Next Step

[HumbleStudent]

Thank you for the video link, I now know exactly how to say it. I am relieved that my name doesn't HAVE to change but at the same time I hope that I get the point where I feel I have to change it. From as long as I can remember I have always believed in karma, it just made sense. What you put into the world is what you will get in return. For every action there is an equal reaction, some last a lot longer than others. I have read a great many wonderful things about Hinduism and to be honest it makes Christianity seem very simple. As you read you can just feel the wisdom and deep thought of the ages. I keep thinking this is huge in scale, enlightening and intelligent. I haven't felt excited about much of anything for the past 15 or so years. After reading about Ganesha and feeling that connection I went to bed with excitement in my heart. I want to talk about it and discuss new discoveries all day if given the chance. I appreciate the community being my mentor and hope that in days to come I can do the same for someone else.

[Ramakrishna]

I´m curious, why is it called Church?
I have never heard of any Hindu organisation calling itself church.

Maya

Namaste Maya,

Eastern Mindji is spot on. You can also find more information about the Saiva Siddhanta Church in general at their website: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/

They have loads of resources and information there about their own specific sect as well as Hinduism in general.

Jai Sri Krishna

[Maya3]

Thanks Eastern Mind and Ramakrishna, I never knew that about churches.
I thought it had to do with the building like you said.

Regarding not taking a spiritual name;
For me I think that it would be disrespectful to my parents who gave my name to me.
I also feel that it's a little like trying too hard. The same way I feel about not dressing in typical Indian clothing on a daily basis.

I feel very secure in my faith, I've been practicing for 10 years and I know what I believe. My name is not going to make me more Hindu.
If someone don't think I'm Hindu enough just because of this, then that's really on them.
Also I think it is important to show people that Hindus come in all shapes and forms, all nationalities, with all types of names and all types of clothing styles. We should be proud of this.


But if someone wants to change their name, that is nice, whatever makes a person comfortable. I can also see that like EM said in certain situations it might make a person take you more seriously.
Maybe especially if you have converted from another religion.

Maya

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Maya: You speak wisely. For further clarification, I distinguish between adopting and converting. Adopting is when there is no previous strong belief system. In other words, the nothingness (primarily agnostic or secular by definition) so commonly found in the west. Many Indians and born Hindus don't see this as much until they come over here. In India, almost everyone has a religion and very few will put 'no religion' on the census form. Here in the west lots of people do.

So adopting is a bit easier, but also not without its challenges. Lets make the analogy to marriage. Suppose you make the wrong decision and make a poor choice in marriage. Not putting blame, let's just say there are irreconcilable differences. Lets just say the ending is civil. But by law you have to give up the first spouse before you can take on a second one. So converting is like that. Adoption is when it is your first encounter with religion period. Like the first marriage. It's easier because there is less to work through in the subconscious. And don't think those childhood samskaras aren't still with us in one form or another. The Christmas tree, Christmas concerts, things like that that we only discover upon having an honest look at the subconscious. Of course everyone is unique. I had other samskaras, like my father's aversion to "those damn bible-thumpers!"

In religious matters, that poor first decision was made from the astral plane when you decided to enter a family that wasn't your religion, but for some other reason, such as having the British educational system convince you throughout the immediate past life that a western birth is a better birth. Then after 20 or more odd years here, you had this realisation, "OMG what have I done?" Then the process of adoption or conversion begins. I fell into the adoptive variety.

On the other part, yes I insulted my family, but not without some regrets. I insulted them when I became a vegetarian, and could no longer eat meat at all when visiting them. It took about 3 years of slowly taking it out. Yes I insulted my father when I gave him back the gun he bought me for my 16th birthday. But I didn't view it as really having any choice. "A man has to do what a man has to do." You just are who you are. Then I insulted them again with the name change. "Time heals all wounds." which is what eventually happened.

Here in the west when you become an adult you can opt for using your free will. My wife insulted her mother by refusing sweets, and eating more healthy to curb the obesity. But there are always consequences. I respect anyone's decision in these matters, as do you. As with anything, each individual has to weigh the consequences.

Aum Namasivaya

[Maya3]

I have read a great many wonderful things about Hinduism and to be honest it makes Christianity seem very simple. As you read you can just feel the wisdom and deep thought of the ages. I keep thinking this is huge in scale, enlightening and intelligent. I haven't felt excited about much of anything for the past 15 or so years. After reading about Ganesha and feeling that connection I went to bed with excitement in my heart. I want to talk about it and discuss new discoveries all day if given the chance. I appreciate the community being my mentor and hope that in days to come I can do the same for someone else.

I know exactly how you feel!
Though I have never been Christian it's the religion that I have heard the most about.
And yes it does seem flat compared to Hinduism, and contradictory.
There are so many amazing things in Hinduism that it's really incredible. I could make a long, long list.
I'm Advaita Hindu and I have my faith confirmed by things happening all the time. It's truly wonderful
Glad you found us!

EasternMind,

I don't come from a religious background and it's never been a big change for me, I kind of just naturally floated into it.
I had been vegetarian 20 years prior to being Hindu, I had meditated daily for years before.
Never killed anything not even insects unless absolutely necessary, my whole life.

It's not necessary to give up your old traditions, unless of course it contradicts things then obviously you would have to.
It's easy for me to say who don't come from any religion and already did a lot of the things that Hindu's do.
But Hinduism is diverse, and there is no reason to stop celebrating family holidays etc just because you practice Hinduism.


Maya

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Maya:

Yes, those of us who 'flow' into it are lucky. Heck, I didn't even have to look. But that was since childhood. But being around other western Hindus has allowed for some observations of how difficult it can be for some. I know people who came and went, came and went, etc.

You're absolutely right that only when there is a contradiction do you have to decide. No contradictions, no problem. Thank goodness SD is so vast.

So are your parents vegetarian as well? Or just very tolerant? I'm a bit curious.

Aum Namasivaya

[Maya3]

EM,
I know Thank Goodness is what I say too!

My parents are not vegetarian, but you are right that they are very tolerant, at least with certain things

I have never any western Hindu who have gone and come back like you are saying, most of the people I know are very devoted and I have never really seen any conflicting emotions. I do have Catholic friends that are very conflicted, both of them likes Hinduism, and one of them is married to a Hindu, but both have trouble letting go of Catholicism.

Maya