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The Four Aims of Life

posted Mar 4, 2011 9:22 AM by Bhamini Gobiraj

According to the Vedic wisdom, there are four aims of life. They are Dharma or fulfillment of our Purpose in life, Artha or Material Achievements, Kama or Desire for happiness, and Moksha or Liberation.

The area of Health is not a part of the four life goals because it is regarded as the foundation of the four aspects of our life.

In the astrology chart, houses 1,5 and 9 and their corresponding Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are attributed to the life aspect of Dharma or Purpose. These houses and their related signs teach us that we have a responsibility to the self, to our creativity, and children, and to spiritual self and society.

Houses 2,6, and 10 are Artha or Material houses. These correspond to the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These houses are intended to act in harmony in service of the Dharma or spiritual areas of life. Achieving materials for our livelihood, through legal settlements, and from our career and status all indicate the life aspect of Artha or “achievement of goal.”

Houses 3, 7 and 11 correspond to the fulfillment of “legitimate sensory enjoyments” known as Kama. The signs that relate to them are the air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. We have personal desires which include expression of our talents and engaging in hobbies. We also have an innate need to find fulfillment in human relationship. The social desires include friendship and gains through career.

These three aims - Dharma, Artha and Kama - are meant to serve the most important goal of life, Liberation and at times, vice versa too.

Liberation is freedom from all kinds of illusions and transcending the other three aims. The Water signs that correspond to the Moksha or Liberation aspect of life are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Houses 4,8, and 12 are houses of Freedom. Achieving mental peace, transcendence of death and breaking free from our conditionings are the functions of these three houses.

References:

1. http://www.astroved.com/freetools/

2. Dr.David Frawley’s works - http://vedanet.com/

Believe in Yourself

posted Mar 4, 2011 9:00 AM by Bhamini Gobiraj

My Teacher, Caroline Myss who incorporates astrological wisdom in her works, once said that we will see people who do work in Holistic ways will come to the forefront more and more during this age. The cycle of time that we are existing in now is going to demand that we live our life from the place of who we truly are inside.

We can connect to this place within easily and one of the ways is through remembering how we were during our childhood when integrity was a natural part of ourself. I remember during the time I was about nine years old, questioning myself about the practices existing in our world that were inconsistent with the moral values I was being taught in school. We were learning about practicing kindness and forgiveness even when some one exercises cruelty. But on the other hand, prisons did exist. People were being sent to the prisons when they did something wrong. As an adult I now feel humbled to learn about such work as the Prison-Ashram Project.

Even though Life counseling and Spiritual counseling are not yet mainstream professions, I have come to believe in those works I now do. It demands that I trust my own self and draw faith from within. Life irresistably opens all kinds of opportunities for us to live well when we are ready. I am learning to believe in myself.

I trust that you too find yourself in a place where you believe in yourself just as I am learning to do.

Keep Focus on your Self

posted Mar 4, 2011 9:00 AM by Bhamini Gobiraj [ updated Mar 5, 2011 10:42 AM ]

I truly value what I recall Dr.Christian Northrup has said in one of her books. And that is, becoming active and serving is one thing and which is good too. Yet the greater calling is that you commit to your own spirituality.

Life can overwhelming at times. Some challenges may totally consume us because it is 'larger than life.' If you have someone, or even many who are willing to share those experiences with you, it is the one of the best gifts one can ever have. But there are also times when you struggle and have the desire to overcome it and yet have no one to witness, except yourself.

First of all when there are difficult times, learn to ask for help.

Then if your inner self is fortunate enough:-) you may decide to turn around the course of your life. As a result, you may turn successful and success is not a luxury but a necessity says Dr.Pillai.

Whether you are in the stronghold of a difficult situation, or have just decided to turn around your life or have been living responding to the abundant nature of life (which is, success), begin to look inside yourself to notice whether you are able to keep focus on your Higher Self or God.

What Dr.Northrup has said is the same thought shared by the 19th century mystic, Sri Ramakrisha: “In this age work without devotion to God has no legs to stand upon. It is like a foundation on sand. First cultivate devotion. All the other things--schools, dispensaries, etc.--will, if you like, be added to you.”

Being of service becomes the way of life for an empowered person, who has learned to keep focus on his own Higher Self.

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