1999 is the 50th anniversary of bringing the best of the East to the West, in culture, art, song and dance. Gurudeva tells us what we can do to make a difference in our community through appreciation and giving, and how to stay happy. The theme song is continued and Gurudeva weaves his wisdom into the words.

Unedited Transcript:

Today at Kauai Aadheenam, September 23. It is a beautiful, sunny day. Yesterday, we had a havan, a beautiful homa in the Kadavul Hindu Temple. All the devotees, who live on the island, were all there. The youngest was about 6 years old. We invoked Lord Hanuman, to carry Iraivan Temple to the Garden Island of Kauai. Only He is the strongest God, closest to the physical plane who can do this momentous task.

We had some beautiful visitors, too. Mr. and Mrs. Krishnaswami and family. Sixteen years, they have been lifetime subscribers to 'Hinduism Today'. They read every word, have great compliments. "I mean, this is better than 'The National Geographic'." I thought that was really wonderful. "There is nothing like it," they said, full of praise.

Well, we have to take praise and blame, equally. One follows the other, the next one follows the other and that is the life in this bhuloka. 'Bhu' is kind-of scary. But, it is a word, bhuloka. Why do they call it that?

Everyday, including today, I talked from 12:00 to 12:30 to the 'young men' here at Kauai Aadheenam. 'Young men' means they are 17, 18, 19 years of age and they are here for 6 months. During those 6 months, they learn Saiva Atmartha Puja, about the Vedas, the Yajurveda and the other 3, Rig and all. They get a good foundation for their future, which would be one of two ways. These are young men, who are born in Saiva Siddhanta Church. I held them in my arms when they were babies and now, they are much too big for that. They will make up their minds, months after they leave after 6 months of being here, as to which of the two paths they will follow. Either that of the householder or that of the sannyasi. Most choose the householder path and we arrange a nice marriage for them, with girls who are also born within Saiva Siddhanta Church. How does this happen?

In 1999, we celebrate for an entire year, our 50th Anniversary. 50 years of bringing the best of the East to the West. Of course, the best of that is culture, art, music, song and dance.

I hope you enjoyed my little song. I am not really very good at singing. But, I have been practicing 'I will be seeing you'. It is a theme song now. But, before we do the theme song, let us talk about something that you can do to make a difference in your community.

You can smile. That is one thing you can do. Keep a smile on your face. You can show appreciation and say, 'Thank you". For every little thing that comes your way, show appreciation. That makes the other person feel good. Now, philosophically you know that everything that comes your way, good and bad, is because you put that into motion in a past life. There is one language in India, where they have no word for 'Thank you". Everybody assumes that they are getting back what they, at one time or another, gave out. But, this is today. This is 'Hinduism Today'. We have to show appreciation. We have to be grateful to make the pranas flow properly. We have to do that. That is how you can make a difference. Smile and whenever possible, say "Thank you."

Another way you can make a difference is to give. Give little things. Just give. Be helpful. Never leave a room unless you improve that room. That is an unseen gift that will be appreciated by others, who enter the room at some future time. There are many little things that you can give, physical things, I mean, and little things you can do that don't cost anything. Just a little bit of extra energy, that is all it costs. That extra energy that you put out feeds back to you, keeps you happy. That 'Thank you' feeds back to you and keeps you happy. That smile feeds back to you and keeps you happy. There are a lot of lonely people in the world today. You can make them happy, giving, giving appreciation, smiling and having a positive affirmation in your mind that you are alright, right now.

I am seeing you

in all our old familiar places

that this heart of ours embraces

all day through

in Chennai

in our cyberspace cafe

in our hi-tech way

our internet highways

under the banyan tree

I see your reflection

on the waters in the well

and if you get too far away

out there is another guru

Vishwaguru Maharaj

that will keep you

so entertained, so educated

that you will want

to rush back home

to Gurudeva

He is the world, the world is the Guru. He teaches learning through experiences of making mistakes and correcting yourself.

We follow dharma. The corrections in our great scriptures are always made clear to us, of how to live. So, we have learned from other people's mistakes, what not to do. They have made it very clear in the 'Thirukural' and the Vedas, how we must live, have a happy life and a good birth next time around.

So, I'm looking for you

I will find you in the morning sun

and when Siva's moon is new

I am looking into cyberspace

right now

and I am seeing you

in this darshan

Our darshan session is wonderful. We'll see you tomorrow. A big hug and a lot of love.