Hindu wisdom FREEDOM
The mind desires this,
And grieves for that.
It embraces one thing,
And spurns another.
Now it feels anger,
Now happiness.
In this way you are bound.
But when the mind desires nothing
And grieves for nothing.
When it is without joy or anger
And, grasping nothing,
Turns nothing away...
Then you are free.
-Ashtavakra Gita 8:12
I can respect that these monks attempt to disconnect from the physical realm to enter into a state of happiness and oneness with god. But they promote apathy - I mean freedom from desire is no freedom at all. To be free from greif and love, I cannot believe it would be a good way to live to not really care about anyone so that you do not grieve for them or desire them. It seems to me that the pleasure and despair of the world make life worth living. I respect their decision but this is why I think this wouldn't work for me. O well guess I can't be a hindu monk (dammit)
The laity if the Hindu religion are not pushe to follow these concepts, are they? How is anyone in a happy marriage? How will children be born in a land of souls floating (blissfully ignorant?) of the world around them. I wonder if I would sacrifice my "wordly pleasures" to become one with god. I guess i would i mean it's freakin' GOD ...but I want to find her in other ways right now ....and hopefully when I die I will be able to leave this all behind and be prepared for whatever lies ahead.