Spiritual Orientation and its Relationship to Health
As humanity has expanded its understanding of the physical world, a definitive relationship between relative physical health and the preceived character of existence has evolved. Given endemic geographic and climatological differences, the technological advances that are available to most peoples do not account for the differences in their health. Access to the essentials of life, which include adequate food, water, shelter, and a framework of reality, are needed to approach well-being. Hinduism and Buddhism are allied traditions, evolving in the same geographic and cultural spheres. An exploration of the metaphysical traditions of each will illuminate each people(s orientation toward health and well-being.
World View and Metaphysics in Hinduism
Hinduism views all of creation as a venue for change and transformation. The uniquely anthropomorphic aspect of this point of view is the concept of moksha. As the universe is not reservedly human, the concept of finding and liberating the highest good (moksha) is applied to all creatures. Whatever qualifies as life, or is imbued with life-like qualities, is animated by Atman. In this regard, all creatures are the same, existing within the collective consciousness of Brahman. The Hindu views all of creation as a balance between becoming and being (p. 105).
Within Hinduism, the human condition is perched somewhere between imperfection and suffering. Simply put, the way to escape imperfection and suffering was to drop desire. The completed action of escaping desire and escaping the human condition is referred to again as moksha. The Hindu philosophy of life rests on the perception that reality resembles a kochina doll. Each level of existence is nested within another level of existence, ad infinitum. As long as one clings to the idea that sensory impressions, thoughts or feelings are lastingly significant, then one will be tr...