In the assigned reading of Ramana Maharshi, I discovered that I like this one the best of the three from this week. I read it undistracted, which I liked. It brings me again, however, to the point that the Hindus really focus on the self as the main point in their religion. I think that before anyone can truly get anything from these readings, they themselves have to figure out who they are and what self means to them. Then study the Brahman and the Atman and be able to identify within themselves which is which from a Hindu perspective. I liked that toward the end, the speaker is using analogies to describe what it is like to want and need God. It is true, from a Christian stand point, anyway, that to need God is to be standing neck deep in water and still feeling thirsty. This has been my experience, anyway.
These old writings are what really makes me believe in religion; the fact that we (people in general) have the experiences that we (they) do, spiritually speaking, and taking a look back on these publications and scriptures that we have been assigned to read, and knowing that our ancestors had the same experiences… how could someone deny that religion does exist?
It sort of gives me the chills; this is not even my religion that we are discussing here, but a respectable one still, and to know that in other religions the followers feel as passionately about their God as I do mine is just astounding to me. It amazes me and really makes me thankful for mankind. I can not really explain why it makes me feel this way, but, it really does. All people are beautiful and so is life and I really like how this reading discusses that.
Moral Fiber is something that is huge with me, and when this reading is discussing the “dreamers waking up before the dreamer” (195), it is just an act of selflessness that I strive for on a daily basis. I feel that being selfless and forever giving is the direct pathway to heaven.
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1 comment:
Interesting use of your own faith as a contrast to the Hindu reading.
As I see it, there are two types of religion: those that feel man and God are separate, and those that believe man and God to be the same.
Some faiths suggest that man must continually suffer to "prove" to God that they are willing to share eternity. Others belive that God is not so much a being, living somewhere, as it is a reachable state. Please know that I judge niether; I am just pointing out what I have noticed. And of course I am generalizing--there are some faiths that fall in the middle somewhere, but mostly speaking, I think this holds true.
Still, you point out that regardless of dogmatic leaning, the functions of both types of religion are the same--to reach a state of peace and love while overcoming a world fraught with pain. Although the Hindu and the Christian reach that place through different practices, rituals, and learnings, the dividends are the same for both--eternal joy! That is a wonderful realization to come to and I am glad you found that.
Thanks for sharing so candidly, and for being open to new ideas!
8-)
Woody
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