Ever met a Sadhu?

[Spiderman]

nevermind, Malibu is not in India

I read the post too quickly

 

[Nakosis]

nevermind, Malibu is not in India

I wasn't going to say anything.

 

[Jainarayan]

If the student is ready, but the guru doesn't appear or isn't available, can't a student learn the same things from studying the writings and scriptures of the gurus?

Nope, it doesn't work that way. There's a mystical component of the initiation, and the mantra(s) assigned by the guru. Moreover, it's the guru who decides if the student (shishya) is ready. Then the assigning of the mantra among other parts of the rituals comes in. Don't be fooled by mail-order gurus. They are a dime-a-dozen, and as phony as a herd of unicorns.

 

[Brickjectivity]

One Sadhu proverb that I never fully understood is, "It is better to walk than to run; it is better to stand than to walk; it is better to sit than to stand; it is better to lie than to sit."....At first it appears to be speaking highly of sloth and laziness...but I think what it actually means, is when you are most still, calm, at peace, and without worries, that is when you are most disposed to receive enlightenment and insight from the sprit-world, as opposed to being busy with many tasks and distractions.

It is also thought that the austere practices of the sadhus help to burn off their karma and that of the community at large. Thus seen as benefiting society,

I never met a sadu though I have met a celebate man who prayed a lot and traveled giving seminars and was kind of a genius without a clue. I noticed thes two quotes from your post and wondered if the reason they said to sit or rest was in hopes they could receive karmic results without causing more? Maybe for them its about becoming absorbers of causation.

 

[Jainarayan]

if the reason they said to sit or rest was in hopes they could receive karmic results without causing more? Maybe for them its about becoming absorbers of causation.

Possibly, depending on what they meditate on and the strength of their mental powers. Their one and only goal at that point in their lives is to achieve moksha.

 

[InChrist]

No more so than the Christian hermits who live alone or cloistered monks and nuns. Almost all religions have their traditions of renunciates.

You are so right, all religions, including the Christian religion, have their self-focused traditions which isolate themselves, as if this will attain to a higher spirituality. So unlike Jesus, the Son of God, who came to dwell among humans demonstrating loving service.

 

[Jainarayan]

You are so right, all religions, including the Christian religion, have their self-focused traditions which isolate themselves, as if this will attain to a higher spirituality. So unlike Jesus, the Son of God, who came to dwell among humans demonstrating loving service.

Who's to say the service they're providing is not in the form of prayer and interceding for the world? Not everyone can die for humanity. Who's to say they're wrong? Who's to say they should not strive for their own "salvation"? Who's to say what their spirituality is and should be? I'd turn the judgmentalism down a few notches and turn up the humility.

 

[InChrist]

Who's to say the service they're providing is not in the form of prayer and interceding for the world? Not everyone can die for humanity. Who's to say they're wrong? Who's to say they should not strive for their own "salvation"? Who's to say what their spirituality is and should be? I'd turn the judgmentalism down a few notches and turn up the humility.

Thank you, I am not above being reminding against being judgmental or the need for humility. I am certainly not the one to say where someone's heart is at, what their motives are, or service may be through solitude prayer. I am glad that call belongs to God alone. I definitely don't think everyone, or anyone else, can die for humanity, but Jesus. Just as I don't believe anyone can "strive" for their own salvation. I believe God is the Who that says what spirituality should be, rather than a religious practice/lifestyle created in the human mind and imagination.

 

[Jainarayan]

Just as I don't believe anyone can "strive" for their own salvation. I believe God is the Who that says what spirituality should be, rather than a religious practice/lifestyle created in the human mind and imagination.

Not everyone believes as you do. There is no absolute right or wrong method or path. If there were everyone would do it.

 

[Nakosis]

Not everyone believes as you do. There is no absolute right or wrong method or path. If there were everyone would do it.

Still, it's a difficult path to take whichever path you decide on.

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 

[InChrist]

Not everyone believes as you do. There is no absolute right or wrong method or path.

Yes, I am aware that not everyone believes as I do, especially the idea that there is an absolute right or wrong path as revealed by Jesus, the Word ..“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'; "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life".

If there were everyone would do it.

Not according to Jesus. Although Christ claims He is the way and the way is revealed, everyone does not want the way that is provided, preferring their own way instead...
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

 

[Jainarayan]

Not according to Jesus. Although Christ claims He is the way and the way is revealed, everyone does not want the way that is provided, preferring their own way instead...

