Moksha

surface level understanding of the notion of karma, all the while, having no idea about the relations between karma, duty, and most importantly moksha. Originating in Hinduism, karma or karma yoga is one of the four ways in which we humans can attain moksha, our “salvation”, an escape from our constant cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The other ways to attain moksha are jnana yoga; bhakti yoga and raja yoga, this term roughly mean knowledge, loving devotion to God, and meditation respectively. Arguably

skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the various channels of the body, especially the primary channel, the spine, so that energy can circulate freely. The main Hindu beliefs are Brahman, Atman, Maya, Karma, Dharma, and Moksha. These primary concepts are still taught today. The word Brahman means divine reality at the center of things. Brahman itself constitutes the basic building material of all reality, the font of all things. It is the long-lasting experience that

which the final spiritual quest is taken, and the renunciation of your possessions occurs. The goals of true devotion and life are Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma is the responsibilities and virtues in your life. Artha is the attainment of material possessions, wealth and power. Kama is the artistic love for both pleasure and joy, and Moksha is the salvation and final release through both discipline and devotion. There are over three million devotees to Jainism. The beliefs include Jiva, the

Kendra Garcia Professor Bullen REL 2121 April 8, 2015 A Closer Look: Hinduism In particular ways, Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world; or at least there are aspects of Hinduism that have extended to today from many thousands of years ago. It is not easy defining Hinduism for it has boundless assortments of practices and beliefs found within it. To make it a bit easier to comprehend, they but meaning behind the first part of the word Hinduism, which is Hindu. Hindu can be a cultural political

not a belief that there is not one. In Hinduism, the goal is not for a person to reach “heaven”, but to break the vicious cycle known as the samsara where the soul continues through life, death, and rebirth for a very long time. This goal is called moksha which means release from the samsara, also similar to salvation. Similar to Hinduism, Buddhists believe that they too are trapped within the same cycle of life and death, but rebirth is considered undesirable. The goal of Buddhism is reaching nirvana

Initially, Jnana stood out due to the implication that Moksha can be achieved using knowledge. Intrigued, I was under the impression that this meant to use facts to understand parts of life that are complicated or that cause stress. Much to my surprise, I came to the realization that the knowledge they speak of is not fact, but a way of thinking. Regardless of this hiccup, this path to Moksha still displayed relevancy to my lifestyle. Jnana yoga caught my attraction because I was operating under

Hinduism is one of the oldest culture and spiritual traditions in the world. While many may conceptualize Hinduism as being a religion it is not in the sense that we Westerners may think of it as, comparing it to Christianity or Islam. It can be better compared to a set of codes that hundreds of millions of people all over the world practice. This code of life is better known as Dharma to these adherents. Practitioners hold themselves to these rules and rituals that in the end they believe will bring

“The more you meditate, the more helpful you can be to others, and the more deeply you will be in tune with God.” This quote was said by Paramahansa Yogananda and is a wonderful quote that spoke to me because I do have a close relationship to God and being helpful to other people is really important to me. I attended the Brahma Kumaris meditation center to learn more about what meditation consists of and expand my knowledge on why this is a big part in the Hindu religion. In class we I learned about

Karma. It is a word that many hear all the time, such as when someone says the infamous line, "Karma is going to come back to get you." The word, which is a Hindu and Buddhist principle referring to the sum of a person's actions in their current and previous states of life that help decide their fate in the future, is a minor concept in the eyes of many, but for some people, such as myself, it is something that I can say I firmly believe in. To put a longer meaning into simpler terms, it all comes

Yoga The four paths of yoga are used in different ethnic backgrounds. In my understanding of yoga which in today’s society many believe the same. I believed that yoga was a form of exercise which you contort your body in different angles. I was sadly mistaken by what I believed was right was not right at all. As a matter of fact Yoga is actually a form of religion. In Yoga religion they have different paths. One path is the Jnana or better known as “Way of Knowledge”. In this path