Reading the Bhagavad Gita got me seeing stars

[DharmaCatLamp]

i have often longed for a relationship with God that felt real. When I tried going to churches it didn't really do anything for me. The Sufi movement did some stuff for me when I was younger but then this last week I just decided to read the Bhagavad Gita. Something about the language of it mixed with the strong connection to god made me 100% certain I had just figured out where to go. Krishna has been on my mind since I read the Gita.

The only issue I am having is I don't actually know what step to take next. I want to continue expanding my relationship with God all the way but I wasn't sure I wanted to attach all the symbols and rituals that came from India in particular cause it seemed to me that God is way beyond any one culture.

I would like some suggestions on what to do next if anyone has any ideas thanks!

 

[SalixIncendium]

It's difficult to know where to point you if I don't know where you are.

What is your current relationship with God? What do you consider to be "all the way?" Who or what is God to you?

 

[The Crimson Universe]

The Gita doesn't prescribe rituals. It actually introduces the readers to the knowledge of the infinite omnipresent spirit in the second chapter. And in the remaining chapters you'll find Krishna discussing about the four paths that takes us towards enlightenment. As per a person's liking, he/she can choose any one of the four paths. They don't have anything to do with rituals. :=)

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

It's difficult to know where to point you if I don't know where you are.

What is your current relationship with God? What do you consider to be "all the way?" Who or what is God to you?

God seems to me the ultimate reality. Like he is everywhere and loves everyone.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

The Gita doesn't prescribe rituals. It actually introduces the readers to the knowledge of the infinite omnipresent spirit in the second chapter. And in the remaining chapters you'll find Krishna discussing about the four paths that takes us towards enlightenment. As per a person's liking, he/she can choose any one of the four paths. They don't have anything to do with rituals. :=)

I did find it rather interesting that the Gita seemed to offer a bunch of different paths. Thank you! :3

 

[JustGeorge]

i have often longed for a relationship with God that felt real. When I tried going to churches it didn't really do anything for me. The Sufi movement did some stuff for me when I was younger but then this last week I just decided to read the Bhagavad Gita. Something about the language of it mixed with the strong connection to god made me 100% certain I had just figured out where to go. Krishna has been on my mind since I read the Gita.

The only issue I am having is I don't actually know what step to take next. I want to continue expanding my relationship with God all the way but I wasn't sure I wanted to attach all the symbols and rituals that came from India in particular cause it seemed to me that God is way beyond any one culture.

I would like some suggestions on what to do next if anyone has any ideas thanks!

Just talk to him.

I started reading the Gita maybe 6ish/7ish years ago. It made perfect sense to me, but I didn't really feel called to do anything about it.

I used to have anxiety attacks that would render me pretty useless. Daily. Went on for years. I started having on in the car when I was driving one day, and I got so angry. A part of the commentary in the version of the Gita I was reading suggests "Krishna has so many arms; why don't you let him carry your problems?" Well, why not. Very rudely, I told Krishna that he could just go ahead and take this away. Did he think this was funny or something? At that point, I felt something go into my chest and pull something out, and heard friendly laughter. And then calm. Absolute peace and calm. And the joke was on me. I laughed, too. From terror to joy... it was a life changing experience. And it was about as informal as you can get. No pujas, no formalities, no Sanskrit mantras(not that I'm discouraging this, I got to that later!)

I'd advise just opening yourself to him in whatever way you need to, in whatever way makes sense. Continue learning, but don't let the idea of not knowing something keep you from him(or any other form of God that you feel a connection with).

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Just talk to him.

I started reading the Gita maybe 6ish/7ish years ago. It made perfect sense to me, but I didn't really feel called to do anything about it.

I used to have anxiety attacks that would render me pretty useless. Daily. Went on for years. I started having on in the car when I was driving one day, and I got so angry. A part of the commentary in the version of the Gita I was reading suggests "Krishna has so many arms; why don't you let him carry your problems?" Well, why not. Very rudely, I told Krishna that he could just go ahead and take this away. Did he think this was funny or something? At that point, I felt something go into my chest and pull something out, and heard friendly laughter. And then calm. Absolute peace and calm. And the joke was on me. I laughed, too. From terror to joy... it was a life changing experience. And it was about as informal as you can get. No pujas, no formalities, no Sanskrit mantras(not that I'm discouraging this, I got to that later!)

I'd advise just opening yourself to him in whatever way you need to, in whatever way makes sense. Continue learning, but don't let the idea of not knowing something keep you from him(or any other form of God that you feel a connection with).

That is pretty good advice! Thanks

 

[George-ananda]

i have often longed for a relationship with God that felt real. When I tried going to churches it didn't really do anything for me. The Sufi movement did some stuff for me when I was younger but then this last week I just decided to read the Bhagavad Gita. Something about the language of it mixed with the strong connection to god made me 100% certain I had just figured out where to go. Krishna has been on my mind since I read the Gita.

The only issue I am having is I don't actually know what step to take next. I want to continue expanding my relationship with God all the way but I wasn't sure I wanted to attach all the symbols and rituals that came from India in particular cause it seemed to me that God is way beyond any one culture.

I would like some suggestions on what to do next if anyone has any ideas thanks!

