Why Are Vedic Concepts Still Relevant

The concept of "God"

The Vedic concept of God, or Brahman, is not of an individual, but of an existence - the existence of an unchanging cosmic spirit. Brahman is the source of the universe, the creator, indestructible, indescribable, and absolute.

The reason this concept works for the modern human being is that Brahman's description in the Vedas is similar to a person's perspective of the universe. Despite all scientific discoveries and explorations, it is simply immeasurable, undefinable, has no beginning or ending. Even though science insists on empirical, measurable boundaries to define space, it seems to somehow escape any descriptions to clearly define what it is. And that seems to be the nature of God, not someone sitting in the skies above, but a mysterious energy which somehow manages to be omniscient, omnipotent, and yet intensely personal. This can only happen if God is energy-based, rather than form-based.

The Principles of Rta and Dharma

Rig Veda explains that the universe is embedded with its own intelligence that governs it - a powerful principle called Rta, or cosmic order. Dharma is Rta in action - an inner guidance of how a person would act.

The reason these two principles make sense in the modern world is because people no longer trust the institutional systems that humans came up with in the past few hundred years. But we each instinctually know what's right and what's wrong. It's the nature of birds to fly, clouds to rain, and planets to revolve around their sun. If we mess with the order of the universe, it's we who lose. The universe was humming along just fine before humans came along, and will course-correct back to its natural order after we go extinct. We are privileged to simply be part of it during this period of time.

Jivatma and Paramatma: Soul and the Super-soul

Jiva refers to the Human part of us, the body, the mind, and the form. Atma refers to the Being part of us, the soul, the deepest part of us, our inner essence. And Paramatma is simply another word for Brahman, or Source, or God.

The reason this notion is gaining popularity in the modern times is that Vedic teachings propound that all mankind is inherently good; there are no evil individuals, because all Atmas (souls) are emanated from Paramatma (super-soul) and will merge back into Paramatma at the end of their evolution. In this day and age when wars and guns are prevalent, it is comforting that it's only temporary insanity or aberrations in human minds that drive us towards them. Our soul's nature is joy, and we will someday achieve that, when we recognize the divine nature of our souls.

The Karma Theory

The simplest meaning of Karma is an action, or an act of doing something. But the concept of Karma needs a little more explanation. According to this Vedic law of cause and effect, the intention behind the action matters a great deal, because it sets the consequences into motion. Every action has a reaction; every Karma has a consequence. Because Karma is not just about the action, but also the intention, attitude, and desire, it becomes very complex to define, expanding into psychological, ethical, moral, and dharmic circumstances.

Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, the reason Karma is such a popular theory lately is that it gives the reins back to the individual - our karma is our own doing. Despite our circumstances that might have been created by our past karmas, we can use our freewill and make choices that will correct and create our future Karma.

The Philosophy of Yoga

Simply explained, Yoga means union. Going a little deeper, Yoga encompasses several physical, philosophical, and mental practices with the aim of union with Brahman, or the Source. True Yoga is the experience and evolution through life in alignment with equanimity, detachment from consequences, and non-violence. There are many schools and sutras of yoga, all of them with the same aim of self-realization.

The reason Yoga is so prevalent these days is because of its practical approach to personal evolvement. Despite the many schools and sutras of yoga, no single path or doctrine is preferred or disdained. This freedom to follow the path that is most suitable to each person's evolution is the single most reason why Yoga and Vedic concepts are still relevant in the modern world.

Let's go there - Moksha, or Self-realization

Moksha literally means liberation. When a person is self-realized, he or she is free from any external pressures, attachments, desires, or delusions. When a soul reaches this point, it is ready to let go of its existence. The Vedas describe God as the perfect existence of consciousness and bliss. The separated self goes through its life longing to get back to that state of eternal bliss.

Whether the modern individual is consciously trying to attain Moksha or not, each soul is trying to redeem itself, and attain freedom. Each individual opts, adopts, discards or converts to a religion that will ultimately lead them to the same goal. When man is ready, Moksha will happen.