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# '''There is one Supreme Being, Bhagavan or God, with no beginning or end, the all in all, the unlimited Absolute Truth, who can expand into many forms'''. In this regard, the RigVeda (1:164:45) says<blockquote>एकम् सत् विप्रह् बहुध वदन्ति ||                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti ||</blockquote>Though sages may call Him by different names (such as Krishna, Rama, Vishnu, etc.) there is but one Absolute Truth, or one source and foundation of everything. Bhagavan is considered Sat-chit-ananda vigraha, the form of eternal knowledge and bliss. He is supreme, full of beauty, knowledge, is all-powerful and all-pervading. He is also known by His three main features: namely Brahman, the all-pervading, impersonal spiritual force or effulgence; the Paramatma, the localized expansion known as the Supersoul which accompanies every individual soul in the heart of everyone; and then Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality and form of God.

# '''There is one Supreme Being, Bhagavan or God, with no beginning or end, the all in all, the unlimited Absolute Truth, who can expand into many forms'''. In this regard, the RigVeda (1:164:45) says<blockquote>एकम् सत् विप्रह् बहुध वदन्ति ||                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti ||</blockquote>Though sages may call Him by different names (such as Krishna, Rama, Vishnu, etc.) there is but one Absolute Truth, or one source and foundation of everything. Bhagavan is considered Sat-chit-ananda vigraha, the form of eternal knowledge and bliss. He is supreme, full of beauty, knowledge, is all-powerful and all-pervading. He is also known by His three main features: namely Brahman, the all-pervading, impersonal spiritual force or effulgence; the Paramatma, the localized expansion known as the Supersoul which accompanies every individual soul in the heart of everyone; and then Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality and form of God.

# '''The Vedas are Divine knowledge and the basis or foundation of the Vedic philosophy.''' Some of these texts have been given or spoken by Bhagavan, and others were composed by sages in their deepest super conscious state in which they were able to give revelations of Universal Truths while in meditation on the Supreme. This Vedic literature, including, among other texts, the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas, the Upa-Vedas, Vedangas, Shadarshanas, Upanishads, the Vedanta-Sutras, Yoga Sutras, Agamas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Bhagavad-gita, and all Puranic literature and the practices congruent with them, contain the basis of the Vedic or Sanatana-dharma spiritual culture.

# '''The Vedas are Divine knowledge and the basis or foundation of the Vedic philosophy.''' Some of these texts have been given or spoken by Bhagavan, and others were composed by sages in their deepest super conscious state in which they were able to give revelations of Universal Truths while in meditation on the Supreme. This Vedic literature, including, among other texts, the Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas, the Upa-Vedas, Vedangas, Shadarshanas, Upanishads, the Vedanta-Sutras, Yoga Sutras, Agamas, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and Bhagavad-gita, and all Puranic literature and the practices congruent with them, contain the basis of the Vedic or Sanatana-dharma spiritual culture.

# '''Bhagawan has appeared throughout history in the form of personal appearances (avataras)''' within the realm of matter, and even in the sound vibration of scriptures (the Vedic literature). There are ten basic avataras of Bhagavan, with numerous other expansions.

# '''Bhagavan has appeared throughout history in the form of personal appearances (avataras)''' within the realm of matter, and even in the sound vibration of scriptures (the Vedic literature). There are ten basic avataras of Bhagavan, with numerous other expansions.

# '''Our real identity is being a spirit soul, or jiva'''.

# '''Our real identity is being a spirit soul, or jiva'''.

# '''The law of cause and effect:''' The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds.

# '''The law of cause and effect:''' The soul undergoes it’s own karma, by which each person must experience the results or consequences of his activities and creates his own destiny based on his thought, words and deeds.

# '''Principles for our spiritual development''', such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed.

# '''Principles for our spiritual development''', such as ahimsa or non-violence should be followed.

# '''The Four Ashramas (stages):''' In our life there are four main goals, as indicated by the four ashramas of life,  

# '''The Four Ashramas (stages):''' In our life there are four main goals, as indicated by the four ashramas of life,  

## ''brahmacharya'' (the student’s life),  

## ब्रह्मचर्य || brahmacharya (the student’s life),  

## ''grihasta'' or the householder stage of life,  

## गृहस्थ || grihastha or the householder stage of life,  

## ''Vanaprastha'' or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously,  

## वानप्रस्थ || vanaprastha or retired stage of life in which we take our spiritual goals more seriously,  

## ''Sanyasa'' or renunciation stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus.  

## सन्यास || sanyasa or renunciation stage of life in which our spiritual purpose is the main focus.  

Amongst these stages, first is  

Amongst these stages, first is  

# '''Dharma''', which is to develop ourselves morally and spiritually;  

# '''Dharma''', which is to develop ourselves morally and spiritually;  

== Expansion  of the ten principles ==

== Expansion  of the ten principles ==

A. The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', ''a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence''.

