Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 Namaste: Let us welcome Stephen, a new member to the list. We can lookforward to his active participation with his thoughtful insights. warmest regards, Advaitin List Moderators. --- StephenMerritt <scmerritt wrote: > Sun, 10 Feb 2002 19:17:33 -0600 > Advaitins > StephenMerritt <scmerritt > Introduction for membership > > I am 37 and live in Nashville, Tennessee. I am > married to a devoted > Christian who's also very openminded (I hope) about > these types of questions. > > You see I am a seeker and have long been > dissatisfied and a bit alienated > by Christianity (I was raised, nominally, a > christian). For most of my > adult life I have been drawn the spiritual > traditions of India. Buddhism > came close but didn't allow me to develop a closer > relationship with God. > I've heard hinduism referred to as a polymorphic > monotheistic religion ... > which fits my understanding -- which is VERY > limited. But the hindu view > of God makes so much sense and I am drawn to God in > a special way that I've > never before experienced ... particularly to Lords > Krishna and Ganesha! > > We have a hindu temple in town but I am shy about > approaching them. I'd > like to learn more than just reading books. I long > to formally affiliate > myself with hinduism ... is this possible? What do > you recommend I do? > And are there any particular introductory books you > can recommend (there > are SO many). > > I own "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" and the "Living Gita" > and am reading the > prior title at the moment. > > I welcome your thoughts and look forward to your > response. > > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * > > Stephen Merritt > (home) scmerritt > (work) stephen.merritt ===== Tips to Members from the Advaitin List Moderators 1) While replying, avoid repeating the entire message and be brief. 2) Be considerate to your fellow members and focus only on the subject matter. 3) When you are in doubt, contac the moderators at advatins 4) Split long articles into several parts and post them separately. 5) Suggestions/comments can be sent to advaitins 6) Advaitin Webspace: advaitin Send FREE Valentine eCards with Greetings! http://greetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 --- StephenMerritt <scmerritt wrote: > And are there any particular introductory books you > can recommend (there > are SO many). I recommend "Hinduism at a glance" by Swami Nirvedananda, published by Advaita Ashram (http://google./bin/query?p=%22Hinduism+at+a+glance%22&hc=0&hs=0). I may have read it twice many years back, and now revisiting it by reading it to my son, provoked by the discussions I have been coming across in this group lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 > >--- StephenMerritt <scmerritt wrote: > > > We have a hindu temple in town but I am shy about >> approaching them. I'd >> like to learn more than just reading books. I long >> to formally affiliate >> myself with hinduism ... is this possible? What do >> you recommend I do? >> And are there any particular introductory books you >> can recommend (there >> are SO many). >> >> I own "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" and the "Living Gita" >> and am reading the >> prior title at the moment. >> >> I welcome your thoughts and look forward to your > > response. >> Stephen welcome to the club and God bless you. Personally I donot think you should worry about affiliating your self formally to some Hindu group. This would come naturally if and when there is a need. By joining some group on a formal basis without clear vision would only lead to later disappointments since expectations will never match accomplisments. That is always the experimental fact. My suggestion is keep your mind open and keep inquiring the nature of the truth. Truth should be same only the sages have sung differently depending on their prior mental make-up. Christianity is not too far from the truth either only the interpretations are clouded by narrow vision of the post Jesus writers. We have the same problem in Hinduism too. For a good introductory book on Hinduism I suggest "The manual of Self-unfoldment" by Swami Chinmayanandaji - the book can be obtained by post through Chinmaya Publications in Philadelphia. There is a web-site for that. Instead of Bhagavat geeta as it is which is not really as it is, I strongly recommend - Holy Geeta book by Swami Chinmayananda or by any Ramakrishna Mission. But this only after studying the introductory book 'manual of self-unfoldment'. There are lot of discussions on this list at different levels and there is discussion going on Bhagavad Geeta which you may be able to tap from archives. Welcome again. Hari OM! Sadananda -- K. Sadananda Code 6323 Naval Research Laboratory Washington D.C. 20375 Voice (202)767-2117 Fax:(202)767-2623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 Welcome Stephen, >>I am 37 and live in Nashville, Tennessee. I am > > married to a devoted > > Christian who's also very openminded (I hope) > about > > these types of questions. You sound as though you are like my wife and I. We are both English but we are an example of East meets West in our spiritual enquiries. My wife was evangelical and now comes to mosques and temples with me. Has your wife come across Father