I think one of the strengths of Hinduism is that it allows different style paths for different personality types. So the question is what seems to work best for your personal spiritual growth. Service to others (Karma Yoga)? Devotion and surrender to a deity (Bhakti Yoga)? Living in deep knowledge of reality (Jnana Yoga)? Deep meditation and direct realization (Raja Yoga)?

So what do you feel would probably work best for your personality type? And you can combine some of all too.

 

[SalixIncendium]

God seems to me the ultimate reality. Like he is everywhere and loves everyone.

Hinduism has three principles yogic paths: Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action), and Jnana (knowledge).

Without knowing you personally, I would say the logical next steps would be worship, performing routine actions as an offering to God, and study. These would be a good stepping off point.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Hinduism has three principles yogic paths: Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action), and Jnana (knowledge).

Without knowing you personally, I would say the logical next steps would be worship, performing routine actions as an offering to God, and study would be a good stepping off point.

Alright, is there somewhere I might be able to figure out how to do that? I am no where near a temple at my current location.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

I think one of the strengths of Hinduism is that it allows different style paths for different personality types. So the question is what seems to work best for your personal spiritual growth. Service to others (Karma Yoga)? Devotion and surrender to a deity (Bhakti Yoga)? Living in deep knowledge of reality (Jnana Yoga)? Deep meditation and direct realization (Raja Yoga)?

So what do you feel would probably work best for your personality type? And you can combine some of all too.

I have meditated quite frequently. Devotion feels very natural to me and temples / churches / mosques have always felt like home to me

 

[George-ananda]

I have meditated quite frequently. Devotion feels very natural to me and temples / churches / mosques have always felt like home to me

I think you have a starting place by deepening on those things.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Alright, is there somewhere I might be able to figure out how to do that? I am no where near a temple at my current location.

As @JustGeorge has already said, start by simply talking to God in the form of Krishna, Vishnu, Shiva, Kali, or whatever deity you most identify with. Perform all actions not for yourself, but in dedication to said deity. Finally, study scripture, participate in discussion with other like-minded people IRL or on the internet, do your own research on the internet, and meditate, if you can.

These are the paths that many have taken to become closer to what you referring to as God.

 

[George-ananda]

I am no where near a temple at my current location.

Would a small shrine area in your home appeal to you?

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Would a small shrine area in your home appeal to you?

I think I could do that.

 

[JustGeorge]

I think I could do that.

My first shrine for Krishna was a footstool with a pretty bandana over it. On it sat a framed picture of Krishna. In the morning, I'd offer him a glass of milk and an orange. During the warm months, I'd offer flowers from the yard.

I printed the picture at the library; the other items I got at the Dollar Tree. I hardly had any money back then to make anything fancy, but it served its purpose well. That printed picture is still my favorite.

I found this a good resource: How to do a simple Hindu Puja at home? | Hindu Blog I list the simple puja procedure here, but really, the whole site is full of wonderful stuff.

 

[sayak83]

i have often longed for a relationship with God that felt real. When I tried going to churches it didn't really do anything for me. The Sufi movement did some stuff for me when I was younger but then this last week I just decided to read the Bhagavad Gita. Something about the language of it mixed with the strong connection to god made me 100% certain I had just figured out where to go. Krishna has been on my mind since I read the Gita.

The only issue I am having is I don't actually know what step to take next. I want to continue expanding my relationship with God all the way but I wasn't sure I wanted to attach all the symbols and rituals that came from India in particular cause it seemed to me that God is way beyond any one culture.

I would like some suggestions on what to do next if anyone has any ideas thanks!

Are you person who is primarily
1) Attracted to worship and devition of God through emotional connection
2) Attracted to the sense of awareness of God and spiritual reality through reflection and meditation
3) More attracted to service to others and society as a path to holy life
4) Attracted to unravel the concepts and knowledge of ultimate reality through reasoning and analysis.

If you could say, we could tentatively suggest some ideas.

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

My first shrine for Krishna was a footstool with a pretty bandana over it. On it sat a framed picture of Krishna. In the morning, I'd offer him a glass of milk and an orange. During the warm months, I'd offer flowers from the yard.

I printed the picture at the library; the other items I got at the Dollar Tree. I hardly had any money back then to make anything fancy, but it served its purpose well. That printed picture is still my favorite.

I found this a good resource: How to do a simple Hindu Puja at home? | Hindu Blog I list the simple puja procedure here, but really, the whole site is full of wonderful stuff.

Alright,, i'll go ahead and try to make my own home shrine. I might find a cool picture to frame. I think this is the beginning of something wonderful

 

[DharmaCatLamp]

Are you person who is primarily
1) Attracted to worship and devition of God through emotional connection
2) Attracted to the sense of awareness of God and spiritual reality through reflection and meditation
3) More attracted to service to others and society as a path to holy life
4) Attracted to unravel the concepts and knowledge of ultimate reality through reasoning and analysis.

If you could say, we could tentatively suggest some ideas.

All of those have some appeal but I would say the first option is very appealing meditation is already a part of my spiritual practice

 

[sayak83]

All of those have some appeal but I would say the first option is very appealing meditation is already a part of my spiritual practice

This resource is a good place to see how to conduct a worship. There is no need to do everything at one go. Pick and choose what can be done for now.
Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi | Shodashopachara Krishna Puja during Krishna Janmashtami

Also if you want to delve deeper into Gita, here is a good resource
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2imXor63HtS4ewIKryBL4ZVeiaH8Ij4R