By Maria Wirth
At a seminar where Hinduism related topics were discussed, I asked some students during tea break, “Can you explain to me what Hinduism is about?”
There was an awkward silence. After a while, a girl said “Hindus worship many Gods.” I asked, who created the many Gods?” Now the silence was permanent. Nobody ventured an answer.
“Did you ever hear of Brahman?” I asked. “I do not mean Brahma the creator God, but Brahman the absolute Truth, the conscious Oneness behind this manifestation?”
No, none of them had heard of Brahman.
I hardly could believe it. How can the highest philosophy, discovered by the ancient Rishis, and handed down in the Vedas, not be handed down to future Indian generations, when even German philosophers and scientists praised it to the sky when this knowledge reached Europe a few hundred years ago?
From then on, when I meet youngsters, and there is a chance to have a conversation, I ask this question – “can you explain to me what Hinduism is about?”
So far, nobody told me about the basics of Indian wisdom. It almost seems as if Indians are not supposed to know that their tradition has a higher, absolute level, above the relative multiplicity of this world. A level which is beyond thoughts and words, which is A-dwaita: not-two, but ONE, and which makes the Indian tradition stand out among those traditions which came later.
By making Indians forget the highest teaching of their Rishis, those later traditions give the impression that THEY, not the Indian Rishis, have the more reasonable explanation for the creation of the universe. There cannot be many creators. It has to be ONE Supreme Power which is behind it, and indeed, Christianity and Islam stress the point that they worship one God, while Hindus worship many Gods, and therefore, they are the better choice and closer to the truth.
They get away with it, because most Hindus don’t know any longer their own tradition. Hindus will even argue, “what is wrong in worshipping many Gods? Leave us alone.”
Of course, nothing is wrong in worshipping many Gods. In fact, it makes great sense. As there is an incredible variety in this world, there are different ‘departments’ to be looked after by different Deities. But if Hindus don’t know that these different Deities are all one with the ONE Brahman, they basically concede that those two religions are more reasonable. The source must be ONE, and is ONE.
If Hindus knew their tradition, they can easily show, why Hinduism is preferable to Christianity and Islam, because it is closer to the truth.
How?
Christianity and Islam claim that the Creator is separate from His creation and nobody must claim that he or she is one with God (Christianity makes an exception for Jesus, and elevated him to God status).
Further, this God has likes and dislikes, and He doesn’t like it, when people don’t follow what he supposedly told to one person and which is contained in a book – in the case of Christianity this one person is Jesus Christ and the book is the Bible, and in the case of Islam, the person is Prophet Mohammed and the book is the Quran. In fact, the great one God not only doesn’t like it, but will send those disbelievers for all eternity into hell, after only one life.
This sounds VERY unlikely, doesn’t it?
Now compare with what Hinduism says:
The one cause for everything is the ONE Brahman which is best described as blissful, infinite, pure (= thought-free) Awareness.
Out of THAT or rather, within That, thanks to Its innate Power (Shakti), the plurality of this universe appears.
Yet this plurality is not separate from Brahman. It is like the waves on the one ocean. All waves are nothing but the ocean. Nothing is lost when a wave subsides.
But how do we know that this is closer to the truth?
Is it possible that “God” is somewhere in heaven (where is it?) and the world is, independent of Him, a separate entity? Now even science came to the conclusion that all is ONE. Nothing is separate. All is interconnected.
But the wisdom of the Rishis is not only theoretical. It is practical. It can be experienced and it should be experienced. Conscious, blissful Oneness is not somewhere up in heaven, but it is the essence in all of us. The Rishis experienced it and they give us hints, how we also can experience it.
One major hint is to still the thoughts. The reason is simple. Beneath or beyond thoughts, there is pure Awareness – Sat-Chit-Ananda, and when we still the thoughts, we can get in touch with that.
To know, who we really are, is the goal of life and its fulfilment. We are not a small person in a big world, but blissful Awareness, one with everything.
The goal of life is not to wait for death and then hope to go to heaven, because we have steadfastly believed in a book during our life time.
The ultimate Truth is not in a book. It is within us.
By Maria Wirth
41 Comments
Excellent write up on a sensitive yet confusing topic. It’s perfect for everyone to read and get an email insight on Hinduism
MARIA WIRTH VOICE OF HINDUISM IN WORLD 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
MARIA WIRTH CLEAR VOICE OF HINDUISM 🙏🙏🙏 OM NAMO NARAYAN 🚩🔱
My respects 🙏
Respected Maria ji, educating the Hindus on Hinduism and Hindutva is an uphill task…so sad to note. However, I am glad that renaissance is happening among the Hindus.
