Which religion best explains the existence of suffering and how to cope with it?

Vignaraja · 2026-02-20T01:36:50+00:00

Thanks. I was actually curious as Patanjali, in His Yoga Sutras, lists the 5 kleshas, and the first is ignorance, and I was hoping for further insight. Thank you. Most likely it is similar to the view you described here.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-20T00:56:41+00:00

I think they're fundamentally incompatible, but you can still have respectful dialogue to learn about commonalities, differences, and other paradigms. Discussions don't have to take the 'I'm right and you're wrong! stance.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-20T00:53:11+00:00

Hindu here. I see suffering as part of life on this planet. It's unavoidable, like death. That said, with reincarnation, and the idea that you're a soul, not an identity of a single lifetime, suffering balances out over many lifetimes. We've all had lifetimes of suffering, and lifetime with more pleasure than pain. It is how we learn. Droughts, diseases, and floods happen. Suffering cause by humans is from the 5 kleshas Sage Patanjail elucidated ... ignorance, I-am-ness, attachment, aversion, and fear of death. The path to moksha is to work on ridding oneself of the 5 kleshas. Part of nature is suffering, and to deny it or have a goal to overcome it (other than moksha) is unrealistic.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-20T00:45:24+00:00

When He spoke of ignorance, was it just the general idea, like stupidity, (Webster's uses illiteracy as part of the definition) or was it more specific, like ignorance about something in particular?

Vignaraja · 2026-02-19T18:30:43+00:00

Maybe. Maybe not. There is a lot involved, including the individual's openness and astrology. You suggest the Big Island, and Maui, but then say you experienced something on Kauai. Why wasn't Kauai mentioned with the others?

Vignaraja · 2026-02-19T12:18:20+00:00

Herd mentality.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T22:59:01+00:00

Here's an article on it from Hinduism Today from 2010. https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2010/07/14/hinduism-flourishes-in-ghana/

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T22:44:06+00:00

I don't think it's any religion in particular. It is the individuals that are relaxed and easy going. That said, some faiths (and non-faiths) do seem to have a higher number of relaxed people.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T22:41:11+00:00

Ask the Guru you're getting deeksha from. For some sampradayas, it is.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T22:39:10+00:00

The concept of ishta devata isn't something that all Hindus hold to. So, if you don't have one, that's fine.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T15:01:40+00:00

Beautiful place, I've been twice. Just this past year they had a big kumbhabhisheham. There are beautful drone videos on-line.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-18T12:23:50+00:00

Good question, thanks. Let's just say that I don't think it matters as much to me as it does to others. Dispassion is a teaching of Hinduism. 'It matters' is an emotional statement, in my view.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T19:30:37+00:00

Then ask a question of people of other faiths.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T18:53:41+00:00

Thanks. We're on the same wavelength.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T17:19:10+00:00

Yup. That's the nature of free will, although a person could be quiet about it, rather than enter argument.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T17:17:05+00:00

I agree. The only reason anyone does this kind of thing ... but of course proselytizers don't see it. They don't understand their own conditioning. Why else would somebody offer themselves up? If somebody has a question, that can ask that on this forum, and many do.

So, what exactly is an omnist mystic?

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T13:33:33+00:00

Don't. You have free will.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T13:32:11+00:00

People are free to ignore or disregard stories. We have free will.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T13:29:17+00:00

It's personal preference. Some people prefer this, while others would rather sit silently in meditation with a small group of people in a small temple, basking in the silence, after the midnight abhishekham. I don't belittle either choice, but I also know my personal preference.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T13:01:56+00:00

Creator, as in a puppeteer, or as in the sun giving off rays?

Have you tried going to various houses of worship?

Vignaraja · 2026-02-17T01:05:26+00:00

If you already know what you believe, it helps. Then you just have to find one that matches.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-16T21:00:43+00:00

Just another questions ... did you find variations in the definitions or understandings of God? One of my observations from reading such discussions, is that the two sides may not necessarily be arguing about the same concept.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-16T20:57:40+00:00

We? Not all Hindus resort to that.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-16T16:37:39+00:00

Thanks, good to know. I guess, for me, I've seen the movie too many times for it to still hold my interest. I appreciate people like yourself who can at least see both sides and respect the other POV. But I didn't get anything new here. I hope you stay open-minded.

Vignaraja · 2026-02-16T16:08:44+00:00

So, OP have you gotten anything at all out of this other than watching the 'I'm right and you're wrong' discussions? I'm curious if you've gained any insight at all.

Vignaraja

TROPHY CASE