Udasis: Guru Nanaks order of ascetics are called Udasis. They correspond to Sannyasins and Vairagis. They are indifferent to the sensual pleasures of this world (Udasina). Hence they are called Udasis.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Udasis: Hindu Sects and Cults - Udasis

Over the last century, it is in the realm of art that a contrarian movement developed - towards spirituality, a movement that has been sought to be described by one word: 'Abstract'.

One of the first to define the abstract was W Kandinsky, who explained it as non-materialism in art, the exploration of the spiritual entity of things, when art, stripped of its theatricality, and its "bait of entertainment" reached a pure core. The dictionary splits the word abstract into the Latin 'abs', meaning 'away from', and 'tractum', meaning 'to draw'. Clearly, it means to draw away from the external to the internal entity of things.

(See also: Masti , Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Masti: Music Of Masti And Meditation  

Learn Fom History, Don't Change It

The path of love and compassion is the best way of achieving universal amity. Adi Shankara's mutts - which he established in several parts of the country - symbolise the oneness of the people of India. Adi Shankara worked to bring about unity and understanding among people. Towards this end, he journeyed across the country, spreading the message of peace and goodwill. 

By Sonia Gandhi

Read more here: » Hinduism: Soniaji, Hinduism is Not Just Ramayana!

Since prehistoric times sacred places have exerted a mysterious attraction on billions of people around the world. Ancient legends and modern day reports tell of extraordinary things that have happened to people while visiting these places. Different sacred sites have the power to heal the body, enlighten the mind, increase creativity, develop psychic abilities, and awaken the soul to a knowing of its true purpose in life.

Normally, when one thinks of such places, the mind imagines terrestrial locations, fixed and unmoving, such as mountains, lands and caves. But the planet is a water place too with more than 70% of the surface of the earth covered with water. Many sacred sites are connected to water.

Read more here: » Sacred Sites: Sacred waters around the World.

To Cut Or Not to Cut The Tree Of Life

Cut this tree of life, advises Krishna in the fifteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. He likens life in this material world to a tree. It is the holy Ashwattha tree, says Krishna, indestructible, with its roots above and branches spread below, and so huge that neither its end nor its middle are discernible.

Read more here: » Tree Of Life: To Cut Or Not to Cut The Tree Of Life

Spengler's List And The Gitaian Soul

German philosopher Oswald Spengler wrote about the history of western civilisation in his work, Decline of the West . Spengler's work was based on the premise that the main thrust for high cultures which arose in Greece, the Middle East and post-renaissance Europe came from the physiognomy of men who were driven to direct the destiny of a whole people. Spengler has given them special names. All that is manifested in Greek art, architecture, literature and philosophy, for instance, he calls ÔClassical and Apollonian soul'.

Read more here: » Gitaian Soul: Spengler's List And The Gitaian Soul

The Spiritual Atheism Of Vedantic Thought

Superficially, Gita appears to be theistic in nature. Verse 29 of Chapter 9 is one of several where Krishna tells Arjun about bhaktiyoga or the path of devotion. But the full shloka makes it clear that this is no ordinary worship. "The same am I to all beings, to me there is none hateful or dear; but those who worship me with devotion are in me and I am also in them". Moksha, in other words, is a state of oneness rather than duality.

Read more here: » Atheism: The Spiritual Atheism Of Vedantic Thought

Vairagis: A Vairagi is one who is devoid of passion. Vairagis are Vaishnavas. They worship Lord Rama, Sita and Hanuman. They read the Ramayana of Tulasidas. The mendicant Vaishnavas of the Ramanandi class are the Vairagis. This ascetic order was instituted by Sri Ananda, the twelfth disciple of Ramananda.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Vairagis: Hindu Sects and Cults - Vairagis

Karma is of three kinds, viz., Sanchita (accumulated works), Prarabdha (fructifying works) and Kriyamana or Agami (current works). Sanchita is all the accumulated Karmas of the past. Part of it is seen in the character of man, in his tendencies and aptitudes, capacities, inclinations and desires, etc. Tendencies come from this. Prarabdha is that portion of the past Karma which is responsible for the present body. That portion of the Sanchita Karma which influences human life in the present incarnation is called Prarabdha.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Karma: The Three Kinds Of Karma - Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami

There are five great daily sacrifices that are to be performed by every householder. They are: Brahma Yajna, called also Veda Yajna, sacrifice to Brahman or the Vedas or the sages; Deva Yajna, sacrifice to the celestials; (iii) Pitri Yajna, sacrifice to the manes; Bhuta Yajna, sacrifice to all the creatures; and Manushya Yajna, sacrifice to men.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Pancha Mahayajnas: The Hindu Ritual Pancha Mahayajnas

Art of Listening: Samyak Shravan

Listening, shravan, is one of the easiest and most spontaneous methods of meditation. Mahavira extolled the virtues of shravan. He taught his disciples to be Shravakas and Shravikas - those who become adept in right listening. All India-born religions agree upon the benefits of shravan. From ancient sages like Ashtavakra and Gautama the Buddha to modern mystics like J Krishnamurti, all praise Samyak Shravan or the art of listening.

