Hindu Basics

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      Spiritualizing Temple Leadership HMEC 2012

      Presentation on "Spiritualizing Temple Leadership," given to the Hindu Mandir Executives' Conference on August 18, 2012, by Hinduism Today assistant editor Sannyasin Senthilnathaswami. In this presentation, Sannyasin emphasises the importance of maintaining ...

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      The History of Hindu India, 1000-1850 ce

      The History of Hindu India, Part Three, was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. ...

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      Advancing Through Life's Four Stages

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Jan/Feb/Mar 2013 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. In this edition, Bodhinatha outlines the nature and purpose of each of the four stages ...

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      What is Hinduism?

      Bodhinatha imparts the four key beliefs in Hinduism, the three pillars of Sanatana Dharma and Gurudeva's three stages of faith. Primary to Hinduism is the key belief that God is ...

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      Is Hinduism a Religion or a Way of Life?

      "Hinduism is recognized as the most compassionate, mystical and enlightened faith on the planet." Is India's ancient faith Hinduism a religion or a way of life? All religions are ways of life but there are ways of life that don't involve God and ...

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      What Is Dharma?

      Dharma is religious patterns which when followed promote the wellbeing of the individual, the family and society. Patterns so that the soul matures and gets closer to God, closer to ...

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      Introduction to Hinduism (Part 1/5)

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the April/May/June 2009 issue. The article is a 45-minute introduction to Hinduism. Part 1 of 5. ...

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      Introduction to Hinduism (Part 2/5)

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the April/May/June 2009 issue.In part 2, Bodhinatha outlines the four basic Hindu beliefs, namely, Karma, reincarnation, ...

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      Introduction to Hinduism (Part 5/5)

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the April/May/June 2009 issue. Part 5 is entitled Hinduism in Practice. Bodhinatha outlines the three main ...

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      Hinduism: Religion or Way of Life?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Apr/May/Jun 2013 edition of Hinduism Today magazine, confronting a long-standing misapprehension about our faith, showing us why Hinduism is more than a ...

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      Dancing with Siva

      Every spiritually-inclined human being will be enriched by the path revealed in this extraordinary book. India's tolerant and diverse vision of the Divine is all here: meditative, devotional, philosophical, scriptural ...

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      Hinduism: the Original Humanism - Publisher's Desk

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Apr/May/Jun 2014 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. "A critical examination of secular humanism and Hindu humanism for youth immersed in the academic atheism of college" In this editiion Bodhinatha raises concern as to how modern universities and colleges are ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter One

      This Educational Insight is HINDUISM TODAY magazine's response to the controversy in California over the way Hinduism is taught in public-school history books. It is a 16-page lesson on Hindu ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Two

      This Educational Insight is the second chapter in our series on Hindu history intended for use in US primary schools. During this period, India was the richest region of the ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Three

      This Educational Insight is the third chapter in our series on Hindu history intended for use in US primary and secondary schools. Most textbooks presenting Indian history between 1100 and ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Four

      This Educational Insight is the fourth chapter in our series on Hindu history intended for use in US primary and secondary schools. Like preceding chapters, it openly discusses topics that ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Two, Lesson Plans

      Professional teacher's lesson plan for a series of 45-minute classes on each chapter of The History of Hindu India, with exercises, discussion points and teaching tips. Useful for parents and ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter One, Lesson Plans

      Professional teacher's lesson plan for a series of 45-minute classes on each chapter of The History of Hindu India, with exercises, discussion points and teaching tips. Useful for parents and ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Three, Lesson Plans

      Professional teacher's lesson plan for a series of 45-minute classes on each chapter of The History of Hindu India, with exercises, discussion points and teaching tips. Useful for parents and ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Four, Lesson Plans

      Professional teacher's lesson plan for a series of 45-minute classes on each chapter of The History of Hindu India, with exercises, discussion points and teaching tips. Useful for parents and ...

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      Hindu History, Chapter Five, Lesson Plans

      Professional teacher's lesson plan for a series of 45-minute classes on each chapter of The History of Hindu India, with exercises, discussion points and teaching tips. Useful for parents and ...

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      Danzando con Siva

      Una fuente ricamente ilustrada de la espiritualidad de la India en formato de preguntas y respuestas, explorando cmo conocer lo Divino, honrar a la creacin y ver a Dios en ...

