Promod Puri's Blog: Hinduism:beyond rituals,customs and traditions, page 113
October 18, 2016
Agree to disagree
By Promod Puri “Agree to disagree” is a declaration of face saving justification. When two or more parties or individuals after an argumentative discussion to resolve issues fail to agree, in all c…
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In Quito, the world meets to discuss the future of cities
“In Quito, Ecuador, at 2,850 metres above sea level, up to 50,000 people are gathering to discuss the future of the world’s cities. Where do we put the three billion extra people who wi…
Source: In Quito, the world meets to discuss the future of cities
October 17, 2016
October 13, 2016
Why Idol Worshiping
Image formation is a very natural trait in human psychology. In our conscious state all our feelings, ideas and impulses manifest images. The genesis of an image is a cognitive imagination influenc…
Source: Why Idol Worshiping
SIGNIFICANCE OF IDOL WORSHIPPING IN HINDUISM
Image formation is a very natural trait in human psychology. In our conscious state all our feelings, ideas and impulses manifest images. The genesis of an image is a cognitive imagination influenc…
Source: SIGNIFICANCE OF IDOL WORSHIPPING IN HINDUISM
SIGNIFICANCE OF IDOL WORSHIPPING IN HINDUISM
Image formation is a very natural trait in human psychology. In our conscious state all our feelings, ideas and impulses manifest images. The genesis of an image is a cognitive imagination influenced by perception of an object.
In The Philosophy and Significance of Idol Worship, a Divine Life Society publication, Sri Swami Sivananda says:
“Idol is a support for the neophyte. It is a prop of his spiritual childhood. A form or image is necessary for worship in the beginning. It is an external symbol of God for worship. It is a reminder of God. The material image calls up the mental idea. Steadiness of mind is obtained by image worship. The worshipper will have to associate the ideas of infinity, omnipotence, omniscience, purity, perfection, freedom, holiness, truth, omnipresence. It is not possible for all to fix the mind on the Absolute or the Infinite. A concrete form is necessary for the vast majority for practicing concentration. To behold God everywhere and to practice the presence of God is not possible for the ordinary man. Idol worship is the easiest form of worship for the modern man.
“A symbol is absolutely indispensable for fixing the mind. The mind wants a prop to lean upon. It cannot have a conception of the Absolute in the initial stages. Without the help of some external aid, in the initial stages, the mind cannot be centralised. In the beginning, concentration or meditation is not possible without a symbol.
Pratima (idol) is a substitute or symbol. The image in a temple, though it is made of stone, wood or metal, is precious for a devotee as it bears the mark of his Lord, as it stands for something which he holds holy and eternal. A flag is only a small piece of painted cloth, but it stands for a soldier for something that he holds very dear. He is prepared to give up his life in defending his flag. Similarly the image is very dear to a devotee. It speaks to him in its own language of devotion. Just as the flag arouses martial valour in the soldier, so also the image arouses devotion in the devotee. The Lord is superimposed on the image and the image generates divine thoughts in the worshipper”.
Excerpts from Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs And Traditions
Trump And The Law Of Karma
It seems the law of karma has started playing heavily on Donald Trump. Ever since the presidential race started in February, Trump has been generating extreme racists controversies against minoriti…
Source: Trump And The Law Of Karma
October 7, 2016
Quantum Theory And Om
Ever wonder why we chant “om” before our yoga practice or prayer? Check out this interesting take on how Quantum Theory can help us understand the significance of Om. This is perhaps th…
Source: Quantum Theory And Om
October 6, 2016
QUANTUM THEORY AND OM
Quantum, derived from the word quantity, means a smallest identifiable unit in the universe of any physical property like energy or matter. Quantum theory deals with the infrastructure in the sub-a…
Source: QUANTUM THEORY AND OM
September 25, 2016
Hinduism:beyond rituals,customs and traditions
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