Hare Krishna Christian?

[Twilight]

I haven't been on here for a long while but am really in need of some advice at the moment.

I have always believed in God and have spent time investigating religions, what they believe, what I believe and so on for all my adult life. I got very interested in Gaudiya Vashnavism through the expanse of accessible material made available to those without a grounding in the Hindu culture. I have attended several Hare Krishna festivals and both London temples. I love (almost) everything about the path.

However, not living close enough to a temple to attend often and not having any devotee friends I found myself attending my local church to worship God. I have become very involved in the church over the last two years... the thing is, I compare everything I read in the Bible with what I have learned from my study of Hindu texts. I don't feel any affiliation to 'Jesus' unless I try to imagine him as an incarnation of Krishna. I don't like the music, it makes me cringe. I enjoy the feeling of being in God's presence but I feel a fraud because I know that if I mentioned certain beliefs I'd be seen as listening to the devil. I feel frustrated when I see all these people stuffing their faces with meat with no concern over the ethical implications because Jesus ate meat etc. I hate that they all have expensive houses and holidays etc and justify that, despite the bible saying otherwise, because they put money in the collection each week. Despite these points I have met some lovely people and made some good friends.

I had put Krishna away in the back of my mind but this week have began listening to some bhajans and have been filled with the peace and love that I know is where I belong.

So, the question I ask myself (and you) is.... should I continue going to church but privately knowing that I am worshiping Jesus as a representative of Sri Krishna? Or should I try and forget my attraction to Krishna and stick with Jesus alone, Or should I stop going to Church altogether but then lose the chance to have regular communal worship?

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I haven't been on here for a long while but am really in need of some advice at the moment.

I have always believed in God and have spent time investigating religions, what they believe, what I believe and so on for all my adult life. I got very interested in Gaudiya Vashnavism through the expanse of accessible material made available to those without a grounding in the Hindu culture. I have attended several Hare Krishna festivals and both London temples. I love (almost) everything about the path.

However, not living close enough to a temple to attend often and not having any devotee friends I found myself attending my local church to worship God. I have become very involved in the church over the last two years... the thing is, I compare everything I read in the Bible with what I have learned from my study of Hindu texts. I don't feel any affiliation to 'Jesus' unless I try to imagine him as an incarnation of Krishna. I don't like the music, it makes me cringe. I enjoy the feeling of being in God's presence but I feel a fraud because I know that if I mentioned certain beliefs I'd be seen as listening to the devil. I feel frustrated when I see all these people stuffing their faces with meat with no concern over the ethical implications because Jesus ate meat etc. I hate that they all have expensive houses and holidays etc and justify that, despite the bible saying otherwise, because they put money in the collection each week. Despite these points I have met some lovely people and made some good friends.

I had put Krishna away in the back of my mind but this week have began listening to some bhajans and have been filled with the peace and love that I know is where I belong.

So, the question I ask myself (and you) is.... should I continue going to church but privately knowing that I am worshiping Jesus as a representative of Sri Krishna? Or should I try and forget my attraction to Krishna and stick with Jesus alone, Or should I stop going to Church altogether but then lose the chance to have regular communal worship?

I think as long as you are living uncomfortably with one foot in each world you are going to be unhappy. I think for the sake of your own sanity you need to find a way to commit one way or the other. There may always feel there are things you disagree with on either side but the question you have to ask is, which problematic beliefs can you adjust to or live with, and which ones are causing you constant mental suffering?

I understand the feeling of isolation you have with not being able to connect to a Hindu community. It can be a challenge. But I also don't think you can lie to yourself forever and when you finally have to break down and be honest with yourself you're going to be frustrated that you wasted so much time trying to make everything work.

Lot's of people can practice syncretic religions but in this case, I think you are going to encounter too much conflict. Obviously, ultimately its up to you, but I think you sound very dis-satisfied with trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

Namaste,
It would be difficult to answer your question satisfactorily without knowing just how far you are from the Temple which rings your chimes, so to speak. No problem worshipping privately knowing what you know at ANY church or temple you attend. The privacy of our hearts is sacrosanct. Thank God... not much else is these days.