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      Como Volverse Hind

      Un manual que hace historia, que incluye un estudio interreligioso, lista de nombres y con ancdotas de occidentales que entraron en el Hinduismo y de Hindes que profundizaron en su ...

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      Dancing with Siva in Tamil

      Every spiritually-inclined human being will be enriched by the path revealed in this extraordinary book. India's tolerant and diverse vision of the Divine is all here: meditative, devotional, philosophical, scriptural ...

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      Karma Yoga

      Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a way to turn our ordinary work into a spiritual practice, a contemplative art that could transform drudgery into acts of concentrated, worshipful ...

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      Sadhana

      Spiritual life can be likened to climbing a mountain. Each experience offers opportunities to progress toward the peak, which represents illumination and union with the Divinity that lies within us. ...

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      Fabric Begets Fashion

      With tucks and pleats, flowing folds and knotted ties, Hindus have for fifty centuries fashioned impeccable apparel from lengths of unstitched cloth. Ranging from simple body coverings to masterfully embroidered ...

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      Hindu Astrology's Lunar Mansions

      Nakshatras provide an effective means to find auspicious times for every imaginable human activity. Theyre also useful for avoiding actions on a day when results are likely to be frustrated. ...

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      Fourteen Questions People Ask About Hinduism

      Humanitys most profound faith is now a global phenomenon. Students, teachers, neighbors and friends are full of questions. Misconceptions prevail. Here are fourteen thoughtful answers you can use to instill ...

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      Rites of Passage

      For the hindu, life is a sacred journey; and every step from birth to death is marked, and thus acknowledged, through traditional ceremony, called samskara. A samskara is an enduring ...

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      Sacred Symbols

      Symbols adorn our world at every turn, in our spiritual, social and political experience. But it is our sacred symbols, icons of Divinity and higher reality, that wield the greatest ...

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      Hindu Basics

      This is a convenient compilation of previous publications including "Four Facts of Hinduism," "Nine Beliefs of Hinduism" and "Hinduism's Four Denominations." This useful resource will aid and inform both the newcomer to Hinduism and the seasoned, already practicing ...

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      Hindu-Christian Point Counterpoint

      A Point-Counterpoint on Hinduism and Christianity ...

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      Ahimsa: To Do No Harm

      Hindu wisdom, which inspires humans to live the ideals of compassion and nonviolence, is captured in one word, ahimsa. In Sanskrit, himsa is doing harm or causing injury. The a ...

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      Hindu Primer

      Loving Hindu parents worldwide, of various lineages, have called for a common religious code to teach their sons and daughters. They have asked, What is the minimum I must do ...

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      What Is Hinduism?

      Since 1979 the international magazine HINDUISM TODAY has been producing a treasury of educational features on all aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Guided by the founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the magazine's ...

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      The State of the World

      Three viewpoints on the state of the world: trying to improve it, being realistic about trying to change it, everything is as it should be. The tendency to divide groups ...

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      Sadhana: Establish Daily Practice

      In the past forty years temples and priests have come over to the U.S. from India. The daily spiritual practice of Hinduism, has been left behind. In youth it is ...

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      The History of Hindu India, 1850 to 1947

      The History of Hindu India (Part Four) was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. ...

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      The History of Hindu India, 1947 to Present

      The History of Hindu India (Part Four) was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. ...

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      The History of Hindu India, 1947 to Present

      The History of Hindu India (Part Four) was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. ...

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      The History of Hindu India, 1947 to Present

      The History of Hindu India (Part Four) was developed by the editors of Hinduism Today magazine in collaboration with Dr. Shiva Bajpai, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University Northridge. ...

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      Path to Siva Audiobook

      A richly illustrated catechism of Saiva Siddhanta for youth, drawn from the Master Course Trilogy, exploring how to live life, know the Divine, honor all creation and see God everywhere, ...

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      I Want to See God

      Bodhinatha talks on how to see God, relating concepts and stories from a recent Publisher's Desk article he wrote for Hinduism Today. Hinduism is unique among the world's religions in ...

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      Success and Happiness in Life, Part 1

      Part 1 of 2. Bodhinatha gives a wonderful talk about the Hindu view of success in life. An initial view of success from the western point of view falls short, ...

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      Bodhinatha discusses the vishuddha chakra, the pranic sheath, the nine ways of merging wih Siva and the jnana pada

      A class given by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami during the 2014 Mauritius Innersearch. He discusses the vishuddha chakra, the pranic sheath, the nine ways of merging wih Siva and the jnana ...

