As we are about to enter into the New Year, I'd like to share a teaching that has been a part of my life this past year and as I continue to explore it in my own practice, I wanted to share it with you in the hope that it will bring some inspiration to start this new year meaningfully.
In the Vedic tradition, the Purusharthas are the inherent values of the Universe, described as "the four aims of life" and are an essential component to living a fulfilling and successful life. They are described as follows:
Dharma (righteousness, purpose)
Artha (economic values)
Kama (pleasure)
Moksha (liberation, enlightenment)
Dharma
Dharma is the foundational value and is essential in all three other pursuits. Dharma is described as "right action" or purpose. Action that is in accord with the natural laws of the Universe and that supports our own, as well as the greater good is considered Dharmic. Action that goes against the natural order and is motivated by greed, violence and ignorance is considered Adharmic (in Sanskrit, it is usually common to add a- before a word to describe its opposite).
Dharma brings stability and order, a life that is lawful and harmonious, the striving to do the right thing, to be virtuous, to be helpful to others and interact successfully with society. On an individual level, Dharma represents our purpose, our life's calling. Ways to discover your own Dharma is through studying sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, listening to the stories of people who contributed to elevate the world and to practice stillness and quietness daily in order to connect with your heart's desires.
Dharma is considered the first of the Purusharthas because without it, Artha and Kama can easily become self-destructive. However, Artha and Kama, when balanced, also serve to support our Dharmic Path and eventually, our outward Dharma leads us to inner Moksha.
Artha
Artha is the sense of security that we acquire through material things. Making money, owning a house, buying clothes and food, etc. Vedanta doesn't deny our human needs for materialism, it is actually considered an essential part of living a balanced life. It is sometimes believed that we must renounce all material possessions in order to reach enlightenment, but that philosophy denies our physical, human nature and can lead to more dysfunction and confusion. Artha guides us to ask the question, “What do I see as truly valuable?”.
Vedanta philosophy says:
discover a way so money runs after us and not vice versa,
do work which is compatible to our nature and capabilities
do work that serves society.
do work we really love
trust in the infinite organizing power of the Universe
Kama
Kama translates to pleasure. The pursuit of pleasure is what drives human behaviour. However a life that is lead primarily by pleasure without the other 3 goals of life, is a life that is bound to be empty and void of purpose. Seeking pleasure through the lens of Dharma is essential: Are my pleasures aligned with my life's purpose? Are my pleasures serving my own and my community's higher purpose or lead by greed, aversion and addiction?
Kama comes in many forms, of course as many Westerners know, it represents sexual pleasure, but also pleasure in watching or performing art, pleasure in relationship and fellowship, pleasure in kindness and affection. Pleasure is a total physical and sensory experience.
Moksha
Moksha is our True Nature, it’s who we really are, beyond our physical needs, our likes and dislikes and mental restrictions. It’s emancipation, liberation, freedom from ignorance, complete Self-realisation and Self-knowledge.
Such realisation comes from self-knowledge and self-discipline - achieved through spiritual practice the acknowledgment of our human nature through Dharma, Artha and Kama. Moksha is self-discipline that is so perfect it becomes unconscious, second nature. This liberation comes from a life lived with inner purity, alert mind, led by reason, intelligence and realisation of the Supreme Self, who dwells in all beings.
May this teaching bring clarity and peace to your understanding of the world and your place in the world. May you have a bright, fulfilling, healthy and joyful new year! If you wish to dive deeper into the Purusharthas, join me in January where we will bring these teachings to life in my online Yoga classes - I will offer yogic tools and reflections to help you uncover the meanings of the four aims of life and how they apply to your life. This will help you begin the year with clarity and a deeper sense of purpose. Join here.
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