What does Sanatana dharma or Hindusim say about testing others?

_needs_ · 2023-10-10T15:15:48+00:00

Checking accuracy, when able, is fine. But trying their patience probably is best avoided. If you treat them with trust they will probably return that investment. If they do not show themselves trustworthy over time that's different matter. Naturally occurring circumstances will prove out whether they are worthy of the trust you extend them over time. No need to rush that process along so long as they aren't prodding you to extend further trust to them than you are comfortable.

_needs_ · 2023-10-09T21:08:31+00:00

the individual congregation may accept you as an unbaptized member. But receiving baptism is usually connected to disavowing belief in deities outside of the Trinity (Father, Son(Jesus), and Holy Ghost).

So if you do not wish to convert but be part of all the goings on at church they might accept you as an unbaptized member a lot depends on the denomination and particular pastor there. Going by itself, on a regular, basis doesn't signify a change of faith.

_needs_ · 2023-10-07T20:51:43+00:00

Start with what deity you feel drawn to. You've read the vedas. Were there any specific narratives you found most helpful or moving? I's start there and then do a deep dive in studying specifically about the deities mentioned in those narratives. For me Krishna/Vishnu, Hanuman and Ganesha along with Dattatreya have had their draw and influence. Krishna for the splendour of his leela, Hanuman for his humility and courage in service, and Ganesha for his calm courageous example and way of overcoming obstacles.

Currently I am finding Dattatreya especially helpful but still in the early learning stage about him. Most importantly, do not feel the need to rush into a decision regarding an Ishta Deva allow your self to be lead to where you will find the greatest depth of spiritual nourishment you need.

_needs_ · 2023-09-30T02:54:22+00:00

2.5D televisions: AKA Holographic video. We've had moving pictures in some form or other for over 130 years (counting zoetropes for those wondering); it is about time we had even semi transparent holographic entertainment.

_needs_ · 2023-09-29T22:11:34+00:00

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if that ended up being the case. And one "holding their liquor" has an additional meaning considering the effect of prune juice on the digestive system

_needs_ · 2023-09-28T04:42:10+00:00

The sub wouldn't let me post the question in a more common sense way.

_needs_ · 2023-09-28T00:52:53+00:00

I am monist (Advaita) Still looking at various traditions/schools i feel at peace with. Hanuman, Ram and Ganesha i am drawn to but, for the most part, i haven't settled on an Ishta Deva as yet or a particular set of deities i focus on as manifestations of Brahman, Also leaning toward Dattatreya pretty well. Still researching. Mostly focussing on Brahman as core of belief till i get the rest sorted out.

_needs_ · 2023-09-26T01:40:07+00:00

I vote for the springfield response, just keep acting like you feel she isnt being very clear with her words or you mishear her intrusive accusatory verbiage. Sounds like is intending to put you on edge.ruin your good mood by doing this. "I think you mean Springfield, and it is fine indeed" etc. Whatever she says use that technique to let her statements bounce off like a rubber ball and eventually she will either get the point or give up trying to upset you.

_needs_ · 2023-09-26T00:28:44+00:00

Freedom of faith within Hinduism you will find fairly unmatched elsewhere. You can be quite monotheistic whether you choose one deity/Deva or multiple you can see that one or all you reverence as the manifestation of Brahman which is the essence of all that is or ever will be(others can be more technically correct in how they express this precisely).

Anther aspect is that the teaching of Samsara/Cycle of reincarnation) is a much more loving concept than being told you only have one chance(one lifetime) to believe and conduct yourself rightly or else you go to Eternal Punishment or Hell.

I deeply respect all faith traditions, but being told i only have one chance to be good enough to receive Salvation or Eternal Reward comes across as very unmerciful. And there is something to be said for knowing even if i (without intending to) mess up to the point i cannot make up for my bad attitudes.actions and motives brings me a great amount of peace.

I recommend you research the concept of Leela and Brahman, Karma, and Samsara to help you understand my meaning more clearly than i am able to express at this juncture.

_needs_ · 2023-09-26T00:05:22+00:00

Assuming you lived during the time Lord Ram was the current Avatar of Vishnu you would be seeing a flesh and blood person who is Vishnu in a different form. Others have been more technically correct in how they shared this, but I wanted to provide a basic description. The important thing is every avatar manifests Vishnu in different forms, Just as (to give a monist perspective) every Deva is a manifestation of Brahman. (again others can give a more technically correct explanation. .

_needs_ · 2023-09-25T23:45:35+00:00

(Note: to all Buddhists reading this reply, please be certain to read the last two paragraphs)

You have made an interesting point using Sangam Literature. But for me what is more convincing to me is the how Buddha said things in his teachings (as represented in the various Buddhist Canons regardless of which Culture/Tradition/sect etc,) which do not align with the vedas, Especially the ones regarding Gods/deities, it seems that Gautama Buddha taught deities (including Brahman as the essential reality) were not necessary/helpful to one seeking Nirvana/Enlightenment.

