Spirituality for 21st Century Sanatana Dharma Eternal Life Style of Spiritual Living

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1 Spirituality for 21st Century Sanatana Dharma Eternal Life Style of Spiritual Living Swami Vivekananda the enlightened individual and the first Hindu monk to visit USA in 1893 said in a prophetic term, "India will dominate the world not by military might but by her thought". Indeed, in these challenging and turbulent times in the world, nearly 125 years later the spiritual values that have sustained the human beings on the Indian Subcontinent for at least 6000 years and perhaps many more and have been brought here by more than 3.5 million Hindu Immigrants over the past 50 years, certainly had a powerful impact in USA. Hindus have arrived here from different parts of the world, but of course majority of them are from India. These very Hindu spiritual values have helped these newcomers to succeed in this new country despite all the challenges typically faced by all new immigrants. Their task was even more daunting since for the majority of them their faith tradition was totally alien to the local population. They shared the time-tested wisdom crystallized in Bhagavad-Gita & Upanishads and also their spiritual common practices such as Yoga and Meditation with the local communities. That has inspired many Americans to seek their own health, peace and contentment through such practices. 1

2 At this very time many individuals are moving away from traditional faith traditions such as Christianity, which have often transgressed the time-honored traditions of spirituality to their detriment (Chandler 1). Some individuals even pronounce that they are spiritual but not religious (SBNR). The number of Americans who do not identify with any particular religion has increased from15% in 2007 to 20% in 2012 and continues to grow according to Pugh Research Center. One fifth of US public and third of the adults under the age of 30 years are reported unaffiliated with any religion, however they do identify as being spiritual in some way. Of those religiously unaffiliated Americans, 37% classify themselves as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). 68% of these do believe in God and 58% feel a deep connection to the earth. Demographically, research has found that the religiously unaffiliated population is younger, predominantly male, and 35% are between the ages of 18 and 29. Conversely, only 8% of religiously unaffiliated individuals are 65 and older. Among those unaffiliated with organized religion as a whole, 56% are men and 44% are women. Spirituality has a clearer definition than any organized religion with specific dogmas. Chandler (1) state that spirituality is made up of three parts: 1. Nature, 2. Divine wisdom from some higher power, 3. The self. Marler et al (2) reported in the Journal of Scientific Study of Religion in June 2002 that increased popularity of 2

3 Spirituality over organized religion trends towards deinstitutionalization, individualization, and globalization. SBNR is a popular phrase and used to self-identify a life stance of spirituality that takes issue with organized religion. Day (3) states in 2013 that SBNR is not just about rejecting religion outright, but not wanting to be restricted by it and not considering it even as the sole or the most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. These authors state that some of those who are critical of religion see it as rigid and pushy, leading them to use even terms such as atheist, agnostic to describe themselves. Those who identify as SBNR feel tension between their personal spirituality and membership in a conventional religious organization. Most of them value curiosity, intellectual freedom, and an experimental approach to religion. SBNRs are made up of heterogeneous groups which can be Dissenters, Casuals, Explores, Seekers, or Immigrants. These subgroups will be discussed later. Two individuals have influenced the western thinking greatly. The first and foremost is Jiddu Krishnamurti from Theosophical Society who discussed Vedantic Teachings of the divinity of the self and infused it with western psychologies of self-reliance. The other individual is D.T. Suzuki who discussed foundational knowledge of Zen, a central aspect of Buddhism. Krishnamurti provided SBNRs with the understanding that the essence of spirituality is comprised in the immediate, temporal and highly mystical experiences of human reality 3

4 that paradoxically transcend the triviality of the everyday human existence. Based upon the accounts of the Persian visitors ( BC) who mispronounced Sindhu River as Hindu, Hinduism was the term assigned by the modern-day theologians to our forefathers who lived on the banks of the river Sindhu while enjoying a spiritually satisfying life. They lived practicing common-sense universal values of ethics, morality and social responsibility in order to maintain happiness, peace and harmony in the society. Our forefathers called their life style as Sanatana Dharma. ध र यत ल क : अन न इतत धर म: Dharma धर म is one that sustains the society and maintains peace and harmony. There are several other meanings for Dharma noted in the two major Sanskrit-English dictionaries. The most famous is one compiled by the famous Sanskrit Scholar Principal, Vaman Shivram Apte and the other one is compiled by Sir Monier Monier-Williams. Some other meanings are righteousness, morality, duty, prescribed ethical conduct, justice, equality etc. Religion as the meaning for the word Dharma has been only added recently but only after arrival of Christians in India. Thus, Sanatana Dharma धर म can be best translated in English, is by calling it, Eternal life style of spiritual living. It was never called a religion instead our forefathers simply considered it as the spiritual life style or Vedic Dharma. 4

