Temple Visits

[Fireside_Hindu]

Namaste All,

This is a little OT, but it's related to the temple I visit, so it seems like the best place to put this.

I have been attending this new temple now for several weeks and while I by and large enjoy it, there are some things about it that repell me a little. On top of that, (Or maybe because of that) I'm feeling a pull from the next closest temple to me about an hour from me. I feel like I want to go to this second temple instead, for worship, but the current temple is where I've started becoming a part of a community.

My current temple is very much a community hub, which has it's advantages and it's drawbacks. A few of the drawbacks are that when I go it is seldom the right atmosphere for meditation. Kids running around, people on phones or having conversations etc. I have thought about going during the week to do my prayer (when it is likely to be quieter) and then just come on the weekends anticipating volunteer work.

I have only visited the second Temple once, during Lakshmi Abhishekam and it felt very peaceful even though there were many people around.

I feel slightly guilty that I am effected by the surroundings so much. A part of me feels like if I was just more disciplined it wouldn't matter how chaotic the temple was. I could go to one temple one week, and another temple the next week but then I feel like I'm still split in two. Is this normal? Am I being too rigid? Another thing that pulls me to the second temple is that it is a Lakshmi Temple. It has shrines to other deities too, like most North American Temples, but when you walk in, there's no question as to who the lady of the house is I like that about it - I like that I very much feel God's presence there. I know God is at the first temple too, but with all the chaos it's hard to tap into that - at least for me. I'm not sure what to do. Do I abandon the temple community I've made a commitment to help? Or do I press on and hope that it gets easier with time?


:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

Personally speaking, I'd switch. Better now than 5 years from now. Why wait for something that may seem inevitable anyway?

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I attended a different Temple (The one farther from me. I've visited once before) this morning and I have decided to continue visiting this new temple regularly, rather than the first temple.

It just feels better to me - I'm able to focus on my worship, and no one bothers me. Yet, no one makes me feel excluded either. This new Temple is also a Lakshmi temple, so that helps me a lot. Also, the classes and cultural events are held in a separate part of the building, so even though the parking lot was packed this morning, the temple was quiet.

I will still attend the first temple for certain events, or if they call me in need of volunteer help. But I think I will be making the Lakshmi Temple my new spiritual home.

It feels a bit like looking for a therapist. Sometimes you end up trying a few out and they aren't the right fit so you have to keep trying until you get it right.

This morning was the Maha Lakshmi Abhishekam. I was too nervous to sponsor but I observed very carefully what the sponsors did and I think I may sponsor the Abhishekam closer to my birthday. I want to slowly increase my participation in temple ceremonies, now that my volunteer skills are not called for as often.


Next weekend I want to make a garland for the beautiful , black granite Lakshmi Murti. I have to make sure to bring enough flowers. Sometimes it's hard to judge.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

I attended a different Temple (The one farther from me. I've visited once before) this morning and I have decided to continue visiting this new temple regularly, rather than the first temple.

It just feels better to me - I'm able to focus on my worship, and no one bothers me. Yet, no one makes me feel excluded either. This new Temple is also a Lakshmi temple, so that helps me a lot. Also, the classes and cultural events are held in a separate part of the building, so even though the parking lot was packed this morning, the temple was quiet.

I will still attend the first temple for certain events, or if they call me in need of volunteer help. But I think I will be making the Lakshmi Temple my new spiritual home.

It feels a bit like looking for a therapist. Sometimes you end up trying a few out and they aren't the right fit so you have to keep trying until you get it right.

This morning was the Maha Lakshmi Abhishekam. I was too nervous to sponsor but I observed very carefully what the sponsors did and I think I may sponsor the Abhishekam closer to my birthday. I want to slowly increase my participation in temple ceremonies, now that my volunteer skills are not called for as often.


Next weekend I want to make a garland for the beautiful , black granite Lakshmi Murti. I have to make sure to bring enough flowers. Sometimes it's hard to judge.

:camp:

You have a link to the 'new' one?

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I believe I have shown you before, but here it is:

Welcome to the Hindu temple of delaware

:camp:

It's a lovely temple. It has multiple shrines, like most of the temples I've been too, but Lakshmi's presence is very strong there. I'm hoping the switch is good, in the end. I feel a bit like I am "abandoning" the other temple. But I've always been a bit too sentimental.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

I believe I have shown you before, but here it is:

Welcome to the Hindu temple of delaware

:camp:

It's a lovely temple. It has multiple shrines, like most of the temples I've been too, but Lakshmi's presence is very strong there. I'm hoping the switch is good, in the end. I feel a bit like I am "abandoning" the other temple. But I've always been a bit too sentimental.

