Swami Vivekananda discusses the Hindu concept of idol worship. He explains that idol worship is a means for developing one's conception of the divine, as most cannot grasp the abstract concept of God. All religions use symbols and images as aids to worship - such as crosses, temples, or turning towards Mecca. Idol worship in Hinduism is not compulsory, but provides spiritual support for those who need symbols to focus their worship. Ultimately, one must progress beyond external rituals and symbols to directly realize the divine within.
It is surprising that people who say they are Christians, when asked how does change you from your first point of becoming a Christian, they often do not know. They answer when asked with all sorts of 'spiritual' answers. But how do we change, what is the process of change. Scripture (The Bible) does actually tell us what is the process!
It is surprising that people who say they are Christians, when asked how does change you from your first point of becoming a Christian, they often do not know. They answer when asked with all sorts of 'spiritual' answers. But how do we change, what is the process of change. Scripture (The Bible) does actually tell us what is the process!
Spiritual practice - Basic Principle 1 Plus IntroductionSSRF Inc.
There are as many pathways to God as there are people. This is the first basic principle of spiritual practice for all seekers of God who want to attain Final Liberation in this very life.
Swami #Vivekananda Bengali: , Shāmi Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born #Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of# Vedanta and #Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising #interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. Vivekananda founded the #Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is perhaps best known for his speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...," in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his Guru, Ramakrishna Deva, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later traveled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated there as National Youth Day.
A General Introduction to the Baha'i Faith (by J. Lane)jessielynn9
This is not an official representation of the Baha'i Faith, but a representation of the understanding of one individual Baha'i.
2-25-13
I threw this powerpoint on here in an attempt to be able to share it with some colleagues. There were some formatting issues after it was uploaded so I didn't end up sharing this version. I never thought that other people would view it, and completely forgot about this site. This morning I got an e-mail saying I had 100 views, and was completely flabbergasted. Since people are finding this useful I'll try and upload the powerpoint again after having made some formatting changes so the text doesn't drop off, etc.
Thanks for reading!
9-12-13
If you find this powerpoint useful I would appreciate feedback about what I've included, whether it be other concepts that could be included or explanations that could be better worded or expressed. Thanks!
True Meaning of Sufism
The Sufi Way
Sufism in Life
Seven Souls-Sufi Psychological View
Psychological Well-being
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Clinical Perspectives
Authentic Contact
Relationship to Truth
Spiritual practice - Basic Principle 1 Plus IntroductionSSRF Inc.
There are as many pathways to God as there are people. This is the first basic principle of spiritual practice for all seekers of God who want to attain Final Liberation in this very life.
Swami #Vivekananda Bengali: , Shāmi Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born #Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of# Vedanta and #Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising #interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. Vivekananda founded the #Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is perhaps best known for his speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...," in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his Guru, Ramakrishna Deva, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later traveled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated there as National Youth Day.
A General Introduction to the Baha'i Faith (by J. Lane)jessielynn9
This is not an official representation of the Baha'i Faith, but a representation of the understanding of one individual Baha'i.
2-25-13
I threw this powerpoint on here in an attempt to be able to share it with some colleagues. There were some formatting issues after it was uploaded so I didn't end up sharing this version. I never thought that other people would view it, and completely forgot about this site. This morning I got an e-mail saying I had 100 views, and was completely flabbergasted. Since people are finding this useful I'll try and upload the powerpoint again after having made some formatting changes so the text doesn't drop off, etc.
Thanks for reading!
9-12-13
If you find this powerpoint useful I would appreciate feedback about what I've included, whether it be other concepts that could be included or explanations that could be better worded or expressed. Thanks!
True Meaning of Sufism
The Sufi Way
Sufism in Life
Seven Souls-Sufi Psychological View
Psychological Well-being
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Clinical Perspectives
Authentic Contact
Relationship to Truth
Instructions for WVAP’sThe main goal for WVAP’s Pick three .docxdirkrplav
Instructions for WVAP’s
The main goal for WVAP’s: Pick three different religions from the unit we just finished, and compare and contrast them according to one particular topic.
