We are happy to announce that we have caught up completely with all of Bodhinatha’s discourses and transcripts thanks to the indefatigable efforts of our transcribers. We will be posting a new link every day next phase. If you are in a “hurry” to listen to them all you can go Bodhinatha’s Inspired Talks Index and scroll down to 2007 to see all talks posted thru Sun One of this phase!

Sadhaka Jothinatha sits among a treasure of applications to Innersearch Asian Odyssey 2008 that are flooding in these days. We have received 32 already and quite a few more are on the way. We have never before had such a positive response so early on, some ten months before departure. These Innersearchers are going to be quite an enthusiastic group, and it inspires Bodhinatha and all of us. For more information go to the Innersearch web site. Or email innersearch@hindu.org

Here is an application from the Mallampalli family–all four of them!–including their two babies who will be two years old at departure time. Mothers sometimes express concern at bringing such young ones along. But we reassure them: accommodations will always be comfortable, and there will be many other Innersearchers who will delight in helping in various ways–with occasional babysitting for example. Today Bodhinatha recorded another video message about the meditation classes he will give during the journey, and how he will use the Shum language to help us navigate the inner mind. See the video below

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Punam Misal and family from Seattle. She follows the Self-Realization Fellowship (Swami Yogananda) and asked Bodhinatha why we include temple worship in our path, since Self-Realization Fellowship teaches that meditation is the highest path and temple worship is not necessary to realize God. So, Bodhinatha gave a simple answer since there wasn’t much time. He explained that while meditation is indeed the “highest” path in a sense, it is very challenging to meditate for most people, and temple worship softens us and helps get us in the right mood and frame of mind for meditation.

Here for a special tour are Anant, Punam, Abhinav, and Rahul Misal (front and left). Subha and Ram Patrachari with their daughters, Shiveta (age 12) and Sneha and Shruti both (age 11). Also present was Bob Balasingham, Bob King and Larry Robles all from Hawaii. And just back from India are Kimbereley Wyckham with her father, Barry Wyckham and Julia Hall. The Patrachari family are from Bangalore and were able to communicate with the shilpis in their native tongue, Tamil.

Everyone in front of the very beautiful Dakshinamurthy. Notice how the banyan tree opened up behind the deity. (Now thats another story)!

There is a sacred stone that will be placed on top of the lotus on top of the capstone two days before the Mahakumbha Abishekam.

The Shilpis have been busy preparing the bases for two more Bhadra pillars which will be placed inside the main temple in line with the Namaskaram pillars.

Inside the Banyam Mandapam in front of the hand-carved model of the Iraivan Temple are Swentra, Deorajie, Vijai and Anil. Another happy family who have just purchased the new book “What is Hinduism.”

This is a remarkable purple hybiscus, being grown by Hitesvara on the Big Island.

Thanks for the hard work on Gurudeva’s transcriptions Hitesvara!