Truth.

Fwd: -- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886) Three Kinds of Devotees

There are three kinds of devotees. The inferior devotee says, "God is out there" and thinks God is different from His creation. The mediocre devotee says, "God is antaryami, the inner guide who dwells in everyone's heart;" thus the mediocre devotee sees God within. But the superior devotee sees that God alone is everything, for He has become the twenty-four cosmic tattvas. That devotee finds that everything, above and below, is filled with God.
-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

HPI: Keeping the Hindu Faith in America/Challenges and Needs of Caribbean Hindus

Namaste, Hari Om,

The Diaspora of Hinduism goes beyond color, race, creed, gender and location.

Although I dont consider my self an extreme traveler, I have been to many places with the Grace of God, at these places I have seen Hinduism thrive under extreme pressure from outside forces, whether its governmental, social or even cultural norms.

Enjoy this article.

I personally thank the author, Anantanand Rambachan a professor of religion at St. Olaf College, Minnesota, for writing this.

We need to open our eyes as Hindus across the world, from the pockets Africa to the mountains of Austria, Hindus are practicing peace and love.

SitaRam,

- SimpleHinduBhai

----

Source: http://www.nycreligion.info/?p=10571
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/keeping-the-hindu-faith-in-america-challenges-and-needs-of-caribbean-hindus/13187.html

The Journey of Caribbean Hindus

The abolition of the slave trade created a labor shortage that threatened the survival of the Caribbean plantation economy, particularly in the larger European colonies like Trinidad and Guyana. Africans were not willing to subject themselves voluntarily to the oppressive conditions of life on the plantations, and experiments with workers from Madeira and China were unsuccessful. India proved to be the most reliable source of willing laborers with the required skills. It provided a steady stream of immigrants from 1838, the year the first group of 396 Indians arrived in Guyana, until 1917 when indentured Indian immigration was finally abolished. By that time, 238,909 Indians had migrated to Guyana and 143,939 to Trinidad. Most of them came from districts in the North Indian states of Bihar and the United Province. A significant proportion of these immigrants chose to return to India after completing the terms of their contracts. Seventy-one percent of those who made the arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope and across the Atlantic chose to make their homes in the Caribbean. Their choice is the reason for our presence in New York City today.

Along with their physical skills and knowledge of sugar cultivation, Hindu immigrants introduced to the Caribbean the essential elements of one of the world's most ancient, culturally rich and philosophically sophisticated cultures. The insights and achievements of India found expression in the songs, dances, myths, stories and religious texts transported in the memories and meager belongings of the immigrants. Immigrants to the Caribbean, and specifically immigrants to Guyana, were the first to sow in the soil of the western world the seeds of Hindu consciousness and way of life that had evolved in Asia. Fifty-five years before Swami Vivekananda spoke at the Parliament of World Religions in 1893 in Chicago, Hinduism was being practiced in the Caribbean.

This remarkable story of the survival of the Hindu tradition remains to be narrated properly. It is the story of religious survival in the midst of abject poverty and no official support for their religious and cultural wellbeing. The broader community viewed them with suspicious and schizophrenic eyes.  While they were required for their physical skills on the sugar plantations, their beliefs, ceremonies of worship, life-cycle rituals and sacred narratives were denounced as superstitious and unenlightened. The reasons for the perception and treatment of Hindu religion and culture as inferior and backward are many. The principal reason will be found in the fact that the dominant values of the Caribbean were those of western Christian Europe. Those who judged Hinduism by these values proclaimed it to be different and inferior.

They were correct about the fact that the Hindu traditions are different, but wrong in denouncing it as inferior because of being different. There are several important ways in which Hindu traditions differed from dominant religion of Christianity.

In contrast to most forms of Christianity, which are very exclusive in their understanding of revelation and salvation, the Hindu tradition understood revelation in pluralistic ways. Hinduism affirms the oneness of the divine, but does not limit divine revelation to one historical moment or person. It portrays the one divine in many forms and describes it with many names.

While introducing new sacred texts to the Caribbean, like the Vedas and the Ramayana, Hindu immigrants also brought with them ancient murti or iconographic representations of God. The use of these in rituals and festivals brought forth charges of idolatry and polytheism from a Christian-influenced culture that was hostile to the imaging of the divine in material forms.

In addition, the understanding of God as immanent in all things led to a reverence for nature that was wrongly perceived as pantheistic. All of these contrasts were accentuated further by differences in language, dress, and diet.  In the midst of hostility and pressures to convert, the Hindu tradition endured and, in many cases, even flourished.

 

The Journey to America

In the mid-1960's Hindus from the Caribbean, embarked on another significant historical journey. Driven by political fears and economic uncertainties Hindus, especially from Guyana, migrated in significant numbers to North America. It is story of migration with empty pockets, long years of separation from family, relentless efforts to gain an education and untold hours of hard work. These Hindus from the Caribbean are among the first to construct places of Hindu worship and to establish the tradition on the soil of the United States and Canada.

