origins of it all

Hinduism has a long history, and many books considered holy. In brief Hinduism evolved on the Indian subcontinent. The Vedas were the first texts, originally transmitted around 1500 BC. This was followed by the Brahmans who wrote the Upanishads around 400 BC.  Around this point is when religious wondering was common, from that Siddhartha Gautama who became the first buddha started Buddhism. Hinduism continued on with the writing of the Tantras, and the Bhagavad Gita around 300 and 100 BC. Throughout this time yoga was evolving into a refined systematized practice. The yoga sutra of Patanjali, more likely written by a group than an individual were written around 150 BC. It codified yogic practices creating the ashtanga or the 8 limbed practice. Each branch building on the previous until the final goal of enlightenment is reached.

Though yoga is seen as a form of spirituality of it's own, or just a form of exercise by others in the fitness community. The original point of the yoga postures was to stretch and strengthen the body so that longer easier meditation sessions were possible. These postures are only the third of the eight limbs. The first two limbs are yama and niyama: a list of five practices of morality, and five personal obeservances. Then asana or physical practice, followed by pranayama or breath control. Pratyahara: control of the sense for the use of turning them inward away from external objects of attachment. Dharana which is concentration, this being a concentration when all your senses and energy are focused on one thing. Dhyana or devotion and meditation of the divine. Dhyana is focusing so purely on the divine that your mind takes on the same character of the divine. Dhyana causes samadhi or union with the divine, as the mind concentrates and takes on the shape of the divine it merges with the divine.

So it would seem that the final goal of Hinduism; yoga specifically, is to become closer to god. Eventually connecting to and becoming one with god. It would only make sense that devotional chanting and a life of devotion and surrender is ideal in helping to reach this goal.

I've been searchin

Before I get into my goals for this blog I would like to give some background. I have always been inquisitive in nature never taking things for face value. This inquisitive nature compelled me to question the purpose of life. I found myself reading eastern philosophy books such as The Tao Te Ching, The Tibetan Book of the Living and the Dead, and many others covering Buddhism, Taoism, zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. After some time it became apparent that a book wouldn't make me a happier person, I had to practice what was preached. Quite unsuccessfully for sometime I meditated.

This all changed when I started yoga, being that it was more physical it could keep my over active mind at bay. As well, when done properly it can be a great form of meditation. Though my early meditation experiences where mostly seated and involved some form of breath observation, yoga was so much more dynamic. It also allowed emotional tensions in my body to be freed, opening the way for better seated meditation experiences.

One day a friend convinced me to take a class with a new teacher, during the opening of the class she led us through a chant. She built up the syllables so we could become familiar, the chant as it  was sanskrit it caused people some difficulty. As we repeated the words a rhythm developed, like a looped circuit building the energy. I didn't know at the time, but it was a prayer to Ganesha the elephant headed god that clears the path of the soul. More on the gods/goddesses of Hinduism in another post.

Ganesha

Over the next year or so I was slowly introduced into mantra meditation. In the fall of 2012 my girlfriend told me about her coworker who went to a place where people got together had a potluck and chanted. I thought "I've done chanting before, I know what this is about, lets do it!". Arriving that Sunday afternoon at a strangers house, pot of food in hand. We were greeted by some very smiling faces and I felt like a newbie all over again. After eating we headed out back to their yurt, a round semi-portable structure such as this one.

We get inside and there were drums and other instruments. Cheat sheets were handed out with the mantras on them, people start playing and the chanting started.  Suddenly we had been chanting 30 to 45 minutes. Then it's on to the next chant, this goes on for 2 to 3 hours. The only way to describe how you feel after is euphoric. You are awake, aware, but in such a peaceful state; I don't think I batted an eye on the drive back when I was cut off multiple times. This has launched me into strengthening my own at home chanting as well as becoming one of the regulars for the devotional chanting I learned was called Kirtan.

My goal for this blog is simple, explore and learn about Hinduism as a religion, as well as devotional or bhakti yoga. I then hope to take that knowledge and share it, as well as learn to apply it to my life.