Hinduism for converts

[Antibush5]

I used to be a Hindu, hell I technically still am, since I believe in the sanctity of the Vedas. But something always bugged me, it always seemed so very Indian, that I never really felt at home, there would be mantras done in hindi that I thought were sanskrit, which lead to a lot of frustration.
Does anybody know what I am talking about?
Also another question, I always had trouble with puja, it never really felt structured, is there a bit of a guide? (I learnt as best I could about Hinduism, but without help, you kind of get overwhelmed)
Also would the gods accept alcohol? I always felt kind of strange if I tried giving them alcohol.

 

[Madhuri]

omg, don't offer them alcohol, lol!! At least, I've never heard of such a thing.

What branch of Hinduism are you familiar with? This will help a lot in gaining appropriate advice.

For me, the Indian-ness of Hinduism has always felt right but I was born into it. I love wearing Indian clothing for festivals, singing and reciting verses in Sanskrit and Hindi, eating Indian food (mmmmmmm......gulab.....) etc. I lived in India briefly too, so I would say that these aspects of Indian culture are my culture too. But I can imagine that if I had not been born/brought-up into it, it might seem too foreign. Not sure. I also know plenty of people who converted into it and are fine with the style of worship.

My opinion is that the individual should do what is right for them. If a particular style of worship seems weird and you can't get into it then don't bother. The point of worship is to cultivate devotion. In a sense it doesn't matter what or how you do something for God. The point is to do it with love and devotion. So find what works for you and go with it. Don't even expect the right method for you to become obvious immediately. Take your time with your spirituality. It's a very gradual process.

 

[Satsangi]

I used to be a Hindu, hell I technically still am, since I believe in the sanctity of the Vedas. But something always bugged me, it always seemed so very Indian, that I never really felt at home, there would be mantras done in hindi that I thought were sanskrit, which lead to a lot of frustration.
Does anybody know what I am talking about?
Also another question, I always had trouble with puja, it never really felt structured, is there a bit of a guide? (I learnt as best I could about Hinduism, but without help, you kind of get overwhelmed)
Also would the gods accept alcohol? I always felt kind of strange if I tried giving them alcohol.

You do not need to adhere to the Hinduism as it is practiced. If you are familiar with Christianity for example; practice Christianity's 10 commandments in their essence and you will still be a Hindu.

Regards,

 

[K.Venugopal]

I used to be a Hindu, hell I technically still am, since I believe in the sanctity of the Vedas.

I am unable to quite understand this concept of “believing” in a scripture. Scriptures are simply teachings that lead to spirituality (to be spiritual = to thrive in the discovery of our essence) and the whole purpose of scriptures, I should say, is to set us on the path of spirituality.

Also would the gods accept alcohol? I always felt kind of strange if I tried giving them alcohol.

There are temples that offer alcohol to the deity, but it is done as part of some elaborate ritual. Unless we know the intricacies of the ritual, it is ludicrous to “offer alcohol to God”.

 

[Breathe]

I used to be a Hindu, hell I technically still am, since I believe in the sanctity of the Vedas.

Then be a Hindu if you still consider yourself as one - if you want, that is. If not, there's a Seekers DIR you can use.

But something always bugged me, it always seemed so very Indian, that I never really felt at home, there would be mantras done in hindi that I thought were sanskrit, which lead to a lot of frustration.

It can be very difficult to remove the religion and culture from one another, look at Islam and Arabic - most Muslims believe you should only perform salat in Arabic.

The reason mantras may be done in Hindi instead is because Sanskrit is not commonly spoken and is a language with many grammatical rules like Latin, whereas Hindi is an easier language. Not to mention, you would be able to learn Hindi at the same time.

Truthfully, Hindi should be a non-issue, as long as you are taking spiritual fulfilment from the place. If you aren't, then what is the point? Find another mandir to worship in, if that is the case.

Also another question, I always had trouble with puja, it never really felt structured, is there a bit of a guide? (I learnt as best I could about Hinduism, but without help, you kind of get overwhelmed)

That is kind of one of the things I like about puja. Depending on what you would like to do, there are various styles. Since I'm a recent adherent, I'm still practising a basic form of puja, lighting a candle and incense stick and a mantra, etc.

