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Explaining what I believe to a non Hindu

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
In another thread I had occasion to write what I believe and why. I thought it would be good if I focus on my own experiences and how that causes me to believe what I do without importing too much theoretical structure from Hinduism. So here's the gist.

I believe that there is a singular root entity that is the substantial essence of everything, actualizing all physical phenomena that exists as well as all logical and mathematical structures that give physicality form. I believe evolution has granted human mind a limited cognitive ability to perceive this essential reality at a subconscious level (for most) through which we gain the ability to make creative connections and also gain our enhanced sense of meaning making and self awareness. Spiritual practices can bring this cognitive awareness to the level of conscious apprehension, though incompletely. We Hindus call this entity Brahman, but it may also be perceived as a personal entity, in which case it is called God.

I have had certain meditative experiences that indicate the above description is true. Which is the reason that I believe, along with the fact that the intuitions about ethics and reality I had gained from them had stood me in excellent stead both in my personal development and as a scientist.

Currently psychology is a poorly developed field of study. If it develops sufficiently to refute the position I hold, or science shows a reality far far different from what I wrote above, then I will change my position. Or if Jesus finally returns... ;)

Is it informative and illuminating? What do you think? Comments.
:)
 

Terese

Mangalam Pundarikakshah
Staff member
Premium Member
Informative! But may i ask, why do you believe that psychology is a poorly developed field of study? :)
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
In another thread I had occasion to write what I believe and why. I thought it would be good if I focus on my own experiences and how that causes me to believe what I do without importing too much theoretical structure from Hinduism. So here's the gist.

I believe that there is a singular root entity that is the substantial essence of everything, actualizing all physical phenomena that exists as well as all logical and mathematical structures that give physicality form. I believe evolution has granted human mind a limited cognitive ability to perceive this essential reality at a subconscious level (for most) through which we gain the ability to make creative connections and also gain our enhanced sense of meaning making and self awareness. Spiritual practices can bring this cognitive awareness to the level of conscious apprehension, though incompletely. We Hindus call this entity Brahman, but it may also be perceived as a personal entity, in which case it is called God.

I have had certain meditative experiences that indicate the above description is true. Which is the reason that I believe, along with the fact that the intuitions about ethics and reality I had gained from them had stood me in excellent stead both in my personal development and as a scientist.

Currently psychology is a poorly developed field of study. If it develops sufficiently to refute the position I hold, or science shows a reality far far different from what I wrote above, then I will change my position. Or if Jesus finally returns... ;)

Is it informative and illuminating? What do you think? Comments.
:)

Well that is quite straightforward snapshot of Brahman and God although I would dispute that the two are the same thing in content with God just turning on his personality state in the latter.
Science is a good toy to keep ourselves amused for the reality is far more complex that science can muster. The exact composition of the universe is within a magical creation that can only be apprehended by a good imagination that makes sense.

As far as psychology is concerned, it is not even a science.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I

Is it informative and illuminating? What do you think? Comments.
:)

It really depends a ton on your audience. One cannot assume that all non-Hindus think similarly, just as non-Hindus can't assume Hindus all think the same. So the concept of generalisation brings trouble that way. You're looking at hard-set Abrahamics, atheists, agnostics, fellow dharmics, the well educated people with little education, etc.

So for some it might be informative. For others it would be vague hogwash.
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
It really depends a ton on your audience. One cannot assume that all non-Hindus think similarly, just as non-Hindus can't assume Hindus all think the same. So the concept of generalisation brings trouble that way. You're looking at hard-set Abrahamics, atheists, agnostics, fellow dharmics, the well educated people with little education, etc.

So for some it might be informative. For others it would be vague hogwash.
Of course Vinayaka, you are quite right. But we are considering those interested in knowing who we are and what the environment is composed of.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Of course Vinayaka, you are quite right. But we are considering those interested in knowing who we are and what the environment is composed of.
They too come from different audiences, but it does eliminate half of the wide assortment I think.
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
They too come from different audiences, but it does eliminate half of the wide assortment I think.
That is to be expected, as it depends on what you have been taught or have learnt as you were growing up. These ideas get ingrained and one gets brainwashed by them. Very difficult to shrug them off. It takes a lot of time unless one uses some technique to speed up learning. Even for Hindus changing ones outlook from knowledge gained from new sources is difficult. Abrahamics face a far more difficult task. We Hindus are lucky because we appreciate and live with diversity.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
That is to be expected, as it depends on what you have been taught or have learnt as you were growing up. These ideas get ingrained and one gets brainwashed by them. Very difficult to shrug them off. It takes a lot of time unless one uses some technique to speed up learning. Even for Hindus changing ones outlook from knowledge gained from new sources is difficult. Abrahamics face a far more difficult task. We Hindus are lucky because we appreciate and live with diversity.

I'd be interested in how well Sayak figured his take went over when he did it. My take, which is quite different, generally seems to go over well, but who knows? The same people might get into their car, and say to each other, "That guy was a nut."
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I'd be interested in how well Sayak figured his take went over when he did it. My take, which is quite different, generally seems to go over well, but who knows? The same people might get into their car, and say to each other, "That guy was a nut."
I am not saying that somehow my take is normative or anything. Consider this to be more of a conversation where I would like to hear how others would introduce their beliefs. Curiosity, increasing knowledge. That is all. :)
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
It really depends a ton on your audience. One cannot assume that all non-Hindus think similarly, just as non-Hindus can't assume Hindus all think the same. So the concept of generalisation brings trouble that way. You're looking at hard-set Abrahamics, atheists, agnostics, fellow dharmics, the well educated people with little education, etc.

So for some it might be informative. For others it would be vague hogwash.
That is true. One can only try.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
That is to be expected, as it depends on what you have been taught or have learnt as you were growing up. These ideas get ingrained and one gets brainwashed by them. Very difficult to shrug them off. It takes a lot of time unless one uses some technique to speed up learning. Even for Hindus changing ones outlook from knowledge gained from new sources is difficult. Abrahamics face a far more difficult task. We Hindus are lucky because we appreciate and live with diversity.
Yes. It's very hard for folks who have grown up hearing about only the Bible or the Quran to grasp other ways of thinking about spirituality.
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
I'd be interested in how well Sayak figured his take went over when he did it. My take, which is quite different, generally seems to go over well, but who knows? The same people might get into their car, and say to each other, "That guy was a nut."
My take is met with total silence.:)
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
Yes. It's very hard for folks who have grown up hearing about only the Bible or the Quran to grasp other ways of thinking about spirituality.
They are not free, and what is more, they do not wish to be free but live in communities.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Part of the OP statement is now on my profile. Thanks for all the inputs. :)
 
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