Vedic Learning In The 21st Century

The ancient Vedas of India form a 5,000 years old tradition that has been guided by illuminated seers living in harmony with nature. Vedic teachings are comprised of arcane mantras, rituals, spells, and treatises of philosophy. Today, we find Vedic systems of knowledge throughout the world in teachings like Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda, Jyotish and Vaastu, along with numerous books, courses, and teachers educated on the subject. The Vedas are a tradition as vast as it is deep. It is a wealth of transformative knowledge born of insight into the workings of the world. Achieving an understanding of the Vedas is only possible through intense meditation and the attainment of a higher consciousness.

  

   

Introduction

An old, esoteric body of religious texts, the Vedas have comprised much of Hindu teachings. Written in Vedic Sanskrit, it ranks among the oldest texts in history. Despite its age, however, the knowledge concealed within the Vedas hold weight even today, in a post-modernist world rapidly shifting to a new era.

The Vedas are four, in number. They are the Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Each one of them is of great importance to tradition and culture. The Rigveda is the oldest, and shares hymns about mythology. The Yajurveda provides instructions on rituals, while the Samaveda possesses musical psalms about the same. The Atharvaveda, on the other hand, is a text consisting of magical spells that allow one to fight enemies and dark sorcerers. It also has spells on curing sickness.

Each Veda has four categories - the Samhitas(mantras and divine blessings), the Aranyakas(rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices), the Brahmanas(commentaries on the aforementioned rituals), and the Upanishads(texts discussing meditation, philosophy, and spiritual knowledge). Some scholars take the division of each Veda even further and add a fifth category - Upasanas(worship).

  

   

  

Impact On Lifestyle

At present, three aspects of the Vedas have gained widespread fame and acceptance: Yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic philosophy. The first one is a way of life, containing methods through which one can attain harmony between the body and mind. The second is a compendium of knowledge on curing and preventing disease and ailment. Both play a crucial role in a healthy lifestyle. The third grants one a path to spiritual enlightenment, allowing them to overcome suffering.

Yogic knowledge, in particular, contains exercises called asanas that can be directly implemented in one's life. These asanas discuss breathing techniques and certain poses capable of providing mental, physical, and spiritual aid to the young and old alike. Yoga can help lower the risk of diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, and hypertension, among others. It can also help in recovery from disease or surgery. Yogic practices have also been noted to aid the body and spirit. These factors are part of the reason Yoga has quickly grown in popularity all over the world. Bella Mente actively utilises yogic knowledge in conjunction with the Play-Way method to create activities that enhance motor control to finer levels while remaining enjoyable.

 

Ayurvedic knowledge once formed the foundation of medical science in India. It still does, in some ways. The Ayurveda taught India's first surgeons and doctors, according to a few historical accounts. Furthermore, in the field of medicine today, Ayurveda is a subject of great interest. Ayurvedic practices have opened new avenues of curing various diseases. Notably, the holistic approach of Ayurveda has empowered it with the ability to cure some conditions the scientific community has considered to be chronic. Examples include arthritis, hemorrhoids, etc.

The Vedas have shaped much of ancient and modern thought. Their philosophy has touched upon a variety of topics that persist even today. For example, the Vedas have gone into express detail over the virtues and vices of money while providing sound financial advice that has remained applicable over the millenia. Vedic philosophy has carved a path saints and gurus have followed since before the Vedas were written, during a time they were part of oral tradition. In today's context, the same philosophy, when combined with the thoughts of thinkers across ages and eras, can help facilitate enlightenment.

  

   

   

The Path To Learning The Vedas

For the average adult, the best way to obtain the knowledge of the Vedas is through directly experiencing it. That is, they should read it on their own, and reach an interpretation of Vedic knowledge tailored to themselves. For a child, however, one needs to create a space where only the purest, unbiased knowledge enters their mind. Only through this way, would the foundational building blocks of their spirit become robust and solid. This is where Bella Mente comes in. Our curriculum has become a tried and tested path in itself, a means to guide mental growth. Combining both Western practices and Eastern traditions, we're proud to declare that our way takes only the best from each.

Learning the Vedas is a slow process, but it bears fruit faster than most.