Many Rivers to One Ocean HINDUISM: Many Rivers to One Ocean

Assignments: (due Fri, 9/24) View Fr. Spitzer’s YouTube refuting Hawking, & write 1-2 paragraph opinion for discussion in class

Assignments: (due Tues., 2/15) Read 41-45; do 45 A (due Weds., 2/16) Read 45-48; do 48 C (due Fri, 2/18) Read 48-53; Write 2 pghs: “What are the differences between Indian and Western ideas regarding occupation, activities & goals proper to one’s social status, age and place in life? What are the positive & negative aspects of each?

Assignments (due Tues., 2/22) Read pp. 53-61a; Written reflection (1-2 pghs): “Of the 3 paths to liberation, with which do you most connect? Why? Compare to your own faith? (Weds.,2 /23) Read rest of Chapter, p. 61 onward/ prep for test (Thurs.,2/24) “Are You Ready for some YOGA?!... Yeah, baby!!! (Fri., 2/25) TEST on Ch. 3: Hinduism

Reality and Human Destiny Brahman Atman Maya Moksha

but endless are his aspects and endless are his names. “There is only one God, but endless are his aspects and endless are his names. Call him by any name and worship him in any aspect that pleases you, you are sure to see him.” -Shri Ramakrishna

“Like drops of water in the ocean, we are all one. We may appear to be different & distinct, but during moments of deeper awareness we realize that all is one. Our true glory lies in recognizing the truth of our inseparable identity with all that is.”

Brahman “All is One”/ Reality as unity vs. duality (monism) Indefinable, unknowable & limitless “Neti, neti” (“Not this, not that”) It is the very essence of everything and IS everything

Maya = illusion, blindness Seeing Parts vs. whole Many vs. the One Separateness vs. connectedness

Atman The eternal Self… that is, Who you really, really are And, since ALL is One Reality (Brahman), so are you! Atman IS Brahman and Brahman is Atman

Moksha Liberation, release, salvation From what? How? Maya… blindness to reality, to the way things really and simply are How? Ah… later! 

Reality & Human Destiny: Samsara Karma Dharma

Samsara “wheel” of rebirth Reincarnation (“taking on flesh again”) of individual soul Sometimes called transmigration, or the passing of a soul from one life-form to another Samsara ends when moksha is achieved

Karma Literally, “action” or “deeds” Moral law of cause & effect Every action produces its justified effect Permanently recorded energy Only humans can affect their own karma

Dharma Ethical duty or “right action”, according to divine order of reality A total way of life vs. “code” of actions Right action produces “good” karma

Hindu Castes Brahmin – priests Kshatriya – warriors & administrators Vaishya – producers (farmers, merchants, artisans, etc.) Shudra – servants & laborers Untouchables – outcastes (Gandhi: “Harijan”: “God’s children”

Four Stages of Life Student Householder Forest Dweller Wandering Ascetic (Sannyasin)

Student Characterized by study of the Vedas and other sacred literature

Householder Marked by pursuing a career and raising a family

Forest Dweller Requiring retreat from worldly bonds to engage fully in the spiritual quest

Wandering Ascetic (Sannyasin) Involving returning to society while remaining detached from social life

Four Goals of Life Kama – pleasure is sought, but within the limits of dharma

Four Goals of Life Artha – material success is sought, along with social power and prestige

Four Goals of Life Dharma – harmony with dharma is the primary concern

Four Goals of Life Moksha – the goal is to achieve the infinite being, awareness and bliss of liberation

Three Paths of Liberation Karma Marga Jnana Marga Bhakti Marga

Karma Marga The “path of works” or “action” For those who prefer active life Also called “karma yoga” (yoga= “discipline” or “path”) Focused on dharma

Jnana Marga The “path of knowledge” For those who enjoy philosophy, learning & meditation Also called jnana yoga 3 philosophical schools: Vedanta Sankhya Yoga

Jnana Marga: Yoga Sometimes in a separate category (a 4th path) “Hatha yoga” Aimed at experience of samadhi (see pp. 56-57)

Bhakti Marga The “Path of Devotion” Also called bhakti yoga For those who are more naturally emotional Focus: Personal devotion to gods/goddesses

Bhakti Marga Major gods/goddesses: Brahma: Creator Vishnu: Preserver Shiva: Destroyer Gods: not supreme “beings”, but “aspects” of Being Itself (Brahman)

Within You, Without You By George Harrison We were talking About the space between us all And the people Who hide themselves behind a wall of illusion Never glimpse the truth Then it’s far too late When they pass away…

About the love we all could share To try our best to hold it there We were talking About the love we all could share When we find it To try our best to hold it there With our love We could save the world If they only knew…

within yourself no one else can make you change Try to realize it’s all within yourself no one else can make you change And to see you’re really only very small and Life flows on within you and without you

about the love that’s gone so cold and the people we were talking about the love that’s gone so cold and the people who gain the world and lose their soul they don’t know, they can’t see are you one of them?

When you’ve seen beyond yourself then Within you and without you… You may find Peace of mind Is waiting there And the time will come When you see We’re all One, And Life flows on Within you and without you…