Origin and Early Life
Hinduism is often considered the oldest existing religion in the world, with Jane West tracing a direct line of her lineage through Hinduism. Growing up in a predominantly Hindu India, Jane was the daughter of two devout Hindus, her mother and father both devout to the religious practices of Hinduism. Her upbringing was unique in that it was around this religious core. She was indoctrinated with beliefs and values derived from the Hindu faith, which she has now carried with her into adulthood.
As a child, Jane memorized stories and symbols about the Hindu gods and goddesses as well as mantras and rituals. In passing on these teachings to Jane, her parents passed on a sense of purpose and internal peace that she still carries with her today. Her childhood was flooded with visits to temples to offer prayers, partaking in religious festivals, and celebrating the various Hindu holidays.
Roots and Religious Practices
Her faith in Hinduism has been the source of her spiritual strength, contemplative insight, and personal guidance. She retains a strong connection to her spiritual roots. Jane remains devotedly immersed in a spiritually abundant life focused on yoga, meditation and Vedic scriptures.
In her daily life, Jane follows the five core pillars of Hinduism, which are Karma, Dharma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Moksha. Jane believes in these five components, which provide the foundation for Hindu religion and ethics.
The practice of Karma involves acts of selflessness and commitment to upholding righteousness. Dharma is the religious duty of upholding the tenets of the Hindu faith and performing acts of devotion. Bhakti is the practice of prayer to the Hindu gods and goddesses. Jnana is a form of relearning, as it deals with understanding the doctrines of the Hindu faith and questioning the sense of purpose and meaning behind life. Lastly, Moksha is the highest goal of reaching ultimate spiritual liberation from the life cycle of reincarnation.
Font of Life
Much of Jane’s spiritual practices stem from the goal to reach Moksha, the liberation from the cycle of birth and death. She believes that life is the journey of conquering these worldly attachments and obtaining a union with God. Along the way, she has developed an appreciation for the beauty inherent in the belief that life is an indivisible whole. As she has been winding through this journey, she has come to understand that personal freedom, contentment, and a healthy balance of mind, body, and spirit are the foremost goals of this life.
Daily Life
Living out her faith, Jane’s typical day involves getting up early and taking part in an elaborate Puja. She pays homage to her gods and goddesses, asking for their blessings and positive energy. Jane performs yoga daily, which she believes is necessary for giving her the physical and mental strength to take on the challenges of life. Jane also immerses herself in the reading of the various scriptures, which include the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and Upanishads. She practices meditation as well, as it brings about a sense of peace in her life. Jane’s ultimate goal is to continue to develop and strengthen her connection to God, as she believes it to be the source of her power, peace, and joy.
Traditions and Practices
Jane has grown up with the many traditions and practices of Hinduism. She is devotedly conscientious of important customs, rituals and occasions that are related to her faith. She is often seen partaking in traditional ceremonies such as puja, yagnas, and havan. She explains that performing such acts entails effort but they allow her to express her deepest devotion and love for God.
Jane adheres to the culture of offering monthly aarti as well. Aarti is the offering of oil lamps to the gods in order to show devotion; this is part of the celebration of weekly pooja rituals that she actively takes part in. Jane also pays tribute to and celebrates many Hindu festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, and Purnima, in order to connect to her faith and her people.
Future and Reflection
Jane may have gone through many changes in life, but her core values and beliefs remain the same. Her commitment and dedication to Hinduism has provided a strong foundation to her identity and has enabled her to live life with purpose, centered on the path of righteousness, compassion, and spiritual fulfilment.
As she looks back on her journey so far, she finds an enormous sense of gratitude and appreciation for her religion. She has found that her Hinduism has held many truths that have allowed her to make sense of the world around her. Without knowledge of her faith, many of life’s great mysteries would have remained unsolved.
Renewal and Renewed Commitment
Jane’s commitment to her religious roots has only deepened with the passage of time. Practicing yogic postures, staying attuned to spiritual scriptures, visiting temples, and offering prayers have brought her closer to her faith. With newfound insight and contemplation, she has also become more attuned to the environment and more conscious of her actions.
Although life continues to evolve, Jane has chosen to become increasingly more involved with the practice of Hinduism, constantly renewing her relationship with the divine. She believes that life is defined by the relationship between self and God, and the pursuit of Moksha is her ultimate goal. She has found that the path of Hinduism is the most holistic and peaceful guide to true spiritual freedom.
Compassion and Strength
Passing down the wisdom of Hinduism has taught Jane valuable lessons on the importance of tolerance and compassion. She has deepened her understanding of the necessity of love, peace, unity, and respect in society. Everyday rituals such as meditation, chanting mantras, and partaking in fire ceremonies have helped her to understand her own inner strength and allow her to remain connected to her faith.
Although Hinduism does not ask one to exclusively believe in Hinduism, it has proven to be a defining life force for Jane. By living a life of joy and commitment, she is following her destiny and allowing the light of truth to guide her through it. With a newfound mindset, she is embracing her path, allowing her to find comfort in the knowledge that faith opens up a gateway to ultimate freedom and peace.
