The calendar we use is a traditional Hindu calendar which follows the phases of the moon. Each lunar month is divided into two sections, the bright half of the moon when the moon is waxing and the dark half of the moon when the moon is waning. Each of these is again divided into two "phases" with the quarter moon in between. On full moon days, new moon days and quarter moon days and the day following each of these, the monastery takes its "days off" and is closed to guests. We don't answer the phones, unless there is an emergency or use our computers for any email or business projects. It's a quiet, inner time for all the monks to relax, get outside and wander our beautiful 51 acres of lush Hawaiian jungle, meditate by the river, go swimming, etc.

Title: Animals and Group Souls Category: Soul Duration: 1 min., 31 seconds

Gurudeva on his morning stroll through our herb garden.

Cybertalk: We finish the phase with a fun question and answer session on the concept of individual souls and group souls and how they relate to humans and animals. A devotee attendee the talk asked about his pet dog, who never ever sees any other dogs, "Where is the rest of his group soul?"

For more information about listening to Gurudeva's talks online and to hear them in other formats, click here.

Do you have questions for Gurudeva?
Please continue to send your questions for Gurudeva to answer in his Cybertalks. E-mail questions@hindu.org.

Gurudeva's other monastery in the island country of Mauritius
in the Indian Ocean near South Africa

Join Gurudeva for Himalayan Academy's 17th travel-study program, the 2001 European Innersearch, themed the "Hinduism Today Adventure".

For information, please contact Sadhaka Dandapani. Space is limited and filling up fast!

Very Important: Please include your mailing address and telephone number in the body of your message. We will keep you posted as the program develops.

Sign our guestbook and we will send you a free issue of our global full-color bi-monthly magazine, Hinduism Today.

For those who have been touched spiritually by Gurudeva's work, his books, his guidance, his inspired life and example and even his website, the "Thank You, Gurudeva Fund" has been established within Hindu Heritage Endowment.

Proceeds from this fund last forever; they're not a one-time gift. So gifts to this fund have eternal gratitude built into them. They live on in perpetuity.

Each month Gurudeva receives the income from the fund to be used at his own discretion to promote his work and mission around the globe. He loves this, for he knows that it comes from all the good souls who have met him and studied with him, traveled with him or just talked with him over the years. A contribution to this fund is tax-deductible.