Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives part six of a series of talks which give insight and elaboration into a variety of fascinating concepts revealed in the Shum language of meditation. Here, Satguru gives special attention to the 54 mambashum—important areas of the mind detailed by Shum.

Satguru’s video presentation of his latest Publishers Desk editorial from Hinduism Today Magazine’s April/May/June 2021 issue. Here Satguru discusses the mystical elements and knowledge behind Hinduism’s major form of temple worship

In August of 1999 the foundation of Iraivan temple was poured. At the time, the lead engineer exclaimed: “This hasn’t happened for 2,000 years! It’s historic. Not since the Greeks and Romans has such a massive placement of concrete been completed without a single crack. Not even a hairline fissure.” Dr. Mehta’s joy spread throughout Kauai’s Hindu Monastery and the island. The 117′ 6″ by 56′ by 4′ foundation weighs over 4 million pounds and took exactly 108 cement trucks to place. Founder and Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, who had declared it must last 1,000 years, now knew that it would.

This pioneering project was made of a special mix that reduces Portland cement about 40% and replaces it with the pozzelon coal fly ash. Dr. Mehta noted that this makes a superior concrete, stronger, more durable, harder and even cheaper. It’s adoption by nations and industries could radically reduce the greenhouse global warming problem, for which cement production worldwide is responsible for an astonishing six percent.

If you've ever been to Kadavul Temple, then you may have noticed that off to the right side of the temple there is a little bamboo gate and fence that separates the cloistered area of the monastery from the area that guests may enter. After years in the elements this fence was in need of a rebuild. This last week the monks of the Siddhidatta Kulam teamed together to create the new and improved gateway.

In other news our monks have been growing some wonderful pumpkins in the garden, and while our current patch has been slowing, more have been planted. Today Chinnu made a wonderful pumpkin dish for lunch.

As a sure sign of spring, the monastery's cockatiels have successfully raised a new baby bird for the first time. These little parrots have been overjoyed to have their new family member and just yesterday he peaked his way out of his nesting box for the first time. Aum.

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives part five of a series of talks which give insight and elaboration into a variety of fascinating concepts revealed in the Shum language of meditation. Here, Satguru gives special attention to the 54 mambashum—important areas of the mind detailed by Shum.

This morning, when Rajen Manick sent us the photos you are about to see, we could hardly believe our eyes. There was the Spiritual Park that Gurudeva founded in 1986 (Yes, 35 years ago). But it was not the land we have grown accustomed to in our mind's eye, a bustling seven acres full of hundreds and thousands of devotees plying the paths, lighting the lamps, offering their love and flowers. That space suddenly was silent, calm, somehow eternal. And so architecturally rich. The members and donors have spent the last few years building three major mandapams, all wood and thatch, spaces for classes on Saiva Siddhanta, for festivals and dance recitals and musical moments. Some of the monks (really, this happened) saw the images on our Big Screen and asked, "Where is that place?" so different it seemed than our memory. We offer you a 27-slide view of the Spiritual Park, Covid-19 style. You can explore more about its founding and mission here:

www.himalayanacademy.com/visit/missions/mauritius/ssc-mauritius

Aum Namah Sivaya.

Recently, one of our monks has been enjoying his morning walks accompanied by some iPhone-photography. He took these HDR photos which combine three images, at dark, medium and light exposures, thus giving us color and detail in the shadows, midtones and the highlights. A beautiful way to see a beautiful aadheenam! Aum.

Jai Gurudeva!

At the end of the previous lunar phase, our monks enjoyed their monthly puja and abhishekam to Gurudeva during the Chitra nakshatra. Our annual Mahasamadhi celebrations to Gurudeva take place close to when the nakshatra coincides with the new moon, making for a quiet and mystical observance. This recent puja was the astronomical opposite of that, coinciding with the full moon, making for a powerful ceremony of palpable love and blessings. Aum.