ElvisFan4Ever
On God...
Elvis believed that there is one God who is within us all. Elvis had an open and questioning mind and a thirst for knowledge; he explored all sorts of ideas - reincarnation, theosophy, metaphysics, mysticism, gnosticism and numerology, but generally shied away from astrology, psychics and fortune-telling. He attended the Self-Realization Fellowship outside Los Angeles, which is an interfaith organisation covering both Hindu and Christian teachings. He raised questions and expressed doubts, accepting nothing at face value. Geller states that Elvis was too sharp to be taken in by charlatans of any persuasion.
At the same time, Elvis never rejected his religion, only its rigid adherents and their intolerance of any deviation from the accepted word, remaining a Christian his whole life, but not a Christian to the exclusion of anything else. He believed in the unity in all religions and saw no conflict between Hinduism and Christianity. This is very much a Hindu viewpoint too. Maybe the influence of Hinduism on Elvis has been understated, although his interest in Buddhism has been noted elsewhere.
Geller explains that there was a dichotomy between Elvis' spiritual quest, his charitable nature and his kind and sensitive side - and his shadow, his self-destructive tendency that caused him immense pain and agony. He was exhorted by Daya Mata of the Self-Realization Fellowship to harmonise body, mind and soul. His failings, as we know, were his impatience and his temper. He tried hard to control his ego but neglected his body. He made attempts to change his diet but invariably reverted to the ingrained bad eating habits that had their roots in his childhood poverty.
On God...
Elvis believed that there is one God who is within us all. Elvis had an open and questioning mind and a thirst for knowledge; he explored all sorts of ideas - reincarnation, theosophy, metaphysics, mysticism, gnosticism and numerology, but generally shied away from astrology, psychics and fortune-telling. He attended the Self-Realization Fellowship outside Los Angeles, which is an interfaith organisation covering both Hindu and Christian teachings. He raised questions and expressed doubts, accepting nothing at face value. Geller states that Elvis was too sharp to be taken in by charlatans of any persuasion.
At the same time, Elvis never rejected his religion, only its rigid adherents and their intolerance of any deviation from the accepted word, remaining a Christian his whole life, but not a Christian to the exclusion of anything else. He believed in the unity in all religions and saw no conflict between Hinduism and Christianity. This is very much a Hindu viewpoint too. Maybe the influence of Hinduism on Elvis has been understated, although his interest in Buddhism has been noted elsewhere.
Geller explains that there was a dichotomy between Elvis' spiritual quest, his charitable nature and his kind and sensitive side - and his shadow, his self-destructive tendency that caused him immense pain and agony. He was exhorted by Daya Mata of the Self-Realization Fellowship to harmonise body, mind and soul. His failings, as we know, were his impatience and his temper. He tried hard to control his ego but neglected his body. He made attempts to change his diet but invariably reverted to the ingrained bad eating habits that had their roots in his childhood poverty.