Shudha Mazumdar

After reading the brief autobiographical excerpt from Shudha Mazumdar, I want you to think about and answer ONE (you can address more, but don't feel obligated to do so) of the following questions:

1. On page 137, Mazumdar's mother is quoted as saying, "A man may do whatever he chooses, but that home is doomed where a woman follows her own desires." Is this an utterly sexist comment? Is there any truth to it?

2. Was it difficult to understand the many rites, rituals, and puja that Mazumdar describes in pp. 137-142? If so, why? Do you think it would be difficult for Mazumdar to understand some Catholic rituals if they were described in detail? Why?

3. When discussing the multiplicity of religions with her older brother, Mazumdar seems to think that her brother is teaching her that all religions are basically the same thing called by different names (cf. the water anecdote on p. 142). Mazumdar then asks her brother, "Then it doesn't matter much, does it, which road we take" (143)? Her brother responds, "But it does matter..."(143). What does he mean? Do you agree?

4. After a near death experience (cf. pp. 147-148) Mazumdar feels a "detachment from [her] body." She even refers to her body as "this cage of flesh that decomposes." Do you think this detachment from the body is good/healthy? Does the Hindu emphasis on the "real self" as opposed to the "surface self" (i.e. body, conscious mind, ego, attachments, etc.) make sense to you?

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Gopi Krishna

After reading the brief autobiographical excerpt from Gopi Krishna, I want you to think about and answer ONE (you can address more, but don't feel obligated to do so) of the following questions:

1. Gopi Krishna describes going from a naive young believer in "every impossible and unbelievable incident" (123) to a college student who became a "full-fledged agnostic, full of doubts" (123). Eventually he reaches a type of middle ground and states "But science itself, though extremely useful in other ways...was not fit in my view to rule the domain where faith holds sway" (125). What does he mean and do you agree?

2. When Gopi Krishna decides he wants to practice a certain level of asceticism and yoga, he decides that he would not leave his family to focus on these spiritual pursuits full time (cf. 130). Is this a wise choice? Does this continued attachment to the world hinder his spiritual pursuit? Is he somehow half-stepping toward his goal? Or is this mode of living a balanced, healthy way to pursue mystical knowledge and spiritual discipline?

3. Gopi Krishna has a rather powerful mystical experience when he was 34 years old. He states "I was no longer myself..." (134). After confirming to himself that his experience was a real mystical awakening and a brush with the divine, he nevertheless feels sad and scared. He states "But, why did I feel uneasy and depressed" (135)? What do you make of these negative feelings Gopi Krishna feels after his awakening?

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Ninian Smart Interview

You've all read the interview with Ninian Smart called "The Future of Religion."

Please discuss anything you found interesting or thought provoking about the interview. You might want to write about the following:

What questions might you have asked Mr. Smart? Is there anything confusing about Mr. Smart's answers? Did you enjoy reading this? Was it boring? What was going through your head as you read this interview?

REMEMBER: No anonymous posts - please post under your first name and last initial. Refrain from using internet short hand (no 'lol' or 'u,' etc.). You do not have to create a completely new comment as your participation; you may respond to someone else's comment as your contribution and participation, BUT be courteous to other posters. No personal or ad hominem attacks.