The mind games of Hinduism.

[Honza]

One of my gripes with the self realisation approach to spirituality is that it becomes mainly a property of the mind. The mind needs to quieten down and then become aware.

People say you cannot understand self realisation with the mind, but then spend ages trying to understand the principles. Hinduism seems really a religion of the mind....and trying to go beyond it. It all seems very cerebral.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Honza

It all seems very cerebral.

Doesn't everything come from the mind ?

[Honza]

Originally Posted by sky123

Doesn't everything come from the mind ?

I really do not 'think' so. You need to add the heart, body and soul to the equation to have the whole picture.

[NoOne]

Hinduism isn't really a single religion, it is more of an umbrella of different traditions and approaches it has accumulated over the millennia, making it very eclectic.

Most Hindu practices are devotional in nature and don't require any mind-games, those are for the more esoteric approaches.

The reason for the general complexity of Hinduism is its attempt to syncretise and integrate pretty much any religious impulse or practice you can think of, into one tradition. This has required enormous amount of brainpower and twists in logic to accommodate, which was essentially the main job of an entire class of Hindus, the priesthood, for millennia.

For ordinary worshippers, these twists in logic and clever mind games aren't required, they know that their personal, familial, tribal, national, etc... god will respond when applied to in the appropriate manner, whether through a priest or by themselves. The rest is for the Brahmins to figure out, ordinary people only really care about the devotional aspect of Hinduism.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by Honza

One of my gripes with the self realisation approach to spirituality is that it becomes mainly a property of the mind. The mind needs to quieten down and then become aware.

People say you cannot understand self realisation with the mind, but then spend ages trying to understand the principles. Hinduism seems really a religion of the mind....and trying to go beyond it. It all seems very cerebral.

If by "mind games" there is hint of manipulation / fantasy , i beg to differ here. It is idealist yet very pragmatic and realistic to allow every one follow his/her own path progressively in the most easiest way.

However with "mind games" i understand as relating to using intelligence in religion . If that be the case , it is true . Anything that distances from intellectual explanation and honesty does not last much . Unfortunately for centuries Hindus themselves have misunderstood it for variety of reasons.
However of late since last century genuine efforts to understand it its entirety are being made and gradually more people understand it in practical holistic manner.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by Honza

I really do not 'think' so. You need to add the heart, body and soul to the equation to have the whole picture.

You are right . We need heart , body and soul certainly . And that is in plenty in Hinduism as well .

[Still_Waters]

QUOTE 4 EXCERPT:

Originally Posted by NoOne

Hinduism isn't really a single religion, it is more of an umbrella of different traditions and approaches it has accumulated over the millennia, making it very eclectic.

Well said.

If religion is the opiate for the masses then India has the inside dope.

[HITESH SHAH]

Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy

If religion is the opiate for the masses

Though this quote of karl marx is true partially and contextually only , religion is organized spirituality . So spirituality too is opium and spiritual dope and intoxication is for many irrespective of nationality !