During the last retreat, it was the final day for our taskforcers Rajendra and Naavalan. To mark the occasion, Sannyasin Siddhanathaswami and Sadhaka Shankaranatha planned an outing for them. This time, they brought them to the majestic Waimea Canyon. We asked ChatGPT what it thinks about the canyon, and here’s what it said:
“Waimea Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” is one of Kauai’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Stretching about 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and over 3,600 feet deep, the canyon showcases layers of vivid red, brown, and green rock, shaped over millennia by volcanic activity and erosion from the Waimea River.”
Both of them and other task force had a wonderful time. Below is a video of the scenery. Aum!
This is a photo from 2023, showing the need to renovate the tank, built in 1959 and painted once since then.
After draining the water, workers grind off the old concrete
The rains slowed the progress, so a tent was installed.
A shot of Sambandar dancing with delight.
He seems to enjoy the new fountain.
The large Kamachi Amman Temple tank in Kanchipuram
Projects can be great teachers of patience and persistence. Behold the Teacher of Tolerance, the Preceptor of Perseverance, the Lecturer of Long-Suffering, our very own Kadavul Temple Pool.
It was three years ago that we began retiling the 1959-era pool. It had served us well and was ready for a new life. In our February 2023 contract the company estimated in writing that it would take 2 1/2 months. Here we are 2 1/2 years later and it was just completed. For all that time tens of thousands of visitors saw just a green construction-site barrier that concealed the work, and hid from view the fact that workers were not showing up and progress had stalled. Karmas held back the team, and we had to let them go.
In February of this year we hired another team and their first work was to demolish all of the inferior work of their predecessors. But they did it efficiently and work proceeded apace. Turns out to get a big project done it helps to show up every day! And they did. Completing it a few days ago. It is quite beautifully done and visitors can once again enjoy the presence of water near the temple, an important element in temple sacred architecture. Jai to Josh and his team, especially the ever-jolly Chico who made us some three-star Michelin hot sauce. A small celebratory party is planned for the completion.
In the sacred geography of South India, temple tanks are not just water reservoirs—they are portals to the divine. Called pushkarini, theertham or kulam, these tanks invite the heavens and cleanse the soul. They are places where pilgrims bathe or just wash feet and hands before entering the sanctum, where festivals come alive with floating lamps, and where lotuses are encouraged to grow.
Water is a symbol and necessity for life. Temple tanks in India hold centuries of devotion and the blessings of countless rituals. With our new tile installation, we restore not only beauty but sanctity—inviting reflection, reverence and return to the sacred cycle of nature and spirit. As the sun rises over the newly laid tiles, the tank once more becomes a living mandala of worship and wonder. Ours has a small murti of the child saint Sambandar, dancing playfully and blissfully as he beholds God Siva. It is said that later in life he lead processions of devotees, singing and dancing through towns and temples, awakening people’s faith and love of God Siva.
Recently, Madan Ganesh from Bengaluru created a small web app that specialized in playing Master Course audio lessons. Note that it currently draws on the formerly non-Gurudeva-narrated version of Dancing with Siva audio lessons, but that will be updated in the near future. You can access it here or click the image below.
On the last retreat, Sannyasin Siddhanathaswami and Sadhaka Shankaranatha took our taskforcers on an outing. They went to Poipu Beach, a very popular spot for everyone on the island. The taskforcers had a great time swimming and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Aum
The rare fragrant Hawaiian hibiscus blooming by our entry gate.
Making copies of a nice agave that bloomed last month.
Worlds smallest orchid, the flower is 1/4-inch wide.
The three Hawaiian sandalwood trees recently gifted to the monastery by Lyons Arboretum in Hololulu. To be planted in our sandalwood grove.
Potting up calatheas that will later be planted on San Marga.
Dark red pentas for Hanuman’s mountain
The monastery has tens of thousands of botanical species, some humble, some stunningly proud, some edible, some poisonous, some not so pretty. But they all add to the special spaces here, hundreds of little microcosms, each with a different amount of light and water and wind and minerals and predators. Those who work in the gardens, growing and nurturing, soon learn to listen to the plants, watch their reactions and respond in order to help them survive and flourish. Of course, our teachings tell us that the entire universe is aware. A molecule has awareness, a protein shows intent. Siva is aware and Siva is the life/existence in all things, so it is no surprise to us that plants would exhibit awareness. Theirs is different from ours for sure, but it is awareness nonetheless.
Science is just now catching up to that little fact. Witness the latest New York Times bestseller on plants:The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger. It’s a deep dive into the secret life of plants. According to her research, far from passive greenery, plants see, smell, remember, decide and communicate. Schlanger presents five fascinating reasons to think of plants as having awareness: they sense light direction, emit chemical warnings, store memories, respond to touch, and even adjust their behavior. This, she insists, is hard science and she tells it well. She is not as talented as Michael Pollan in his books about food, but she does reveal that science about plants is evolving quickly.
One of the most compelling anecdotes Zoë Schlanger shares in The Light Eaters involves the mimosa plant (Mimosa pudica)—a sensitive species known for folding its leaves when touched. Hawaiians call it hilahila which means shy or bashful. Scientists dropped mimosa plants repeatedly from a short height—not enough to harm, but enough to provoke the leaf-folding reflex. At first, the plants reacted as expected. But after just a few drops, they stopped closing their leaves—having “learned” that the drop wasn’t dangerous. Even more astonishing, weeks later, the same plants still remembered not to react. No brain, no nerves—yet they showed signs of learning and memory. Consciousness? Maybe. Awareness? Undeniable.
One of the magnificent 12-inch flowers from our pitcher plant vine
Rains and morning sunlight produced this recent rainbow over Iraivan Temple
Mahalingeshvara bedecked in blooming flowers
The aadheenam’s only yellow jade vine is also in bloom. Be careful though, flowers from this hue come with little spines!
Evening sun shines through the rudrakshas and bamboo
Our very happy, red tiger lily blooms near Satguru’s office
It’s the only one of this particular type that we have blooming right now. For some reason it will often bloom in the dark of night, and then close midday.
Nene have been stopping by this month. They are our state bird, and always nice to see
The temple gets a sudden rain shower
An eye in the sky! Perhaps somebody is looking out for us.
The Ganesha near our entrance gives protection to a little gold-dust day gecko on His nose
Our monks recently found some aloha near the ocean’s edge
The chariot parades around Iraivan Temple during our recent celebration of Guru Purnima
This has been quite an energizing month at the Aadheenam. We’ve had many guests come through, mostly to attend Guru Purnima celebrations. We’ve also been having bright, sunny day’s, interspersed with sudden, deafening deluges of tropical rains from Kauai’s fast moving clouds. After our cooler spring months, much of our surrounding nature has begun to grow and bloom rapidly, aided by this onset of water and sunlight. In the slideshow are a few photos of some of the sites from our jungle canopies and waterways.
Tirumantiram 2010:
Śiva assumes the form of infinite smallness by being within the minutest atom. At the same time, He assumes the form of infinite vastness by holding all the universes within Himself, such that each universe appears like a small atom. Lord Īśvara who is incomparable and matchless, simultaneously presents Himself within all the objects of the world, both moving and inert. He pervades the entirety of space and all the worlds. There is not even a minute space that is unoccupied by Him. In spite of this presence of Śiva, the worldly-minded do not realize His inseparable oneness with each soul and His presence in everything.
