I really liked the ideas we talked about in class earlier this week about how we exert so much effort into trying to achieve earthly goals like pleasure, success, etc., when spirituality is what we truly desire. I really liked how the Gita encouraged us to pursue earthly goals despite this, though, seemingly knowing that we would realize what we truly want in our own time, as spirituality gives much more satisfaction in the long run than anything else.
This really resonated with me. My family has always been very religious, and even though I no longer practice the same religion as them, it still holds a very important place in my life, and brings me a lot of happiness, even though I gain no earthly benefits from worship. It just brings a sense of fulfillment that nothing else can compare to. I still enjoy earthly things, like good food or a good video game, but I also recognize that religion has a very important place in the long-run.
I also thought it was very interesting that there is such an acceptance of earthly goals in Hinduism. In many other religions, those types of things are frowned upon, but Hinduism allows each individual to find their own path to spirituality themselves.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the way it is accepted to follow what you believe is right, plus I've always thought people should figure out what is right and wrong for themselves. I know many people who just like to give advise and can never let you complain without trying to find a solution, but I like finding the solutions myself, even if they turn out to be the wrong ones. I think advise should be given when it's asked for, because people will ask for it when they really need help, just as the Gita tells that people will know what is wrong for them and search for the true purpose of life.
ReplyDeleteCertainly there are individual Hindus who are capable of being judgmental about bodily matters (it's a universal human failing), but as a general matter I have found Hindus I have known to be quite lighthearted about, for example, sexuality, even when their actual sexual behavior was practically Victorian. This in notable contrast to the Muslims I have known in India, who tend to be stone-faced on such subjects.
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