-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Ever met a Sadhu?
- Thread starter Spiderman
- Start date
Hey, guys, take this outside (or into a Religious Debates area).
Amani_Bhava
Member
This is hard to answer. I honestly have no answer. Of course one needs Bhakti .. but only Bhakti .. and no meditation ..
As I said it is open to interpretations and personal preferences.
One thing in this regard -
Do you know of Hesychasm Hesychasm - Wikipedia and Philokalia
There are Christian "sadhus" from orthodox traditions who practice hesychasm meditation. That is Bhakti made into meditation
namaste
A_B
Last edited:
Amani_Bhava
Member
ajay0
Well-Known Member
The Rajarshi way of life, depicted by spiritual and material prosperity, appeals to me.
Rajarshis like Janaka, Rama, Krishna, Ba Khin, Guru Hargobind , Prem Nirmal, Lahiri Mahasaya, Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, Dr. Frederick Lenz , Vimala Thakkar, Metta Zetty are ideal Rajarshi role models for everyone, imho.
The sadhu way of life do have its romanticism and good points. Not loaded with the possessions of the world, makes you see what you really have with you, and that can ignite self-enquiry.
There was a certain period of time in my life when I lived the life of a sadhu, in deep philosophical study, contemplation and meditation, reducing my contact with the material world to a bare minimum, and it was during that time that I first observed attentively the changing shapes of the moon from crescent to full, and admired its beauty. Similarly with other aspects of nature. I wondered then why I never observed its beauty before.
I think you need to slow down at times, in order to better enjoy the view or countryside rather than rushing ahead everytime.
There is a phrase called 'simple living and high thinking' , and I think a certain simplicity in life is required for better perception of the truth, which is otherwise obscured by the complexities and demands of material life that take our attention.
Rajarshis like Janaka, Rama, Krishna, Ba Khin, Guru Hargobind , Prem Nirmal, Lahiri Mahasaya, Ambalal Muljibhai Patel, Dr. Frederick Lenz , Vimala Thakkar, Metta Zetty are ideal Rajarshi role models for everyone, imho.
The sadhu way of life do have its romanticism and good points. Not loaded with the possessions of the world, makes you see what you really have with you, and that can ignite self-enquiry.
There was a certain period of time in my life when I lived the life of a sadhu, in deep philosophical study, contemplation and meditation, reducing my contact with the material world to a bare minimum, and it was during that time that I first observed attentively the changing shapes of the moon from crescent to full, and admired its beauty. Similarly with other aspects of nature. I wondered then why I never observed its beauty before.
I think you need to slow down at times, in order to better enjoy the view or countryside rather than rushing ahead everytime.
There is a phrase called 'simple living and high thinking' , and I think a certain simplicity in life is required for better perception of the truth, which is otherwise obscured by the complexities and demands of material life that take our attention.
InChrist
Free4ever
Yes, I realize Self is the goal. And no, I do not know that Jesus Christ taught the same because He definitely did not and trying to make Jesus into a teacher of eastern mysticism is to twist His words and life. That is a subject for a different thread, though.
ajay0
Well-Known Member
Hello InChrist. Don't go by what the Roman edited Christian scriptures teach about Christ. As per the roman edited christian scriptures, Jesus Christ definitely did not teach about the Self alright, but that perspective need not be totally correct.
Same reason there are no Ynotmirs.
Although I voted 'no', it was just my personal choice.It doesn't appeal to me personally now, at my age, been married so long I can't remember. But I admit there is something truly admirable about the true sadhu, as there is for all true renunciates. The idea of wandering around putting your entire effort into meditation, not working for anyone, dropping all attachments, is appealing. Still it would have to be in a culture that understands it.
Maybe next lifetime.
Maybe next lifetime.
InChrist
Free4ever
Hi ajay0, I don't read the Roman edited scriptures.
ajay0
Well-Known Member
That's great. So, if you can keep an open mind, you can see distinctive similarities between 'the Kingdom of God is within you' by Jesus (Luke 17:20-21) and the Self in Vedanta.
The true Self in Vedanta is opposed to the false self characterized by the ego and its vices creating misery and suffering. The Self or our true nature, represents the natural state of bliss and peace. Similarly Jesus is stating that heavenly bliss and peace is within oneself, and thus the key to salvation lies in oneself alone and not in the external.
InChrist
Free4ever
That is certainly the Eastern religious view, but not what Jesus taught, from my perspective. There were so many prophetic promises in the OT concerning the coming Messiah/Savior which were fulfilled in the Person of Jesus who was also attested to ion the NT as that promised Savior and verified by the words of Jesus Himself.
ajay0
Well-Known Member
Well, this is my perspective. I don't see anything contradictory about Jesus fulfilling the prophecies of the OT, and teaching about the Self as ' the kingdom of heaven is within you'.
InChrist
Free4ever
I certainly feel you are free to have whatever perspective you like, but I just don;t believe Eastern religious concepts can be applied to Jesus. First, because the biblical scriptures and Jesus Himself make clear that His whole purpose for coming to earth was to be the Savior and go to the cross for the sins of humanity. So the idea that one can reach some kind of Self enlightenment is completely contrary. The other thing is that when the scriptures say that the kingdom of heaven is within you, I believe this was referring to the fact that at the time this was written Jesus, who was from heaven and represented the kingdom of heaven was right there within the people of Israel. Also, when someone is born again and has new life in Christ, Jesus dwells within.
ajay0
Well-Known Member
Jesus was born in the middle east, and I don't think he was a stranger to eastern concepts.
The ancient Silk Route connected Israel and the east, and the numerous merchant wagons which passed through this route on both sides brought about a confluence and interaction of culture and ideas. It is also written in the bible that three wise men from the east visited Jesus as a child, just as tibetan buddhists now visit children around the world whom they believe to be the reincarnations of lamas or great souls.
Emperor Ashoka the Great also sent Buddhist missionaries to all parts of the world in the third century B.C.
So it is quite likely and probable that Jesus had been influenced by eastern concepts.
This is what I meant by saying earlier not to go by the roman editted scriptures , which imo, has been editted as per Roman fancies and sensibilities. I don't think they lost their animosity to the rebellious christians all of a sudden after centuries of brutal persecution. It is possible that the scriptures were editted and designed by the romans in the council of constantinople, to ensure that the christians become conditioned, law-abiding and obedient citizens of the roman empire and accept the authority of the Roman church without questioning or argumentation.
Last edited: