Same-sex coupling, Sadness and Yeshu Bhakti...

[Gaura Priya]

Dear religionists and fellow Sanatanis,

I am sorry if this is a personal call for help, but I can not help but need assistance, guidance and prayers in this matter!

It is very difficult for me to find a good husband who is at minimum vegetarian, as well as spiritual, let alone a Gaudiya Vaishnava as I am.

Anyways, I have been given a good proposal by an American gentleman who has a good job, and is willing to take me to be a homemaker as well as to marry. I am elated for this proposal, since I have discerned his character! He has a very good job and can provide, and he is a vegetarian. After some time, I am deciding to marry him. Except for one thing...

He is a Mormon Christian, and he's uncomfortable with me being a 'Hare Krishna' (Gaudiya Vaishnava).

Now, he never mentioned of me changing my Faith and I told him that I will remain a Vaishnava at heart, with occasional visits to the local Swaminarayan temple. However, I do not know if even keeping an altar to my Jagannath Deities and pictures of my guru and param-guru and Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Govinda-Sundarjiu will make him feel comfortable with me...

So this means I would have to internalise my identity as a Vaishnava (save my japa, my books and the occasional temple visits)! I feel very sad about this... He is a nice man though, and I am making this choice.

So I remembered about the concept of Yeshu Bhakti, but does anyone know of this 'Yeshu Bhakti' movement in India, or have any good resources? I thought that I could make an altar to a picture of Jesus and Shekhinah-Jehovah (Their Names in Hebrew) to do my artis and I even want to memorise the Lord's Prayer in Sanskrit

(Jesus Prayers from Sanskrit)

as well as maybe say "Om Yeshu Khristaya namah" as his Mula-mantra or Bija-mantra for the sake of arti.

Any other ideas to Christianise the path of Sanatana Dharma, especially so that I can compromise my faith in Sanatana Dharma as well as accomodate my Christian fiance?

(I personally believe in Lord Krishna/Vishnu, and that Jesus is shaktyavesh avatar of Krishna; Jesus is not God or an incarnation, but rather Krishna's pure devotee and messenger.)

Sorry for the personal information, but I could use some inspiration.

Dandavats,
Kevin.

 

[Andal]

This is a really difficult issue but let me ask you this, why is it you who has to compromise your beliefs for him? What if his mormonism makes you uncomfortable? What about the fact that you couldn't take care of your beloved deities is deeply hurtful to you? If he loves you then he will not ask you to change your most deeply held beliefs for him just as you have not asked him to change his religion. Remember, marriage is a partnership not a life of servitude of one to another. If I were you, I would talk to him and express your discomfort over this. If he insists that you change your beliefs to marry him then I would not marry him if I were you. First he wants to take away your deities, then he wants you to change religion, what will happen after that?

just my humble opinion.

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Smoke]

This is a really difficult issue but let me ask you this, why is it you who has to compromise your beliefs for him? What if his mormonism makes you uncomfortable?

It struck me as very odd, too, especially since a Mormon can't enter into a same-sex marriage and remain in good standing in his own faith. But madanbhakta seems to have made his decision, and does not seem to be asking for advice about it.

I searched for information about Yeshu Bhakti in an attempt to be helpful, but I couldn't find any sites that were actually Sanatana Dharma sites. They were all Christian sites using Hindu-style music and some Hindu terminology.

 

[Kriya Yogi]

This is a really difficult issue but let me ask you this, why is it you who has to compromise your beliefs for him? What if his mormonism makes you uncomfortable? What about the fact that you couldn't take care of your beloved deities is deeply hurtful to you? If he loves you then he will not ask you to change your most deeply held beliefs for him just as you have not asked him to change his religion. Remember, marriage is a partnership not a life of servitude of one to another. If I were you, I would talk to him and express your discomfort over this. If he insists that you change your beliefs to marry him then I would not marry him if I were you. First he wants to take away your deities, then he wants you to change religion, what will happen after that?

just my humble opinion.

Aum Hari Aum!

Couldn't have wrote it any better. You don't need to compromise your beliefs for someone else. Marriage is accepting each others differences and loving them for who they are. If he can't accept your beliefs then he's not right for you.