The migration of Hindus from the Caribbean to North America brought new challenges and some old ones persisted. Many of these challenges are shared with Hindus whose roots are in other parts of the world, including India, Africa, Fiji, Mauritius and Afghanistan.

 

 Three challenges for Hindus in America

 

 Being a Religious Minority

While the number of Hindus in North America has been increasing, Hindus still constitute a small percentage of the total population of the United States and Canada.  The preservation and transmission of religious values become increasingly difficult when these have to be done in a context where the norms of the dominant culture are different and in some instances in conflict with Hindu ideals. Our children are exposed to a variety of religious and cultural choices. Minorities wrestle, more than others, with issues of identity and carry a greater burden of self-explanation. The children of minorities often seek the acceptance and approval of the majority community and, for this reason, may be more willing to accept the values of this community, even when these contradict their own. Americans still know very little about Hinduism and many of the predominant images are negative.

 

The separation of religion and culture in America

Our historical context is also unique for another important reason. Historically, Hinduism has embraced both religion and culture and the disentanglement of one from the other is quite difficult. It is significant that there is no Sanskrit equivalent for the word, "religion," and the term, dharma, which is sometimes equated with "religion", is far more inclusive. The detachment of religion and culture, however, is rapidly becoming a reality in the experience of a new generation of Hindus born in the western world. The unity of religion and culture is being severed and the traditionally pervasive influence of Hinduism is relegated to fewer areas of life. Musical tastes, cuisine, recreational activities, and dress are increasingly influenced by sources outside of the Hindu tradition.  This separation of religion and culture, presents us with challenges and questions. How will the Hindu tradition develop and thrive in a context in which it does not exert a pervasive cultural influence? What forms will it assume and what would it mean to be a Hindu? Will it be limited to ritualistic practices in the home and temple?  What will be its public character, if any? This problem of the separation of religion and culture was less acute in the Caribbean.

 

Religious Transmission

The growing separation between religion and culture highlights a third feature and challenge of our new context. The unity of religion and culture, to which I have already referred, minimized the need for special agencies for the transmission of the tradition. It was correctly assumed that a child would receive the necessary religious exposure by the mere fact of growing up in a particular community where Hindu traditions were embedded in the culture. When I was a child attending an Arya Samaj primary school, we used to recite a series of questions and answers about Hinduism from a small text. One of the questions was, "Why are you a Hindu?" and the answer following was, "Because I was born a Hindu." It may have been a good answer in that time, but I am not sure that it will work for a new generation today. For the first time, increasing numbers of Hindus will be Hindus by choice and will have to be reconverted or converted to Hinduism.

 

Ten needs of Hindus in America

 

Hindu unity

One of the imperatives for confronting our contemporary challenges is Hindu unity. Religious divisions that would hardly cause a ripple in a population of 800 million in India become major fractures when that population is a minority. There is an urgent need for a coming to together of the different traditions of Hinduism to reflect on and to affirm the common aspects of our Hindu heritage. This unity about which I speak is not one that requires the overlooking or elimination of differences of doctrine and practice that exist among us. Hindu unity, however, will certainly enable us to better utilize our limited resources and speak with a common voice on matters of shared concern.

The traditional feud between Sanatanists and Arya Samajists has taken its toll on Caribbean Hinduism. Hindu unity requires that these two traditions (sampradayas) be in dialogue with each other. It is sad that Hindus often find it easier to engage in dialogue with persons of other faiths than with fellow Hindus.  Certainly our Arya Samaj brothers and sisters can appreciate the positive nature of many post-Vedic developments in Hinduism and the profound theology of grace that underlies the use of murtis (icons) in puja (worship). At the same time, Sanatanist Hindus can see Swami Dayananda Saraswati as one of the great reformers of our tradition who renewed the significance of the Vedas and sought to rejuvenate Hinduism. 19^th century issues should not continue to divide us today, but a generosity of heart on both sides is necessary along with a renewed emphasis on what we share.

 

Greater focus on jñana (wisdom)

We must have a deeper focus on and appreciation for the wisdom or jñana dimension of our tradition. It is accurate to say that in the transmission of the tradition the emphasis, historically, has been on orthopraxis, with a focus on ritual worship.  In the western world, however, Hindus are increasingly challenged to articulate and transmit their tradition in a manner that places more emphasis on its fundamental teachings. If we desire young Hindus to commit themselves to this tradition, we will have to convince them of its worth by a reasonable explanation of its teachings in relation to other competing views.

 

Hindu teachers

The number of dedicated Hindu educators are too few.

Traditionally, Hinduism distinguished between the function of the ritual specialist and the religious teacher or educator.  The ritual specialist is the purohita or pujari who officiated in home and temple rituals and whose training consisted primarily in the recitation of mantras and the performance of ritual. The pujari did not function as a teacher.

Rambachan leading a Diwali (Festival of Lights" service. Photo illustration by A Journey through NYC religions/Khant Khant Kyaw

The guru or acharya is the teacher of wisdom. These teachers were, in many cases, though not all, monks (sannyasins) and their training was entirely different. They were trained in the authoritative Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita.

