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Cybertalk: A cyberspace devotee wants to know how we can feel the energy in our spine. Gurudeva says one simple way is to centre awareness in our spine and simply move our back forward and back and to the sides. Gurudeva also says that there is nothing magical about this feeling and that to know that the energy is coming directly from Lord Siva.

Cybertalk Ends"
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Gurudeva will be happy to hold "Prasnottara Satsang" -- "Questions and Answers" over the telephone with any Hindu religious societies, Hindu youth groups, Radio talk show hosts etc. All you need is a phone with a speaker and an enthusiastic audience. Arrangements may be made in advance by sending email to Sivadevanathaswami

Click to send Gurudeva a spiritual question he will later answer for all to benefit.

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Date: April_02_2001
Title: How do I choose a God to worship?
Category: God and Lords of Dharma
Duration: 1 min., 24 seconds
Date Given: March 21, 2001

A cyberspace devotee, Devananda in Rosehill, in the beautiful country of Mauritius asks, "Hindus are supposed to identify one or another God to worship and choose their own Ishta Devata. How do they know which one to choose?"

Devananda, it works exactly the other way around. The God or Gods that you are to worship choose you, to communicate with you, through Their image within the temple.

You mentioned in your question that you are drawn to Lord Ganesha's shrine within the temple. You are drawn to Lord Murugan's shrine within the temple. This means that Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga have messages for you, training
for you and They want to communicate with you. So even as you think of Them, it is like thinking of a friend or your mother or your father or your Guru. You are communicating psychically.

This is the great magic of the Sanatana Dharma and why it is on the earth today, through all the many ups and downs and attempts to destroy it. It is still here, a religion in renaissance, moving forward and spreading very rapidly into every corner of the world.

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Even during Sadhu Paksha the temple is open every morning... here is the Rajendra family from Virginia.

Our TAKA photographer catches Sannyasin Sivakatirswami and Sannyasin Skandanathaswami in a "walk by" consultation on some Hinduism Today distribution matters.

During our three-day full moon retreat six monks and one sevak, Sivaneswaran, went on a hike into the foothills of Waialeale Mountain.

The little known Pilau Ridge Trail takes you 6 1/2 miles up the hills through some pretty rough terrain.

At trails end....looking up the face of the mountain... further excusion would start to qualify as "climbing" and not just hiking.

These are the hidden "Shangri-la" areas of our precious island tropical paradise. We reached 1281 feet above sea level. And from there we could see all the way to the edge of the island and to the ocean beyond. It is always a wonderful experience, the purity of the environment, the sound of nature without the intrusion of any man made machine noises which normally permeate our modern atmospheres... just the wind, the birds and a quiet hush.

We turned back and went down to visit our new property across the river from the monastery. The land is bounded on one side by the Wailua River that passes in front of the monastery. The "inland" perimeter was another three-mile hike, taking us around our 406 acres. 327 of that is flat, arable land, the remaining 79 comprising gulches and rocky ravines, the home of wild boar that roam the landscape of our Hawaii "outback."

Gurudeva's other monastery in the island country of Mauritius
in the Indian Ocean near South Africa

The Hindu Monastery, Dharmasala and Spiritual Park receive some wonderful visiting souls almost daily. Today we had the visit of Brahmachari Navind Sagum, dedicated performer of sadhana (spiritual practice) and highly successful student of computer science at the University of Mauritius. At the monastery, he enjoys a special program whereby he comes to stay on week-ends for a refresher and a boost, while sharing in the life of the monks. Welcome, Navind!

And here, we had the visit of a long-time sadhana practitioner and devotee of Gurudeva, Moorghen Caremben. He is also a dedicated helper of our monastery, helping in many ways. Thank you, Moorghen!

His wife, Mrs. Ragini Caremben, also a long-time dedicated disciple, and a model for all younger ladies. "All hail the great servants of Siva!" would say our Paramaguru, Yogaswami of Jaffna. AUM Namasivaya.

Here is a shot from the Curepipe April Book Fair, where we are happy to see several books of the "Positive Discipline" series on display. This series teaches effective ways of raising and teaching children in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation--without hitting, belittling, threatening, criticizing or generally hurting the child. Classes, seminars and discussion groups in this blessed science are being offered all over Mauritius. For information, call +230-412-5054 / 7682.

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