HINDUISMSTAGES OF LIFE

Life Stages: Introduction Each life in itself

moves through several distinct stages, each of which calls for its own unique response.

If we ask, therefore, how should we life? Hinduism would answer that it depends not only on what kind of person you are but also in which stage of life you are.

Stage 1: The Student Starts between

ages eight and twelve and lasts approximately twelve years.

Main focus is on learning as much as possible from our teacher/ sage/ guru, who is usually a family member.

Stage 2: The Householder Major transition from

student to household is marriage.

Time to satisfy the first three wants of humans: pleasure through family, success through vocation and duty through responsibilities such as citizen

Most people do not go beyond this stage.

Stage 3: Retirement and Reflection

Known as forest dweller or retiree

Key point is that you finally have time to contemplate your faith.

Some known as forest dwellers because they move to an isolated area to develop an attitude of detachment from the world.

A time for working out a philosophy and working it into yourself.

Stage 4: Sannyasin Known as ascetic or

sannyasin Renounce everything

because “things” cause distractions and cloud judgment; “things” are maya.

Defined in the Bhagavad-Gita as “one who neither hates nor loves anything”

A Sannyasin