:camp:

I thought this was the one you were going to... You're lucky just to have a choice.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I thought this was the one you were going to... You're lucky just to have a choice.

Of am indeed blessed to have a choice!

When I first moved hear I visited the three closest temples. 45 minutes away, 1hour, and 2.5 hours away. I was just eager to see Temples and I wanted to find a new "home".

I settled on the one that was 45 minutes away because it was close, had friendly devotees and they seemed happy to have me. Unfortunately, every time I go I encounter something that disrupts my sadhana. I tried to take advantage of some of the educational classes, but it just wasn't working for me. I spent a lot of time distracted, basically.

So the Delaware one was the place I visited today for the second time.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

Of am indeed blessed to have a choice!

When I first moved hear I visited the three closest temples. 45 minutes away, 1hour, and 2.5 hours away. I was just eager to see Temples and I wanted to find a new "home".

I settled on the one that was 45 minutes away because it was close, had friendly devotees and they seemed happy to have me. Unfortunately, every time I go I encounter something that disrupts my sadhana. I tried to take advantage of some of the educational classes, but it just wasn't working for me. I spent a lot of time distracted, basically.

So the Delaware one was the place I visited today for the second time.

:camp:

I was reflecting on this, as I have decided not to attend temple Sunday mornings. So maybe, FS, it's the time of week, not the temple itself.

Here, Sundays is when all the Sunday Hindus show up. They talk incessantly, are lackadisical in worship, have to be reminded to take off hats, forget to shut off cellphones, gawk around at everyone, and otherwise socialise. So rather than fight it, I've just decided to let them do their thing. There are 13 other mornings or evenings I can go.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I was reflecting on this, as I have decided not to attend temple Sunday mornings. So maybe, FS, it's the time of week, not the temple itself.

Here, Sundays is when all the Sunday Hindus show up. They talk incessantly, are lackadisical in worship, have to be reminded to take off hats, forget to shut off cellphones, gawk around at everyone, and otherwise socialise. So rather than fight it, I've just decided to let them do their thing. There are 13 other mornings or evenings I can go.

This is true. I considered this for a while. The only thing that made it a little difficult is that most of the requests for volunteers are for the weekend *because* there are so many people (that is when lunch is served, so lots of volunteers are needed for set up and clean up)

At the new temple I am attending there is Lakshmi Abhishekam on Sundays, which I love to attend. I think it will work out because the kids go to another building for classes, so chatty parents have to accompany them.

However, I will still volunteer at the old temple on occasion. We'll see how it goes.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

We'll see how it goes.

:camp:

When I go to temple, it is either to work or to worship, but never both at the same time, because personally I don't see that they mix well, or I don't think I can do justice to either.

I have a friend who tries to do both... he's the manager, and he tries to worship. Then when someone comes to purchase an archana ticket, he's not there because he's off worshipping at some shrine. Or when he's working inthe office, and i9t's the height of the puja, he feels he's missing out on something.

I have been the volunteer manager, and I always put that first, fully realising I could come back the next day and be only a worshipper.

Sadly, my friend never comes just to worship. He always feels he has to do some work while he's there. So either work is interfering with worship, or worship is interfering with work.

Yes, work is worship, but it's a different type of worship that what I'm speaking of here.

 

[DeviChaaya]

Namaste one and all

Don't fret, I'm not a zombie I just haven't had much to say of late and so I have kept mum. But I figure this thread is about temple visits and...

I haven't been going much at all really. For the last six months I've been studying (I'm well on my way to becoming a nurse) and my weekends have been full of socialising because I'm unable to do it during the week. I wanted to go yesterday (Sunday) but I've had tonsillitis for the last three weeks and while I'll visit Mata Ji's abode during that time of the month I will NOT visit when I'm sick. I don't want others to catch what I've got and ruin their experience.

I got off topic. I feel so guilty about not attending on a regular basis. I don't even light my diya at home regularly.

...I'm being a very bad hindu.

 

[Vinayaka]

.

...I'm being a very bad hindu.

I would rephrase that to ' temporarily outwardly inactive Hindu'

 

[Kalidas]

Namaste one and all

Don't fret, I'm not a zombie I just haven't had much to say of late and so I have kept mum. But I figure this thread is about temple visits and...