During the migration of Hindus from India to the Caribbean, many purohitas came, but few acharyas. Caribbean purohitas have done a remarkable job in developing the skills to be both ritual specialists and teachers and deserve much commendation.  In many cases such skills were developed through individual initiative; in others cases by discipleship and study with a guru. The field of human knowledge, however, has grown and the wisdom and skills required to be an effective Hindu teacher are more than anyone can develop on his or her own initiative or through study with a single teacher.  The Hindu teachers and educators who are needed today must be well-versed, not only in the traditions of Hinduism but also in the major trends of contemporary intellectual discourse in the various branches of human knowledge so that they could provide coherent, rational and articulate interpretations of Hinduism, We will need to work to establish institutions and design curricula where such training is afforded to students with the proper religious and intellectual aptitudes.

 

An expanded temple role

The new context and challenges require an expanded role for the traditional Hindu temple. The traditional Hindu temple is primarily a place of worship where the sacred murti is housed. We visit our temples for darshana (to see the murti), and to offer ritual worship (puja). Preserving this central purpose, our temples must increasingly become centers of teaching and learning about the Hindu tradition, ensuring the successful transmission of the tradition from one generation to another.

Since we cannot guarantee that a Hindu child will be Hindu by the fact of birth alone, temples must become the centers where age appropriate teaching is conducted. This is already happening in many temples and resources must be shared. The temple as a center of teaching must now complement the temple as a center of worship. Caribbean Hindus have strengthened the congregational forms of temple worship and these forms continue to serve the community well.

 

SHB Quote Sept 30, 2013

''Why are you looking for God? You are but a unit of God's wonder, you were never separated, so why look for something you already have within you?'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Chandrasekhara Bharati (1912-1954), 34th pontiff of the Sarada Peetham

Do not say that you do not have time for God. The busiest of men will have the most leisure, and the laziest will always be short of time, for the former utilizes time and the latter only wastes it. If you really want God, you will find time for Him.

 -- Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati (1912-1954), 34th pontiff of the Sarada Peetham 

Quote If You Want to Find God..

We need to decide that we want to find God and that we are willing to put in time to meditate. If we make that choice, then all we need to do is sit still, and keep quiet.

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

Abused Hindu Goddesses Recall Violence Against Women -

Namaste, Hari Om,

Its true sadness in our society when women are degraded yet men still pray to the goddess as if nothing is happening. Open your eyes and understand what is going on in the world.

It is true, God is surely within us, to unlink our fellow human beings, and women, away from an image of God (or a Goddess) is pure ignorance.

No action goes unnoticed, no scream for help goes into silence, God is surely with those who have been abused and the abusers will surely pay as they have written their own story called life.

-----
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/abused-hindu-goddesses-recall-violence-against-women/13134.html

Source with pictures: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Art/Abused-or-not-women-are-not-goddesses/Article1-1120030.aspx

 INDIA, September 2013,By Richard S Enrlich (RNS): A new public campaign in India uses powerful images of three Hindu goddesses with bruised faces to raise awareness about violence against women.

The ad campaign is titled "Abused Goddesses" and portrays the beaten faces of three Hindu female deities: Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi [not with paintings, but with real models]. "Today more than 68 percent of women in India are victims of domestic violence," the caption reads. "Tomorrow it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to," the posters say. "Pray that we never see this day." 

The ads were created to raise funds for Save Our Sisters, an initiative of Save the Children India that "works to prevent the trafficking of young girls and women for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation," according to the organization's website. "SOS also works as an advocacy group that sensitizes stakeholders such as the police, magistrates, tourism boards, and other government officials."

Chapter 23: My Friend, Lord Ganesha - Hinduism Today

Namaste, Hari Om,

Very interesting article from the ever informative book, ''What is Hinduism''.

It is said that Lord Ganesh comes to us faster than any other God. Developing a relationship with him is easy and well within our reach.

Be sincere, honest and ethical and truth will sit on your side.

''In Hinduism, believing in God is only a first step toward an ever-deepening personal experience of God.....'' (Click link to continue reading and to download the pdf file).

http://hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfdownloads/singlefile.php?cid=27&lid=49

 

The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras"

Namaste, Hari Om,

Below words and data is from a very nicely written page on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanti_Mantra it discusses Shanti Mantras.

If you are ever feeling unease, please repeat a Shanti Mantra, even if its, ''Om Shanti Om'', feel it and be it.

________
The Shanti Mantras or "Peace Mantras" are Hindu prayers for Peace (Shanti) from the Vedas. Generally they are recited at the beginning and end of religious rituals and discourses.

Shanti Mantras always end with three utterances of word "Shanti" which means "Peace". The Reason for uttering three times is for calming and removing obstacles in three realms which are:     
- "Physical" or Adhi-Bhautika,    
- "Divine" or Adhi-Daivika and   
-  "Internal" or Adhyaatmika 

According to the scriptures of Hinduism sources of obstacles and troubles are in these three realms.     

