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Advice for my Hindu / LHP path

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
I'm a Hindu worshipper of Shiva, whose philosophies are Left Hand Path. I reject being under the up/down field of thought of the Abrahamic faiths, so any "The Abrahamic God thinks you're going to hell for being Left Hand Path." posts will be ignored. I try to devote 2 hours a day to worship of Shiva when I can. Sometimes I dance as a form of worship. Occasionally I pray. Sometimes I talk to Shiva. Often I meditate.

I find myself becoming more religious. The only issue some might have is when one says "more religious", they might think of fundamentalism, when I'm following a path that may have a few resemblances, but is mostly the opposite of that. Another thing I do besides worship, is listen to YouTube songs. Some of the songs and music videos I listen to can just about be classified as fictional horror, though I honestly think describing them as "dark fantasy" is more accurate, as they're more about sorcery than werewolves, generally.

I do consider listening to this music to help my spiritual path. Just that it doesn't replace actual worship and meditation. I think the nature of Shiva allows me to listen to positive, lighthearted songs too. Sometimes I do to understand the nature of Shiva through music, if you will. A sort of Yin/Yang, if you will.

I don't have a deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures yet, but I'm trying to grasp things as best I can for someone who has considered themselves Hindu for about 1.7 years.

So here's what I'm asking...

If you have anything you can teach me about Hinduism or even the Left Hand Path, and it's within forum rules, and not trying to proselytize a different religion, I'd be interesting in hearing what you have to say. Encouragement is fine. Reasoned skepticism is fine too as far as I'm concerned, just if you tell me I'm going to hell, I won't find it useful and will close my ears and move onto another post. Inspirational quotes are fine. Blessings are fine. Posting wisdom you have learned is fine. Questions are fine. But my question was, what advice can you give me, if anything, that you think will help my spiritual path?

Bonus question for the Hindu members: Do you enjoy having someone unusual in beliefs like me as part of your group / peers?
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I find the fact you spend 2 hours a day on your spirituality inspiring. I think its awesome you just go with it, so to speak. The only thing I could advise would be to do the same with the scriptures. Don't make a big deal out of it, just read 'em! Maybe one of the Puranas would be both beneficial and entertaining?

Keep up the good work! (And I always like the unusual. They keep the rest on their toes. :) )
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
"Starting in the early centuries of the common era, newly revealed Tantras centering on Vishnu, Shiva or Shakti emerged. There are tantric lineages in all main forms of modern Hinduism, such as the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition, the Shakta sect of Sri-Vidya, the Kaula, and Kashmir Shaivism."
(Aup.: Add Pancha-ratra for Vaishnavas)
Tantra - Wikipedia

"The term tantrism is a 19th-century European invention not present in any Asian language; compare "Sufism", of similar Orientalist origin. According to Padoux, Tantrism is a Western term and notion, not a category that is used by the "Tantrists" themselves. The term was introduced by 19th-century Indologists, with limited knowledge of India and in whose view Tantrism was a particular, unusual and minority practice in contrast to Indian traditions they believed to be mainstream."
Tantra - Wikipedia

So, I will first advise you to go through these wikipedia pages - Tantra - Wikipedia, Shaiva Siddhanta - Wikipedia, Kashmir Shaivism - Wikipedia.

Another book that you may like will be John Woodruffe's "Mahanirvana Tantra" (Mahanirvana Tantra Index).

If you want a scholarly treatise on Southern Shaivism, then there can be no book better than Vol. V of "A History of Indian Philosophy" by Surendra Nath Das Gupta. But please remember, this is a masters level book. Get into it only after reading the preliminary material available in Wikipedia.
A History Of Indian Philosophy Vol 5 : Surendranath Dasgupta : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The books that I suggest are available for download on internet. No expense on buying books.

upload_2021-8-3_9-51-34.png
 
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Martin

Spam, wonderful spam (bloody vikings!)
I'm a Hindu worshipper of Shiva, whose philosophies are Left Hand Path. I reject being under the up/down field of thought of the Abrahamic faiths, so any "The Abrahamic God thinks you're going to hell for being Left Hand Path." posts will be ignored. I try to devote 2 hours a day to worship of Shiva when I can. Sometimes I dance as a form of worship. Occasionally I pray. Sometimes I talk to Shiva. Often I meditate.

I find myself becoming more religious. The only issue some might have is when one says "more religious", they might think of fundamentalism, when I'm following a path that may have a few resemblances, but is mostly the opposite of that. Another thing I do besides worship, is listen to YouTube songs. Some of the songs and music videos I listen to can just about be classified as fictional horror, though I honestly think describing them as "dark fantasy" is more accurate, as they're more about sorcery than werewolves, generally.

I do consider listening to this music to help my spiritual path. Just that it doesn't replace actual worship and meditation. I think the nature of Shiva allows me to listen to positive, lighthearted songs too. Sometimes I do to understand the nature of Shiva through music, if you will. A sort of Yin/Yang, if you will.

I don't have a deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures yet, but I'm trying to grasp things as best I can for someone who has considered themselves Hindu for about 1.7 years.

So here's what I'm asking...

