ManSinha
Well-Known Member
Then all I can say is this - use your wisdom and pick and choose what works for you - my understanding is that if you follow that path - you should be good ...
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What do you think of just using Om for everything?
- Thread starter agorman
- Start date
Then all I can say is this - use your wisdom and pick and choose what works for you - my understanding is that if you follow that path - you should be good ...
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
That is perhaps a topic for another discussion in and of itself - but until recently my understanding was "One could not become a Hindu" - actually had that discussion with a Jain from my school WhatsApp group - and I pointed it out as a flaw in the understanding of the "rules" - why close a good thing off to only those born into it - it is one recipe for making the group smaller over time
That's a misunderstanding for sure. A few people still have it. But fact is hundreds, if not thousands of people have become Hindu. I'm one of them. I suppose there re a few people who wouldn't accept m, but he vast majority does. I've been to probably a hundred temples world-wide, maybe more. Has never been a problem. Aum
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
And as you know - so do the Sikhs - you can walk into any temple - as long you cover your head and take off your shoes - they are "person blind" to coin a phrase as to who you are, how you look and what you believe. You are welcome to sit and listen, join in or eat along with the others
I have (unfortunately) had a raging debate with some leaders from my community who want everyone to be the Khalsa -
I am BUT here is my take -
1. It is not for everyone - in fact in 1699 Guru Gobind Singh asked for "heads" as the entry ticket - that is a pretty darn stiff price to pay
2. When he left - he asked people to follow the SGGS - which makes no distinctions between anyone
3. I am diverting the topic so before @SalixIncendium comes along and asks me to move along - I shall shut up
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Man, we generlly don't do that here. So feel at home. Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and Sikh gurus are venerable for us too.3. I am diverting the topic so before SalixIncendium comes along and asks me to move along - I shall shut up
BTW, my son has sung 'shabads' at Darbar Sahib as well as Bangla Sahib.
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I struggled with this myself for some time, but as it turns out, at least in my experience, those who are culturally Hindu do their best to make one feel right at home.
I've been going to my temple since 2012... Tuesday May 23, 2012 just before 6 pm, to be precise. From the moment I walked in and greeted the people at the front desk I was welcomed. There have been a few times my own insecurities have made me think "I don't belong here", or I thought I was getting a look of "what are you doing here?". But I think the problem is mine, and the feeling doesn't last.
That long, eh? Gosh time flies.
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
Temple has a front desk?
Well, it's more like a counter in the vestibule, in front of the office.
Right!? And you know it took even longer to get there. I popped a Valium when I pulled in. Better living through chemistry.
The darshan of a Hindu temple is all you really need. Excellent valium substitute.Right!? And you know it took even longer to get there. I popped a Valium when I pulled in. Better living through chemistry.
Yes, indeed.
I haven't been there but 3 times in the past 2-3 months for the simple reason I can't get there at night anymore after work. My dog was diagnosed diabetic in December and is also now blind. So, I have to get home to feed her and giver her insulin injection on schedule. I can teach the husband to do it, I've just been putting it off. I've started making time on Sundays, if not the morning for the Ganesha abhishekam, then at least later on just for darshan.
Anyway, it's a strange feeling that even after only a week of not being there you feel like you've gotten oxygen after being locked in a refrigerator. One of the young priests I hadn't seen in all that time came over to me, smiled and asked how everything is. A man I see there regularly was also at the Ganesha shrine and motioned to me to stand in front of him so I could see, since I'm short. I thought that was very nice. Makes ya feel good.
Yes, indeed.
I haven't been there but 3 times in the past 2-3 months for the simple reason I can't get there at night anymore after work. My dog was diagnosed diabetic in December and is also now blind. So, I have to get home to feed her and giver her insulin injection on schedule. I can teach the husband to do it, I've just been putting it off. I've started making time on Sundays, if not the morning for the Ganesha abhishekam, then at least later on just for darshan.
Anyway, it's a strange feeling that even after only a week of not being there you feel like you've gotten oxygen after being locked in a refrigerator. One of the young priests I hadn't seen in all that time came over to me, smiled and asked how everything is. A man I see there regularly was also at the Ganesha shrine and motioned to me to stand in front of him so I could see, since I'm short. I thought that was very nice. Makes ya feel good.
Sorry to hear about the dog. Diabetes is rough on eyes of all species.
Boss and me always feel tired (relaxed tired) when we come home. It's the peace of the situation. Easy to have a short nap after. Yes I know the feeling, I get the temple 'itch' after about 10 days. One can also have the opposite ...' templed out'. That happens here during the 10 day festival, or while on pilgrimage. Once or twice a week is ideal for me.
Yeah, we've talked about that... something I'm prone to. Maybe it's too much energy or jumbled energy especially in a large temple with a large crowd. Yesterday was quite busy with two or three groups of school age kids being given a tour and lessons by the manager at each sanctum. I found it quite nice, there was a certain energy that wasn't jumbled. I've found the balance of once or twice a week at most is good.
3. I am diverting the topic so before @SalixIncendium comes along and asks me to move along - I shall shut up
Salix wouldn't do that. We've been known to go off on a tangent or two in this DIR.
I would hope I don't come across as that militant. If I do, I guess I need to do a bit of introspection.
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
I was merely trying to be funny after you needled me about all things in small measure with the smoking comment
I still have yet to go to one. It's less about feeling insecure about belonging than it is about being more comfortable practicing alone. Not to say that the insecurity doesn't play a part. Knowing what to wear, what to do, etc.
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
That is a high honor - I have to say you raised him well
I was merely trying to be funny after you needled me about all things in small measure with the smoking comment
Good. I was hoping you didn't think me to be a total jerk after that exchange.
ManSinha
Well-Known Member
Just your average clothes - not sure about California shorts - but I have gone to the Golden Temple wearing T shirt and jeans - no issue
As to what to do - one option - stand back - observe and follow the crowd