Wikipedia has things you can do (under "Offerings") in the Hindu puja section.

You can also read this for puja to Ganesha: A Ganesha Puja

Just do what you think is right, and then you can solidify it. Or, you can seek a guru who may teach you a way to do it that is most appropriate for you.

Also would the gods accept alcohol? I always felt kind of strange if I tried giving them alcohol.

I wouldn't give the gods alcohol, but I do not think that one should consume intoxicants anyway. Offering something that causes carelessness, has health problems associated with it, and what is physically addictive to the Divine seems rather disrespectful, if anything.

Some people may do so, though, but I've not encountered them personally and so I would steer clear of it if I were you - it may be done in a long, elaborate ritual, or some form of Tantric practice, but if you don't know what they are or how to do them, I'd not really give them booze as an offering, lol. Instead, give milk and water to God.


My $0.02.

 

[Onkara]

I used to be a Hindu, hell I technically still am, since I believe in the sanctity of the Vedas. But something always bugged me, it always seemed so very Indian, that I never really felt at home, there would be mantras done in hindi that I thought were sanskrit, which lead to a lot of frustration.
Does anybody know what I am talking about?

Hi Antibush
I do know and appreciate how frustrating it can be, we can take those problems on together and lessen the burden. What I can share with you is the frustration you feel is because one is up against an apparently large learning curve only; culturally and linguistically. What is important to remember is that the truth and the benefits come to any aspirant who perseveres regardless of the challenge ahead, the ultimate goal is not fluency in Sanskrit but a sense of inner-peace, bliss, and knowing that life has divine value, imho. Slowly things become clear and the curve becomes more of a straight line... heading towards the divine.

My advice is to do what we can in your mother language without making it frustrating i.e. don't start learning Sanskrit if you can read the commentary in English, keep it simple until your enthusiasm propels you to the next level. When we are ready for Sanskrit then we can begin, it is too large for any person to learn all of it at once.

I wish you luck with your path.

 

[Antibush5]

Hi Antibush
I do know and appreciate how frustrating it can be, we can take those problems on together and lessen the burden. What I can share with you is the frustration you feel is because one is up against an apparently large learning curve only; culturally and linguistically. What is important to remember is that the truth and the benefits come to any aspirant who perseveres regardless of the challenge ahead, the ultimate goal is not fluency in Sanskrit but a sense of inner-peace, bliss, and knowing that life has divine value, imho. Slowly things become clear and the curve becomes more of a straight line... heading towards the divine.

My advice is to do what we can in your mother language without making it frustrating i.e. don't start learning Sanskrit if you can read the commentary in English, keep it simple until your enthusiasm propels you to the next level. When we are ready for Sanskrit then we can begin, it is too large for any person to learn all of it at once.

I wish you luck with your path.

I know a bit of Sanskrit, I know the Gayatri mantra off by heart, I know Namah Shivaya and I know Jai Mata Kali.
I used to be into Shaktism, but goddess worship just dosn't seem right.

 

[Onkara]

I know a bit of Sanskrit, I know the Gayatri mantra off by heart, I know Namah Shivaya and I know Jai Mata Kali.
I used to be into Shaktism, but goddess worship just dosn't seem right.

That's some achievement, they aren't easy to memorise
Good, so you know how you feel, you have progressed spiritually, you are being shown a way, like it or not.

 

[Antibush5]

That's some achievement, they aren't easy to memorise
Good, so you know how you feel, you have progressed spiritually, you are being shown a way, like it or not.

I actually feel a bit more spiritual now, but now its just out of my hands

 

[Smoke]

I know this is DIR thread, but I'd just like to say that it's one of the more interesting threads I've seen lately, and I hope the participants will elaborate a little and keep it going.

 

[Onkara]

On a tangent on converts and people new to Sanatana Dharma... I think the most challanging part is understanding how to progress after the intial interest arises. For some people they seem to have an overwhelming attraction to one deity* or another and it snowballs from there, like a private love affair.

