What is AUM(OM)?

AUM is the vibration of the universe. When the Rishis were in deep meditation they were able to control the senses and block out all sounds from the outer world. The only thing they could […]

Shivling

Shivling, also pronounced as sivalingam, is another Hindu symbol that has been commonly misunderstood and misinterpreted in the West. The expression shivling or sivalingam is a combination of two Sanskrit words: shiva or siva, a […]

Honouring guests a religious duty for Hindus

Last month, we had our water heater replaced. When the installers finished their work in the basement, I invited them to my kitchen and offered chai (Indian-style tea) and snacks. They were surprised. While sipping […]

Hindus can create their own destiny

About five years ago, I had a stroke which left me partly paralyzed. It happened suddenly, with no warning signs or symptoms. I was devastated. Lying in hospital feeling helpless, I wondered: Why me? I […]

Producing wealth a legitimate activity

One of the most common myths about Hinduism is that it considers this world a maya or illusion and, therefore encourages Hindus to shun this material world and become ascetics. This is just not true. […]

Hinduism welcomes questions

One summer afternoon, a group of 100 or so middle-aged Hindus gathered in the basement assembly hall of a Toronto temple. They had come from all across Ontario to listen to a renowned swami from […]

Hinduism is rooted in worldliness

A widespread misconception in the West about Hindu philosophy on life is its otherworldliness, its emphasis on keeping an eye on the afterlife and a constant preoccupation with the soul, renunciation and liberation from the […]

Gurus teach the joy of selfless teaching

In order to reach the top of any human endeavor or field of knowledge, one must have a teacher. One who chooses to tread a spiritual path seeking Brahm-Ashnute, or God-realization, needs a master or […]

Immortal happiness in this life

After birth, we grow up, get an education, find a job, get married, produce children, grow old and die. “Is this what life is all about?” many may ask. The ancient Hindu sages in India […]

Karma is cause of all effects

After his father’s death in India, Arvind emigrated to Canada with only one mission in life – to improve the quality of life for his four brothers and widowed mother. Arvind at 17 was sincere, […]

Vedas have universal approach to spirituality

Hinduism in not a one-prophet, one-book religion, but Hindus do have revealed scriptures called Ved or Veda as pronounced in the West. The word Ved is derived from the Sanskrit root word Vid meaning ‘to […]