I picked this up when it came in with a new books cart at my workplace library. Once in a while, I like picking up books that will teach me a bit about the religious beliefs of others. This one provides a basic overview and exposition of the spiritual elements in Hinduism. While not the most riveting book, it can be a good book for anyone interested in the topic. ( )

Arvind Sharma’s A Guide to Hindu Spirituality examined three states of consciousness – those of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. These were considered ordinary states of consciousness that all human beings experience. However, there’s a fourth state known as atman. This was thought of as a person’s true being whereby he or she experiences ‘bliss’ in a dream state. In Advaita Vedanta a dream state tends to be expressed in many states that tend to undermine each other’s reality.
But being in the waking state gives a person the fullest opportunity to do what he or she wishes. And AUM is said to be representative of three Hindu gods of the trinity: Brahma - creation, Vishnu - preservation, and Siva – termination. The tripartite sound of AUM in Advaita Vedanta is also seen as representative of the three states of consciousness viz, waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, but the silence after repeating AUM is considered the fourth state known as ‘atman.’
Sharma wrote that the sacred scriptures of Vedas consist of 1) hymns, 2) explanation of rituals about the hymns, 3) reflections on the importance of these rituals, and 4) contains the secret texts of the greatest mysteries presented in rituals that transfer believers into the realm of spiritual knowledge. ( )