Do you think that you can combined principles from different religions? I believe in Jesus, but also believe in many aspects of Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism etc, why should we not? Should we not aim to find something which we feel most comfortable with, then helps us define things and which fulfills us?
All religions are composites of what came before it. Each is assembled out of bits and pieces from other paths. x
I follow both Catholicism (the religion my family is) and Hinduism. I think not only is it possible but it makes sense to me...
From where I stand, I don't see different religions at all. The words are different, yes, radically so. After all they were teachings given in very different places, different cultures, different eras, by different teachers to different students. So naturally the means of teaching are different. But the experience of the higher reality that is the culmination fo teaching, indeed the essence of it, is one and the same, slice it how you will. At some point, all the different paths meet and suddenly the teachings of Christ and Mohommad (peace be upon them), Krishna and Buddha, Lao Tsu and Black Elk... they dovetail so beautifully it is impossible to tell one from the other. When rivers meet, they can no longer be differentiated. But don't take my word for it. Come and see for yourself.
It's a question of finding what has value for you, as we a are all unique beings. There are elements of Hinduism I like, as there are in Christianity, Taoism, and other things. I don't really have a problem in reconciling these various elements.
There are many good things and bad things in everything. Our job is to accept the good stuff while rejecting the bad.
The teachings of Jesus are no different, nor no greater than the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, which probably has a higher standard for benevolence and stricter morals. One should look at symbols if they wish to see the truly 'Catholic.' The cross is in every religion. Find the true cross within then see all religions point to one thing - sentience itself is the Deity. There is none other, not now, nor ever will there be. What is pure awareness is purely aware and free, what is not awareness is not pure, not awareness, not aware and thus does not even have life. Life itself is the Deity. There is no other, not now, not in some afterlife. Life itself is the deity. Know it now and become fully aware now, because after life one does not have the means to stabilize awareness. What one has then is residue of habits to guide their future circumstances. This is what all religions teach, one way or the other.
Sri Aurobindo said that the vital force or life force is actually a lower manifestation of the supreme satchitananda. Unless there is consciousness without 'life' then really many of the claims of religions would be false.
Sri Chodpa says that life is the same as consciousness. That what you call life now is no different from what is called life in the hereafter, just another form, free of physical anchor. Have you read Savitri?
I guess that could be attributed to Heaven also - a place where you are free, at peace, happy, free from any stress or concern etc
The confusion is in terminology. Sri Aurobindo was referring to the pranas - the vital life currents, both physical and subtle. Chodpa is referring to consciousness as life itself. Vedanta says everythign is consciousness. Even the "inert" objects are only seemingly inert due to the lack of ability to manifest that consciousness. The Lakotas also speak of all things as having spirit - life, in them. And in response to moonbeam, I quote Christ: The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
Plants are alive, but can they attain to the same possibilities of consciousness as a human being? I have read Savitiri. If you would like my opinion on the poem, I'll be happy to give it.
I think it is good to mix religions and beliefs and philosophies because it helps you to view things from a wider angle and also adds more depth to your beliefs. I beleive in Hinduism and catholicism and buddhism. If Buddha was and incarnation of Vishnu then why cant Jesus be?
Interesting question. I would say they have the same consciousness, the difference is in their ability to express it, due to limitations of equipment. Just as the electricity in household wiring is the same as the electricity in lightning. But you cannot use put lightning to the myriad uses that you can the electricity flowing from your plug point.
Well yes - consciousness is one, but the instrumentation it uses is more developed in the human than the animal or plant. Also probably humans have a greater self awareness and greater possibilities for development.
This is again the difference in equipment - mind. As far as consciousness as consciousness, there is no question of development, because pure consciousness transcends all change - it is that which illuminates change. But from the standpoint of mind, there is no doubt humans have greater self-awareness and potential for evolution into the pure state than any other being. In Hinduism, we are told human spiritual potential is even more than that of the heavenly beings - devatas and such.
Yes, it's the instrument that has to evolve and change to become a clear channel for that pure consciousness. There are Christian teachings also which suggest that humans have the capacity to rise even higher than the angels.
I'm all for syncretism and creating your own paradigms of belief. My personal beliefs (as vague as they are) draw from Buddhism and forms of shamanism and incorporate many different patterns of thought. Some say that in taking bits and pieces of various cultures ("selective borrowing"), we're losing the tradition that they come from. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I've gotta say that you must follow your heart and explore where it takes you.
Absolutely. And I think one can learn from various sources and different paths. In a sense, everyone is on their own unique path - even those who follow a particular religion.
