49 YOUNG SEEKERS AT MAURITIUS YOUTH RETREAT
ONE OF GURUDEVA'S IMPORTANT PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY OF MAURITIUS ARE REGULAR SPIRITUAL RETREATS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 13 TO 25 OR SO. Main activities held at the last retreat this week: classes with the two swamis, hatha yoga, power yoga, morning Ganesha puja, sunrise meditation, video shows on Kauai Aadheenam and reincarnation, cave exploration, treasure hunt during hiking, talent show staged by youth themselves, youth entertained at hotel during Indian Nite, phone call from Gurudeva, an ocean boat ride, swimming , snorkelling, visit to the Saiva Dharmasala Spiritual Park, workshops by Kulapati Rajen and Kulamata Premila on hindu fashion, ayurveda, lord Ganesha. Monthly retreats being planned by the Katumbas (extended families) each family will hold two or more a year for the next three years or more.

PRASHANTH'S FATHER OFF TO SRI LANKA
My father has left to Holy Jaffna, to attend my cousin's wedding. I told him to go to Alaveddy..and to do an archana at your favorite Ganesha temple...Kumbhalavalai. I told him to see if Gurudeva's Alavaeddy ashram is still there.

RELIGIOUS BOOK SALES SOARING
An article in the Savannah Morning News by Loyall Solomon in their Sunday August 16, 1998 issue says: "The increased interest and demand for books on religion and spirituality is even more evident at Savannah's Books-A-Million."

"We have seen a strong turn toward alternative religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism," said store manager Michael Kenney. "I think a lot of that comes from seeing what some of movie stars, such as Madonna, are doing and turning toward."

However, while there has been a rising demand for books on those alternative religions, the real demand has been for the books on the basics. "They want the books that tell them shortcuts or give an outline as to what the religion is. In fact, I think a lot would like to have something like 'A Dummy's Guide to Hinduism,' or whatever. Most of those shoppers," he said, "don't realize that something like Buddhism or Hinduism is a practice, something that you achieve over a period of years."

Oh my, the world is in financial turmoil and everyone is worrying about their future. What to do to stay calm? Of course, go mess around in the kitchen. Here is our occasional chutney recipe to experiment with:

Manick Lime Pickle

5 medium size lime
3 tablespoon turmeric powder
5 tbl mustard powder
1 tbl garlic paste
3 tbl cayenne
tbl methi (fenugreek)
1 teaspoon Asafetida
Salt and Ghee.