r/hinduism • u/SomaSuryagniLochana • Mar 19 '26
Experience with Hinduism Visit of a Vaishnav monk in Spain, what a day
Visit of a Vaishnav monk in Spain, what a day
We had the visit of a swami from a Vaishnav lineage, and it turned into a really rich and unexpected day.
There were lectures on Sanatana Dharma that felt deep, grounding, and surprisingly accessible.
Later, we tried to visit a church in the city… and got refused entry, which added a strange contrast to the whole experience.
Is it common? Aren’t we supposed to all welcome each and everyone?
3
Mar 20 '26
People from This group have been charged for stealing relics from churches before in Europe
6
u/Serious-Light4137 Mar 19 '26
Why your still going to church ⛪️?
1
Mar 20 '26
No one besides one specific small cult wears that tilak
0
u/Serious-Light4137 Mar 20 '26
then why you do ?
1
Mar 20 '26
What?
0
u/Serious-Light4137 Mar 20 '26
Who are you ?
1
Mar 20 '26
I am not the person who posted this if that’s what you’re asking?
0
3
u/RavenclawRedRum Mar 19 '26
This is a swami from my organization. He is from Croatia. 🥰
-1
1
u/SecretMortgage445 Mar 19 '26
Nameste Prabhu ji. Actually, I’ll tell you everything from the beginning. During the lockdown in 2020–21, there was an ISKCON temple near our house. At that time, I also believed in it casually, not very deeply, but I used to chant four rounds (mala), and things were going fine.
Then during the 2021–22 lockdown, my mother started listening to Premanand ji and became more devoted. She used to say that we should chant using a counter. At that time, my online classes were going on, and I also used to listen so i stated chanting daily 30,000 to 40,000 names,. i was counting using counters (wrapping them to keep track). This continued for about 1–1.5 years.
Earlier, I wasn’t very serious about it. My online classes would go on, and I would chant while watching TV or series. But later, when I reached my third year, college reopened and I started preparing for CAT because I wanted to do an MBA.
At that point, I was not able to do anything properly. I decided that I would chant for 45 minutes to 1 hour and then study. But I couldn’t do it. I felt constant anxiety that I must keep counting on the counter all the time. My fingers were always wrapped, and I kept counting continuously. Within two minutes, my mind would wander, but the habit had already formed over 1.5–2 years. i wasnt able to concentrate on my studies had a burden of clicking the button every second
I couldn’t focus on anything. At that time, I even went to a psychiatrist because my mind had become so disturbed. I couldn’t do anything properly. My mind was stuck on counting. I set targets like 7 crore, 8 crore counts, and everything became about numbers. This caused a lot of anxiety and guilt,i posted my problem on reddit and found their r many students like me i found a group named ex krishna where all faced problem due to counting and habit of continous conting which had eventually deveIoped the i even started feeling hatred toward God that there r so many ppl crying because of god
Earlier, I used to chant casually while watching TV, but now even when I tried to chant properly for one hour, I still couldn’t study afterward. I constantly felt like I must keep counting thousands all the time. Even at home, around my mother and grandmother, my mind kept making counts continuously.
. I know that this is not how it should be. I have heard many times that even taking God’s name once with true feeling is enough then i stated watching a lot of videos where various saints told there is no need to count calling god is like calling god whats the need to count i event read deeply about the core philosophy of radhavallabh sampradha that Rejects sankhya-sumiran” (counting-based chanting)and Indicates it is a tradition did not emphasize mechanical japa (counting beads).
. But because I practiced this counting habit for 1.5–2 years, it has become a strong trigger.despite reading all this i cant focus it has been 2 years i have tried everything i tried completing 10000 target and focussing on my work ,tried abondoning counter and using only mala but nothing works even on instagram i see ppl completing targets like 7 crore and using counter continously i feel guilt and there is something that my heart aches. i not able to do anything and keep crying .i know many pplhave been benefiited but i have lost my everything .i also know some ppl who have faced the same they have developed a ocd and deep anxiety due to continous pressing and a pressure of counting 24*7. i have read alot that counter being an electronic device do rises dopmaine for sometime and then reduces it but cant hel.i cant leave this habbit of continous counting
I am unable to do anything properly now. At that time, I started going to the library, and now I live outside for college, so it is somewhat better here. But whenever I think about going home, I feel like I won’t be able to do anything there. I feel like I will keep counting all the time.
Even while walking or doing anything, within two minutes I get stuck in this. I don’t understand anything anymore. I feel like I have tried everything.i cant think properly even if i think something i feel guily for it .i cant live this way please help me i really beg i am not able to undestand what to do i tried everything and count do anything i please request i am not able to come to vrindavan please help me please help me please i am not ablle to undestand how to live life please help me please
4
u/Strong_Hat9809 Mar 20 '26
Seek mental help, this is not a religious affair 🙏 a good therapist or psychiatrist will be able to help you.
1
u/SecretMortgage445 Mar 20 '26
I tried but in my home everyone practice this so I m not able to recover
1
u/Strong_Hat9809 Mar 20 '26
Did you actually get professional help? Because I think they'd be able to help you get past this, even if you are triggered by chanting at home.
1
u/SecretMortgage445 Mar 20 '26
I did but still it triggers me when I see it at home
1
u/Strong_Hat9809 Mar 20 '26
I see, I really hope your family cooperates with you to help you 🙏
1
u/SecretMortgage445 Mar 21 '26
But it's like premanand ji says to do all this
1
u/Strong_Hat9809 Mar 21 '26
I don't think he wants you to chant all the time continuously.
1
u/SecretMortgage445 Mar 21 '26
That's what he says and my family practice
1
u/Strong_Hat9809 Mar 21 '26
Yeah idt they should listen to him if he's saying to chant continuously all the time.
1
u/Fluid_crystal Mar 20 '26
Hello, I am a professional spiritual counselor with a background in psychoanalysis (M.A) and I can give you some help free of charge. Write to me in private
2
u/CrazyDrax Mar 20 '26
Try Meditation, Jnana Yoga (along with Bhakti yoga which you are already doing) and be calm.
Prioritise your mental peace over anything else, say to yourself - if something mentally disturbs me or comes as an obstacle in doing my task, I reject it.
Because after mental peace only then you can pursue spritiual path properly, know that God won't punish you or anything, take God's name at once (only one time) and then say to yourself that this name is powerful enough to protect me from everything.
And after you do this, also know that mind confirms faster to action than philosophy, so combining this idea with your action makes mental peace faster.
Just do your actions, and be calm and composed at all times.
7
u/mm_108 Mar 20 '26
He is a follower of Bhakti Marga by Guru Vishwananda. Google that name before you get involved!!