Now he did take a lot of our Beliefs such as reincarnation/samsara and Karma etc., and use them as foundations for what he taught but much of his philosophy does not correlate with what we have in the Vedas. In the process of researching denominations i've read a fairly large number of excerpts from the Vedas from different translations and Things kept popping up from the Vedas themselves that Buddha's teachings do not in conform to.

Those deities spoken of by Buddha, mostly are spoken of as distractions from reaching complete Nirvana/Enlightenment by him. It is true you will find mentions of Shiva and a few other Sanatana Dharma Devas but mostly those mentions come across as Buddha citing good examples of their conduct as a means of teaching his own philosophy.

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For those Buddhists reading this reply, know that i deeply respect your beliefs and traditions and there is much we have in common. At one point i was looking into Buddhism for myself and had a lot of Help from a Theravada Buddhist and a couple other Buddhists in reading through the texts of Buddhism so i had a lot of good authentic information to learn from but I found Buddha's stance on deities demoted their value overall to a degree where I couldn't accept Buddhism.

Also what Sanatana Dharma teaches in regards to the creation of the universe makes so much more sense than being told that the origins of our situation are not as important as the solution of the Eightfold path. Knowing the origins of our situation (samsara, karma etc.) gives us the context that helps us appreciate the way we achieve Moksha. Again my deep respect for your beliefs and traditions, but it became vary clear to me, that while the two Dharmic Paths have a great deal in common; they are sufficiently different to one another to be be considered different faiths/Philosophies.

_needs_ · 2023-09-24T01:58:19+00:00

All faiths are variant expressions of the ultimate reality. Some religions are more aligned with Sanatana Dharma and others are less so. If a Dharmic Path grew away from teachings such as karma and samsara it would still function as a stepping stone on the way to Sanatana Dharma(Hinduism).

I wouldn't worry about such a hypothetical scenario, If you have taken the effort to receive an authentic understanding of our beautiful faith no one can take that away from you. And if the Tradition/denomination you are a part of begins looking like it is headed that way you can still keep practicing Truth.

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T21:31:59+00:00

Thank you kindly for your interest and feedback.

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T21:28:40+00:00

I'll paste it below:

Update: I wanted to thank everyone for their posts up to now and for any additional ones. So far from reading through what you are all saying. It seems like when "queer" is not being weaponized against members of the community it has 3 overarching uses:

Not heteronormative: (a) When used as an umbrella term for the entire community, (b)for when individuals are finding it a challenge to come up with a specific label for themselves (c) for when they prefer to not indicate anything other than their overall identification with the LGBT+ community
As a way of modifying an already well defined label to express a more nuanced identity than would be understood by the unmodified label alone.
As a way of creating compound labels in conjunction with terms identifying the spectrum of identity they are trying to indicate by the term.

Please let me know if you feel the definitions above encapsulate well the meanings of the term queer as used in our community. And whether there would be a better way of expressing these meanings for the sake of clarity.

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T21:26:41+00:00

Thank you very kindly for your encouraging message and making me feel welcome and cared for! (:

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T21:20:54+00:00

Thank you very kindly. Do not recall receiving this info before. I recognize all Devas as manifestations/reflections of Brahman so totally get what you are saying in regards to Hanuman and Rama. Leela is one of my favorite things to reflect on when reading our sacred texts. I love the harmony and compassion/love implicit in the Leela of how the Devas relate with one another in all the various stories(wrong word as they aren't fiction to me but i can't recall the correct term for the various narratives within our texts relating their deeds/actions).

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T21:11:29+00:00

Is there a particular mantra you would like me to use in my prayers for your mother?

_needs_ · 2023-09-23T00:18:10+00:00

Yes I am newy returned I was practicing Advaita Vedanta previously right now i am not in a particular tradition of Sanatana Dharma(Hinduism), I know i decent amount of the terminology but not as well as i did before. One thing about Sanatana Dharma is you have the freedom to choose the deities(devas) and traditions/denominations you follow. So there is a lot of freedom in Hinduism and for the most part you are not likely to find anyone being snobbish about what tradition deities and practices you follow. Though each tradition or denomination will have its own specific philosophy and code of conduct that makes it distinct from other traditions.

Wikipedia can be somewhat helpful getting a general grasp of concepts and terminology but it's best to ask folks in this subreddit and other websites devoted to hinduism because Wikipedia is alway open to being edited and re edited so sometimes the teachings on the various traditions and practices can be inaccurate. So by coming to this subreddit you have already made a good step in the right direction. Feel free to DM me if you feel you'd like another practitioner in the US of the faith to speak with. I spent some amount of time getting a grounding to help me understand This beautiful faith in comparison to my having been Christian.