I haven't been going much at all really. For the last six months I've been studying (I'm well on my way to becoming a nurse) and my weekends have been full of socialising because I'm unable to do it during the week. I wanted to go yesterday (Sunday) but I've had tonsillitis for the last three weeks and while I'll visit Mata Ji's abode during that time of the month I will NOT visit when I'm sick. I don't want others to catch what I've got and ruin their experience.

I got off topic. I feel so guilty about not attending on a regular basis. I don't even light my diya at home regularly.

...I'm being a very bad hindu.

I know the feeling. I have not done a puja in like a month. I need to get back on track. Its hard to get back to your habits once you let them go.

Don't worry you will totally get back into it all. Remember we are human currebtly forgive yourself okay

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I attended temple this morning for Lakshmi Abhishekam (it's becoming my routine now) and during the puja I noticed a tall, thin, Caucasian man in his mid to late 40s visiting each of the shrines. At first I thought he was on some sort of maintenance or security crew. He wore work pants and a jacket with a company name on it. But I then noticed how intently he was looking at all the deities. He seemed very curious - examining them from many angles. Then I noticed him doing namaskaram. I couldn't tell if it was his first temple visit or not, perhaps his second or third time? But he seemed to be engrossed. It was nice to see. I wonder if that's what I looked like during my first visits. It's interesting to watch people discover something, especially adults He stayed for the end of the Abhishekam to receive tilaka and the deepa.

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

I noticed a tall, thin, Caucasian man in his mid to late 40s visiting each of the shrines.

I totally agree that it's really interesting to watch newcomers. (Not just Caucasians, but Indian newcomers as well) . Some flow, some glow. Others go. he last couple I had the privilege of giving a guided tour to were just amazing. They seemed like they were at home totally, remarked on the energy, bought stuff from the little gift shop, had amazing insights and questions.

"Seeing it through fresh eyes' comes to mind.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I totally agree that it's really interesting to watch newcomers. (Not just Caucasians, but Indian newcomers as well) . Some flow, some glow. Others go. he last couple I had the privilege of giving a guided tour to were just amazing. They seemed like they were at home totally, remarked on the energy, bought stuff from the little gift shop, had amazing insights and questions.

"Seeing it through fresh eyes' comes to mind.

It always makes me happy to see newcomers visit temples because it's one more person who is familiarizing themselves with something and dropping the mystery and perhaps fear that comes with different religious traditions in the US.

The only time I roll my eyes a little is when young teenage girl students come in during the summer wearing tank-tops and miniskirts. (a little common sense girls, please)

:camp:

 

[Vinayaka]

The only time I roll my eyes a little is when young teenage girl students come in during the summer wearing tank-tops and miniskirts. (a little common sense girls, please)

:camp:

Say, "You do realise it's compulsory to sit cross-legged on the floor for a bit." to them.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

This last Saturday I spent the night at a friend's place and let her know that in the morning I would be leaving very early to go to temple. This was a friend who had been wanting to come with me for a while. She's not religious but she is curious about religions. She said that she wouldn't be getting up early enough to go with me, which I said was fine. No pressure from me. I figured she'd come along when she was ready.

Well just as I'm about to walk out the door the next morning she pops out of her room and asks if she can come. I say sure, I'd be grateful for the company.

We talk the whole trip and I explain a few things about Temple Etiquette and she seemed excited but nervous.

We go into the temple and I perform my regular prayers and routine, occasionally explaining things to my friend. We sit and watch the abhishekam. At the end we are offered the lamp, but when she is offered she looks confused and doesn't know what to do so the volunteer offering the lamp moves on. I tell her it's okay, because she looks concerned. I felt a little bad that I didn't' prepare her for it. I'm not used to being the one showing people the temple. I'm supposed to be the newbie

Anyway, I sit a pray for about 15 minutes before turning towards the entrance where my friend is standing and waiting. I notice that her eyes are red and she is crying a bit. I try to comfort her. She says, "No, I'm fine. It's just such a beautiful place and there's such a beautiful spiritual energy here." We leave and once she composes herself we talk all about Hinduism on the way home and I try to clear up some misconceptions.

I'm happy that she had a positive experience. I think more people need to know that Hinduism isn't "weird" or "evil" even if they don't decide to become Hindu their positive experiences can only help understanding grow.

:camp:

 

[Aupmanyav]

Say, "You do realise it's compulsory to sit cross-legged on the floor for a bit." to them.

Don't frighten them. It is not. They can keep standing.

 

[Sb1995]

Don't frighten them. It is not. They can keep standing.