religon

[within you]

what was Harrisons real religon

[AriesGirl78]

I read somewhere that George had been a Catholic before he converted to Hinduism.

That's right, I hope.

[Starkey Harrison Girl]

Did he still believe in God?

[Miss O'Dell]

George was Christianed as a Catholic, even though his family weren't really all that religious but his mum wanted him to be. When he got older he got into meditation and Eastern religions from that. There is a myth about a man on a bicycle on a beach that rode up to George and gave him a book or a leaflet on Hinduism, George didn't read it, but found it again later when he had taken up the meditation. I don't know if thats true though.

As I said, he learnt about Eastern religions from the mediatation, but George never went the whole way and converted, as he believed that organised religion was inherantly corrupt, so he didn't want to be a fully devout member. He followed (mostly) the teachings from the Bahagad Gita (Sorry about the spelling!) the Self realisation Fellowship (SRF - about yoga and meditation) and the Institute of Krishna Conscience (ISKCON - the Hare Krishnas). As he was never a 'proper' Hindu he didn't have a 'Khrisha' Hindu name (I'm not sure what the correct term is) but they gave him an honary one, they said you already have one, Harrison is Hari's son, son of God. Which is why George is also Hari.

He went through a very devout period in the seventies when he was trying to get rid of his ego (!) when he would do things like getting up at 6am to take a stone cold bath followed by a run round the garden (Thats Friar Park! Very big garden!) I imagine he wasn't always the easiest of people to live with then!

And yes, George very very much believed in God. (He believed all God's were the same by many names, "They call Allah, Jehova, Krishna, Our Lord") Most of his (later) songs are about God in some way, through metaphore, or often where you might at first think he's talking about a woman or a girlfriend, its really God he's talking about. He also wrote the introduction to a religious book (that I can't remember the name of - oh the shame!!) and signed it, "All you need is Love (Krishna)" I think it was also a memo he sent around Apple at the time. Isn't that lovely? I never get memos like that.

Anyway, as you might know, when our dear Georgie died, he was with two of his best friends who were Hare Krishnas (as well as his family obviously) who were chanting around him and for him (Its very important to be God conscious and thinking of God when you're dying, in order to go to the Spiritial Sky (Heaven) and not reincarnate) and George's last words were "Love one another, Hare Krishna". God bless him.

As a bit of a happier story, when George (who was terrifyied of flying anyway!) was on a plane that was going through a bit of trouble, he curled up with his knees against the seat in front and shouted "Hare Krishna!" over and over at the top of his lungs! And he beleved that that was what saved the plane. And so do I. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[biglou114]

[ QUOTE ]
AriesGirl78 Posted:
I read somewhere that George had been a Catholic before he converted to Hinduism.

That's right, I hope.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think he ever converted. To my knowlege he belived you could pray any way you wanted no matter what your "offical" religion was. If he would have I personally would think he would have gone to Hare Krishna

[chaitanya]

Very good MissO'Dell !!!

Jay Sri Krishna !
Jay Srila Prabhupada !
Jay Sri George Hariman !

p.s. Bhagavad Gita http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[abbeysoul9]

And that one time when the horrible intruder attacked George in 1999, George was yelling "Hare Krishna" at the top of his lungs also.

[Miss O'Dell]

[ QUOTE ]
chaitanya Posted:
Very good MissO'Dell !!!

Jay Sri Krishna !
Jay Srila Prabhupada !
Jay Sri George Hariman !

p.s. Bhagavad Gita http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks. and ta for the spelling!

Hare Krishna!
Jai Sri George Hariman
God Bless George Harrison.

[HariScruff_00]

[ QUOTE ]
Starkey Harrison Girl Posted:
Did he still believe in God?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know how to say this without sounding slightly rude so i apologize if it comes off that way but are you a reletively new George fan?
I'm certainly no expert on religion but Hinduism is not Atheism!! Christians aren't the only ones who believe in God, even though specific details may differ.

I think Miss O'Dell pretty well explained it but just a couple other anicdotes:
George had been quoted as saying he would love to "meet Christ"

From the statement released by his family after he died--
"He left this world as he lived in it, conscious of God, fearless of death, and at peace, surrounded by family and friends. He often said, 'Everything else can wait but the search for God cannot wait, and love one another."'