Dear one, indian follows the simple rule the basic rule of Hinduism and that is Dharma, Arth, Kaam, and moksha, and this forth one moksha you will find in Indians who are above 65, because all others below 65 are busy in Dharma, Artha, Kaam, so next time if you want to ask questions then please go to above 65 peoples, they tell you exact definition will experiences
Wel said Maria
BRAVO MARIA. I CANNOT BELIEVE HPW IGNORANT THE HINDUS ( ESP. THE MIDDLE CLASSES( ARE.
I THOUGHT ISKCON WAS DOING A GREAT JOB IN INDIA – BUT AM NOT SO SURE NOW.
So beautifully explained by you . That’s the bitter truth of today’s youth that they are so unconscious about their own roots and Vedic knowledge, and I believe that the problem is not the with the youth but the generations before . But The Truth may be troubled but not defeated . Very much positive and so thankful to the awareness you are bringing in the society and especially the youth .
Naman and Sadhuwaad
Brilliantly described by Maria about exploring Sanatanism (Hinduism).
Thankyou very much maam
I would like to add one basic fact, The Hindus worship many gods, that’s because one can choose any form mostly are demi gods, Avatar, Roomam who are the forms of energy in many forms… to Lead them to the ultimate Brahama the GOD or the supreme. The facts that need to be understood is a Hindu can choose to to pray Shiva, Krishna, Shakti etc etc…. and the best part is he could be an atheist and still be a Hindu, that’s inclusive of one and all…. it’s never said or prescribed that if you don’t pray ME you need to die, burn in hell and crap like that.
I wish this is included in your article ma’am 🙏🙏
Well said…i wish i could have articulated like that
Hi,
Most urbanised(westernised) Indians will not know much about Sanatan Dharma and therefore you need to seek answers in small towns and villages. The occasional urbanite will give you a complex explanation, but the confusion of the city blurs it.
Sanatana Dharma has only One God, Brahman, as you pointed out, but Hindus have created scores of Gods. All the same One Brahman in different roles and locations.
Best.
Simple minds are also ignorant minds.
But prone to being misguided.
nicely explained. thanks a lot
The thoughts are very good. The subject needs a lot of thoughts I suggest you should ask a doctor named Dr. Avinash who perhaps can lend clarity to your question “What is Hinduism” he prefers to educate us elders & youngsters on lines of what you call “Hinduism” which is an anglical name to Sanatana Dharma. Your question sounds like asking “What is carbon dioxide?” Every one will be baffled by what you wish to know about it but not all will be able to give you clarity on what you actually wished to know. See if you can get Dr. Avinash & you’ll be happy to know more about Sanatana Dharma.
Sanatana Dharma is a spiritual system of evolution that helps one attain union with God through a series of births and deaths. Spiritual evolution means transcendence of supramental stages or avasthas to have mukthi or union with God through the guidance of a realized Guru, who has transcended these spiritual stages (or lokas) already. The lokas such as swarga loka, rishiloka, maharloka, janaloka, brahmaloka mentioned in Puranas are the other names for these spiritual stages. The Upanishads, Brahmsutra and Bhagavad Gita, the three authoritative scriptures (prasthana thrayam) of Hinduism are the elaboration of this theme. The rishis had developed four secular ways i.e. Karma, Yoga, Jnana and Bhakti to achieve this goal.
In the post Vedic age this science of spiritual evolution is seen limited to Devas (Swarga loka) through the concept of Trimurti and the family of gods through the mythology in Puranas. From here begins the divergence of Sanatana Dharma and popular Hinduism being practiced today. The sacred knowledge of spiritual evolution had been lost to mankind many ages ago through the error of a spiritual master in Manu Parampara, reveals Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru. Sanatana Dharma is a system of gradual spiritual unfoldment by which the soul blossoms into a perfect divine being through the Guru-Shishya relationship, according to the teaching of the Guru.
One of the great contributions of India to human society is its Sanatana worldview that reveals the knowledge about the origin, evolution, and dissolution of the universe, the Manvantara time scales, the spiritual biospheres (lokas) above the earth’s atmosphere, the transmigratory journey o jeevatma – the human soul through those astral dimensions as well as the guru-disciple experiential spirituality to realize the Ultimate Truth of God. This vast corpus of knowledge and its applications in man’s life constitute the spiritual culture called Sanatana Dharma – God’s Eternal Dharma. This divine knowledge remained buried in the dust of time,an in the pages of sacred texts that suffer from mythological misinterpretations and interpolations.Sanatana Dharma is a set of eternal cosmic laws that help to purify oneself and to become a divine soul through the guidance of a realized Guru.
Love it. I had understood wat Hinduism is but my knowledge was fragmented. You put it together.
Thanks.
