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Sitaram · Site Admin Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 1079

Date: Mon May 26, 2003 12:20 pm

Subject: Evolution, not revolution: A Spiritual Journey

http://www.sulekha.com/chpost.asp...ilosophy&show=0&cid=60447

http://www.geocities.com/tulsidas_ramayan

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/tulsidas_ramayan">Hinduism &
Interfaith Dialogues</a>

Agni: I read many of the pages of your site. I am intrigued by your
interest and knowledge of religions

Sitaram: Thanks for your time and interest, and for contacting me. I
am happy to try and help you with your questions/search. I am re-
reading your email right now to refresh my memory.

Agni: I am glad to know that there is someone like you. As I
mentioned in my email, I was raised Hindu, converted Christian and
possibly I am going back to Hindu

Sitaram: As I mentioned in my email to you, my page 59 describes how
I gradually became disillusioned with Christianity (especially the
Greek Orthodox group to which I belonged for years)

http://www.geocities.com/tulsidas_ramayan/page059.htm

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/tulsidas_ramayan/page059.htm
">How I became Hindu in my beliefs</a>

Agni: Yes. Is it possible for me to download all the pages?

Sitaram: I think I will have to email you several zipped
attachments...

Agni: What turned me away from being a Christian (and I was really
full fledged. singing in a choir, etc.) was the fact that they
claimed only one who believes in Jesus meets God.

Sitaram: There is no ONE right religion for everyone, that is why
there are so many religions....

Sitaram: Books like the Bhagavad Gita freely discuss the multiplicity
of religions.... while books like Bible and Quran speak against such
diversity

Agni: Yes I agree. I did not understand the idols and ceremonies in

Hinduism. I thought they believed in many gods, so I converted and
now I am starting to understand

Agni: God is love in all religions. that is what they preach. but
love is accepting someone as they are (religions) so how can people
say they believe in God and judge others

Sitaram: Well, that is a great problem right there

Agni: I still have thoughts once in a while about what Christians
(Bible) say that I will go to hell if I don't believe that Jesus is
the only way. It bothers me sometimes because I used to really
believe it

Sitaram: If you study my entire website carefully over some months,
you will learn ways to accommodate both Christian and Hindu and
Buddhist thoughts simultaneously....

Agni: Yes. I am searching for that balance now. my family is very
devout Hindu and the church still call me for me to come back, but I
don't want to follow a path just because of others

Agni: and I know very few people like that. They follow religion
because of traditions or what everyone else is doing. that is why I
am glad to meet you. You are more experienced, but open minded. I
would appreciate any advice you can give me

Agni: OK. do you have any advice that you could give me right now on
where to search

Agni: about searching, searching spiritually

Sitaram: That is, with readings?

Sitaram: Do you want book suggestions?

Agni: I don't feel like I totally fit into any religion right now,
though I do follow many Hindu teachings and some Christian teachings
of Jesus

Agni: I don't know what to say to people when they ask me what I am.
Labels are so annoying

Sitaram: Look in Barns & Noble for "A Survey of Hinduism" by Klaus
Klostermaier, 600 pg., paperback

Agni: I like Bhakti yoga, but I do not believe in all Hare Krishna
beliefs

Sitaram: I feel same way

Agni: like the sex once a month...

Agni: I don't feel it prevents realizing God if it is with spouse and
in balance and one does not become obsessive about it

Agni: what is your take on it?

Agni: So what is your take on the issue of sex

Sitaram: There are rare people who are happy in such once per month
sex marriages,.... but for most people it is too difficult

Agni: When I was Christian I did not have sex without being married,
but it was more out of a fear of going to hell for it. I don't
believe in sleeping with everyone, but I am still unsure about the
sex before marriage thing

Sitaram: You should read my pages on sexuality,... I just prepared an
email today for someone else, so I should email to you now...

Agni: OK. how do you feel about sex before married (if it was not
brought up in your recent conversation)

Agni: I want to please and know God, but I also enjoy sex...That is
not all I am interested in asking you. just one of my many questions.
I hope you do not mind

Sitaram: No, I do not mind... you will see from next email, I have
addressed such questions before in great detail

Agni: OK. what beliefs do you follow. since you kind of take many
from different religions

Agni: Do you pray/meditate on a particular Deity?

