Camera in hand, we walk along the many secret paths at Kauai Aadheenam to see what is new, what is in bloom, what is strange. We found a little of each as this slideshow will reveal.

This month's news video covers events from December, 2016, including: the monastery's Pancha Ganapati celebrations, along our many holidy vistors; Iraivan Temple's silver naga is getting closer to arrive on Kauai and our Moksha Ritau change that begins a season of deep meditation, intense study and philosophical discussion. High above flies the coral flag, signaling Parashiva, Absolute Reality, beyond time, form and space. Moksha Ritau is a time of appreciation, of gratitude for all that life has given, and a time of honoring elders, those in the sannyasa stage of life.

This phase we've begun Sadhu Paksha. These two weeks are a time when the monks change their usual morning routine and instead enjoy their sadhana unstructured, walking and meditating among nature. These two weeks are also a time when there are no tours and the monks can withdraw from the public a little and instead focus on the within. Following Sadhu Paksha we will observe the changing ritau and transition into the cooler, winter season. With our focus being on the beauty and silence found nature's simplicity, we present some photos from our sacred gardens today.

Our journey is coming to an end and the second to last stop brings us to Portland, Oregon, or as the locals say "Orgen." It was a short but delightful sojourn in one of America's fastest growing cities, driven in part by the IT companies who are centered there, and the migration of millennials to this food-aware haven.We are greeted lovingly at the airport and after a little rest are off to a special outing in America's second largest city park. The satsang at the Regade home was a special one, with great questions from the group, talks of SBNR, a story by Paramacharya that brought laughs and lofty thoughts to all present and quiet blessings afterwards. Follow the slideshow for the details.

After months of toiling and research, Acharya Arumuganathaswami was ready to test out his recently-crafted barrell washer. Our method of cleaning the freshly harvested fruit heretofore was entirely manual. While effective, it isn't entirely the most efficient. Automating some of that process will aid in the overall production.

Enjoy this pano shot of the gardens of Iraivan Temple. This is the view on the temple's east side where we find not only plants but the continuing of Rishi Valley's stream into the off-camera Wailua River. It isn't, however, only plants who find themselves in residence here. Many, many creatures have deemed this area a suitable home. Herons, egrets, koi, tilapia, frogs, toads, myna birds, dragon flies, chickens, doves, snails, and more all live in the area that you see here. It's their home just as much as it is ours and we're grateful for their presence as a reminder that Siva as Vishveshwara, the Lord of Everything.

This past retreat, father and son duo Nagarajan and Divyesh Pillai joined some of our monks on a noni harvest. Acharya Arumuganathaswami along with Natyams Nandinatha, Rajanatha, and Jayanatha made up a full group of six and managed to pick just over 1,800 pounds (820 kg) of the magical medicinal fruit. This fruit will eventually become noni juice and serve as the highly beneficial organic elixir sold by the monastery.

We share with our CyberCadets a collection of images taken yesterday just outside the Media Studio in which the very words you're reading were written this morning. The garden there is all arids, planted to contrast with the lush tropical foliage that is everywhere else. They're of various plants, such as orchids, agave, euphorbias and cacti, all of which grow in and around a shallow deposit of black gravel surrounded by Kauai Blue Rock. Requiring little to survive yet able to thrive, these plants hold a monasticism about themselves. Of course, not all desert plants can take the 95 inches of rain at the Aadheenam, but the ones you see here have made the necessary accommodations to enjoy the island. Enjoy this wild array of Siva's beautiful, diverse, peculiar emanation.

Over this past retreat, one of us spotted Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami toiling amongst the burgeoning fruits of our recent landscaping efforts near Iraivan Temple. This shot is taken from below the temple at its southeast corner, just out of view of nearby lychee, durian, and starfruit trees.

Aloha and namaste everyone, we hope you are all well and seeing Siva in everyone. The Siddhdata Kulam just planted some palm trees near one of their machine shops. This line of trees will better suit the new road the monks use to get inside the monastery.