Trying to "find" myself - Democratic Underground

Ishoutandscream2

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Thu Aug-13-09 02:02 PM
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Trying to "find" myself

I thought of putting this in the religion forum, but I thought GD would be a better place to post.

I will be 48, and like a lot of people, I am going through a phase in my life where I am seeking some answers to very important life questions. I guess you could say I am trying to becoming more spiritual, and I really need to find some meaning behind my life and why I have been here.

I was raised Lutheran, but I never got anything out of that experience. I stopped attending church a couple of years ago because I found the whole experience trying. My wife still goes, and she takes my children. My wife is a good liberal, and she appreciates the spiritual experience she gets from attending church and teaching children's Sunday school. I am very happy for her, and she (imo) personifies the true meaning of Christianity.

I generally scoff at organized religion. My wife always would tell me that I needed to pursue some sort of spiritual quest - that it would be healthy for me. This summer I took her advice, and I visited the Hare Krishna temple in Dallas.

I first had a very delicious vegeterian meal at the restaurant located within the temple. The restaurant has had rave reviews in Dallas, and I could see why. I ate a delicious potato and green bean mix that was to die for, and I'm not a big veggie guy.

Anyway, I headed to the temple and I met a young man who called himself a monk. He was an incredibly intelligent, thoughtful young man. We talked, and I asked questions and he answered them. I told him about the stresses of my work, and he gave me tips on how to handle things. Most importantly, he stated how unimportant the material world is, and that we should concentrate on our spiritual consciousness. We talked about the founder of the ISKCON who had introduced the Krishna movement to the west, Srila Prabhupada. We talked about his Prabhupada's journey to America, and how he had personally intiated the temple in 1972. I was given a couple of books by him. I left and began to read.

I was really intrigued by Prabhupada's writings and lectures. Again, denying the material world and learning about your inner self was highlighted. Your body is just a resting place for your spirit - your spirit will continue to live, long after the physical body is gone. Practicing good karma enriches your spiritual quest. And to get in touch with God and to "deal" with the everyday stresses of the material world, you need to chant:

Hare Krisna, Hare Krishna
Krishna, Krishna
Hare, Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

I went again and met a person who called himself the priest of the temple. He was very polite, and told me that reading 10 minutes in the morning, and the same passage ten minutes at night would help with stress. He gave me a book by Prabhupada to read during these times. He also talked to me about chanting, and invited me to the Janmashtami (birth of Krishna) celebration at the temple tonight. I told him I would be there.

I liked the way in which there was nothing at all judgmental about the faith. Krishna's respect the various names of God - whether it's Jehovah, Allah, Jesus, etc. They simply want people to live a more spiritual life. Which leads to what has just happened to me.

I told one of my Christian friends here at work (and a big Republican) who has always been bugging me to seek something "bigger than myself." I just told her about what I was doing, and I was ready to hear a "good job" and "that's so wonderful." Instead, she started on how there was only one God, that being, of course, her God. I told her that the movement recognized other beliefs and recognized the name of the lord in other religions, including her Christ. Well, she said, that's not right, because there's "one God." Apparently, I'm still going about it the wrong way. So, I kind of turned tail and ran.

Anyway, my feelings are a little hurt, but in my part of the world, what can one do? I won't stop bigots from trying to stop me from learning new things. I will go to the celebration tonight and chant. Chant, and be happy.