Bodhinatha has been working to increase our output and distribution of educational materials. Previously options to get this literature for distribution in your community were only for those who found obscure links on our web site, and only available in large quantities for teachers.

But now the “Jnana Dana” (Knowledge Giving) program has gone public with offerings at our web store for just the cost of printing and shipping. Click to see what is currently available, with more coming soon in the weeks ahead.

The monks early this year planted a large number of hibiscus cuttings and some new varieties out near Iraivan Temple area due to high demand for our Kadavul Temple pujas, and also with the vision to provide more flowers close by Iraivan for use when the temple opens. The hibiscus are finally flowering now and producing a good quantity of flowers, mostly used in the main puja of the day at 9am.

Here is Potriyan who is driving off to gather the flowers for the 9 am puja.

Looking down the garden…

Gurudeva wrote about the early stages of meditation practice:

“For instance, we take a flower and begin to think only about the flower.”

“We put it in front of us and look at it.This flower can now represent the conscious mind. Our physical eyes are also of the conscious mind. ”

“Examine the flower, become aware of the flower and cease being aware of all other things and thoughts. It is just the flower now and our awareness. ”

“The practice now is: each time we forget about the flower and become aware of something else, we use the power of our will to bring awareness right back to that little flower and think about it.”

“Each time we become aware of any other thoughts, we excuse awareness from those thoughts.”

“Gently, on the in-breath, we pull awareness back to the world of the flower.”

“This is an initial step in unraveling awareness from the bondages of the conscious mind.”

Join Bodhinatha on the next Innersearch, this time to two of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand and Australia. This photo shows the spectacular Southern Alps in the south island of New Zealand which we will be visiting on one of our day excursions.

Go here to find out more are out Himalayan Academy Travel Study Home page.

Our journey begins in Sydney, on January 8th, 2006, a cosmopolitan city bordered by the beautiful Blue Mountains to the west and the seemingly borderless Pacific Ocean to the east. It is here that we will board our floating resort for the following twelve days, Princess Cruises brand new ship, the Diamond Princess.

You can also email the Innersearch staff right away, if you want to be sure to reserve a seat. Unlike our last India Odyssey, when we took 90 souls, this trip is restricted to about 50 maximum and spaces will sell out quickly.

Gurudeva with Innersearchers from India, Malaysia, Singapore and the mainland USA onboard the MS Volendam during the 2000 Caribbean Innersearch.

Thilika Sunder from California, going deep within, during a guided meditation on the banks of river in Dominica (2000 Caribbean Innersearch).

Chella Rao, from Birmingham, England, celebrates her birthday with Gurudeva and the Innersearchers onboard the Holland America’s MS Amsterdam during the 2001 Northern Europe and Russian Innersearch.

Gurudeva conducting a class in our very own meeting space, the Hudson room, onboard the MS Amsterdam (2001 Northern Europe and Russian Innersearch). On the next Innersearch Bodhinatha will be carrying on the tradition that Gurudeva started. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend precious time with Bodhinatha as he shares with us insights into Hinduism’s uniqueness, an in-depth look at karma and suggestions for refining our conduct to intensify our spiritual progress.

Jeff Wesike, from the US, and Rohini Kumar, from Malaysia, met for the first time during the 2001 Europe Innersearch. Now friends for life. Innersearch is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends who share the same zeal for a deep inner life.

Bhavani Param and Dayavati Murugan (from US), Chella Rao (from England), Gowri Nadason (from Malaysia) and Puvaneswary Roberts (from The Netherlands) share a joyous moment
(2001 Northern Europe and Russian Innersearch).

Not an Innersearcher but a friendly mate we are bound to encounter in our day excursion in Melbourne to the great Western Plain, otherwise known as the Outback.

Iraivan photos… we will let them speak for themselves….

You can help Iraivan in a simple way in this holiday season by getting beautiful hand made greetings cards to send to all your loved ones, here. Click on the card to see the beautiful large version. These are hand made with loving care by the ladies of the Golden Gate Mission in California. All proceeds to go Iraivan.