Temple Worship

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    Temples, Monasteries, Peace

    A temple helps you be a more peaceful person, live more deeply inside and into our soul nature. Harmony in the home leads to greater tolerance in the community. The ...

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    Skanda Shashti 2011 Abhishekam

    Abhishegam of Lord Murugan during Skanda Shasti celebration at Kadavul temple in 2011 ...

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    The Inner Workings of Temple Worship

    An upadesha by Bodhinatha describing Gurudeva's most important teaching: God realiation as the foremost goal of life. Deep inside we are perfect this very moment and have to live up ...

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    What You Can Do

    Upadesha by Gurudeva on What You can Do. Gurudeva encourages and urges all initiates and students to put into practice what they have been taught/they have learnt and to be ...

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    The Need for a Wise Plan (an Upadesha by Bodhinatha)

    An Upadesha given by Bodhinatha on May 12 2011 This is a continuation of Bodhinatha's talk on planning. There are three seasons in the Hindu calendar. The first season is ...

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    Bodhinatha's Upadesha on Mahasivaratri 2010

    Is Mahashivaratri the marriage of Siva and Shakti? In one of his deepest talks, Bodhinatha gives a crystal clear explanation of a highly mystical topic. ...

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    Skanda Shashthi 2009

    Skanda Shashthi festival at Kauai's Hindu Monastery held early in the morning on October 23, 2009. Veil is paraded around fire, coches are blown, chanting and more. ...

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    Gurudeva Mahasamadhi Abhishekam, 2008

    Kumar Kurukkal performs the abhishekam to the sacred Paduka of His Holiness Satguru Subramuniyaswami on the occasion of the annual observance of his Mahasamadhi at Kauai's Hindu Monastery, Kauai, Hawaii ...

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    Kadavul Temple Sivalingam Abhishekam

    An abhishekam to the crystal Siva Lingam of Kadavul Temple, Kauai, Hawaii, performed at the feet of Lord Siva Nataraja during a puja. ...

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    Spiritualizing Temple Leadership HMEC 2012

    Presentation on "Spiritualizing Temple Leadership," given to the Hindu Mandir Executives' Conference on August 18, 2012, by Hinduism Today assistant editor Sannyasin Senthilnathaswami. In this presentation, Sannyasin emphasises the importance of maintaining ...

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    How the Monks' 24-hour Vigil Affects the Gardens

    Landscape architect Martin Mosco, visiting from Boulder, Colorado, speaks about his impressions of the monks' 24-hour vigil in Kadavul Temple and its effect on the surrounding space. ...

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    Bodhinatha's June 2013 Mid-West Trip Part 2

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was invited to Minneapolis for a first visit to the Hindu Temple of Minnesota. For the occasion, the temple created a special event on June 14th and ...

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    Bodhinatha's June 2013 Mid-West Trip Part 3

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami was invited to Minneapolis for a first visit to the Hindu Temple of Minnesota. For the occasion, the temple created a special event on June 14th and ...

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    When Kids Embrace Hinduism

    Bodhinatha's presentation is based on the Apr/May/Jun 2011 Hinduism Today edition and is entitled "When Kids Embrace Hinduism". Rules restrict what we can do in life and we must aim to transform ...

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    Publisher's Desk: Three Kinds of Temples (Part 1/2)

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the Jul/Aug/Sep 2009 issue on camera. He speaks of the community temple, the home shrine and ...

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    Temple as the Source of Culture - Publisher's Desk

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Oct/Nov/Dec 2013 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. Gurudeva guided at least 37 temples across the world from 1970s as he firmly believed ...

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    What Are the Main Hindu Denominations?

    Hinduism's primary denominations are Saivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism and Smartism. Gurudeva's view of Hindu solidarity is unity in diversity while maintaining sectarian roots and heritage, respecting all Hindu paths. The beauty ...

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    What Are the Beliefs of Saivism?

    In our teachings we're both monistic and theistic. Its good to memorize the twelve beliefs of Saivism, which is our creed. In the beliefs of Saivism the idea of the ...

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    What Are the Three Worlds?

    "The temple enables us to feel the presence of God, Gods and devas." We use our inner eyes to see what's going on in the temple, the three worlds. In the temple we're being good dvaitists in the dimfi perspective, focused in ...

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    Monthly Video - May 2009

    Kauai's Hindu Monastery's monthly video for May 2009. In this edition, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his Publisher's Desk article from the July/August/September 2009 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. Bodhinatha's talk ...

