But this is how it works, whether you like it or not. You (and I mean Hindus in general) can either choose to accept this truth or not. Most don't. Having said that, if the seeking is sincere and relentless, a guru will automatically be found.Primus wrote: ↑Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:47 pmThis is the kind of 'secret sauce' recipe that I object to. It reminds me of the Bal Yogeshwar story many years ago who my cousins used to literally worship (they had his photo in their mandir at home). They were part of his 'chosen ones' and he had whispered the 'secret mantra' into their ears which supposedly had taken them into another state of existence. When I asked what this mantra was and if they could whisper it in my ear too, I was told I was not ready and only 'Maharaj Ji' could do this if he decided I was the right candidate. A few years later the Maharaj Ji married his white follower who was 7 yrs older than him. Needless to say the photo disappeared from my cousin's home and they never spoke about him again.
But the problem these days is a combination of lack of sincerity from the disciple and the overflow of charlatans as "gurus". Unfortunately, one begets the other. Just as people in a democracy get the government they deserve, the seeker gets the guide according to ones sincerity.
If you are going for purely "science" and the western construct of spirituality, then Hinduism isn't the way. From that perspective, it seems very backward and superstitious. As I said before, Hinduism is all about experience. It isn't dogmatic.Seriously though and from a purely scientific perspective, I would probably derive more spiritual/psychological benefit from a controlled and guided experience with teonanacatl or something similar. There is enough research in neuroscience to suggest that the 'doors of perception' may truly be opened with some psychedelics and perhaps this is what some yogis and seers are able to do naturally, with or without the aid of 'herbal' products. They may well have the capability of releasing a natural ligand for the 5HT-2a receptor through meditation or otherwise. Whether this enables them to experience and understand the world differently I don't know.