"Giving a gift begrudgingly in return for another gift is, of course, mere barter. Many families barter their way through life in this way, thinking they are giving. But such gifts are cold, the fulfillment is empty, and the law of karma pays discounted returns. "

Gurudeva

Gurudeva, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Founder of Kauai's Hindu Monastery

Here we go on the bus back to …

June 13, 2010

Here we go on the bus back to the hotel for dinner. What a full day!

Everyone is in a class with Bo…

June 13, 2010

Everyone is in a class with Bodhinatha right now, our first class after a short meditation training session. Staff is packing for Kokee.

Palaniswami does a little colo…

June 13, 2010

Palaniswami does a little coloring on our interactive art board.

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Innersearchers are now off wan…

June 13, 2010

Innersearchers are now off wandering the monastery property in guided groups, to return later for lunch. Much-needed after hours of sitting!

The temple is overflowing. ht…

June 13, 2010

The temple is overflowing.

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All are gathered in the temple…

June 13, 2010

All are gathered in the temple for our monthly Ardra Nataraja abhishekam after an introduction to the meaning and the history at our temple.

http://twitpic.com/1wjebk Bre…

June 13, 2010

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Breakfast in the Banyan Mandapam as Senthilnathaswami gives Innersearchers announcements for the day.

Innersearch Begins

June 13, 2010

Yesterday evening the monks went to the “Innersearch Dharmasala” otherwise known on Kauai as the Kauai Beach Resort Hotel, where all the innersearchers are lodging and having many of their meals.

We had our opening welcome session with devotees coming forward to Garland Bodhinatha.

The innersearch staff meets and talk with participants.

Mayuresh Rahavendran is looking bright!

Bodhinatha sits quietly as Paramacharya Palaniswami tells tales of previous innersearches

Bodhinatha tells the story of how the first innersearch to Kauai ended with the purchase of the property in the Wailua Homesteads and how Gurudeva’s vision for a monastery has manifested from that first innersearch.

He gave a brief introduction to his study program which will be a bit different, comprising a deep philosophical journey through Vedanta and Siddhanta.

At the evening orientation dinner, we honored two birthday girls: Shanti Momtaz and Devi Marks. They each received a beautiful art poster gift.

Study guides were passed earlier and everyone is peeking at them after dinner.

Senthilnathaswami, our lead organizer for this innersearch, briefs the group on the next day’s events.

Kailash Dakshinamurthy who has always done a marvelous job on past innersearches, coordinating traveling and hotel lodgings, gives all the innersearchers some important points regarding their stay at the hotel.

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