fatima_bintu_islam
Active Member
Congratulations Madhuri 
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Madhuri's Life Story
- Thread starter Madhuri
- Start date
Mr Spinkles
Mr
Very interesting story, Madhuri. Were there other sources, outside of internet discussions, that influenced your belief about creationism / evolution? Did you learn about biology in school, or read books, or go to the museum, etc?
Probably the biggest influence was my ex boyfriend who is both an atheist, incredibly intelligent and a respectful debater. I did visit museums with him as well.
When I was doing science in school and learning about evolution I did not believe in it at all and had this idea that the whole theory was a sham. I was very convinced at the time that the science community was biased and corrupt because of documentaries like Mysterious Origins of Man.
Here's some things you might not know about me:
I was born in Australia but spend most of my childhood travelling either to Europe or Asia or up and down the east coast of my country. The first time my family ever settled long term in a house was when I was 8 years old. Before that, the longest we had lived in any one place was in a village in West Bengal, India.
I grew up in a very strict religious family. We were ISKON devotees (Hare Krishnas). For the most part, I loved it. But somehow, even as a small child, I was always sceptical of the various dogmatic ideas and rules. I kind of accepted what my parents told me but I would constantly try to make sense of it and question the logic of many ideas.
For some reason my parents decided to send me to a Catholic primary school. Those were the hardest years of my life. It involved a lot of teasing for being 'different'. Some kids hated me specifically because of my religion. Things got better in high school though, and life has been pretty sweet ever since
When I was 10, my father decided to get involved with Christianity (and has since become a Christian priest).
When I was about 15 I got involved with online social networks, debating on religious forums like wicca sites and creation vs evolution forums on myspace etc. This was the beginning of my intellectual spiritual journey. I tried my best to keep an open mind and debate respectfully with others. I took on the challenges. Eventually I realised that I could no longer deny things like evolution. I started to realise how allegorical scriptures can be. My perception of reality began to change to the point that I could hardly relate to the devotees that I grew up around.
My spiritual evolution is constant. My understandings are always changing. I am no longer very religious, nor do I consider myself to be a Hare Krishna (haven't for years). But in all this time on thing has remained unchanged: I have never come across anything as wise, powerful or complete as Vedic knowledge and so it is the path I pursue. This is why I consider myself Hindu still.
Discussing religion and philosophy is somewhat of a passion for me. That's why I'm addicted to RF and I'm thankful to all of the members here for making this place so fantastic
Congratulations.
I really like you, Madhuri, and i enjoy reading your posts. You seem to be a very nice person.
I would like to ask, if you don't mind, in what way did RF change the way you think of the world, religions, people, etc? or you just found RF to be resembling or to be an image to what you already know about all what i have mentioned?
One more question, do you spend more time in RF or in RL "real life".
Thank you.
Congratulations.
I really like you, Madhuri, and i enjoy reading your posts. You seem to be a very nice person.
I would like to ask, if you don't mind, in what way did RF change the way you think of the world, religions, people, etc? or you just found RF to be resembling or to be an image to what you already know about all what i have mentioned?
One more question, do you spend more time in RF or in RL "real life".
Thank you.
Thank you Tashan!
I think what I have experienced the most here on RF is gaining insight into other religions and philosophies that change my perspective. Of course my own spirituality has been influenced, but not to such a great extent. I have really enjoyed getting to know people of others religions and cultures. These experiences help to continuously broaden my mind and be able to relate to other people.
Lol, I may spend some days obsessively checking RF for updated posts but I think that RL still trumps (thankfully). My RL studies do sometimes suffer though because of the forums...:cover:
Caladan
Agnostic Pantheist
Great to have you on staff Madhuri!
Which other religious or spiritual philosophies, practices or experiences interest you or resonate with you other than the one you follow?
Are you surprised that your father embraced Christianity?
what are the important points to you in your spiritual path?
Which other religious or spiritual philosophies, practices or experiences interest you or resonate with you other than the one you follow?
Are you surprised that your father embraced Christianity?
what are the important points to you in your spiritual path?
Good questions Dan.
I tend to be mostly interested with mystical traditions and philosophies mostly. In Islam that would be Sufism, for instance. I really like Christian traditions likes the Franciscans. I'm interested in some pagan religions but more out of curiosity- the way one would study ancient history out of interest.
Actually somehow I don't remember being surprised or confused when dad got involved with the church. I tended to just go along with things. I find that reaction weird now! Even now it just feels like part of life. Normal. Everyone else thinks it's weird, lol. It helps that I've never been made to go to church regularly or stop my religious/spiritual beliefs and practices.
Can I ask you to elaborate with the last question? For instance, what I hope to gain from it or what I think are the most important practices?
Caladan
Agnostic Pantheist
Mainly the most important practices, beliefs, and perhaps your goals as well.
I think that Yoga Meditation is essential to spirituality. It is about finding the divine within, rather than externally and eliminating the illusion of duality that separates us consciously from everything. Realisation is the discovery that everything is intimately connected and that we are all part of the Whole (God). Realisation is the goal. When Maya, illusion, is uncovered, the soul is liberated from the seemingly endless cycle of birth and death.
But while I remain unrealised, I believe that it is most important to be a kind and loving person and to actively try to minimise suffering for others. My goal for this lifetime is simply to progress.
dust1n
Zindīq
Depends on the occasion. Blue during the day to compliment the eyes, red (or black) at night to compliment...everything else.
Thanks, that's the goal!
Really, why? If I am not taking you too literally at your words?
Well, I am assuming that I interpreted Zenzero correctly.
Realisation, or spiritual evolution is not about religion, basically. Religion is an organised institution. As we come closer to Realisation this identification with a religion disappears. Even belief disappears, and is replaced with knowing and with being. Also as Krishna says:
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me"
Well that is certainly inspiring, Madhuri
Are you comfortable with that? (I hope I don't sound testing, I am just getting to know your perspective)
I think that I could say anything and you would still compliment me
Comfortable with what, btw?
fatima_bintu_islam
Active Member
I think that I could say anything and you would still compliment me
Thats what staffs are made for