What’s more, you will include your own thoughts on the issue.
All WVAP projects will be done on PowerPoint, and contain five slides, incorporating both text and images. You will submit all WVAP’s on Blackboard.
Each BTG project must consist of 600 words (not counting the first page, that is, the title page).
Instructions for WVAP’s
In regards to the topics, you may choose from the following:
Concepts of ultimate being
Founders
Sacred texts and authority
The notion of self
The problem of evil and suffering
The view of salvation and the afterlife
Rituals
Ethics
Religious experience
Religious art
Origins
Instructions for WVAP’s
So, then, the first slide will be your title page. This will consist of the three religions and topic you have chosen.
Slides 2, 3, & 4 will consist of the view of that topic found in the three religions you have chosen.
The fifth and final slide will consist of your personal reflection on the assignment. That is, you will tell us what your view is. For example, if you chose “sacred texts and authority” as your topic, you will describe which sacred text(s) guide your life, even if your religion is not included in the ones that you’ve chosen for the project. If you’re not religious, then you will describe which book(s) have had a big influence on your worldview.
In either case, you must tell us why you have chosen your particular worldview, as opposed to other worldviews, and, if possible, provide a reason, or two, on why you think your worldview is true.
Instructions for WVAP’s
Here’s an example of a WVAP:
Let’s say the three religions you chose are Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
And let’s say you chose as your topic: Concepts of ultimate being.
So now then...
WVAP Project #1
My three religions:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Jainism
My topic:
Concepts
of
Ultimate
Being
Buddhism
There is no absolute God in Buddhism. The Buddha did not explicitly deny the existence of God, but said that the question of God’s existence does not help one achieve enlightenment.
That is, those seeking enlightenment need to concentrate on their own spiritual paths themselves rather than relying on any help from the outside, whether people or deities.
The Buddha did not claim divinity or even a divine source for his teachings. He saw himself as only “one showing the way” to fellow monks and compared his teachings to a raft that should be left behind once the other side of the river has been reached.
Although belief in an ultimate God is opposed by nearly all Buddhists, the Mahayana school developed notions of the Buddha and propounded the existence of many semi-divine beings, who are believed to hear prayers, help people with their needs in this life, and ultimately help one to attain Nirvana, the ultimate goal in Buddhism.
.
The main objective of this website is to offer a new way of thinking about such matters based on science and clear reasoning; a way of thinking that reveals meaning and purpose for our lives; a way that leads to natural personal fulfillment and happiness
Swami #Vivekananda Bengali: , Shāmi Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born #Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of# Vedanta and #Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising #interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. Vivekananda founded the #Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is perhaps best known for his speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...," in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his Guru, Ramakrishna Deva, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later traveled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated there as National Youth Day.
The world is perhaps at the point of the greatest crisis in all human history, and
there seem to be two attitudes we can assume. One is calmness, faith, and
conviction; the other would be despair. And despair is unthinkable. Let each, in
[their] own way, dedicate [their] time, service, hope, and spiritual conviction to
the common cause of liberty and justice for all. And let's work without tiring and
pray without ceasing.
The world is perhaps at the point of the greatest crisis in all human history, and
there seem to be two attitudes we can assume. One is calmness, faith, and
conviction; the other would be despair. And despair is unthinkable. Let each, in
[their] own way, dedicate [their] time, service, hope, and spiritual conviction to
the common cause of liberty and justice for all. And let's work without tiring and
pray without ceasing.
Karma yoga chapter v we help ourselves, not the world.Ravi Ramakrishnan
Swami #Vivekananda Bengali: , Shāmi Bibekānondo; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born #Narendranath Datta, was an Indian Hindu monk, a chief disciple of the 19th-century Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of# Vedanta and #Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising #interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion during the late 19th century. He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India, and contributed to the concept of nationalism in colonial India. Vivekananda founded the #Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. He is perhaps best known for his speech which began, "Sisters and brothers of America ...," in which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Born into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta, Vivekananda was inclined towards spirituality. He was influenced by his Guru, Ramakrishna Deva, from whom he learnt that all living beings were an embodiment of the divine self; therefore, service to God could be rendered by service to mankind. After Ramakrishna's death, Vivekananda toured the Indian subcontinent extensively and acquired first-hand knowledge of the conditions prevailing in British India. He later traveled to the United States, representing India at the 1893 Parliament of the World Religions. Vivekananda conducted hundreds of public and private lectures and classes, disseminating tenets of Hindu philosophy in the United States, England and Europe. In India, Vivekananda is regarded as a patriotic saint and his birthday is celebrated there as National Youth Day.
