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New Talk by Bodhinatha

We are catching up on Bodhinatha’s upadeshas. There is a new talk linked today in the right sidebar.

Gifts from Michael Kramer of Gilders' Studio

Michael Kramer, owner of Gilders’ Studio whose team did the gold work on Iraivan earlier this year sent a gift of company T-shirts to our silpis

Yogaswami's Songs Thrive in Sri Lanka

For our music fans, it was a delight to see this YouTube from Jaffna. Be patient, the introduction in Tamil is over in a minute and then you are in for a treat. Despite the tragedy of the war there and our Tamil brothers and sisters in such a sad plight, the culture continues.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jO9M_4uGvk

Monastery Twitter Updates for 2009-12-19

The Siddhidatta Kulam is focusing on the kodimaram arrival and plans for our new entry gate, among other tasks. #

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Dinner at Shiva Ashram Melbourne Centre

On the evening of the 7th of December in Melbourne, Swami Shankarananda (left) of Shiva Ashram threw a dinner part in Bodhinatha's honor at his center near Melbourne city.

The center is actually the home of one of his devotee families. Our hosts were so delighted to have visiting swamis in their home.

Before dinner, Swami and several Swaminis who live at his ashram sat with us to discuss light topics. We always enjoy spending time with Swami Shankarananda because we come from such similar philosophical traditions. He is a Kashmir Saivite, a disciple of Baba Muktananda. Bodhinatha and Palaniswami shared stories of their early meetings with Baba at his ashram in Ganeshpuri and later at Diamondhead.

Dinner was a delicious Italian feast. Swami was the conductor of conversation at the table, and he did a marvelous job. He had some great topics in mind, which we'll tell you about below.

This is Swami Bhairavi Ananda, known to all as Devi Ma. To her right, Swami Girijananda and Steven, fellow ashramites.

The dining room was bustling. Everyone enjoyed the philosophical discourse and the meal, which were equally delicious.

A healthy philosophical debate ensued, with many swamis piping in with their perspectives on the difference between bhakti and jnana yoga as paths to the Divine, among other challenges one of the ashramites posed.

Andrew Cohen, a long-time friend of Swami Shankarananda, was also at the table. He was intrigued by the swamis' confab and attempted to add his thoughts to the mix.

Another discussion Swami introduced was whether his shishyas should call themselves Hindus. Palaniswami asked if they believe in an all-pervasive divinity. Yes. In karma and reincarnation? Yes. In the guru-disciple relationship? Yes. In moksha as the goal of life? Yes? Then, he suggested, you're already Hindus. All laughed heartily. Swami seemed to also love the exchange, as it is an ongoing conversation among the group. Thank you, Swami Shankarananda, and your wonderful team for a beautiful evening.

Swami Mayatitananda's Address to the Parliament

Our swamis enjoyed many meetings with Swami Mayatitananda Saraswati, known as Mother Maya, spiritual head of Mother Om Mission and Wise Earth Monastery, at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne, Australia. A kindred spirit, Mother Maya has written many cogent, insightful editorials for Hinduism Today over the years. She has also written reviews and comments of many of Gurudeva’s books. Here is her address to the Convocation of Hindu Spiritual Leaders on December 8, focusing on inner harmony and living ahimsa.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcWv-uGDlr4

Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.

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