Blog Archives
February 26, 2004
"Let me begin with something that may at first come as a surprise to you. All men and women on the Earth are doing exactly as they should and must do. People complain, "I wish I were rich. I wish I lived somewhere else. I really should be a doctor. If only things were different." But in the final analysis, we are all doing exactly as we want, as we must, doing what is next on our personal path of evolution. Nothing is wrong. Nothing should be that is not. Even the drunk, even the thief, is part of the cosmic dance of God Siva. Not that you should ever think of being a thief, for there is much difficult karma there. Just realize that he, too, is evolving. He, too, is Siva's creation, and what he does is, for him, somehow necessary." -- Gurudeva
More photos from the last day of Innersearch. Here is Bodhinatha at the Arupadai Veedu temple. Valli has taken a very traditional form of personal purification that is done for the grace and blessings of Lord Muruga and shaved her head. Bodhinatha blesses her with Sandal paste.
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Back home at the Aadheenam, today was tour day. and we had a bright group of, well, tourists! Some have picked up the very unusual blossoms of the blue jade tree.
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End of Phase Notice
This is the sixth and last sun of this phase
this edition of TAKA will remain Posted
Until Sun One, Dasama Tithi, Sunday, Feb. 29
We'll see you again on the otherside of our retreat.
The recent publication of "Kauai Guide Book" has an entry about the Aadheenam and is bringing a new kind of visitor. It's something we didn't quite expect, but inevitable. We can't keep it a secret.
Lord Ganesha is introducing Hinduism to a world of visitors many of whom "haven't a clue about Hinduism... first time exposure" through a local tourist publication. How's that for marketing strategy? 😉
It was a joyous happy group...a few years ago this many people would have seemed like a lot. But Yogi Mahadevan, our host said today during lunch time report: "Well after hosting 40 or more guests, we only had a modest 25 today."
"The place where the world comes to pray," is one of Iraivan's early descriptions... before anyone knew about it... but it *is* happening.
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Himalayan Academy Travel Study Programs |
2004 Indian OdysseyJanuary 19, 2004 - February 5, 2004 |
We continue with the story of our last day of Innersearch: Thai Pusam in Chennai... Feb 5th.
After circumambulation of the temple, the Kavadi carriers have brought their milks pots to the shrine of Palani, who stand in the form of the renunciate, with only a loin-cloth and staff.
The priest receives the milk pots from each one. Devika Ajaya here.
Shren Moodley from South Africa...
Young "Moose" Michael Inthawong Duncan, from Thailand...
The abhishekam begins...that special moment which, like the testimony described yesterday, is a power and force that cannot be described, only known in the actual experience...
Vetri Vel Muruga!
At the other end of the temple compound, Bodhinatha has sponsored a special abhishekam at the shrine of Lord Murugan in his resplendent form at Tiruchendur temple.
Sadhaka Dandapani has a chance to meet Arunachala his brother from Perth, Australia. Sadhaka's father Satgunasingam, also from Perth and other brother Darmaguhan from UK came to Chennai. His mother Nirmala, was on the Innersearch. Such a great karma for the whole family to have a reunion under the auspices of the Indian Odyssey.
The uncrowded, cool and peaceful atmosphere of Arupadai Veedu temple was refreshing.
Taking a few moments to stop and just "be here now," in the sannidya of such holy sanctuaries, is nectar for the soul.
One lady is doing rolling penance, "rounding" the temple by rolling. Yogaswami once performed this penance himself, covering himself with chilis peppers and rolling around, on the burning hot sands, at the great Murugan temple of Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Jeyendra is a quiet lad, quite careful about not saying much, but he and his brother are masters of fun and games.
Meditation in the temple is easy.
One's consciousness is permeated with the shakti that fills the atmosphere and concentration comes naturally.
These two brothers always amaze with their ability to somehow keep themselves quietly and contently occupied for hours on end.
The end of the program was "anna danam" which Bodhinatha sponsored, feeding all the devotees of the temple.
It was the last of the religious events of the Innersearch. Then Bodhinatha left with one of the monks to meet the Sankaracharya of Kanchi, His Holiness, Sri Jeyendra Saraswati Swamigal...
Later, in the evening we had the grand finale dinner... stay tuned for those pictures next phase.
Today's Inspired Talk |
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Title: Nine Ways to Merge with Siva, Part 1 Category: The Ultimate Goals of Life Duration: 10 minutes 52 seconds Date Given: February 21, 2004 Date Posted: February_26_2004 Given by: Bodhinatha |
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And click here for an Index to All Past CyberTalks. Study Gurudeva's teachings
every day. Visit the Master Course site!
Bodhinatha 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 Sannyasin Saravananathaswami If you are experiencing any problems listening to the audio, please to go our Audio FAQ page and follow the directions there.
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MORE UPLIFTING THINGS |
2005 Indian Odyssey
The 2004 Indian Odyssey was a great success. Ninety pilgrims spent 21 days together with Bodhinatha in Malaysia and South India. Our next Himalayan Academy Travel Study Program is planned to be a 10-day cruise on the South side of the equator, with ports of call in New Zealand and Australia, and events with local Hindu communities there. We expect this to be held in the fall of 2005, in October or November, depending on ship routes. There have been three Innersearch cruises, all very focused on classes. If you would like to get to know Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and Gurudeva's remarkable metaphysical teachings first hand and explore the Hindu spiritual tradition with Gurudeva's monks and with others on the path, start saving now to join us. Send a message to our coordinator, Sadhaka Dandapani, to put your name on an advance notice list to make sure you get details as soon as they are out. |
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