Help with book recommendations.

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Hey guys, I have taken up an interest in Hinduism. I'd like to learn about the religion, and I have very little prior knowledge, other then DMT seems to think I need to look into Hinduism.

I think thus far, I favor Shaivism, but I am open for suggestions.

 

[cubeananda]

I highly recommend reading Upanishads.

There is a book by Osho called "Finger Pointing to the Moon" where he dissembles the Adhyatma Upanishad.


But the Upanishad itself is really the goldmine and i recommend exposure to that one way or the other.

 

[Cognitive Heart]

http://www.indianetzone.com/photos_gallery/5/bhagwad-gita_768.jpg

Nice addition to subject interest.

--

:thumb_up:

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Thanks guys! Both books purchased, and I intend to have a peaceful memorial day - lounging and reading

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Cognitive - thank you! I can confidently say that was an excellent read.

Cube- I'm going to start reading Upanishads tonight.

I think I may have finally found a home for my spiritual questions. I've never been one to claim a resignation to any religion in particular, but so far, things seem to click. It's hard to explain.

 

[cubeananda]

Nice : )

I recommended Osho's book 'Finger pointing to the moon' because his translations of the Adhyatma Upanishads are the best English versions I've ever seen. The Upanishad in question, however is quite yogic in nature.

Actually I love this book with my heart. The Sutras are worth all the other pages of commentary.

Also there is a series by him entitled "The Book of Secrets" which include his transliterations of what are considered to be Lord Shiva's devices described to his consort (techniques of Tantric Practice). Highly poetic. These books are worth it just for his translations once again.

 

[cubeananda]

Also a book by Meher Baba called "god speaks" describes in a wonderful way the evolution of "Atman" (soul)

 

[Coja]

The Mahabharata ... though the highly condensed, 7 hr. video version might be a good place to start (the whole thing is equivalent in length to 7 copies of the Illiyad and the Odyssey combined). Also, still not a book, Sita Sings the Blues is a wonderfully creative adaption of a portion of the Mahabharata done as an animated, free source video you can stream legally off of youtube:

The epic Hindu tales are a wild read. Although they have a fair bit in common with the values expressed in ancient Greek epic tales when it comes to morality and such, there's so much less flexibility which leads to some really absurd results at times.