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    First Havana at Iraivan Temple (HD)

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami presides over the first havana (fire ceremony) to be conducted at the San Marga Iraivan Temple at Kauai's Hindu Monastery, October 25, 2008, during the seventh annual ...

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    We Are Whom We Meet - Publisher's Desk

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the October/November/December 2010 edition of HInduism Today magazine. "The company we keep affects our attitudes, speech and actions as profoundly as the foods we eat." Bodhinatha explains how we can strive to keep good companionship and not be influenced ...

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    Introduction to Hinduism (Part 5/5)

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today magazine, reads his Publisher's Desk article from the April/May/June 2009 issue. Part 5 is entitled Hinduism in Practice. Bodhinatha outlines the three main ...

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    Practice Makes Perfect

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives a presentation on a topic entitled "Practice Makes Perfect" which featured in the Jan/Feb/Mar 2011 Hinduism Today. In this Presentation Bodhinatha explains that deep inside we are perfect ...

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    God of Fear/God of Love - Publisher's Desk

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Jul/Aug/Sep 2013 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. "Love is the basis of worship in all Hindu denominations, expressed through bhakti yoga toward one's chosen Deity." Bodhinatha clarifies that Hinduism is a joyous religion characterised by an outpouring of love ...

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    The Aim of Hindu Practices - Publisher's Desk

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the January/February/March 2015 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. Dharma, seva, puja and raja yoga lead to purification of the mind, which is the ...

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    Path to Higher Consciousness - Publisher's Desk

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads his editorial from the Oct/Nov/Dec 2014 edition of Hinduism Today magazine. In this edition Bodhinatha outlines how virtuous living which consists of performance of dharma, selfless ...

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    Our Three Kinds of Temples

    The community temple, the home shrine and the sanctuary inside you are readily available to stabilize and uplift your daily life. If an individual finds fulfilment in the community temple, ...

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    The Journey To Liberation

    Bodhinatha's presentation is based on the Oct/Nov/Dec 2015 Hinduism Today edition and is entitled "The Journey to Liberation". Bodhinatha highlights the mystical view that each time a soul takes birth into a ...

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    Cultivating Bhakti, or Devotion

    The beginning of Bhakti is our understanding of the temple and Deities and the three worlds. The goal is to become good friends with the Gods. You open up to ...

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    Cultivating Bhakti, or Devotion

    The beginning of Bhakti is our understanding of the temple and Deities and the three worlds. The goal is to become good friends with the Gods. You open up to ...

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    Pujas to Gurudeva

    Tomorrow is our monthly pada puja for Gurudeva on Chitra nakshatra. So, we're thinking about Gurudeva and the future. Gurudeva has been appearing in the monks dreams and talking about ...

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    Need for Religion Part 2

    Gurudeva said there is a need for religion. Gurudeva at first just taught meditation, but then later he started teaching devotion and had everyone building temples. Gurudeva realized his devotees ...

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    Dealing with Discouragement

    How do we deal with discouragement? Gurudeva gave us a tool, the vasana daha tantra, to deal with events that hit us emotionally. The subconscious mind dutifully throws up memories ...

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    Temple Messages

    I receive requests to send letters blessing various activities at Hindu temples around the world, just as Gurudeva did. The New Zealand Tiru Murugan Temple is having its kumbhabhishekam after ...

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    Kauai Aadheenam's Vibration

    We have had some recent visitors to the monastery who have been praising us for the experience they have when they come here. Gurudeva's wonderful technique of passing on the ...

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    Approaching God

    Excerpts from Stephen P. Huylers Classic Work: Meeting God, Elements of Hindu Devotion ...

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    Temple Worship (English)

    Explains the meaning and the methods of Hindu temple worship of God and the Gods. ...

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    Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Bhakti Yoga

    Bodhinatha presents an overview of the Hindu Temple of Atlanta and the Hindu Temple of Orlando where he will soon visit. He illustrates that in the practice of Hinduism a ...

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    Peace and Contentment, Talk for Hindu Temple of Atlanta

    Bodhinatha's message to devotees at the Hindu Temples of Atlanta puts forth the role of the temple and the home in bringing peace and harmony to the world and the ...

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    Lord Ganesha

    Bodhinatha shares part of the Educational Insight section of "Hinduism Today" featuring Lord Ganesha. He lists eleven ways in which Lord Ganesha can benefit each of us in our everyday lives. ...

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    Origin of Karma Management

    Bodhinatha tells the story of the origin of the Karma Management seminar idea. Additionally he talks about enlightenment and dispels the common misconception that it happens instantaneously. He elaborates on ...