Bede Griffiths in her readings. If not may I recommend him to her. www.bedegriffiths.com would give you some intros. If you would like I could e-mail you an article on Bede Griffiths that was written last year. >>I'd > > like to learn more than just reading books. I > long > > to formally affiliate > > myself with hinduism ... is this possible? What > do > > you recommend I do? > > And are there any particular introductory books > you > > can recommend (there > > are SO many). > > > > I own "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" and the "Living > Gita" > > and am reading the > > prior title at the moment. It may well be that the former appeals directly to you but are you aware of the intention behind the commentary by Prabhupad? He comes down the 'dvaitin, dualistic' tradition of Vedanta rather than the 'advaitin, not two'. There are many more able people on this site than myself to advise you but from the introduction of yourself that you have given can I offer the following advice: Go to Chapter 4 verse 7 and then look at the commentary. This will often give you a clear insight into the focus of the translator or commentator. For a translation and commentary on the Gita that would introduce you to many of the essential concepts of Vedanta may I recommend that of Swami Chidbhavananda. In the US you have many Ramakrishna centres and if one is near to you you could get a copy there. There are also many excellent Gita sites on the web. Happy study, Ken Knight Send FREE Valentine eCards with Greetings! http://greetings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 Namaste Stephen: First let me recommend the following book which can answer some of the questions that you have raised in your introduction. I strongly recommend that you visit the temple at Nashville. I have visited that temple and it is nice and the temple management will be more than happy to receive you with an open mind and provide you with all information. If you are still shy, please write to me and I will certainly contact the temple managment on your behalf. Quite a few Americans are regular visitors of Hindu temples in the US and please feel free to send an email to the Ganesh temple explaning that you want to visit the temple. Email Addresss is: admin They also have a homepage and the URL address is http://www.ganeshatemple.org/ Welcome again and please feel free to participate in the discussions with your thoughts and questions. warmest regards, Ram Chandran =============== How to Become a Hindu: A Guide for Seekers and Born Hindus ($27.95) Softcover, 496 pages, 5.5" x 8.5" Source: http://store.himalayanacademy.com/ What is it like to enter an Asian religion fully? And how does a Hindu recharge his faith with deeper meaning and life-guidance? Stories from Americans, Canadians and Europeans recounting their dramatic, sometimes intense, passage from Western faiths to Hinduism vivify and clarify this historic religious pattern. As pioneers, their tales will fascinate metaphysical and religion readers. Marriage between couples of differing faiths is more and more commonplace. Indo-Americans who are Hindu are often marrying outside their religion, and eventually face upsetting challenges in their married life. How to Become a Hindu offers honest reflection and recommendations for these couples. For Hindu/yoga leaders--ordained and lay--the book is the first-ever how-to guide, an immensely useful tool explaining each step of the way into Hinduism. The core meaning of Hindu identity and Hindu openness to newcomers is explored with stimulating insight, clear perception and powerful voices from India's great thinkers. The idea of conversion to Hinduism is much debated. As this book gently chronicles, conversion is often balked at by overly-westernized Hindus to the degree that misinformation and disinformation litter the debating field. How to Become a Hindu brings together for the first time the historic and contemporary views from scripture and powerful Hindu thinkers that clearly uphold and celebrate an easy, natural passage to Hinduism. Non-Hindus and Hindus alike will find here insights and knowledge not normally found in conventional Hindu books. Includes a name list and comparison of the beliefs of the world's religions. ===================================== > --- StephenMerritt <scmerritt@m...> wrote: > > > > I am 37 and live in Nashville, Tennessee. I am > > married to a devoted > > Christian who's also very openminded (I hope) about > > these types of questions. > > > > You see I am a seeker and have long been > > dissatisfied and a bit alienated > > by Christianity (I was raised, nominally, a > > christian). For most of my > > adult life I have been drawn the spiritual > > traditions of India. Buddhism > > came close but didn't allow me to develop a closer > > relationship with God. > > I've heard hinduism referred to as a polymorphic > > monotheistic religion ... > > which fits my understanding -- which is VERY > > limited. But the hindu view > > of God makes so much sense and I am drawn to God in > > a special way that I've > > never before experienced ... particularly to Lords > > Krishna and Ganesha! > > > > We have a hindu temple in town but I am shy about > > approaching them. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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