Posted by Bansi Pandit on January 19, 1998 at 16:45:59:
In Reply to: instruction via internet? posted by Debbie Bharadwaj on January 06, 1998 at 15:10:40:
: I am an American married to a Hindu Indian. I have read the Gita and other works on Hinduism and have an understanding that in order to convert you must have formal instruction from a yogi or guru. Can this instruction be given via internet? I have been unable to find any instructors in my home town.(Chattanooga, Tennessee) Thank you - Debbie
Answer: You do not need a formal instruction from a yogi or a guru to convert to Hindu faith. Such an instruction is needed only if you wish to be initiated into a particular spiritual discipline (sadhana) to pursue your spiritual quest. What you should do is to have an appropriate samskara (religious ceremony) performed by a Hindu priest either at your home or at a nearby Hindu temple. This samskara is not mandated by Hindu religion (as there are no commandments in Hinduism; only doctrines and guidelines are given), but is recommended because of the following reason:
An individual is normally aware of the contents of only the conscious mind. There is also the subconscious mind that affects one’s personality. The subconscious mind includes the seeds that occasionally sprout in the form of our moods and feelings, and affect our thoughts and actions. These seeds are sown by our deeds of the past lives, by the environment in which we are brought up in the present life, and the training and education we receive in the present life. In spite of your sincerity and eagerness to practice your new faith, it is possible that you may have certain residual impressions in your subconscious mind that may interfere with your new faith. To minimize (or even eliminate) such an eventuality, a samskar is beneficial. The performance of an appropriate samskara creates a purifying environment wherein the mystic power of the Sanskrit mantra recited by the priest cleans the mind just as soap and shampoo cleans the physical body. The result is that the mind becomes pure and the life turns out to be natural and normal.