Nonattachment is not About Renouncing the World Entirely

Nonattachment (अनासक्ति), non-attachment, or detachment is a state in which a person overcomes their emotional attachment to or desire for things, people,…

Bhagavad Gita is Part of the Epic Mahabharata

The Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता), often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture, which is part of the epic Mahabharata. It forms the chapters…

Anatman Challenges the Belief in a Permanent, Unchanging Self

Anatman (अनात्मन) in Sanskrit means “which is different from atman” or “non-self”. In Hinduism, the former definition is found in some…

Sakam Karma Means to Act with Self-Interest

Sakam karma (सकाम कर्म) means to act selfishly, or with personal gain and self-interest in mind. From Sanskrit, sakam means “together,” “jointly”…

Viveka Means the Capacity to Make Wise and Clear Decisions

Viveka (विवेक) is a Sanskrit and Pali term translated into English as discernment or Discrimination learning. It means properly knowing what essence and…

Sahaja Yoga Awakens and Balances the Kundalini Energy

Sahaja Yoga (सहज योग) is a religion founded in 1970 by Nirmala Srivastava (1923–2011). She is known as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (trans:…

Nishkama Karma Concept is Found in the Bhagavad Gita

Nishkama Karma (निष्काम कर्म), self-less or desireless action, is an action performed without any expectation of fruits or results, and…

Aparokshanubhuti is the Direct, Non-Mediated Experience

The Aparokshanubhuti (अपरोक्षनुभूति) is a work attributed to Adi Shankara, though his authorship is doubtful. It is a popular introductory work…

Black Magic is Used for Evil and Selfish Purposes

Black magic (काला जादू) has traditionally referred to using supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes. The links and interactions between black magic…

Atma-Bodha Means Self-Awareness of the Supreme Spirit

Atma-bodha (आत्मबोध) is a short Sanskrit text attributed to Adi Shankara of Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. The text in sixty-eight verses describes the path…