Agni: Take your time. but I would appreciate if you answer my
questions if you have not covered them before

Sitaram: It is best if you try to read those posts on sexuality,
while I study your questions here,.... so I may compose in my mind
appropriate answers, if my other posts have not covered something

Agni: OK. What beliefs do you follow. Since you kind of take many
from different religions. Do you pray/meditate on a particular deity?

Sitaram: I did different things during my life,.... things kept
changing..... now my practice is simply to write and discuss full
time.... which now takes most of my energy

Agni: OK.

Agni: I am glad you do, for people like me.

Sitaram: Yes, there is a purpose for everything. That is one reason
why there cannot be one path, because there cannot be one
temperament, one personality. Some must be athletic, some must be
scholarly, some must be warlike, some must be gentle, so that there
will be some to accomplish all necessary tasks.

Sitaram: What is your age?

Agni: 25.

Sitaram: I already sensed you are an adult from your words

Agni: Sorry to keep repeating. but do you meditate on a particular
Deity?

Sitaram: At one time in my life, I did, for several years... but I
cannot say that I do so now.

Agni: OK. I find it a bit difficult since Hinduism believes that each
deity embodies certain qualities of God.

Agni: Do you have an altar?

Sitaram: Well, yes, I do, but, I don't use it much like I used to

Sitaram: The Internet is my altar now, and ideas are my moortys.

Agni: What do you mean?

Sitaram: My path has evolved into that of a jnani

Sitaram: So my practice and meditation is in the form of writing/
(preaching if you will)

Agni: OK I see. I do not know much about jnani

Sitaram: Some offer a leaf, some a fruit, some a flower, (Gita), but
we are not limited to one thing to offer, to one path

Agni: Do you meditate?

Sitaram: I formally meditated for a period of years, but now my
writing is a form of meditation,...

Agni: I understand that to a degree, but I am not at that stage of
realization, so I do not understand fully

Agni: Have you discussed reincarnation on your site?

Sitaram: Yes, I have discussed reincarnation

Agni: OK. I will read that then. I believe it to a degree, but am not
totally convinced on it because it is so abstract

Sitaram: I just did google.com search on REINCARNATION SITARAM (i.e.
two search words) and many of my posts came up

Agni: Then I wonder if it is wrong and we have only one chance.. then
what

Sitaram:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sitaram/message/754

Agni: OK. thank u

Sitaram: Reincarnation vs "Born once & then the Judgment"

Sitaram:

http://www.indolink.com/Forum/Arts-Culture/messages/4132.html

Sitaram: http://www.zen-forum.com/a13/b2002/c04/d3/e1366/z7

Agni: I read your email about sexuality. I was married for 2 3/4
years and divorced, and am now single so I wanted to figure how I
feel about sex in relation to God before I get involved. I think God
is more important than relationships, so this question has plagued me
in a sense. Your email helped a bit, though I need to do more
searching spiritually

Sitaram: Have you been dating

Agni: My husband had an affair. I am much more attractive than her
and was very good to him, and he begged me to stay, but it hurt me
deeply, so that is why I was questioning relationship and sex

Sitaram: Men frequently have weaknesses and are unfaithful

Agni: I meet guys often and talk, but I have not gotten involved
since the divorce. Partially because getting over the hurt and trying
to center myself with God, and realize myself more and also I am more
picky about the qualities I look for in a man now. I met my husband
when I was 17, we were together 51/2 years. and though I dated a lot
before him and had other partners, he was the only one I loved

Sitaram: A wise decision. Be patient, take your time

Agni: I am approaching my life differently now. Before marriage. I
would have met a guy and started dating constantly right away, but
that only brought pain and confusion in the past because many guys
are too sexually motivated

Sitaram: It is hard to find a male who just wants to be friends and
take it slowly

Sitaram: Especially in 20's age bracket

Agni: It sure is! I have male friends that I know are attracted to
me, but I don't sense anything much more than friendship. I think it
is because I am being extra cautious now. before I was extremely
impulsive. a bit destructively so

