Leo
03 March 2012, 12:50 PM
Quick note: I realised I should have posted in the introductions topic first but I felt my introduction has more to do with why I'm here followed by a few questions. I felt maybe it was more appropriate to post this topic here instead(?) If you feel this still belongs to Introductions, then please feel free to move it. :)
Hi everyone!
I'm new here. I'm a male from London, 24 years of age. I joined this forum because I would like to know more about my religion from people that know it and not just blindly follow it.
I was a Hindu first because I was born into a Hindu family. I was not given any lessons on what Hinduism is, why it is and why it should be my way of life. Probably because my parents were also Hindus because they came from Hindu families. I was told to do and don't do loads of things to do with traditions and religion; No eating meat on Tuesday, strictly no beef, visiting temples on Tuesdays and Sundays etc... and I just became used to these things, still oblivious to the reasons why we must do this. I have always been respectful towards the religion and followed whatever I did understand of it. As life went on, I still tried to search for answers but to no avail as none of my friends were Hindu and whoever I was able to talk to babbled on about how I should never question religion and should do the right thing, which was to follow it.
Eventually, as I began to lose my 'forced connection' to Hinduism.
But recently, I have come across some events in my life where I have turned to a higher being for courage and hope. I felt there was someone/something more powerful than us, I could feel it internally. I began to read about all different religions and tried to match up my feelings to what other people felt in their religions. In the end I was brought back to Hinduism. I was convinced that I was born into a Hindu family for a reason.
To me, being a Hindu allows me to be free and not be judged/punished. It was a way of life where I am free to make decisions based on what my heart wants and not have to follow rules that force me to do things I don't believe in. I will not be judged but if I do do something wrong, I will be taught how to travel along a better path. I feel I can close my eyes while sitting in a park, or listening to music, or generally getting lost in my thoughts while in the middle of anything and connect to God, as equally as anyone would by visiting a temple or Mandir, as I feel Him inside of me at all times.
I came here because I wanted to know more about Hinduism. I wanted to type all of this out and see what others feel about my definition of Hinduism.
Am I thinking along the right path? Or is Hinduism something totally different?
Does Hinduism have rules, or does it have paths we are free to choose to travel along?
I feel it is genuinely OK for me to eat meat (and have an occasional drink) and feel no less of a Hindu than the next person. Am I right in thinking this way?
If anyone can help me through these questions, I would be hugely grateful. I do apologise for the long read, and any mistakes if I have made any. I've never thought of all of the above in words before so I was thinking as I was typing, it was all pouring out. I have searched for answers for a good part of my short life so far and it would be nice to get some closure.
:)
Hi everyone!
I'm new here. I'm a male from London, 24 years of age. I joined this forum because I would like to know more about my religion from people that know it and not just blindly follow it.
I was a Hindu first because I was born into a Hindu family. I was not given any lessons on what Hinduism is, why it is and why it should be my way of life. Probably because my parents were also Hindus because they came from Hindu families. I was told to do and don't do loads of things to do with traditions and religion; No eating meat on Tuesday, strictly no beef, visiting temples on Tuesdays and Sundays etc... and I just became used to these things, still oblivious to the reasons why we must do this. I have always been respectful towards the religion and followed whatever I did understand of it. As life went on, I still tried to search for answers but to no avail as none of my friends were Hindu and whoever I was able to talk to babbled on about how I should never question religion and should do the right thing, which was to follow it.
Eventually, as I began to lose my 'forced connection' to Hinduism.
But recently, I have come across some events in my life where I have turned to a higher being for courage and hope. I felt there was someone/something more powerful than us, I could feel it internally. I began to read about all different religions and tried to match up my feelings to what other people felt in their religions. In the end I was brought back to Hinduism. I was convinced that I was born into a Hindu family for a reason.
To me, being a Hindu allows me to be free and not be judged/punished. It was a way of life where I am free to make decisions based on what my heart wants and not have to follow rules that force me to do things I don't believe in. I will not be judged but if I do do something wrong, I will be taught how to travel along a better path. I feel I can close my eyes while sitting in a park, or listening to music, or generally getting lost in my thoughts while in the middle of anything and connect to God, as equally as anyone would by visiting a temple or Mandir, as I feel Him inside of me at all times.
I came here because I wanted to know more about Hinduism. I wanted to type all of this out and see what others feel about my definition of Hinduism.
Am I thinking along the right path? Or is Hinduism something totally different?
Does Hinduism have rules, or does it have paths we are free to choose to travel along?
I feel it is genuinely OK for me to eat meat (and have an occasional drink) and feel no less of a Hindu than the next person. Am I right in thinking this way?
If anyone can help me through these questions, I would be hugely grateful. I do apologise for the long read, and any mistakes if I have made any. I've never thought of all of the above in words before so I was thinking as I was typing, it was all pouring out. I have searched for answers for a good part of my short life so far and it would be nice to get some closure.
:)