“They smoke a lot of marijuana and sometimes they forgot to show up.”

[IdaBriggs]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2013/07/31/ken_hermann_photographs_sadhus_in_his_series_holy_men_photos.html

The ascetic Hindu holy men known as sadhus are difficult to track down. But once you come across one, it’s hard to miss him.

While their dress varies according to their various religious allegiances, sadhus are spectacular-looking individuals. Many wear ochre-colored or white robes, while some go partially or completely naked. Some cover their bodies in color to show allegiance to a particular sect. Some sadhus shave their heads, while others let their hair grow into long, twisted knots.

(snip)

Sadhus leave behind all material and sexual attachments to live a life devoted to their spiritual practice. They keep only a few possessions, including a staff, a water pot, and an alms bowl, and they rely on the charity of others to survive. Some live in monasteries, but many live largely in isolation in remote caves, huts, and forests. There are millions across South Asia.

(snip)

Though the sadhus were elusive, Hermann said they didn’t mind having their photos taken. Still, there were some challenges getting the shoots together. “They just had a hard time understanding the project and that I wanted them on specific locations and at a specific time of day,” Hermann said. In his experience, he added, “They smoke a lot of marijuana and sometimes they forgot to show up.”

The pictures in this article are amazing, but a couple of things *really* caught my attention - "leave behind all material and sexual attachments", the "millions across South Asia", and yes, the marijuana thing.

Talk about cultural differences! Here in the United States, if you give up "all material and sexual attachments" and depend on other people to support you, we have a lot of things we'll call you, but "holy" isn't one of them, especially if you are using mind-altering chemicals to entertain and enlighten yourself while holding out your alms bowl for sustenance.

But in India there are "millions of them" and the perception of their role in society is completely different.

They are "holy men", and their thoughts on the universe are ... treasured? Valued? Welcomed?

My mind is bluntly blown away.

And the photos are stunning. Thoughts?

[pkdu]

1. Two inappropriate thoughts.....and one serious one ...

A. TeeHee....you said "BLUNTly"
B. Top one is clearly Johnny Depp
C. Fascinating ...

[IdaBriggs]

2. We don't even have the concept of "holy man" in the same way here.

The number of Catholic priests has been steadily declining, ministers of other faith are expected to "minister" to people, and when I think of a stoned guy living off of other people, I think of a loser who is living in his parents' basement staring at the ceiling.

I am a product of my culture, and I do not see them as valuable members of society who are contributing to the good of the world.

But in India, the same role is "holy man" -- and that sounds like someone who is both valued and whose wisdom is seen as a BENEFIT to the world.

Wow. Just ... wow. Perception becomes reality....someone who is "stealing" from society (basement dweller who isn't sharing his gifts with the world to its benefit) versus someone who is contributing to it as a "holy man" ....

[Bosso 63]

3. "the water in which the mystic swims is the same that the madman drowns in."

Joseph Campbell

First thing that came to mind.
Perhaps if we had a different cultural perspective, fewer people would sink to the bottom.

[HillWilliam]

4. The photos are stunning

If I had to pick, I'd rather my heart be more like theirs than the fire-and-brimstone pharisees.

[felix_numinous]

5. K&R

The idea of asceticism is alien to the West, sadly I think most of these people would be arrested if they tried it here.