- Physical or Adhi-Bhautika realm can be source of troubles/obstacles coming from external world, such as from wild animals, people, natural calamities etc.    
- Divine or Adhi-Daivika realm can be source of troubles/obstacles coming from extra-sensory world of spirits, ghosts, deities, demigods/angels etc.    
- Internal or Adhyaatmika realm is source of troubles/obstacles arising out of one's own body and mind, such as pain, diseases, laziness, absent-mindedness etc. 

These are called "Tapa-Traya" or three classes of troubles. When Shanti mantras are recited, obstacles from these realms are believed to be pacified.

Sample Below;


Aitareya Upanishad
oṃ vāṅ me manasi pratiṣṭhitā mano me vāci pratiṣṭhita-māvīrāvīrma edhi | vedasya ma āṇisthaḥ śrutaṃ me mā prahāsīranenādhītenāhorātrān saṃdadhāmyṛtam vadiṣyāmi satyaṃ vadiṣyāmi tanmāmavatu tadvaktāramavatvavatu māmavatu vaktāramavatu vaktāram | oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ ||


Om ! May my speech be based on (i.e. accord with) the mind; May my mind be based on speech. O Self-effulgent One, reveal Thyself to me. May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda to me. May not all that I have heard depart from me. I shall join together (i.e. obliterate the difference of) day And night through this study. I shall utter what is verbally true; I shall utter what is mentally true. May that (Brahman) protect me; May That protect the speaker (i.e. the teacher), may That protect me; May that protect the speaker – may That protect the speaker. Om ! Peace ! Peace ! Peace !

Truth!

''.....our Shaastras tell us that the educated, strong, and wealthy must provide, protect, help, etc. the weak, under-educated, innocent, simple-hearted, gullible, etc. Selfishness, greed, and materialism have overtaken this world....''

Anandamayi Ma Quote

To say "through silence He is realized" is not correct, because Supreme Knowledge does not come "through" anything. Supreme Knowledge reveals Itself.
-- Anandamayi Ma

-- Sri Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Spiritual Guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

By practicing tolerance of those who insult us, we will feel honor and insult as the same. Just as we feel good when someone praises us, we should feel just as good when we are insulted. Stability in honor or insult is the ability to still have love for our aggressor.
-- Sri Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Spiritual Guru of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj Quote

If we can begin to realize and accept the fact that we are not perfect, and if we do not hide from others the fact that we have faults, then we can eliminate many of our failures in deceit, falsehood and hypocrisy.
Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami Quote

If you are going to control your income, start by controlling your emotions.
-- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today

Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj

Have we ever stopped to discover the extent of dirt that we have collected, to find out what we need to clear out in order to prepare for the arrival of the Lord?
- Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj

Quote - Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Remember, your own soul knows the reasons why you were born in this life. It knows what you need to accomplish in this birth. As a soul, you know what obstacles and challenges you need to face and overcome to grow stronger and conquer past karmic patterns through fulfilling your chosen dharma.
-- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today

SHB Quote April 24, 2013

''Everything in life should be balanced, when you gain you should give to charity or others who do not have'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Quote April 18, 2013 - Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

I have heard that man can acquire superhuman powers through it and perform miracles. What shall I do with superhuman powers? Can one realize God through them? If God is not realized then everything becomes false.
-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

SHB Quote April 4, 2013

''Ancestors are linked to our energies, very spiritual ancestors are residing in higher heaven like plains (i.e. Vishnu Lok), therefore meditation and thoughts of them will surely bring guidance and love in your darkest hour'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Paramahansa Yogananda Quote

You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God's creative principle works in you.
-- Paramahansa Yogananda (1893-1952), founder of Self Realization Fellowship

The body is mortal, but he who dwells in the body is said to be immortal and immeasurable – Bhagavad Gita

(From Hindu-blog.com)

When the senses contact sense objects, we experience cold or heat, pleasure or pain. These are fleeting; they come and go. Bear them patiently.

The person who is unaffected by the sense objects, who is the same in pleasure and pain, is truly wise and fit for immortality. Assert your strength to realize this.

The impermanent has not reality; reality lies in the eternal. Those who have seen the boundary between these two have attained the end of all knowledge.

Realize that which pervades the universe and is indestructible; no power can affect this unchanging, imperishable Reality.

The body is mortal, but he who dwells in the body is said to be immortal and immeasurable.
Bhagavad Gita

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Quote

It is not easy to find God. It is a process of withdrawing our attention from the world outside to focus within. There are so many worldly attractions to draw our attention outward that it takes tremendous strength to resist such temptations.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

Mother Sarada Devi Quote

Hinduism does not see sins, but only mistakes.
-- Mother Sarada Devi, as quoted by Swami Gautamananda

Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993), founder of Chinmaya Mission

Anger is nothing but an attachment for an object, when expressed towards an obstacle between ourselves and the object of our attachment.
-- Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993), founder of Chinmaya Mission

Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna (1872-1964) Quote

There is one thing God cannot do He cannot separate Himself from the soul.
-- Siva Yogaswami of Jaffna (1872-1964)

Thomas Paine Quote

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us. - Thomas Paine

Swami Vivekananda Quote

Of all the scriptures in the world, it is the Vedas alone that declare that even the study of the Vedas is secondary. The real study is "that by which we realize the Unchangeable." And that is neither reading, nor believing, nor reasoning, but superconscious perception, or samadhi.
-- Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

Bhagavad Gita - Quote

Acquire the transcendental knowledge from a Self-realized master by humble reverence, by sincere inquiry and by service. The wise ones who have realized the Truth will impart the Knowledge to you.
-- Bhagavad Gita

Happy Mahashivratri!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFunb__-UQU

May Lord Shiva's blessings be with us all!

