Faith actualized

Our friend @Amanaki 's posts have been very interesting to read! He has been informing everyone of his journey into Islam, and it's been interesting to be able to see how he progresses through that journey. This thread is inspired by that spirit of growth and fruition.

Like many folks here, I have taken on a new religion myself. I had certain expectation in the beginning. Though I followed a path that resonated with me, there were still practices in that path that I needed to incorporate into my life. Some adjustments had to be made.

As I better adjusted myself to my faith, I got better at it. I grew, and understood certain aspects more deeply. I started realizing the expectations I had in the beginning, but branched out into other areas that I now had new perspective on from the inside.

Eventually, the lessons I took away differed greatly from the expectations I had come into it expecting. As with all things in life, things don't always turn out the way you anticipate they will, though that often times can be just as enriching and rewarding, if not moreso than first anticipated.

My questions are these: What is your faith? What were your initial expectations? Did you see those expectations actualized? How did your views and intentions change as you matured in your faith? What is the ultimate lesson you've taken away from the experience?

The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone.

SigurdReginson said:

My questions are these: What is your faith? What were your initial expectations? Did you see those expectations actualized? How did your views and intentions change as you matured in your faith? What is the ultimate lesson you've taken away from the experience?

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I follow a strict 'Advaita' doctrine of Hinduism (complete non-dualism with no exceptions). That makes me an atheist, because a belief in God will make it a second entity. Now, some Hindus believe that both God/Brahman and any other living being are the same. I differ with them. I do not consider Brahman to be a God, and surely I am not a God. I did not have to change my religion because, fortunately, Hinduism had an ancient philosophy that catered to my kind of people.

I was a doubting theist at one time, but that did not rhyme with my scientific views, so one day, in my middle age, I abandoned all pretense and adopted the 'Advaita' doctrine. For some time, my views were hazy, but with discussions in various forums (IIDB, Internet Infidels Discussion Board for one), they began to crystallize. I have followed Buddha and Sankaracharya. For a Hindu, following Buddha is no problem. He is not different. He is the ninth and the latest avatara of Lord Vishnu, and therefore, my own. Later, I found that my views matched more closely with Bhaskara and Gaudapada, who was the teacher of the teacher of Sankaracharya.

The ultimate lesson for me is that we started with a ball of 'physical energy' (not any divine energy) at the time of Big Bang. All things in the universe, past, present and future, are/will be that only. We, humans, animals, vegetation and non-living substances, all are are the same with a common origin.

Aupmanyav said:

I follow a strict 'Advaita' doctrine of Hinduism (complete non-dualism with no exceptions). That makes me an atheist, because a belief in God will make it a second entity. Now, some Hindus believe that both God/Brahman and any other living being are the same. I differ with them. I do not consider Brahman to be a God, and surely I am not a God. I did not have to change my religion because, fortunately, Hinduism had an ancient philosophy that catered to my kind of people.

I was a doubting theist at one time, but that did not rhyme with my scientific views, so one day, in my middle age, I abandoned all pretense and adopted the 'Advaita' doctrine. For some time, my views were hazy, but with discussions in various forums (IIDB, Internet Infidels Discussion Board for one), they began to crystallize. I have followed Buddha and Sankaracharya. For a Hindu, following Buddha is no problem. He is not different. He is the ninth and the latest avatara of Lord Vishnu, and therefore, my own. Later, I found that my views matched more closely with Bhaskara and Gaudapada, who was the teacher of the teacher of Sankaracharya.

The ultimate lesson for me is that we started with a ball of 'physical energy' (not any divine energy) at the time of Big Bang. All things in the universe, past, present and future, are/will be that only. We, humans, animals, vegetation and non-living substances, all are are the same with a common origin.

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I was hoping you'd comment, @Aupmanyav ! You always have such cool things to say.

I wish I knew more about Hinduism. It seems like an impossible mountain to climb, though, since there is so much material to go through. Where "pagan" is an umbrella term incorporating many earth based religions, "Hinduism" really is an umbrella term incorporating many religions of that region. Maybe if I had been raised with it, it would be easier to wrap my head around, heh.

I love the idea that we are all interconnected, even if it is in a mundane way. Something being mundane doesn't have to mean that it is any less special. If anything, when something rings true, it's something that folks take to heart.

Thanks for sharing your insight!

My faith is in all virtues. One doesn't practice virtues for self gain or self reward. One practices virtues to be transformed by them into a better person.

Being selfish is too easy. Selfless motives are instrumental in the faith. I figure it is a common desire to want to be loved and deserve love. But that is secondary to being a better person.

I want to be a better person because it is the road to peace, and love and freedom, and true joy for all.

I have a strong capacity for selfless love of others. But the higher the love the more it must be deserved and not given to be trampled on. Love of self becomes equal to love of others. Good judgment is to recognize need and deserve both positive and negative.

It's interesting that people pursue God. However a righteous God would only give you what you need and deserve. Lots of people would run from getting what they deserve and need.