Sitaram: Many young males are sexual predators

Agni: Yes! I mean I enjoy sex. All humans do I would think, but it is
so much more important that I have a mental, spiritual and emotional
bond with that person first

Sitaram: Precisely

Sitaram: It is easier to make a friend into a lover, than it is to
make a lover into a friend

Agni: But many people are just carnal in this age of Kali so it is
rare

Sitaram: Look for the book by Gloria Steinham "Self Esteem" (a book
for women)

Agni: I had a friend who turned my lover, and he was in love with me,
but I was in love with my ex then (it was when we briefly broke up
when we were dating), so I am a bit nervous about ruining a
friendship if I take that step

Sitaram: Once you "cross certain lines" with someone, with regard to
intimacy, then you cannot go back

Agni: I look more for the mental, spiritual and emotional bond,
(especially spiritually) rather than just being with someone for just
companionship now. but very few men care about spirituality

Agni: Very true

Sitaram: You should try to visit a Zen Center (they do not charge any
money), go there on a the evening which is for beginners,

Sitaram: They teach a simple form of meditation,... you will meet
different types of people there....

Agni: I don't want to do things/go places with meet men as a big
motive...but I would like to try that

Sitaram: I did not suggest it for meetings (but sometimes meetings do
happen).... you will profit from the experiences

Agni: Oh yes, by the way, I am a partial vegetarian for 2 weeks now.
I still eat shrimp. not sure about my position on eggs or fish but no
meat

Agni: What is your take on eating shrimp

Agni: I have not eaten fish or eggs in two weeks but do eat shrimp

Sitaram: It is not particulary helpful to the shrimp. But shrimp is
OK for you for now....

Sitaram: You must ease into things gradually, do not feel anxieties
about right and wrong

Sitaram: You will know when you are ready for changes in life, diet,
devotional activities

Sitaram: You will evolve slowly

Agni: Yes. Especially after being such a devout Christian. sometimes
I feel a sense of regret being Christian before because I have so
many fears and anxieties spiritually now, though the experience was
necessary for me too

Sitaram: Evolution, not revolution

Agni: I like that!

Sitaram: The flowers do not worry when Spring will come, they simply
open when it is time

Agni: So many questions I struggle with. from since I was very young
(early teenager), they almost made me suicidal

Agni: But evolution, not revolution is the best for me. I am an over-
achiever too much and want things done too fast sometimes

Sitaram: So, now you have time, you are young, you have things to
read, people to talk to, the Internet... be patient, but persistent
in doing things every day, reading every day...

Sitaram: Teach yourself some simple Internet HTML skills so you can
create and maintain a website

Sitaram: Then, if you like, become the custodian of my writings, when
I am gone, and keep them alive for future generations

Agni: A site similar to yours, do you mean?

Sitaram: Simply to have the HTML skills, ability... it is not
complicated.... only a few commands and things to know

Sitaram: Once you have the knowledge and ability, then you have the
power to do what you like...

Sitaram: These are simply possibilities which are open to you...

Agni: I do not flatter people just to kiss up, but that would be an
honor because you are very kind to share your experiences and
searching, while being honest and not glorifying yourself

Sitaram: For now, simply read each day, and make the most of your
time....

Sitaram: Everything happens for some purpose, some reason. Nothing is
by accident, though we cannot always know what that purpose is

Agni: I am not too sure about a site like yours. I do not want to
display too much of myself personally since I have much more
searching to do, but

Sitaram: It is purpose which gives our lives meaning

Sitaram: But if you learn how to CREATE a site, then, if you keep a
backup of mine, and it disappears in five years, you can put it again
somewhere, and keep it alive.... which will keep me alive (my
thoughts and words)

Agni: Though I would like to share my spiritual journeys, and yours
for they have helped me insofar and will help others

Sitaram: It is something for you to think about.... you need not make
decisions now

Agni: Okay. I will consider it. and will try to learn HTML. it will
only benefit me

Agni: I want to learn so many things, I sometimes do not know where
to start first...

Sitaram: One step at a time, one day at a time

Sitaram: You have things to read now,.... You have my website to
unzip on your drive...

Agni: You make it known that you found out about different religions
objectively to arrive to your current views. that is what made me
interested in your site

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