Guest guest Posted July 5, 2005 Report Share Posted July 5, 2005 Dear Len, it seemed strange to me that someone would > profess to cobbling together a self-styled spiritual > routine, and then ask experts if he is "on the right > track." > My point was that, if the track is right for HIM, what > difference does it make whether experts agree with him > or not? Is it so strange, if someone has begun to walk a path that so far seems promising, yet is still interested in what other (perhaps more experienced) people may think about his path? One can be either orthodox or innovative, but > it's impossible to be both, I think. Is it "impossible" to use a combination of traditional and innovative practices? Or do you really mean "undesirable" rather than "impossible"? In either case, why? Om Shantih Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2005 Report Share Posted July 5, 2005 I think that persons attempting to strike out on their own, are likely to get comments from orthodox practitioners to the effect that "the orthodox way is the (only) right way." --- colin777au <colinr wrote: > Dear Len, > > it seemed strange to me that someone would > > profess to cobbling together a self-styled > spiritual > > routine, and then ask experts if he is "on the > right > > track." > My point was that, if the track is right > for HIM, what > > difference does it make whether experts agree with > him > > or not? > > Is it so strange, if someone has begun to walk a > path that so far > seems promising, yet is still interested in what > other (perhaps more > experienced) people may think about his path? > > One can be either orthodox or innovative, but > > it's impossible to be both, I think. > > Is it "impossible" to use a combination of > traditional and > innovative practices? > > Or do you really mean "undesirable" rather than > "impossible"? > > In either case, why? > > Om Shantih > Colin > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Any one who says this or that is the ONLY way is heretic not orthedox. It is true that Orthedoxy MAYBE the dominant form that does not make it the ONLY. As most of you know, theGospel of Thomas deals with pure advaita as taught by Jesus, The Christ. It was "orthedox" to those who followed it; It was "heretic" to those who followed Petrine orthedoxy (that suceeded and was established in Rome). In Hindu philosophy any one can strike out on his own. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It is right and proper to ask Orthedox people to comment on one's path. I helps in reflection and refinement. I remember the story of three hermits in Russia who had attained a great level of realisation and as their fame spread, the Head of Russian Orthedox Church visited them. Questioned them on their practices and found them to be all outlandish and heretic. So the Patriarch instructed them into the "orthedox' creed and blessed them and boarded the ship to take him back to mainland. Then suddenly he heard a noise and looking back saw the hermits runing after the ship on water saying "Holy father!! we forgot one part of your lessons. Would you reinstruct?" The Patriarch just said go back, do what you were doing and forget everything I taught. Real orthedoxy reognises other paths are possible. thats why I said any claim of exclusivity immediatly brands the follower as false (Not the path but the practitioner) In fact one of the indications that each follows his own path is the statement there are 330 million Gods. What it means is that your God and your path is personal to ou thogh the paths may agree. When I worship lalita is MY Lalita born out of ME and who will return to ME. When you worship your lalita it is a lalita born out of you and who will dissolve in you. The mantras maybe the same; but the Gods are very personal. Hope you will not be offended at my nonsense, but this is imy view. Len Rosenberg <kalipadma108 wrote: I think that persons attempting to strike out on their own, are likely to get comments from orthodox practitioners to the effect that "the orthodox way is the (only) right way." --- colin777au <colinr wrote: > Dear Len, > > it seemed strange to me that someone would > > profess to cobbling together a self-styled > spiritual > > routine, and then ask experts if he is "on the > right > > track." > My point was that, if the track is right > for HIM, what > > difference does it make whether experts agree with > him > > or not? > > Is it so strange, if someone has begun to walk a > path that so far > seems promising, yet is still interested in what > other (perhaps more > experienced) people may think about his path? > > One can be either orthodox or innovative, but > > it's impossible to be both, I think. > > Is it "impossible" to use a combination of > traditional and > innovative practices? > > Or