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Hope of Salvation - Jude 1:24-25 - MessageCole Hartman
Jude gives us hope at the end of a dark letter. In a dark world like today, we need the light of Christ to shine brighter and brighter. Jude shows us where to fix our focus so we can be filled with God's goodness and glory. Join us to explore this incredible passage.
2 Peter 3: Because some scriptures are hard to understand and some will force them to say things God never intended, Peter warns us to take care.
https://youtu.be/nV4kGHFsEHw
Discover various methods for clearing negative entities from your space and spirit, including energy clearing techniques, spiritual rituals, and professional assistance. Gain practical knowledge on how to implement these techniques to restore peace and harmony. For more information visit here: https://www.reikihealingdistance.com/negative-entity-removal/
A Free eBook ~ Valuable LIFE Lessons to Learn ( 5 Sets of Presentations)...OH TEIK BIN
A free eBook comprising 5 sets of PowerPoint presentations of meaningful stories /Inspirational pieces that teach important Dhamma/Life lessons. For reflection and practice to develop the mind to grow in love, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese.
My other free eBooks can be obtained from the following Links:
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/presentations
https://www.slideshare.net/ohteikbin/documents
A375 Example Taste the taste of the Lord, the taste of the Lord The taste of...franktsao4
It seems that current missionary work requires spending a lot of money, preparing a lot of materials, and traveling to far away places, so that it feels like missionary work. But what was the result they brought back? It's just a lot of photos of activities, fun eating, drinking and some playing games. And then we have to do the same thing next year, never ending. The church once mentioned that a certain missionary would go to the field where she used to work before the end of his life. It seemed that if she had not gone, no one would be willing to go. The reason why these missionary work is so difficult is that no one obeys God’s words, and the Bible is not the main content during missionary work, because in the eyes of those who do not obey God’s words, the Bible is just words and cannot be connected with life, so Reading out God's words is boring because it doesn't have any life experience, so it cannot be connected with human life. I will give a few examples in the hope that this situation can be changed. A375
Why is this So? ~ Do Seek to KNOW (English & Chinese).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma teaching of Kamma-Vipaka (Intentional Actions-Ripening Effects).
A Presentation for developing morality, concentration and wisdom and to spur us to practice the Dhamma diligently.
The texts are in English and Chinese.
2. God is eternal, without any form, omnipresent. To
think of Him as possessing any form is
blasphemy. But the secret of image worship is
that you are trying to develop your vision of
Divinity in one thing.
3. All of you have been taught to believe in an
omnipresent God. Try to think of it. How
few of you can have any idea of what
omnipresence means! If you struggle
hard, you will get something like the idea
of ocean, or of the sky, or of a vast stretch
of green earth, or of a desert
4. All these are material images, and so long
as you cannot conceive of the abstract as
abstract, of the ideal as the ideal, you will
have to resort to these forms, these
material images. It does not make much
difference whether these images are inside
or outside the mind.
5. We are all born idolators, and idolatry is good,
because it is in the nature of man. Who can get
beyond it? Only the perfect man, the God-man.
The rest are all idolators. So long as we see the
universe before us, with its forms and shapes,
we are all idolators. This is a gigantic symbol we
are worshipping. He who says that he is the
body, is a born idolator.
6. We are spirit, spirit that has no form or
shape, spirit that is infinite, and not matter.
Therefore any one who cannot grasp the
abstract, who cannot think of himself as he
is, except in and through matter, as the
body, is an idolator. And yet how people fight
among themselves, calling one another
idolators! In other words, each says, his idol
is right, and the others' are wrong.
7. Two sorts of persons never require any
image--the human animal who never
thinks of any religion, and the perfected
being who has passed through these
stages. Between these two points all of us
require some sort of ideal, outside and
inside.
8. The Christians think that when God came in
the form of a dove it was all right, but if He
comes in the form of a fish, as the Hindus
say, it is very wrong and superstitious.
9. The Jews think if an idol be made in the
form of a chest with two angels sitting on
it, and a book on it, it is all right, but if it is
in the form of a man or a woman, it is
awful.
10. The Mohammedans think that when they
pray, if they try to form a mental image of
the temple with the Kaaba, the black stone
in it, and turn towards the west, it is all
right, but if you form the image in the
shape of a church it is idolatry. This is the
defect of image worship.
11. We may worship anything be seeing God in
it, if we can forget the idol and see God
there. We must not project any image upon
God. But we may fill any image with that
Life which is God. Only forget the
image, and you are right enough---for "out
of Him comes everything".
12. He is everything. We may worship a picture
as God, but not God as the picture. God in
the picture is right, but the picture as God
is wrong. God in the image is perfectly
right. There is no danger there. This is the
real worship of God.
13. Superstition is a great enemy of man, but
bigotry is worse. Why does a Christian go
to church? Why is the cross holy? Why is
the face turned toward the sky in prayer?
Why are there so many images in the
Catholic Church? Why are there so many
images in the minds of Protestants when
they pray?
14. My brethren, we can no more think about
anything without a mental image than we
can live without breathing. By the law of
association the material image calls up the
mental idea and vice versa.
15. This is why the Hindu uses an external
symbol when he worships. He will tell you,
it helps to keep his mind fixed on the Being
to whom he prays. He knows as well as
you do that the image is not God, is not
omnipresent.
16. After all how much does omnipresence
mean to almost the whole world? It stands
merely as a word, a symbol. Has God
superficial area? If not, when we repeat
the word "omnipresent", we think of the
extended sky or of space, that is all.
17. Unity in variety is the plan of nature, and the Hindu
has recognized it. Every other religion lays down
certain fixed dogmas, and tries to force society to
adopt them. It places before society only one
coat which must fit Jack and John and Henry, all
alike. If it does not fit John or Henry, he must go
without a coat to cover his body.
18. The Hindus have discovered that the absolute
can only be realized, or thought of, or stated,
through the relative, and the images, crosses
and crescents are simply so many symbols---
so many pegs to hang the spiritual ideas on.
It is not that this help is necessary for every
one, but those that do not need it have no
right to say that it is wrong. Nor is it
compulsory in Hinduism.
19. It has been a trite saying, that idolatry is wrong, and
every man swallows it at the present time without
questioning. I once thought so, and to pay the
penalty of that I had to learn my lesson sitting at
the feet of a man who realised everything through
idols; I allude to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Take
a thousand idols more if you can produce
Ramakrishna Paramhamsas through idol worship,
and may God speed you!
20. Idolatry in India does not mean anything horrible. It
is not the mother of harlots. On the other hand it is
the attempt of undeveloped minds to grasp high
spiritual truths.
Man is to become divine by realizing the divine.
Idols, or temples or churches or books are only the
supports, the helps, of his spiritual childhood; but
on and on he must progress.
21. Therefore, we should get rid of these
childish notions. We should get beyond the
prattle of men who think that religion is
merely a mass of frothy words, that it is
only a system of doctrines; to whom
religion is only a little intellectual assent or
dissent; …
22. …to whom religion' is believing in certain
words which their own priests tell them; to
whom religion is something which their
forefathers believed; to whom religion is a
certain form of ideas and superstitions to
which they cling, because they are their
national superstitions.
23. We should get beyond all these, and look at
humanity as one vast organism, slowly
coming towards light----a wonderful
plant, slowly unfolding itself to that wonderful
truth which is called God---and the first
gyrations, the first motions, towards this are
always through matter and ritual.