PurusharthaThe Four Goals of Human Life

Purusha-artha“for the purpose of the Self”“that for which we strive”

If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you. If you bring forth what is within you, what

you bring forth will save you. – Christ

Dharma (righteousness)Artha (economic values)

Kama (pleasure)Moksha (liberation)

Abraham Maslow

The Purusharthas are the inherent values of the universe

The Purusharthas are the blueprint for human fulfillment. Working with them can help you create a satisfyingly balanced, meaningful life at the deepest and most holistic level.

They offer a way for evaluating your life and making good decisions.

Right action is that which supports the practice of Dharma, Artha and Kama together, or singularly.

Are you managing your life in such a way as to support your spiritual growth?

Look within“What do I really, really want at the level of my Soul?”

Knowing our goals brings enthusiasm to our Sadhana

The Vedas suggest three goals: Dharma, Artha and Kama.The Upanishadic era added Moksha.

Dharma precedes both Kama and Artha while Artha precedes Kama,

Four Vedic stages of life, each 21 yearsIn a baby or child, education and Kama takes precedence; in youth and middle-age Kama and Artha take precedence; while in old age Dharma takes precedence and finally Moksha.

DharmaDharma means: - Truth, purpose

- right way of living and path of righteousness- cosmic law, the rules that created the universe from chaos

- human behaviors considered necessary for order ofthings in the universe,

- principles that prevent chaos, to hold, maintain- behaviors and action necessary to all life in nature,

society, family and individual - duty, rights, character,

vocation, religion, customs and all behavior considered appropriate, correct or morally upright

Dharma is:the ethical basis on which you live your lifebeing conscious in one’s actions, words and thoughtscompassion and sensitivity to the needs of othersbeing awake to the existence of the Divine

Dharma and Karma are interwovenWithout Dharma, Artha and Kama become self-destructive.

Dharma brings stability and order, a life that is lawful and harmonious, the striving to do the right thing, be good, be virtuous, earn religious merit, be helpful to others, interact successfully with society.

The greatest dereliction of Dharma is to desert the helpless in their time of need - Bhagavad Gita

Vedantic means to discover Dharma: - Study of the Vedas, Upanishads, and other sacred texts - Observing the behavior and example of good people. - Reflecting on and following what satisfies one’s heart,one’s own deepest inner feeling

- “What is my purpose?”- “How can I serve?”

Better your own Dharma though imperfect than the Dharma of another done perfectly - Bhagavad Gita

We exist for the service and realization of God

When we are in Dharma:Actions are spontaneously correctWe automatically know what to do in any situationWe are in harmony with the Laws of natureOur life is supported by everything around usWe are complete within ourselvesLife becomes effortless

Sanatana Dharma - the Eternal Dharma (order)Truth underlying all existence. The source of fundamental idea of right and wrong

Outward Dharma leads us to inner Moksha

ArthaArtha is security, having the material comfort you need to live in the world with ease.Artha is to live skillfully in a world of material objects that exist for our benefit. It’s not about rejecting the world, but being content with the things you own.

“What do I see as truly valuable?”

Artha is one of the basic human dignities—to have enough assets to live on and care for your family, without hoarding or being greedy.

What you need depends on who you are.

Artha refers to things, purpose, goal or aim of something, it includes everything in one's environment that allows one to live a fulfilling life.It includes all kinds of wealth including:

knowledge, friendship lovecareer skills healthprosperityactivities and resources

“There is no joy in smallness, joy is in the infinite” - Upanishads

Artha is the foundation for Dharma and Kama. Without prosperity and security in society or at individual level, both moral life and sensuality become difficult.

It is important that Artha, as "worldly success" does not violate Dharma (moral responsibility) and one's journey towards Moksha (spiritual liberation)

At government level, Artha includes social, legal, economic and worldly affairs and is an important and necessary objective of government.

The fear of not having, disguises the reality that we have everything

Wealth and poverty are states of consciousness

Artha is pursuit of activities and means necessary for a joyous and pleasurable life

- Discover a way so money runs after you and not viceversa.

- Do work which is compatible to your nature & capabilities- Do work that serves society. - Do work you really love- Trust in the infinite organizing power of the Universe

Seek spiritual riches within. What you are is much greater than anything or anyone else you have ever yearned for

- Paramhansa Yogananda

KamaDesire for pleasure is what drives human behavior. A life without pleasure and enjoyment is hollow and empty.

