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  1. StarryNightshade

    Finally taking that first step into Judaism - years in the making.

    Well, the traditional answer is because it was established by HaShem and His nation. My answer is because it gives Jews a unique cultural and religious identity. It comes with the territory of practicing Halakhic forms of Judaism. There's a wide array of thought within Judaism. For example...
  2. StarryNightshade

    Made a profile. Look a for the username "AJewishHeartWithin." An introduction thread should...

    Made a profile. Look a for the username "AJewishHeartWithin." An introduction thread should appear soon.
  3. StarryNightshade

    Finally taking that first step into Judaism - years in the making.

    1.) I think Conservative Judaism is a wonderful "half way" point between Orthodoxy and Reform Judaism. It teaches that Jewish law is binding, but allows a fair degree of openness to interpretation and cultural pragmatism. 2.) I think that's an unfortunate and simplistic thing to say about...
  4. StarryNightshade

    Nope, I'm not on there. I'll certainly look into it, though. :) To be honest, I tend to be...

    Nope, I'm not on there. I'll certainly look into it, though. :) To be honest, I tend to be wary of Jewish forums. With the whole gay thing and all. Even if I don't consider it to be that important of my whole self.
  5. StarryNightshade

    Finally taking that first step into Judaism - years in the making.

    No, as far as I'm aware.
  6. StarryNightshade

    Finally taking that first step into Judaism - years in the making.

    Already am, but yes, if I was uncircumcised. I would have to be if I was going Orthodox or Conservative (they both require males to be circumcised). Reform and Reconstructionist generally don't require men to be circumcised (as far as I'm aware). Since I'm circumcised, I would have a Hatafat...
  7. StarryNightshade

    Finally taking that first step into Judaism - years in the making.

    The past year or so has been transformative in many ways. One is that I finally figured out what it is I want to do with my life and degree. Another is that I found someone special to spend my time and life with. Another is that I no longer identify as Hindu and am taking the first steps for...
  8. StarryNightshade

    Walking towards Zion.

    Walking towards Zion.
  9. StarryNightshade

    I'm feel like I'm gravitating towards a Tantric mindset.

    I take it as a path which is more meditative, a focus on the material world as a key part of one's path to liberation, a recognition of the fiercer aspects of the gods and of the darker aspects of humanity, an overall more mystical bent, duality in practice with the goal of absolute non-duality...
  10. StarryNightshade

    I'm feel like I'm gravitating towards a Tantric mindset.

    I've been very inactive lately, mostly due to my insane school schedule, but also because I was sorting out my spiritual house. Some spring cleaning, if you will. Although I'm initiated into a Vedic lineage, I honestly think I'm moving towards a more Tantric worldview. In short: As I said in...
  11. StarryNightshade

    Do the Gods even care about us or love us?

    Possibly a bit of a downer and not the happiest of questions, but it's been on my find lately. Do the Gods, when you get down to it, even care about us or "love" us? In western religions, we are taught that God loves us and wants what's best for us. In Hinduism, God(s) more or less give us...
  12. StarryNightshade

    I'm doing well. In the final couple of weeks of the semester. So super busy and looking forward...

    I'm doing well. In the final couple of weeks of the semester. So super busy and looking forward to the summer. You?
  13. StarryNightshade

    Tirupati

    Tirupati is one of the places where I must visit when I finally make my way to India. The reputation of their Laddus alone make me want to go.
  14. StarryNightshade

    Vedic vs Tantric Shaktism

    What would you classify as the biggest differences between the more Vedic and the more Tantric schools of Shaktism? Is it as simple as saying one is a left hand path and one is right hand path? That one is "mainstream" and one is more "folk?" Or, in reality, is the line more blurred and there...
  15. StarryNightshade

    How does one change one's varna?

    This is a question that has been on my mind for a little while. I had initiation into the Gayatri mantra (thread and all) and, by a broad technicality, that made me a "brahmin". Yet, I am awful at actually doing a lot of the prescribed rituals and duties, and according to more orthodox Hindus...
  16. StarryNightshade

    Hindu private/charter schools?

    That's another thing to consider: being tough to organize. I guess making it as generalized as possible (not adhering to a specific samparadaya or tradition) would be ideal.
  17. StarryNightshade

    Hindu private/charter schools?

    Unfortunately, low numbers of Hindus is a factor. I suppose that's why it would be ideal that non-Hindus could attend as well. It's just that the foundation and core of the teaching philsoophy is in Hinduism. I've heard of that school, but since it's unaccredited, I have mixed feelings about it.
  18. StarryNightshade

    Hindu private/charter schools?

    I'm currently going for a degree in teaching and I want my focus to be on the humanities (primarily theology and philsoophy). My dorm is next to a Catholic school, which, from my understanding, doesn't require that its students be Catholic (even though there are masses and it's teaching...
  19. StarryNightshade

    Sivaratri approaching

    Got back from a friends house about an hour ago. About 5 of us spent the entire night staying awake*, fasting, singing songs, and performing abhishek and aarti to Shivalingam for 12 hours straight. We broke fast this morning with a meal of rice, pakora, soy (meatless) fish filets, and sambar...
  20. StarryNightshade

    What does your name mean?

    "One with Christ in his heart" Yeah, let's go with that.
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