# The Vedic Tradition is not a religion, '''but a way of life''', a complete philosophy for the foundation and direction for one’s existence.

# It is based on Universal Spiritual Truths that can be applied by anyone at anytime.

B. It is ''based on Universal Spiritual Truths'' that can be applied by anyone at anytime.

# The Vedic tradition recognizes that the individual soul is eternal, beyond the limitations of the body, and that one soul is no different than another.

# All living entities, both human and otherwise, are the same in their essential and divine spiritual being. All of them are parts of the eternal truth, and have appeared in this world to express their nature and also to gather experience in the realms of matter.

C. The Vedic tradition recognizes that ''the individual soul is eternal'', beyond the limitations of the body, and that one soul is no different than another.

# For this reason, Vedic followers accept the premise of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that all living beings in the universe comprise one family, and that as such all beings are spiritually equal and should be respected as members within that family of the Supreme.

# The ultimate purpose of human life is to shed all attachments to matter and attain moksha (liberation from material existence) and return to the transcendental realm which is not only our true nature but also our real home.

D. All living entities, both human and otherwise, ''are the same in their essential and divine spiritual being''. All of them are parts of the eternal truth, and have appeared in this world to express their nature and also to gather experience in the realms of matter.

# Every person’s capacity to progress spiritually depends upon their personal qualities, choices and abilities, and is not limited by the circumstances of one’s color, caste, class, or any other circumstance of birth or temporary material limitations or designations.

# The Vedic path is based on regaining our natural spiritual identity. To pursue this goal, all human beings have the eternal right to choose their personal form of spiritual practice, as well as the right to reject any form of religious activity, and that coercion, forced conversion, or commercial inducement to adopt one religion over another should never be used or tolerated to present, propagate, or enforce one’s spiritual beliefs on others.

E. For this reason, Vedic followers accept the premise of ''Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that all living beings in the universe comprise one family,'' and that as such all beings are spiritually equal and should be respected as members within that family of the Supreme.

# The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.

# Recognizing the value and sanctity of all forms of life, as well as the Eternal Divine Being that is their true Self, the Vedic principle is that we should therefore strive in every possible way to peacefully co-exist with all other species of living entities.

F. The ultimate purpose of human life is to ''shed all attachments to matter and attain moksha'' (liberation from material existence) and return to the transcendental realm which is not only our true nature but also our real home.

G. Every person’s capacity to progress spiritually depends upon their personal qualities, choices and abilities, and i''s not limited by the circumstances of one’s color, caste, class, or any other circumstance of birth'' or temporary material limitations or designations.

H. The Vedic path is based on ''regaining our natural spiritual identity.'' To pursue this goal, all human beings have the eternal right to choose their personal form of spiritual practice, as well as the right to reject any form of religious activity, and that coercion, forced conversion, or commercial inducement to adopt one religion over another should never be used or tolerated to present, propagate, or enforce one’s spiritual beliefs on others.

I. The Vedic path offers personal freedom for one to make his or her own choice of how he or she wants to pursue their spiritual approach, and what level of the Absolute Truth he or she wishes to understand. This is the height of spiritual democracy and freedom from tyranny.

J. ''Recognizing the value and sanctity of all forms of life,'' as well as ''the Eternal Divine Being that is their true Self'', the Vedic principle is that we should therefore strive in every possible way to peacefully co-exist with all other species of living entities.

== Ten general rules of moral conduct of the Vedic path ==

== Ten general rules of moral conduct of the Vedic path ==

Of the ten rules of moral conduct five are for inner purity (Yamas) & the other five for external purification (niyamas)—<blockquote>'''''Yamas (for inner purity)''''' </blockquote>

Of the ten rules of moral conduct five are for inner purity (Yamas) & the other five for external purification (niyamas)—

== The ten qualities that are basis of dharmic (righteous) life. ==

 

== The ten qualities that are basis of dharmic (righteous) life ==

# Dhriti (firmness or fortitude),  

# Dhriti (firmness or fortitude),  

# Kshama (forgiveness),  

# Kshama (forgiveness),  

# Satyam (truth)  

# Satyam (truth)  

# Akrodhah (absence of anger).

# Akrodhah (absence of anger).

These principles are part of the eternal, universal truths that apply equally to all living entities who can use them for progress '''''regardless of class, caste, nationality, gender, or any other temporary qualifications.''''' These basic principles, as we can see, are not so difficult to understand and are the basis of the Vedic spiritual life.

