Now I don’t know about you, but I find there’s something deeply comforting about spiritual traditions that have withstood the test of time. And not many have endured as long as those of Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest living faiths. More than a religion in the conventional sense, though, Hinduism is often described as a way of life, offering a rich and varied path to inner peace, self-knowledge and a deeper connection to the world around us.
I think that its wisdom is especially relevant for people in their 60s and beyond. With its emphasis on inner stillness, compassion and the cyclical nature of life, Hinduism teaches that aging is not a decline but a return – a journey inward toward clarity, purpose and spiritual freedom.
Whoever, clear-minded, knows me As the Ultimate Person, knows All that is truly worth knowing, And he loves me with all his heart. — Krishna, Bhagavad Gita, 15:20
Origins
Many religions can be traced back to a single founder. Not so in the case of Hinduism, however. Having emerged gradually, it is more a valley formed by the forces of nature than a monument fashioned by a craftsperson. Its earliest roots lie in the Indus Valley civilization, which flourished over four thousand years ago. Archaeological clues suggest this civilization had a reverence for natural forces and fertility. These were perhaps early expressions of deities such as Shiva and the Divine Mother.
Later, with the arrival of the Indo-European Aryans in the Indus Valley around 1500 BCE, came the Vedas. These sacred hymns, written in Sanskrit, still serve as a spiritual foundation of Hinduism today. The meeting of cultures created by the Aryans’ arrival gave birth to a spiritual mosaic that has evolved over centuries, absorbing local traditions while maintaining core beliefs.
But let’s leave chronologies behind for a moment and turn toward the most important thing: what this tradition can teach us, right now.
Spiritual Lessons
At the heart of Hindu thought is Brahman – not a god in the usual sense, but the unchanging, universal spirit that connects everything. Trees, rivers, people, animals, stars: everything is part of this divine whole.
This idea may feel familiar. Many of us, as we grow older, begin to feel more deeply connected to the rhythm of life. The need to compete fades; the desire to understand deepens. Hinduism names this journey toward understanding as the path to Moksha – that is, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and union with Brahman.
Some Western minds may think this all sounds a little abstract. Maybe so; but Hinduism by no means has to be this way. It offers several paths that suit different temperaments and life experiences:
- Karma Yoga: the path of selfless action; doing good without expecting reward.
- Jnana Yoga: the path of wisdom; seeking truth through contemplation and study.
- Bhakti Yoga: the path of devotion; loving the divine through rituals, songs or silent prayer.
Of these, Bhakti Yoga is perhaps the most accessible. And, in my view, it’s the most spiritually uplifting. It’s not about dogma or doctrine. It’s about love, pure and unshakable – for the divine, for others, for life as it is.
And isn’t that what many of us seek in our later years? Not more things to do, but deeper ways to be?
Yoga
Hinduism gave rise to the practice of Hatha Yoga, which is far more than stretching on a mat (though that’s lovely too!). Traditional yoga is a spiritual discipline uniting body, mind and spirit. Breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation and postures (asanas) are all tools to quiet the mind and open the heart. I believe yoga can be an especially meaningful practice for those of us in retirement, a stage that often invites reflection.
Read 9 Yoga Retreats for Women Over 50.
Hinduism in Today’s World
Practised today by over a billion people across the globe, Hinduism remains a vibrant and vital creed. Its festivals – among its most famous ones being Diwali, the festival of lights, and Holi, a riotous celebration of colours – are joyful reminders of the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness.
But perhaps Hinduism’s most powerful offering is its tolerance. Its motto could very well be: truth is one; paths are many. In a world that often feels divided, that message feels like balm for the soul.
A Final Reflection
I find something beautifully reassuring about Hindu’s vision of life as not a straight line but a circle. Birth, growth, death, renewal. Action, rest, action again. We are not here to conquer life, but to dance with it. To witness, to feel, to love without conditions.
And as we grow older, perhaps our role is not to gather more answers, but to sit gently with the great questions. To embrace mystery. And maybe – just maybe – to find peace not in doing, but in simply being.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Which world religions have you read about? Do you have a favorite that you think best explains our world? What do you think inner peace means and how do you accomplish it in your life?
