People: Self Improvement

In ancient times flowed the river Sindhu, better known as the Indus. By the river lived a group of people known as the Aryans. The people across called the riverthe Hindu and the Aryans, Hindus. Much later, (in a world fond of ‘isms’), their Way of Life became known as ‘Hinduism’. The Aryans knew it as Manav Dharm or ‘Religion of Man’. Also known as Sanatan Dharm or Eternal Religion,it is a religion founded on eternal truths based on questions such as, “Where did the universe come from and how?” “Is there a Creator, what is she/he like?” “What is the relationship between the Creator and us, the created, if any?” “What happens to us when we die?” “Do we exist after death?” “Did we exist before our birth?” “What is our purpose on this earth?” Great seers pondered these questions and the basis of Hinduism is the eternal and super-sensuous truths discovered by them. This makes it truly timeless. It is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.

Hinduism is not a religion in the Western sense of the word. It is a system of spiritual development, covering all aspects of life as aids to self-realization.In the oldest and most authentic Vedic texts, the Rig Ved and Yajur Ved, it is said that the Aryans enjoyed a high standard of material comfort. They spoke of heaven and there is practically no mention of hell. Today, with access to a higher level of material comfort, there is more familiarity with ‘hell’ than with ‘heaven’. There is a need for the concept of hell to be able to see the possibility of a heaven, that heaven must be a place away from this earth!

The belief that our present actions create our future encourages taking complete responsibility of our own actions and inaction, thus determining what becomes of us. Good was encouraged over the pleasant, as what seemed pleasant was not always good. Use, not abuse of the body was inculcated: “shariramadyam khalu dharmasadhanam” meaning the body is the primary instrument to practice dharma. The body is the temple of the soul/higher self/god. Physical austerities were encouraged to the extent that it strengthened the mind.

The renowned sage Pathanjali founded the yog that has gained so much ground today. Asans and Pranayam are a part of Raj Yog, which form a part of Pathanjali’s Yog Sutras. This is most suited for those with a tendency to explore, know and gain absolute control over one’s mind, by first mastering one’s body. To keep in balance is fundamental, whether physical or mental.Sarvam Atyanta Garitam or too much of anything is bad is also reflected in the words of Mark Twain, Everything in moderation, including moderation”.

Linus Orakles
http://www.authorclub.info/