Hinduism, the the non-book religion.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

I've never read the Vedas, or the Gita. I read Vivekananda's series of 4 books, partly to do an essay for university on Vedanta. I've studied the teachings of my lineage/sampradaya. (Note 'studied' is far different than 'read'. I've read the main course cover to cover 30 times or more, and glean something new each time. It's not an intellectual study at all.)
The first book I took seriously was a simple one on 'How to do a Simple Puja'. The first religious exercise I did was to set up a shrine, and learn from that book. Best book I've ever read, all 10 pages.
In this very different paradigm, it's primarily about practice. When (on another forum) newcomers ask questions, its almost always about what book to read, what philosophy to study, and often they get answers related to that question ... the Gita, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata. I go the other way and suggest setting up an altar or going to a temple.
The subconscious mind is conditioned, from western practices, to read, read, read, and then, if you have some time, read some more. I ask 'Why?" Those are other peoples' views. Can't you think for yourself.
Learn a bhajan. Become a volunteer. Do charity work. Do the pujas. Do japa. meditate. Do hatha yoga. Observe life.

When I first encountered vegetarianism, I didn't read a book. I simply decided to try it out for a one month period. I'm still a vegetarian, from that experience, not from ensuing books.

On this forum, I see a lot of quoting this or that. Of what value is a quote if it's only an intellectual nice sounding statement, and not applied, or really believed?

Thoughts?

JustGeorge · Feb 20, 2021

Vinayaka said:
I've never read the Vedas, or the Gita. I read Vivekananda's series of 4 books, partly to do an essay for university on Vedanta. I've studied the teachings of my lineage/sampradaya. (Note 'studied' is far different than 'read'. I've read the main course cover to cover 30 times or more, and glean something new each time. It's not an intellectual study at all.)
The first book I took seriously was a simple one on 'How to do a Simple Puja'. The first religious exercise I did was to set up a shrine, and learn from that book. Best book I've ever read, all 10 pages.
In this very different paradigm, it's primarily about practice. When (on another forum) newcomers ask questions, its almost always about what book to read, what philosophy to study, and often they get answers related to that question ... the Gita, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata. I go the other way and suggest setting up an altar or going to a temple.
The subconscious mind is conditioned, from western practices, to read, read, read, and then, if you have some time, read some more. I ask 'Why?" Those are other peoples' views. Can't you think for yourself.
Learn a bhajan. Become a volunteer. Do charity work. Do the pujas. Do japa. meditate. Do hatha yoga. Observe life.

When I first encountered vegetarianism, I didn't read a book. I simply decided to try it out for a one month period. I'm still a vegetarian, from that experience, not from ensuing books.

On this forum, I see a lot of quoting this or that. Of what value is a quote if it's only an intellectual nice sounding statement, and not applied, or really believed?

Thoughts?

I admit, I'm a reader.

However, its not because its the 'only' way, or even the best way. Its because I like to read. As a child, I actually got in trouble because I would read more material than my mom could keep up with! I enjoy a good book, and while much of what I read is pertaining to Hinduism, not all of it is. On a whole, though, I read because I enjoy the act of reading. Always have, always will. In our modern world, I find I struggle with videos, though. I don't like 'watching' stuff on a screen. I didn't as a child, and I don't now. Its very hard for me to pay attention(I find people are not sympathetic to this).

My husband considers himself Hindu, too, and he hardly ever reads. He is a more active person, and he relates to things this way. That is perfectly fine.

Now that you mention it, both of our most profound experiences within Hinduism have been with personal experiences, and had nothing to do with books.

Though I do recall reading a book on Krishna once(at the beginning of my journey into Hinduism), and telling a friend that I didn't know why, but when I read the book, I felt like something was healing me internally. Later, I did come across themes with many stories, where at the beginning you are told that to hear this story is to burn away karma, or to perform 1,000 yagnas... that helped me understand.

I agree that I see quotes overused in life in general. The trouble is, people kind of misuse them. There are, sometimes, words that just hit you, and one finds deep meaning in them. Perhaps a person uses them in a time of struggle, or as an aid to mediation, or to occasionally share with others. The trouble is, people often quote this, that, or the other thing as a way to 'prove' something. "Well, I'm right, because, look, right here. See?" To me, that's misusing a quote... in most cases, those were not the intents of the words.

