Suppose you met someone and you like them. The interactions go well, there's chemistry. But then you find out they follow some Hindu guru (self-proclaimed "living, enlightened, god-realised master whose true nature is transcendent, beyond all limits" ).
How do you convey to them gently that this is off-putting? You would like to encourage them to question and be skeptical.
I think it's useful to meditate, and I understand that some people need to have some sort of spiritual dimension to their life. But I can't come to terms with needing to have a guru, spiritual mentor to induce calm, happiness, a sense of well-being, etc.
2
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Actually it is not really your business other than trying to understand why he enjoys it.....
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Dec 6, 2020
0
I have a hunch on why she resorts to this practice: she went through a rough time in her late childhood and more recently with her ex. As I wrote in the posting she derives a sense of calm, happiness, and well-being after following the guru.
As to why I think it is my business: I consider her a potential long-term partner.
Of course, it is not my business to force my worldview onto her. But I can let her know what I think - I'm trying to find out good ways to do that.
If this turns out to be a coping mechanism and not a belief in mystical personalities, my hope is that she will realize that the guru's claims are outrageous.
I have never been able to meditate and perhaps your new friend needed help on learning how to do it. if someone were able to guide me into successful meditation, I would think they were wonderful too.
If she only relies on this guru for meditation guidance and you respect the process of meditation, there may not be any problem. I agree with another poster that a good way to start the conversation about the issue is for you to openly proclaim what your feelings are without running down people that believe differently than yourself. You might find that your beliefs are quite compatible just expressed differently.
Lorajay
Level 9
Dec 5, 2020
2
"Suppose you met someone and you like them. The interactions go well, there's chemistry."
If I ever get to that point, then I'll worry about what comes next.
BitFlipper
Level 8
Dec 5, 2020
3
I think encouraging freethinking is promising, but are you saying that you can't come to terms with the guru thing, or are you saying that you can't come to terms with them needing it? Because they may not give it up, or they may resent you for trying to supress their beliefs. It's probably more fair for each of you if you go into this knowing if it's a deal breaker for you or not.
Lauren
Level 8
Dec 5, 2020
4
Thank you for your reply! It made me question the situation a bit more.Them needing it I suppose is understandable as they went through a rough period a few years back. Humans look for coping mechanisms.
However, to me it's surprising that ridiculous claims such as "whose true nature is transcendent, beyond all limits" don't repel them from this "god-realised master". As I said in another reply, the person seems genuinely capable of applying critical thinking and dismissing foolishness in other aspects of life.
Run as fast and as far as you can
Redneckliberal
Level 7
Dec 5, 2020
1
Haha. That's one way to handle the situation. But I decided to be generous with my time and kind to them. Hence my question on "how..." I think the person is genuinely capable of applying critical thinking as they do so in other aspects of their life.
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