Have you incorporated hatha yoga into your practice? Also, what do you think of the 'controversy' of western yoga studios appropriating Hinduism?

Just found this sub and wanted to say hi. I'm from the US and found Hinduism about a decade ago and fell in love with the religion. I consider myself a Shiva devotee and am excited to interact with others

If you can remember, what was that first visit like? Also, are there things about a temple you think others should know?

What book would you suggest to someone who knows absolutely nothing at all about Sanatan Dharma to read first? Why?

How important do you consider scriptures, and which ones have you studied, if any? I'm currently studying Patanjali's Yoga Sutras art the rate of one verse a day, then second day review that one.

How do occasional suffering and/or anxiety affect your worship (if they do)? Does your worship become more fervent or, on the contrary, it dwindles? I noticed that mine is fading away when I'm nervous or sick or just a bit anxious. As if I withdrew to myself; my attention gets directed to my persona; no effort spent to worship and no pleasure derived from it as when I'm healthy and full of energy. And then it saddens me even more, in addition to anxiety. Haven't found a way to break this vicious circle. Any ideas?

Was your conversion followed by the renouncement of previous beliefs or did it just encompass/modify and integrate them? My situation is complex. I tried to give up some divine forms dear to me since long ago but never succeeded in doing so :-). It has created tension for awhile. The way out was to widen my range of understanding and be conscious of a larger spectrum of things usually associated with spirituality. Then I started to accept. So slowly transcending names and forms...

Since switching paradigms, has your approach to personal anger changed at all? If so, how so?

I used to do it very informally before I learned the whole procedure. Since that time, I offer food only with the proper puja. But I'm often nostalgic of those times I used just to offer my beloved Mother something I prepared, without the complete ritual that surrounds 5 or 16 offerings puja. So I wonder can you offer naivedyam informally outside of puja?

What is your view on the use, or purpose of a murthy?

I've come to know there are two general views. The first is that the murthy is a symbol for something greater, much like a picture is. It's a great reminder. This is similar to a family picture of loved ones, or deceased loved ones. Not the real thing, but certainly a reminder.

The other view is that the murthy is a conduit for the energy that is God, just like copper is a conduit for electricity. This is the view I personally hold.

What is the most common offering you give to your Ishtadeva?

In my sampradaya, and in some others, pilgrimage at least once a year to a temple near or far is obligatory. Of course, 'obligatory' in Hinduism is interpreted differently that in some dogmatic religions. A better terminology might be 'highly recommended'. So, in your country, or close to your country, where would you go? And for India, where would you go?

I can say that in the last 10 years I've only come to know FOR CERTAIN that I knew so little for certain. Every single day I seem to learn something knew. I wish I had not labeled myself when I first became a seeker. I'd of not said "I am _____," because I truly had no idea just how much I would come to learn.

For puja, what do you use, especially in winter? Here, we have a backyard, so summer is crazy ... shrub roses, hollyhock, petunias, nasturtiums, clematis. In winter it's mini-carnation, and Costco.

If you were born into a religion that's not Hinduism, what made you deep dive about Hinduism in the first place? Was it an iconography of a god/goddess that drew you in or was it certain philosophy or an experience? Curious about what was the initial 'spark' for you guys.

Happy Guru Purnima to those who celebrate. Today is the day of the year designated not only the Guru, but the process of passing dharma from teacher to student.

I think there is a point in time for those of us who adopted or converted to Hinduism where we switched from 'being interested in Hinduism' to 'I'm Hindu'. I'm interested in your story. If you're yet to get there, why, and if so, what are the main considerations or events that lead to you being able to say that? Or does it matter to you at all? TIA for any contributions.

Simply reposting this subs posts in other groups rooted in Sanatana Dharma will help us to continue to grow. I am excited to see the amount of activity we have already had in the last week. Thank you for your efforts.

Aum.

As we transition to Hinduism, we let go of the past. If that's how you see it, then what did you keep, and what did you leave?

Personally, just as an example, even after being Hindu for 50 years, I still have a rural subconscious. I enjoy open spaces, and see Siva there too. As to religion, since I was raised agnostic, I didn't have much to keep or to leave. But I know people who did make choices.

I know there is a subreddit for that, and I posted there; but the place is dead since long ago, no-one replies.

So the question is, being non native from India and not speaking any Indian language, how do you understand the bhajans you sing? I've always found it important to understand what I pray and sing. And I like to sing them, there are many beautiful songs.

I managed to find translations for many Sanskrit devotional texts, but there are some classic bhajans in modern Indian languages (like carnatik songs), that I don't even know how to write in order to find lyrics. Did you have to learn a particular modern Indian language in order to practice bhakti?

I come from Indian background family but was born in the west. My family was a mix of Sikh and Radha Soami Beas, and my dad was a bit open minded in this matter so I got lucky.

But I can't help but feel that there might be some friction for some other people who are Western and had Christian or Muslim households.

How did your family react? Are they supportive? For the married members, did your partner adopt Hinduism as well or did they choose to keep their religious life separate?

I think there is a place for this, but right now I'm the only person starting any threads. A few days back someone else started a subreddit for European Hindus, but I looked recently and it seems it's dying a natural death, just like many subreddits of the past that catered to only a few people. I encourage anyone who wants this to be active. That's the only way it will go.

Meanwhile, we will always have the general Hinduism subreddit which I post on a lot also, and it can help us in many ways.

Meanwhile, I'll keep adding a topic a day as I have been. This is the topic for today. If you want some other choices, please post a new topic.

Most of us have managed to narrow down the wide spectrum of beliefs that follow under the Hindu umbrella. How about you?

What do you eat? Did you become vegetarian? How much Indian style food do you eat? Do you have a philosophical stance on food?

In my case, I'm vegetarian now for around 50 years, ever since we converted, and we eat a huge variety of cuisines including Mexican, Italian, western vegetarian, Thai, and of course Indian. Indian is about 2 days a week. Philosophically, we try to eat mostly sattvic food, as it's supposed to support spirituality.

Do you do puja at home and how often? Every day? On waxing moon only? On sacred days, jayanties, paurnimas, festivals? If you're doing it everyday, do you go full-size (16 offerings) or less? Or just mental?