These principles are part of the eternal, universal truths that apply equally to all living entities who can use them for progress '''regardless of class, caste, nationality, gender, or any other temporary qualifications.''' These basic principles, as we can see, are not so difficult to understand and are the basis of the Vedic spiritual life.

== Four basic yoga paths for the individual's spiritual development ==

== Four basic yoga paths for the individual's spiritual development ==

# '''Jnana yoga''' (pronounced gyana), the path of intellectual development and understanding of what is real and what is not. On a deeper level, jnana yoga is the process of discriminating between truth and non-truth, or reality and illusion (maya), and understanding what is the Divine. This is the knowledge of the soul and Bhagavan, and the relationship between them. Therefore, the acquirement of jnana or spiritual knowledge is one of the first steps in spiritual development.

# '''Jnana yoga''' (pronounced gyana), the path of intellectual development and understanding of what is real and what is not. On a deeper level, jnana yoga is the process of discriminating between truth and non-truth, or reality and illusion (maya), and understanding what is the Divine. This is the knowledge of the soul and Bhagavan, and the relationship between them. Therefore, the acquirement of jnana or spiritual knowledge is one of the first steps in spiritual development.

# '''Raja or dhyana yoga,''' known as the royal (raja) way, also called astanga yoga, is the eightfold path leading to liberation. From either hatha yoga, karma yoga, or jnana yoga, a person may go on to practice raja yoga. It is one of the most popular systems of yoga today.  

# '''Raja or dhyana yoga,''' known as the royal (raja) way, also called astanga yoga, is the eightfold path leading to liberation. From either hatha yoga, karma yoga, or jnana yoga, a person may go on to practice raja yoga. It is one of the most popular systems of yoga today.  

## '''''Calming all mental agitation'',''' which gradually helps the meditator to fuse with the objects of meditation by supraconscious concentration.  

## '''Calming all mental agitation,''' which gradually helps the meditator to fuse with the objects of meditation by supraconscious concentration.  

## Patanjali defined in the Yoga Sutras the eight steps of this path, consisting of the first two steps as following the '''''yamas and niyamas''''' or the essential rules of moral conduct, explained above.

## Patanjali defined in the Yoga Sutras the eight steps of this path, consisting of the first two steps as following the '''yamas and niyamas''' or the essential rules of moral conduct, explained above.

## '''''Asana''''', which means a seat or postures for meditation that are often used in hatha yoga.  

## '''Asana''', which means a seat or postures for meditation that are often used in hatha yoga.  

## Pranayama, breath control for fixing the mind in concentration. Prana means life or energy, and also can mean spirit. Ayama indicates the length and retention of breath between inhalation and exhalation, and control of the prana within the body.  

## Pranayama, breath control for fixing the mind in concentration. Prana means life or energy, and also can mean spirit. Ayama indicates the length and retention of breath between inhalation and exhalation, and control of the prana within the body.  

## The fifth step is pratyahara, control of the senses and checking the mind’s attraction to external objects.  

## The fifth step is pratyahara, control of the senses and checking the mind’s attraction to external objects.  

* A formal process of conversion to Sanatana-dharma is not necessary because the principles, as outlined above, can be practiced by anyone at any time, or to any degree one wishes.  

* A formal process of conversion to Sanatana-dharma is not necessary because the principles, as outlined above, can be practiced by anyone at any time, or to any degree one wishes.  

* Anyone can be on the path of Sanatana-dharma merely by adopting this way of life.  

* Anyone can be on the path of Sanatana-dharma merely by adopting this way of life.  

* It is not an institution that you need to join that makes you a follower/

* It is not an institution that you need to join that makes you a follower.

* It is the acceptance of it in your heart and the practices that you adopt.  

* It is the acceptance of it in your heart and the practices that you adopt.  

* However, you can approach a guru of your choice who inspires you and can guide you and then ask for diksha, or initiation, by which you may then accept a formal ritual as a qualified follower of the Vedic path in the school of thought or parampara that your guru represents. Then you may receive a spiritual name, indicating your dedication and change of spiritual orientation, or even further take an initiation as a priest or brahmana.

* However, you can approach a guru of your choice who inspires you and can guide you and then ask for diksha, or initiation, by which you may then accept a formal ritual as a qualified follower of the Vedic path in the school of thought or parampara that your guru represents. Then you may receive a spiritual name, indicating your dedication and change of spiritual orientation, or even further take an initiation as a priest or brahmana.