With respect to those here.....

[Guest guest]

My name is Bill Rogers. I am a Christian. I am coming to this site

with honest interest in learning more about Ganesh. I am not here to

try and convert people to my religion. I come in peace with

questions. Also, I am not trying to be a Hindu, and I respect the

Hindu religion here.

 

My Ganesh interest began about a year or so ago, when I saw and

eventually purchased a book called LOVING GANESHA. This book touched

me in many ways. It was hard for me to deal with the doctrinal

differences between Hinduism and Christianity, when I was truly being

touched reading this book. Certainly I didn't agree with everything

in the book. That's to be expected. All I know is that God was

becoming simple and childlike for me. I felt as if God was very

approachable, sort of like we Christians feel when we think about

Jesus. He is sort of like God approaching us as our friend. Well, I

really was sad when I learned about Ganesh's head being removed in

what his father considered justice. It reminded me again of Jesus,

being sacrificed with his father's approval. Another thing that I

noted was that Ganesh's tusk was broken, which reminds me of Jesus'

body being broken. Also, Ganesh has the head of an elephant and body

of a man, or one that appears like a man. Well, Jesus has the nature

of God and the nature of man. Each one has two natures. Anyway, these

comparisons of Ganesh and Jesus are not to confuse Hindus who post

here, but to show how God appears like himself. God is not limited

only to those appearances though.

 

My story continues when I recently went to live in Boulder, CO. I

traveled out west and stayed at a hotel run by a Hindu man and his

family. I recall paying for my room and standing under a huge image

of Ganesh. I recall knowing that he removes obstacles and I felt like

God was guiding me, across the country, and into a new life. I was to

return only months later, and stay in the same hotel on my way back

to Tampa, FL. Upon arriving in Boulder, I was asked to eat with my

friend Paula, and we went to a restaurant and sat at a table near a

huge image of Ganesh. I had a feeling of being at home in a new

world. I would see this same image several times before I left

Colorado. Finally, on my way home I stayed at that hotel again.

 

I am not trying to make any connections here. I am just submitting my

story and how this image followed me several times. I am not a Hindu

and do not wish to disrespect Hinduism by mixing it or confusing it

with Christianity. I just wish to share this story with someone

besides my Christian friends. They don't always understand anyway.

All I know is that my life has been touched. The last encounter I had

with an image of Ganesh was at the home of a friend of mine who is

also a Christian. He had a Ganesh sculpture in his window, and said

that that form was especially important for homosexuals. (Is there

anything to this?). I am very interested in being able to read the

posts here, and I hope that my not being Hindu won't prevent me from

doing so. I will keep my posts to a minimum so that I can learn

quietly. I feel like a guest here and wish to visit in peace and good

will.

 

May God bless you in all his forms, Bill

[Guest guest]

Namaste Bill

 

Welcome to the Ganesha Group. I am deeply touched by your story.

Please feel free to have your say here. We love to talk about Ganesha

here.

 

Ganesha is unique in Hinduism itself as all 'fractions' Honour the

Elephant-headed god. Ganesha is seen by many as the BIG Friend who

helps out one in time of troubles and also provide Guidance besides

removing the obstacles. It is said that Ganesha will also reveal the

past and the future to His friends (his devotees). Ganesh is also an

easy-going mate. Having Ganesh as a Mate gives one confidence and the

zeal to face the 'ups + downs' of life.

 

It may surprise you but many Hindus do worship Jesus and Buddha as

well. Some schools of thoughts accomodate Christians, Buddist and

Muslims and one Great Hindu sage - Bhagwan Sri Ramakrishna was know

to have adopted all these faiths. He concluded that a sincere devotee

can progress spiritually no matter what faith s/he follows. Keeping

an open mind and learning from the inspired masters will be one sure

way to enhance this spiritual development.

 

Thanks again Bill.

 

Warmest Regards

 

Om Shanti

 

Ananda Yogi