In the Vedas there is a clear cut direction and understanding of the structure of society.  If one looks carefully at Hinduism one will find no better system has developed since Vedic times.

The Vedas command: "You shall live one hundred or more" - "shatamjivet"- and first developed Ayurveda, the science of life. Accordingly, life is divided into four stages:

·         Brahmacharya: 25 years to build the body and mind and study;

·         Grihast: 25 years as a householder with accompanying duties and responsibilities;

·         Vanaprasth: 25 years of semi-retirement and dedication to more scholarly and social work; and

·         Sanyas: 25 years of total spiritual life and dedication to spirituality.

Of course one can define each stage in great detail scientifically according to the system. That would take many pages and can be done on another occasion. In conjunction with the four stages of life four objectives are set:

• Arth: Resources or wealth;
• Dharma: Duty, responsibility and obligation;
• Kama: Fulfilment of positive ambitions and desires; and
• Moksha: Liberation or enlightenment.

      Vedic Life Management System:

• Nutrition/diet;
• Sleep;
• Exercise;
• Time Management;
• Personal and professional activities and balance;
• Emotional issues: management of thought and emotion;
• Health tips, non drug treatment, herbal etc;
• Communication issues: proper interaction with persons/family etc;
• Priorities for life.

Interaction With Nature:

Communion with nature is without doubt a force for good and well being as a visit to the Trail will demonstrate. I would like you to consider the following:

Lessons are learned from many sources,

Including the elements of Nature;

Mountains represent firmness and stability;

In Rivers we find fluidity and flexibility;

Trees illustrate the ability of forbearance;

And the Sun teaches us to shine without expectation or discrimination.

The clarity of the Sky and the patience of the Earth can serve as constant reminders and examples to us.

Dr Svami Purna: Balanced Yoga (Element Books1997 p.10)

Sanskrit, Right Living and Well being

I have already referred to the role of Sanskrit and its terms: according to the traditional Sanskrit texts there are certain tools that can enable us to enjoy what is often described as right living and well being. I have touched on the more well -known ones when introducing you to my volunteer activities but I think that it would be helpful to amplify such meanings and to introduce other important concepts here. I have also prepared a small Glossary of Sanskrit terms for your information should any of you wish to speak to me about this later. All of these tools can be helpful in adopting an integrated and holistic approach to life that facilitates balance. 

Yoga

This Sanskrit term has become a very familiar term in modern day parlance and means practice and discipline aimed at well being. Health is a very essential part of Yoga. A healthy body creates mental stability and facilitates meditation and true spiritual understanding. All are really interconnected.  As mentioned Yoga is based on the word "yuj" meaning to yoke or join, fasten or harness (as in horses to a chariot); to concentrate the mind in order to obtain union with the Universal Spirit; to be absorbed in meditation. Many systems have evolved over time: the traditional one is that of Patanjali which focussed on "prana" meaning breath or life-giving energy which pervades the entire universe and all that is included in it from the amoeba to the human being.

Ayurveda

The Sanskrit term embracing the world's most ancient medical science that includes appropriate living or lifestyle. The word "Ayur" means life and "Veda" means knowledge. The Indian philosophy of the oldest systems known is found in the Vedas, the Sanskrit texts containing this wisdom. Based on the theory of the tridosha or the three humors (fire, water and air) Ayurveda assigns a particular set of characteristics to each person. Any imbalance can be corrected through the practice of yoga and the chanting of mantras (with meditation: to which I will return).

Mantra

The Sanskrit word meaning concentrated energy of certain sacred sounds or syllables that empowers one, such as AUM or OM. Aum is known as the perennial sound that is the essence of the Vedas. The sacred and mystical syllable contains the beginning, middle and end with the highest spiritual sound and vibration. It is the first sound of creation: A-U-M representing in the philosophy of Hinduism the three gods, A-Vishnu, U-Shiva and M-Brahma, meaning the preserver, the destroyer and the creator respectively.  Mantras are used for healing and spiritual development.

Yantras 

A Yantra is the visual form of a mantra, a prayer. A Tantric text states: "Yantra has mantra as its soul. The deity is the soul of the mantra. The difference between mantra and deity is similar to that between a body and its soul". Though two dimensional Yantras are conceived of as having depth and full dimension. Yantras may be drawn or painted on any material, out of any substance. There is no parallel for the term in English but Yantra may be summarised as a two-dimensional diagram in which visualised energies are concentrated or simply a field of energy. With its mantra a Yantra is a complex of stored imagery of sight and sound and psychic and mystical content. Many Yantras appear to be nothing more than an interwoven complex of geometrical designs centred upon a point (bindu). The whole may be enclosed by a square, signifying the cosmic dynamics and the four corners of the universe. Yantras are worshipped as containing the divine presence. The yantra is often confused with a mandala: the difference is that the yantra applies to a specific devata only whilst a Mandala applies to any devata or divine presence.

Karma

The Sanskrit term meaning act, action, word, deed or performance; the result or effect of one's actions according to the cosmic law of cause and effect. In modern day terms one often hears "What goes around comes around"!  The root is from the Sanskrit word "kri" meaning to do, act or enhance. The entire ethical consequences of one's acts are considered as fixing one's likely future life (subject to correction through certain practices through yoga, mantras, meditation and ayurveda). The moral energy of a particular act is preserved and fructifies automatically in the next life according to the law of nature. In that lifetime this demonstrates and manifest in one's class, nature, disposition and character.

Positive Thoughts

There is proof of the power of the mind at every stage of life from birth to death. Against all odds a baby will survive: despite every medical intervention a person will die according to their will, whether conscious or unconscious. Some of the valuable positive - contemplative - thoughts that have been selected for the Meditation Trail are quoted here:

Clouds are brought in by the Wind

Again they are driven away by the same agency

Similarly human bondage is caused by the mind

And liberation too is cause by the mind alone.

May you be possessed of harmonious hearts

And may your minds move equally -

May your works produce fulfilment

And may you serve humanity collectively.

There is not time for hesitancy.

If your sail is not prepared when the wind springs up

You cannot advance

You miss the opportunity.

And though the wind will come again

Time is passing by..

True discipline

Can never be imposed.

It must spring from the heart.

Spontaneously.

The point of focus is transformation,

Giving birth to your real self,

And sacrificing those aspects that obstruct growth.

When you have the knowledge of who you really are

You can maintain happiness regardless of circumstances

Despite outside difficulties and tests.

As you relate to family, friends and associates

Remember to relate fully and truly.

Dr Linda S Spedding, www.womeninlaw.com