Kama relates to pleasure, which can be sensuality, but is also art, music, beauty, love, intimacy, affection, fellowship, and kindness—it’s what brings a sense of delight to our lives

Excessive Kama can lead to overindulgence, addiction, sloth, greed, lust etc.It is good, and necessary, when it exists to support Dharma and becomes part of the richness of life

The right kinds of pleasure can lead you towards your Dharma and help you fulfill it with passion.

As is your desire so is your will, as is your will so is your deed, as is your deed so is your destiny - Upanishad

You are what your deep driving desire is.

We can fulfill our desires, transform them or move beyond them. We cannot suppress a desire.

Be careful what you wish for

Are my pleasures aligned with my life’s purpose?

“To practice Kama yogically means to practice being fully present with whatever you’re experiencing.

Kama is a total sensory experience that includes the discovery of object, learning about the object, emotional connection, process of enjoyment and the resulting feeling of well being before, during and after the experience

Whatever lies behind us and whatever lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us

Kama should be followed with thought, care, caution and enthusiasm, free from worries and egotistical problems

Know which pleasures are saturated with Divine Consciousness and are drenched in the ecstasies of the soul

The highest Kama is the longing for Oneness with the Divine

Kama Sutra presents Kama as an essential and joyful aspect of human existence.

Moksha

Moksha is: Your true nature it’s who you really are Emancipation, liberation, releaseFreedom from saṃsāra, the cycle of death and rebirth. Freedom from ignorance: Self-realization and Self-knowledge

Consciousness of the Oneness of the Supreme SoulThe removal of obstacles to an unrestricted lifeAccess to our full human potential of creativity, compassionand understanding

Liberation comes to those who know Brahman as that which is the origin and end of all thingsThe universal principle behind and at source of everything thatexists.

Consciousness that pervades everything and everyone

Such realization comes from self-knowledge and self-discipline

Self-discipline is the path to Dharma

Moksha is self-discipline that is so perfect that it becomes unconscious, second nature, an unworldly understanding, a state of bliss

Liberation comes from a life lived with inner purity, alert mind, led by reason, intelligence and realization of the Supreme Self who dwells in all beings.

“The whole Universe exists within us, ask all from yourself” - Rumi

Vedanta separates Moksha into two: Jivanmukti - liberation in this life, which includes liberation

from fears and ignorance or anything that is not true knowledgeVidehamukti - liberation after death

The Advaita tradition considers Moksha achievable by removing avidya (ignorance).

Moksha is seen as a final release from illusion, and through knowledge of one's own fundamental nature, Sat Chit Ananda.

Advaita holds there is no being/non-being distinction between Atman, Brahman, and Paramatman. The knowledge of Brahman leads to Moksha

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment- Lao Tzu

Upanishads describe the liberated individual as:• he is not bothered by disrespect and endures cruel words, treats others with

respect regardless of how others treat him;• when confronted by an angry person he does not return anger, instead replies

with soft and kind words;• even if tortured, he speaks and trusts the Truth;• he does not crave for blessings or expect praise from others;• he never injures or harms any life or being (ahimsa), he is intent in the welfare of

all beings;• he is as comfortable being alone as in the presence of others;• he is as comfortable with a bowl, at the foot of a tree in tattered robe without

help;• knowledge alone is supreme. Outer appearances and rituals do not matter to

him, only knowledge matters;• for him there is no invocation nor dismissal of deities, no mantra nor non-

mantra, no prostrations nor worship of gods, goddess or ancestors, nothing other than knowledge of Self;

• he is humble, high-spirited, of clear and steady mind, straightforward, compassionate, patient, indifferent, courageous, speaks firmly and with sweet words.

May your life be simple and pure so you know only beautyMay your mind be clear and quiet so you speak only of Truth

May your heart be filled with love and compassion so you radiate Light to all you meet

May all you do be blessed with Divine Grace.

- Swami Chinmayananda

You Are Beautiful

PhotographerMehmet Genc

(Rotasiz Seyyah)

“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night

and made the day worth living”- F. Scott Fitzgerald