Hi MaryBeloved: You have asked some really good questions, but the answers aren’t simple. I may have to respond in parts. As a disclaimer, I will explain Hindu theology on the questions you’ve asked. I am not telling you that this is the way it is or the way you should see it. It’s the way we understand it.
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f I may ask, is it your belief that there’s only one true reality and that our current life/experience is only a type of illusion, or is it rather that everything is truly real, (if that is an accurate way to put it) only that each is a part/expression of different aspects of the one reality/supreme being?..I don’t know if you understand my Q?
All things in the physical world are components of Prakriti (roughly translated, Prakriti is nature, or physical reality). Prakriti is an epiphenomenon of Purusha (Purusha is the One Self, or God). Prakriti to God is like ripples to a rock thrown in the water. The ripples are caused by the rock and dependent on it in order for them to manifest. The rock is not dependent on the ripples. It exists independently of the drama of the ripple, but can participate in it as the causal component. All things in the realm of Prakriti are governed by the Gunas, which are Rajas (action), Tamas (inertia) and Sattva ( balance). These are very rough translations. Each person is under the dominant sway of one of these. One who becomes completely under the sway of sattva is able to transcend Prakriti altogether, and become fully realized in regard to their oneness with God and all things. The primary characteristic of Prakriti (physical world) is mutability or change. It is all transient, and therefore can never represent a static reality. Much like the way a cloud forms, changes shape and dissipates is the nature of all things, except Purusha, or God. BTW, we have many names for God – Prusha is the one we would use in the context of this sort of conversation, however, in reality, He is nameless and not even a He or a She, yet manifest as both.
For example, is the tree truly existent and a particular manifestation of God, or is it not truly existent but only appears to be so? What accurately represents the Hindu perspective? If you don’t mind, could you tell me the difference between Hindu approach and Buddhist, or zen etc
I am not much of an expert on Buddhism, but I can explain the Hindu perspective. A tree or anything else is passing. It is an expression of God, but not something in and of itself. The experience of a tree is subject to the interdependency of all existence. The eye, the tree, the light of the sun reflecting on the iris of the eye, the brain to process the information – all are interdependent to be revealed. And yet, even without vision, or lighting up an object, of reflecting on the eye, the sun remains distinct and independent. So it is with the Self (God). The Self of all beings is the source of all objects and also the agency by which all are revealed.
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m also curious about your prayer before an image of the Virgin Mary. Were you praying to the Virgin herself, say for a favor or such or even just thinking about her and her life, or directly to God but by use of the image? Of course, if you were speaking with her, as a Catholic I would be very pleased that you honor her (but no pressure
). Also, you say Hindu faith allows you to do so, are you also allowed to believe in her as a person as Catholics do? Say for example, that she truly was an existent person who bore God in her womb or that she can as a person truly hear your prayer, etc?
Yes, we are allowed to believe in Mary as a person who bore God in her womb and that she can hear our prayers. As for asking her for things, we would say that you can do that, but this is counter productive, and I will explain why. This is why I mentioned Prakriti and the Gunas a while back. When we ask Mary or God for favors, we are asking for outcomes in this physical realm. The objective of a Hindu is to transcend all of this and become one with God. You may certainly get what you ask for by praying to Mary, but this is a matter of making YOUR will manifest in physical reality (don’t let me die right now, help me get this job, ect, ect). It is all only temporary. The way to truly make YOUR will manifest is to surrender YOUR will to God’s. By not wanting this or that or being afraid of this or that, you are getting closer to the liberation that brings one to God. So, while we might get what we asked for, we are delaying our journey back to God by remaining entwined in the day to day dealings of transience.
So, yes – Hindu’s will pray for things and get results, but better results are obtained by praying for nothing. That is real prayer. What do I mean by that? The best prayer is to sit quietly in adoration. This is why I like the rosary. I think all Christians should say the rosary. As you recite the prayers, you think on 15 aspects of the lives of Mary and Jesus (five joyful, five sorrowful and five glorious aspects or mysteries). You are no longer thinking about you or what you want. THAT is real prayer. Over time, you may learn to sit quietly in front of a candle and think of Mary or of Jesus. Just feel their presence and listen. This is not easy to do, but anyone can learn to say a rosary and this will lead to the proper level of introspection for real prayer. I know that you can feel God’s love through adoration or Jesus or of Mary. Then each day, try to see them in the people you meet. They are manifestations of God too. So are you. You have to start by loving something. Real prayer is the way to do that. We call that Bhakti or devotion. Devotion leads to surrender, and surrender leads to God’s will taking over in your life and this ends the need for asking for things, and leaves the field of your life more open for real prayer.
Your friend,
Sufjon
