I've been reading about Hinduism for about 2 years, first starting with influence from my dad and believeing in reincarnation and stuff. I don't know every little detail about the religion, but I like the philosophy of it. Basically, I want to convert to Hinduism but I don't really know how, like if there is a process or it takes time or when/how to pray/meditate.....sorry for being kind of naive about the subject but I really want to do this so help is much appreciated peace and love If you could tell me how to do some of the rituals such as meditation, praying, fasting and stuff like that it would be great...thanks
I think its more about just 'being' then being this or that..if you want to be hindu then go ahead and be a hindu......if you're real interested in it look into some books, my personal fav is ram dass, he westernizes it real well and makes it interesting to read....or you could check out the bhagavad gita which is I guess sorta like the bible to them..
It is nice to hear of your interest. Hinduism is a very big subject, and it is not easy to say exactly where to begin looking. Certainly, you should read Bhagavad Gita, and some works by a selection of authors to get a balanced view. Where practices are concerned - this varies according to different schools, of which there are many. Some basic practices are chanting, meditation, worship, and so on, but you need to read about these to get the background. When it comes to recommending books it is not easy. One of the great things about Hindism is the breadth and scope of different paths that exist within it. But any hindu scriptures are worth looking at, esp. as I say the Bhagavad Gita. Try this link - There is very basic stuff here, and links to works by Vivekananda and Sri Ramamkrishna http://www.btinternet.com/~vivekananda/ www.dlshq.org/ At the second one you can find many articles by Swami Sivananda, a great yogi and guru, which povide information on all aspects of yoga, types of practice, japa, meditation etc. Love and Blessings.
"I am a hindu, I am a christian, I am a muslim..." - Gandhi In other words, we are all each other, labels mean nothing, let's BE LOVE!
Once an American devotee told Swami Chinmayananda that she wanted to convert to Hinduism. Swamiji smiled and said, "If you want to be a good Hindu, just go and be a good Christian." Hinduism isn't about cliques, you dont have to have some elaborate initiation ritual. The practices of yoga re open to all. Vedanta philosophy embraces as the entire universe as being God. If you can find some organisations in your area, I would definitely reccomend going to their teachers and learning more. I suggest the Ramakrishna Mission, Divine Life Society, Sri Ramanasramam, Self Realization Fellowship and Chinmaya Mission (which is the organisation I am most involved in).
I would also recommend THE UNIVERSAL GURU! "When you know how to listen, everyone is the guru." - Ram Dass www.ramdasstapes.org Good ole Ram Dass www.amma.org The hugging saint! MOM! www.neemkarolibaba.org The miracle cosmic jokester baba, Ram Dass's guru, DAD! The universe, Hanuman, a friend! http://www.siddhayoga.org/guru-muktananda-baba.html COOL guru! http://www.yogananda-srf.org/ That mad mystic who wrote autobiography of a yogi, praise be babaji! http://www.anandamayi.org/ Divine madness! http://www.ramakrishna.org/ "What are you to do when you are placed in the world? Give up everything to Him, resign yourself to Him, and there will be no more trouble for you. Then you will come to know that everything is done by His will." - Ramakrishna
Thanks for all your advice, really. I don't really live in a diverse cultural area, their aren't any Hindu places around here. But oh well, I love yoga and meditation, and I'm reading a book on transcendental meditation.
Hi foxeylady, You rule! prayer/meditation... wow... I don't think you are not naive at all but then again hinduism does not really ask you to do much, but there are underlying principles that unite this great religion. Such as Ahimsa (Non violence), daya (kindness) , satya (truth). Check out the list of things that make up hindu dharma and maybe you can put them into practice in your life. http://www.hindukids.com/learn/hindu_dharma/yama.html I know its for kids... but its a good place to start.
You know, Im in the exact same position you are. Ive been dissatisfied with hte religion i was born into from a very early age (Catholicism), and at first I just kind of became Athiast, but then I realised that I personally was missing outon so much . I turned To Hinduism, and Ive really thrown myslef into it head first. Ive read the bhagavad gita, and Ive learned the mantras, I meditate three times a day, and chant 3 times also..My point is that Im a Hindu because Its a state of mind. If you believe completely with all your heart, then your doing fine. Ciara
Dearest FoxeyLady, I live in an area that is so undiverse...but it isn't the ritual my friend that with help you to find what you are looking for. But instead it is the search and the existance of love of God in your heart...that's the main goal. Good luck with your search. We are indeed compainions on the journey.