But if that Temple is somewhere within a day's back and forth journey, that recharge you get once a week by making the effort to attend may be just the ticket you need to fortify yourself in the absence of satsanga the balance of the week. We humans will go to great lengths, make incredible sacrifices to attain our mundane desire du jour. IMO, this desire of yours to snuggle with your Honey and commune with His devotees is one to be fulfilled, not summarily (or even thoughtfully) discarded.

P.S. Keep the good friends

 

[Vinayaka]

I will echo what Swamini and Fireside said. If you feel uncomfortable, you feel uncomfortable, and there's not much use denying it. It's common for Hindus in the west to travel long distances once a week, a few times a year, etc. At the temple I go to, we get people a lot from a city 3 hours away, despite that city having 3 or 4 Hindu temples. And that's just within Hinduism, not within two very different religions, as you're indicating. Most people of all faiths will attend a house of worship to their liking, not the closest one. So a Catholic will attend the nearest Catholic church, not the nearest Christian church.

Another alternative might be another Hindu temple, just not a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple. That would at least be closer in feel, but we'd have to have a map to figure that out. London will have many non-ISKCON temples.

Best wishes.

 

[Kirran]

Try different Hindu temples, if the church isn't working for you. Maybe even some different churches - some might be much more open - I was friends for a time with an Anglican priest who, on my first meeting with him, spoke about how Krishna-Consciousness and Christ-Consciousness were the same thing.

At the end of the day, Krishna is enshrined within your heart in all His infinite beauty and love - that's the most important thing

 

[Twilight]

Obviously, ultimately its up to you, but I think you sound very dis-satisfied with trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Thank you for your reply. I had to chuckle when I got to the end of your post. That is EXACTLY how I feel. I have been trying to smooth down my edges but I quite like them

Namaste,
It would be difficult to answer your question satisfactorily without knowing just how far you are from the Temple which rings your chimes, so to speak.

I'm only 1h30 mins drive from Bhaktivedanta Manor... It's just that I'm not keen on driving that close to London so I really should build up the courage.... even to go monthly!

No problem worshipping privately knowing what you know at ANY church or temple you attend. The privacy of our hearts is sacrosanct. Thank God... not much else is these days.

See, I do also think that... although Prabhupada does mention somewhere that you cannot have a foot in each boat, or similar.

IMO, this desire of yours to snuggle with your Honey and commune with His devotees is one to be fulfilled, not summarily (or even thoughtfully) discarded.

Yes. I totally agree. I love the idea of being in the presence of God as 'snuggling with my Honey' Lovely.

I will echo what Swamini and Fireside said. If you feel uncomfortable, you feel uncomfortable, and there's not much use denying it. It's common for Hindus in the west to travel long distances once a week, a few times a year, etc. At the temple I go to, we get people a lot from a city 3 hours away, despite that city having 3 or 4 Hindu temples. And that's just within Hinduism, not within two very different religions, as you're indicating. Most people of all faiths will attend a house of worship to their liking, not the closest one. So a Catholic will attend the nearest Catholic church, not the nearest Christian church.

Yes, that really makes sense when put down in black and white! I chose the church I attend for certain qualities and I wouldn't even consider attending a different one, despite there being many to choose from. I love the and feel at home when I'm there. I think I will make the effort to travel down soon and speak to the Devotees.

Try different Hindu temples, if the church isn't working for you. Maybe even some different churches - some might be much more open - I was friends for a time with an Anglican priest who, on my first meeting with him, spoke about how Krishna-Consciousness and Christ-Consciousness were the same thing.

Thank you Kirran. See, that would refreshing but the shame is that many Christians have never thought twice about Krishna... If only life were so simple!

At the end of the day, Krishna is enshrined within your heart in all His infinite beauty and love - that's the most important thing

Yes, He is. Such peace is in that statement

 

[Sw. Vandana Jyothi]

Only an hour and a half?! Lucky you! That Attractor of All Hearts made me commute up and down California's freeways for 2 and a half hours one way, sometimes more if I-80 was a parking lot, which of course it often was. I used to plug in my bhajan cassettes, yeah it was definitely back in the day , and sing along. But before they cued up, I do remember sighing and starting that Willie Nelson song, "On the Road Again...." But sometimes, like when I knew my guru was in residence at the end of the journey, I sang the balance of that refrain, "...just can't wait to get on the road again, making music with my friends...." . I trained my mind to leave my bondages behind, you might say, including my nicotine habit. (That, too, fell by the wayside long, long ago, yay God.)

