Hinduism was far more popular in the west in the olden days, a few centuries ago. Back then few people saw anyone other than those that looked like them – they knew about Hinduism through our books, what travelers brought with them. They did not know us, to them we were these exotic people. They read our Hindu books and were impressed.
Fast forward to today, everyone knows about us – unfortunately, what most see is our dark skin and degrade us and our ideas. White must be superior; no way dark skinned people have any useful ideas! We see today philosophy is heavily dominated by white people, few women but no darkies, please!
Schopenhauer, who lived in the time when we Hindus were unknown, was heavily influenced by our Hindu texts. Nietzsche was Schopenhauer’s student – it makes sense that he too read and was influenced by our Hindu texts – particularly The Ramayana – the story of Rama.
It is amazing that two people can read the same texts and yet come to different conclusions – Schopenhauer saw pessimism, denial of this life, this world, whereas Nietzsche saw the complete opposite! Life was wonderful, Life is a Gift from God and that is why Hinduism preached Reincarnation! In the story of Rama, He read about a man who would not let anything stand in his way, He aimed to do what the Gods could not do!
John Stuart Mill’s famous quote is appropriate here – “Better be Socrates Dissatisfied than a Pig Satisfied” – here we understand that Socrates is Reincarnation or REAL LIFE and the Pig is Heaven.
Billions drool over the life of a Pig – being KEPT in comfort in Heaven – free food, shelter, protected, cared for – no work, no worries – lay about all day! Amazingly even the best of minds are choosing to be a lower life form, never understanding that God does not need to create a world for billions of shameless freeloaders, living an idle, lazy life, when this one world is enough – a Pig life is what they want, a Pig they shall be! They want to be KEPT in comfort, they shall have that life, but of course, as life teaches us there is a cost to every choice.
Nietzsche and John Stuart Mill are asking us to have higher goals than just cheap pleasures of the flesh, to be KEPT in comfort. Human beings are unique in this world – we alone, dream differently – all other life forms dreams are confined to getting enough to eat, staying safe, sex, raising a family – the 4 S’s of life – Safety, Sleep, Sex and Sustenance!
We alone dream of becoming the next big thing, movie or singing star, the next Einstein, the next Mozart, one day travelling this Galaxy and working to make it happen. Finding a cure for diseases like cancer. Being a Hero and saving lives, working for a cause.
Hinduism recognized this – they saw life forms forming a chain – from the lowest bug to us – from a mosquito or a tree to a butterfly, then a Lion or a Croc in the jungle, then a dog, then a chimp and finally Us. At each stage, our intelligence goes up, but so does pain & suffering. Trees and mosquitos may not suffer any pain, animals suffer physical pain but a bit less mental pain whereas we get both, in full force. We do not manage physical pain very well but also form deep bonds with our loved ones and if anything happens to them, we feel it deeply.
That is why I am so shocked that so many never ask about the welfare of their LIVING loved ones when talking about living the easy good life in Heaven. All the talk is about how wonderful Heaven will be, how great living there would be, how we will meet all our DEAD loved ones again, but once do we hear “Journalists” asking – “How can anyone be happy in Heaven while their LIVING loved ones are suffering, shot, in an accident, sick, homeless? Our people at war, facing terrorism (are you listening Israelis?), mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and even children facing rape, torture, even death? Does that mean we care no more? So, God is keeping these uncaring, selfish people in an idle, lazy, useless, pointless existence self-gratifying themselves for eternity? THIS? THIS is God’s Grand Plan?”
Let’s repeat – Religion is by far, the very best at killing intelligence, morals, values!
But let us get back to the life form chain – we see that the higher up we go, the more the pain & suffering, not less. And so those who choose less pain & suffering – joy and happiness forever and ever! Yay! – will end up as lower life forms like Trees, bugs or Pigs as John Stuart Mill said. And if they want such a “life” forever, will end up as Ghosts and then will get their eternal “life!”
All of us and that is all of humanity, we all grew up with dreams, aspirations – and as we grew up, we understood how hard making these dreams come true would be, incredibly hard! So many sacrifices, so many risks, dealing with inevitable setbacks, making the right decisions – the vast majority of us will fail and live with the heartaches the rest of our lives!
Heaven says no more dreams, no more aspirations, then you will not have any more pain, no more suffering. Reincarnation says keep dreaming, keep those hopes alive, if once you fail, try, try again. Reincarnation is not for everyone, it is for the Dreamer, those who aspire for the hand of God! Those who aspire to be Gods, to walk in His footsteps!
It’s a choice we must all make – if pain & suffering that comes with life is too much for you, then as a lower life form or an eternal “life” as a Ghost may be more suitable for you, but if you are tough, strong, kind person who looks at life and says, “Bring it on! I will take on poverty, hunger, hate, disease and much more and work to build a paradise here on earth! I will make my Father proud!”, then REAL LIFE is for you.
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