Fostering Meaning, Social Connection, and Well-Being Through Hindu Beliefs and Practices

Abstract

In a vast world that surpasses comprehension, individuals seek to know the meaning of life (Frankl, 1946). Religion provides a sense of order and a lens by which to interpret the world (Geertz, 1979). Religion is powerful in alleviating uncertainty and creating connections to others, nature, and the spiritual realm. In this chapter, we will focus on the Hindu religion and examine how Hinduism fosters positive emotions and well-being by helping practitioners make sense of the world and gain a sense of interconnectedness. Our assertions center on the positive effects that Hinduism has on practitioners' well-being, without an assumption that people might choose Hinduism to gain these benefits. That is, we focus on the effects of practicing Hinduism rather than on driving factors that affect someone's choice to practice Hinduism in particular among all religious practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)