What Can The West Learn From Hinduism?
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion and is extremely rich in cultural and spiritual principles that are misunderstood in the West. This article looks to address some of the beliefs in Hinduism and reveal what we can learn from Hinduism, and show that all religious beliefs are fundamentally the same albeit taught in different ways.
One of the most important attributes we other world religions can take from Hinduism is to accept the views and values of other religions. This philosophy is ingrained into Hindu society because of the numerous gods and Hindu sects.
In Hinduism, people understand everyone is individual having a personal experience and can only follow the path they feel most drawn towards. The Rig Veda states: “In the world there are many different roads but the destination is the same.”
When we learn to accept one another as individuals having different experiences, there will be a lot less animosity. We do all have different paths in life our experiences shape our thoughts, knowledge, beliefs and actions.
What is dharma and karma?
In the West we typically consider Karma as “what goes around comes around.” It is the Universal law of cause and effect – the energy you put into something will manifest into reality.
This concept is deeply regarded in Hinduism and is an ancient world philosophy that explains the cycles of life. It is a good philosophy to follow to help break patterns of toxic thinking and behaviour.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us to “perform always the work that has to be done (dharma), for man to attain to the highest (state of consciousness).
Karma is associated with the idea of reincarnation. Hindus believe the human soul has many lives that take different forms and it is our dharma that determines karma.
Will what we do in this life determine our reincarnation in the next life?
It is impossible to say how true this belief system is although it does make sense on many levels. Furthermore, what we can do is apply the teachings of dharma and karma in our everyday lives as it effects our current reality – and possibly future realities.
Every ancient philosophy and modern religion portrays the idea of death and rebirth. The story of Jesus dying on the cross and resurrecting from the dead is a good example for westerners.
But we find this concept repeatedly in Hindu mythology – typically in the legends of Shiva, the destroyer. Shiva is an aspect of our personality that gives us the courage and strength to change. Essentially, Shiva destroys ego.
When we learn to back down from our belief systems and change our attitudes, we overcome the basic patterns of ego that typically manifest in our formative years. When you are able to admit your failings and limitations, you will develop into a better person.
This is another meaning of dharma and karma. St Francis of Assis knew this. He said. “I die every day.” What he meant was he addressed his attitudes and actions every day then assessed himself using internal dialogue to discover ways he can improve himself.
At this point of enlightenment, it is pertinent to carry out your dharma and do the right thing. By doing so you improve your consciousness. Everything you think and do you become and experience. This is your karma and you control karma through your dharma.
The many Gods is one God
It is well known that Hindus worship many gods. This is bemusing to western traditions that believe there is only one god. But Hindus belief in one god too. They call it Brahman, the Absolute, or the Truth.
The gods, or devas, in Hinduism represent aspects of our personality. You find the same concept in all other ancient mythologies such as the classics, Celtic, Nordic, Mayan etc.
Modern religions have removed personifications from God and portray Him only as an omnipresent and omnipotent entity that is everywhere and in everyone.
The difference between the Hindu belief and western traditions is that Hindus understand the one God is The Self. Buddhists know this as well. The historical Buddha, Gautama Siddhartha said, “Each of us is a God.”
However, it is my opinion that many Hindu worshippers are still mislead to believe that the many gods in their faith are there to support and help them in times of need.
But the gods themselves will not help – it is the concept the Gods represent that will help you – because the power the devas hold is within you. This is written into all religious texts, but not always understood or taught by the church.
In other religions, the personality traits we need to adopt to become “god-like” are found in human characters. When you study stories from all religions, you will find the characters all share the same qualities; courage, patience, faith, righteousness etc.
Hindus worship the divine feminine
In the West, God is recognized as the Father – a male figure. But in the East, as in other ancient traditions, it was the goddess that is most revered.
In Hinduism, the female energy, Shakti, is regarded as the divine force that manifests things into reality. In ancient symbolism, the female principle represents emotion – things that come from the heart.
The male principle on the other hand represents the mind, the ability to think things through and analyse a situation. It is here we find a flaw in both religions as male and female principles should be given equal measure in order maintain balance.
Emotions impact thoughts. Without emotions there is no meaning to life, and without thoughts nothing is created. So we need to put both heart and mind into everything we do and respect the divine feminine and the divine masculine that is innate in each of us. We all have thoughts and emotions.
If you were to study Hinduism alongside Judeo-Christianity and Muslims you would find the same principles being taught – albeit in slightly different ways.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion. Buddhism stemmed from Hindu. It would appear other world religions did too. So let’s stop arguing with one another over which system is right or best and accept we are individuals having personal experiences. And it is up to us as individuals to connect with the God that is already within us.