5 This Sanatana Dharma, now labelled Hinduism has never insisted on specific dogmas but instead emphasized on inherent spiritual freedom for every individual to make personal choices referring to it as Free Will. Such Spirituality lets one follow one's own heart and pursue what one feels right according to one's conscience. Such personal spiritual values are often concordant with the universal values and also are guided by the social responsibilities. The thought that arises in the mind and then expressed through the words or body language is then carried out through one s actions. This way such an individual is at peace & there are no conflicts. Some typical present-day other religions exhort the individuals to follow a specific ideology. One has to obey certain rules or otherwise will be punished. A typical Religion with specific Dogmas makes one to Fear, whereas Spirituality sets one Free. Such Religions insist that if we do not obey certain rules, there is punishment that awaits us. Strong and emphatic pronouncements they make one to rely on solely on specific beliefs. Spirituality instead lets us understand that every action has an appropriate reaction and natural consequences. It is simply a common sense cause and effect or a law of karma. What goes around, comes around. Spirituality relies solely on the fundamental forces of the universe and it does not insist on anyone to believe in that specific doctrine to be the only truth. That is how Hinduism/Sanatana/Vedic Dharma grants the individuals to pursue these universal values for common good and also personal spiritual growth. 5

6 Traditional religion makes one follow the specific journey in order to achieve the salvation after death, something one has to take it merely on faith. Spirituality on the other hand allows one to create one's own spiritual journey and reach that ultimate destination in this very life. Hindus consider that there are four goals or purushaarthas प र ष र म that are suggested for every human being to accomplish in one s life. Besides acquiring Artha (security) अरम, enjoying Kaama (All kinds of pleasures in life) क र, both these while living a spiritual life righteously (Life of Dharma) धर म, one must try and reach the ultimate or the fourth goal which is Moksha र क ष or liberation from any notion of limitation or any sense of want by realizing comprehensive knowledge of one s true nature and then coming to live in that state knowledge and enlightenment. Hindu faith tradition believes in reincarnation or rebirths in order to complete the incomplete goals or missions for any human being besides making restitutions for prior mistakes or enjoying the pleasures for the past good deeds. This gives the human beings several opportunities through multiple births to accomplish all the essential goals. Besides Gita clearly indicates that if the final goal of Moksha is not accomplished one can be reborn and start on that goal from exactly the same level at the time of death. तत र त ब द ध स य ग, लभत प र मद ह कर 6

7 Lord Sri Krishna in Gita 6:43 states that one regains the spiritual insight of prior birth. That individual can continue his spiritual journey from that point onwards in his new life. Nearly 53% of the world population and nearly 25% of those who practice Christianity believe in such afterlife and many more chances to redeem one. All of us know for a fact that no one is ever perfect; but when offered several opportunities through reincarnation human beings can reach their ultimate human goal of Moksha र क ष. Hindu Faith tradition also believes in the existence of God that is believed by most except those who are atheists. BRAHMAN is the term Hindus use when they refer to as God and consider that to be immanent (within) as well as transcendent (beyond limits of experience). This God or Ishvara is both the Intelligent cause (Nimitta Karana) and the Material cause (Upadana Karana) of the entire creation and thus our nature is indeed Divine. The ultimate purpose or the fourth goal or purushartha प र ष रम of this human existence as noted earlier is to rediscover that wisdom of our inherent divine nature through the personal teachings from an enlightened living teacher or GURU. Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, the publisher of Hinduism Today & present Head of Kauai Hindu Monastery has made following practical suggestions for SBNR in the upcoming issue (January/February/March 2018) of Hinduism Today (Pages 10-11). In short his advice was: 7

8 1. Study Existing Spiritual Literature: There is enormous amounts material is available on Yoga, Meditation and Self Realization. Please read it and try to master it. 2. Choose one system and stick to it: Just as when one wants to be outstanding dancer in Indian dances, one has to select one from a variety such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri etc. and try to master it. 3. Study with a qualified teacher: One must have a teacher or Guru accomplished in that system you have chosen. Of course, by keeping a healthy diet, meditating, worshipping regularly and reading scriptures one can make spiritual progress on your own, but one wants to maximize the progress in this lifetime, one needs a living qualified teacher called Guru in Sanskrit. He indicates that there are five reasons. A) Guru provides encouragement to continue to strive even through difficult times and as an experienced guide helps one to achieve more than one feels is possible. B) Guru helps us develop a spiritual self-concept. Whatever self-concept we bring along-bit one of self-doubt or one of great pride- Guru helps us to move beyond it and truly identify our self as a divine being. C) By voicing the ancient truths, Guru provides personal living insights that surpass the understanding one acquires reading books. D) Guru helps us to improve our behavior through focusing on our weakest areas as well as giving us guidelines as to how we should behave and how we should relate to the world. E) To advanced students, he or she provides if requested, 4. initiation, called Diksha, to quicken unfoldment and bring divine blessings into one s life. 5. Practice Daily: Daily practice and steady practice is essential to develop proficiency and then mastery in any 8

