Is there no hope for the individual? Can he never escape from the cage he is in? Hinduism says that the only escape is to free ourselves from the constraints of the body-mind-intellect cage in which we all live. Then enter the realm of the Atman, which alone can be said to be free from all constraints.
Hinduism teaches that ultimate liberation, or moksha,
involves transcending the limitations of the body, mind, and intellect to
realize one's true self, often referred to as the Atman. The concept of Atman
is central to Hindu philosophy and is often described as the eternal,
unchanging essence of an individual that is distinct from the transient
physical body and the fluctuating mind and intellect.
According to Hindu teachings, the human experience is
characterized by cycles of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara), driven by the
law of karma - the principle that one's actions have consequences that affect
future experiences. The cycle of samsara is marked by suffering (dukkha), which
arises from attachment (to desires, possessions, relationships, etc.) and
ignorance (avidya) of one's true nature.
Moksha is seen as the liberation from this cycle of samsara
and the cessation of suffering. It involves realizing the true nature of the
self (Atman) as identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman), which is often
described as pure consciousness, infinite, and beyond all limitations.
Various paths (margas) are prescribed in Hinduism to attain
moksha, including:
Karma Yoga: The path of selfless action, where individuals
perform their duties without attachment to the fruits of their actions, thereby
purifying their minds and reducing the accumulation of karma.
Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion, where individuals
cultivate love, devotion, and surrender to a chosen deity or form of the
divine, ultimately merging with the object of devotion.
Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge, where individuals engage
in self-inquiry and philosophical contemplation to understand the nature of
reality and the self, leading to the realization of one's true nature as the
Atman.
Raja Yoga: The path of meditation and mental discipline, as
outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, where individuals use various techniques
such as concentration, meditation, and breath control to still the mind and
directly experience the true nature of reality.
While these paths may appear distinct, they are often
practiced in combination, and different individuals may be inclined towards
different paths based on their temperament and stage of spiritual evolution.
Ultimately, the goal of Hindu spirituality is to realize the
inherent divinity within oneself and to experience union (yoga) with the
ultimate reality, transcending the limitations of the body, mind, and intellect
to attain eternal freedom and bliss.