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      How Do We Practice Karma Yoga?

      ray to Lord Ganesha before beginning work. Turn everything you do into selfless service, seva, karma yoga. Work becomes worship. Hold the perspective of Sivanadiyar that you are the devoted ...

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      What Is the Purpose of the Temple?

      "As you approach God's home, you can feel the spiritual energy, and as you go inside you are engulfed in peace." Trust in and open up to the deity. God is a very subtle presence. The temple and the murti within it are set up so that anyone can feel ...

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      How Do We View Other Faiths?

      Hindus can accept and love the peoples of all religions yet not seek to convert them, although, we accept sincere seekers into the fold. All religions revere the One Truth ...

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      How Do We Observe Pilgrimage?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 65 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu Pilgrimage ...

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      The Nature and Worship of Lord Murugan

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami presents a Keynote Video about the worship of Lord Murugan. ...

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      How Do We View Other Faiths?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 68 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing how Hindus view other religions ...

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      Restraints and Observances

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from "Living With Siva," lesson 8, discussing Hinduism's yamas and niyamas, its religious restraints and observances. ...

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      Religion, the Working Together of the Three Worlds

      Saivite religion, the working together of the three worlds. What are the Deities. How to we approaching the temple. Puja, establishing a shrine.The power of darshan from the deities. The ...

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      Why so Many isms?

      Why are there so many "isms?" Why, if there are so many enlightened people, do they each have their own version of the Eternal Truth? Gurudeva explains that he and ...

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      Hinduism In a Nutshell

      siva: Recent Google search on What is Hinduism yielded some 223,000 answers. Many are from outsiders offering their best take; many are from antagonists taking their best shot. Too few ...

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      Introduction to Hinduism - Full

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today Magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the April/May/June 2009 issue. The article is a hour-long introduction to Hinduism. ...

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      Vedic Lifestyle

      Today Gurudeva talks about the four sacrifices of Vedic life, to the Gods, to the ancestors, to the animals and to the community. He says many people are saying they ...

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      Temple Protocol, Dream about Gurudeva

      A cyber devotee asks about the standing arrangements of men and women in the temple. When facing the deity which side should the men stand on the left or right? ...

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      Memories in Color and Black and White

      Today we share another portion of one of Gurudeva's inspired talks in Kadavul temple after the morning homa ceremony. First Gurudeva tells about the book "How to Become a Hindu" and how you can ...

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      Donating Blood; Aryan Invasion; Caste

      Today Gurudeva answers a question about whether or not one should donate blood. Gurudeva explains that this will connect one person to another, which is good when done within a ...

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      21 Chakras; 5 Steps; Right and Wrong

      An e-devotee asks why we must incarnate into a physical body which has all 21 chakras available in order to attain Self Realization. A second question asks for elaboration on ...

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      Arthur Pacheco interviews Gurudeva Part 2

      Today's cybertalk is a radio interview with Gurudeva conducted by Arthur Pacheco. Arthur Pacheco conducts a weekly radio show in Honolulu, Hawaii and is also a trans-medium. This interview is ...

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      Arthur Pacheco interviews Gurudeva Part 3

      Today's cybertalk is a radio interview with Gurudeva conducted by Arthur Pacheco. Arthur Pacheco conducts a weekly radio show in Honolulu, Hawaii and is also a trance-medium. This interview is ...

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      Namaste

      Here's a brief answer to a question about the meaning of the Hindu greeting, "Namaste." Gurudeva says it means many things, including, "I bow to you." It is recognizing the divine in the ...

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      Suffering, Disease, Unhappiness...Oh my!

      An e-devotee in Selangor, Malaysia asks why there is so much suffering in the world, why people are so different from each other and if it is OK to fulfill ...

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      Searching for a Path

      A cyber cadet in Queensland Australia is questioning the ways of Western materialism an wonders where to turn. Gurudeva cautions against renouncing the world too soon. He says the first ...

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      The Half-Hindus

      Today we present two questions and answers which both deal with the issues of those people who practice Hinduism (yoga, specifically) without calling themselves Hindu. Gurudeva explains the different approaches ...

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      An Aum Tatoo

      An e-devotee who had an Aum tatoo put on now asks Gurudeva about the Aum and also wonders if the tatoo was such a good idea. Gurudeva explains some of ...

