A question of combined beliefs

[Sufjon]

Sufjon, I very much agree with this. I have always felt that, as a Catholic, everything we do seems to be a sin. That has been a real sticking point for me, especially because of my studies of Yoga and Vedanta. Living life as a Catholic always seems to me, in one way or another, to be filled with guilt and the impossibility of ever being worthy of anything. I never felt like this when practicing Yoga (and by this I mean the 8 limbs as per Patanjali, not what most western people think of as Yoga). I felt so much closer to God then, and I felt joyful a great deal of the time. It’s sad for me, because I grew up in the Catholic church, but feels like it will be an unsustainable place for me. I guess it doesn’t help that my pastor is very judgemental. I really don’t even want to go back to my church.

Thank you for posting the quote from John Paul II. He is one of the only reasons I’ve stayed with Catholicism.

I have some questions I’d like to ask you at some point. I’ve found your explanations and answers very clear, and we seem to be in the same page regarding most of our beliefs. I’m not sure this board has private messaging or not. Perhaps we can start a new thread in Non-Catholic Religions?

Thank you!

Hi Ebonykawai - it’s very nice to meet you! It sounds like you’ve done a lot of spiritual practice in your life, having had experiences in two very rich traditions like Catholicism and yoga. BTW - the board does have private messaging. If you just click on a person’s name at the top of their posts it’ll lead to their profile. Under “contact info” you can send messages to anyone you like.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[Sufjon]

I have this translation. It’s wonderful!

I’ve read many different translations of the principal Upanishads, but every time I see a copy of Easwaran’s, I buy it!

Your friend,
Sufjon

 

[Khalid]

You say “principal” Upanishads - is that to say that there are additional ones (as I understand there are additional Vedas beyond the Rig Veda, although I have been unable to find them) not present in Easwaran’s book? (Question asked in earlier post about canons, etc.) If I misinterpret, I apologize, as some of the more complex renderings of English nuance still elude me (yes, even if my prose makes James Joyce look like a children’s book).

 

[CMatt25]

In short the validly baptised are always Catholic. But the communion the baptised choose to practice his “faith” determines his true identity of practice, at the same time never removing his “sacramental” baptism from his soul.

Suffice to say, I agree with all the bishop states

Have a happy and repentative lent season that disciplines the believers in Jesus Christ to remove those things that may prevent us from drawing closer to our heavenly Father.

Terrific I’m glad you agree with all my former bishop states in that the Baptized Catholic is a Catholic capital C variety. Your hangup appears to be mainly then with the adjective “Roman”.

U2 as well. Peace.

 

[Sufjon]

You say “principal” Upanishads - is that to say that there are additional ones (as I understand there are additional Vedas beyond the Rig Veda, although I have been unable to find them) not present in Easwaran’s book? (Question asked in earlier post about canons, etc.) If I misinterpret, I apologize, as some of the more complex renderings of English nuance still elude me (yes, even if my prose makes James Joyce look like a children’s book).

Hi Khalid: I get the sense that no one really knows how many Upanishads there are. I have heard as few as 108 and as many as 200. The problem is that most of them aren’t collected together in one place, or combined in a work called Upanishads - they’re often tacked on to other works.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[rinnie]

Thank you all for the thoughtful responses.

As someone whose spirituality and faith community are Unitarian Universalist, I find myself sometimes at a loss to understand how those who have more defined beliefs understand their faith.

That is why I enjoy coming here. It is instructive, sometimes alarming, but usually interesting.

When I told my friend, the one who considers himself a UU Roman Catholic, that I had posted my question here, he laughed and said I would probably be scalped.

Well, I still have what’s left of my hair, and I have a better understanding of the distictive differences between our faith communities.

Peace,

Seeker

Glad to see you made it out somewhat alive I think what people are trying to say is, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

I am kind of on the other side of the coin as you for defined beliefs. My point would be how do those without defined beliefs understand thier faith.

Speaking for myself it is the constant non-changing beliefs that keep me in check. I mean lets face it, who has the right or authority to change anything God said.

If God said we must do something then we must obey.

 

[Khalid]

Hi Khalid: I get the sense that no one really knows how many Upanishads there are. I have heard as few as 108 and as many as 200. The problem is that most of them aren’t collected together in one place, or combined in a work called Upanishads - they’re often tacked on to other works.

Your friend
Sufjon

ARGH! How typically… Hindu. (Meant as both a compliment and complaint - as a Hindu, I hope you’ll understand: “Well, we have enough to understand the spiritual world here… but there’s more you can find if you really want to, but it’s better to work on your own self first, as further book knowledge shall do no positive. And then the other traditions have some…”.)

Anathema to me who loveth everything arranged logically on a bookshelf according to Leibniz’s system!

 

[Sufjon]

ARGH! How typically… Hindu. (Meant as both a compliment and complaint - as a Hindu, I hope you’ll understand: “Well, we have enough to understand the spiritual world here… but there’s more you can find if you really want to, but it’s better to work on your own self first, as further book knowledge shall do no positive. And then the other traditions have some…”.)

Anathema to me who loveth everything arranged logically on a bookshelf according to Leibniz’s system!

Hi Khalid: You’re right - it’s very typically Hindu. I like the part about working on your own experience. That is very Hindu as well.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[Micorhizea]

Are your beliefs in accord with Rome? If not, then you are protestants.

Whatever the Pope says, so says the Catholic laymen.

In theory or in practice? That is an “allness” proposition that wouldn’t fly if you took a survey in my Parish! I like Cmatt25’s answer better.

I also like Publisher’s post, #13.

Having said that, Sufjon’s series of posts is very level headed, accurate, and for me, take the cake.