2-& Stephanie, from Mark, 1/18....re.... on Conversion

[Guest guest]

Dear Stephanie:

The other thing that occurs to me regarding India....it is one special

place...which has the esteem privilege...and experience....of actual...God

realization...

and all the forms and rituals of worship.... is insignificant...in

comparison...to the ennumerable number of saints...who have devoted their lives

to God Realization...

In our poor, west...we have our blessed religions...but actual experience of god

is so infrequent if known at all.

When I was in college I came across a little book called: "How to Know God"....

Wow... no one ever told me he could be known!" I thought...

And then upon opening up, came across a passage that said: "The Key to

spiritual life is the direct experience of God..."

Again, I thought...'god...no one told me he could be experienced...'

So...I found myself...later...being attracted to all the wonderful...techniques

of meditation that have been coming over here, from the east....

And then, later, I started to understand..what the mystic traditions...were

about, in my own tradition..though they seem to have been forgotten..... or

neglected!

Good points....

Mark

Stephanie Marie <chotoprajapati >

 

Sun, 18 Jan 2004 12:29:33 -0800 (PST)

 

Re: on Conversion

Also some other critical points, in my opinion, to remember:

India has the benefit of a massive population of people readily supporting its

mundirs and ashrams. If that population ever dwindled enough that such places

could no longer sustain themselves, like other religious and philosophical

movements, they too would find ways to recruit/convert regardless (emphasis on

regardless) of what is said in the scriptures. This is the dilemma with

*human*kind: the division between what is divinely right and that which is

sought after by the body of desire (desire for power, money, fame, etc).

Despite the fact that many fight the notion that Hinduism is an organized

religion, it is very much organized (by family, by state, by ethnicity)

equipped with all kinds of social rules and structures that have little to do

with the faith itself. Which is why it is so important to study. Which is why

I am requesting titles of texts because I know how crucial it is to see for

myself the Truth.

So for example, the beautiful thoughts and scriptures that Sanjay quoted about

marriage, sadly do not translate with the same purity in real every day life

here in western Hindu families and in India.

Stephanie Marie <chotoprajapati > wrote:

Just to be fair,

While some of the fundamentals of Christianity are based on the notion of

conversion (for various complicated reasons) not all Christians believe in the

notion of conversion. Remember that like Hinduism, Christianity is equally as

vast and diverse in its manifestations. There are many catholics who believe

that not everyone was meant to be catholic. There are some denominations that

believe their mission is not conversion but acts of charity. Yes,

historically, great acts of treachery have been committed in the name of Christ

to include the vast and global colonialism of Spain, Portugal, France, and

England. But it is important to keep in mind, that no one path, philosophy, or

religion is better or greater than another. For if we start counting nuts, much

treachery has been created in the name of Hinduism as well.

There are many great Christian souls, who walk a dedicated and devout path,

doing much good in their communities and in the world. I've walked both paths

with tremendous devotion and I found that I was able to access God with a

greater sense of peace and tranquility through Hinduism (and I still have so

much growth). But I do not believe that the path my parents walk is any less

enlightening than my own. Just different. We each must walk our own path.

Mark Kincaid <m.kincaid (AT) mchsi (DOT) com> wrote:

Wow.... wish....Christians...felt the same...way....

I've always feeled it so repugnant....watching ...christians...

trying to convert.....

good point...

M

> "sanjaytechnology" <sanjaytechnology >

>

> Sun, 18 Jan 2004 19:05:25 -0000

>

> Important point.

>

> One more point. On the same token Hinduism STRICTLY prohibhits

> teaching of scriptures to people who tend to make fun or are

> disinclined.

>

> Read below. Very important.

>

> Hinduism does not believe in converting people from one faith to

> faith in an organized way. If an individual want to change his

> religion that is his inner choice. But no one should force him or

> tempt him to change. Hinduism strictly prohibits teaching of the

> scriptures to people who are not inclined to understand them or

> follow them. There are many ways in which one can approach God. All

> paths in the end lead to Him only.

>

> Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti.

>

> --Sanjay Aggarwal

>

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