From Olivia's forward in "Harrison" by 'the editors of Rolling Stone':
"...George did not, contrary to popular belief, "belong" to any spirtual organization, although many claimed him as their own."
[i admit i certainly went along with "popular belief" on that one! http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif ]
...
"He embraced the essence of all religions although he had little patience for organized religions or dogma that espoused guilt, sin or mystery."
[Amen!!]

it certainly wouldn't be difficult to find a few spiritual quotes from George himself if you know where to look.


-Miss O'Dell, i hadn't heard of a book intro until you mentioned it- is this it???
http://www.retourakrishna.com/radio/nouvellea/024.html (its in French but world.altavista.com and a few other sites can translate it into English)

also, I have a Hari-produced CD called "Chant and Be Happy", in the liner notes George ends with "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE (KRISHNA)". Others will know the background of the album better than i but I believe the album was recorded in 1969 or 70, its a collection of spiritual songs sung at the Krishna temple in London (donated to the Krishnas by George). "Sri Guruvastakam" is a personal favorite, George's guitar is so sweet on that track...

PS, more great sources: http://www.retourakrishna.com/radio/reportage/harrison.html

[joelcrowservo]

Can I add something? I certainly wouldnt find myself shouting Krishna on an airplane, but as a Christian, I have to say I find great spiritual comfort from Georges music. I may not agree with Hinduism, but I feel George basically said "God is God". Jesus was certainly mentioned in his music (anyone recall what song? http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)and during my wedding, while saying a prayer to the Trinity, we played "Marwa Blues". I feel God blesses all; just maybe they do not acknowledge that gift as being from him. And the Beatles were supremely gifted from the Lord, but as He gives us free will, they, or anyone, can acknowledge this or not.
So was George 'religious'? No. Was he a spiritual man in a material world? Yes.
(gently steps off soapbox...)

[Miss O'Dell]

[ QUOTE ]
abbeysoul9 Posted:
And that one time when the horrible intruder attacked George in 1999, George was yelling "Hare Krishna" at the top of his lungs also.

[/ QUOTE ]

In court George said he said that to distract him, but I don't think that was the real reason!

[Miss O'Dell]

[ QUOTE ]
[b


-Miss O'Dell, i hadn't heard of a book intro until you mentioned it- is this it???
http://www.retourakrishna.com/radio/nouvellea/024.html (its in French but world.altavista.com and a few other sites can translate it into English)


[/ QUOTE ]

I think it is, but I can't be sure as my French isn't that amazing. I will try and find the book, its round here somewhere!

As a bit of an aside, some one at work today asked my if I was an atheist. (I have beliefs simular to Georges) I sad no, so he asked, Agonistic? I said no, and he said "You believe?" shocked as if I told him I'd been abducted by aliens or something. It seems it is very unfashionable (if thats the right word) to have spirital beliefs these days

[HariScruff_00]

I know what you mean. My mother is Christian but my sister and I both believe very strongly in reincarnation and are probably closer to Hinduism than anything else. So during a discussion when this all came out my mother's first reaction was "but you believe in God right?!" (worried)
Even she (at the time) didn't understand that Hinduism or something different was not some form of Atheism (which itself is a "religion" IMO).

And Joel, that is so true! I think George was very aware of that while writing a number of his songs.
I heard a bootleg from one of George's 1974 concerts where he and Billy Preston are having a good ol' time chanting "ChristChristChristBuddhaBuddhaBuddhaKrishna..." I don't know a lot about Billy but i assume he's Christian, probably? anyway, on Concert for Bangladesh Preston's "That's the Way God Planned It" isn't exactly out of place alongside My Sweet Lord, Awaiting on You All, etc.
As you said "God is God" and that's one of the elements that is so great about George's music!

[luvsthebeatles]

[ QUOTE ]
Miss O'Dell Posted:
It seems it is very unfashionable (if thats the right word) to have spirital beliefs these days

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/afraid1.gif Scary thought.

[joelcrowservo]

[ QUOTE ]
luvsthebeatles Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Miss O'Dell Posted:
It seems it is very unfashionable (if thats the right word) to have spiritual beliefs these days

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/afraid1.gif Scary thought.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh, I don't know; some entertainment shows have whole segments on Madonna and Britny and the kaballah. Spirituality is OK, its faith thats the problem. If you get my drift.

[starchild01]

[ QUOTE ]
joelcrowservo Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
luvsthebeatles Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Miss O'Dell Posted:
It seems it is very unfashionable (if thats the right word) to have spiritual beliefs these days

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/afraid1.gif Scary thought.

