We support all faiths and beliefs, whether an individual
or organized path. As a gesture of religious tolerance and in recognition of the Truths in all faiths, we offer these
short articles on the Living Religions of our time. These articles are not intended to explain any religious belief but to
give the seeker a place to begin to explore and understand the fundamental truths of the spiritual life as seen from different
perspectives.
LIVING RELIGIONS - Hinduism Hinduism has always held that there are many paths to the same God.
"Truth is one; sages call it by different names," says the "Vedas," the Hindu sacred scriptures.
"There are many paths to God, but a path is by no means means God. Bow down and worship where others kneel, for where
so many have adored, the kind Lord must manifest himself, for he is all mercy."
Hinduism arose from the ancient civilizationthat developed in northwestern India
in the Indus Valley in 6000 BCE. Today there are 850 million followers of Hinduism all over the world. In India,
Hinduism is called "Sanatana Dharma" which means "eternal teaching." God, or the eternal spirit is called
Brahman. The various Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu faith are different aspects of the one God. Lord Krishna is the
most popular of these aspects. He is said to be the author of "The Bhagavad Gita," which is a guide to Hindu
moral behavior. There are four paths to the goal for actualizing human potential for Hindus. The first is the path of
knowledge, which has three stages: hearing, listening to sages and scriptures; thinking, intensive reflection; and, shifting
self-identification to one's abiding part. The second path is through Love, to direct toward God the love that lies
at the base of every heart. "Keep the name of the Lord spinning in the midst of all your activitie," brings the
love of God into being. The third path is through work. All you need to do is learn how to work in ways that carry you toward
God, not away from God. The fourth path is through psychophysical exercises. These exercises bring us through
the four layers of self: the body, the conscious mind, the subconscious mind, and Being Itself. This path requires the
student to have one's personal life in reasonable order and one's relationships harmonious. Working through the body
to the mind through the breath one unplugs from this world and embraces the spiritual world.
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