For those who are advanced student of Hinduism, Swami Vivekanada def: Hinduism is the expression of divinity within us.
thank you for this elaboration
kindly read the article. you will come to know in which context i ask this question especially to the young Hindus.
thanks
did you read the article? i don’t expect answers. i ask the question of youngsters, so that i can tell them about the basics of Hindu Dharma. Most don’t know.
thank you
if you read my reply to Zakir Naik, i mentioned it. or also in the article on “Are Hindus idol-worshippers”
thank you
thanks a lot
it’s sad, and not really their fault…
did you read the article and why i ask this question of youngsters? i don’t expect replies from them, but hope to give them some knowledge. there are still young people who search for the truth, young sadhus, too.
yes, agree
thank you
thanks
thank you
Sharing my life changing experience from Meditation :
Around 5 years ago, when reading about Steve Jobs, I came across his most favorite book called “Autobiography of a YOGI” by Paramahansa Yogananda
Steve read this book every year since the age of 13. This book was also given as Steve’s last gift during his last ceremony.
I read this book and practiced the basic scientific meditation technique mentioned in the book for at least 30+ minutes every day.
https://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-Self-Realization-Fellowship-Paramahansa-Yogananda/dp/0876120796/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0/145-0085562-9547608?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5W2DFM8V26046JQXHCPA
As thousands of readers have mentioned in their review, I had many amazing experiences:
Every time I do this meditation , I feel immense power, peace , love, joy and bliss. negative thought does not enter in the brain. All kind of stress/anxiety/fear disappear immediately like some magic happened
Within few years of time, I became free from all kinds of health related issues that I used to struggle with routinely. such as Acidity, Allergy and skin related issues. They are gone like they never existed. And if any symptom comes back they are gone with few punches of meditation
I also had many spiritual experiences – I would list some here
1. During Meditation, I have seen many divine incarnations and saints multiple times on the Third Eye (Inner vision in non-physical dimension) i.e. Krishna, Jesus, Buddha, Shiva, Arjun, Vishnu, Ganesh, Hanuman, Kali, Mahaavatar babaji, Yogananda and Mohamad and many more
2. Meditation gave me access to “Extreme enjoyment” called Bliss – this enjoyment is hundreds of times far greater than other enjoyments knows to mankind i.e. Sex , alcohol, music, sports, travel, adventures etc. It’s like having thousands time far greater “happy hour”
3. Meditation gave me access to Blissful Cosmic life energy (Pranic or life energy) – this energy sustains the physical body, usually received in low quantity from fresh food or sleep. Meditation helps you download this in excess quantity and “on demand” – This life energy also heals body from diseases or illness. This energy fully charges you and also slows your aging process.
4. Like many, I can also very easily and clearly hear omnipresent AUM vibrations (known as “sound of creation” or “sound of God”)
5. Many times, I have seen glimpses of future events before they have actually happened on Third eye vision
I have also seen astral forms (Non-physical) of friends, family, relatives, colleagues, animals, plants on Third eye
6. I have also seen outside the body (non-physical dimension) multiple times , a fog like soundless world where I could see 360 degree . This explained me that I am not just a body or mind but an invisible being (soul or spirit) living inside it. And people don’t permanently die but they just leave the body.
Conclusion: This also explains to me that the world is not what it can be seen/understood through physical eyes /mind. It appears to be like a planned movie show (or God’s puppet show) where a higher power (the director) is already aware of all future/past events. And through meditation these can be experienced and understood on deeper level
I recommend this book to all of you
Note: the above is my personal experience from direct realizations through meditation (scientific process). It’s not part of any religion, politics, blind faith, dogma etc but pure science – the science that extends beyond ordinary sense perception
Thank you everyone!
You have explained in simple words what Rishis and sages of yore took lives to explain.
very nice
Very well explained 🙏🙏👍
Most of the youngsters can’t exactly explain what Hinduism is all about, due to the ‘great education system’, developed by the leftist!
In next couple of years we all will experience the positive change for sure!
It’s actually all about spiritual knowledge thro which one can reach realisation!
One point which you have mentioned maam is ‘ zero state of mind’ – no thoughts, but that is never the ultimate goal,it is just one of the steps forward.
Ultimate goal is self realisation – know thiself – which always takes a long time to achieve !
Only great saints and real satgurus like our beloved Swamiji – Swami Madahavanand of ‘Swaroopyog’ of Navnath clan – the one Saint Dnyaneshwar hailed from- can lead and guide perfectly thro the journey.
Some of this literature is now translated in English as well,which lets one understand the crux of Spirituality.
Wenn Sie lesen wollen,können Sie mir bescheid geben,und ich schicke Ihnen ein paar Bùcher.
Danke schön
thanks, incidentally, i had a guru from the Nathpanth sampradaya
You did not mention Judaism, the root of Christian and Islam
Yes quite true. But some preliminary knowledge like a FAQ should be taught to children. Those reading our purana stories, Upanishad seekers who were children etc will inspire them to know about our culture and religion.