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh, I don't know; some entertainment shows have whole segments on Madonna and Britny and the kaballah. Spirituality is OK, its faith thats the problem. If you get my drift.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well said.

[Miss O'Dell]

Here's George's words from the forward from the Book I mentioned,

*
*

George Harrison from the Beatles


Everybody is looking for KRISHNA.

Some don't realize that they are, but they are.

KRISHNA is GOD, the Source of all that exists, the Cause of all that is, was, or ever will be.

As GOD is unlimited HE has many Names.

Allah-Buddha-Jehova-Rama: All are KRISHNA, all are ONE.

God is not abstract; He has both the impersonal and the personal aspects to His personality which is SUPREME, ETERNAL, BLISSFUL, and full of KNOWLEDGE. As a single drop of water has the same qualities as an ocean of water, so has our consciousness the qualities of GOD'S consciousness... but through our identification and attachment with material energy (physical body, sense pleasures, material possessions, ego, etc.) our true TRANSCENDENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS has been polluted, and like a dirty mirror it is unable to reflet a pure image.

With many lives our association with the TEMPORARY has grown. This impermanent body, a bag of bones and flesh, is mistaken for our true self, and we have accepted this temporary condition to be final.

Through all ages, great SAINTS have remained as living proof that this non-temporary, permanent state of GOD CONSCIOUSNESS can be revived in all living Souls. Each soul is potentially divine. Krsna says in Bhagavad Gita: "Steady in the Self, being freed from all material contamination, the yogi achieves the highest perfetional stage of happiness in touch with the Supreme Consciousness." (VI,28)

YOGA (a scientific method for GOD (SELF) realization) is the process by which we puirify our consciousness, stop further pollution, and arrive at the state of Perfection, full KNOWLEDGE, full BLISS.

If there's a God, I want to see Him. It's pointless to believe in something without proof, and Krishna Consciousness and meditation are methods where you can actually obtain GOD preception. You can actually see God, and Hear Him, play with Him. It might sound crazy, but He is actually there, actually with you.

There are many yogic Paths--Raja, Jnana, Hatha, Kriya, Karma, Bhakti--which are all acclaimed by the MASTERS of each method.

SWAMI BHAKTIVEDANTA is as his title says, a BHAKTI Yogi following the path of DEVOTION. By serving GOD through each thought, word, and DEED, and by chanting HIS Holy Names, the devotee quickly develops God-consciousness. By chanting

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama
Rama Rama, Hare Hare

one inevitably arrives at KRISHNA Consciousness. (The proof of the pudding is in the eating!)

I request that you take advantage of this book KRSNA, and enter into its understanding. I also request that you make an appointment to meet your God now, through the self liberating process of YOGA (UNION) and GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.

http://www.krsnabook.com/images/georgesig.GIF

[Rays_of_violet]

[ QUOTE ]
joelcrowservo Posted:
Jesus was certainly mentioned in his music (anyone recall what song? http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)(gently steps off soapbox...)

[/ QUOTE ]

"You don't need a passport, you don't need no visas, just open up your heart and you can see Jesus." (Or something of the like with the last part). That makes me smile evertime I hear it. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[AriesGirl78]

I have that same memo, Miss O'Dell!

George has been a great spiritual influence on me.

I am a Christian, but Indian beliefs and spirituality I also find great comfort in.

I even have a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the version from ISKCON I believe, because Srila Prahubpada( I hope that's spelled right) is on the back cover.

It really seems odd to me that while spirituality is the "IN" thing, FAITH seems to not be.

*Shakes head*

My mother recently recovered from two kinds of cancer, and I prayed Hare Krishna, many many times during the operations she's had to go through.

This was in a hospital chapel, and I sat there, pouring my guts out to God. Pleading and praying to God. Then I started praying Hare Krishna.

It does help. It really does.

And I never was fully sure if George had converted or not, so thanks to you all for clearing that up for me.

Hare Krishna!

By chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free, the Lord is awaiting on you all to awake and see..:)

[chaitanya]

[ QUOTE ]
AriesGirl78 Posted:
I have that same memo, Miss O'Dell!

George has been a great spiritual influence on me.

I am a Christian, but Indian beliefs and spirituality I also find great comfort in.

I even have a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the version from ISKCON I believe, because Srila Prahubpada( I hope that's spelled right) is on the back cover.

It really seems odd to me that while spirituality is the "IN" thing, FAITH seems to not be.

