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Syncretic acceptance amongst the monoreligionists?

From a lot of people. :-/
Although I tend to keep it to myself. :D

I actually find that most, if not all, the religions are as equally compatible and one can make an endless variety of syncretisms with them all.

Unfortunately, I would always be met with those who would be vehemently opinionated about my Hindu and Christian mixture; so I generally keep it to myself.

Hindu among Hindus, Christians among others. XD As long as they don't meet each other about me, I'll be fine. :)

Just as one person had said, Be a Vaishnava in public, a Shaiva among friends, and a Shakta in private. :D
 

Breathe

Hostis humani generis
I actually find that most, if not all, the religions are as equally compatible and one can make an endless variety of syncretisms with them all.
I do agree with you; I think most religions are compatible with various forms of syncretism.
Of course, some are not going to be without either some serious mental gymnastics or alterations, IMHO. Following Hinduism and Sikhism, fine. Following Islam and Buddhism.. significantly trickier.

Hindu among Hindus, Christians among others. XD As long as they don't meet each other about me, I'll be fine. :)
That's pretty much me, except without the Christian part, although I don't say I'm anything; they just presume. :D
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
I suspect all religions are syncretic. In that, at their foundation, they drew on existing beliefs and customs to support some new concept.
Much in the way the Christians and Muslims draw on the older Jewish faith.
I can not see this as exclusive to Monotheists. But certainly includes them.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
You do what suits you. In a very personal sense, why would it matter what others think?

But more to your question, how people interpret it varies widely within any of the major faiths. An evangelical might think you're nuts, whereas someone in the United Church of Canada would be more tolerant of it.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
I find it hard when I've been overly specific or get wordy sharing my inner machinations.

My opinion is keep to hold the synetic-spirit in your conversations and all will go okay usually.

'Proper' Religion is a language imo, and when you start speaking to other using words toooo far out of their language, like in any language, the mean is lost, the point isn't shared and confusion sets in....

When I'm in community, which ever one it is, I try to keep it on the perennial values that are syncretic or pre-synretic themselves, this eases the confusion and helps me talk with people where they are at.

Over the last year I've attended more Abrahamic and specifically Christian meetings than proper Dharma gatherings.

I was wholly and readily accepted in the Anglican Church here in Canada, in my neighbourhood.
I don't feel like I held back my Heart, I feel I expressed it in a way my fellow congregants could fathom, understand and see themselves in.


I wish you all the best in your own journeys.

And remember... DOING will help you be understood 1000% better than TALKING.

In time you'll know who you can be more fully expressive with, and those who aren't ready to hear that kind of radical inclusiveness.

:namaste
SageTree
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
I was wholly and readily accepted in the Anglican Church here in Canada, in my neighbourhood.
I don't feel like I held back my Heart, I feel I expressed it in a way my fellow congregants could fathom, understand and see themselves in.
:namaste
SageTree

I would hope that would be the reaction in all Anglican congregations,
Sadly I know that it is not.
However it is the freest church I know, but people are people and tend to conform.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
I would hope that would be the reaction in all Anglican congregations,
Sadly I know that it is not.
However it is the freest church I know, but people are people and tend to conform.

Well I attended one Anglican Church for 6 months and the congregation on the other side of Canada I attended for a year were both really welcoming.
As well, was the one I visited in near my hometown after 'discovering' where it was and getting my Mom to 'try it out' in hopes that she might find a church home again.

I grew up a Methodist and enjoyed the Wesley history and couldn't help but enjoy being an American Methodist, moved to Canada and am now gone Anglican ;)

Near the end of my time in Toronto a new Reverend came to the congregation.

I REALLY liked her because of the contemplative side she brought to the services and to her way of expression. She even held a meditation class for the congregation.

I enjoyed this thoroughly as I've come to be able to place myself with in a Mystic Christian frame work given my proclivity for foremost Buddhists practices, Vedantic thought, fascination and joy in the Sufi Way and Kabbalahistic expression, Rastafari's I and I , all because of my own 'first language' in Christianity.

Anyways ;) .....

