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Cybertalk: A cyberspace devotee asks about the injury that Gurudeva sustained in his back in December 2000 and how one should face physical difficulties. Gurudeva says that if one associated himself as the physical body then facing these physical difficulties will not be easy. If we realize that we are the soul within the physical body then we maintain our own personal identity during these times. A Merging with Siva student wants to do daily sadhana and asks Gurudeva which of the 52 sadhanas in the book should he do. Gurudeva says the basic sadhana is getting up early in the morning and and doing puja followed by a short meditation. He also recommends repeating daily some positive affirmations.

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

Gurudeva will be happy to hold "Prasnottara Satsang" -- "Questions and Answers" over the telephone with any Hindu religious societies, Hindu youth groups, Radio talk show hosts etc. All you need is a phone with a speaker and an enthusiastic audience. Arrangements may be made in advance by sending email to Sivadevanathaswami

Click to send Gurudeva a spiritual question he will later answer for all to benefit.

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Date: April_17_2001
Title: Marriage Compatibility
Category: Relationships
Duration: 1 min., 58 seconds
Date Given: April 11, 2001

A cyberspace devotee at goto.com, by the name of Eric, is trying to help a couple with their marriage. He heard about the compatibility, physical, mental and emotional compatibility and wonders how this can come about.

There are many levels to a marriage and to compatibility. The astrological compatibility will tell us the physical and emotional compatibility, as well as the karmas of the future. However, there is a cultural compatibility, as well as, social compatibility and intellectual compatibility that must be taken into account for a very wholesome relationship. That means, the couple must enjoy the same friends, the same music, the same television programs and be able to talk intelligently on one another's intellectual level. All of this should be in place before the marriage vows are taken.

Now, there are two kinds of people. Those who can solve problems within a relationship and those who avoid solving problems in a relationship. Two virgins who become married are more likely to solve the problems that come up within the relationship, than to separate. Two promiscuous people who have gotten married, who have had other relationships prior, will find it much easier to move on to somebody else than to face and solve a problem.

So, knowing all of this, you can summarize whether it is worth your while, trying to help with the marriage.
transcription ends

We received news today from Martine Thom who was here in March to make a film documentary of Kauai's Hindu Monastery. She sent us a first draft of a "synopsis" she is preparing that she will send out to TV stations, soliciting them to air her new production. We excerpted a section below and you can click here to read the complete synopsis. If you are involved in the broadcast industry or would like the stations in your area to air the show, call your TV station and have them email Martine directly at martineanne@hotmail.com

"The San Marga Path" (WORKING TITLE)

Martinneanne Thom -- Producer and Director:
Zachary Williams -- Director of Photography
Zack Green -- Sound, Second Camera and Assistant Editor
Murray Stiller -- Editor

THE STRAIGHT PATH TO GOD

SYNOPSIS

In the middle of the Pacific, on the remote Hawaiian island of Kauai,
half-way between Asia and North America, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and
the monks of the Holy Order of Sannyasa established a Hindu monastery some
thirty years ago and the first Hindu temple in the United States.

For the first time ever, the Holy Order of Sannyasa permitted Martine Thom
Productions to document its daily life at the Kauai Hindu Monastery. The
Monks gave the crew carte blanche to film them, resulting in 50 hours of
Documented life. They invited the crew into their daily lives, fed them
Vegetarian meals, and supported their endeavors in all possible ways.
Guided by the sacred Hindu calendar, carried by the vibration of the
monastery, the crew, as both observers and participants, captured this
moment in time. The union of subject and chronicler is reflected in the
intimacy of the film, where the audience mingles with the monks in their
daily routine.

In this 46-minute film, we follow the twenty-four hour life cycle of
monastic life. We get to know twelve-year-old, Nutanaya, conceived by his
parents with the intention of his becoming a monk. We meet Satguru Sivaya
Subramuniyaswami or Gurudeva as he is affectionately known, the spiritual
leader of three millions Hindus around the world. We follow Paramacharya
Bodhinathaswami, number one in the line of succession to Gurudeva and we
share with Acharya Palaniswami, editor-in-chief of Hinduism Today and
Himalayan Academy Publications, his joyful and deep involvement in his
work. We develop a relationship with these inspirational monks who are
from 20 to 75 years old; through their eyes we discover monastic life. We
are the voyeurs of a ten thousand-year-old religion that existed before
Christianity, Buddhism, Islam.

In opening their doors to the crew, the monks treat the viewers to a
spiritual feast of rituals, of peace and beauty of Hawaii that surrounds
the monastery and the extraordinary harmony the monks live in their daily
lifeEach one is a thread in a tapestry of monastic life and their search for
higher consciousness is a model for those in quest of a world of meaning.

As their predecessors did ten thousands years ago, Gurudeva and his
monks live fruitful lives writing, publishing, building temples, designing,
planting ponds and gardens, and balancing all this activity with meditative
spiritual inner lives. By examining this unique monastic lifestyle, the
filmmaker uncovers methods that could redefine the way to achieve a
harmonious, peaceful and productive life.

[Click here to read the entire film synopsis]

Gurudeva had a discussion with the island Kulapatis today.

Pilgrims from various places in USA came for the monastery tour today.

Nallan and Sudha Krishnan with their two daughters, Varshini and Netra came from Flint, Michigan.

Umakanthan family from Napa Valley, California, orginally from Jaffna, Sri Lanka are here on pilgrimage for five days. Janani on the far right is going to perform bharata natyam dance for Gurudeva next Sun 1 homa morning.

This is Jeff Weiske his wife Julie who live on the island. Jeff is a very, sensitive and talented physical therapist. He has been teaching Gurudeva and all the monks some wonderful exercises for keeping the back strong.

Jeff brought his wife up to the monastery today to visit Gurudeva. Thanks to Jeff, Gurudeva's strength and flexibility are improving daily from the injury he had last December. The Pilates system of matt exercises are really wonderful tools for people of all ages.

Some friends of one of the monks family came to visit today. On the left, Karen Kammera. She is a nurse in Connecticutt. In blue, Chris Welty, also a nurse and on the right, Dorothy Kammera, Karen's mother, a "retired housewife."

Kulapati Sivajnani Nagappan, from Malaysia, is here on Kauai with his wife Amala and baby boy, Yajatadeva. They are staying with Amala's parents for a while. Sivajnani comes to the monastery in the morning and is helping with our massive Rudraksha seed harvesting and bead preparation. This is a nice break for him from his job in Malaysia where he is a professional tutor.

12 Glorious Days, 8 Enchanting Countries and One Chance in a Lifetime! Imagine spending 12 days with one of the greatest spiritual leaders of this century. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami will be leading this exotic educational and spiritual voyage himself combining the mystical path of Indian spirituality with a superlative retreat from it all. Take advantage of this one chance to be in close proximity with a living master. Come with us on an inner and outer voyage to Northern Europe and Russia. www.innersearch.org