Book Club: How to Become a Hindu (Chapter Eleven)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm by Ambaa Choate

Book Club: How to Become a Hindu (Chapter Eleven) 2015-03-13T22:30:37-04:00 Ambaa Choate

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The well respected Himalayan Academy and their guru Subramuniyaswami put out a book several years ago called How To Become a Hindu. Over the next few weeks I’ll be reading the chapters and discussing each one individually. Today we’re looking at the eleventh chapter: Conclusion

(Book can also be downloaded free here: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/how-to-become-a-hindu)

This is the conclusion of the book. It wraps up with more emphasis on the importance of a clean and declared start in a new religion rather than a drifting in and out of religions.

He makes the great point that insisting on this formal process allows people to really think about the choice they are making and reconsider previous religious beliefs. Some people do change their mind about converting to Hinduism and rediscover the religion or the belief system of their past.

He warns against “New Age” approaches, saying that this is like walking around the base of the mountain over and over without ever going UP the mountain (as in the analogy of religions being many paths up the same mountain). He fears that “New Age” parents have no tradition and heritage to give to their children. I used to feel the same way; that New Age philosophy lacks depth. But now I think, for some people it does and for others it doesn’t. People get from religion what they need from it and we’re all at different stages on that journey. I value the commitment I have to Hinduism and its system, but I don’t have a problem with other people doing differently. And I’ve known some New Agers who get very deep in their religious experience.

He also encourages born Hindus who have wandered into other beliefs or never got much knowledge about their heritage to use this book and his other resources to re-realize Hinduism in their lives.

There follows a Sanskrit pronunciation guide and an in-depth glossary.

***

So now it is time to pick a new book to read through.

I would like to do Dancing With Shiva, but it is written by the same author as this one and I think it would be good to do a book by someone else!

For a very different take, I think what we’ll do next is Eat, Pray, Love. It’s not Hindu per-se, but it is a perspective on Hinduism and has something to say that’s relevant to non-Indian Hindus!

how to become a hindu

Previous Post

September 19, 2014

Holistic Health and What That Means

Next Post

September 22, 2014 The Biggest Golu Displays

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Club Hindu Holiday How Am I Being a Hindu This Week? Inside the Life Meet a God Meet a Guru Movie Club Philosophy Corner Resources Scripture Uncategorized Wild Card

Select a Month February 2020 September 2019 May 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did the Israelites eat in the wilderness?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Manna Bread and fish Grapes and figs Honey and milk