Blog Archives
March 23, 2003 
Gurudeva wrote: "Hold your consciousness high, keep your mind alive and alert so that your soul is alive and alert. You have heard me say many times, "Observation is the first awakening of the soul." If your observation is intense and accurate, your mind is not bothered and you are not regretting things that have happened to you in the past. But people who have poor observation often do hold on to their regrets, and they rationalize most of what happens to them, putting the blame for their own experiences on someone else. It is so much easier to close the door on these reactions and live more like on a spring day rather than in the dead of winter. Life is meant to be lived joyously. The awakened soul is a joyous soul with a positive mind. The practice of observation will bring you closer and closer to this state of consciousness."
END OF PHASE NOTICE:
This is the last day of a short
4-day phase. This edition of
TAKA will remain up until the
evening of Wednesday, March 26th.
Our Beloved and Revered Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Attained Maha Samadhi on November 12th, 2001
Click to read for Details.
Mystic Mouse Coloring Book Now available
Today's sample page. ----- Click here to get your copy today!
Sumir Meghani on the left with his friend Ranganatha and two other students all from Stanford University. Sumir has been one of the "keepers of the flame' for the Hindu Student's Council group at Stanford. As his parents are lifetime subscribers, Sumir has been in touch with Hinduism Today for many years. These fine young men have completed their finals after some arduous studying, Ranganatha graduated last year, and the others are looking forward to seeing exam results when they go home. Bodhinatha spoke with them about the issue of tolerance and how Hinduism can take a lead in making a better world through the practical application of this principle.
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Title: Malaysia-Singapore Visit Report Part 2 |
Cybertalk: Bodhinatha continues his report on his visit to Malaysia and Singapore (part 2). Bodhinatha gave a wonderful talk, "My friend, Lord Ganesha," at the Sakti Vinayagar Temple in Penang, and now reads an inspiring testimony by Kamala Veylan about how practical and useful the worship of Lord Ganesha can be in our life.
Cybertalk Ends"
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We had quite a large group of visitors today... in fact our visitor count keeps going up and up. We thought with the war in progress, things might slow down but we are up to nearly 200 a week.
This gentleman came with his son and wife from Oahu. They have relatives on the island who told them they had to go visit the temple so they came for the tour.
Lisa and her son Elijah visited today along with more than 40 other guest this morning. She and her husband run a jewelry business on the island. They live here part of the time and in Oregon for the rest of the year. These are "star blessed "children who have the good karma to come to Iraivan at such an early age!
Jeff Rodney from New Jersey was on a cruise ship that stopped on Kauai for the day and he caught a taxi up to the monastery eager to see what it is all about having heard much about it from a close friend back home. He left much amazed with a copy of Merging with Siva and Weaver's Wisdom.
Terry Parish lives nearby and is now doing occasional work for the Aadheenam.
Our young Stanford men pay a visit to the publications facility. They will soon be launched into the real world of work and, we hope, take a leadership role in bringing Sanatana Dharma forward in society.
Natarajnathaswami doing research for an up-and-coming Hinduism Today article.
 The Remarkable Vision |
Iraivan Temple Progress Update |
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Iraivan is definitely alive these days. Preparations are underway for the next big "lift." Here Adaikkalam is notching a potagai.
The top of the pillar has an opposing projecting piece that fits in here.
Finishing work continues as the retaining wall moves downward.
Here we are on the west side of the main sanctum, where the pillars were just raised up. The Potagai to go on top are laid out in position.
Safety glasses are important, and Gurudeva innovated having all the silpis wear these, here and in India. Many balked at this new "contraption on their eyes."
But someone did get a chip in their eye and it was a close call... so now they take no chances.
Shanmugam Sthapati always has a joyful demeanor. This project is a great one for him. He knows the importance of Iraivan and the role it will play for Hinduism in the years to come.
We bring you now a little closer to the stone of Iraivan... here is the white granite... under the sun one sees many glinting pieces of crystal shining in the stone.
The subtle carvings are best viewed in a cross lighting.
These are beams for the ceiling, and this is what you will see when you look up. The next "lift" will be six potagai, two pillars and several roof beams.
We are told that such detailed work has not been done for temples in many, many decades.
The lovely symbols on the pillars.
Each one has a story to tell.
Future guides of Hinduism will have a script to describe each one and in doing so, provide a wonderful education to visitors.
Patterns on the sides of the sanctum.
Nasi kudi...
Roof beam
And, as many have told us... not only is Iraivan temple a work of exquisite beauty... it stands out also for it's location which is nestled in another kind of giant temple of natural surroundings.
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MORE UPLIFTING THINGS |
2004 Indian Odyssey
Join Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami on an 18 day Innersearch to South India, from Jan 19 to Feb 5, as we pilgrimage to ancient monasteries, magnificent 1,000 plus year old sacred temples and meet with India's holy men in a life-transforming adventure. Click on the above link for more details. |
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