Go early, @Twilight. Translate your joy of "coming home" into offering to do the seva a temple always needs (if they encourage that sort of contribution there); offer whatever skills you possess. Or meditate in the shrine, purify and drop the week's burdens into the lap of You Know Who before they start those glorious bhajan sessions. Man, those "Hare Krishnas" do know how to put their hearts into their bhajans. Yummy nectar! How can you stay away???!!!

 

[Chakra]

You are definitely located at an ideal place for interfaith interaction since London is a global city, as well as the abode of many prominent leaders of the ISKCON community. I think that you can attempt to worship Jesus in the way you elaborated in your OP, but if it is uncomfortable and insincere, then it is probably not the best way. Additionally, the Vaishnava philosophy is that one should worship in a place consecrated by authentic agamas. Thus, Hindu temples are better than any other place of worship, and Vishnu temples are best. Of course, these are only relevant for a Vaishnava.

 

[DeviChaaya]

Hari bol, Twilight.

The Hare Krishnas hold a variety of classes; such as Bhakti Vriksha every week. It is a class where devotees gather to learn more. I can absolutely without doubt guarantee that there are a number being held near you. It may not be visiting the temple weekly but it will recharge you through satsanga.

Look into it next time you're at the temple; ask the temple resources team about it or even email them. You'll find a wealth of resources for satsanga if you just reach out.

 

[Islington]

Hello Twilight,

I understand how you feel, having been a Catholic before. I tended to view Jesus more as an example (a Guru, if you will) than an actual god. For me, he is still someone who might have realized his potential as being a part of God ... and it was a thinking that came long before I had any knowledge about Hindu philosophy/beliefs!

Having said that, I wouldn't bother too much with what the others are doing. Let them eat meat and donate sparsely (or much, because perhaps they're also giving to other organizations, how would I know?) and live their lives -it's yours that matters.

I can also empathize with this feeling of apprehension you have of going to a temple alone.


Please, allow me to share with my still recent experience, maybe you will find something useful or hopeful in it:

When I started going to Ganesha Temple, approximately 1 hour and a half from my home, I was straight down terrorized. I had heard some worrying stuff about the devotees not being entirely acceptant of white people. I also didn't know the ways and despite being in the heart of Paris, almost none spoke French.

So I started going from time to time, maybe once a month. The devotees and pandits got used to me and I received less stares, I began copying their moves and blended a bit more.

Now it's been almost 1 year since my first visit to a Hindu temple and I go weekly, despite the distance. One of the pandits amuses himself by saying "bonjour" and I answer with a "vanakkam Ayya" and I have made acquaintances with devotees who were curious and/or willing to help.


All in all, I am sure that, whatever you choose to do, as long as you stay true to yourself, you will find that everything will evolve to the best possible outcome.

Ah, and maybe try to go to the temple when people are busy working somewhere else, if you're afraid of the crowd.

 

[Kirran]

A bit of a tangent, but maybe you should check out some of the UK's central temples and pilgrimage sites when you get a chance! Aside from Bhaktivedanta Manor and Neasden Temple, there's the Sri Murugan Temple in London, the Balaji Temple in Birmingham and Skanda Vale in South Wales Also there's a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Scotland called Samye Ling which I hear good things about.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I read that you are far from London and do not like to travel that distance. Is there no Hindu temple in your neighborhood? I think Krishna would be there in all Hindu temples either as himself or Balaji (Vekateswara) or Vishnu or Rama.

 

[Kirran]

Would you be OK with sharing whereabouts you live? How rural is it? This might well impact what's available to you!

 

[Vinayaka]

I use 'google maps' search nearby. It gets most temples.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Other than Reading and apart from London, Google Maps does not show any Hindu temple. Wikipedia has a page on it: List of Hindu temples in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

 

[Kirran]

Other than Reading and apart from London, Google does not show any Hindu temple.

I live 5 minutes from one in Manchester :O
List of Hindu temples in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

 

[Vinayaka]

When I 'searched nearby' Liverpool, I got an Amman (most likely Sri Lankan) temple. Yes, Google maps does not catch them all. With google maps, you used to have to register it, as with any business too.

 

[Kirran]

If you tell me whereabouts you are, I can find out - I have friends all over! :O