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Quote - Energy of Anger

The energy of anger that we send out into the universe is going to boomerang back to us at some point in time. We wonder in life why we may be the victims of someone else's anger, but do not realize the possibility that it is only coming back to us from something we generated.
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

SHB Quote March 07, 2013

''We are taught to not have attachment for one another, but don't confuse attachment with spiritual love. Spiritual love is something that is unconditional and needs no words, physical touch or thoughts to express as the divine connection between us exists - it is omnipresent'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote March 6, 2013

''Inside us all is a sleeping dragon, for some it awakens with ease, for others it takes harsh extremes before it awakens. The one who can control their emotions will be able to control the fiercest fire breathing dragon in the world, the mind'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Ramana Maharshi Quote

Mind is consciousness which has put on limitations. You are originally unlimited and perfect. Later you take on limitations and become the mind.
-- Ramana Maharshi, (1879-1950), South Indian mystic



-------
Ramana Maharshi is widely acknowledged as being one of the outstanding Indian Gurus of modern times. He was born in Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, named Venkataraman Iyer. At the age of sixteen, Venkataraman became enlightened.

Sadhu Vaswani - Wise Words

I don't want you to get a vision of God with closed eyes. I would rather have you see God with open eyes in all that is around you, in all men and creatures, in every atom of an atom.

Intuition or inward experience alone could apprehend Truth – the one Reality referred to as Wisdom, as Light, as Beauty, as Love Divine.

Intuition is the inner sense, the spiritual sense – as distinguished from the physical senses.

Sunset is only an appearance, for what is sunset here is sunrise elsewhere. In reality, the sun never sets. Likewise, there is no death, death is only an illusion, an appearance. For death here is birth elsewhere.

Sadhu Vaswani

Original Source: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2013/02/sadhu-vaswani-wise-words.html

SHB Quote Feb 25, 2013

''Everything in life is perfect'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 23, 2013

''Your surroundings reflect who you are, clean, happy and simple, should be who you are'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi - On The Mind

The mind is in itself the cause for one's happiness and misery. That mind which is possessed of wisdom, manliness and cheer is a friend, while that which is otherwise is a foe.  The mind that is sullied by the passions of attachment and hatred gives rise to misery and several other painful experiences. Hence one should wash off these impurities of the mind with one's own wisdom and manliness and make it crystal pure.  

To get rid of human misery, it is the mind and not God that is to be pleased. Without purity of mind no salvation is possible.  Motionlessness of the mind is itself salvation, while its motion is worldly bondage. Get the mind absorbed in itself and it will then merge in ecstatic Bliss. That is indeed the cessation of all misery and the attainment of final beatitude.   - Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi (1852 – 1929) Source – Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi and His selected workds by P. V. Gopalakrishnan.

Original Source: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2013/02/brahmananda-swami-sivayogi-on-mind.html 

SimpleHinduBhai Quote Feb 22, 2013

''Our Divine Love is that eternal God (Brahman), there was never a beginning, ending or middle'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj Quote

We cannot blame karma for every illness or mishap. Sant Darshan Singh Ji, when asked how we can distinguish whether an illness is due to karma or not, once gave this general guideline: "If despite all your efforts to maintain health, an illness or accident seems to come out of the blue with no obvious cause, then take it as a karma that has to be paid. But if it is due to breaking the law of nature, nature will exact her price."
Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

An Old Hindu Legend - Divinity and its Location

There was once a time when all human beings were Gods, but they so abused their divinity that Brahma decided to take it away from them and hide it where it could never be found. Where to hide their divinity was the question. So Brahma called a council of the Gods to help him decide. "Let's bury it deep in the Earth, " offered the Gods. But Brahma answered, "No, that will not do, because humans will dig into the Earth and find it." Then the Gods said, "Let's sink it in the deepest ocean." But Brahma responded, "No, not there, for they will learn to dive into the ocean and will find it." Then the Gods said, "Let's take it to the top of the highest mountain and hide it there." But once again Brahma replied, "No, that will not do either, because they will eventually climb every mountain and once again take up their divinity." Then the Gods gave up and lamented, "We do not know where to hide it, because it seems that there is no place on Earth or in the sea that human beings will not eventually reach." Brahma thought for a long time and then proffered, "Here is what we will do. We will hide their divinity deep in the center of their own being, for humans will never think to look for it there." All the Gods agreed that this was the perfect hiding place, and the deed was done. And since that time humans have been going up and down the Earth, digging, diving, climbing and exploring--searching for something already within themselves.
-- An old Hindu legend

SHB Quote Feb 19, 2013

''We are all connected, therefore, the good or bad you do to me is given back to you by the divine justice system.'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj Quote

