Why Hindu Metaphysics?

 

The ancient Sanskrit texts have been amazingly well preserved and guarded from the distortions of Kali Yuga consciousness because the Sanskrit language itself has served as a protective obstacle, being arduous for most to master. The texts were thoughtfully designed in such a way that they could be memorized by transmitters who, even if they did not understand the meaning, could pass the text on through the literally hundreds of years from generation to generation.

 

Translations into English have been few until recent times - and one often wonders if some of the western translators fully understand the true meaning.

 

When one endeavors to study the underlying metaphysics of many other systems, there is inevitably the use of oblique obscuring symbolism and even the intentional ‘veiling’ of meaning to protect the author from the persecution of tyrannical rulers and insane institutions, such as the infamous Inquisition.

 

Rather than trudging through endless hidden meanings mired in mysterious vague metaphors, the Sanskrit texts often offer up pure illuminating diamonds of consciousness in a perfectly clear manner – for those who have the “ears to hear”.

 

Hinduism is also very rare in the sense that it is not a closed dogma. Life is fluid, creative, and always on the move looking for new and happier expressions. Closed carved-in-stone, dogmatic religious rules choke the free spirit within us all and often leave the faithful feeling empty and confused, vulnerable to control, and worse – BORED!

 

In fact there is no Sanskrit word that is the equivalent to the word ‘religion’. Instead Hinduism sees itself as an approach to understanding our place in the universe.

 

The innumerable commentaries so lovingly written on these ancient texts are there to express a new point of view on eternal truths – views that may reflect the times of the author more accurately. Hinduism understands that each of us needs freedom to find our own way Home to the God-within.

 

Thus India has embraced many other forms of faith, including the religions of their conquerors - the Vedic Aryans, the Moghul Muslims, and the English Christians. All these came and left, while eternal India remained the preserver of her sacred Sanskrit texts.

 

This genius of open-ness has allowed Hinduism to be a treasured source for timeless and seemingly ‘lost’ metaphysical truth.