Virtues are the highest love and highest standard to attain to. That's where true freedom sits.

There's lots people can take from you. But true inner freedom from virtues is highest attainment, greatest peace.

For me this faith is best course, even if life is finite and fleeting. Why? Because it moves the heart of me and for no other reason.

So the selfish motives must align with virtue. The selfless motives as well. Better to deserve and not have then have without deserve.

So this is my faith, the path to the Divine.

Even if no divinity exists.

SigurdReginson said:

The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone,

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I do not even know what that means, but it does bring to mind ...


When you see that your path has grown, prune.

SigurdReginson said:

It seems like an impossible mountain to climb, ..

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It is not all that difficult to understand Hinduism. You do not learn it through tomes.

SigurdReginson said:

Our friend @Amanaki 's posts have been very interesting to read! He has been informing everyone of his journey into Islam, and it's been interesting to be able to see how he progresses through that journey. This thread is inspired by that spirit of growth and fruition.

Like many folks here, I have taken on a new religion myself. I had certain expectation in the beginning. Though I followed a path that resonated with me, there were still practices in that path that I needed to incorporate into my life. Some adjustments had to be made.

As I better adjusted myself to my faith, I got better at it. I grew, and understood certain aspects more deeply. I started realizing the expectations I had in the beginning, but branched out into other areas that I now had new perspective on from the inside.

Eventually, the lessons I took away differed greatly from the expectations I had come into it expecting. As with all things in life, things don't always turn out the way you anticipate they will, though that often times can be just as enriching and rewarding, if not moreso than first anticipated.

My questions are these: What is your faith? What were your initial expectations? Did you see those expectations actualized? How did your views and intentions change as you matured in your faith? What is the ultimate lesson you've taken away from the experience?

The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone.

Click to expand...

Hey there @SigurdReginson

What is your new religion?

I grew up Christian, though was mostly agnostic in my teenage years. I spend 5 years consciously searching for truth and the best path in life during my 20s that involved an exploration of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and atheism. I became a Baha'i over 30 years ago. My Faith helped keep me on the straight and narrow and enabled me to get on with my life in regards family and work. There is no ultimate lesson I have to share. Take life one day at a time and do the best you can with each day. Well. I found time out of my hectic schedule to respond to your OP....

SigurdReginson said:

The intention of this is not debate, but to see the growth each individual's path has undergone.

Click to expand...

When young our family went to church, but even my parents were upset with Christianity as the priest told them "It was God's will that your son died" (God might say such a thing, definitely that was a huge blasphemous mistake the priest made). I went to a Christian school, so learned the basics to swallow. Age 10 I said "If Jesus is on earth, I go to Him". Still now I only want personal experience; I prefer to know, not to believe.

Age 22 I had to join the army, but I prefer non-violence. After reading about Buddha and non-violence, compassion I decided to take the option to do civil service instead, as I was unable to answer "Yes" to the question ""would you press the red nuclear button to wipe out a country?".

Age 25 I traveled around the world for 6 month, read Bible, Koran, Bagavad Gita and met many interesting people and had great experiences. I met a nice Muslim man in Christchurch with whom I spend a few days and learned about Islam a little.

Age 27 I heard stories about Osho from my uncle who met Him in India. I became curious and decided to visit India and this Osho Ashram. A friend mentioned "why not visit Sai Baba, to which I replied that I don't know Him". Osho Ashram was an interesting experience, but totally not my kind of thing, and I met someone who just returned from seeing Sai Baba, remembering Him being mentioned by my friend I decided to "check this out".

First time Sai Baba Ashram was horrible. I got very sick, and made a decision "never India again, and definitely not Sai Baba, claiming to be a Poorna Avatar and in total control of everything in His Ashram". I was too sick even to go to the Baba Darshans, so just stayed in bed, waiting to get better and go home. A friend, I shared my room with in the Ashram, got upset, as Sai Baba invited him for an interview, but told him "someone is missing", so he really wanted an interview and begged me to come to Darshan. I was really mad at Sai Baba making me sick, so I said "If He is God Then He should cure me first then I will come with you to Darshan". 1 hour later I was completely cured, but did not even wanted to go, but I made a promise, so I went. We got our interview that day, which kind of blew my mind, seeing things that my scientific mind could not explain.

Took 1,5 years to really realize what I saw there in the interview room, and I decided to investigate for 6 month instead of the 8 days the first time.

In those month I got plenty of proof that Sai Baba really is special and might be indeed what He claims He is, at least I know for a fact (He did like 10 times with me) that He is able to cure at Will, just like Jesus did according to the Bible, so I feel that my, kind of prophetic, thought at age 10 has been fulfilled. And from then onwards I found my path, and have not even 1 doubt left and no need to search any further.

I really love the Teachings of Sai Baba, very simple, children understand; e.g. to be a good Christian it is enough if you practise "Hurt Never Help Ever" or "Love All Serve All". I believe Spirituality is simple, as Jesus said "become like children". Hurt Never was really easy for me, as I used to be a big pleaser.