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    Talk for Mauritius on God Siva p2

    Bodhinatha continues with highlights from a talk he is preparing for Mauritius on God Siva, talking about the nature of God Siva. He is the supreme parent, and each of ...

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    Bringing a Gift for the Temple

    Continuing with highlights from his talk on God Siva, Bodhinatha talks about Gurudeva's admonition that devotees should never come to the temple empty-handed, even if the only offering they have ...

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    Inspired Temple Building

    Bodhinatha describes the forthcoming book "What is Hinduism?" Bodhinatha then reviews his recent travels and provides history for some North American temples the building of which was encouraged and inspired by Gurudeva ...

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    How Temple Worship Can Help Our Life

    How can we improve our behavior? Making good use of the Hindu temple is one of these ways. Bodhinatha also discusses how the worship of Ganesha can help us to ...

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    Making the Temple Worthwhile for Children

    A hundred years ago the temple was the fascinating activity around, with festivals, dances, music, stories. Nowadays, there is a lot more going on and the temple faces a lot ...

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    Mahasivaratri, 2003, Part 1, Meditation

    Mahasivaratri, Part 1 of 3Meditation and Mahasivaratri. Bodhinatha remarks how special Gurudeva's talk was which we played tonight, then goes on to give a wonderful upadesha about how the inner ...

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    Mahasivaratri, 2003, Part 3

    Mahasivaratri, Part 3 of 3, Being Still. Bodhinatha elucidates some wonderful quotes from Yogaswami on the theme of "summa iru," which means "be still" in Tamil, one of Yogaswami's mahavakyas, or great ...

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    Toronto Trip Summary

    Bodhinatha had a wonderful trip to Toronto. Everyone was very devotional, especially at the pada pujas. One letter from a president of one of the societies spoke on Bodhinatha, Gurudeva ...

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    Niyama 3 - Dana, Giving

    After a short introduction on the progress of our children's course, of efforts to get Gurudeva's teachings to a broader region through classes and camps in various countries, Bodhinatha speaks ...

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    Improving Our Behavior with the Help of the Guru Part 4

    Part 4 of 7 - Continuing Bodhinatha's first Guru Purnima class on the role of the guru and his task of helping us improve our behavior, we look at rung ...

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    Becoming a More Spiritual Person Part 3

    Part 3 of 3 - Bodhinatha continues his second class during Guru Purnima, talking more about not making the same mistake twice. Using the yamas and niyamas as a reference ...

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    Niyama 7 - Mati, Cognition

    Bodhinatha speaks about the niyama mati, cognition. He urges seekers to develop a spiritual will and intellect with their guru's guidance. Part of mati involves cultivating and awakening our intuition, ...

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    Niyama 9 - Japa, Recitation

    Bodhinatha speaks on the niyama of japa, the many dimensions of the sacred science of chanting a mantra, a holy syllable, word or sentence again and again. Often japa is ...

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    Overview of Upcoming Ganesha Chaturthi Trip

    Bodhinatha offers everyone in the temple an overview of his coming trip to California, Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore. Click below to listen. Real Audio --- | --- MP3 (Quicktime or ...

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    Progressive Stages of Practice

    The progressive practice of karma, bhakti and raja yogas. Suffering is caused by our own improper, unwise action, bending the rules of dharma. True wisdom, in our tradition, comes from ...

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    Bhakti, Devotion, the Key to Meditation

    It's easier to meditate after puja. If you try and practice meditation without devotional practice you can build up the ego and spiritual pride. External and internal worship. Give up ...

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    Chakras In Relation to the Gods

    An important feature of Saiva Siddhanta is the mixing of Monism and Theism. Worshiping in the temple and meditating are inter-related quite dynamically. In our tradition the kundalini force requires ...

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    Visiting the Temple Purifies the Mind, Grants Humility

    Religion needs to be of the present. Mankind is evolving spiritually; mass consciousness is rising. When we go to the temple, in the right spirit, contributing devotion and prana, being ...

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    God Within and Without

    The highest philosophy: Everything is One. To have a well rounded Hindu philosophy both perspectives are important: To worship God in the temple; to claim our identity with God in ...

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    Monism and Theism Both Are Needed

    Our tradition combines the two perspectives of monism and theism, dimfi and shumif, into one tradition. It is important to get acquainted with the reality of the personal form of ...

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    Eight Features of the Natha Sampradaya

    We have to discover that part of us that is the Self. One of the important benefits of temple worship is it softens the ego. Recognize and love a Being ...

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    Eight Features of Natha Sampradaya (Version 2)

    Don't put the search for the innermost divine Self in the future tense. You are Brahman. We're already identical with Siva. Kundalini is a slow awakening. Shum meditation gives you ...

