What does this mean in practice?
Many Hindus believe that good meritA beneficial influence built up through wholesome and skillful actions (karma), capable of affecting a person's future experience in this life and the next. is achieved by following their dharmaThe duties a Hindu should follow in life.. The Bhagavad GitaThe Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered and important Hindu texts. The Gita tells the story of Krishna鈥檚 incarnation as a chariot driver to Prince Arjuna and forms part of the Mahabharata. details four different ways that mokshaUltimate goal for all atman (spirits/souls) as laid out in Hindu scripture; escape from the cycle of reincarnation. can be achieved:
- karma yogaA type of Hindu religious practice that involves selfless service to others.
- bhakti yogaThe path of loving devotion, aimed at developing pure love of God.
- jnana yogaA type of Hindu meditation; the path of knowledge, that aims at liberation.
- meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are.
What happens after moksha?
There are two main beliefs about what happens after moksha.
- Some Hindus believe that the atmanThe essence of a being. Can refer to body, mind or soul, depending on context, but usually indicates the soul that is reborn. is absorbed into Supreme Spirit BrahmanHindu belief in one true god, the Supreme Spirit, called Brahman, symbolised by the sacred syllable aum (or om). All beings are a part of Brahman.. This is because the atman and Brahman are the same.
- Other Hindus believe that the atman and Brahman are different and that after moksha they remain separate. They believe that the atman will be in the presence of Brahman, as a personal God, but will remain unique and individual.