9 field. Any time during the day works, however early morning hours work the best. 6. Cultivate Devotion: Deep reverence for everything that exists. Since it was created by God who was both the intelligent and the material cause of creation which includes us human beings. We must develop abiding appreciation, veneration and awe. When the devotion becomes intense every waking moment is spent in His presence either through prayers, mediation and Samadhi or in the service of other individuals who are in need but also Divine creations. Enlightened Living Guru typically takes the disciple who is ready to realize the knowledge through the acquired vision of clarity accomplished through hard work, scriptural studies and overcoming the human flaws step by step, starting first with: Definition of the Eternal Truth: Lakshana Vaakya: लक षण र क य "Consciousness is Brahman". Prajnaanaam Brahma प रज ञ न र ब रह र I Rig Veda: Aitereya Upanishad: Ch.3, Sec 1, Verse 3 After a few years of training Guru lets the student pursue his studies & reflection on his own giving him parting advice. Statement of Advice: उपद श र क य "That Thou Art" Tat Tvam Asi तत त र र असस I : "You are that Consciousness or Brahman". Saama Veda: Chandogya Upanishad:Ch.6, Sec 8,verse 7 9

10 Through continued studies and regular deep meditations and Samadhi, the disciple reaches that level of realization when he experiences the truth and can with confidence make the Statement of Direct Experience: Anubhava र क य This Atman is Brahman: अयर आत र ब रह र I Ayam Atma Brahma" Atharva Veda: Maandukya Upanishad: Verse 2 Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Ch.4, Sec 4, verse 5; Ch.2, Sec 5, Verse 19. Living with that clear conviction the enlightened individual in his total happiness of fulfillment can regularly continue to make the Roar of Realization: Trupti Garjanaa त त गर मन "I am Brahman" "Aham Brahmaasmi" अ र ब रह र स मर I Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Ch.1, Sec 4, Verse 10. Yajur Veda. This is Anusandhaana Vaakya, a statement of regular experience of living constantly in the awareness of the Truth. The seeker is constantly seeking to discover one's own identity and asks," Who is he who is expressing so constantly through his own body?" Only through the transcendental experience can the seeker achieve the direct moments of realization. Consciousness is the single Living Energy that plays through all the creatures and inanimate creation and is identical to God. God is the substratum from which the entire universe Jagat has arisen, in which the Universe 10

11 exists and plays and into which alone ultimately all names and forms merge. Spiritual but not Religious SBNR movement created new opportunities for women to veer away from the androcentrism of Abrahamic traditions and blaze their own spiritual paths. Many of the themes that are quintessential to feminist spiritual and religious thought are also embodied in ecological spiritualities. These ecological spiritualities are rooted in the belief that the natural world is a medium for divine revelation and that nature possesses a spiritual worth that goes beyond the functional utility it might have for humans. For Hindus, entire creation, the mother earth is Divine, and thus Ecology becomes an integral part of a human values as detailed in Vedas. A typical Hindu before he gets out of his bed with his reverence for the mother earth and prays, सर द रर सन द र, पर मतमतनर ण डल I द धर ष ण पत न नर मत भ य, प दमपशम क षर मय र II Oh! Mother Earth, you live in the oceans with water all around and are blessed with the natural beauty of beautiful mountains, sacred rivers, exhilarating flora and fauna. Kindly forgive as I step on you since I cannot serve the humanity without doing so. The other common prayer for Hindus who deeply revere mother earth भ द र is the flora and the fauna in this majestic world that we are blessed to live in. The peace and contentment they pray for is not simply for oneself but for everyone and the prayer goes like this: 11

12 ॐ द य श स ततरततररक ष श स तत:, प ध ररर श स ततर प: श स ततर षधय: श स तत: र नमपतय: श स ततद धर श व द र : श स ततब रमह म, श स तत: सर मश स तत: श स ततर र श स तत: स र श स ततर ध रध I ॐ श स तत: ॐ श स तत: ॐ श स तत: I May there be peace in the sky and in the space. May there be peace on land and in the waters. May the herbs and food bring the peace. May all the personofications of God bring us peace. May there be peace throughout the world. May the peace be peaceful. May God give me such peace. Such spirituality is indeed perfect for everyone in this 21 st century and we should try our utmost to come to live it and reach all of our four goals or Purusharthas प र ष रम in this very Human Existence. ॐ तत सत I श र ग र भ य नर I Shashikant M. Sane, M.D. December 10 th,

