GOD IS GREAT( Entry No.3)
Given below is my Reply to Mr Gegs respons,which carry forwoards the Discussion on the topic:
GREG WRITES: Dear Arun:
I am enjoying your reflections on the Divine. In terms of Hitchens book, there are some things he writes of that I agree with, especially, the acts of violence done by fundamentalists in many religions. I also appreciate his insights on the contradictions and unhealthy image of the Divine found in both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. This said, I also find his lack of appreciation for the gifts of religion to humankind to be without balance. As you have written, the Vedas speak to the very essence of the Divine and are beyond religion or dogma.
My greatest sadness over Hitchins book is that he does not indicate an appreciation for the "spiritual" or "spirituality" – a way of life that the Vedas make possible and that transcends "being religious." I wish he would read and reflect on Aurobindo. He might then appreciate Aurobindo’s prediction of a coming transformation in consciousness that we are begining to witness among people all over our world who are realizing that God is one, people who share your understanding of the essence of the Divine.
Finally, thank you for posting the Upanishad passage from the Svetasvatara Upanishad, it is my favorite piece of spiritual literature ever recorded:
"I know that Great Person of the brightness of the sun beyond the darkness. Only by knowing him one goes beyond death. There is no other way."
Let us know him, go beyond the darkness and death and find the way, together.
Love, Greg
__________________________
Given below is my answer to MR.Greg
Dear Greg
Loving Namaste!
Glad to read your such a detail and thoughtful response and appreciation of my effort and intent.
I too apprciate Hutichinson for some good points in his book,especially the Title of the Book-"God is not Great",as in his title itself he is not saying GOD does not exists, he is only saying God is , but he is not great. And futher his sub -tirte he says "How Religion Poisons Every thing".
Also, it is good that through his popular book atleat,he has revived the ‘debate about GOD’, and has drawn attention of new genration atleast to the forgotten word "GOD" ,which west has persumed -"God is dead" (German: "Gott ist tot" (help·info); also known as the death of God) as per the widely-quoted statement by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Luckly through the developments in Information and communication science and technology and ‘Intent’ like bloggs on internet and other resources , and wide communication among global civilization of ours,we are in a position to look God in more holistic ,and comprehensive and open,freestyle manner,without religious or scientific bias.
And it seems to me be the right time to know the unknowable(GOD) a little more clearly atleast,even if all of us can not realize him instantly or atleast in this life time.
Regarding Terrorist in some fundamentalist religions,it should be made clear that Terrrism is not the product of Religions.It is creation of politicians of west who with vested interests created ans equiped and trained these monesters after second world war for their own political and selfish purposes and now the monester is after them.
It should be made clear that the Terrorists are not product of any religion and neither they are religious.But they are political creations and they are actually using religion as a shiled.Its like using scince for creating atom bomb and cursing the science,and not the man or politicians for misusing science.
Similarliy it is not the fault of Religion or Religions, not the "Failure of God" (as Christopher suggests),but to me it is the Failure of MAN himself or We the people.
Man call himself Man, but he has not really evolved into a "human being"(Man with humanitarian Qualities),and some where in his lower brain the animal instincts are still operating.It is for this reason the great Indian Philospher and Late President of India Dr. Srvapalli Radhakrishnan said:
"We have learnt to fly in the skies, we have learnt to race in the waters, but alas we have not yet learnt to walk on the earth."and
The famous poet Galib says-"Admi ko Mayyser nahin insan hona” (Man has not been able to be human).
Some body has rightly said: "MAN IS THE ENEMY."
Thats why in Indian religions there is call to win self (lower nature)/and become jin(as in Jains)or know the ‘realself’ and be Divine.
or atleast man in real sense of the word or Human-being,following any religious path(Bible,Gita,Koran….ect.or Real christaina =realHindu,=real muslim=real humanitarian=real athest=secular (unbiased).
So Religion neither poisons,nor God has failed,i t is politics that poisions and it is the man in us failed not the God. On the contrary God has faith in man and still creating and carrying us towards perfection sitting in our hearts (as love) and our consciousness.Till the super human being of Aurobindo is not evolved and Man is not finally established in its true nature-"sat-chid-ananda," as said in Yoga.Till then Om Shanti,Shanti,Shanti (Peace,Peace,Peace)’
With Love and prayers!
@run
.
About arun raghuwanshi
I AM THAT!
1.
I am not mind, nor int
ellect, nor ego,
nor the reflections of inner self (chitta).
I am not the five senses.
I am beyond that.
I am not the ether, nor the earth,
nor the fire, nor the wind (the five elements).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva (The Ultimate Goodness Principle!),
Love and pure consciousness
2.
Neither can I be termed as energy (prana),
nor five types of breath (vayus),
nor the seven material essences,
nor the five coverings (pancha-kosha).
Neither am I the five instruments of elimination,
procreation, motion, grasping, or speaking.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva
3.
I have no hatred or dislike,
nor affiliation or liking,
nor greed,
nor delusion,
nor pride or haughtiness,
nor feelings of envy or jealousy.