I think, all in all, each person must find a way that makes sense to them. And to be successful, it likely will involved different means of learning. The best path is a well rounded one, and one that the individual is able to make sense of. But there is a struggle for the western mind, as most are programmed to believe there is a 'right' and 'wrong' way to do things. Getting over that is a hurdle in itself.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

JustGeorge said:
I admit, I'm a reader.

However, its not because its the 'only' way, or even the best way. Its because I like to read. As a child, I actually got in trouble because I would read more material than my mom could keep up with! I enjoy a good book, and while much of what I read is pertaining to Hinduism, not all of it is. On a whole, though, I read because I enjoy the act of reading. Always have, always will. In our modern world, I find I struggle with videos, though. I don't like 'watching' stuff on a screen. I didn't as a child, and I don't now. Its very hard for me to pay attention(I find people are not sympathetic to this).

My husband considers himself Hindu, too, and he hardly ever reads. He is a more active person, and he relates to things this way. That is perfectly fine.

Now that you mention it, both of our most profound experiences within Hinduism have been with personal experiences, and had nothing to do with books.

Though I do recall reading a book on Krishna once(at the beginning of my journey into Hinduism), and telling a friend that I didn't know why, but when I read the book, I felt like something was healing me internally. Later, I did come across themes with many stories, where at the beginning you are told that to hear this story is to burn away karma, or to perform 1,000 yagnas... that helped me understand.

I agree that I see quotes overused in life in general. The trouble is, people kind of misuse them. There are, sometimes, words that just hit you, and one finds deep meaning in them. Perhaps a person uses them in a time of struggle, or as an aid to mediation, or to occasionally share with others. The trouble is, people often quote this, that, or the other thing as a way to 'prove' something. "Well, I'm right, because, look, right here. See?" To me, that's misusing a quote... in most cases, those were not the intents of the words.

I think, all in all, each person must find a way that makes sense to them. And to be successful, it likely will involved different means of learning. The best path is a well rounded one, and one that the individual is able to make sense of. But there is a struggle for the western mind, as most are programmed to believe there is a 'right' and 'wrong' way to do things. Getting over that is a hurdle in itself.

Boss is a reader as well, mostly history, biographies, but also fiction. She's read more books that anyone I know, and started as a child.

Me. not so much. But the point was really about the contrast to the Bible, and the Quran as being the primary focus in their religions. Hinduism, plain and simply, isn't like that, and folks with a subconscious mind over there have difficulty making the jump. It shows the difference in belief about the source of knowledge. An Abrahamic will say, 'Let me go look in the good book", whereas a dharmic will say "Let me meditate on that'".

Course you already understand that.

JustGeorge · Feb 20, 2021

Yeah, I struggles with Abrahamic friends and family with this, as I've stated before...

You're right, there's something deeply engrained in many western minds that the answer is to be found outside(like in a book), rather than being something one can find inside(as through meditation).

sayak83 · Feb 20, 2021

Vinayaka said:
I've never read the Vedas, or the Gita. I read Vivekananda's series of 4 books, partly to do an essay for university on Vedanta. I've studied the teachings of my lineage/sampradaya. (Note 'studied' is far different than 'read'. I've read the main course cover to cover 30 times or more, and glean something new each time. It's not an intellectual study at all.)
The first book I took seriously was a simple one on 'How to do a Simple Puja'. The first religious exercise I did was to set up a shrine, and learn from that book. Best book I've ever read, all 10 pages.
In this very different paradigm, it's primarily about practice. When (on another forum) newcomers ask questions, its almost always about what book to read, what philosophy to study, and often they get answers related to that question ... the Gita, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata. I go the other way and suggest setting up an altar or going to a temple.
The subconscious mind is conditioned, from western practices, to read, read, read, and then, if you have some time, read some more. I ask 'Why?" Those are other peoples' views. Can't you think for yourself.
Learn a bhajan. Become a volunteer. Do charity work. Do the pujas. Do japa. meditate. Do hatha yoga. Observe life.

When I first encountered vegetarianism, I didn't read a book. I simply decided to try it out for a one month period. I'm still a vegetarian, from that experience, not from ensuing books.

On this forum, I see a lot of quoting this or that. Of what value is a quote if it's only an intellectual nice sounding statement, and not applied, or really believed?

Thoughts?

Mine has been and still is direct experience. But I read a lot out of enjoyment and it helps me articulate my views clearly. Helped me in multi faith discussiobs. So reading has its place. If a tradition gets broken, it can be revived if the documentation remains.

