Post 124 by Bharatvarsh -
I wholeheartedly agree with what is posted. The Ghanan Swami (Swami Ghanananda) is indeed a great Swami.
However, I feel that when 'pagan' people in other countries are attracted to Hinduism (the Ghanan Swamy was born in the traditional African religious system), they should practise the universal values of <i>both</i> these two 'pagan' religions (their ancestral one <i>and</i> Hinduism). In this way, the good, wise and invaluable things of their own ancestral beliefs will continue and not be abandoned.
At times I am under the impression that Hinduism re-fills those parts that might have gone missing in their own belief system (due to the adverse effects of colonization and in Africa's case also slavery under Islam and Christianity).
When I see good teachings in another religion that I have not come across (yet) in my own, I immediately absorb them into my life. Eventually, I have discovered that all these were mirrored in Hindu teachings as well. But there are cases where the same are expressed in a different manner, in say Taoism, that I come across first or which helps me digest faster.
Obviously, there must be many good things in African religion for Africa to have had so many good people throughout the ages. It is imperative that these good teachings be remembered and passed on to future generations and the world, else who will preserve them? It's also important for the continuity of their spiritual evolution and what they can teach all of us. All that is good and of value must survive.
The Ghanan Swami has an opportunity to do both, and I hope he will.
I wholeheartedly agree with what is posted. The Ghanan Swami (Swami Ghanananda) is indeed a great Swami.
However, I feel that when 'pagan' people in other countries are attracted to Hinduism (the Ghanan Swamy was born in the traditional African religious system), they should practise the universal values of <i>both</i> these two 'pagan' religions (their ancestral one <i>and</i> Hinduism). In this way, the good, wise and invaluable things of their own ancestral beliefs will continue and not be abandoned.
At times I am under the impression that Hinduism re-fills those parts that might have gone missing in their own belief system (due to the adverse effects of colonization and in Africa's case also slavery under Islam and Christianity).
When I see good teachings in another religion that I have not come across (yet) in my own, I immediately absorb them into my life. Eventually, I have discovered that all these were mirrored in Hindu teachings as well. But there are cases where the same are expressed in a different manner, in say Taoism, that I come across first or which helps me digest faster.
Obviously, there must be many good things in African religion for Africa to have had so many good people throughout the ages. It is imperative that these good teachings be remembered and passed on to future generations and the world, else who will preserve them? It's also important for the continuity of their spiritual evolution and what they can teach all of us. All that is good and of value must survive.
The Ghanan Swami has an opportunity to do both, and I hope he will.