I have no duty (dharma),
nor any money,
nor any desire (kama),
nor even liberation (moksha).
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
4.
I have neither merit (virtue),
nor demerit (vice).
I do not commit sins or good deeds,
nor have happiness or sorrow,
pain or pleasure.
I do not need mantras, holy places,
scriptures (Vedas), rituals or sacrifices (yagnas).
I am none of the triad of
the observer or one who experiences,
the process of observing or experiencing,
or any object being observed or experienced.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
5.
I do not have fear of death,
as I do not have death.
I have no separation from my true self,
no doubt about my existence,
nor have I discrimination on the basis of birth.
I have no father or mother,
nor did I have a birth.
I am not the relative,
nor the friend,
nor the guru,
nor the disciple.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
6.
I am all pervasive.
I am without any attributes,
and without any form.
I have neither attachment to the world,
nor to liberation (mukti).
I have no wishes for anything
because I am everything,
everywhere,
every time,
always in equilibrium.
I am indeed,
That eternal knowing and bliss, Shiva,
love and pure consciousness.
I am Sada-Shiva,Sada-Shiva!
I am That!
*****
Visit : Arun Raghuwanshi @ www.yogaway-international.com
Arun, I do agree that it is mankind which has failed, not the religions. Sadly, religions are being abused and misused.
Sometimes it does make me feel we could do without it altogether. But they do provide the invaluable recordings of ages past and are a source of immense comfort and succour to many.
It is only the spiritual minded who seem inclined to go beyond religions and to see the commonality in them. But we need to make the effort to instill this value in people of all religions. Ed Howes blog in this regard is highly relevant.
May we be in Peace.
Dear Arun: Along with rekha, I support you in your insight that "mankind has failed." I was about to write about the violence done by the religion I minister in – Roman Catholic Christianity. I was about to point out that historically, the church has gone so far as to torture and kill non-believers, that it did not actively seek to protect Jews during the Holocaust and that it continues to do violence to the spirit of women and homosexuals. After reflecting again on your words, I find total agreement with you – it is not "religion" that has done these things, it has been "man," human beings – religious leaders. Yes Arun, we have a long way to go in understanding and living out who we really are. My brother, you have helped me to reflect and to grow today. I am grateful to you, and, I share your love for the Upanishads. They sing in my heart. I give thanks to the Rishis today and everyday. I especially give thanks to God, for you.
Love, Greg
I enjoyed your trilogy of God, keep up the good work, Kurt.
Dear Rekha S
Loving Namaste!
Thanks for supporting my presentation on blog-Entry No.3 "God is Great"
And showing agreement with the fact that its mankind which has failed and not the God by misusing and abusing religion,and not being truely religious.
Thre is no need to disowning religion (absataining from religions).But it is being religious in attitude that is needed today ,irrespective of ones own religion-Christain/Hindu/ muslim / Buddhist etc.), following universal moral codes and ethics of love,Compassion, Charity and brotherhood of humanity and oneness with every thing in the universe.
Rightly, it is by being truely religious or spiritual (adopting religiousity/not any particular religion only) that one can go beyond religious bias(monocular/insect like vision).
With globalization and evolving new consciousness among people of the world through greater communication,interaction ; and increasing understanding of the commn past and future of human race through scientific discoveries and application of science and technology in daily life , there is now greater mutual understang at every level.This will lead to universal relgious understanding in due course.Of course in near future,as are the indications.
No need to be disheartened by the past failures of man and present distubances.Man is growing and evolving in mind and spirit,with expansion of consciousness in a subtle ways,knowingly and unknowingly.
Have faith in the cosmic intelligence(GOD) which is evolving consciousness towards perfection.
When from a monkey , man can evolve,then why not from presenrt intellignet man a superman can not evolve. We are on our way to "That".Have Faith in Self(GOD within)
With best wishes.
Yours Brother !
@run
Dear Greg
Loving Namaste!
Thanks for supporting (along with reka) my proposition that it is not God but Man that has failed.
Happy to hear that my presentation on my Blog Entries related to:"God is Great", became an instument in making you rethinking and reflect , and stoping you from writing somthing against your own religion's (Roman Catholic Christianity) atrocities in those times.
I am glad that it helped you to realize that it was not your religion but some of people(not all) of that age and time who did the wrong things at that particular time.Then how one can put the blame for wrong doings of those people(their failure to follow religion in real sense), on your own religion,which in my openion is worlds most mercifull religion(full of sympathy to poors and sufferers/downtodens and most catholic in approach.
My gratitude to you for undersdtanding and appreciating the message of Upnishadas so clearly and in right perspective inspite of cultural limitations of being trained in diffrent religious tradition.
with love and affection!
your brother
@run
Dear Kurt
Dear Kurt
Loving Namaste!
Good to kow you enjoyed my Blog Entries about: "GOD IS GREAT"
Thanks for apprications and cheer up!
With best wishes!
@run