Promote Indian Culture

[Guest]

Propagating Prakrit studies and research

[Sunder]

Don't know where else to post this..

(Sri Chinmoy) 73-year-old lifts elephants, airplanes and a yacht

NEW YORK - The secret is in the heart, not the body, says Sri Chinmoy, the 73-year-old native of India.

Chinmoy has spent three days demonstrating his fitness by lifting three planes, a helicopter, three elephants and a group of Olympic gold medal winners at locations in and outside of New York City, media reports said.

With barely a grunt, Chinmoy raised platforms off the ground for several seconds bearing weights up to 2,417 kilograms at a time - including one lift of a twin-engine Cessna plane with seven passengers aboard in Wall, New Jersey.

The 1.7-metre, 84-kilogramme man told the Asbury Park Press in New Jersey that it’s a matter of mind over matter.

“The body has limits, but you can use the mind to control the body,” Chinmoy said. “The heart doesn’t believe in any obstructions or impediments.”

[acharya]

Must-see tourist spots close to a temple town

By Ganesh Prabhu



UDUPI, NOV. 14. The Malpe beach and St. Mary's Island, near the temple town of Udupi, have a special place in tourists' itinerary.

Following efforts by the Malpe Development Committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, that takes up the development of the beach and the island, the two tourist spots are seeing rapid changes for the better.

Jetty


A small jetty was built in October 2003 at the Malpe port.

Tourists can enjoy a boat ride to the island from the small jetty.

Even the Malpe fisheries harbour at the port will be of interest to the tourists.

The fishing boats in various sizes with colourful flags fluttering atop them make for a pleasant scene .

Legend


The beach finds a place in legend. The belief is that a ship carrying "goopichandan'' from Dwaraka to Udupi was caught in a storm off Malpe.

Madhwacharya, exponent of the Dwaita philosophy, was meditating on the shore at that time.

On hearing the cries of the sailors, he waved a cloth at the ship.

The storm subsided and the ship reached the shore safely.

The captain of the ship urged the saint to accept any valuable item in the vessel as gift. The saint took only the "goopichandan'' in which the idol of Krishna was buried.

He installed the idol at Udupi.

In keeping with the legend, the committee has proposed to install a 50-foot idol of Krishna on the Bhadargad Island. Geological monument


St. Mary's Island is 8 km north of Malpe.

The island was formed out of the lava that erupted from the sea millions of years ago. It is thus famous for its basalt rock formation. The Geological Survey of India declared it a national geological monument on November 16, 1979.

<b>The Portuguese traveller Vasco-da-Gama landed on the island in 1498 and called it El Pardon de Santa Maria. </b>The island, with coconut leaves swaying to the gentle and sometimes rough wind from the sea, is known for its picturesque beauty.

C. Nagaraj, Assistant Director of Tourism, told The Hindu that a double road would be built from Vadabhandeshwara Temple to the beach at a cost of Rs. 64 lakhs with financial assistance from the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation.

A jetty is expected to come up at the St. Mary's Island.

Two boats are ferrying tourists between the island and Malpe. Another boat would be commissioned soon.

A fish canteen has been built near the Malpe jetty to provide local seafood to the tourists. Fresh fish caught at the port are used in the delicacies.

Tourists can visit the island from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Rs. 60 a head.

However, the lighting works at the beach promoted by the Union Tourism Ministry has run into trouble as the lights and the dancing fountains are in disrepair.

[Guest]

Dear Sir,

As our esteemed reader, you are aware of the special orientation of our publications, which present an updated perspective of the unmatched science and philosophy India has inherited from the ancient seers of Truth. It is a highly scientific vision of the human possibilities and freedom, which the advancing knowledge of modern sciences has gradually and inevitably beginning to recognize. Because of the wide ranging freedom of inquiry and the knowledge is generally presented in highly symbolic forms, it is often grossly misrepresented by materialists and conversion-oriented religionists. This poses today a challenge to a wisdom that has survived millennia and can lead humanity to higher vistas of evolution and freedom. To effectively counter this, the wisdom has to be reassessed and presented in a most modern form appreciable to the masses brought up in the present-day intellectual background.

