Guest guest Posted March 7, 2001 Report Share Posted March 7, 2001 > " Shawn Rowland " <r_s_rowland > Namaste... > > Namaste fellows, > > I have just joined the list, but I have perusing through the past > posts and I have studied Sanatana Dharma itself off and on for around > 3 years I think. My name is Shawn, I am from the U.S. and most of > the wisdom I find relevant to my life in my spiritual studies of > Hinduism usually comes from Gurudeva and his work with Hinduism Today > and the Saiva Siddhanta Church. To go along with some of the past > posts though...in reference to our true nature. If our true nature > is oneness with Brahman...and we are not our emotions, or mind...then > what is the point to being here and experiencing what we do? Even > more sensitive for some...what about our relationships? Do general, > everyday Hindu House-holders not believe...or not wish to spend their > spiritual eternity in Love with the person who is their Twin-Flame? > Or do Hindus not believe in the various sorts of soul-mates? > Thanks for the time. > > > In Respect, > -Shawn > ========reply from Vivekananda Centre============ Grand question Shawn.... The question can be taken to the extreme and rephrased:- Why this universe? Why all of this? Is something missing or are there unfulfilled desires of some higher being or individuals that produce all this? The questions can be answered in Hinduism in two ways. The Dvaita and the Advaita replies. Dvaita:- By those who like to think of the Ultimate Reality as a Personal God the reply is: -- All this is mere play (leela) of the Lord. Play is for the sake of play (it is just fun) - nothing has to be achieved there is no grand plan unfolding. The Lord is not trying to achieve anything or is with unfulfilled desires. He is just mucking about! (If you tell someone who is going through immense suffering that all this is mere play - he may hit you! So take care) By those who believe in Advaita the reply is:- All this - including the question being asked - all belong to the sphere of Maya (ie.something that is classified as neither real nor unreal) and as the basis of Maya is neither real nor unreal - the question cannot be considered to be that valid (or invalid). It is like someone in a delirious state - seeing and experiencing something that is not quite true - it will be very difficult to convince him that his concerns are not that relevant. The sceptics will say this is sheer 'escapism' Only those who have experienced 'Advaita' know that this is not escapism. They will say the state that we live in is really 'escapism'. We are not seeing clearly and deluding ourselves with a mind, body, family, relationships etc... jay Vivekananda Centre London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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