Best (Enlightening?) Spiritual Experience in India

edwardseco · Jan 6th, 2006, 23:35

I went to the Rajneesh Ashram to see the big guy. My question was an odd one. Did he miss being a Philosophy teacher? He answered in that slurring voice otherwisw and vague while looking over at his Rolls Royces. I received instant spiritual insight. Being a poor professor is good, getting money from drugged out, spiritually adrift forens with too much money is better..

MeCasa · Jan 6th, 2006, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Maybe all cultures have that problem, just disguised differently!

The best proof of this is an IndiaMike post by a young Indian girl who moved to the west and has since found her own self worth raised to a level she never knew exisited

But yes I do believe most westerners gain insight from leaving their protected zone of normalcy and seeing a world which moves at a different pace with sometime (and sometime not) different values

I'd like to think we all learn from each other

Digital Drifter · Jan 7th, 2006, 23:09

Hmmm..I dont know, I 'lost' my religion. Does that count?

Reading the 'best of alt.atheism' on the computer,at the age of 23.....

Great quotes,had me in splits, then a wee bit serious, then with gritted teeth and then abject defeat in the face of logic. Just like that, I knew I'd been had, big time.

Then followed a period of depression(in that moody teenager style) and then it all went away. I KNOW I'm a better person for that.

Richard Dawkin, Daniel dennet, Stephen J Gould and a whole bunch of others showed me everyday 'miracles' and that I'm immortal too, in every DNA word.

Like the Mahabharatam,

As long as the sun, the moon, the mountians and seas exist....

So will I, so will I.

PeakXV · Jan 7th, 2006, 23:20

I guess I'm more an Agnostic. Believe that something is out there but not quite sure what. Evolutionary Science, Big Bang or Great power or combination of any or all

However luckily you don't have to be spiritual to be enlightened

. All you have to be is alert and alive

Sama · Jan 8th, 2006, 00:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeCasa

But yes I do believe most westerners gain insight from leaving their protected zone of normalcy and seeing a world which moves at a different pace with sometime (and sometime not) different values

I'd like to think we all learn from each other

yes, and you don't have to leave the US to do that....

Lotus-Flower · Jan 8th, 2006, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

The following is something I posted in another thread a while ago, I wouldn't say it was an 'outstanding spiritual experience', but the kind of thing that gets me returning to India time & time again.....
.
.
.
.

When travelling in India, occasionally you see something that just stops you in your tracks and gets you thinking "That’s why I will always love India".

Most people will have had this experience many times, the one I enjoyed the most was on April 1st this year. (This is no April fool's joke)

I had been on an awful overnight train journey, not much sleep, a baby screaming half the night, and someone stole my water, I was so dry that I felt sick, at 06:00 the train pulled into Vadodara station, I got off, found some water and breakfast and made my way back to my carriage.

As I was approaching the carriage I saw a group of Krishna Hindu's walking in a circle, all clapping and singing, they had got off the train to offer their morning prayers, the porters and what looked like beggars then joined in.

It looked and sounded so wonderful, I couldn't move from the spot.

As often happens in India, I felt ashamed and cheated that I don't believe in any god.

These moments always seem to happen when you least expect it, no special Temple or Fort, just a railway platform in Gujarat.

Yeah steven_ber

PeakXV · Jan 8th, 2006, 03:58

Gr8 retrieval Lotus-Flower!

lotus blossom · Jan 8th, 2006, 13:02

“There is no enlightenment outside of daily life.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

phobal · Jan 8th, 2006, 15:48

In Jaipur I got really drunk and at 0300hrs I went outside, found a ledge to sit on, and watched a cow eat garbage. And at this point, I said to myself "life is sweet."

Oh and in Goa one of my closest friends went psycho and we haven't talked since.

Good times.

parth.gupta · Jul 29th, 2008, 17:01

I went to Haridwar.....hoping to wash my sins in the ganga....but apparently ganga has done enough sin washing and has become so dirty i did not feel like stepping in teh water....but i decided i might as well dip a little...so as i approached the banks on teh night of aarti (prayer) being pushed around in teh crowd i suddenly found myself surrounded by a bunch of old ladies who sang hymns together....and they sang with such beauty...as though the noise aorund me died and i felt my soul lift up in teh air beyond the corwd far away...in a crowd where it was hard to move i felt an isolation and as though i was in teh presence of god....all alone in this beautiful spot being blessed....a feeling i have never felt before

kullukid · Jul 29th, 2008, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

As often happens in India, I felt ashamed and cheated that I don't believe in any god.

These moments always seem to happen when you least expect it, no special Temple or Fort, just a railway platform in Gujarat.

But surely if you did believe in God, then a "railway platform in Gujarat" would be your ideal Temple, Steven???

KK

ithin · May 16th, 2009, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by kullukid

But surely if you did believe in God, then a "railway platform in Gujarat" would be your ideal Temple, Steven???

KK

The realisation or understanding God is a tough thing. The journey in search for this ultimate truth is life.

Eastern Mind · May 16th, 2009, 03:07

I posted a whole pilgrimage log on line. It was 'enlightening' for me, but then.. spirituality is such an individual thing, isn't it? If its a beer you're looking for, and a beer you get.. well.. hey that's a great experience. For my log, search for '17 days' here on Mike. As for 'the best' for me... now that would be a very tough choice. For many, I guess the touching down of the plane fulfilling a lifelong dream of Mother India beckoning might just do it. For others (not IMers for sure) getting back on that plane might be the most special moment.