If you have anything you can teach me about Hinduism or even the Left Hand Path, and it's within forum rules, and not trying to proselytize a different religion, I'd be interesting in hearing what you have to say. Encouragement is fine. Reasoned skepticism is fine too as far as I'm concerned, just if you tell me I'm going to hell, I won't find it useful and will close my ears and move onto another post. Inspirational quotes are fine. Blessings are fine. Posting wisdom you have learned is fine. Questions are fine. But my question was, what advice can you give me, if anything, that you think will help my spiritual path?

Bonus question for the Hindu members: Do you enjoy having someone unusual in beliefs like me as part of your group / peers?

Could you say a little about what Left Hand Path means to you? It's not something I'm familiar with.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Could you say a little about what Left Hand Path means to you? It's not something I'm familiar with.

In a way, a lot of religious people who are highly spiritual, look toward the light, even if metaphorically so. They want hope, selflessness, etc. Some might think that religion will help them on that path.

Left Hand Path is like an inverted path to me. You reflect on the twilight rather than on the light. You may also learn it's okay to be things like carnal, worldly, and passionate. The idea is that there are two paths to enlightenment in some faiths, through the light, or through the darkness. Most choose the light. A second idea is that it's not really aiming for the light that makes you moral, as a lot of human morality comes from within.

Some will argue that one can lose themselves in the darkness. And it's possible. But it's also possible to lose yourself in the light, doing things like giving up all your worldly possessions and living an isolated hermit life in pursuit of truth.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Could you say a little about what Left Hand Path means to you? It's not something I'm familiar with.
Panchamakara or Panchatattva, also known as the Five Ms, is the Tantric term for the five transgressive substances used in a Tantric practice. These are madya (alcohol), māṃsa (meat), matsya (fish), mudrā (gesture), and maithuna (sexual intercourse). (All the bad) Taboo-breaking elements are practiced literally by "left-hand path" tantrics (vāmācārins) .."
Perfectly valid in Hinduism. Read this and you will get a hint: Panchamakara - Wikipedia.
 
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ajay0

Well-Known Member
Who is your Guru in this path ! Does the daily practices bring you joy and peace ! :)
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Who is your Guru in this path !

I don't have one. To me, in the spirit of Left Hand Path, it makes some sense not to even have one. I'm not saying it's easy not to, but it may bring me better pride not to.

Does the daily practices bring you joy and peace ! :)

In a way, yes. I prefer spiritual rumbling in my soul, to peace though. Determination, creativity, restlessness, etc.
 

ajay0

Well-Known Member
I don't have one. To me, in the spirit of Left Hand Path, it makes some sense not to even have one. I'm not saying it's easy not to, but it may bring me better pride not to.

The left-hand path is considered a dangerous path where the practitioner needs a lot of guidance and mental strength. The chances for failure is pretty high. The right handed path is considered easier and safer. Ramakrishna endorsed the right handed path over the left due to these reasons.

In a way, yes. I prefer spiritual rumbling in my soul, to peace though. Determination, creativity, restlessness, etc.

Could it be that you chose this path in the pursuit of intense sensation, and not peace, bliss and joy usually associated with religion and spirituality !
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
The left-hand path is considered a dangerous path where the practitioner needs a lot of guidance and mental strength. The chances for failure is pretty high. The right handed path is considered easier and safer. Ramakrishna endorsed the right handed path over the left due to these reasons.

It's complicated with me. Because while I don't want to sound like I'm bragging or anything, I may have a little ESP, which may help me in direct communication with Shiva, and possible guidance as a result. I even have dreams on occasion lately, that seem to help me on my spiritual path.

I'm not saying I wouldn't like a guru. But it's a little hard to find such a guru at a higher level than me. I tend to believe I'm just a few years out from breaking the cycle of reincarnation through spiritual enlightenment. I worry that I'll get some heat saying this, especially from the Hindus who consider a super intimate understanding of the Hindu Scriptures extremely important, but it's how I feel. I try my best. And I let my heart and spirit guide the way.

Could it be that you chose this path in the pursuit of intense sensation, and not peace, bliss and joy usually associated with religion and spirituality !

Yep.
 

ajay0

Well-Known Member
It's complicated with me. Because while I don't want to sound like I'm bragging or anything, I may have a little ESP, which may help me in direct communication with Shiva, and possible guidance as a result. I even have dreams on occasion lately, that seem to help me on my spiritual path.

Intuition arises with Awareness or mindfulness practice. Are there such practices in the path you are practicing !

I'm not saying I wouldn't like a guru. But it's a little hard to find such a guru at a higher level than me. I tend to believe I'm just a few years out from breaking the cycle of reincarnation through spiritual enlightenment.

Could your interest in such practices be stemming from past lives !

I worry that I'll get some heat saying this, especially from the Hindus who consider a super intimate understanding of the Hindu Scriptures extremely important, but it's how I feel. I try my best. And I let my heart and spirit guide the way.
Yep.

The left handed path is a valid path, but it is also considered to be a very hard path. I think you need to be very competent and self-regulated to succeed.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Intuition arises with Awareness or mindfulness practice. Are there such practices in the path you are practicing !