do you really mean "undesirable" rather than > "impossible"? > > In either case, why? > > Om Shantih > Colin > > > Beliefs of hinduism Traditions Divine Visit your group "" on the web. Sell on Auctions - No fees. Bid on great items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 So the three Russian hermits had discovered a path that gave the siddhi of walking on water? Does this automatically mean that everything else they were doing was accurate or genuine? And I would continue to argue that MOST orthodox practitioners would argue that their way was the only way. The Patriarch was only convinced by an apparent miracle. My personal path is to at least become familiar with the orthodox method, before arbitrarily imposing changes. But every path is personal and unique. -- Len/ Kalipadma --- sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote: > > I remember the story of three hermits in Russia who > had attained a great level of realisation and as > their fame spread, the Head of Russian Orthedox > Church visited them. Questioned them on their > practices and found them to be all outlandish and > heretic. So the Patriarch instructed them into the > "orthedox' creed and blessed them and boarded the > ship to take him back to mainland. Then suddenly he > heard a noise and looking back saw the hermits > runing after the ship on water saying "Holy father!! > we forgot one part of your lessons. Would you > reinstruct?" The Patriarch just said go back, do > what you were doing and forget everything I taught. > > Real orthedoxy reognises other paths are possible. > thats why I said any claim of exclusivity immediatly > brands the follower as false (Not the path but the > practitioner) > > In fact one of the indications that each follows his > own path is the statement there are 330 million > Gods. What it means is that your God and your path > is personal to ou thogh the paths may agree. When I > worship lalita is MY Lalita born out of ME and who > will return to ME. > > When you worship your lalita it is a lalita born out > of you and who will dissolve in you. > > The mantras maybe the same; but the Gods are very > personal. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 I second that. Excellent reply. Another example would also be like the time that Raidas the cobbler was worshiping salagrams by using leather implements and eating first before worship. Neither of which are supposed to be done in salagram puja. He was also called on the carpet by the orthodox Smarthas, much like the 3 hermits were by the patriarch. He also nevertheless showed them up at the end. Janardana Dasa sankara menon <kochu1tz wrote: Any one who says this or that is the ONLY way is heretic not orthedox. It is true that Orthedoxy MAYBE the dominant form that does not make it the ONLY. As most of you know, theGospel of Thomas deals with pure advaita as taught by Jesus, The Christ. It was "orthedox" to those who followed it; It was "heretic" to those who followed Petrine orthedoxy (that suceeded and was established in Rome). In Hindu philosophy any one can strike out on his own. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It is right and proper to ask Orthedox people to comment on one's path. I helps in reflection and refinement. I remember the story of three hermits in Russia who had attained a great level of realisation and as their fame spread, the Head of Russian Orthedox Church visited them. Questioned them on their practices and found them to be all outlandish and heretic. So the Patriarch instructed them into the "orthedox' creed and blessed them and boarded the ship to take him back to mainland. Then suddenly he heard a noise and looking back saw the hermits runing after the ship on water saying "Holy father!! we forgot one part of your lessons. Would you reinstruct?" The Patriarch just said go back, do what you were doing and forget everything I taught. Real orthedoxy reognises other paths are possible. thats why I said any claim of exclusivity immediatly brands the follower as false (Not the path but the practitioner) In fact one of the indications that each follows his own path is the statement there are 330 million Gods. What it means is that your God and your path is personal to ou thogh the paths may agree. When I worship lalita is MY Lalita born out of ME and who will return to ME. When you worship your lalita it is a lalita born out of you and who will dissolve in you. The mantras maybe the same; but the Gods are very personal. Hope you will not be offended at my nonsense, but this is imy view. Len Rosenberg <kalipadma108 wrote: I think that persons attempting to strike out on their own, are likely to get comments from orthodox practitioners to the effect that "the orthodox way is the (only) right way." --- colin777au <colinr wrote: > Dear Len, > > it seemed strange to me that someone would > > profess to cobbling together a self-styled > spiritual > > routine, and then ask experts if he is "on the > right > > track." > My point was that, if the track is right > for HIM, what > > difference does it make whether experts agree with > him > > or not? > > Is it so strange, if someone has begun to walk a > path that so far > seems promising, yet is still interested in what > other (perhaps more > experienced) people may think about his path? > > One can be either orthodox or innovative, but > > it's impossible to be both, I think. > > Is it "impossible" to use a combination of > traditional and > innovative practices? > > Or do you really mean "undesirable" rather than > "impossible"? > > In either case, why? > > Om Shantih > Colin > > > Beliefs of hinduism Traditions Divine Visit your group "" on the web. Sell on Auctions - No fees. Bid on great items. Beliefs of hinduism Traditions Divine Visit your group "" on the web. Discover Stay in touch with email, IM, photo sharing & more. Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2005 Report Share Posted July 7, 2005 Lovely post, Kochu! Thank you, and I hope people pay it the attention it deserves. It is always a treat when you're inspired to respond with more than a quick sentence! *lol* DB , sankara menon <kochu1tz> wrote: > Any one who says this or that is the ONLY way is heretic not orthedox. It is true that Orthedoxy MAYBE the dominant form that does not make it the ONLY. > > As most of you know, theGospel of Thomas deals with pure advaita as taught by Jesus, The Christ. It was "orthedox" to those who followed it; It was "heretic" to those who followed Petrine orthedoxy (that suceeded and was established in Rome). > > In Hindu philosophy any one can strike out on his own. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It is right and proper to ask Orthedox people to comment on one's path. I helps in reflection and refinement. > > I remember the story of three hermits in Russia who had attained a great level of realisation and as their fame spread, the Head of Russian Orthedox Church visited them. Questioned them on their practices and found them to be all outlandish and heretic. So the Patriarch instructed them into the "orthedox' creed and blessed them and boarded the ship to take him back to mainland. Then suddenly he heard a noise and looking back saw the hermits runing after the ship on water saying "Holy father!! we forgot one part of your lessons. Would you reinstruct?" The Patriarch just said go back, do what you were doing and forget everything I taught. > > Real orthedoxy reognises other paths are possible. thats why I said any claim of exclusivity immediatly brands the follower as false (Not the path but the practitioner) > > In fact one of the indications that each follows his own path is the statement there are 330 million Gods. What it means is that your God and your path is personal to ou thogh the paths may agree. When I worship lalita is MY Lalita born out of ME and who will return to ME. > > When you worship your lalita it is a lalita born out of you and who will dissolve in you. > > The mantras maybe the same; but the Gods are very personal. > > Hope you will not be offended at my nonsense, but this is imy view. > > Len Rosenberg <kalipadma108> wrote: > > I think that persons attempting to strike out on their > own, are likely to get comments from orthodox > practitioners to the effect that "the orthodox way is > the (only) right way." > > > --- colin777au <colinr@z...> wrote: > > > Dear Len, > > > > it seemed strange to me that someone would > > > profess to cobbling together a self-styled > > spiritual > > > routine, and then ask experts if he is "on the > > right > > > track." > My point was that, if the track is right > > for HIM, what > > > difference does it make whether experts agree with > > him > > > or not? > > > > Is it so strange, if someone has begun to walk a > > path that so far > > seems promising, yet is still interested in what > > other (perhaps more > > experienced) people may think about his path? > > > > One can be either orthodox or innovative, but > > > it's impossible to be both, I think. > > > > Is it "impossible" to use a combination of > > traditional and > > innovative practices? > > > > Or do you really mean "undesirable" rather than > > "impossible"? > > > > In either case, why? > > > > Om Shantih > > Colin > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Beliefs of hinduism Traditions Divine > > > > > > Visit your group "" on the web. > > > > > Terms of Service. > > > > > > > > > Sell on Auctions - No fees. Bid on great items. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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