EM

jim1888 · May 16th, 2009, 04:08

i was staying in Asvem, north Goa in 94, i was on a almost deserted beach, every day i was past by 3 fishermen & they always gave me a big smile & waved, then this day they came by carrying an empty net & looking rather sad. & i thought to myself, "i wish i could catch them the biggest fish in the sea". then in a matter of minutes i heard these big splashes at the edge of the water, when i looked up, there was what i thought was a beached dolphin, when i stood up i seen it was a massive sting ray, so i ran along the beach to a fishing boat, took the oar & put it under the ray & helped it back into the sea, only when i sat down, i thought "no way, i've just wished to catch the biggest fish in the sea", don't get me wrong, i'm not saying it was the biggest fish in the sea but it was the biggest fish i've ever seen.

EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING

Uncle_Martin · May 17th, 2009, 19:58

Inside the Tibetan temple at Sarnath there are the usual wheels ... had a little play with them ... whilst using the big 'un ... quite interesting ... nothing special

Jan 7th, 2006, 23:09	#33
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,405	Hmmm..I dont know, I 'lost' my religion. Does that count? Reading the 'best of alt.atheism' on the computer,at the age of 23..... Great quotes,had me in splits, then a wee bit serious, then with gritted teeth and then abject defeat in the face of logic. Just like that, I knew I'd been had, big time. Then followed a period of depression(in that moody teenager style) and then it all went away. I KNOW I'm a better person for that. Richard Dawkin, Daniel dennet, Stephen J Gould and a whole bunch of others showed me everyday 'miracles' and that I'm immortal too, in every DNA word. Like the Mahabharatam, As long as the sun, the moon, the mountians and seas exist.... So will I, so will I. __________________ Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

Jan 7th, 2006, 23:20	#34
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Agnostically Enlightened .. I guess I'm more an Agnostic. Believe that something is out there but not quite sure what. Evolutionary Science, Big Bang or Great power or combination of any or all However luckily you don't have to be spiritual to be enlightened . All you have to be is alert and alive __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions? Last edited by PeakXV : Jan 8th, 2006 at 03:56.

Jan 8th, 2006, 03:58	#37
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Ditto ... Gr8 retrieval Lotus-Flower!

Jan 8th, 2006, 13:02	#38
lotus blossom re-member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: revolving around the sun standing still Posts: 1,924	“There is no enlightenment outside of daily life.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh __________________ Not all who wander are lost

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Jan 6th, 2006, 23:35	#31
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	I went to the Rajneesh Ashram to see the big guy. My question was an odd one. Did he miss being a Philosophy teacher? He answered in that slurring voice otherwisw and vague while looking over at his Rolls Royces. I received instant spiritual insight. Being a poor professor is good, getting money from drugged out, spiritually adrift forens with too much money is better..

Jan 8th, 2006, 15:48	#39
phobal IM hoser Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: canaduh Posts: 519	In Jaipur I got really drunk and at 0300hrs I went outside, found a ledge to sit on, and watched a cow eat garbage. And at this point, I said to myself "life is sweet." Oh and in Goa one of my closest friends went psycho and we haven't talked since. Good times.

Jul 29th, 2008, 17:01	#40
parth.gupta Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GERMANY Posts: 2	I went to Haridwar.....hoping to wash my sins in the ganga....but apparently ganga has done enough sin washing and has become so dirty i did not feel like stepping in teh water....but i decided i might as well dip a little...so as i approached the banks on teh night of aarti (prayer) being pushed around in teh crowd i suddenly found myself surrounded by a bunch of old ladies who sang hymns together....and they sang with such beauty...as though the noise aorund me died and i felt my soul lift up in teh air beyond the corwd far away...in a crowd where it was hard to move i felt an isolation and as though i was in teh presence of god....all alone in this beautiful spot being blessed....a feeling i have never felt before

May 16th, 2009, 03:07	#43
Eastern Mind Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 431	I posted a whole pilgrimage log on line. It was 'enlightening' for me, but then.. spirituality is such an individual thing, isn't it? If its a beer you're looking for, and a beer you get.. well.. hey that's a great experience. For my log, search for '17 days' here on Mike. As for 'the best' for me... now that would be a very tough choice. For many, I guess the touching down of the plane fulfilling a lifelong dream of Mother India beckoning might just do it. For others (not IMers for sure) getting back on that plane might be the most special moment. EM

May 16th, 2009, 04:08	#44
jim1888 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: tyneside uk Posts: 31	i was staying in Asvem, north Goa in 94, i was on a almost deserted beach, every day i was past by 3 fishermen & they always gave me a big smile & waved, then this day they came by carrying an empty net & looking rather sad. & i thought to myself, "i wish i could catch them the biggest fish in the sea". then in a matter of minutes i heard these big splashes at the edge of the water, when i looked up, there was what i thought was a beached dolphin, when i stood up i seen it was a massive sting ray, so i ran along the beach to a fishing boat, took the oar & put it under the ray & helped it back into the sea, only when i sat down, i thought "no way, i've just wished to catch the biggest fish in the sea", don't get me wrong, i'm not saying it was the biggest fish in the sea but it was the biggest fish i've ever seen. EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING

May 17th, 2009, 19:58	#45
Uncle_Martin Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: W.MidsUK Posts: 248	Inside the Tibetan temple at Sarnath there are the usual wheels ... had a little play with them ... whilst using the big 'un ... quite interesting ... nothing special

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