BhaktinAnna
08 August 2010, 05:03 AM
Namaste/ Haribol everyone..
I thought id introduce myself quickly and explain why Im here..
Im white but with very mixed heritage( jewish, hungarian, english, Irish, scots, eurasian and roma). Ive been interested in religions and spirituality since I was in grade school, and ive spent many years exploring differant faiths.
About 10 years ago I converted to judaism from christianity after spending time in Israel exploring ( some of ) my roots. I was on the verge of becoming and orthodox jew but couldnt quite commit to it..
Then about 2 years ago I wandered by chance into an ISKCON temple and felt instantly like I was home. The rest as the saying goes - is history...
I consider myself a Hindu, and hope very much that other Hindus see me as such. I guess Im here because Im aware that ISKCON can sometimes offer a narrow view of Hinduism and its practises.
I want to keep my mind open, to learn more about hinduism in general. I believe very strongly that nothing is set in stone, and while I will always be a devotee of Lord Krishna I think and hope also that my faith will change and grow as I do and I cannot, nor do I wish to say for certain that I will be an ISKCON devotee till I die.
I know that sometimes ISKCON gets bad press. And from what Ive read here so far - I know that there are some who see it as a cult and I can understand that point of view.
My view has always been to take things as I find them, and my personal experience of ISKCON has been of an accepting, liberating and accessible path whos devotees have accepted me as a friend without question or judgement and have opened my eyes to a sense of peace (and fun :) ) I never thought possible.
Id like to stress that I am not just another white girl trying to be an indian, or who thinks that wearing saris or bindis makes me a Hindu.. I genuinely want to learn and I hope you will accept me here..
I thought id introduce myself quickly and explain why Im here..
Im white but with very mixed heritage( jewish, hungarian, english, Irish, scots, eurasian and roma). Ive been interested in religions and spirituality since I was in grade school, and ive spent many years exploring differant faiths.
About 10 years ago I converted to judaism from christianity after spending time in Israel exploring ( some of ) my roots. I was on the verge of becoming and orthodox jew but couldnt quite commit to it..
Then about 2 years ago I wandered by chance into an ISKCON temple and felt instantly like I was home. The rest as the saying goes - is history...
I consider myself a Hindu, and hope very much that other Hindus see me as such. I guess Im here because Im aware that ISKCON can sometimes offer a narrow view of Hinduism and its practises.
I want to keep my mind open, to learn more about hinduism in general. I believe very strongly that nothing is set in stone, and while I will always be a devotee of Lord Krishna I think and hope also that my faith will change and grow as I do and I cannot, nor do I wish to say for certain that I will be an ISKCON devotee till I die.
I know that sometimes ISKCON gets bad press. And from what Ive read here so far - I know that there are some who see it as a cult and I can understand that point of view.
My view has always been to take things as I find them, and my personal experience of ISKCON has been of an accepting, liberating and accessible path whos devotees have accepted me as a friend without question or judgement and have opened my eyes to a sense of peace (and fun :) ) I never thought possible.
Id like to stress that I am not just another white girl trying to be an indian, or who thinks that wearing saris or bindis makes me a Hindu.. I genuinely want to learn and I hope you will accept me here..