The Mystic Process of Darshan
Sun Two at the Aadheenam.
The Ekadanta Kulam reported today wonderful news about the progress of future Church members. Some are ready to receive initiations or to take full steps into membership. It’s always inspiring to hear about these brave souls who found their path.
A pleasant warm day, typical of the weeks before the Hawaiian summer blesses us with its very tropical weather.
The Ekadanta Kulam also mentioned a special project, but we will keep a surprise for now. Meanwhile, we will look at one very important concept of Hinduism:
Darshan means “Vision, sight.”
The trilogy’s lexicon elaborates,
“Seeing the Divine. Beholding, with inner or outer vision, a temple image, Deity, holy person or place, with the desire to inwardly contact and receive the grace and blessings of the venerated being or beings. Even beholding a photograph in the proper spirit is a form of darshana.”
Gurudeva knew that many devotees came to TAKA for a daily darshan — we even had a section by that name when TAKA started.
The lexicon entry continues, “Not only does the devotee seek to see the Divine, but to be seen as well, to stand humbly in the awakened gaze of the holy one, even if for an instant, such as in a crowded temple when thousands of worshipers file quickly past the enshrined Lord.”
“Gods and gurus are thus said to ‘give’ darshana, and devotees ‘take’ darshana, with the eyes being the mystic locus through which energy is exchanged. This direct, personal two-sided apprehension is a central and highly sought-after experience of Hindu faith.”
We see in those eyes full of wisdom and love our own potential, our inner light. Jai to our satgurus.
In the spirit of darshan, TAKA brings you today some photos that are a little bigger, of our satgurus and of the holy place of pilgrimage that is Kauai Aadheenam. Because awareness, energy and willpower are one, you can travel as awareness. You are awareness. Be where you choose to be.
Darshan of Iraivan Temple at Dawn
As Gurudeva explained, a devotee can have the darshan of a Deity. Iraivan Temple is a murti in itself, an Agamic temple evoking the body of Siva in His perfection as Maheshwara. This is a slideshow of a walk to Iraivan at dawn, just after the monks’ meditation.
If you missed TAKA yesterday, here are the instructions:
[slidepress gallery=’2009-05-19-iraivan-at-dawn’]
Appreciating the Plant Devas' Work
We have some of the world’s best artists here. They move in bodies unseen, but leave a trail of beauty and marvel. After many years collecting plants from all over the world, we have plant devas who must be very happy — it must be an exciting cultural exchange hub in the inner planes here!
Here is some of their work.
[slidepress gallery=’2009-05-19-plants’]
Innersearch Kauai 2010
So what else happened today? The Ekadanta Kulam announced the first preparations for the 2010 Innersearch Kaua’i.
It is a wonderful opportunity. Bring your physical body to where your awareness is and visit us on 2010, in a unique pilgrimage!
Bodhinatha told us he is completing a small book with insights on how to get the most benefit from a pilgrimage. He will use it during his upadeshas on the 2010 Innersearch.
The dates are June 12-21, 2010 — save them on your calendar if you’re interested. It will be limited to around 50 participants. More details are to come. To join a mailing list for this Innersearch, please write to innersearch@hindu.org
See you here. Aloha from Kauai!
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