Could your interest in such practices be stemming from past lives !

The left handed path is a valid path, but it is also considered to be a very hard path. I think you need to be very competent and self-regulated to succeed.

I'll tell you a little about where I'm at right now. I've kind of lived a strange life. The kind any ordinary person, probably wouldn't live. I was harrassed by a bad spirit as a teenager, but I successfully was able to send it. I've done all the bad things I've learned not to do, early in life, as well - I started to lose motivation and started overdosing on caffeine and booze, for example. This led to a crash, a bad one. I picked up and am picking up the pieces of my life. I have been told by several people that I'm a starseed, the Lemurian kind, but I maintain skepticism about that. I've been told of myself having past lives in Brazil and Africa, respectively. My ESP has felt crazy lately, especially when honing it through meditation. It doesn't tell me very many specific details, but it leads me on paths in which I find out certain clues I picked up in my mind's eye and through meditation were true all along. Also, I keep myself in check as I'm my own worst critic.
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
I have nothing to teach anyone, but would be curious as to what this does for you.


Sure. It gives me a feeling of Deja vu. I haven't heard this YouTube video before, nor am I able to read the words. Yet it kind of matches some spiritual vibrations I've experienced when praying to Shiva. It's hard to explain.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Sure. It gives me a feeling of Deja vu. I haven't heard this YouTube video before, nor am I able to read the words. Yet it kind of matches some spiritual vibrations I've experienced when praying to Shiva. It's hard to explain.

It's the most ancient and traditional homage to Siva, in the middle of the Rg Veda. It's sung a lot, all over the place. Glad you got a feeling from it.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
In a way, a lot of religious people who are highly spiritual, look toward the light, even if metaphorically so. They want hope, selflessness, etc. Some might think that religion will help them on that path.

Left Hand Path is like an inverted path to me. You reflect on the twilight rather than on the light. You may also learn it's okay to be things like carnal, worldly, and passionate. The idea is that there are two paths to enlightenment in some faiths, through the light, or through the darkness. Most choose the light. A second idea is that it's not really aiming for the light that makes you moral, as a lot of human morality comes from within.

Some will argue that one can lose themselves in the darkness. And it's possible. But it's also possible to lose yourself in the light, doing things like giving up all your worldly possessions and living an isolated hermit life in pursuit of truth.

Is there something unique about LHP that's different than other religious themes and intentions?

Apart from Hinduism and abrahamic religions, what theology does it teach of it's own?
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm a Hindu worshipper of Shiva, whose philosophies are Left Hand Path. I reject being under the up/down field of thought of the Abrahamic faiths, so any "The Abrahamic God thinks you're going to hell for being Left Hand Path." posts will be ignored. I try to devote 2 hours a day to worship of Shiva when I can. Sometimes I dance as a form of worship. Occasionally I pray. Sometimes I talk to Shiva. Often I meditate.

I find myself becoming more religious. The only issue some might have is when one says "more religious", they might think of fundamentalism, when I'm following a path that may have a few resemblances, but is mostly the opposite of that. Another thing I do besides worship, is listen to YouTube songs. Some of the songs and music videos I listen to can just about be classified as fictional horror, though I honestly think describing them as "dark fantasy" is more accurate, as they're more about sorcery than werewolves, generally.

I do consider listening to this music to help my spiritual path. Just that it doesn't replace actual worship and meditation. I think the nature of Shiva allows me to listen to positive, lighthearted songs too. Sometimes I do to understand the nature of Shiva through music, if you will. A sort of Yin/Yang, if you will.

I don't have a deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures yet, but I'm trying to grasp things as best I can for someone who has considered themselves Hindu for about 1.7 years.

So here's what I'm asking...

If you have anything you can teach me about Hinduism or even the Left Hand Path, and it's within forum rules, and not trying to proselytize a different religion, I'd be interesting in hearing what you have to say. Encouragement is fine. Reasoned skepticism is fine too as far as I'm concerned, just if you tell me I'm going to hell, I won't find it useful and will close my ears and move onto another post. Inspirational quotes are fine. Blessings are fine. Posting wisdom you have learned is fine. Questions are fine. But my question was, what advice can you give me, if anything, that you think will help my spiritual path?

Bonus question for the Hindu members: Do you enjoy having someone unusual in beliefs like me as part of your group / peers?
Try this book.
The Siva Sutras The Supreme Awakening Swami Lakshman Joo : javanesegraviton : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
 

PoetPhilosopher

Veteran Member
Is there something unique about LHP that's different than other religious themes and intentions?

Apart from Hinduism and abrahamic religions, what theology does it teach of it's own?

I take the view that Left Hand Path can also be about carving your own unique path. I feel it's usually about getting away from dogma / established teachings to form your own path. Now it is important to study theology too. It's useful to know what the rules of a faith are, so when you don't follow a certain rule of your own faith, you can acknowledge that, defend it, and do it in style.

There are a few different ideas on what Left Hand Path is, though. If we take a view among witches, it's magic. If we take a modern Western view, it's about philosophy, and if we take a more traditional Hindu view of what Left Hand Path is, in some cases, not all, it can mean some strange things. I take a modern Western view.
 
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