I found out one of my Reverend's favourite books was 'Living Buddha, Living Christ' (Thich Nhat Hahn) a quintessential writing I experienced early in my spiritual evolution.

As a side note, the other book I saw one day on her desk was 'Why Christianity Must Change or Die', by Rev. Shelby Spong!

The other stories I have from my Anglican experiences pertains to a retired Priest, now 'Venerable', who knew my sanskrit language for meditation, went on retreat, was a vegetarian and I believe (although it was vague because of our volunteer experiences together) used to get a little 'heady' back in the day....

I volunteered for a year at a Catholic run, Christian drop in Centre with him.
I thought, 'man if there is room for this guy in Anglicanism and Christianity, then maybe I need to re-evaluate exactly where I think I can and can't go, and he's a priest ta' boot!'

And in time I went.

Affirmed by my time teaching/helping/talking at the drop in centre, in a Christian tongue, thinking in Dharma-ese, I came to be a believer in 'Intention of worship/reverence/participation in the first place'. This also solidified my already existent feelings of Perennial/Syncratic thought as well.

tldr; Thanks Anglicans! In my experience you gave me room to be the kind of 'Christian' that I am, although I don't make that a finite title at all, for I am only Breath, as Rumi says!
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Well I attended one Anglican Church for 6 months and the congregation on the other side of Canada I attended for a year were both really welcoming.
As well, was the one I visited in near my hometown after 'discovering' where it was and getting my Mom to 'try it out' in hopes that she might find a church home again.

I grew up a Methodist and enjoyed the Wesley history and couldn't help but enjoy being an American Methodist, moved to Canada and am now gone Anglican ;)

Near the end of my time in Toronto a new Reverend came to the congregation.

I REALLY liked her because of the contemplative side she brought to the services and to her way of expression. She even held a meditation class for the congregation.

I enjoyed this thoroughly as I've come to be able to place myself with in a Mystic Christian frame work given my proclivity for foremost Buddhists practices, Vedantic thought, fascination and joy in the Sufi Way and Kabbalahistic expression, Rastafari's I and I , all because of my own 'first language' in Christianity.

Anyways ;) .....

I found out one of my Reverend's favourite books was 'Living Buddha, Living Christ' (Thich Nhat Hahn) a quintessential writing I experienced early in my spiritual evolution.

As a side note, the other book I saw one day on her desk was 'Why Christianity Must Change or Die', by Rev. Shelby Spong!

The other stories I have from my Anglican experiences pertains to a retired Priest, now 'Venerable', who knew my sanskrit language for meditation, went on retreat, was a vegetarian and I believe (although it was vague because of our volunteer experiences together) used to get a little 'heady' back in the day....

I volunteered for a year at a Catholic run, Christian drop in Centre with him.
I thought, 'man if there is room for this guy in Anglicanism and Christianity, then maybe I need to re-evaluate exactly where I think I can and can't go, and he's a priest ta' boot!'

And in time I went.

Affirmed by my time teaching/helping/talking at the drop in centre, in a Christian tongue, thinking in Dharma-ese, I came to be a believer in 'Intention of worship/reverence/participation in the first place'. This also solidified my already existent feelings of Perennial/Syncratic thought as well.

tldr; Thanks Anglicans! In my experience you gave me room to be the kind of 'Christian' that I am, although I don't make that a finite title at all, for I am only Breath, as Rumi says!

Sounds like you are experiencing a good Journey of faith.
Some of the women priests manage to lead services with an amazing mediative feeling.
A few other priest tend to a strong Anglo catholic mystery.
As you have found Anglicanism is mostly about worship in all its forms.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
The Anglo-Catholic mystery stuff is what I found when volunteering with the Catholics at the Drop in Centre. I went on a retreat/trauma-workshop at the Diocesan Center and found a book on Mysticism there. It freaking blew my mind! Reading and seeing the closeness of the two traditions I started going deeper and also found out a lot about Orthodox practices as well.

So while I wasn't looking to get 'back into' Christian exclusively, I'm glad I get more involved with it again.

