"Your own Self-Realisation is the greatest service you can render the world.” -Ramana Maharshi

I recently started reading the Bhagavad Gita. As my first formal introduction to Hindu thought, I have been taken aback by the sophistication of the spiritual system presented within this book. I won’t lie, I’m not very far into it. The introduction alone - written by the book’s translator, Eknath Easwaran - has already deepened my insight into this wonderful school of spiritual thought. The ideas that I’ve encountered so far resonate with me as much as any other spiritual tradition I have encountered, if not more.

I believe the ideas that I am about to present could play a pivotal role in facilitating spiritual awakening both on the individual and collective levels if understood and engaged with properly. Untold suffering, fear, division, hatred, oppression and greed could be alleviated by the power of these ideas if incorporated into the hearts and minds of the people. They hold the potential for great transformation, and that is why I have decided to dedicate this weeks newsletter to them.

*quick sidenote: I want to highlight one of the sub-schools of Hinduism which has repeatedly and synchronistically presented itself to me in different places since I started reading the Bhagavad Gita about a week ago. It is called Advaita Vedanta. This pretty much means a “non-dualistic (Advaita) interpretation of reality (Vedanta).” This is one interpretation of Hindu thought which emphasises non-duality - the idea that separation is an illusion, that in Truth, all is One. It is through this interpretation that I wish to present to you the following Hindu teachings.

The Key Terms

Brahman

In Hinduism, Brahman is the word ascribed to the Absolute Reality which underlies the material world of changing forms. It is characterised by formlessness, infinity, eternity, and absolute incomprehensibility. It is the One beneath the many. The Transcendent. The Godhead. The only thing that is truly real.

In Christianity this is known as God, in Islam, Allah, in Taoism, the Tao, in Rastafarianism, Jan, in Hermeticism, the All, and in Hinduism, Brahman. Ultimately, its name is unimportant, they all point to the same Reality.

Atman

The Atman refers to the Divine Core of the individual. It can be related to more familiar concepts like our indwelling Soul or Spirit. From the Advaita Vedanta (non-dualistic) perspective, it is said that Atman and Brahman are One. This means that the spiritual essence of the individual and the Godhead are identical. There is no ultimately separation between the individual and the Divine. In fact, there is no separation between anyone and anything, because the Divine (Brahman) dwells within all.

Maya

The term maya essentially means “illusion”. It refers to the dream of separate, physical existence. Most of us take the outside world for reality, when in truth it is only relatively real. It is not absolutely real like Brahman. When we mistake maya for reality, we live in a dream. We identify fully with our egos and believe ourselves to be separate from everyone and everything (because we exist in a separate body/brain), but this is an illusion. Separateness is an illusion, oneness is Truth.

Dharma

Dharma is the word given to the law that expresses and maintains the unity of creation. It pertains to the inherent order of creation, as well as the personal duty of the individual to uphold moral principles. It is the is the cosmic principle that maintains harmony in the universe and can be understood as "righteous duty," "moral law," or "the natural order of things." Through righteous action we align ourselves with dharma and therefore with the Divine (Brahman) itself.

Karma

Karma is the web of cause and effect. It is an educational force that teaches you to live in alignment with dharma. What you put out, you get back. When you see others as separate from you and treat them immorally, you are bound to receive the same energy back. When you realise your oneness with others and treat them with love and kindness, you will receive this energy back.

Samsara

The term Samsara refers to the cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth until one is liberated from their karma. For as long as we retain some karma through our ego-identification, we are bound to the cycle of samsara. Only the attainment of Moksha and the clearing of our karma frees us.

Moksha

Moksha refers to the spiritual liberation that is life’s supreme goal. It is the individual’s realisation of Self as Brahman. The realisation of maya as illusion. This term can be likened to Buddha’s “Nirvana” or Jesus’ “Kingdom of Heaven”. Attainable to all, this is the ultimate and final step of spiritual development for a human being. Through Moksha one can truly begin to live the righteous path.

Samadhi

Samadhi is similar to Moksha but not identical. It refers to an experience which occurs in deep meditation, in which ones individual consciousness becomes merged with Brahman - a direct experiencer of non-duality.

Why These Terms Matter

I don’t know about you, but to me these terms represent an incredibly concise and sophisticated framework to understand spirituality. Within these eight terms alone you see represented:

• the true nature of reality

• the true nature of the individual

• how we should conduct ourselves during our time on earth and why

• the ultimate spiritual goal and how to attain it

It is not only unbelievably comprehensive, but practical too. It leads one not only to profound spiritual understanding, but to the path of righteous action and liberation too. Through the professed unity of Atman and Brahman we are provided with the basis for all morality: all is One, therefore love, peace, kindness, justice and compassion are most important. Such is the path of righteous action.

What I am beginning to see is that these terms are not merely intellectual concepts to be analysed once then forgotten, but ideas that we should engage with on a deep level - that we should consolidate and integrate to inform our every day actions and decisions. It serves as a framework through which we can understand and live our lives in a way that aligns with what is good, right and true.

Real-World Implications

Brahman → When life feels chaotic, or you feel disconnected, remember: beneath all change and feelings of separation is something unchanging and unified. Meditate on it.

Atman → Your deepest self isn’t your thoughts, emotions, or roles—it’s something infinite and connected to all. Identify with that.

Dharma → When you feel lost, instead of pursuing self-centred desires, focus on doing what’s right—clarity follows action.

Karma → Every choice shapes your future. If you want a different life, start by changing what you put into the world. Start by recognising others as an extension of Self and treating them that way. The same love will be returned to you eventually.

Samsara → Repeating the same mistakes? That’s karma keeping you in a loop. Recognize patterns, break free.

Moksha → Liberation isn’t some far-off goal—it begins now by seeing through illusion and living with awareness.

What Next?

If, like me, you’ve found value in these terms, I recommend taking a deeper dive for yourself. **Read the Bhagavad Gita- better yet if you can find the version translated by Eknath Easwaran with his masterfully crafted introduction. The Gita is structured as an internal conversation between Arjuna, a warrior on a battlefield, and Sri Krishna, the embodiment of the Atman (a conversation between ego and Self). Throughout the Gita, Sri Krishna reveals to Arjuna answers to life’s deepest questions. It is a fascinating exploration into spirituality at the deepest, most profound levels.

As I stated, I’m still fairly new to the whole field of Hinduism and its branch of Advaita Vedanta. I believe the core texts of the Advaita Vedanta branch is the Upanishads, so I know I’ll be reading those next. The Upanishads have been described as an expression of the deepest levels of philosophical and mystical truth, created by some of the greatest mystics and seers of ancient India.

If you’re interested in going deeper, I think these books are the place to start. The beautiful thing about the Advaita Vedanta interpretation of Hinduism is that it maintains the idea that all spiritual traditions and religions are different attempts to point to the same Truth (Huxley’s Perrenial Philosophy). That being said, some traditions may be more effective than others. It is ultimately down to what resonates with the individual. I know this one resonates with me, even more so for the fact of its religiously/spiritually inclusive nature. I hope you’ll join me in further investigations.