Metaphysics & Vedanta Convergence

Seetha Kalyana Vaibhogame..

Thyagaraja swamy's song Seetha Kalyana Vaibhogame defines qualities of rAmA, that makes him the best choice for Seetha and hence sung in all marriages.

Sri Vigna Rajam Bhaje

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong is murphy's law. That's Vigna, the disturbance in every work we do. How do we fail murphy's law, overcome Vigna that makes work go wrong..

Bhairavi Vandana..

Shakti, the external manifestation of Shiva, the consciousness, is known (vid) in biological beings through Signaling, Response to stimulus, Reproduction, Adaptation, Organization, Growth, Death, Metabolism, Mind that...

Paramartha Stuti

In Paramartha stuti, Swami Vedanta desikan praises Lord Vijayaraghava in thiruputkuzhi as the best of the warriors and submits to him.

jagrta panchakam

Ethnomethodology is the field of study that explains how one sustains ‘reality’. It says there are five features to our reality- reflexivity, coherence, interaction, fragility, and permeability.

Indus Script Deciphered(?)

This is a very fascinating talk and is the most convincing/logical explanation of the Indus script decipherment that I’ve seen. https://youtu.be/8HXfIUYLxu0

Books by Medhavis

[mbm\book\grid id='6323'] Authors [mbm\author\list include\photo="yes" include\bio="yes" group\by\letter="yes" include\blanks="no" display="name"]

Totaka ashtakam

Once Shankara waited for one of his disciples to start his talk. Other disciples told Shankara that he is not worth that wait, as he had never talked till then. The disciple arrived, singing with hand-clapping.

Dr. Shweta, the author- a peek inside her world

Dr.Vikram Rajagopal is my classmate from KMC Manipal. He and his wife Dr.Shweta went back to India leaving their cushy jobs in the USA to be caregivers to their aging parents.

Dispassion and the Householder's Life

I've been on "the path" for more than two decades now. When I first started, I was reeling from the death of my father, who passed away in the most unexpected manner, literally like a bolt from the blue.

mAyA panchakam

mAyA is the process that creates self-identities (maya) and perspectives (aham-kAra) and thus 'differentiates' (vi-bheda).

nArAyaNi stuti - Translation

[embed]https://youtu.be/CT3wBZmGZGo[/embed] nArAyaNi is the total internal energy of any matter form. nArAyaNi stuti from Devi mahAtmyam.

Sri Sankaracharya's arguments against Buddhist philosophy

Shankara's description of Buddhists in his time > Among them there are three schools: some are Sarvastivadins (divided into the Sautantrikas and Vaibhasikas, believing respectively in the inferential and perceptual...

Sri Ramakrishna's teachings on Rishis

Hindu spiritual literature talks about many types of Rishis, Rajarshi, Devarshi and Brahmarshi. Rajarshi means a king who is also a rishi. Devarshi means a god like rishi.

The role of knowledge in spirituality and the destruction of the mind

Most of us here have a practical background, having spent many years in the practice of a meditative method or art (e.g., qigong, yoga, taijiquan, etc).

JNANA YOGA

IN HONOR OF MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE RAMAKRISHNA PULIGANDLA JNANA YOGA James W. Kidd, Ph.D.

Deblina into Deepavali: Dissolve into the Goddess with color and light!

“আজ নিখিলের আনন্দধারায় ধুইয়ে দাও, মনের কোণের সব দীনতা মলিনতা ধুইয়ে দাও। আমার পরান-বীণায় ঘুমিয়ে আছে অমৃত গান– তার নাইকো বাণী, নাইকো ছন্দ, নাইকো তান। তারে আনন্দের এই জাগরণী ছুঁইয়ে দাও…”(song by Rabindranath Tagore) “In...

The black Bamboo

The black Bamboo Partha Desikan The pilgrim had picked me up from a cluster of black bamboos in Kamarupa. He had been using me as a walking stick for miles upon miles.

Newer times turn around perceptions...

Time of the year to turn-around Overwhelm, overcome the moribund Our Sun demonstrates this every year Changes its course to northern hemisphere..

Book Introduction Video - Inspiring Palita Perspsectives

Please do watch and feedback on what the book Inspiring Palita Perspectives talk about..? [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iixzOiD6RvM&feature=youtu.be[/embed]

What my first novel taught me

UPDATE -- Happy to share the news that my first full length novel is now available on Amazon in Paperback and Kindle eBook format. I've added the links below and the cover image with this post.

A Shortcut to Meaningful Education: Discussion - 1

Here is the first area that is being put forward for discussion in this forum. Are Schools serving to be the hubs of education? The education system includes close to one and half decades of academic learning.

Medhavi Sessions with Eulalio Fabie de Silva (Episode 1)

I'd like to introduce a new video blog series we're starting in The Medha Journal, where we'll post interviews and discussions with different people on various subjects, ranging from Arts, creativity, philosophy to...

What's more important? Techniques or Meditation?

Techniques/postures/methods are secondary to meditation. They are means to an end.

Consciousness according to Zen Buddhism and how it relates to Advaita Vedanta

In the diagram shown, there are two models of consciousness/being. In fact, on one hand (Left hand side), is a Zen Buddhist model of consciousness, as illustrated in Roshi Philip Kapleau's book titled "Zen: Dawn in the...

Eight epic boss failures

First let me wish all the readers a very happy and prosperous 2019. As we entered this new year, I thought hard about posting this blog.

Plenary session on Rama

Plenary Session: Professor Ramakrishna Puligandla Retirement Felicitation at the Thirteenth International Congress of Vedanta, 15 September 2002, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio As you know an absolute cannot be...

