Introduction to Hinduism and the Hindu Religion

 

Hindu cosmology is non-dualistic. Everything that is is Brahman. Brahman is the eternal Now, and in eternity there is no before or after, for everything is everywhere, always. To use the words of Pascal 'it is a circle the center of which is

 everywhere and the circumference nowhere.' (Sudhakar S.D, I am All, 1988)

 

The most important characteristic of the Eastern world view - one could almost say the essence of it - is the awareness of the unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as manifestations of a basic oneness. All things are seen as interdependent and inseparable parts of this cosmic whole; as different manifestations of the same ultimate reality. (Capra, The Tao of Physics)

 

In Indian philosophy, the main terms used by Hindus and Buddhists have dynamic connotations. The word Brahman is derived from the Sanskrit root brih - to grow- and thus suggests a reality which is dynamic and alive. The Upanishads refer to Brahman as 'this unformed, immortal, moving', thus associating it with motion even though it transcends all forms.' The Rig Veda uses another term to express the dynamic character of the universe, the term Rita. This word comes from the root ri- to move. In its phenomenal aspect, the cosmic One is thus intrinsically dynamic, and the apprehension of its dynamic nature is basic to all schools of Eastern mysticism. They all emphasize that the universe has to be grasped dynamically, as it moves, vibrates and dances. ..The Eastern mystics see the universe as an inseparable web, whose interconnections are dynamic and not static. The cosmic web is alive; it moves and grows and changes continually. (Fritjof Capra, 1972.)

 

In Hinduism, Shiva the Cosmic Dancer, is perhaps the most perfect personification of the dynamic universe. Through his dance, Shiva sustains the manifold phenomena in the world, unifying all things by immersing them in his rhythm and making them participate in the dance- a magnificent image of the dynamic unity of the Universe. (Capra, The Tao of Physics)

 

Hinduism / Hindu Religion

The tradition of philosophical thought in India is very rich, ancient and wise. Hinduism is the worlds oldest religion. The word 'Hindu' is thought to have derived from the 'Sindu (Indus) River' which is known as Hindu in Persian. The word was used to describe 'those who dwell across the Indus Valley'. Hindu religion is often named as Sanatana Dharma in all of its books.

The first collection of Indian philosophy that was written down was the Vedas. The word 'Veda' comes from the Sanskrit vid, meaning knowledge. The Vedas are 'sacred knowledge' and were composed around 1200 BC.
The most significant doctrine expressed in the Vedas and the Upanishads (composed later ~ 8th or 7th century BC, the first philosophical explorations of Hinduism) is that Reality is One or Absolute, changeless, perfect and eternal, Brahman. The ordinary human world of many separate and discrete (finite) things (which our mind represents by our senses) is an illusion. Through meditation, one can experience their true Self which is Brahman, God, the One infinite eternal thing which causes and connects the many things. True enlightenment is Self-realisation, to experience the supreme reality as Self.

Western Physics (with its particles and forces in 'Space Time' ) has never correctly understood the Eastern world view (Hinduism). It is also important to understand that the ancient Indian philosophers did not actually know how the universe was a dynamic unity, what matter was, how the One Thing / Brahman caused and connected the many things. Thus Eastern / Hindu philosophical knowledge is ultimately founded on mysticism and intuition.
Recent discoveries on the properties of Space and the Wave Structure of Matter (Wolff, Haselhurst) suggests that we can understand Reality and the interconnection of all things. The One Thing / Brahman, (Space) has Properties (Wave-Medium) that give rise to the many things (Matter as the Spherical Wave Motion of Space).