For others perhaps the next steps are not so clear: "Yes, Sanatana Dharma seems right, but how do I actually do it?" May arise.

Personally I was drawn through Vedanta - the philosophical branch of Sananta Dharma.

Can anyone relate with this or perhaps they have had another experience?

-----------------
* Deity - I am sure there are more adequate and appropriate words to capture one's relationship with the divine

 

[Breathe]

That rose with me, although you know my journey pretty well, lol.

For a me a major difficulty was whether or not I would be accepted, since I know not all Hindus accept converts as legitimate. I asked around a bit, spoke to various people, spoke to the priest etc, and they all seemed OK. It was only a few people online who didn't seem to approve of it.


Asking, "How do I actually do it?" is a valid question in my opinion, since Sanatana Dharma is such a varied faith. This is one of the reasons I think Sanatana Dharma should be experienced and learned rather than practised solitary all the time, however I may be a little biased, since I'm a big fan of communities.

 

[Onkara]

Hi Odion
I think the question "How do I actually do it?" is fundamental. In other religions it seems so much more clean cut (perhaps it just seems that way), I think if it was more clear at least intially, more people would be able to "give it a go"

I know this will open discussions along the lines of: Dharma is a way of life, not just a Sunday, or there is no doer, but for most people seeking or converting into Sanatana Dharma I think it would be helpful to feel they can begin worship, practice or even mantras with a certain amount of confidence. I would be interested in what other have to say

 

[Antibush5]

This is one of the reasons I think Sanatana Dharma should be experienced and learned rather than practised solitary all the time, however I may be a little biased, since I'm a big fan of communities.

Well that is kind of hard for me to go to a community, since the nearest mandir is miles away.

 

[K.Venugopal]

Conversion, if this word is to be used at all, should not be something that totally repudiates the religion/culture that one went through previously. Discovery of new religions should be an add-on to what we already are. All religions are mankind's heritage, yours as well as mine. Which particular path we choose is our personal choice, but that choice need not necessitate a cut-off from one's roots. We have to learn and grow, not learn and diminish. With Christianity and Islam, conversion means a total repudiation of our previous religion. This sows the seeds of religious violence. Hinduism allows a new entrant to retain whatever of his previous religion he may wish to, so much so that his life becomes an amalgam of religions, which is not a bad thing at all.

 

[Onkara]

Hi K.Venugopal
Your post adds maturity and openness to the topic for people approaching Sanatana Dharma from a different background. I admire that! For devil's advocate I propose the following:

Is it possible to fully grasp, understand and benefit from the scriptures (Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita) or teachings of Vedanta if we approach Brahman as we might Allah or Jehovah, for example?

I personally have found that calling Brahman "God" can lead to misconceptions for someone new to the subtleties carrying Abrahamic concepts. There is no wrong in this, but I think it needs to be recognised. For example to call Brahman impersonal may lead some to reject before Brahman is even investigated within. Thoughts?

 

[Breathe]

Well that is kind of hard for me to go to a community, since the nearest mandir is miles away.

I get what you mean. Mine is a bit of a distance away from me, too. However, if you can go occasionally, like once a month or something, then do that.

Who knows, maybe there are some Hindus who live near you and you haven't found out, yet.

 

[Onkara]

Do we need regular visits to a mandir? It would be nice of course. I read that followers of Pushti Maarg are encouraged to worship in the privacy of their home, I am yet to confirm that from other sources, but the concept seems logical.

 

[Breathe]

Good Question, Onkarah.

Do we need visits to a mandir? I think so. Are they necessary? I don't think so.
In my opinion, visiting the mandir, learning more, connecting with other like-minded believers is important. One can practise alone, but it can get solitary and lonely pretty quickly in my opinion, and it's good to have that guru, that guide, to teach you what to do and so on and so forth.

 

[Onkara]

I agree with your answer. Logically everything we do will help (without becoming extremist). It seems to lie with what the individual is seeking i.e. their goal. That really is the spring board, from which we can jump into the religion which appeals strongest.