What is truthfulness? When your heart, brain and tongue agree. That is truthfulness.
- Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj

SHB Quote Feb 15, 2013

''We meet and then leave and then meet again, thats life, thats the universe'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 14, 2013

''Love for God can be found in the love for humans, animals and other earthly things. Love all with God in your heart.'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 12, 2013

''You are born, you live, then you die. These three time frames should have the same meaning as you changing your clothes in the morning, evening and at night'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 11, 2013

''Good or bad, always be still like the morning lake'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 9, 2013

''The thought of action is enough to turn the tides of the most impossible task'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Feb 7, 2013

''Believing is one thing, knowing is another. Know your mantras, prayers, words, and thoughts contain the power of God and you will see results'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Swami Vivekananda Quote

Oh, if you only knew yourselves! You are souls; you are Gods. If ever I feel like blaspheming, it is when I call you man.
-- Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

SHB Quote Feb 4, 2013

''Om Vakratundaya Hum, Lord Ganesh's divine power will come to you fast'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Quote: Anandamayi Ma

To say "through silence He is realized" is not correct, because Supreme Knowledge does not come "through" anything. Supreme Knowledge reveals Itself.
-- Anandamayi Ma

Quote: Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), president of Divine Life Society

''The sages, being filled with universal love for all beings, did not want to keep their enlightenment to themselves. They declared to all: "O mortals, striving and struggling upon this Earth plane, weeping, wailing, buffeted by the vicissitudes of life: we have come upon a great discovery. There is something beyond these appearances, these vanishing names and forms that go to make up this universe. There is something beyond, which is the very source and support of all these objects of the phenomenal world. Why do you search in vain for happiness outside? Come, come, happiness resides within."
-- Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), president of Divine Life Society 

SHB Quote Feb 1, 2013

''Never want or need, know that the all mighty power that is within will provide'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Saraswati (Sarasvati) - The Hindu Goddess of Learning: An In depth View

Namaste, Hari Om,

Om Aim Saraswati Namaha.

Who is this elegant and pure site to behold? Why does she have a swan as her vehicle? What does she do in relations to the other forms of God within Hinduism? Where can I learn more?

Behold your quest for knowledge as an inclination of your inward journey. Below information will be fruitful for any spiritual aspirant as the details reflect our personal lives through personifications.

The best way to climb is always the simplest way, meditate on what you have read. read something, dont think about it, but rather close your eyes and look within.

Regarding Saraswati, you can read about her in various scriptures within Hinduism. For example the Srimad Devi Bhagvat talks about her various stories and how she came to be.

An even easier place to read about her is online of course;

I skimmed through wikipedia and its well written so its a good source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraswati.

http://hinduism.about.com/od/hindugoddesses/p/saraswati.htm this is also good.

There are many puranas that show her stories as well but you can also here some information from my side.

Growing up as a Hindu you were taught to pray and meditate upon Saraswati Mata, it was to do good in school as she is coined as the Goddess of learning. But we associate her with school and learning etc. But she also tames our mind, speech and intellect to become deeper thinkers. Her abilities control our very own thoughts, before a speech, writing a paper or something where I know speech can effect the outcome, I pray and meditate upon her.

Many artists pay homage to her before playing any instrument, even classical dancers like my wife.

She plays a major part in many of the ithihas (or history) of Hindu scriptures.

But when you are trying to tame your mind and speech, Saraswati Mata will help. But heed my great advice, do not approach her with wants or needs, do not ask for things (yes we tend to do this sometimes). God knows the past, present and future, what you may want may not be good for you or in a loving benefit towards your path. We must meditate upon the pure form of the Ishta Dev we are inclined too, but if you dont have one, no worries. You can meditate upon the Brahman (not to be confused with Brahmaa etc.).

Some more important information below;

I found this on yahoo as well regarding the Swan;
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The sacred swan, if offered a mixture of milk and water, is said to be able to drink the milk alone. The swan thus symbolizes discrimination between the good and the bad or the eternal and the transient.

Sometimes she is shown riding a peacock. The peacock represents arrogance and pride over its beauty, and by having a peacock as her mount, the goddess teaches not to be concerned with external appearance and to be wise regarding the eternal truth.

Hamsa, or Swan, is the vehicle of Hindu Goddess Saraswathi. In Hinduism, Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, learning and art. Interestingly, a Hindu saint who rises above the thoughts of death and birth and constantly meditates on Brahman is referred as Parama Hamsa.

A famous shloka on Hamsa talks about the symbolism and significance of this majestic bird.

'Oh! Hamsa! Being the auspicious vehicle of Goddess Saraswathi, you carry learning and art upon your shoulders. Give us that discriminating wisdom for which you are famous, such as your proverbial ability to separate the substance of milk from water.'

Swan can glide on water without getting its feathers wet. With the help of Brahman knowledge we can live in the materialistic world without accumulating dusts of materialism.

Swan can also soar up into the sky from the water body. This symbolizes the need to easily rise above earthly ties. A true yogi needs to perfect these two qualities.

