Blog Archives

We are pleased to announce the web release of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's monumental work on Hindu culture and lifestyle:
Living with Siva.
Click here for the entire text and artwork, now on-line!

We have caught up on audio processing and today begin posting audio again, of Bodhinatha's recent talks. Note, format reminder: the audio section now appears at the end of TAKA (below)

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End of Phase Notice
This last day of our "Festival Phase"
This edition of TAKA will remain posted until
Dasami Tithi, Sun 1, Sunday, November 2nd.

Bodhinatha's Sun One Video. Most Recent update: September 12, 2003. Bodhinatha speaks on Ahimsa, noninjury, yama #1, which is noninjury in thought, word and deed. The law of karma decrees that it is wise not to harm or hurt others, for we will then receive harm and hurt in exchange in the future. 12 minutes, 29 seconds.

				Live Web Cam Pix!

We were honored yesterday with the visit of another spiritual teacher yesterday from India. This is Poojya Gurumatha Amma, from Bangalore, India.

Years ago she has a vision of meditating under some Rudrakshas in the West. Later she heard about our center from devotees on the mainland and was determined to come and visit.

Amma is delighted with Kauai Aadheenam and especially loves the natural surroundings.

Amma offering some white sand to the Swayambhu Lingam on San Marga. She let the sand fall slowly on the lingam, looked at it for awhile, then blew it. The remaining sand formed a sanskrit AUM! She just said that this stone definitely has the presence of the Divine.

And, here she fulfills the vision she had six years ago, meditating under the rudraksha trees at the beginning of San Marga.

Later in the morning she was thankful to learn we were sending some rudraksha seedlings to Bangalore and would send a few to her ashram there.

Ishani Alahan helping to host Amma and her traveling companions.

From her web site we read: "
Poojya Gurumatha Amma in Kailasa
An epitome of love and affection, Amma has been imparting knowledge, self-realization and freedom to thousands of people in India and abroad, by expounding the principles of the Bhagawad Gita and its relevance for daily living. Amma has been conducting research on Kundalini Yoga, Mantra and Tantra for the past twenty years." Click here (opens new window) to visit her web site.

Skanda Shasti actually, on the calendar continued in the morning today, unto 8 AM. Here is Lord Muruga all beautifully decorated.

Aum Skandaya Namaha!

Yogaswami sang: "In the sanctified shrine of Vadivel Murugan, where gather many sincere devotees for his healing grace, I saw for the first time my Guru [Chellappaswami] on the steps leading to the chariot. I greeted him. 'Who are you'? he shouted.

Kulapati Deva Rajan and Thamby Kumaran came to the publications building to give a presentation of Thamby's work on the architectural designs for the reception and visitor center that will eventually be built at the beginning San Marga.

In the future, pilgrims will arrive at the San Marga Rudraksha forest where all the necessary facilities will be there, including a presentation hall for teachings and events.

Thamby shares his conceptual overview with the Acharyas. It was really a thrill to see this happening as it is indeed much needed. We expect in the next five years for the pilgrim and visitor traffic to dramatically increase.

Saiva Siddhanta Church
Singapore Mission

We bring you a much belated report from February this year on a youth retreat program held in Singapore that was just sent to us by Thamilmani Visakan who writes:

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"Nandinatha Sangam organised a 3 day, 2 nights Youth Retreat on 1st � 3rd Feb 03 at Changi Bunglow. The place, near the sea is a cool site away from the bustling area in the city. Checking in the afternoon, everyone had their lunch which was prepared by our Kulamata. Following that, all of them were free to settle down with all their belongings and spend the time at their own leisure.

Having a stroll here are the triple �S' sisters � Suselah, Shanta and Sakuntalai. . Ardent members and students of Gurudeva, they always encourage us on having such retreats and never failed to show their support for any of the activities
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Though it was leisure time for everyone, it was �Maths' time for Vasaant and guiding him is our teacher Vanita. What's extended family for � lets help one another. Vasaant was very happy that he was able to finish his homework and was able to stay with on us for the rest of event.

"Now its my turn!" Our youngest participant Aishwariya, 20 months old, she was such a wonderful baby who enjoyed herself as much as the adults. Her she makes a strategic move on the chess board.

In the evenings, we had a open discussion on "Who is Lord GANESHA to me". All the wonderful participants listening and sharing their views in their most comfortable way. It was a fantastic discussion, which opened our eyes to know that Lord GANESHA indeed has lots of relatives here. To some He is their good friend, to some He is their big brother, to others godfather , sweet lover, protector and etc. It was interesting to know how each and everyone has been thinking and loving Lord GANESHA in his or her very own personal way. We also shared our views and experience how earthy Lord GANESHA is and how He has been guiding us in our lives. Followed that we discussed about writing and burning of letters for guidance. The discussion went on, on how the writing of letters has help in an individual's life and guided during their �uneven' times. Other topics discussed was "How do prayers help". Most of them were frank about their views on how prayers have helped in their daily chores, workplace and for the students in their studies and exams. As the discussion continued, almost everyone started sharing their views and it created a greater bond among the participants.

That's me � guiding and participating in the discussion.

The next morning - Caught in action � the �S' sisters doing some intense hatha yoga asanas. They are also the wonderful YOGA students of Mr Umamaheswaran. Here they are seen practicing the �shanti asana' by the beach enjoying the morning breeze and the music of the waves at the same time.

Having games and some fun time before heading for the next event.

Here, we having lunch and dessert with the unfinished GANESHA puzzle.

Beautiful GANESHA puzzle completed. Thanks to Suselah, to have brought it along.

Here's little Aishu � busy playing in the sand.

That evening, we tidied up the place and bid good bye with lots of good memories and with greater and stronger bonds between us. We are planning to have another youth retreat end of this year. I would like to thank each and everyone who helped me in one way or the other to make this event a successful one. Please write your comments to me at: visakan64@hotmail.com

Cybertalk: Bodhinatha speaks on satya, the second yama. Truthfulness relates to what we say and honesty to what we do. People lie when they are fearful. People also lie to make others suffer. At the worst level, we have calculated deception. Let us not be too quick to judge truthfulness in someone else, for they may have been raised in a culture where customs differ.

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

And click here for an Index to All Past CyberTalks.