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      Why Did Gurudeva Choose Hinduism?

      A cyber-devotee in El Paso, Texas, asks how it is that Gurudeva came to pursue Hinduism rather than another religion. Gurudeva tells briefly about his path of first having realizations, ...

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      Teaching Hinduism to Non-Hindus

      Bodhinatha presented his insights on how best to teach Hinduism to non-Hindus, especially students. He likes to share the Hindu understanding of the four purusharthas (goals of life): dharma (duty, ...

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      See God by Guru's Grace

      In Hinduism believing in God is only the first step. Hindus want to move beyond just believing to experiencing the Divine for themselves. Through the power of the guru's grace, ...

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      What Is the View of Monistic Theism?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami discusses the Hindu view of Monistic Theism, which says God is transcendent and immanent, eternal and temporal, Being and becoming, Creator and created, Absolute and relative, efficient ...

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      Hinduism, the Greatest Religion in the World

      A Satguru's unequivocating insights on the Earth's oldest living faith. ...

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      Dancing with Siva Audiobook

      A richly illustrated sourcebook of Indian spirituality in question-and-answer form, exploring how to know the Divine, honor all creation and see God everywhere, in everyone. Read by Ansh Rajput ...

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      Who Am I? Where Did I Come From?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from chapter one and two of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's book, Dancing with Siva, discussing some of the foundational questions about the path we are all on. ...

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      Should Parents Teach Their Kids Religion?

      Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami presents his July/August/September, 2020, Publisher's Desk Editorial from Hinduism Today Magazine. "In a globalized world, people are questioning the need to pass their faith on to the next generation. Let's talk about that." ...

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      12 Creencias del Saivismo

      La historia moderna registra seis escuelas principales: Saiva Siddhanta, pashupatismo, Saivismo de Cachemira, Saivismo Vira, Siddha Siddhanta y Siva advaita. Las doce creencias en las pginas siguientes encarnan las convicciones ...

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      Lion Sage

      Welcome to Lion Sage, an adventure for children in nine-teen episodes. For the 21st century, the monks of Kauai Aadheenam completely redesigned an earlier work by Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, called Mystic ...

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      Life, the Great Experience, Realization, Liberation, Merger, Part 4

      You were born to realize the Self, touch into the Self, the experience of Satchidananda. Gurudeva imparts three distinct attainments: Realization which is equated with nirvikalpa samadhi; the attainment of ...

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      Insight: 14 Questions About Hinduism

      Humanity's most profound faith is now a global phenomenon. Students, teachers, neighbors and friends are full of questions about cow worship, cremation, caste, many Gods, karma, reincarnation, idols, yoga & ...

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      Life, the Great Experience, Avoid Excessive Talk, Affirmation, Part 5

      Adjust your living to dharmic principles. Live in the eternal now. Avoiding excessive talk is necessary to cultivate observation, the first awakening of the soul. The search is within. Seek ...

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      Reincarnation, Part 2

      Reincarnation: After transition and some time on the astral plane, a new physical birth is entered according to the power of desire in the previous life. Be the being of ...

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      Reincarnation, Part 4

      The need is for a physical birth to attain nirvikalpa samadhi, the highest realization of God, the Absolute. We have to transmute, refine the physical instinctive forces to help in ...

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      Reincarnation, Part 3

      "Reincarnation is a refining process, attributing to the evolution of consciousness." Exploring theories of reincarnation from various civilizations. We hold the belief that when prayers are burned in the homa fire, they manifest in the inner worlds. Evolution occurs on ...

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      1959, The Self God, the First Temple in America - San Francisco

      Gurudeva's creation of the first Hindu Temple in America where he gave, in 1959, an inspired talk "The Self God." "If you visualize above you nothing, below you nothing, to the right of you nothing, to the left of you nothing, in front of you nothing, in back of you nothing, and dissolve yourself into that nothingness, that would be the best way you could explain the realization of the Self." In the Shum Language the idea of dissolving yourself into that ...

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      1959, The Self God, Bringing Nirvikalpa Samadhi, Part 2

      "We learn that man is not man, man is God and that the inherent nature of his soul is divine, existing in perfect oneness with God." Three devotional practices: austerity-tapas, Self study-svadhaya, and devotion to God-Ishvara pranidhana. Attenuating the five kleshas: ignorance, I-am-ness, attraction, aversion and clinging to life and then coming into the joy ...