But the greatest quality of Swan is its capacity to separate milk from water. With Brahman knowledge, a person is capable of adapting this quality of Swan and it will help him to swim across the ocean of 'Samsara.'

The white color of the swan is also the symbol of excellence. In Hindu mythology, the white colored Hamsa, the vehicle of Goddess Saraswathi, lives in the Manasarovar Lake near the Kailash Mountain. In mythology, the bird is mute and its diet consists of pearls.

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Om Swaraswati Mata Namaha
- SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 29, 2013

''There is only one truth, and that is from within'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 29, 2013

''Love and peace sits within'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 19, 2013

''We never open our eyes to the truth, the world you see is not what it really is'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 18, 2013

''Time is something that can never be regained in this realm we live in. Meditate and dwell upon your plans, see them coming alive and happening'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Significance Of Mehendi In Hindu Marriages

(From Hindu Press International)

INDIA, December 11, 2012 (boldsky.com ):

In Hindu marriages, several cultures have different customs that vary from state to state. These rituals have been passed on through the ages and still carry forward to the next generation. In Hindu marriages, you can find a few things in common. For example, engagement, mehendi, wedding and reception are ceremonies that are commonly followed in most parts of the country. 

Mehendi is a pre-wedding ceremony that is very popular in the Northern states of the country. However, the trend of applying mehendi on the hands and feet has become a common trend in the East, West and Southern states too.  Earlier, mehendi was applied as nua (coloring fingertips and center of palm) but with the trend of drawing, it has become an art. Mehendi signifies the bond of matrimony. It is considered as a shagun (omen) in Hindu marriages.  Mehendi was originally used only during weddings. But with the growing popularity and importance of mehendi, women have started applying it on special Hindu occasions and festivals like Karva Chauth, Navratri, Rakhi and Diwali.

Original Link: http://www.boldsky.com/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2012/significance-mehendi-hindu-marriages-031712.html

SHB Quote Jan 16, 2013

''Those who are seeking will always be protected'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Swami Vivekananda Quote

''We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.'' - Swami Vivekananda

SHB Quote Jan 10, 2012

''Always remember that all pervading love, ask for it, cry for it and love it. For one day you will be merged back with it'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Hinduism Today - Latest 2013 Issue

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/category.php?categoryid=13

Dont forget to check out the new Issue!

Hindu American Foundation - http://www.hafsite.org/

Namaste, Hari Om,

Please take a moment to visit HAF (Hindu American Foundation). We have spoken about HAF on this blog before but please note their great support and work through peace and determination. If you can also donate, will be great as well.

I like HAF for many reasons, but the main one is due to their promotion of Pluralism. Pluralism is tolerance and understanding for one and all.

http://www.hafsite.org/

Thank You,

Jai Shri Krishna,
SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 9, 2013

''Why want, wish, need or ask. Know that you are being looked after by a powerful source that knows your best interest'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 08, 2013

''There is always a silent force watching over you'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Ram Swarup Quote (1920-1998), Indian writer and scholar

''India has come to preserve spiritual traditions which many ancient cultures and countries have lost. Today Hinduism represents not only India but the ancient wisdom of humanity. In Hinduism many ancient countries can still rediscover their religious past, their old Gods and their old spiritual traditions.'' -- Ram Swarup (1920-1998), Indian writer and scholar

SHB Quote Jan 6, 2013

''Repeat your life's goals daily, this way your determination will stand strong against the harsh waters of laziness and temptation'' - SimpleHinduBhai

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We all have weaknesses, for some it can be food, drugs, alcohol, sex, or even a soft heart, giving too much and not caring about yourself.

Stare your weaknesses in the face and say, ''You dont control me''. My goal(s) is ____________. 

Fear is only created from our mind.

Picture source: http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/01/how-to-commit-to-a-goal.php 

SHB Quote Jan 5, 2013

''Danger is not a choice, fear is a choice. Our thoughts create fear'' - SimpleHinduBhai

 

Dhammapada on Contentment

200. Let us live happily then, though we call nothing our own! We shall be like the bright gods, feeding on happiness!

201. Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. He who has given up both victory and defeat, he, the contented, is happy.

204. Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best riches; trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana the highest happiness.

362. He who controls his hand, he who controls his feet, he who controls his speech, he who is well controlled, he who delights inwardly, who is collected, who is solitary and content, him they call Wise.

Source: http://phong.com/journal/dhammapada-on-contentment/ 

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Dharmapada is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures. The original version of the Dhammapada is in the Khuddaka Nikaya, a division of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism.

The Buddhist scholar and commentator Buddhaghosa explains that each saying recorded in the collection was made on a different occasion in response to a unique situation that had arisen in the life of the Buddha and his monastic community. His commentary, the Dhammapada Atthakatha, presents the details of these events and is a rich source of legend for the life and times of the Buddha.

Setting Expectations In Life - Secret To Happiness?

Namaste, Hari Om,

''201. Victory breeds hatred, for the conquered is unhappy. He who has given up both victory and defeat, he, the contented, is happy.'' -Dhammapadda

To often we are let down by some and fall into emotional states such as depression, anger, and even hatred.