Martin · Feb 20, 2021

Vinayaka said:
I've never read the Vedas, or the Gita. I read Vivekananda's series of 4 books, partly to do an essay for university on Vedanta. I've studied the teachings of my lineage/sampradaya. (Note 'studied' is far different than 'read'. I've read the main course cover to cover 30 times or more, and glean something new each time. It's not an intellectual study at all.)
The first book I took seriously was a simple one on 'How to do a Simple Puja'. The first religious exercise I did was to set up a shrine, and learn from that book. Best book I've ever read, all 10 pages.
In this very different paradigm, it's primarily about practice. When (on another forum) newcomers ask questions, its almost always about what book to read, what philosophy to study, and often they get answers related to that question ... the Gita, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata. I go the other way and suggest setting up an altar or going to a temple.
The subconscious mind is conditioned, from western practices, to read, read, read, and then, if you have some time, read some more. I ask 'Why?" Those are other peoples' views. Can't you think for yourself.
Learn a bhajan. Become a volunteer. Do charity work. Do the pujas. Do japa. meditate. Do hatha yoga. Observe life.

When I first encountered vegetarianism, I didn't read a book. I simply decided to try it out for a one month period. I'm still a vegetarian, from that experience, not from ensuing books.

On this forum, I see a lot of quoting this or that. Of what value is a quote if it's only an intellectual nice sounding statement, and not applied, or really believed?

Thoughts?

Part of the reason I read scriptures is because there are lots of different gurus saying different things, and interpreting the path in different ways.
Also I like to understand theory as well as practice. So for example when I learned to sail, I took notice of what the instructors taught, but also wanted to learn something about the physics of wind, water and sail.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

sayak83 said:
Mine has been and still is direct experience. But I read a lot out of enjoyment and it helps me articulate my views clearly. Helped me in multi faith discussiobs. So reading has its place. If a tradition gets broken, it can be revived if the documentation remains.

My Guru spoke of 3 pillars: the temples, the scriptures, and the holy men.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

Meerkat said:
Part of the reason I read scriptures is because there are lots of different gurus saying different things, and interpreting the path in different ways.
Also I like to understand theory as well as practice. So for example when I learned to sail, I took notice of what the instructors taught, but also wanted to learn something about the physics of wind, water and sail.

Did you come from a 'book' religion? Just curious.

Martin · Feb 20, 2021

Vinayaka said:
Did you come from a 'book' religion? Just curious.

I guess so, yes. I was brought up as a Roman Catholic, and studied the New Testament at school. Later on as a Buddhist I studied the suttas of the Pali Canon, and some of the Mahayana sutras - there are some similarities with the Hindu scriptures.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

Meerkat said:
I guess so, yes. I was brought up as a Roman Catholic, and studied the New Testament at school. Later on as a Buddhist I studied the suttas of the Pali Canon, and some of the Mahayana sutras - there are some similarities with the Hindu scriptures.

Makes sense.

Vinidra · Feb 20, 2021

I have read the Devi Gita and the Chandi Path.

I've tried multiple times to read the Vedas, but they don't hold my interest. I think it's because poetry really loses a lot in translation. Perhaps if I understood Sanskrit so that I could read them in the original language, it might be different. Or perhaps not.

Never tried the Upanishads. They just don't interest me, either.

I have read books on how to do pujas and such, though. Those, I found very helpful.

Vinayaka · Feb 20, 2021

I seriously doubt if many of my fine Hindu friends have read any books at all.

SomeRandom · Feb 20, 2021

Vinayaka said:
I've never read the Vedas, or the Gita. I read Vivekananda's series of 4 books, partly to do an essay for university on Vedanta. I've studied the teachings of my lineage/sampradaya. (Note 'studied' is far different than 'read'. I've read the main course cover to cover 30 times or more, and glean something new each time. It's not an intellectual study at all.)
The first book I took seriously was a simple one on 'How to do a Simple Puja'. The first religious exercise I did was to set up a shrine, and learn from that book. Best book I've ever read, all 10 pages.
In this very different paradigm, it's primarily about practice. When (on another forum) newcomers ask questions, its almost always about what book to read, what philosophy to study, and often they get answers related to that question ... the Gita, the Upanishads, the Mahabharata. I go the other way and suggest setting up an altar or going to a temple.
The subconscious mind is conditioned, from western practices, to read, read, read, and then, if you have some time, read some more. I ask 'Why?" Those are other peoples' views. Can't you think for yourself.
Learn a bhajan. Become a volunteer. Do charity work. Do the pujas. Do japa. meditate. Do hatha yoga. Observe life.

