Guest guest Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Namaste Shankari, Be strong. Don't give in. Maintain the love of God in your heart, and protect it as you would protect a young sapling that has just been planted. In time, it will become a mighty tree that even the strongest wind or the hardest blow, cannot knock down. Divine Mother and Lord Shiva bless you. Jai Maa! Shankari Kali <shankari_kali > wrote: Namaste Chris: Unfortunately my family gives me quite a bit of grief over being vegetarian. Just sitting quietly saying that I simply cannot eat meat causes a big issue that they just won't let go of. If I dare mention that I am Hindu, I incur many insults. I recently finally told my parents that I am Hindu, and I am still hearing about it. I guess like someone said that you can't remain in the bathroom hiding forever. You have to finally be yourself. You don't have to be defensive about it, but you have to live your own life. Peace, Shankari Kali Chris Kirner <chriskirner1956 > wrote: Well, my family doesn't really give me any grief anymore, at least not directly, but when acquaintances ask about my choice, I usually follow the same tack that Gary does, and focus on the fact that meat doesn't agree with me, that I feel better when I don't eat it. I may mention being at peace with other life, if it seems appropriate, but I usually do not. Jai Maa! Chris , Gary <aniruddhan wrote: > > I don't know about the name change, but there are lots of approaches you can take toward the vegetarian issue. First, you might explain that you've been a vegetarian for so long that meat no longer agrees with your system. Many meat eaters think we will be malnourished if we don't eat meat. So you could comment on how much other wonderful food they have for you to eat. You could also provide your own vege food - there are turkey substitutes available in health food stores. It's hard then for others to be critical if you are eating almost the same thing that they are :-) Finally, if you think they might be receptive, you could explain that meat contains uric acid that can irritate the nerves and make it harder to sit still for long periods of worship and meditation. I would defintely NOT lecture them about ahimsa and the immorality of killing, which they might take as criticism of their own lifestyle. Jai Maa! > > Shankari Kali <shankari_kali wrote: Namaste: > > This is actually a very good question. Interesting that you bring this up. I would like to know if everyone legally changed their names after they became devotees to Shree Maa and Swamiji. Do you use this name when you go to work for example? Do people harass you about your name? > > Also, I have been a vegetarian for 13 years, and this has caused many problems with my family. They really want me to eat turkey for example, but I cannot, and it appears to be very hostile to them. Any solutions to these type of problems? > > Peace, > Shankari Kali > > > Karen <sstr_karen wrote: Namaste, > > I have been a devotee of Sri Ganesha since October, although I have not > formally coverted to Hinduism. Ganesha has been guiding me on my > spiritual path. I love the Hinduism, but it would create problems in > my family if I became a Hindu in the customary way, legally changing my > name, etc. I would like to know if I may become a disciple of Shree > Maa, as this is a very inclusive path and appeals to me very much. Is > formal conversion necessary? > > Aum Shanti, > > Karen > > > > > > > Have a burning question? Go to Answers and get answers from real people who know. > > > > > > Want to start your own business? Learn how on Small Business. > Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Autos' Green Center. 8:00? 8:25? 8:40? Find a flick in no time with the Search movie showtime shortcut. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Maa Karen, Welcome to the Devi Mandir family. The answer to your question is simple. It is not necessary to either change your name legally or undergo any conversion ceremony to become a Hindu. In fact there is no conversion procedure in Hinduism. Sister Nivedita (Margaret Elizabeth Noble) was one of the foremost disciples of Swami Vivekananda, and more Hindu than most of the born Hindus. She was known both by her Christian name and the given Hindu name. It is not necessary to be a vegetarian to become a Hindu. The majority of Hindus are not vegetarians. Jai MAA !!! , "Karen" <sstr_karen wrote: > > Namaste, > > I have been a devotee of Sri Ganesha since October, although I have not > formally coverted to Hinduism. Ganesha has been guiding me on my > spiritual path. I love the Hinduism, but it would create problems in > my family if I became a Hindu in the customary way, legally changing my > name, etc. I would like to know if I may become a disciple of Shree > Maa, as this is a very inclusive path and appeals to me very much. Is > formal conversion necessary? > > Aum Shanti, > > Karen > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 23, 2007 Namaste Sankar, Pranam. I respectfully submit that being a vegetarian is of great benefit to anyone traversing the spiritual path, and that vegetarianism is an important ideal of perfection within sanatana dharma (the eternal dharma - hinduism) I believe this is true for Buddhism as well. All the best to you Jai Maa ! Sankar Viswanathan <sankarrukku > wrote: Maa Karen, Welcome to the Devi Mandir family. The answer to your question is simple. It is not necessary to either change your name legally or undergo any conversion ceremony to become a Hindu. In fact there is no conversion procedure in Hinduism. Sister Nivedita (Margaret Elizabeth Noble) was one of the foremost disciples of Swami Vivekananda, and more Hindu than most of the born Hindus. She was known both by her Christian name and the given Hindu name. It is not necessary to be a vegetarian to become a Hindu. The majority of Hindus are not vegetarians. Jai MAA !!! , "Karen" <sstr_karen wrote: > > Namaste, > > I have been a devotee of Sri Ganesha since October, although I have not > formally coverted to Hinduism. Ganesha has been guiding me on my > spiritual path. I love the Hinduism, but it would create problems in > my family if I became a Hindu in the customary way, legally changing my > name, etc. I would like to know if I may become a disciple of Shree > Maa, as this is a very inclusive path and appeals to me very much. Is > formal conversion necessary? > > Aum Shanti, > > Karen > Looking for earth-friendly autos? Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Autos' Green Center. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 23, 2007 I have read many of the posts people have put forth. I have not eaten any non-vegetarian foods, from eggs up, for over 20 years. I normally have plenty of energy and more muscle than most non-vegetarians. But I want to state that you can't eat your way to God. Also it seems that some people for a variety of reasons, need to eat some non-veg foods for their health. While there might be a way for them to not do this, there also may not be. Some do better with fish. Also some of the most horrible adharmic people in history have been vegetarian, like Adolf Hitler. So lets not get too stuck on this. It can also become an attachment. Better than simply be a veg, is finding a simple diet that supports a good state of health and allows us to go forward in our sadhana. This will be different for different people and even for those people it might change at different times. As Christ said, its more important what comes out of your mouth than what goes in. As far as names, Vish said it clearly and plainly. While identifying with a Sanskrit name may help us, it can also hinder us and become an obstacle that supports out ego instead. A rose still smells as sweet despite what name you give it. Water is still as refreshing regardless of what you call it.. If you are given a spiritual name by your Teacher, then use it as an ideal to aspire to. Ultimately what name can describe who you really are? None. You are the same regardless of what anyone, including yourself, calls you. You are the same wherever you go. So enjoy the simple things that propel you forward, but don't get stuck on them and attached to them. Rise above it all! Jai Maa! Surya Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
