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Cybertalk: This is the ninth part of a radio interview conducted by Loni Petranek with Gurudeva. The interview gives an overview of Gurudeva's worldwide mission. Today Gurudeva shares more about the book Lemurian Scrolls and also mentions how the monks in his monastery have modeled their monastic living over some of the advice in this book. He also share with Loni some of the visions that he has had.

Cybertalk Ends"
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Date: March_06_2001
Title: Gurudeva Interviewed by Loni Petranek, Part 3
Category: The Guru
Duration: 3 min., 38 seconds
Date Given: August, 2000

Loni: Now we are speaking about Siva, I believe. Is that the latest book, 'Merging with Siva'?

Gurudeva: 'Merging with Siva' is the latest book. It is 50 years of my inspired talks and writings all put together in one book. It is very easy to read because it is organized in 365 daily lessons. So, there is a lesson each day. It takes about 7 minutes to read it and to think about it. Then, there are various sadhanas or spiritual exercises every week, 52 of those
too. So, a very popular book. Actually, it gives you a different look at yourself. Most people's self-image is very poor these days. They don't see themselves as a soul, so they are rather discouraged. It takes away the discouragement and convinces the individual that he is a soul with several tools, one of which is the mind, another of which is the emotion. He is a soul, living in a physical body and an astral body. Therefore, it creates a transformation in an individual and brings up his spiritual self of the spirit. That is what this program is all about. It is about the spirit within and bringing it forward and I think, the island of Kauai is a wonderful venue for that.

Loni: We did experience something different here. When you were speaking, I was thinking about all of the violence that we have experienced in schools. You mentioned about self-esteem and not feeling guided or at home, so to speak, with ourselves. What is your perspective on what is happening with the new generation, this young generation?

Gurudeva: Well, the new generation is very different than previous generations were. They are very intelligent, they are very independent. If you need help with your computer, ask a 14-year old and he will train you like a professional. But, a lot of the youth are very discouraged because of the home conditions, with mom and dad both having to work and necessarily not being such super good examples for them in home life. That is very discouraging. So, members of our Saiva Siddhanta Church, our family people are running some very good classes in 'Positive Discipline' here on the island and school teachers are taking the classes, as well as parents. It is Jane Nelson's work, 'Positive Discipline' and it shows a different way of, shall we say, managing and bringing up the goodness out of someone, rather than putting them down or hitting them or yelling at them.

Loni: The violence is really pervasive in our society. I remember when Mother Teresa came. Well, we have poverty, as you may well know. She said, "We have poverty in India, but you have spiritual poverty." It was so profound for her.

Gurudeva: Yes, violence and drugs have become some sort of a way of life. So, we are trying in our small way, to change all that and do our part too, for our community, country and society.
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Sun Five brought our island devotees for the Muruga puja.

Kumar Katir plays the drum while everyone sings the Natchintanai songs of Siva Yogaswami.

The Face of Lord Muruga in the Temple.

Songs of Yogaswami:

San Marga -- VI.
The mind flits like a prancing monkey. One knows not how to quell its frolics; Well said. There is a fine remedy within you. Perhaps you have forgotten it. Listen.

Take in daily the medicine of 'Siva Dhyanam'--contemplation of Siva. The pranks of the impish mind will be subdued. When you take it, mix it with a decoction which also you possess. Restraint of the tongue and control of desires are the ingredients which form the decoction. Even this will not suffice.

Everything depends on the correct diet. And that too is within your control. This will consist of balanced diet, adequate sleep and moderate exercise. Thus fulfilment is assured. Follow this prescription for the well being of your Soul.

If one yearns to control and subdue the mind fully, one should practise Siva Dhyanam--contemplation on Siva. It is the ceaseless and constant remembrance of Siva. He will then begin to concentrate step by step and focus his mind on the One Supreme Reality. Peace, serenity, patience and endurance will then blossom within him. His mind will be brimming with contentment. Praise or blame will not affect him; He will dwell in the light of his inner self; He will radiate benevolence and the good of others shall become his own blessedness.

If one takes a hand lamp at night, will he falter in the dark? He will not stumble. Like-wise no evil can shadow the path of him who meditates on Siva? He will not see any imperfection. Practice is better than precept. Ill-will has no place where good-will reigns.

Natchintanai. 374-375.

Later that morning our monastery was very busy. Martine Thom Productions, after having shot nearly 40 hours or raw footage, now begins intensive series of interviews with the monks. The voices will later be dubbed in over the imagery.

Today, the last day of this phase, was tour day bringing a diverse group of visitors.

Another fascinating visitor, Folco Terzani, a young Italian man, his wife Anna and their little boy came to visit. Folco's parents live in India and he spent most of his life in India. He spent an entire year following one sadhu on his journeys through India and the Himalayas. He is working on a 90 minute long movie on India's famous ascetic holy men. Here he has a discussion with Arumugaswami. Together they explore how the western media coverage of India has not really captured the "magic" of India. His camera man is an award winning cinematographer and Folco hopes in his movie to unveil the true spiritual nature of the holy men and their lives.

Our 11-acre village in India is home to 75 Indian master craftsmen who live there and work each day on the carving of the sacred white granite Siva Temple which will soon be shipped soon to Kauai and assembled. See our latest February 2001 Building Fund Progress Report and join our family of contributors today!

Here are the "bhuta" panels that will line the outside of the foundation of the temple. "Bhutas" are earth spirits and in respect for our Hawaiian land some of them have been carved in the form of the ancient indigenous people of these islands who were known as "menehunes." The menehunes were a short-statured, very powerful and resourceful people that built massive rock structures on the island long before a wave of Polynesians arrived who were the ancestors of the current "Hawaiians" we know of today.

Here are finished "top stones," ready for Kauai.

12 Glorious Days, 8 Enchanting Countries and One Chance in a Lifetime! Imagine spending 12 days with one of the greatest spiritual leaders of this century. Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami will be leading this exotic educational and spiritual voyage himself combining the mystical path of Indian spirituality with a superlative retreat from it all. Take advantage of this one chance to be in close proximity with a living master. Come with us on an inner and outer voyage to Northern Europe and Russia. www.innersearch.org