 

[Nayana]

I think you should really think about what is important to you. I have seen first hand people enetering relationships with others who dislike their religion. It never ends well, one always compromises for the other. Religion is something personal and deep, it trancends this material realm and all our attatchments. I think it would be better to not go into a marriage that you can't fully commit to. Mentally and spiritually

 

[zenzero]

Friend madanbkata,

Personal understanding is that SANATAN DHARMA is not about any particular way/path/religion.
It is essentially to follow dharma and one practicing household dharma as a householder is following dharma and even following jesus is following a way/dharma.

Personally find no duality in your decision as Duality only exists in the MIND which creates unnecessary tension/stress.

Follow your heart!

Love & rgds

 

[Nayana]

Friend madanbkata,

Personal understanding is that SANATAN DHARMA is not about any particular way/path/religion.
It is essentially to follow dharma and one practicing household dharma as a householder is following dharma and even following jesus is following a way/dharma.

Personally find no duality in your decision as Duality only exists in the MIND which creates unnecessary tension/stress.

Follow your heart!

Love & rgds

Madanbhakta defines himself as a gaudiya vaishnava. Therefore chanting and worshiping Krishna directly is a main part of the religion. To worship Jesus would be false worship in this case. He belives Jesus was a pure devotee, great, but why not worhsip Krishna instead of worshiping other human beings?

 

[zenzero]

Friend Nayana,

Names are only labels! use any label you wish, the effect is the same.
Its not two!

Love & rgds

 

[Nayana]

Friend Nayana,

Names are only labels! use any label you wish, the effect is the same.
Its not two!

Love & rgds

Im not sure i fully understand what you are saying.

If names are only labels then what stops me from worshipping my computer? It comes from God, was created by God. But it doesnt make the computer god or worthy of worship.

Shall i worship the almighty Macintosh? Funny, I think not.... :/

 

[zenzero]

Friend Nayana,

Who is the worshiper?
Are you not part of God, when and where did you feel, you are a separate entity.
Kindly unravel that mystery; after which one will discover that the Mac and him are not *TWO*

Love & rgds

 

[Nayana]

I am a part of God, we all come from God. However we are not God. We are not supreme beings, we have been covered by illusion and ego which prevents us from 'turely' realising that we are worshippers of God and not the other way around.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Nayana,

Yes, that is the problem with your mind which is filled with delusions and needs to be cleared and those whose minds have no delusions knows all are just labels.

Love & rgds

 

[Nayana]

Friend Nayana,

Yes, that is the problem with our minds which are filled with delusions and needs to be cleared and those whose minds have no delusions knows all are just labels.

Love & rgds

just a minor adjustment

 

[Andal]

Friend Nayana,

Names are only labels! use any label you wish, the effect is the same.
Its not two!

Love & rgds

Friend Zenzero,

For us Gaudiya Vaishnavs this is not true. For us the name of Krishna is not separate from Krishna. When we call on His name he is present that is why it is so important. It is not just a label but contains his spiritual potency and his presence. In terms of spiritual practice for GVs remembering Krishna's name is absolutely fundamental. The metaphor given often is if we chant "water" over and over again, that does not make water manifest unless we get up and go get some. If we chant Krishna over and over again, he is immediately there.

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Shaiva]

Dear religionists and fellow Sanatanis,

I am sorry if this is a personal call for help, but I can not help but need assistance, guidance and prayers in this matter!

It is very difficult for me to find a good husband who is at minimum vegetarian, as well as spiritual, let alone a Gaudiya Vaishnava as I am.

Anyways, I have been given a good proposal by an American gentleman who has a good job, and is willing to take me to be a homemaker as well as to marry. I am elated for this proposal, since I have discerned his character! He has a very good job and can provide, and he is a vegetarian. After some time, I am deciding to marry him. Except for one thing...

He is a Mormon Christian, and he's uncomfortable with me being a 'Hare Krishna' (Gaudiya Vaishnava).

Now, he never mentioned of me changing my Faith and I told him that I will remain a Vaishnava at heart, with occasional visits to the local Swaminarayan temple. However, I do not know if even keeping an altar to my Jagannath Deities and pictures of my guru and param-guru and Sri Sri Guru Gauranga Govinda-Sundarjiu will make him feel comfortable with me...

So this means I would have to internalise my identity as a Vaishnava (save my japa, my books and the occasional temple visits)! I feel very sad about this... He is a nice man though, and I am making this choice.

So I remembered about the concept of Yeshu Bhakti, but does anyone know of this 'Yeshu Bhakti' movement in India, or have any good resources? I thought that I could make an altar to a picture of Jesus and Shekhinah-Jehovah (Their Names in Hebrew) to do my artis and I even want to memorise the Lord's Prayer in Sanskrit

(Jesus Prayers from Sanskrit)

as well as maybe say "Om Yeshu Khristaya namah" as his Mula-mantra or Bija-mantra for the sake of arti.

