[QUOTE=Surya Deva;57669]Nope, beyond the superficial similarity that Bhakti yogis worship a personal god and want to be one with god in the highest heaven, there is nothing common between Bhakti Yoga and Abrahamic religions. In fact the differences are great. Bhakti Yoga is predominately idol worship, it involves rituals like puja to idols, pilgramages to temples to worship idols. Idol worship is an abomination in Abrahamic religion. One of the favourite curse words both the Muslims and Christians had for Hindus was "idolators".
Secondly, most Bhakti yogis are viseasadvaitns and advaitins(dvaita is not very popular), they consider themselves to be either part of god or identical to god. In Abrahamic religions this concept of god is considered a heresy. God and man are separate. He is the almighty and perfect. We are not one with him or identical with him.
Thirdly, Bhakti yoga is the path that says we can have a direct experience of god or a vision of god(darshana ) while alive by practicing yoga. In Abrahamic religion it is impossible to have a direct vision of god, it is only possible to be with him in the here after, that too after you passed judgement. People who claimed to be in contact with god were burned at the stake - like Joan of Ark.
Nope, I want total enlightenment, which is a absolutely pure mind that comes into communion with the cosmic intelligence. Siddhis are a natural attainment that happens due to this. It would be cool to be able to levitate, fly and teleport itself, but after a while I would get bored of them - and hence back at square one again.
There is no scientific method to enlightenment in Abrahamic religions, because there is no concept of enlightenment in the first place. What there is, is attending mass, prayer rituals and following moral commandments in order to pass judgement and enter heaven.
They are poles apart.
Dharmic religion wants a pure mind so they can realise their true nature and true capacity. Abrahamic religion want to be with god in heaven(in addition to the great pleasures of heaven promised in Abrahamic scriptures)
The wants are worlds apart.
I don't see why we can't leave the truth as it is. Abrahamic religion and Dharmic religion are mutually opposed on pretty much everything. It's just how it is.
We believe in the cycle of rebirth, you guys believe we only live once and face judgement.
We believe the goal of life is to end our suffering in the here and now by returning to pure mind, self or realization. You guys believe you must show yourself to be worthy of heaven in the eyes of god to get heaven in the hereafter.
We believe that the sensory reality is illusory or less real and we must we must know actual ultimate reality underlying it through philosophical contemplation and investigation or meditation. You believe the world was created for you by god as a paradise, and you must live your life in accordance with his will as dictated in the ten commandments, to please god and enter heaven.
We believe that life is about education where we learn and develop through many lifetimes, and there are more developed souls than others, that we accept as teachers. You believe that life is a test and god sends down messengers from heaven to spread his word so you can pass the test of judgement and enter into heaven and enjoy its pleasures.
We believe the senses imprison the mind/soul and liberation is a reality beyond any sensory pleasure, but simply eternal bliss beyond duality. You believe that the senses and the mind are a good thing and you seek the highest pleasure of heaven which is a place of duality and has a hierarchy of angels.
How different can you get? We belong to different worlds. If you are resonate with our world more than your own, then we will warmly invite you into our world, provided you leave your own world behind. Light cannot coexist with darkness.[/QUOTE]