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    Face and Accept Karma; Three Ways to Mitigate Karma

    Human nature is very strange in that we tend to blame others when things go poorly. Avoid that. Accept whatever happens as our own creation. Karma can be mitigated or ...

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    Bodhinatha Speaks at Goodlands Temple - the importance of temple worship

    A talk given by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami at the Goodlands Temple during the 2014 Mauritius Innersearch. He discusses the importance of temple worship and the power of the home shirne. ...

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    What Is the Purpose of the Temple?

    "As you approach God's home, you can feel the spiritual energy, and as you go inside you are engulfed in peace." Trust in and open up to the deity. God is a very subtle presence. The temple and the murti within it are set up so that anyone can feel ...

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    How Do We Visit the Temple?

    Be close to God by going to the temple. By shifting our minds to our religion the flow of positive karma is intensified. Being open and receptive receive the blessings ...

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    Color's Magic: Color-Flooding Your Aura

    Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami reads this chapter from his book Merging with Siva ...

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    No Divisions in Life, Live Spiritually Every Day, Hour, Minute

    Following a path of religion that involves theism or worship, not relying too much on philosophy alone, we can avoid the abysses of intellectual arrogance and doubt. Religious practice should ...

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    To Benefit from Darshan, Open Your Eyes, Look at the Deity

    Because you're sitting in the temple doesn't mean you actually receive the blessings of the Deity. Be not just physically present but mentally present as well. The idea of darshan: ...

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    Jnana Many Lives Humility

    The practice of yoga, well performed, produces the jnani. Believe in future lives but just be sure to achieve in this life. We carry forward, like a prolonged nalif, our ...

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    Worship Supports but Differs from Meditation

    The theological blending of the two perspectives, theism and monism. Dimfi: Worship of the deity in the temple, wakening a deeper perspective and enlivening the kundalini, interrelates with but is ...

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    What Is Our Form of Prayer?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 63 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu prayer. ...

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    How Do We Strengthen Our Temple?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 62 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing our ability to strengthen our Hindu temples by how we approach them ...

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    How Do We Strengthen Our Temple?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 62 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing our ability to strengthen our Hindu temples by how we approach them ...

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    How Can We Strengthen Our Temple?

    "Blessed with the knowledge that the temple is the home of God and the Gods, we visit often for they are our dear friends." Bhakti yoga is an important part of our practice. The more we visit the temple the more sensitive we become to the experience of the spiritual energy, the darshan, ...

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    What Is Our Form of Prayer?

    To offer your prayer concentrate, visualize the face of God. Slowly and clearly send your prayer up through the top of your head reaching beyond to the feet of God. ...

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    Tradition, Adaption for Modern Life, Karma Yoga

    God comes when you chant in Sanskrit, the language of invocation; English wouldn't work. Hinduism needs to change tradition to keep up with the times. Do karma yoga to help ...

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    Bhakti, Giving Prana to the Deity

    During puja the pujari, the devotion and worship of the devotees and the auspiciousness of the day combine to help the Deity manifest and bless everyone. The prana we give ...

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    Three Worlds - This is Religion

    Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami explains how Saivism brings the beings of the Three Worlds together. He explains how they work together throug the temple, and the esoteric workings of darshan. Great ...

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    The Making of a Master

    Master Course Recording. Chapter 2, Gurudeva describes his catalysts and the systematic process of unfoldment. Yogaswami. Initiation. Study Guide: Cultivate the great art of doing nothing. Before listening to Master, ...

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    How Do We Observe Pilgrimage?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 65 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu Pilgrimage ...

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    2019 Thai Pusam Abhishekam

    Kauai Aadheenam's 2019 Thai Pusam abhishekam held in Kadavul Temple. ...

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    How Do We Celebrate Festivals?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 64 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing Hindu festivals. ...

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    The Nature and Worship of Lord Murugan

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami presents a Keynote Video about the worship of Lord Murugan. ...

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    How Can We Be Strong Saivite Hindus?

    Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami reads from Lesson 67 of the Himalayan Academy publication Path To Siva, discussing how to be a strong Saivite Hindu ...

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    2019 Innersearch Sri Lanka

    A compilation video of our Innersearch 2019 Sri Lanka travel-study program. Fifty participants traveled with Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and four of his monks to Negombo, Jaffna and Trincomalee. They had ...

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    Religion, the Working Together of the Three Worlds

    Saivite religion, the working together of the three worlds. What are the Deities. How to we approaching the temple. Puja, establishing a shrine.The power of darshan from the deities. The ...