Even expectations from food, objects and places can effect our emotions. If our emotions are affected we often lose sight of our true spiritual goals.

Before we allow our minds to fall into this state we need to calibrate or set our expectations in life.

How do you unlock this secret to happiness? How do we set our expectations so that no event can pull us to emotional extremes?

The answer is easy, its found in the Bhagvadgita as mentioned by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar below.

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Be contented with whatever comes to you

Bangalore, March 03, 2012

Q: Guruji, please talk about gratitude. You have said that the more gratitude we have the more grace flows into our lives. How do I become more grateful every day?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: First of all drop this more. More devotion, more gratitude, more joy, more happiness, we need to drop this, ‘I want more and more. First you are thinking, ‘I want more money, more joy, more happiness and more pleasure.’ Then you shifted your tendency to wanting more peace, more knowledge, more of this and more of that. As long as you are in the run for more, you are not going to settle. Unless you settle, there is neither peace nor grace. Got it?! So somewhere you should take this whole ‘I want more’ thing and dump it and say ‘okay, that is it! It is said in the Bhagavad Gita, ‘Yadrccha-labha-santusto Dvandvatito Vimatsarah.’ Whatever is coming to you, you should have some level of contentment and with contentment comes gratitude. If you are discontent, how can you be grateful? If you are grumbling, you can’t be grateful, and if you are not grateful, how can there be grace? Do you see what I am saying? It all fits one into another. So now, don’t ask me how can one be more grateful? Just stop complaining! Know that this whole life is like a dream. It is all going to end and everything is going to finish one day. This very awareness will bring a shift in you. ‘This story is going to end someday and the curtains are going to fall’, knowing this suddenly a shift happens from the run to having more to contentment. It will come to that. 

Source: http://wisdomfromsrisriravishankar.blogspot.ch/2012/04/be-contented-with-whatever-comes-to-you.html
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This is the answer to 99% of life's problems. Do not get effected by life's turns and bumps. Having single pointed faith will help you climb mountains. Always remain content.

More info and the source for the above picture at: http://phong.com/journal/dhammapada-on-contentment/

Swami Rama Quote

''When you are searching and seeking, you should be doing it honestly with your full strength—not halfheartedly.'' - Swami Rama

Random Picture - Guess whats in the picture

Can you tell?

SHB Quote Jan 4, 2012

''You  can dwell upon the evil and hatred within people but what good does that do to maintaining your happiness?'' - SimpleHinduBhai

SHB Quote Jan 3, 2012

''When in doubt meditate and ask the energies that surround you to guide you'' - SimpleHinduBhai

108 Names of Lord Ganesh

Namaste, Hari Om,

What are the 108 names of Lord Ganesh?

Click here to find out click below:
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/108_names_of_ganesh.htm

Hindu-blog.com: Frustrations and nervous breakdowns are the end of a self-centered life – Swami Ranganathananda Sayings

A young person must be asked to work hard. Go into the world; achieve something. . .Let the person go out, work, satisfy his or her desires, make achievements the goal of one's life at that stage. 

The same person, after achievement is over, must begin to think of other higher things. Then he or she slowly withdraws one's mind from action and achievement. There is something I have missed, my own true nature. 

Let me try to realize this truth.  How can we find joy in work? By working for oneself? No; it is not possible to find that continuous joy in work through selfish motivations. Frustration and ennui are the end of all selfish motivations. 

Frustrations and nervous breakdowns are the end of a self-centered life.  It is from the human mind itself that both good and evil come. So, a little attention as to how the mind is behaving, in the context of work, is absolutely essential for all people today. 

Otherwise, collective life will become difficult, group life will become difficult; life between husband and wife will become difficult, because both, or either of them, has not looked into the mind at all; they have been looking outside all the time. 
Swami Ranganathananda  

Source: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2013/01/frustrations-and-nervous-breakdowns-are.html

SHB Quote Jan 02, 2013

''Dedicating time to looking within on a daily basis will unlock your inner strength'' - SimpleHinduBhai

Diet and Spirituality's Connection?

Namaste, Hari Om,

Is my diet directly linked to spiritual growth? The real answer is, Yes.

There are many folks who forgo meat for a much more pure diet, then there are many folks who eat meat and still continue on their path of spirituality.

You don't have to have a special special diet to move up in the spiritual path. The same way you don't need warm clothes when climbing Mt. Everest.

You see, its doable, but one path takes a greater determination that is filled with a path of turbulence. Its not to say that one way is great, moderation is the key. There are vegetarians who are unhealthy, and meat eaters who are healthy etc.. It goes both way, what you eat is only half the battle, the other half is proportion and control.

I personally believe that we should care about the welfare of animals.  We all have levels of determination and beliefs that drives our own decisions. If someone asked me which is the rightful diet, from an economical, environmental, and compassionate pt of view, i would reccomend fruit based diet, followed by a vegan/fruit based diet. 

Remeber, be the change you want to see. Start off small, one meal a day per week and build on it. Become aware of the change and you will see the change. 

For more information check the link below on changing your diet. 

https://www.vegan.com/how/