When I first encountered vegetarianism, I didn't read a book. I simply decided to try it out for a one month period. I'm still a vegetarian, from that experience, not from ensuing books.

On this forum, I see a lot of quoting this or that. Of what value is a quote if it's only an intellectual nice sounding statement, and not applied, or really believed?

Thoughts?

I’m a big reader. I’m a bit of a myth junkie, if I’m honest. Love reading about world folklore.
But honestly I’ve probably read more Bible stories than stories from our Holy Books. That’s what movies/TV shows are for. Duh! Seriously though, so many glorious villainous moustaches!
Though I have read a great many of our own folklore. Whether those stories appear in our “Holy Canon” I honestly don’t know. I don’t know Sanskrit. Maybe the Puranic scriptures?

I think most Hindus at least has a copy of the Vedas perched reverently somewhere in the “forbidden room.” (Brown kids know exactly what I’m talking about. That room in every Indian’s house that has all the good stuff no one is allowed to touch lol.) Or at least in their own little shrine.
But reading it is optional. So I don’t know how many have actually read it.
Usually ma will read some sort of scripture during her own prayers, because rituals. I’m not entirely sure which scripture but I suspect it is The Gita.
But I know more about the Maharabata than she does, simply because I happen to like the stories, for example.
Quoting scripture is for priests. Everyone else just does their own thing.

SalixIncendium · Feb 21, 2021

As I've said in many parts of the forum, my views are based purely on experience. The Hindu scripture I've read (the major Upanishads, about half of the Gospel of Ramakrishna, and the first four chapters of the Bhagavad Gita) have only helped me to understand my experiences in more detail and realize these experiences are not unique to me.

I don't form views based on what I read. My views are experiential.

Also, as @sayak83 already mentioned, my reading helps me to articulate my views to others.

sayak83 · Feb 21, 2021

SalixIncendium said:
As I've said in many parts of the forum, my views are based purely on experience. The Hindu scripture I've read (the major Upanishads, about half of the Gospel of Ramakrishna, and the first four chapters of the Bhagavad Gita) have only helped me to understand my experiences in more detail and realize these experiences are not unique to me.

I don't form views based on what I read. My views experiential.

Also, as @sayak83 already mentioned, my reading helps me to articulate my views to others.

Same here.

ameyAtmA · Feb 21, 2021

Experience is the primary driver for me as well. However the shAstra (scripture) has its place of importance.

Martin · Feb 22, 2021

SalixIncendium said:
As I've said in many parts of the forum, my views are based purely on experience. The Hindu scripture I've read (the major Upanishads, about half of the Gospel of Ramakrishna, and the first four chapters of the Bhagavad Gita) have only helped me to understand my experiences in more detail and realize these experiences are not unique to me.

I don't form views based on what I read. My views experiential.

Also, as @sayak83 already mentioned, my reading helps me to articulate my views to others.

My path has been more exploratory. First investigating and understanding what different traditions teach, via both scriptures and teachers. Then working with a particular set of assumptions and practices over a period of time, and seeing where they lead. Obviously particular practices are designed to produce particular insights, and those vary significantly across different traditions. For example you can look for an absence (anatta/shunyata), or you can look for a presence (Atman/Brahman).

Vinayaka · Feb 22, 2021

I think one of the very first practices to cultivate is observation. As a teacher, I had ample opportunity for that. What do we tell newcomers to temples to do? We tell them to watch others, and do what they do. In terms of understanding human behaviour, it's essential.

Aupmanyav · Feb 24, 2021

Vinayaka said:
"Let me meditate on that"

Or in simple words, "let me think about it", and Hinduism does not put fetters on thinking. I do not think it is like that in Abrahamic religions, they can think only within their book.

Vinayaka · Feb 24, 2021

Aupmanyav said:
Or in simple words, "let me think about it", and Hinduism does not put fetters on thinking. I do not think it is like that in Abrahamic religions, they can think only within their book.

'Let me think about it' is a great mantra to get used to using. So often I'm put on a spot, and agree to doing something without due consideration, and from the enthusiasm of the moment. Then, after due consideration, I figure I'm not actually up to the task. It would have been better to think on it for a few days. Then you don't disappoint the other person who was counting on you.

I'm still learning that one.

Hinduism, the the non-book religion.

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