Thoughts on Hinduism

Wow everyone has been busy posting while I slept lol. Thanks everyone. As far as jumping off the spiritual deep end I know what you are saying. One of the biggest reasons I want to go to India and stay in an ashram is to get away from western society and all the distractions that come with it. Its hard enough for me sit and meditate for an hour without thinking of all the "things" I need to do. Ive always believed there was something spiritual in my life and no religious ideologies felt right when I read them until I actually started learning what Hinduism was about. My mom gets on my case all the time for not having a high powered job and owning my own home and why am I not married yet at 33 ect. ect. and it doesnt feel like those things are gonna make me happy and it sucks to feel like a disappointment in your parents eyes. Ive just scratched the surface and it makes so much more sense. I am a caregiver for people with severe disabilities and all the time people pat me on the back and say its an admirable job but you can feel the judgement that its not an attractive job in our society. I just feel like its my job to wake people up to there own humanity.

I guess all parents would like to see their issues 'do well'?? isn't it! Yet the constant stream of advice from the back seat can be a drag.

"It's my life", sounds a petulant thing to say, but if only more could actually express that 'it's your life to choose' to their kids, what an easing of tension there might be.

Anyhow getting off the carousel that you are now riding ain't no bad thing and travelling to India for that very opposite perspective, seems to be a very usable choice.

Howdy from a student of Hinduism ... in Texas (of all places!). I've lectured on Hinduism for many years and have read about everything out there on the subject. I strongly encourage you to read the following as a beginning student:

"Meeting God" by Stephen Huyler. The photos are terrific (Huyler is first a photographer) and the text is fascinating. A wonderful and thought provoking beginning. I require this book for all university students that I shepherd to India. I recommend it for all IMers.

Then you must read "Hindu Art" by T. Richard Blurton. I'm not sure why it's called Hindu "art" - the discussion of art is secondary in the text. The book is a very well organized and very informative. It is one that I refer to frequently.

Another that will enlighten you: "Darshan" by Diane Eck.

All of these are available used on Amazon.com.

Best wishes for your upcoming enlightenment!

A general response to the theme of this thread ...

As a university professor, I'm remain concerned that my fellow Americans demonstrate a lack of knowledge and understanding about the world's religions. The USA is considered a relatively "religious country" (whatever the heck that means) but many American know little about their own religion and even less about the religions of others. There seems to exist an inherent concern among Christian parents that exposing your child to diverse religions will weaken his or her commitment to Christianity. (Actually, there is some evidence that this fear is well founded.) I "preach" (interesting choice of words) to my students that in order participate politically, economically, and socially in a global community, you must have an understanding of (and respect for) the world's religions.

If you are interested in this topic, I encourage you to read the excellent book "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know and Doesn't" by Stephen Prothero. It is very thought provoking and well written.

Cool I will check those out as soon as I can. I read lots of bibles from other religions and I havent really connected with any unitl now. In a way its a huge relief and its made big impact on me already. Im really enjoying the Upanishads.

Ashrams have their own distractions. If there are a lot of things to do, then give them priority. Meditation can wait. Otherwise also, it does not necessarily require you to sit for an hour. Don't take up a savior's role to wake up the world. Just be happy in doing what really makes you happy. If what others think is important for you then take up a job. Perhaps there is a girl who has similar interests as you have. Marriage can bring happiness.

Hindus hardly have any promotion. Hare-Krishna, sure, is not a good introduction. Creationists, monotheists. Advaita is.

Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagawat; they are great stories establishing hindu social fabric. They are not for Gods and Goddesses, though you find innumerable of them in the stories.

They certainly show the gods as being remarkably human. So much so, that they sometimes make me wonder if there actually is some undiscoverable Himalayan valley!

You've just lost all credibility with me Aup. KK

well said happyhippy.

There are 2 threads on same topic one is where I'm writing now another one is ---->Hinduism.



@ Big Texan

can we read these books online?

"Meeting God" by Stephen Huyler.
"Hindu Art" by T. Richard Blurton.
"Darshan" by Diane Eck.

Sorry - I'm one of the last hold outs for "real" books. (A paper copy is to an ebook as butter is to margarine!) So I don't know if they are available on line. Good luck.

I did not say it will certainly do so. Probabilities, chances, Heisenberg. That is what life is. Good, bad. Happiness, sorrows. Summers, winters. Seasons. It is never the same. Beauty of life.

I would absolutely love to get married and start a family someday. I just finished the Upanishads and they talk a lot about selfish desire. I think that has a lot to do with why marriages rarely seem to workout anymore and I figure when Im truly ready then I will meet someone that wants the same. I dont try to take up a saviors role or try to convince people that they are doing it all wrong or anything self righteous like that. For example everyday for the past 3-4 months I drive by this homeless couple that sits by the offramp on my way to work. I have conversations with them all the time and they are good people just down on there luck. I just offered to let them shower and clean up at my place. They live in a tent behind a library and I know I am taking a risk but I feel like its the right thing to do. They were so shocked I offered they said nobody has ever offered them that and they didnt know if they should say yes. I just try and do the human thing where ever I go.