Any other ideas to Christianise the path of Sanatana Dharma, especially so that I can compromise my faith in Sanatana Dharma as well as accomodate my Christian fiance?

(I personally believe in Lord Krishna/Vishnu, and that Jesus is shaktyavesh avatar of Krishna; Jesus is not God or an incarnation, but rather Krishna's pure devotee and messenger.)

Sorry for the personal information, but I could use some inspiration.

Dandavats,
Kevin.

I know this may not be the "inspiration" that you are looking for, but what is more important? Some man or God?

It seems that Vaisnavism is very dear to you, how will you feel after a year of virtually no Vaisnavism in your life? Something that I have seen is that religion is a big deal in marraige, whether one wants to accept it or not. Compatable religious beliefs within a marriage will help greatly because both partners are striving towards a common goal and are there to help each other reach that same goal and will do it together. This means that both are willing to follow the same practices and give up the same things. I would find it very hard to marry any women if she was not a Vaisnava, there would be so many divisions. The Fundamental rules, if not accepted by the spuose, can create much havoc in a marraige. For instance one of the rules in our religion is no illicit sex. I may look at it differently than others, but i see it as no sex other then for procreation within marraige. If my wife doesnt follow that rule, she could be very frustrated with her sex life.

So, in conclusion, dont let any earthy love take you away from dear Lord Krsna. Remember all love here is temporary, but the divine love between you and Krsna is eternal. Which one sounds better?

 

[Shaiva]

Friend Nayana,

Yes, that is the problem with your mind which is filled with delusions and needs to be cleared and those whose minds have no delusions knows all are just labels.

Love & rgds

To add on to what Krishnakanta said, God is absolute. He is one. Therefore his name, form, and pastimes are all Him. If you say Krsna, He is in your mouth. If you write His name somewhere, He is there. If a painting of Him is in your room, He is there. Krsna is ABSOLUTE, there is no different between His name and Himself. In this world, the word "water" is different from the substance itself, one could call it just a label. But this is only in the relative world. In the absolute world, Goloka Vrindavana and Vaikuntha, the word "water" and the substence itself are the same. Therefore, if in the absolute world, if you say "water" its already in your mouth.

 

[Shaiva]

Friend Nayana,

Yes, that is the problem with your mind which is filled with delusions and needs to be cleared and those whose minds have no delusions knows all are just labels.

Love & rgds

Are you saying that you are free from delusions?

If you are not free, then this is just a case of the blind leading the blind.

 

[Nayana]

Friend Nayana,

Yes, that is the problem with your mind which is filled with delusions and needs to be cleared and those whose minds have no delusions knows all are just labels.

Love & rgds

Why is it that you have such an aversion to labels? Language is also a part of God. Without language and labels (such as, "water", "food", "air") we would be completely lost and unable to understand each other let alone understand the teachings of God.

 

[Madhuri]

Friend Nayana,

Who is the worshiper?
Are you not part of God, when and where did you feel, you are a separate entity.
Kindly unravel that mystery; after which one will discover that the Mac and him are not *TWO*

Love & rgds

Zenzero,
your understanding is monistic. But for Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the philosophy is simultaneous oneness and difference with God.
Using the earlier example, if Jesus is not God, then worshipping him is the same as worshipping any one soul. By worshipping God, we are worshipping the Whole.

 

[zenzero]

Friends,

It is very difficult to get across through minds which even after thousands of years of the advent of humankind is still under delusions; only those who have revolutionised and transcended the mind are free of all delusions and rest leave it to *evolution* for the mind to be free of all delusions.
The whole/absolute/god/krishna/jesus are just forms/labels of the same thing. The appear separately but the energy is the same.
It is only the mind which separates them by only *THINKING* as one STILLS the thoughts [mind] Its all ONE and the worshiper and the worshiped [labels] are ONE. The experiencer [mind] is not there to claim any experience.
If one worships his own mother, he worships the *whole* likewise the act of worshiping is important and not the label besides one worships to still the mind and surrender that mind [ego].

Love & rgds

n.b. Personally did not find a separate *I* and so the present life is only of dropping all those matters [delusions] which got collected by that mind, if any, as that mind too is not *I*and part of the *whole*.