Re: Sri Ganesha Temple ( Nashville, Tennessee)
Originally Posted by
Friend from the West
Hari Om
Namaste Szalvias and everyone here.
Thanks for sharing of your experience. I have yet to have visitied. If even fair question, how would you compare to stay at Monastery?
Again, thanks.
Om Shanti
FFTW
Sorry it took so long to reply! I've been very busy with work and with school and other things. I've been trying to network recently so that I am surrounded by better influences.
Going to a Hindu temple in comparison to a Monastery has very little similarity. In a monastery (and I have indeed been to several, although they were in Germany, and not my own country), the atmosphere feels very somber and serious in comparison to a Hindu temple which feels lively, full of energy, and a bit more dynamic. In a monastery, for me there is a feeling that you will be excluded from the community if you mess up or misbehave. At Shri Ganesha temple I did not feel this at all. I felt welcome, and having spoken with locals who are not Hindu and have gone there, I know that if you do something improper they correct you with little to no judgement or condemnation involved. It feels more progressive and more modern, yet still timeless.
A Christian monastery is focused on religion and dogma, I felt that this temple was less focused on this dogma and more focused on spirituality... more focused on empowering people to connect with God rather than forcing them to obey convention, although you are naturally expected to follow certain customs and regulations. I felt like everyone there was my brother because we were all there to worship Lord Shiva for whatever reason. Even back 20 some odd years ago when i was a part of Christian religion, I never felt this degree of unity at any form of assembly. There, I felt like I was being judged and condemned.
It may be wise, when reading this to understand that I have had VERY BAD experiences with my family religion of Christianity. I dare say that my experiences in monasteries and churches was far worse than is typical.
I hope this was somehow useful!
Om Namah Shivaya.
My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realising Him.
-Mahatma Gandhi
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