Freedom is in letting go!

Let me start this post by sharing a story I had heard a while back. I don't remember the source so unfortunately cannot share it -- however, it is one of those timeless Indian fables of yore.

Unbroken Samadhi

Deep sleep is like the thoughtless samadhi sensed in that concept-less moment of cognizing paradox, or that space of pause between two breaths. A natural feeling of being, from which one concludes, "I slept.

Why?

Consciousness objectifies itself, as reflections in itself, that it may know itself. A spontaneity devoid of will or assigned meaning wherein its motion and the motionlessness from which it springs, are one.

Sunrise over the golden way

[embed]https://soundcloud.com/dwai-lahiri/sunrise-over-the-goldenway[/embed]

Dr RN Iyengar

More than a decade ago I got into touch with this fantastic master of many branches of knowledge, Dr R N Iyengar, to clear some doubts I had in the the geography of Bharatavarsha as depicted in Valmiki Ramayana.

Thematic Methodology

Sunnie D. Kidd Jim Kidd, Ph.D. Using a thematic methodology in qualitative research offers opportunities to expand the already established horizons of knowledge.

Advice on Morality and Ethics in Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavata Purana

By Ramanarayanadatta astri I am posting here excerpts from Mahabharata discussion on ethics. Vidura was a wise man and gave a series of advice to Dhritarashta. I have posted below some excerpts from Vidura's advice.

The Art of Listening

In a recent trip to Africa, we saw animals in their natural habitats, zebras in the grasslands of Masai Mara, Impala, Thomson's Gazelles, Lions, Cheetah, Leopard, and so on.

How do I find a Guru - By Swami Sarvapriyananda

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuOHxzJbhHU[/embed]

THE DYNAMIC ASPECTS OF INSPIRATION: An Essay on the Phenomenon of Authentically Being Inspired

Sunnie D. Kidd James W. Kidd, Ph.D. Preface Henri Bergson once said “always follow your inspiration.” We have found this to be true. Inspiration is the human being’s most creative act.

Seashore Philosophy: A living example of Taoism

James W. Kidd, Ph.D. This presentation of Taoism will be placed in relation to Hermeneutic Phenomenology. It begins in San Francisco, the western edge. From here where does one go? This is it.

The Divine Artist by Swami Sarvapriyananda

Swami Sarvapriyananda's lectures are phenomenal. I would strongly recommend watching these sermons.

Why the absolute or true self is self aware, eternal and empty yet full...

So first we have to get to know the seer who is seeing the seen - the witness. This seer, when trying to see itself as its own object, goes into an infinite loop of whether the object and the subject are dependently...

Zhan Zhuang - Standing Meditation

Stand in the posture, your feet like tree-trunks. Tuck your tail, round your back, raise your crown. Breath into the lower elixir field, your mind will slow down and finally stop.

Being Effortless in Meditation

| | | --- | | | | Tai chi stance meditation | In Temple style Tai Chi and Dao Gong practice, we often hear the phrase "Not too much, not too little" being used.

After “waking”, realize that no one was really asleep!

People are mystified with or annoyed at people who have woken up making statements like “all you need is to be silent/still” or “nothing needs to be done”.

Revival of The Medha Journal

As I worked through the revival of The Medha Journal, it didn't seem like a lot of time had passed since we had taken the website down.

Why is Hinduism not a religion but a way of life?

Hinduism says that there are four goals of life, dharma, artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha. Many Hindus concentrate on the first three goals.

What is Karma Yoga and how can it be practiced?

A person practices Karma Yoga when his work benefits other peopleand the work is done without caring about the result or name, fame, promotion, wealth etc. This type of work is called nishkama karma.

The Root Triputi (Triad)

> "Abiding in the Self means the dropping away of subject, object and false identification with the body, the root and source of all suffering.

Dao series: Not too much, not too little - How much effort is enough effort?

In Temple style Tai Chi and Dao Gong practice, we often hear the phrase "Not too much, not too little" being used.

Experiences on the way to moksha

There are two approaches to moksha. One approach is to directly try to attain moksha. Jnana Yogis try to do that. There is another approach called the path of krama mukti or gradual liberation by stages.

Resting in the witness - Constant meditation

In course of meditation such as breath observation or any repetitive action (preferably done in a relaxed manner), the mind naturally tends to wander (even running tends to do that, and is true for walking as well).

Trying to objectify Reality - Is it Spirituality?

That our normal "reality" is formed by objects is an understatement. However, at a spiritual level, we claim our focus is turned inward (albeit I'm not referring to those who seek God outside in the heavens somewhere).

Effortless Action arising spontaneously

In Daoism and Vedantic tradition, there is a term used for effortless action, which arises spontaneously. This is possible when personal doer-ship is not the primary driver or engine for action anymore.

Who am I?

I was reflecting on my "Who am I?" meditation, which I undertook in somewhat of skeptical manner, after re-re-re-reading Ramana Maharshi's collected works of his teachings and "Be as you are".

the deacon

i recall a pastor the decon from philadelphia said in mass 'a man can only serve one master'... interesting pun how so then does a man greet his peers for he may have many masters... a catholic proverb...

sunfish and pilot whales

40 miles offshore trolling a weed line catching dorado (mahi mahi) and best of all we saw a sunfish finning and idled up on a pod of 350 to 400 pilot whales the mythological sunfish and pilots whales averaging 250 to...

jovial sun

breaking claws in my fingers and nibbling on stone's i see swift feet i see a braided crown and a glow to a face beaming like the jovial sun queens jestor miracle of life dazed and confused one finds clarity like a...

