[bharani1008]

I'd like to recommend a book. It takes examples from multiple spiritual traditions and brings them together. The goal as described in this book is intense love for god in whatever form pleases you. The idea partly is that it is easier to love an outside object than an abstract idea. That's the real reason hindus worship idols. Of course, they think the idol is an actual being but the result is supposed to be that of being lost in love itself, not just love for the idol.
There is usually a mystic core in most religions. Hinuism has Vedanta, Christianity has Gnosticism, Judaism has the Kabala, Islam has sufism and one other tradition I can't recall at the moment. The main message of all these is that getting lost in love of god leads you to experience pure love itself.
the name of the book is " Narada's Book of Divine Love" translation and commentary by Swami Prabhavananda. Vedanata press, Hollywood California.
I'm not advocating anything. It just touched me . I hope you experience something positive from this book as well. __________________

[eskielover]

Just wanting to correct something.....Gnosticism is NOT a core of Christianity....Gnosticism was a false teaching that Christianity fought against.......not sure I would trust a book that doesn't have it's facts correct.

[allimsaying]

I didnt read this as a quote from the book:

There is usually a mystic core in most religions. Hinuism has Vedanta, Christianity has Gnosticism, Judaism has the Kabala, Islam has sufism and one other tradition I can't recall at the moment.

It sounds like she is reciting from memory. The book sounds interesting.Thanks Bharani

[bharani1008]

Let me rephrase what I said about gnosticism. It is a mystical teaching associated with many traditions such as early Christianity, Hellenic Judaism,Greco-Roman mystery religions and Zoroastrianism. The emphasis should have been laid on the mystical significance rather than a specific religion. According to Wikipedia "Gnosticism was primarily defined in a Christian context.
No offense intended.

[allimsaying]

Mysticism is very interesting. I believe all true inspiration and manifestations of spirit comes from a center of love. Love itself is magical.