Read more here: » Samyak Shravan: Art of Listening - Samyak Shravan

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Karma: The Devayana And The Pitriyana

The Shubh and Laabh of Balancing the Books

The words Shubh Laabh can be seen scripted at the entrance of many big and small business establishments in India. This is also inscribed on the cash-ledger as part of a ritual of sanctification of the new books of account on Dhanteras, the auspicious day two days before Deepavali, when the Indian commercial calendar traditionally commences. What does this legend signify?

Read more here: » Shubh and Laabh: The Shubh and Laabh of Balancing the Books

The soul migrates with the astral body, or Sukshma-Sarira or Linga-Deha. This astral body is made up of nineteen Tattvas or principles, viz., five organs of action, five organs of knowledge, five Pranas, mind, intellect, Chitta (the subconscious), and Ahankara or egoism.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Karma: Passage Of The Soul Between Death And Rebirth

Bhakti Yoga: Four Ways of Showing Devotion to God

The Bhagavad Gita recommends Bhakti Yoga towards attaining moksha . Krishna tells Arjuna that a person who thinks of Him at least at the time of his death is liberated of all his sins. Krishna explains the four types of devotional service rendered to Him: One who thinks of Him at the time of distress is the aartha. One who is worried by the struggle for prosperity, power, self and property is the Artha-arthi .

A third who yearns for the realisation of the atman is the jijnaasu . The fourth is the jnani . He is immersed in the Brahmathathwam and looks for the Lord in all possible places; he yearns for nothing.

Read more here: » Bhakti Yoga: Four Ways of Showing Devotion to God

Intelligence does not in and of itself bring happiness. What brings happiness is acceptance. There is no purpose to intelligence, it is inherent within the energy of all that is. Intelligence and energy are one and the same. Energy is intelligence. Intelligence is energy.

Happiness is a result of acceptance. Those who operate with greater mental constraints, for whatever reason, sometimes seem to have an easier time accepting their circumstances, their environment, and themselves, because they are not given to long- winded inner dialoguing and mental journeys into the various nuances of their perceived reality. And so a socalled simple minded person can shrug their shoulders and carry on, accept what is, and that is what creates the avenue for the experience of happiness.

(See also: Metaphysics, Metaphysical Principles, Definition of Metaphysics, Metaphysical Techniques, Miracles, Creating Miracles Faith and Belief, Spiritual Guidance, Peace of Mind, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Metaphysical Inspirations: Intelligence and Happiness

Age of Aquarius - N

Astrologers believe that evolution goes through cycles corresponding to the signs of the zodiac, each lasting from 2,000 to 2,400 years. New Age advocates say we are now moving from the cycle associated with Pisces into the one associated with Aquarius. The Acquarian Age will supposedly be characterized by a heightened degree of spiritual or cosmic consciousness.

(See also: Age of Aquarius , New Age, Body mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Hindu Ethics Dictionary

Why Wicca is Not Celtic Paganism

There are many out there who believe that Wicca and its related forms of NeoPagism are a type of Celtic Paganism (and vice versa),  but this is simply not true. The following article is meant to be a comparison of Wicca and Celtic Paganism in order to demonstrate this, and to educate the public about Celtic Paganism. While Wicca certainly contains elements of Celtic mythology, folk magic and religious belief, its basic tenets and beliefs are radically different from those of Celtic Pagans.

Read more here: » Wicca and Celtic Paganism: Why Wicca is Not Celtic Paganism

Rama Sanehis: The founder of this order was Ramcharan who was born in the year 1718 in a village near Jaipur in Rajasthan. The Rama Sanehi mendicants are of two classes, viz., the Videhis who are naked and the Mohinis who wear two pieces of cotton cloth dyed red in ochre.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Rama Sanehis: Hindu Sects and Cults - Rama Sanehis

The Law of Karma is one of the fundamental doctrines not only in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism, and in Jainism. As a man sows, so he shall reap. This is the Law of Karma. If you do an evil action, you must suffer for it. If you do a good action, you must get happiness. There is no power on this earth which can stop the actions from yielding their fruits. Every thought, every word, every deed is, as it were, weighed in the scales of eternal, divine Justice. The Law of Karma is inexorable.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Karma: The Working Of The Law of Karma

Zen Buddhism: Zen Buddhist Dictionary

A dictionary of Zen Buddhism terms. Please note that all words in grey like " Buddhism " are links to an archive with related articles.

For more dictionary entries, see » Hindu Ethics Dictionary

Nimbarka Sampradayis And Ramanuja Sampradayis

There are Sadhus of the Nimbarka Sampradaya. There are Vaishnavas. The Sannyasins of the Ramanuja Sampradaya wear orange-coloured cloth, a holy thread and tuff and Tri-danda or three-staff. At present, they are very few in number.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Nimbarka Sampradayis: Hindu Sects and Cults - Nimbarka Sampradayis And Ramanuja Sampradayis