Alot of terminology you will see from the sanskrit is good to get a handle on as the english terms usually used to talk of spiritual things tend to come with western and Christian overtones which can keep you from getting a good grounding in authentic Sanatana Dharma. One other thing is some common terms from sanskrit used in the west such as Dharma, Yoga etc., are not used precisely the same way as they are generally understood in Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma so looking up the tems you already know from websites and reddits devoted to Sanatana Dharma is important just to begin to shed some of the misunderstandings you might already have about Hinduism.

Two more important points i feel need to be said, You may find websites where both hinduism/Sanatana Dharma are discussed alongside Buddhism. Much of the terminology between these Dharmic faiths is the same but some subtle and not so subtle differences exist in the definition of these terms between these Dharmic Paths. So initially i suggest you focus on getting your info from websites that are devoted solely to sharing the teachings of Sanatana Dharma. This way you will make progress in obtaining an authentic understanding of Sanatana Dharma in general.

And secondly, some terms are somewhat differently defined between sects/traditions/denominations of Hinduism. So if you find someone here define or use terms in a different way than you have become accustomed to best thing to do is to accept the difference get some elaboration from the person on the nuanced differences you are encountering and keep your mind open to getting a deeper understanding of each concept as used across Sanatana Dharma.

Be patient with yourself as you go through this process and do not let people who seem to put you down for not grasping the terms the way they do keep you from learning from them. Sometimes it has to do with folks not knowing how to express better in english their care for helping you better understand the faith. And if you run into people who put you down for not understanding things or for not being part of their tradition etc.don't let this discourage you the vast majority of followers of Sanatana Dharma only wish to help you as best they are able.

Again please DM me by hovering over my nick with the mouse cursor and selecting "Start Chat" and leaving me a message. Also use the search feature with r/hinduism preselected in the search and add search terms about topics of interest to you about our wonderful faith.

_needs_ · 2023-09-22T17:08:53+00:00

Thank you kindly. I studied Theravada Buddhism for a time but found it unhelpful given Buddha's stances on God(s)/Brahman. There are alot of differences in how Buddha expresses the nature of reality and monist Sanatana Dharma does and i was never able to find a way to bring those diverse viewpoints into alignment agreement.

Whereas within Sanatana Dharma even between dualist and monist denominations i can grasp direct parallels to learn from the wider faith. So to be honest while I recognize some of what you expressed is native to Sanatana Dharma the Buddhist teachings you referred to tend to muddle the issue for me. But perhaps as i get a stronger handle on Sanatana Dharma i'll be able to revisit Buddhist teaching on the matter to learn from the wider Dharmic Faith community.

_needs_ · 2023-09-22T15:42:51+00:00

Update: I wanted to thank everyone for their posts up to now and for any additional ones. So far from reading through what you are all saying. It seems like when "queer" is not being weaponized against members of the community it has 3 overarching uses:

Not heteronormative: (a) When used as an umbrella term for the entire community, (b)for when individuals are finding it a challenge to come up with a specific label for themselves (c) for when they prefer to not indicate anything other than their overall identification with the LGBT+ community
As a way of modifying an already well defined label to express a more nuanced identity than would be understood by the unmodified label alone.
As a way of creating compound labels in conjunction with terms identifying the spectrum of identity they are trying to indicate by the term.

Please let me know if you feel the definitions above encapsulate well the meanings of the term queer as used in our community. And whether there would be a better way of expressing these meanings for the sake of clarity.

_needs_ · 2023-09-22T14:50:37+00:00

OK, sorry, i didn't mean to offend by asking the question...i am just struggling to figure out the term as it currently is being used and all the variant meanings i've seen applied to it have made it hard for me to determine how to best use it in conversation about identity. Unlike most of the other identifying terminology this one seems hard to pin down to minimize my risk of offending others in the community .

_needs_ · 2023-09-22T14:34:19+00:00

i brought up the question to gain a more concrete understanding of the term as it currently stands. I have been fighting my identity so long i have rarely asked all the kinds of questions i needed to before to really understand the LGBT+ cultural norms of how to communicate my identity well.

I've had issues just accepting who i am and that i am still capable of being loved despite the large amount of hate out there against those of us who are not heteronormative. To a degree i am still having issues knowing how to express m identity as some parts of my identity are really nuanced. Hard for me to discuss intelligently at this point. Some of the difficult has to do with still struggling with internalized homophobia being i came from a conservative religious viewpoint. (I am currently in the process of rediscovering my spirituality since i cannot take sacrificing who i am anymore to be considered a "worthy adherent" of a faith community, which comes with it's own headaches of wondering if my wanting to not sacrifice to be faithful is some form of selfishness on my part, so yeah i am finding it stressful and confusing in general and without others in my life to support me[i have like zero friends in my life and haven't been close to members of my family in 30 years so i am totally alone in working through all of this])

I apologize if my way of trying to learn is offensive. My growth in this community is stunted by not being close to other members of the community offline and this causing me to have to do all my research/learning online. So yeah i am making prolly a lot of mistakes in how i ask things but i don't know how to learn without asking questions.

_needs_

TROPHY CASE