Solitude

The confused mind thrown hither and thither In life, alone yet seeking here one and there another Where it may project its own self And then dwell like a reflection in the mirror True to life, yet not alive… So is the...

Raja-Yoga

Raja-yoga Whenever we think of Raja-yoga we think of eight-limbed (ashtanga) path mentioned in Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras in Samkhya tradition.

sweet dreams

i was coaching hockey practice in a dream and a dropdead gorgeous blond newsreporter was there to interview me... i had the kids playing soccer on skates...

japa notes 'Matsya the Tortoise and the Buddha'

In bhakti yoga we make our connection to Krishna our spark and flame that ignites that binds us to Godhead. I live in a fishing village so Matsya the fish incarnation or Kurma the tortoise are very manifest.

The Eternal Varna Asrama Dharma - Part 19

Background Knowledge and ‘History’ are synonymous in some dimensions. The moment an information that is extremely useful to our evolution becomes available and understable to people, it is knowledge as well as history.

The Eternal Varna Asrama Dharma - Part 18

Background The Varna Asrama Dharma that I have been writing about in this series is different from what is viewed as Varna Asrama Dharma.

ida

a gloom falls over me and my eyes turn grey as a stone the light feeling i had is gone i shivered in joy and watched a fairy tale unfold sometimes when it is raining down on us we see our faith is true the beacon in a...

the portal

nipping on flower buds chanting krishna i see the sunlight beam in through the windows and the open door the air is brisk good for breathing a sudden glimps though the looking glass and the eyes of a hawk that soars...

sleep on a rosary

> walk backwards up the staircase > and fall far below > face the darkness > into the depths of night > light a wax candle > and leave it on the window sil > so wayfarers yeild > and wic away the ghosts and goblins >...

The Strange Case of Vijaya Rajiva's Back Seat Attacks

A few months ago, Rajiv Malhotra published his groundbreaking book, Being Different: An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism.

West Mambalam remembers MC with Love

West Mambalam remembers MC with Love Partha Desikan Addressing a gathering at Chennai on the occasion of the birth centenary celebrations of M C Subrahmanyam, founder of The Public Health Centre at West Mambalam, on...

BRAHMA KAMAL blooms in Bangalore

Brahma Kamal blooms in Bangalore "Epiphyllum oxypetalum "or "Night blooming Cereus". The flower blooms once in a year which makes it auspicious.

The Green Guava

It was a near miss, this fruit But when the wretched owner of the orchard Looked away, I managed to grab it It looks green, firm and shiny.

Mother is Here

For days , we had been waiting for her. We heard the jingle of her bangles, the rustle of her sari and inhaled the fragrance of the flowers she wears. We were rewarded as we are every year by her visit.

The River Yamuna –Issues and solutions

There is not one drop of Natural Fresh River Water in River Yamuna in Delhi & Beyond. Almost 97% of Original River Waters are taken away from River Yamuna, only a few kilometers from its birthplace - Yamnotri.

Letters: Aditi Banerjee on HMEC Panel Cancellation

EDITOR's NOTE: Caste is such a controversial topic that it behooves Hindus; as the only ones who are constantly barraged with attacks on this subject by assorted activists & "experts"; to do their due diligence and come...

The Mantra Tantras of Sandhya Vandanam - Samashti Abivandanam

Background After taming the body with slow breathing synchronized with mind, we invoked the Gayatri in us to remain neutral. If we need to self-drive ourselves, we need to be neutral.

distant moon

as far as i know krishna made the clouds on the horizon it might rain tonight if we see pegasus or the great bear we see krishna the evidence of water on one of the moons of jupiter is a satellite reservoir of life yes...

time and space

bee nectar the taste is bitter a tangy sweet give me tonic a tactile sip sometimes i tremble a cosmic void is all i see i sweat like a pine tree oozing sap all night one subtle spring morning the pollen made me sneeze...

My Bio-data

My Bio-data The following is my brief Resume: ‘Sthala-Jala-Bhrama’ is my first name Chasing mirages is my major expertise Going off track is my long term experience Holding packets sans any content is my Qualification!...

Logos

i noticed the sound check the humble one with the bald forehead his diagnostics test kind of bashful his gaze fixed on the wires on the deck ample sound effect to give it a go reminds me of a freind who taught me what...

compass

asleep on a fence awake in a dream a gasp for air a sip of water i taste the leaf nibble on the bract now the compass gives me a little direction i like to sweat to give you oxygen middling plateau synaptic rift i like...

little blue overcoat

little krishna in a deep blue overcoat drifting through time gaura nitai in lime green flaunting his bliss resting radhas pink lotus palm jaganatha so proud candle on the windowsil the echo of voices in the dark a shot...

voodoo cat

beacon on the shore in the blade grass on the sand dunes basking in the tropical sun chasing fiddler crabs in the wet sand tip toeing messenger scouting out the perimeter there to meet me in the moonlight little shadow...

Summary of Major Issues with the HAF Report on Caste

Summary of Major Issues with the HAF Report on Caste Contents Executive Summary A Brief History The Political Implications of the Report Substantive Flaws in the Contents of the Report What now? Executive Summary Many...

frost

the sun is up in the frost covered hills time stands still a chill to the air a prism of light spring is near cardinals land in fresh seed a rabbit on the edge of a thicket now i see it

glow

purple lightning bug the flash of a snapdragon fair maiden shifting light sallow beacon in the night little pilot in flight lotus flower bumblebee land on me

Epistemological Anarchy

One often refers to seeing or thinking more objectively and less subjectively as the foundation of the scientific method.

New Diction for Old

What is the difference between holy and healthy prayer and goal-setting prophecy and schedule revelation and discovery endowment and potential saint and social worker sin and error lust and addiction hell and pain...

Gayatri Parivar's Open Letter to HAF

Gayatri Parivar's Open Letter to HAF-LINK

Original location at: https://medhajournal.com/indian-news/1071-gayatri-parivars-open-letter-to-haf.html

Kanchi Shankaracharya's Open Letter to HAF

Letters: Sri Nagendra to HAF

OM! Sri! Priya Sanatana Dharmi Bhaiyyon Aur Beheno: Sasneh namaskar. The wheel has come full circle.

Puttige Matha's Open Letter to HAF

Puttige Matha's Open Letter to HAF-LINK

Original location at: https://medhajournal.com/indian-news/1072-puttige-maths-open-letter-to-haf.html

Swami Dayananda Saraswati's Open Letter to HAF-LINK

Original location at: https://medhajournal.com/indian-news/1073-swami-dayananda-saraswatis-open-letter-to-haf.html

Swami Ramdev's Open Letter to HAF

Swami Ramdev's Open Letter to HAF-LINK

Original location at: https://medhajournal.com/indian-news/1070-swami-ramdevs-open-letter-to-haf.html

HAF Report- Casting a net full of holes-LINK

Original Location at: https://medhajournal.com/karigar's-corner/1068-haf-report-casting-a-net-full-of-holes.html

Kavadi Bells - 6

23 O Lord of all the worlds, O God of Gods, O Soul and Stay of all things that live and move, O Five-faced ONE whose begging palm feeds all - The vision of whose sixth face, the ONE SOUL Is the reward of all that have...

American Morning

Wake up, yea, to see this beautiful world Of skyrises, land rangers, androids pearled Comfort’s ocean, fount of titillation Man’s glory, wondrous civilisation! We’ve lit the country whole but not our soul Know each...

Kavadi Bells - 3

10 Dynamic Shakti parts from Consciousness (As seen on the plane relative where we move, But Consciousness and Shakti are not apart!) And each in love from basic oneness spring, Towards the other moves in ecstasy, And...

Kavadi Bells - 2

5 "Do lead, Abode of Sattwa, guide along, O Vishnu, lead; O Power that protect, guide; With Brahma by Thy side, do show the way To Shiva's home where hope eternal shines, To KAILAS where all founts of valour spring; Do...

lantern

i saw krishna he was walking with a lantern so i followed him and it was easier the inner light is lit krishna holding the lantern walking on the path we love the light that is the reason we go to it again and again if...

radha krishna seva

someone walked over a lit candle in a brass anvil to greet me asking the plant to forgive again on most mornings i ask krishna to turn the plant back into sita the faint light is enough if we are content as a plant...

adrift

the falconer called on the falcon for his spate on a leaf go to the queen the falcon soared into the clouds in a rattle on the pounce of a rival falcon cascade to a stream one of the fisherman to find a little girl on...

Blue Petals

INDICA THE TASTE SO SWEET BLUE PETALS BLOOMING UNDER THE SUN INDICA SO POTENT OUR SOURCE OF NATURE OUR SENSE OF WHAT IS REAL OUR SPIRITUAL FLOW INTENSE AS CAN BE OUR NATURAL GO THE PHASES OF THE MOON GUIDING OUR FORTUNE...

Independence Day

A very happy Indian independence day to all Medhavis. Let’s us salute all the men and women who sacrificed their all so that we’d see this day, the brave men and women who guard our borders today, and also the...

the bird itself

paint the image of a bird dog in a field or along the edge of a river the dog is running all over laughing there is nothing the dog wants to do more than to fetch a bird the dog is content chasing birds that is what the...

our black cat Kali

our black cat kali wincing at me the sweat bee is going to sting me i need fertilizer for the tomato plants i just agitated all of the roots pollen drifting through the air nectar for the hummingbirds does a bee buzz...

ki

caught waves at low tide at the inlet right to the shoreline the great awakening was paddling out to catch a wave at the pier at sunset we might do all sorts of far out things catching waves we still walk off drenched...

KAMALA

at the edge of the cold mountain stream barefoot sifting for flatstones to find Govinda the awakening again the laughter of the blackbirds the leaves buding the lotus petals sprouting the source of inertia the shadow of...

visvatma Dharma

Learning to be pure finding santosa orcontentment orsvadhyaya, the reading of the scriptures are all aspects of entering the dhaama or sheltered asrama for arjava, upright meditation on the absolute.

Mute? Definitely Not

I found this touching anecdote about Lakshmi the cow who was fortunate enough to live and later on ,breathe her last in Ramana Ashramam , Thiruvannamalai .

Addendum-Divisiveness in the name of Dharma

Anti-hindu activities and defamation by Sandhya Jain and Radha Rajan of Acharyas and others Their attempt to divide the Hindu Acharyas is clear from the Tamil circular doing the rounds.

Red Lotus

'My story that should make The civilized society hide its face In the interiors of the earth, in shame – In which canto of your country’s famed history Will you write it down, my story?' (From a Telugu dalit poem...

Spirit Level to Spiritual Radio

Spirit Level to Spiritual Radio Mannequins can also be our Teachers We all have seen human-look-alike mannequins exhibiting various types of attires at the entrances of many a textile showroom.

Sandeepweb's National Integration - Slimes Style

Thus ends the disgusting cacophonic melange of celebrity parade masquerading as something really noble. With this, the Slimes has managed to herald the onset of dumbing down Republic Day.

Mutual Respect or Tolerance?

I have been thinking about this for a while now (at least since "The Rift between Advaita and Vaishnavism" article).

Do I have anything of My Own to offer YOU?

Do I have anything of My Own to offer YOU? This is my Floral Offering at the lotus feet of the Creator of every entity from Atom to Atman When I eulogize YOUR Glories, I forget that, The thoughts, the words, the voice...

Wordless Conversations With A Winged Wiseman

Wordless Conversation With A Winged Wiseman “Yet another zoo! What could be new?” I walked past grinning camels, munching goats Contemplative cows and sleepy wild cats when I stopped in my tracks, drawn by his intense...

Parinama and Vivarta: Is there any real distinction?

The main purpose of this brief essay is to examine the longstanding controversy about (and thereby the debates between) parinama-vada and vivarta-vada, and show that vivarta-vada, correctly understood, does not oppose...

Lorelei

GOT LOST IN THE ISLAND MAZE SOARED THROUGH THE AIR LOOKED LIKE A FALCON AS AGILE AS A MERLIN DRIFTED THROUGH THE RAIN VIERED TO THE SHORE THE CLOUDS LIFTED IN THE HAZE MOONLIT NIGHT WRECKED ON THE CORAL SOMEHOW GOT...

The Path of Fire and Light Vol 1

In Path of Fire and Light Swami Rama shares with Western students, for the first time, remarkable and practical information on the systematic techniques of an ancient and profound tradition of spiritual growth.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION (SANKALAPA)

New Year’s Day marks the end of one year and beginning of the other. It is the perfect time to look back into the past and make plans for the future.

The Unmistaken Child

A visual stunning, spellbinding spiritual journey to a world rarely seen by outsiders. The Buddhist concept of reincarnation, while both mysterious and enchanting, is hard for most Westerners to grasp.

Enlighten Up

This documentary follows the life of a 29-yo white male from New York, as he immerses himself into a "Yogic" lifestyle.

Anandam Paramanandam

Here's a song from the Malayalam movie Jagadguru Adisankaran [ 1977] . The film may seem different from G V Iyer's version as it caters to a much wider audience.

Nadaswaram (Nagaswaram) and the US

The nadaswaram (sometimes spelt nadhaswaram, and also called nagaswaram) is one of the most popular classical (Carnatic style) instruments of South India and acclaimed as the world's loudest non-brass acoustic...

American Exceptionalism

American Exceptionalism and the Myth of the Frontiers Editor's note: From a true global perspective, it is important for anyone to figure the role the United States of America has played & and continues to play in the...

Hot and Cold Verdict Before And Without Trial

Editor's Note: V Sundaram (Retd. IAS officer) has written a blistering critique of Indian Media and it's mishandling of the Swami Nityananda issue.

Laughter is an interval between sorrows

Laughter is an interval between sorrows A man was sitting on one side of the road crying. He seemed to be depressed and worried.

Tai Chi With George Bolger - Preparation Form

The most common question asked by people is "What is Taichi". The art of Taichi has been around for thousands of years, and is one of the few complete systems of moving meditation in existence today.

YOGIC MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY

The word obesity is derived from a Latin word “Obesus,” which means to eat. It is a nutritional condition of the body characterized by over accumulation of fat under the skin and around certain internal organs.

Pratayahara…The Fifth Limb of Yoga

Pratyahara means withdrawal of the senses. It is derived from two Sanskrit words- Prati and Ahara, where Prati means away or against and Ahara means nourishment.

The Samurai Trilogy

Based on the novel that has been called Japan's Gone With the Wind, Hiroshi Inagaki's acclaimed Samurai Trilogy is a sweeping saga of the legendary 17th-century samurai Musashi Miyamoto (portrayed by Toshiro Mifune) set...

YOGA FOR KNEES

Knee pain is a nagging malady, which can immobilize a person – thus making one helpless. Knee pain may vary from mild to severe, depending on the cause of the pain.

THE MONKEY MIND

Patanjali says you have something permanent with you and that is called “The Monkey Mind.

Green Revolution (Junior ID-4)

Green Revolution Participant ID - 4 Medhajunior, Grade 7th, USA In the last 200 years with the advances in technology and oil exploration we are destroying the delicate ecology of the earth at an alarming rate.

The Indic Intellectual tradition

I will be giving a talk on The Indic Intellectual tradition at the 17th biannual TANA convention at the Rosemont convention center in Chicago during July 2 to July 4.

Conversion and the Future of Christian-Hindu Conflict

Introduction On August 23, 2008 (Janmāṣṭamī day), an armed group from the Communist Party of India (Maoist) killed revered Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and some followers at his ashram in district...

How I got 38 outcomes right out of 42 seats of West Bengal

I beat the Pre-Poll Surveys Conducted by the Media Wings as well as the Professional Organizations. LS 2004 missed predicting the NDA figure by 7 or 8. There was a Prize Contest going on, remember.

thought for the day

How to think about the world?

André Malraux on India and Bangladesh

This is a translation of two web pages about the French writer André Malraux, and his views on India and Bangladesh, published by the "Association pour la Diffusion de la Pensée Française" (Association for the Spread of...

Ramkatha - A Spitirual Interpretation (English)

Author's Note: This blog was originally published in Hindi in Devnagari Script. On the advice of the editor and a reader I have appended below an English translation.

Samsara

A spiritual love-story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, Himalayas. Samsara is a quest; one man's struggle to find spiritual Enlightenment by renouncing the world.

Valley of Flowers

Along the highest mountain passes of the Himalayas, tough, intrepid Jalan (Milind Soman) and his gang earn their living by stealing from unsuspecting travelers.

Fluoride, 2012, Yogananda, DMT and oils

It is an extreme article. Speculates too much. Uses some theories, which fly around unproven. Like what is going to happen in 2012.

Ramkatha - A Spiritual Interpretation

Medha Editor's Note: We encourage the authors who bring in linguistic diversity, as in the below article in Devnagari script.

Jnana Yoga: The Way of Life

Jnana-yoga or "The Path of Knowledge" is one of the four central paths to knowledge of man and the world and realization of the ultimate reality as obtained in the ancient religious and philosophical traditions of India.

On the antiquity of Dravidian scripts.

On the antiquity of Dravidian scripts. Partha Desikan Sri M V Vasu has interviewed Professor S. Settar for the Friday Review section of The Hindu dated May 8, 2009. The interview made very interesting reading.

i-phone advertisement by 5 year old boy

i-phone advertisement by little Ishan. Ishan is 5 years old student studying in Gomes Elementary School, Fremont, CA. He enjoys writing journal and playing with the i-phone application games, when he gets permission.

The God Delusion

A fantastic book by Richard Dawkins on the delusional nature of religions and their followers and explains the true nature of this God entity

Scholar Warrior: An Introduction to the Tao in Everyday Life

This is a refreshing alternative to the usual deep, philosophical expositions on Taoism. It is a well-developed manual of how one can live a good life as defined by the tenets of Taoism.

Yoga Unveiled

This 2-DVD set is a breathtaking journey of sight and sound that illuminates the essence of yoga as its creators understood it thousands of years ago.

The Clash Within: Democracy, Religious Violence, and India's Future

This is a masterpiece of a book on the topic of the Rabidity of the Hindu Right in India, specifically pertinent in light of the Pogrom against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002.

Manas Mandal

Mind is like a blooming lotus. There are many stages and many parts of blooming conscious mind. Preconscious to insect conscious, after that - reptile conscious mind blooms gradually.

Mystery of Shiva

There are four Shivas (or Shivs) as far I know. First is the real Shiva, once who had a physical existence -the great sage for ever. Second is mythological Shiva.

Speech of the MahaAnand

Positive Discrimination Regime: Is it already there?

At a national seminar on “Positive Discrimination: Some Unexplored Dimensions” organised by the Institute of Development Studies, Mysore, yesterday (Friday the 13th March, 2009), Shri N.

Now in this extreme critical time.....

Now in this extreme critical time, only true-spiritual revolutionary movement can save us. Also a true- spiritual high-flow-tide is growing up behind the screen.

Fear, Psychoses, Samskaras and The Ego

What does a person do when faced with extreme situations? Hunker down and face them head-on? Curl up into a fetal ball and hope to weather out whatever is bothering them? A little of both? Growing up, I have been aware...

Tantra: Path of Ecstasy

From Publishers Weekly Feuerstein has attempted a daunting task, defining Tantric Yoga drawn from Hindu and not Tibetan Buddhist sources.

Breath your HEAD ACHE away!!!!

I received this mail from a friend and i found this interesting. Any one who suffers from Head ache, can try this and put their comments.Thanks Our noses have left and right nostrils.

Light on Yoga -- BKS Iyengar

The definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga--the ancient healing discipline for body and mind--by its greatest living teacher.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda

This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of concentration and meditation.

Relaxing into Your Being: The Water Method of Taoist Meditation Series, Vol. 1

This is the first volume of a two-part series on The Taoist Water Meditation techniques, as taught to B K Frantzis by his teacher Liu Hung Chieh, a Taoist Master. Frantzis is now the lineage holder in this tradition.

The Great Stillness: The Water Method of Taoist Meditation Series, Vol. 2

This is the second volume of Bruce Frantzis' two-part series on the Water Method of Taoist Meditation.

Naked in Ashes

Paula Fouce's beautiful, illuminating documentary "Naked in Ashes" takes the viewer into the profoundly spiritual world of India's yogis, who see their taking on the sins of humanity as a source of healing and...

Rashomon

Brimming with action while incisively examining the nature of truth, Rashomon is perhaps the finest film ever to investigate the philosophy of justice.

Parashurama Kshetra-Part 2

Prehistory and Legends of Kerala There is a reference to the Kerala regions in the Kishkindha Kanda of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana of Valmiki.

Hridayakamalam and Dreamcatcher

From the Homepage of the gifted multi-faceted research scholar Dr. Gift Siromoney, I am giving below an article by Gift Siromoney and R.

This Cut is free

This Cut is free Partha Desikan I accidentally came across my short story, ‘The Sweet Bamboo’ in its first unedited form in my good friend Murali Ramaswami’s online magazine Patrika (July-August 2002, the Newsletter of...

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

An Interview with Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni by Soumi Basu Soumi Basu, a member of Medha Journal, presents Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni to our readers in this thought-provoking interview.

Constantine's Sword

A friend of mine sent me this link. A very thought provoking and gripping film on the nature of Religion, Fundamentalism and how power in the hands of religious fundamentalists is a recipe for disaster by former Roman...

Aryans versus Monkeys

Kidipede - History for Kids began in 1995 as a community service learning project for sophomores at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.

"Ehsaas Hai?" - Do you feel?

"Ehsaas Hai?" - Do you feel? - An interview with Rotarian Mahesh Nihalani. That is the name of the concert being hosted by the Rotary Club of Cupertino to support it's Global Polio Eradication program featuring world...

Mahishasura Mardini

It is close to celebrate the rise and victory of the Goddess of Power, [[Shakti]] herself, the Divine Mother [[Durga]] . It's been several years (almost close to a decade) since I attended the last Durga Puja.

Distance, Force and Online Currency Conversion

While a dimension expresses a specific type of physical quantity, a unit assigns a number so that the dimension can be measured. For example, measurement of volume (a dimension) can be expressed using units of liters.

Prepare for a better Fall during Ritu Sandhi

Finally the season has started changing for the “Better Fall”. This is actually a most important time where one season is slowly transitioning into another.

Adanada Satılık Müstakil Ev Villa ve Arsa

Günümüzde insanlar teknolojiden had safhada yararlanmaktadır. Ev almak isteyenler, ev satmak isteyenler, ev kiralamak veya evlerini kiraya vermek isteyenler işlemlerini internet üzerinden yapabilmektedir.

NPR Interviews Harsh Mander

{mgmediabot2}path=http://audio.wbez.org/wv/2008/09/wv\20080905b.mp3|height=500|width=500{/mgmediabot2} I found some of his statements very interesting.

Why should Buddhists worship Hindu Devatas?

Buddhist Tripitaka scriptures were written about 200 years after Buddha's parinirvana. These scriptures now form the bed rock of Theravada Buddhism.

Buddha Brahma Paraatpara

Buddha Brahma Paraatpara Partha Desikan A Japanese fictional book in 14 volumes, written by Osamu Tezuka and published by Ushio Shuppan had first been serialized between 1972 and 1983 in the magazine Kibou no Tomo.

The Power of Chi Gong and it's demonstration

The beauty of Social Networking (such as our own TMJ) is that people from all walks of life get together and create something that is dynamic, beautiful, enchanting and awe-inspiring.

Dawn at Midnight

That Night, in a Prison cell at Mathura In a trance they sit, The mother and father Holding the new baby All those years of waiting All the hurt of hoping And all the pain of losing Already forgotten.

The I of the Storm

In course of my attempts at meditation (more or less daily, since the past 5 years and more intermittently for a few years prior to that), I have repeatedly come across the issue of the classical triad of observer,...

Mother, Here's The First Of Your Many Birthday Gifts!

Our Defining Golden moment-Thank You Abhinav! I was returning from work today when I heard about the first ever Olympic Gold medal for an individual event India has got .

Hinduism through History (Part -2)

Back to Part-1 Note: Readers please click on the links to get details from reference material Section - A: History of Acceptance and Assimilation in India The Indian mind is broadly defined by the philosophy of...

Rationally speaking

Rationally Speaking. Sanjaya was blessed with a divine vision and he was able to record what went on in the battle field. That was a different era.

Random Thoughts of a Troubled Mind

How much of news is too much news? When does reporting become sensationalism? Are we even aware when we exaggerate to create sensations that we have crossed the boundary between realistic reporting and reporting in bad...

Indian Muslims,Christians/Caste,class,Quom,Biradri

DALIT CHRISTIANS, a word coined by a Texan lady who created DALIT FREEDOM NETWORK is now very active in India and has influence among the Indian parliamentarians who immediately jump at the bandwagon when they see a...

What Shesh Carries

What Shesh Carries "Who is that who groans? That haunts very much Those long painful moans! Who could that be, oh, Sage?" "That, is Shesh the serpent The one who carries the Earth's load On his thousand heads It gets...

Global Food Crisis

Food prices have been rising for a while. In some countries this has resulted in food riots and in the case of Haiti where food prices almost doubled, the Prime Minister was forced out of office.

I in an eye – Archer’s tale I

Another poem based around an event in Mahabharat And tell me what do you see? He demanded of the prince ‘My liege I see you...’ And? ‘I see the sky, the trees, My brothers, my friends...

There is a Ramayana

There is a Ramayana Partha Desikan There is a Rama, therefore, there is a Ramayana. Let us look at what Prof V.V.

Jokes by Ronuk

6 year old Ronuk loves to make jokes and make others laugh!! He takes great effort in explaining why his jokes are really funny if you have a hard time laughing at them! Here are a few of them that he’s been cracking...

Update your profiles

Dear Members, Please take some time off your schedules to update your profiles. We have added a tab in your profile page for a brief biography.

Destiny

Destiny A sea breeze echoes softly thru my mind gently sings of my expectant morrow, and the languid life I left behind. It beckons me to turn my head ..

Latin Summer

My first re-mix -- I haven't played a single note or beat on this myself -- this was created by remixing loop samples that come with Apple's GarageBand software. {mgmediabot2}path=https://medhajournal.

US Map Game

This game was originally written by Abel K of www.worldkit.com. Modified by Mita. writeFlash({quality:'high',src:'https://medhajournal.com/images/stories/Calixte/map-game2.

Looking for happiness -- where do we find it?

I was having a conversation with my friend and Tai Chi partner yesterday on our way back from class about the nature of happiness. Please do not treat this article as a lecture of some sort.

MOMENT

MOMENT SWINGS BY WHILE THE BUTTERFLIES FLUTTER AND FLY SUDDENLY THE FLOWERS ARE IN FULL VIEW WITH ALL ITS COLORS AND HUE TIME SURPASSES WITH BEAUTIFUL LIFE BOUNCING TO AND FRO WITH HEIGHTENED STRIFE CREATING A GLIMPSE...

House by the tree

This is Meheka Mukherjee's second contribution. A veritable piece of excellence.... -- Editor

Mayan Findings-Some Questions

Mayan Findings And Some Questions As a fifteen year old, I read Eric Von Daniken’s series of books, one of the books being, “The chariots of the Gods” and wondered whether the great monuments of the World were indeed...

Flightless and Fightless — An Inhuman Story

The story is a product of my over-active imagination. The plight of the flightless birds of New Zealand is most definitely not. They are fighting a losing battle for survival.

Beginner's Mind

In the course of my endeavors at learning the Martial Arts, I had not encountered the term [[Shoshin]] until I started learning [[Aikido]].

The Bamboo pull

The Bamboo Pull Partha Desikan Here are four links. Feb 11 2007 ">This is the link to a short story that I blogged with Sulekha a little over a year ago.

News Headlines

Indian News Headlines --- {kl\rssfeed}http://www.rediff.com/rss/newsrss.xml{/kl\rssfeed} World News Headlines --- {kl\rssfeed}http://rss.news.yahoo.

South Asian News

{kl\rssfeed}http://newsrss.bbc.co.uk/rss/newsonline\world\edition/south\asia/rss.xml{/kl\rssfeed}

Top Indian News

{kl\rssfeed}http://www.rediff.com/rss/newsrss.xml{/kl\rssfeed}

World News

{kl\rssfeed}http://rss.news.yahoo.com/rss/world{/kl\rssfeed}

Dr. S. R .Rao's interview on Dwarka Findings

Dr. S. R .Rao's interview on Dwarka at this link I remember discussing Dwarka in Sulekha sometime ago. One had read thrillers of the underwater kind and Dirk Pitt seemed liked a hero.

Fragrances From Another Time

Fragrances From Another Time Kamban express had just moved out of Tambaram station when Meenakshi called. "Three cars at home..you travel second class...business man...status?...

Economic outlook is worse

Kundalini Rising -- Nice video from Google video

Found a nice video on the nature of Kundalini. {mgmediabot2}type=googlevideo|docid=-8101989694941061600{/mgmediabot2} Whoever did this video has done an awesome job. Many thanks to his/her/them. Enjoy... Rudra

Continents

Here is a fun game to learn the continents of the world. We created this game for our 4 year old girl who is also the narrator. She loves this game .. and now knows her continents well.

Ode to a Grandfather

When I came into this world You stood by the birthing chamber anxiously One of two men pacing up and down before that door Both rejoiced when they heard the indignant wails cried angrily Floating in through the painful...

The peculiar case of the NRI Hindu

It was the end of 2003 and I was returning from India after an abruptly interrupted vacation.

Tennis

Here's a game of tennis!! Tennis Enjoy!

Rural Landscape

I picked up a canvas, paint brush and paint after almost 15 years. I'm posting this with some apprehension. Hope you like it.

Tic Tac Toe

Tic Tac Toe Another of those games that can keep you entertained for hours. Enjoy!

Toss and Drift

If you live in Eastern US or even if you have spent good vacation time there, you are very likely to have visited some part of Hiawatha country.

Snakes and Ladder

Snakes and Ladder

A day out to a farm

Ishan drew his day out to a farm in the neighborhood of Sunol hills (near Fremont), California.

Cow Trouble

A child's imagination runs wild, and it is interesting to see your child think. I spend an hour everyday with my son, where we try to learn from each other, and know each other's mind....

Anahata -- Part 2 (Pagla Baba Trilogy)

NOTE: I had published this on Sulekha.com in 2002 Prelude Anahata -- that soft, melodic, soothing music. I can't hear it play; yet I hear it playing somewhere (perhaps from within?), encompassing my totality ...

The Night I died -- Part-1 (Pagla Baba Trilogy)

NOTE: I had published this on Sulekha.com in 2002. The night I died of a heart attack… Well not exactly… I dreamt that I died of a heart attack. Perhaps it'd been sitting in the back of my head for some time now.

Knowing

One who knows not, and knows not he knows not, is a fool; shun him. One who knows not, and knows he knows not, is simple; teach him. One who knows, and knows not he knows, is asleep, awake him.

Sita-Her Conviction and Compassion

Sita- Her Conviction And Compassion The Ramayana is the epic story of Sita ,says Valmikhi.

Kesava Sagara

'Purvaparau Varinidhi vigahya sthitah prthivya iva manadandah' is Kalidasa's description of the stretch of our Himalayan range.

Tips on Website Use

Short-cut to Wikipedia pages within Medha Journal Using Wikipedia keywords within double square brackets will point back to wikipedia articles with same names.

Of Fusion of Faith and History

Of Fusion of Faith and History ParthaDesikan The well known historian Romila Thapar has addressed the above subject in an article given prominence in today’s issue of ‘The Hindu’.

Rajiv Sreenivasan on Rama's Bridge

UNUTULMAZ LEGEND ONLİNE DRAKENSANG VE COMMAND AND CONQUER

İlk olarak, Facebook’ta oynanmaya başlayan Web Tabanlı MMORPG oyunu Legend Online ’ı, Türkiye’de Joygame ile oynama şansını yakalamak için hemen Legend Online kayıt ol.

New Book : Samvidullasah - Manifestation of Divine Consciousness

Samvidullasah - Manifestation of Divine Consciousness (Swami Lakshman Joo : Saint-scholar of Kashmir Shaivism - A Centenary Tribute) by Baumer, Bettina & Kumar, Sarla 2007, 29 cm., pp. xiv+238, col. & b/w photo 52, D.K.

Radio Interview with Br. Prabodh, chinmaya mission, SanJose--On Vedanta

The Global Warming Monotheism

There are very few among us who is not aware that Global Warming (GW) has become one of the most talked about issues for the last few years.

Indian woman in distress needs help!

This is a story of an Indian woman, who is fighting a lone battle in New York City... pregnant and under extreme duress.

Love Birds

When we read Ramayan we feel Rama being Maryada Purushotham how could he sent Sita Ma to forest when she was pregnant. There are so many arguments on this subject. It seems there was a sad love story behind this.

Remembering Valentine's Day

The Wrestling Angel I Our host lived in a castle protected like a nest in a valley between Katmandu and Lhasa as green as an emerald in summer when the caravans of scientists trekked up the mountains collecting the musk...