After a very busy holiday season with a constant stream of Hindu pilgrims and tours, things are quieting down now. We are back to our weekly public tour routine and Bodhinatha is in his chair blessing and signing books for our guests.

One inspired guest decided to go "all in" and purchased Dancing, Living and Merging With Siva, The Guru Chronicles, What Is Hinduism, and a Mala!

After all the guests had come forward to have their books signed a few wanted to sit and asked Bodhinatha a few questions. Bodhinatha gave a spontaneous upadesh about the uniqueness of our Saiva tradition with a balance of temple worship and meditation. He then started giving insights into meditation on Siva as all pervasive that was golden and priceless. What a rare and magical gift to our fortunate guests and all of us sitting there.

The star of the tour was little Veda. She is six years old going on twenty five. Her maturity was only out played by her charm. She had her copies of Hindu Children's Modern Stories Volume One & Two personally signed by Bodhinatha.

There was only one little problem for Veda's mother. Veda would not leave until she had "conquered" the Iraivan Puzzle in the Mini Mela. This is a geometric match puzzle that has brought grown men to tears trying to solve it. After she solved it (and she was remarkably close), she smiled and walked elegantly out of the mini mela on her way to a very bright future

We couldn't get everyone in with our small camera but it was one of those special inner groups who took full advantage of the lingering vibration of the most remarkable Ardra Darshana Puja held three days earlier.

Every year Rishi Thondunatha goes to various Sri Lankan communities in North America and shares Gurudeva's teachings with the children and youth. Here are pictures of the programs from the summer of 2011

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BemF58spgy0&feature=youtu.be

Today was a most auspicious day. Another soul has advanced herself in the practice of Saiva Siddhanta. Puvaneswary Roberts received her Vishesha Diksha today and will take up the responsibility and practice of daily Siva puja. This is also a deepening of her commitment to the Kailasa Parampara and its mission. Here is the vow.

VISHESHA DIKSHA VOW

Prostrations to the holy feet of Lord Ganesha! Aum Sivâya! I pledge my loyalties to the Saiva Swâmî Sangam of Saiva Siddhânta Church, to the monistic Saiva Siddhânta theology of Rishi Tirumular and, most importantly, to the holy feet of my satguru in this life, Bodhinatha Veylanswami, as I enter the Srî Subramuniya Rishi Gotra. In doing so, I rededicate myself to the Sanâtana Dharma and now bind myself to the congregation of devotees of Saiva Siddhânta Church, those who uphold the Saiva Dharma--Dancing with Siva: Hinduism's Contemporary Catechism and the Creed for Saivite Hindus--and seek to remold the Saiva karma by doing penance for the entire Saivite world as it moves from an agricultural into a technological era and on into a new age of space. As I sit before Guru Mahâsannidhânam and the Saiva swâmîs and the gotra of devotees, I bow before the holy feet of Lord Natarâja, pledging my allegiance as a soldier of the within and a silent minister, emissary of duty to be well performed. I have enjoined my three bodies--soul, mental and physical--to propel new members into our fellowship and make them comfortable in our congregation. May Lord Ganesha bless me, may Lord Murugan bless me, may Lord Siva bless me. May Gurudeva bless me in this and from inner worlds as I join for all time as a Sivathondar the great congregation of Saiva Siddhânta Church and irrevocably blend my karma with its dharma. Anbe Sivamayam Satyame Parasivam."