*Shakes head*

My mother recently recovered from two kinds of cancer, and I prayed Hare Krishna, many many times during the operations she's had to go through.

This was in a hospital chapel, and I sat there, pouring my guts out to God. Pleading and praying to God. Then I started praying Hare Krishna.

It does help. It really does.

And I never was fully sure if George had converted or not, so thanks to you all for clearing that up for me.

Hare Krishna!

By chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free, the Lord is awaiting on you all to awake and see..:)

[/ QUOTE ]

Jay !!!

Hare Krishna !!!

[Miss O'Dell]

[ QUOTE ]
Rays_of_violet Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
joelcrowservo Posted:
Jesus was certainly mentioned in his music (anyone recall what song? http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)(gently steps off soapbox...)

[/ QUOTE ]

"You don't need a passport, you don't need no visas, just open up your heart and you can see Jesus." (Or something of the like with the last part). That makes me smile evertime I hear it. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Awaiting on you All from All things must pass. Thats songs lyrics says what George thinks about organised religion.

Hare Krishna

[beatlebangs1964]

"Dear One" is a beautiful prayer set to music.

George, as I've said all along shared and expressed his beliefs through his music. He kept an open mind and he was very, I think, spiritually receptive.

I like the way George said in interviews over the years that he got into the Stations of the Cross (which is part of Catholicism). I also read that George had a statue of Blessed Mary at Friar Park.

I think George's early Catholic seeds took root in him, yet flourished and branched into different expressions and inclusions of other ideas/approaches in his religious beliefs.

[beatlebangs1964]

[ QUOTE ]
joelcrowservo Posted:
Can I add something? I certainly wouldnt find myself shouting Krishna on an airplane, but as a Christian, I have to say I find great spiritual comfort from Georges music. I may not agree with Hinduism, but I feel George basically said "God is God".

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave,

You said it far better than I ever could! As a Christian, a Catholic, I derive great spiritual comfort in listening to George's music. The members of the Monday Night Prayer Group at my church have developed a new appreciation for George Harrison because I would play his music before and after the meetings. In fact, at the semi-annual retreat, "Here Comes the Sun" was used to herald all meetings.

"Dear One" was the song I chose when I did my faith sharing. That song is a beautiful prayer set to music and it touches my heart very deeply.

[ QUOTE ]
[qb]Jesus was certainly mentioned in his music (anyone recall what song? http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)and during my wedding, while saying a prayer to the Trinity, we played "Marwa Blues". I feel God blesses all; just maybe they do not acknowledge that gift as being from him. And the Beatles were supremely gifted from the Lord, but as He gives us free will, they, or anyone, can acknowledge this or not.
So was George 'religious'? No. Was he a spiritual man in a material world? Yes.
(gently steps off soapbox...)

[/ QUOTE ]

"Marwa Blues" is a lovely choice for a wedding song. God DOES bless us all; of that I have no doubt. The Beatles were blessed with talent God bestowed upon them. You are right, Dave that free will governs the decisions people make. The Beatles used their talents to enrich the world and they did make this world a better place in their own way.

God bless George Harrison and his immediate family.

[Hari's Chick]

Here is an online book/interview in chapters one and two. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.webcom.com/~ara/col/books/YM/cbh/welcome.html

Om Hari Om

[FPSHOT]

That Chapter One interview from 1982 says a lot about how George had developed his spiritual life; it's wonderful to read and those who not really know about George's spiritual side... take a few minutes to read it, it is very interesting and certainly not heavy to read.

Like this one story I have copied here at the Palace before, and when you read it, think of a song from "Brainwashed";

"once I chanted the Hare Krsna mantra all the way from France to Portugal, nonstop. I drove for about twenty-three hours and chanted all the way. It gets you feeling a bit invincible. The funny thing was that I didn't even know where I was going. I mean I had bought a map, and I knew basically which way I was aiming, but I couldn't speak French, Spanish, or Portuguese. But none of that seemed to matter. You know, once you get chanting, then things start to happen transcendentally."

That is awesome, isn't it http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

[FPSHOT]

Miss O'Dell, you have written a fantastic post there at the beginning of this topic, it's a great answer to the question put forward.

[Miss O'Dell]

[ QUOTE ]
FPSHOT Posted:
Miss O'Dell, you have written a fantastic post there at the beginning of this topic, it's a great answer to the question put forward.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you. We can but try. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif