment, one attains the supreme.”  What this means is that, when you act with selflessness -- when you express compassion, kindness and generosity to others – you are doing it for one reason: to serve God and express more of God in your life.  You should not do it to help or be nice or earn good karma, but simply because it is your spiritual duty to honor God in this manner.

How much do you honor God by performing selfless acts?  This week, make a point of practicing Karma Yoga.  Each morning ask yourself, “How is God calling me today?  How does He want me to serve others?  What godly quality does He want me to express in the world today?  Who am I able to reach out and help today?  Expressing these godly qualities will bring you closer to realizing your oneness with God.

BHAKTI YOGA focuses on cultivating our love for God, and demonstrating total devotion to God.  This practice involves opening your heart and developing an inward love, awareness and appreciation of the divine within yourself.  We are often so preoccupied with materialism – so envious of what we don’t have or afraid of what we might lose – that we miss out on the truth of God’s divine presence and, consequently, the depths of spiritual fulfillment that is ever available to us.

How devoted are you to God?  How willing are you to surrender your entire life to God?  This week practice some Bhakti Yoga and focus on opening your heart to God.  Close your eyes, and give your heart and attention fully to the depth of your love for God.  Let go of your attachments, and center on feeling love and appreciation to God for all the ways that you are blessed and supported in your life.  Let your heart open to God, and to how meaningful God’s holy presence is in your life.  Make a commitment to expand your love to God.  Devote your awareness to realizing your oneness with God, and commit to making that the supreme goal of your life.  Doing so will lead you to the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.

RAJA YOGA  -- Royal Union – focuses on deepening our awareness of God through the practice of meditation.  The Bhagavad Gita states, “There is merit in studying the scriptures, in selfless service, austerity, and giving, but the practice of meditation carries you beyond all these to the supreme abode of the highest Lord.”  Quieting the mind and connecting with the depths of your soul through meditation is the highest form of yoga, and the greatest path towards knowing your oneness with God.

We have a tendency to look outside ourselves for peace, fulfillment and happiness … but the only way to truly attain these precious gifts is to look within.  As it says in scripture, “Be still and know that I am God.”  This is the essence of all yoga, of all spiritual practice: to quiet the mind, become still, and become aware of our connection to and oneness with God.

The Hindus practice a variety of different meditations, all of which are dedicated to quieting the mind and opening a path to the soul.  One of the more common practices is the use of mantras, phrases that are repeated over and over again.  Repeating a mantra such as, “Lead me from the unreal to the real” will eventually quiet the mind, and open up a space for the soul to be heard, expressed and experienced.

But to be successful, it is necessary to be disciplined and dedicated to the practice of meditation.  You must practice a lot to become good at it.  The more you practice, the quieter your mind will become.  This week, dedicate yourself to Raja Yoga.  Commit some time every day to meditation, to opening a space for your soul to be expressed, felt and known by you in mind, body and spirit.

So this week, work on freeing your mind from outer attachments and limited thinking.  Dedicate yourself to purifying your mind and opening our heart to the essence of who you are as a divine being.  Fill your mind with spiritual truths, act selflessly, expand your love and appreciation for God, and practice meditation.  These are the pathways to realizing your oneness with God, and the absolute peace, wisdom, joy and fulfillment that will bring.

God bless you!

Prayer

Living, loving Spirit, I let go of anything that is holding me back from absolute awareness of my oneness with You.  I open myself to feeling Your divine presence within me.  I feel comfort in knowing that I am connected to You.  Let Your light shine within me and through me, God.  Guide, direct and inspire me to reflect your infinite love, intelligence and power.  Thank you for all of the gifts you have brought into my life.  Thank you for your love, life, laughter, joy, healing and transformation, and for all of the rich blessings that have touched my life in so many ways.  Thank you, God.  Amen.

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