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    Psychic Intrusion, Looking after Parents

    A cyberspace devotee asks how he can remove a deep seeded psychic intrusion in his subconscious mind. Gurudeva explains that in Merging with Siva the Vasana Daha Tantra is explained ...

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    Talking about Religion

    Gurudeva asks "What if there were no priests in your temple?" Gurudeva tells us to keep the priests happy and the vibrations in the temple will come up. Sanskrit awakens religion within us. Supreme Energy comes through the ...

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    Sanskrit for Invocation of the Gods

    Gurudeva tells us the importance of Sanskrit in the temple. The Priest is talking to and invoking God and Gods. Destruction of religion and darshan, attraction of asuras, takes place ...

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    Return of a Spiritual Generation

    Darshan & Invocation Part 3. Samskaras impress the subconscious minds of children. Abused children can be brought back to the temple to become the core of the community, to be ...

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    Treatment of Priests, Part 1 (with Tamil)

    Today Gurudeva explains how to keep a Hindu temple running smoothly by making sure that the priests are the Servants of the Gods and never ever the servants of the ...

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    Treatment of Priests, Part 2 (with Tamil)

    Gurudeva continues to stress the importance of Hindu Priests: Servants of the Gods. He points out the disparity in how Hindu priests are regarded by the Indian community as compared ...

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    Temple Protocol, Dream about Gurudeva

    A cyber devotee asks about the standing arrangements of men and women in the temple. When facing the deity which side should the men stand on the left or right? ...

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    Joining Gurudeva's Mission, Approaching Hindu Gods

    A cyberspace cadet in Dubai wonders if she can join Gurudeva's mission. Gurudeva explains that his mission is a mission of giving and that she already is a part of ...

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    Culture Crisis?

    An e-devotee in Ashburn, Virginia, USA, asks if Hindu culture will survive. Gurudeva is inspired to give a more lengthy answer, and he stresses how Hindu culture comes out of ...

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    Anger and Worship

    In response to a question about the Agnihotra, Hindu fire ceremony, Gurudeva discusses the principle of not performing serious ritualistic worship after one has become angry. A 31-day cooling-off period ...

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    Temples in India, Anger in Worship

    An e-devotee in Texas asks Gurudeva about the temples in South India that have been taken over by the government. The question triggers a forceful talk from Gurudeva on the ...

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    Temple Prasadam / The Inner Body of the Soul

    A cyberspace devotee wants to know more about temple and prasadam and if one can eat it. Gurudeva says the prasadam is blessed by the Gods and contains the vibration ...

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    Meaning of Temple Sacraments

    An e-devotee from New York asks about the significance of the sacred substances found in the temple and on the foreheads of Hindus. Gurudeva gives and inspiring answer, saying that ...

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    The Many Benefits of Temple Worship

    The most important teaching of Gurudeva: "Siva's followers strive for God Realization as the first and foremost goal of life." Gurudeva's mystic and psychic abilities. Gurudeva is the only teacher in modern time to stress temple worship. How the temple works and the ...

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    Importance of the Saiva Agamas

    This talk was prepared by Bodhinatha as an address to the conference of Adi Saiva priests in Bangalore, July, 2012, wherein the various Sivachachariya priests and heads of Saiva padasalas ...

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    Theism and Monism in Saiva Siddhanta

    In Gurudeva's teachings both approaches, monism and theism, are found in one tradition: monistic Saiva Siddhanta. Keep them aligned properly. Theism in the temple: the concept of the three worlds. ...

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    How God and Gods Come Into the Murti During Puja; Jivana Ritau

    Three varied Hindu views regarding the Gods and temple images. Gurudeva's perception: During the high point of puja the Deity manifests through the murti for a short or protracted time ...

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    No Guilt, Do Penance, Live Joyously

    Think of heaven and hell as being states of mind, available in the present moment. Live in a heavenly or peaceful, blissful state of mind. The state of mind we're ...

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    Bhakti, the Foundation, Leads to Humility

    Attainment beyond anava marga. Acknowledging and coming closer to the Deities. True humility and devotion result from sincere temple worship. Charya involves shutting out anger with love. Dancing with Siva ...

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    Mystic Power of Darshan, Vision of Oneness

    This is Advaita Ishvaravada: When you really take darshan to its depth, you are looking at the Deity or the guru, the Deity or the guru is looking at you, ...

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    The Amazing Visions of Iraivan Temple

    Satguru Bodhinatha imparts Gurudeva's vision of God Siva that led to the concept of Iraivan Temple, the San Marga, straight or pure path to God, the Swayambhu Lingam, and the ...