There are a number of terms thrown around in Hindu and Buddhist studies that have matriculated into various Western mystical traditions. As such, I would like to offer you a vocabulary list of sorts to help you understand these terms in relation the religions in which they originate. I will be continually adding to the list. If you would like me to address a specific concept I haven�t yet put in the list or elaborate on one already there, let me know.

Atman: this term refers to the Divine essence residing in every being. It is Atman that motivates us through our numerous cycles of lives to seek liberation (moksha) from the illusion of reality and acknowledge us as the single Divine truth that is Brahman. In Hinduism and Buddhism, when one prays to a goddess or Buddha, one is actually cultivating the Atman (that which is Divine) within themselves.

Brahman: this is the name of the Divine in Hinduism. The Divine is the underlying reality of all things. It is the One Truth. Additionally, one will sometimes see the term Atman-Brahman, which refers to the beings recognition of their Divine singularity.

Karma: this term literally mean �work.� In regard to spirituality, it refers to the �work� that goes into acknowledging one�s Divinity. Karma can only be understood in terms of a moral reality, that is to say, an existence where there is a definite good and evil, where good is valued over evil. The concept of karma assumes that there are forces of energy influenced by the laws of causality. Essentially, every thought, action, and decision will affect other aspects of existence. What one must comprehend in order to fully grasp the concept of karma is that the reason why one�s bad action will return as some form of ill event to them and why one�s good actions will return favorably is because there is no real separateness in existence. Because everyone is Brahman, doing something bad to another is only hurting yourself, as there is no other.

Mandala: these are visual representation of specific aspects of Brahman. By focusing on the shape and colors of a mandala, one is able to access the energy frequencies carried by color and shape in order to connect with the Divine energy.

Mantra: this refers to specific vocalizations used to recognize and channel certain aspects of the Divine. Hinduism and Buddhism are like an eloquent form of physics. Brahman (the Divine) is a sort of cyclical energy. We can see its existence in every display of energy, including light, heat, and sound. The foundational essence of all of these forms of energy is vibration. In Hinduism and Buddhism, there are specific vocalizations that when performed vibrate on the same �wave length� as certain aspects of Brahman. These vocalization are considered both sacred and magical.

Moksha: this term refers to the liberation of being; that which is the ultimate underlying desire of everyone. It is the basic goal of existence in, which can be achieved through the renunciation of individuality and the illusion of reality. Remember, in Hinduism, reality as we perceive it is an illusion as is our separateness from others. This illusion obscures the true reality that all of existence is a single Divine entity. Moksha is the desire in all beings to be freed from the illusion so that we may recognize our existence as Divine.

Mudra: these are specific movements of the hands that both represent certain sacred concepts that cannot be described in language and are able to �tap into� the Divine energy by way of movement. As mantras are vocalizations that connected one to the realization of certain aspects of Brahman, mudra are hand position that does the same with movement and gestures. They are both sacred and magical. The vibration of the movement of the hand and its stillness in a specific gesture channel the Divine.

Yoga: this refers to a number of techniques used to assist a being in recognizing their union with the Divine, that is, that they are Divine. I will eventually discuss this more in a separate section for yoga.

(This post is a work in progress)