I consider myself an Advaita Vedantist and ultimately Hindu, but I'm not raised Hindu and don't have a great understanding of Hindu worship. My main Hindu knowledge comes through a long practice of Buddhism and shorter study of Sikhi and Advaita Vedanta. I pray to Brahman and Krishna but don't have a formal spiritual practice and wonder should I broaden my devotion? Advice?
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Hi Ian,
Nice to meet you. If devotion comes as a result of a “should”, it’s not devotion. It is sort of like love, either it comes naturally or it doesn’t. So if it comes naturally to you, it’ll come about on it’s own and your devotion/practice will broaden on its own. If it doesn’t, then I’d recommend not forcing it. It shouldn’t be a means to an end; no matter how noble the end.
With relation to Brahman, I feel like (and it may or may not be true for you...everyone is different and everyone’s journey is different too) yoga nidra may help. Jennifer Piercy has some really nice guided meditations. Christopher Wallis has some really nice courses online as well. The relation you seek can only come with time.
-J
I will make an attempt to answer. However in Hinduism it is all personal, so what I understand and experience may not be right for you.
Hinduism is not dogma based religion. In fact, by the very definition of religion we rule out Hinduism as a candidate. There is no One Book or One Super God or Heaven or Hell here. All you have are various routes to experience the Brahman (which, by the way, is not equal to God. A much deeper discussion). That is why we call it Sanatana Dharma and a way of life. No need to learn anything to be a Hindu. Just unlearn and Meditate.
There is nothing more important than meditation if you want to build a relationship with Brahman because, you are that. Vedanta, essentially, means end of Veda. Experience or relationship with Brahman begins where all knowledge (including Vedas etc) ends.
Good luck and 🙏
Hi Maui,
My venture into Vedanta is relatively recent, although I would say so far I am happy with the lectures I am listening to by Swami Sarvapriyananda, my readings (Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads), as well as my meditation practice. However, I still have a yearning to develop more of a personal relationship with Brahman which I feel like is lacking and isn't clear to me through my study of Vedanta since ultimate reality is stressed more than worship and devotion. So in that sense I yearn to explore more of the worship and devotion side of Hinduism.
Hi Ian, are you happy with your current knowledge and relationship to Hinduism at the moment? Or does a part of you yearn to explore more and delve deeper into various schools of thought?