 Satguru Siva Yogaswami Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
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 Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami Kauai's Hindu Monastery, USA |
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September 30, 2000
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Visakha Hindu Year 5102: Vikrama, the "Year of Fulfillment" |
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 Gurudeva in meditation leading the monks inward and upward as he does every day. The great South Indian Saiva Saint, Tayumanavar says:
"Be thou under the guidance of a realised Guru,
Cybertalk: Today we include two short answers to questions relating to ahimsa, nonhurtfulness. The first is from an admitted meat eater who wonders if it is alright for him to wear rudraksha beads. The second is from a remorseful e-devotee who killed a spider. He would like to know how to atone. Date Given: July 18, 2000
Do you have questions for Gurudeva? A detailed index of past inspired talks is available here. Transcription of One of Gurudeva's CyberTalks August_27_2000 Title: The Half Hindus Category: Hinduism and Tradition Duration: 3 min, 37 seconds A question from Trinidad, through the e-mail from cyberspace cadet wondering "Why some people who teach Yoga, who are of Indian origin don't want to call themselves Hindu?" Those who do call themselves Hindu, who do teach Yoga and the higher philosophies have most generally Indian followers, who are of Indian origin, who are Hindus and also call themselves Hindus. The yogis and swamis and pundits and teachers who do not call themselves Hindus, refrain from the "H" word more than likely, it is observed, have followers who are Christians or Jewish people who have drifted away from their religions. The word Yoga has been successfully separated from the word Hindu and Christians and Jewish people do not mind telling their family and friends that they do practice Yoga. But should their Universalist teacher, who says that all the religions are the same and all religions are one, we are just teaching Yoga and it's a universal expression of the Divine, were to say "yes I am a Hindu," the Christians and Jews go away, it is a bad word to use, bad for business. Using the word Hindu and not using the word Hindu is purely commercial. A cyberspace question from Sean in United Kingdom, wondering about ardha-Hindus and how do the Gods look at those who are half way Hindu and half way not Hindu? (Ardha means half) Well there are many ardha-Hindus or half Hindus who are born Hindus in Indian bodies and who do not practice the religion and do all kinds of things that are adharma or against the law of Sanatana Dharma. The ardha-Hindu living in a Western body who has of his own free will adopted Sanatana Dharma as his faith and religion is more open and willing to learn. The Gods look at those who are unwilling to learn as children. Those willing to learn as students and those who have learned have the full blessings of the Gods. But the Gods are helping the children, as mother and father would. They are helping the student, as a teacher would and they are working together with the adult who has learned the principles of Sanatana Dharma, putting it into action daily in their lives. In the eyes of the God and Goddesses no one is neglected, even for a moment no one is ever rejected. Everyone is helped equally according to his stage of evolution and his ability to strive.  A view from near the homa kunda (fire altar) shows vividly the 108 Tandava poses of Lord Shiva that are placed on shelves with mirrors behind them which when all lit up, provides a scintillating atmosphere in the early morning.  Around the Aadheenam we grow orchids. This unusual variety requires no soil and we can poke them here and there in the crooks of trees and nooks of rocks. They thrive simply with exposure to sunlight, air and occasional light water from rains that quickly drain off the roots. It reminds one of the good life of the ascetic, living simply, free of needs, growing in the Divine Light.  A close up of the orchid blossom with its marvelous and subtle shades of color.  At the door of the publications building there is a Ganesha carving and a small altar. We ring a small bell and light some incense at the beginning in the morning to invoke his blessings for the day of karma yoga that follows.  The sacred Kumbha Pot, traditionally decorated. Wound all around with colored string, and wrapped in a cloth sash. Mango leaves are placed in the opening and a fresh coconut whose "tuft" has not been removed sits on the top. The pot is then placed on a bed of rice on a banana leaf and adorned with sandal paste, kumkum and flowers. This ancient "mystic device" is filled with water and placed beside the homa fire during the fire ceremonies, usually between the fire and the inner sanctum of the temple, in the "line of fire" so to speak. The spiritual energy invoked during the fire worship is transferred to the water, which then can be used as a powerful blessing substance to sprinkle on the crowd of devotees, bath the Deity, consecrate temple land or finished temple Gopurams. The pouring of this water is called the "kumbha Abhishekam."
 An eleven acre site in Bangalore, India, where 75 Indian families live and daily carve the sacred white granite edifice of Iraivan Temple which will soon begin to be assembled on the island of Kauai  The carving of the traditional "bhutas" or devas that preside over the lower courses of the Iraivan temple. They are carved on the stones of the third course of the vimanam (main sanctum). The hand is raised in a symbolic gesture of upholding the stones above. These beings are understood to be joyful, happy spirits that support the temple.  Gurudeva's other monastery in the island country of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean near South Africa  Each morning the monastery residents gather in the predawn hours to worship and meditate together. The cool crisp morning air, blowing in from two thousand miles of open sea enhances the already mystical atmosphere of the predawn hours, and a magnificent sunrise reminds fills us with awe and gratitude.  God Siva in the form of Dakshinamurthy, the silent spiritual teacher sitting under the sacred banyan tree giving blessings and knowledge. This magnificent nine foot statue or murthi was carved from a solid piece of granite in South India and shipped to Mauritius where it now stands in a small grove of Konroi trees in the center of the Spiritual Park.  The hand of God, giving Blessings and holding a string of rudraksha beads used in the repetition of mantras. "How to Become A Hindu"! Gurudeva's latest book release is now available Hot Off the Press! Visit the Himalayan Academy Book Store Web Site get the book and read the incredible testimonies of the early pioneers from the west who chose to make a full and complete conversion to Hinduism, legally change both their first and last names to Hindu names, change their lifestyles, sever their formal connections to previous faiths and joyously face the challenges in joining the tribe of the Sanatana Dharma Visiting Kauai's Hindu Monastery If you are planning to visit Kauai, please go first to our our visitor's page. Thank you. 12 Glorious Days, 8 Enchanting Countries and One Chance in a Lifetime! Join Gurudeva for Himalayan Academy's 17th travel-study program, the 2001 European Innersearch, themed the "Hinduism Today Adventure". Go to www.innersearch.org and for more detailed 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. |
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