13 References: *1. Abrahamic traditions emphasize that one s best bet is to look outside to a higher power that can guide and correct one s corporeal misjudgments. In these traditions, God above is the (only) source of wisdom & illumination. (Chandler, Siobhan Bryant, D, ed. Ways of Spirit ) *2. Marler et al (June 2002) Being Religious or Being Spiritual in America : A zero Sum Proposition? Journal for Scientific Study of Religion. 41 (2). *3. Day, Abby, ed. (2013). Social identities between the sacred and the secular. Burlington: Ashgate. ISBN *4. Jacques Berlinblau Huffington Post Blog 07/28/2012 Finally, let us look at some of the misunderstood terminology we use these days. Secularism is NOT Atheism. Secularism is the most misunderstood and mangled ism in the American political lexicon according to Jacques Berlinblau (4). Yet another false equation has emerged which is groundless is the association of secularism with atheism. During his raucous, unforgettable 2012 presidential run, in the republican primary debates the former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich fretted that his grandchildren were poised to live in a secular atheist country. He was potentially one dominated by radical islamists and with no understanding of what it once meant to be an American. By intentionally blurring the distinction between atheism & secularism, Gingrich, representing, the religious right might have succeeded in 13

14 drowning out the comments of others on the podium both during the debate. However smart & vigilant citizen recognized that this is absolutely untrue and simply represented a purposeful distortion for Gingrich s personal political gain. So, let us look at the correct definitions of each of these words. Atheism is a term that covers a wide variety of schools that ponder and/posit the non-existence of God/s. Among scholars there is a fascinating debate about precisely when precisely atheism arose. One compelling theory is that nonbelief as a coherent worldview developed within Christian theological speculation in early modernity. Secularism, on the other hand, has nothing to do with metaphysics. It does not ask whether there is a divine realm. Secularism does concern itself with the relations between Church and State. At the core, Secularism is deeply suspicious of any entanglements between government and religion. Secularism, in general sense, does not necessarily mean exclusion, or absence of religion except for those who are atheists. Secularism simply means equal validity or acceptance of all religions without creating any hierarchy or validity. At the institutional level, Secularism means that the institution s policies and practices are free from any religious interference or outright influence. One can generalize that all atheists are secular but not that all secularists are atheists. In the context of the U.S. Constitution, secularism means 14

15 1) Strict separation of the state from religious institutions (Separation of Church and State) 2) Equality of people of different religions and beliefs before the law. A secularist can be a religious personality as personally I am, but he or she still believes in institutional secularism. Secularism is not about curtailing religious freedom; it is simply about ensuring that the freedom of thought and conscience apply to believers of all faith traditions and non-believers alike. Spiritual but Not Religious (SBNR) SBNRs are made up of heterogenous and different typologies. Linda A. Mercadante (2014) categorizes into five distinct categories. (Belief without Borders: Inside the minds of the spiritual but not religious. New York, NY. Oxford University Press ISBN ) 1. Dissenters. These individuals are who are for most part make conscious effort to veer away from institutional religion. This could be triggered by adverse personal experiences but most of these are overtly skeptical of religious institutions and are of the view that religion is neither useful nor necessary part of individual spirituality. 2. Casuals. These are individuals who see religious or spiritual practices as primarily functional. Spirituality is 15

16 not organizing principle in their lives. They consider that to be used as-needed basis for bettering their health, relieving stress, and for emotional support. PRN is the term we use in the medical field. This is therapeutic spirituality used when needed. 3. Explorers are the individuals who seem to have what Mercadante refers to as a Spiritual wanderlust. These SBNRs find their constant search for novel spiritual experience to be a byproduct of their Unsatisfied Curiosity. Their desire for journey and change are related to the feelings of disappointment. Explorers are best understood as Spiritual Tourists with no intention of committing to a spiritual home. 4. Seekers. These are people who are looking for spiritual home but contemplate recovering earlier identities. They are eager to find completely new religious identity or alternative spiritual group that they can ultimately commit to. 5. Immigrants. These individuals have found themselves a novel spiritual terrain and are trying to adjust themselves to this newfound identity and its community. Immigrants can be best understood as those SBNRs who are trying on a radically new spiritual environment but have yet to feel completely settled there. 16