Re: Can I call myself a Hindu?
Originally Posted by
Mahendra
Dear Friends,
This question may have been answered already, but I want to ask it anyway. So, can I call myself a "Hindu?" I am an American, raised Catholic, but left the Church when I was in high school. I discovered yoga and Hinduism in college and I have been practicing sadhana for forty years! I have visited Mother India three times and am going again this year. I have had and been initiated by two gurus. The first Shri Shri Anandamurti in the 1970s, one of whose acharyas gave me my spiritual name. And now, my sadguru, Ma Indira Devi, no longer in her body, of Pune. I feel I can happily call myself a yogi and a sadhaka but can I call myself Hindu? For example, some guidebooks say that only "Hindus" can enter certain temples. (I've never encountered a temple that did not welcome me inside so far.) Luckily I am olive skinned with dark hair and blend in well enough in India. All teachers and all the people of India have always been so welcoming and friendly and willing to share their wisdom with me. And I've been welcomed with open arms by the devotees of my guru's ashram.
But with the rise of identity politics, concerns about "cultural appropriation" and "Hindutva," I now wonder if some would be offended if I called myself "Hindu."
I would really appreciate your opinion on this matter!
Namaste and Jai Guru!
Mahendra
Namaste Mahendra, I understand your feelings as I am a western Hindu.
So far I have been only questioned once. To that person I simply stated that I wholeheartedly embraced Sanata Dharm. That way if someone wants to tell me I am not "pure Hindu" they are only addressing my birth ethnicity but no one can take away from me my philosophical adaptation and most heartfelt beliefs. However I am active at my temple and people seemingly have accepted me without any doubts. I too have brown skin and blend in until I speak - Western - all the way. However I am taking Hindi and really trying hard NOT to be considered an other. Your story parallels mine so much that I just had to write. Also former Catholic. I first discovered yoga several years ago, and wanting to learn more about the spiritual aspect of it led me to Hinduism, which I discovered holds as beliefs what I always believed anyway.
Hope this helps you are certainly not alone
Namaste
Mystic Soul
In whatever way people surrender unto me, I reciprocate with them accordingly.
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