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As we write today, it is Wednesday in Malaysia, and Bodhinatha is on a bus going north from Kuala Lumpur to Teluk Batik, which is a coastal area, one of Malaysia's naval ports and seaside retreat area where the Himalayan Academy Study Retreat is being held... beginning this evening in Malaysia. In fact, as we write, Yogi Japendranatha is calling in from a highway rest stop.

Go here for a quick look at the retreat location.

The study retreat, entitled "Gurudeva's Essential Teachings" is broken up into different sections for long time sishya, teachers and new people. 75 have enrolled in the 5 day program which qualifies as an "intensive" with a total of 28 hours of presentations during that period. Here is today's schedule.

DECEMBER 22 WED DAY FOURKL/TELUK BATIK (Sun 2)

7:30am Drive north by bus
12:00pm Lunch at Muniandy home (20 minutes from Teluk Batik resort)
2:00 Continue on to Teluk Batik hotel (15-20 minutes drive from town)
3:00 Welcome gathering: Ganesha puja, retreat overview
4:00 General session (1 of 8; Topic: Hindu Temple)
6:00 Break
6:30 Special workshop for teachers (1 of 5)
7:30 Special workshop for newcomers (1 of 6; Topic:
Four Denominations; Reading: HT Insight Section;
Presentation by Bodhinatha)
8:30 Dinner

At the Aadheenam our younger monks did a beautiful job setting up a Pancha Ganapati Shrine in the courtyard. The center piece is a huge solid jade Pancha Ganapati that recently arrived from India.

Go here for more information on this popular new December Hindu festival. (scroll down the page...)

Our first gifts arrived... brand new hand made hot pan holders for the kitchen. What a needed and practical gift! Our old ones certainly needed replacement. Thank you!

Gokul and Priyanka continue their pilgrimage here at our Aadheenam and today we shared with them about the Pancha Ganapati festival. Here they are with Sadhaka Jothinatha next to the wonderfully decorated shrine with its jade Pancha Ganapati.

Though it looks black in the photo, it is actually a dark green.

Each day of Pancha Ganapati is a time for bringing through one of the five shaktis of Lord Ganesha. Here is Gurudeva's description for today's sadhana.

DECEMBER 21, YELLOW

The family sadhana for the first day of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate family members. The day begins early, and the entire family works together to design and decorate the shrine with traditional symbols, rangoli, lamps and more. Then a grand puja is performed invoking the spirit of Pancha Ganapati in the home. The sadhana of the day now begins. The family sits together for the purpose of easing any strained relationships that have arisen during the year. They make amends one with another for misdeeds performed, insults given, mental pain and injuries caused and suffered. When forgiveness is offered to all by one and all, they speak of each other's good qualities and resolve that in the days ahead they will remember the futility of trying to change others and the practicality of changing oneself to be the silent example for all to witness. Gifts are then exchanged and placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati. As family harmony is important to all Hindus, this sadhana must be taken very seriously."

Incidentally, this jade Ganesha will be for sale after this festival. If you want to purchase this blessed Ganesha please email Sadhaka Jivanandanatha at jiva@hindu.org.

Yashvant Patel and family are from New Jersey. They are devotees of Swami Narayanan and Yashvant was at the opening of the Swami Narayanan temple in Houston and heard Bodhinatha's talk there. They are also subscribers to Hinduism Today.

Ravi and wife, Sandhya, with children Priyanka and Aneesh were among our many Hindu guests today. It is citrus season at the Aadheenam and the our trees are full of fruits. Aneesh, for the first time in his life, had the experience of picking a grapefruit from a real tree... .