Is there a part of hinduism which tells you don't have to follow any rules?

[Shivani Devi]

Originally Posted by iamthat

I'm surprised that Shivani Devi hasn't mentioned the Aghori.

I'll just quote Wikipedia:

Aghoris are devotees of Shiva manifested as Bhairava and monists who seek moksha from the cycle of reincarnation or saṃsāra. This freedom is a realization of the self's identity with the absolute. Because of this monistic doctrine, the Aghoris maintain that all opposites are ultimately illusory. The purpose of embracing pollution and degradation through various customs is the realization of non-duality (advaita) through transcending social taboos, attaining what is essentially an altered state of consciousness and perceiving the illusory nature of all conventional categories.

Aghoris base their beliefs on two principles common to broader Shaiva beliefs: that Shiva is perfect (having omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence) and that Shiva is responsible for everything that occurs: all conditions, causes and effects. Consequently, everything that exists must be perfect and to deny the perfection of anything would be to deny the sacredness of all life in its full manifestation, as well as to deny the Supreme Being.

Aghoris believe that every person's soul is Shiva but is covered by aṣṭamahāpāśa "eight great nooses or bonds", including sensual pleasure, anger, greed, obsession, fear and hatred. The practices of the Aghoris are centered around the removal of these bonds. Sādhanā in cremation grounds is used in an attempt to destroy fear; sexual practices with certain riders and controls attempt to release one from sexual desire; being naked is used in an attempt to destroy shame. On release from all the eight bonds the soul becomes sadāśiva and obtains moksha.

But then again, perhaps breaking the rules becomes just another rule.

Peace

Namaste

Well, for one thing, I didn't want to encourage/enable the O.P.

For another thing, I still don't understand the difference between "rules" and "observances" because the Aghori still have a lot of the latter... getting up at 4-5am every morning to bathe in the freezing cold Ganges before meditation, Kriya Yoga and temple worship... ritual fasting for days on end is a thing and so is going without sleep...not to mention subsiding on the rotting flesh from dead corpses. After being an Aghori for a while, one would beg to have rules in place.

Also, I consider that people who are unable to follow rules are also those who are unable to take any personal responsibility or ownership for their actions and behaviours in life and there are not many religions out there which cater to those who display signs of an obvious Conduct Disorder.

Aum Namah Shivaya