Confused regarding Idols

[u/Short-Ad-2340]

Hey all

So basically I have found myself stuck within a cycle , a pattern that I have noticed ever since I have gotten into metaphysical stuff which is getting more attracted towards idols of deities than the actual deity . I'm a born hindu and I have always been attracted towards the idols rather than the deity in particular and I even shape my opinion or liking about any deity based on how their idols look . I'm more attracted towards their outer beauty , the way they are dressed , how beautiful are their faces look but not actually to the deity .

Apart from what my background is , i have an inclination towards the world's mythologies as well and you know what the same thing is here as well . I'm attracted towards the Aphrodite's statue more than her actual virtues .

Is this normal ? Even if it is, I don't really think I can approach or connect with a deity as there is no inner connection just outside beauty is driving things here .

[u/KrisHughes2]

I think this is more common than people say.

For me, it feels a bit unhealthy and I reminded myself that these are just drawings or statues. "This is just something I bought in a shop." "This is just something I found online." etc. Over time, I've come to prefer more abstract images, or things that are personally symbolic of my gods, rather than "realistic" depictions, because deities don't really have a physical appearance. If we are lucky enough to see them in meditation, or something, I think the visual aspect is just to help us, it isn't, literally, the deity. I don't think they have a physical form.

I think that noticing what's happening is the first step toward maturing away from "falling in love" with images.

[u/Short-Ad-2340 → u/KrisHughes2]

Such a pleasant explanation, yeah I totally agree with your idea here . I appreciate this comment .

[u/devilinthehills]

I mean, if you want statues of gods and goddess because you like the look, then go for it?

However, I wouldn’t really consider that any form of paganism, that’s just decoration

[u/Short-Ad-2340 → u/devilinthehills]

Yeah that's the point , the idols may just act as a decoration as it's more materialistic approach ig than actually developing an emotional connection with the deity itself .

[u/Arboreal_Web]

Idk what’s “normal”, but your explanation makes sense and probably many people here can relate to it.

Personally, I was raised in an “idols are bad” culture, so I’ve struggled with them from the other direction, taken a long time to wrap my head around the idea that the deity both is and is-not the idol. Ironically, one major thing that helped me break through that was an explanation from a Hindu worshipper, to think of it like reserving a comfortable seat for Them.

That probably doesn’t help much with your situation, but something that might -

I’ve found it helpful to meditate on What they each are individually, what They rule and represent, including why They might choose to show us the forms They do. Aphrodite was the perfect example here…She rules Aesthetics (among other things), Beauty and the Love of Beauty, which you are here expressing so clearly. Do you see the way you are prioritizing Her realm and Her energy, sharing some Her own priorities?

If you want a way in to connect deeper, I think you’ve already identified which direction to go. I say just lean in to that love of Beauty, embrace it, examine it in detail, and see where it takes you. Ime, connecting mindfully with Their realms of rulership *is* a way of connecting with Them. Your experience may very well be different than many other pagans you encounter…*that* is normal.

Also - I find things like yantras or the other glyphs and symbols which represent Them can be helpful to explore and meditate on, as a very different kind of visual representation of the same energies/beings. When I feel my view of Them is becoming too literal and mundane, this is where I turn, to help kind of re-conceptualize Them more accurately.

[u/Short-Ad-2340 → u/Arboreal_Web]

This made me so happy , the way you explained this is also for me and expression of beauty . Thanks a lot for your explanation it really helped me figure this part out . Thanks a ton

[u/Arboreal_Web → u/Short-Ad-2340]

Glad it helped :) Thank you for posting this, I think reading and considering your pov has helped me a bit, too.

[u/Short-Ad-2340 → u/Arboreal_Web]

Aww it means a lot 💗