The Metaphysical Site

Review of "Meeting God - Elements of Hindu Devotion"

As one of the oldest magickal religions that never wavered from its traditional way of thinking, Hinduism has survived onslaughts from the rest of the world without swaying from its course over the millenniums of its existence and stands as a bright, shining beacon to the magickal people all over the world.

Stephen Huyler, a photographer and cultural anthropologist who has spent more than three decades traveling in India and documenting the contemporary spells and rituals of worship in Hinduism. The 260 plus pages in the book have fascinating pictures that allow the reader to imagine life as it was 4000 years ago because nothing much has changed in India with regards to the deep awareness of the sacred, spiritual component of all human activity, their daily rituals and their ways of meeting the Divine. I quote:

"Early in the morning, before the sun's first rays peek above the sandy horizon, some of the followers take three steps into waters of the Ganges, and pray to Goddess Ganga, while they visualize her magnificence, her nurturing presence as the purifier and Mother of All Existence. As the sun's rays appear, they begin chanting to the Sun God, Surya, the Source of All Energy, the Great Provider. In acknowledging the two (Water and Sun energy), they also acknowledge the One, for in Hinduism, the supreme deity is the absolute component of opposites, of feminine and masculine, of dark and light, of wrong and right, of good and evil. By beginning each day in this way, they attune themselves with the Universe and validate their place in it. They are essential part of a greater whole."

Although Hindus believe in worshipping many Gods and Goddesses, its important for anyone new to Hinduism to know that all Hindus believe in the Unity of One great God: the Absolute, often knows as Brahman. (Do not mistake the Brahman for "Brahmin", which is only a caste in India.)

The Brahman, also known as the One is believed to be a cosmic Force. The universe is relative, ever changing, whereas its source, the Absolute, is the only permanent thing that never changes but manifests itself through the deities.

Stephen takes the reader through many fascinating pictures of people in the process of Darshan (seeing God). The mantras (spells) and poojas (rituals) are described vividly along with the descriptions of Karma, Dharma and Vedic rituals that originated 4000 or more years ago.

Dharma is the supreme law of righteousness, while Karma is the law of cause and effect based on the fundamental belief that every action creates an equal reaction. It is also called the doctrine of absolute responsibility; everything we do or even think has its repercussions. This belief is also linked to reincarnation, which states that the soul is eternal, reborn continuously.

About the Author

Rose Ariadne has been practicing ancient forms of Witchcraft for over 25 years. Get more info about "Meeting God - Elements of Hindu Devotion" here: http://www.askroseariadne.com/editorials/review-of-meeting-god.html

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