What I was really looking for was a more authentic way to connect with and express myself to the people coming in to the Centre for Spiritual Friendship.
Now, I certainly said a lot of stuff in Dharma-ese, which people connected with easily, but I wanted to get a more 'traditional' tone in there as well.
I can talk Trinity just fine, even though it's not where my final understanding rests.
The Mystic language centred more heavily on the 'Mystery' at large and then the various aspects of the Trinity, if at all, which brought a LOT more UNI-ty to the picture when I laid it all out on a 'table' to assess.

:D
 
I suspect all religions are syncretic. In that, at their foundation, they drew on existing beliefs and customs to support some new concept.
Much in the way the Christians and Muslims draw on the older Jewish faith.
I can not see this as exclusive to Monotheists. But certainly includes them.

That being said, I don't think that any religion has escaped taking foreign influences into its own practices. :D
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm sure it would freak out enough Hindus seeing my tulsi kanthi and rudraksha mala around my neck. Not to mention the pendants of the endless knot and Om Mani Padme Hum. :eek: To that end and the point being, I wear them all under my shirt.
 

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
Theres no way that many people of large religions would be accepting of my beliefs, from experience it's better not to even bring it up in real life.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
Theres no way that many people of large religions would be accepting of my beliefs, from experience it's better not to even bring it up in real life.

A Saint said "Preach the Gospel always. And when you need, use words".

Our actions tell of our beliefs much more than words ever could.

So don't worry about 'not bringing it up'...
Perhaps it's better said to 'bring it up differently'?

:namaste
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
A Saint said "Preach the Gospel always. And when you need, use words".

St. Francis of Assisi, I think.

Our actions tell of our beliefs much more than words ever could.
:namaste

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds... Matthew 5:15-16
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
St. Francis of Assisi, I think.

Yup.... that is one person I've heard it attributed to.
But that is okay and it doesn't matter who said it exactly.

In the Mystical Body way of thinking...
As Winnie the Pooh says....

"Same thing"

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds... Matthew 5:15-16

Which is a little different than what is said only one chapter later:


The difference between the instruction given, not the contradiction however, in my opinion, is that letting your 'Light Shine' is a natural thing that flows forth from one more attuned to Godly-Ways.

As opposed to the later verses about external austerities, which Jesus warns about here... and I think that perfectly applies to what I said to disciple, which you might also relate to your assortment of neck-ware.

That is.... to not get so caught up in the dance moves so much that we forget what music that calls us to getting down (and boogie) to in the first place

And I do appreciate your words of Wisdom shared.

I hope that it was okay that I spring-boarded off of your quote there with a little exegesis of my own?

:namste
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
Oh yes, that was fine, I was going to quote Matthew 6 also then forgot to copy it. :facepalm: It all has to do with setting an example... you know, "actions speak louder than words". I'm not sure what I think about seeing people, usually young guys, wearing large ornate gold crosses on chains over their shirts. This transcends religion, because I would have the same ambivalence about seeing a large ornate gold ॐ on a chain, but I do lean towards Matthew 6:1.
 

SageTree

Spiritual Friend
Premium Member
Oh yes, that was fine, I was going to quote Matthew 6 also then forgot to copy it. :facepalm: It all has to do with setting an example... you know, "actions speak louder than words". I'm not sure what I think about seeing people, usually young guys, wearing large ornate gold crosses on chains over their shirts. This transcends religion, because I would have the same ambivalence about seeing a large ornate gold ॐ on a chain, but I do lean towards Matthew 6:1.


I understand and agree in most cases.

Chapter 5's verses, certainly are tempered by 6's, but I like I said...
I don't think they contradict each other when applied with rightly.

Different situations can call for different things to be done.
I mean NOT talking about your religion intentionally could also be considered an outward austerity as well, no?

;)



Seeing the externals exhibited are encouraging some times
Like when we see a monk, priest or other holy person.....

Over all, I think the 'shining' is more for those with Self awareness in their heart's intention,
and Chapter 6 is stating more that we won't find that Self through showing others' how well we can do the dances.

Would you agree?
 
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