Not everyone believes in Jesus. I can show you that Krishna is the way. I can give you scriptures too. So who is right? You could tell me I worship a "false God" (never did understand that term... it's illogical) or I can say you follow a deluded self-aggrandized peasant. Maybe Satan has deceived everyone into following Jesus. Who is right?

 

[Spiderman]

I never met a sadu though I have met a celebate man who prayed a lot and traveled giving seminars and was kind of a genius without a clue. I noticed thes two quotes from your post and wondered if the reason they said to sit or rest was in hopes they could receive karmic results without causing more? Maybe for them its about becoming absorbers of causation.

Great point!

 

[Spiderman]

Who's to say the service they're providing is not in the form of prayer and interceding for the world? Not everyone can die for humanity. Who's to say they're wrong? Who's to say they should not strive for their own "salvation"? Who's to say what their spirituality is and should be? I'd turn the judgmentalism down a few notches and turn up the humility.

This! Well said!

Some people have a vocation to intercede for the world.

 

[Kapalika]

I want to be a Sadhu later in life. I've felt an urge to do it at various times but I'm reminded that it's hard to do and hold onto the way I do music. Despite that I hope to relatively soon live a life traveling and living very modestly without very much luxury. Later in my life I might abandon that and live with even less. I've also considered moving to India, this last year or so. Who knows, maybe in 10 or 20 years I'll be a Sadhu. I'll just see where everything leads me. I already live pretty modestly without too many things, and I think it's the better way to live, at least for me. I don't like having a bunch of junk around, with the exception of spare parts for things.

 

[InChrist]

Not everyone believes in Jesus. I can show you that Krishna is the way. I can give you scriptures too. So who is right? You could tell me I worship a "false God" (never did understand that term... it's illogical) or I can say you follow a deluded self-aggrandized peasant. Maybe Satan has deceived everyone into following Jesus. Who is right?

So true, not everyone believes in Jesus and probably no point in debating about Jesus, Krishna, who's right or wrong with you. At least I don't want to.

 

[Kapalika]

You are so right, all religions, including the Christian religion, have their self-focused traditions which isolate themselves, as if this will attain to a higher spirituality. So unlike Jesus, the Son of God, who came to dwell among humans demonstrating loving service.

There are Sadhus and Aghori who raise money for schools for orphans, and they often will do things for people in need of guidance or help.

Sadhus often live among people, but just traveling very often without much of a fixed "home".

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Followed a Satguru for a while though he wasn't of the ascetic types. Had a big mansion in Malibu. His wealth all came from donations.

Folks would renounce all of their possessions to the church and enter an ashram. Married an American wife, had two kids, a hundred thousand followers. I know, nothing compared to some youtube celebs these days, but doesn't seem like too bad of a gig.

Sounds like one of the scam artists pretending to be holy and duping the gullible. True holy people would not want your money and surround themselves with wealth.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Yes I'm a Hindu, and while traveling in India, one has to beware the scammers. One scam is to try to shake your hand, but then grab on to your wrist, hold you while the buddies come and rob you. But if you have any wits about you at all, you can tell. The legitimate sadhu will only have a bowl in front of him, for alms ... food or money. He won't be active in begging at all.

Interesting. Similar to when I practiced Buddhism in SGI (not western). They ask for thousands to put towards charity which is evangalizing to convert (literally, not indirect) compared to the theravada monks living by food and drink of residents near their monastary. They cant touch money and the lay help with clothes and food and the monks and nuns spread The Dharma and retreat practices related accordingly.

 

[Vinayaka]

Interesting. Similar to when I practiced Buddhism in SGI (not western). They ask for thousands to put towards charity which is evangalizing to convert (literally, not indirect) compared to the theravada monks living by food and drink of residents near their monastary. They cant touch money and the lay help with clothes and food and the monks and nuns spread The Dharma and retreat practices related accordingly.

In my experience the Buddhists are awesome with the care of monks. The Hindu monks I know get fed by Buddhists quite often because there are no Buddhist monks around there. So although they are beggars, they don't beg.

In India it's also the rule for pilgrims, most especially walking pilgrims. People along the way love to give food. Many temples have free feeding centers for pilgrims. Tiruchendur, for example will feed around 4000 pilgrims per day. One less thing to be concerned about as a pilgrim, when the entire intent is to focus on God.