Our efforts in this direction are being heartily welcomed by the different strata of people, which include rationalists, skeptics and non-Hindus. This educative way will be an effective means to promote deeper awareness of a great heritage, which is facing a serious challenge today. We request you to help reinforce this research-oriented mission by bringing our publications to the attention of as many friends as possible, inspiring them to order and advising them to visit our website: http://www.integralbooks.com.

Regards,
Publisher
Integral Books E-mail: sri@integralbooks.com

[Guest]

Channel on Indian and Jewish spirituality launched

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->World News > Jerusalem, Dec 10 : The HOT Cable network in Israel has launched the 'HOT Karma' channel to cash in on the growing popularity of Indian and Jewish spiritual elements, close on the heels of a successful launch of the HOT Bollywood channel.

The HOT Karma channel is to prominently feature programmes on Indian and Jewish mysticism - Kabbalah, yoga, astrology, numerology, meditation, proper nutrition etc.

With young Israelis increasingly attracted towards Indian culture in general, several centres have sprung around the country offering courses on all these diverse aspects of Indian tradition.

The Hot Bombay channel launched on an experimental basis for two months has been very well received in the country and rival YES cable network also started its YES India channel on parallel lines.

A lot of youngsters expressed enthusiasm over 'Amitabh Bachchan special' to be shown next week on the exclusive bollywood channel.

Some 30,000 Israelis travel to India every year, mostly youngsters immediately after completing their compulsory army service. PTI<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

Desi words enter crime lexicon

'Soft power' i suppose.. <!--emo&:blink:--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' /><!--endemo-->

[Guest]

Sam of Ahmedabad: An Epitome of Majestic India

Ahmedabad travelogue on Islamonline.org

[Guest]

8 Eastern Europe States Start Effort to Aid Gypsies

Methinks, India should open a few institutes for Roma studies..

[Guest]

Did you guys know the first Indians who migrated to work, left in the late 19th century? So how do you guys feel about Indians who left India for about 100 years ago? Do they still have the right to call themselves Indians? Here's a article about them.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Diaspora can play a big role in nation building: PM

THE HAGUE: India sees an increasing role for its worldwide diaspora while seeking to build a modern nation and economy that grows at 7-8 per cent a year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here.


"Ïn building our dream I see an increasing role for the world community, particularly overseas Indian community," the prime minister said in an address to representatives of the 220,000-strong Indian community in the Netherlands at a reception hosted by Indian Ambassador Shyamala on Cowsik Sunday night.

"India is open to overseas Indians. Nothing is dearer to us than the overseas Indian community. Take a hard look at India and you will find a lot of opportunities," he added.

Singh is here to attend the India-European Union summit.

The Indian community in the Netherlands account for 1.35 percent of the country's 16.5 million population. <b>A majority of them (200,000) are those who originally migrated from India to Suriname as indentured labour in the late 19th century and later moved to this country.</b> The remaining roughly 20,000 are mostly professionals who migrated in the last 40-50 years.


They are now Dutch citizens and are fully integrated into Dutch society. They are active in all sectors of the local society and economy, particularly in retail trading and middle-level jobs in major cities.


A prominent member of the community, Nirmala Rambocus, is a member of parliament and some others are members of municipal councils.

<b>The Surinamese Indians here are deeply religious, tradition-bound and proud of their Indian heritage. A vast majority of them speak Sarnami Hindi, a mixture of Bhojpuri and Awadhi with a smattering of Dutch and English. </b>

Like with the Indian diaspora elsewhere, Hindi films are popular here too. There are a Surinamese Hindustani TV (Ohm TV) and radio channels, weeklies, newsletters and music bands to keep the cultural and linguistic links with the country of their ancestors. The Surinamese Hindustani organization actively propagates teaching of Hindi.

Manmohan Singh lauded the Surinamese Indians for their enterprise and said their story was one of "unique courage", having migrated from India under "hard conditions."

"They turned that adversity into opportunity," he said and added like them India too was on the move and is today one of the fastest growing economies in the world. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A Link Between Hindu Gods and Japan
Source: Japan Times Newspaper

TOKYO, JAPAN, April 10, 2002: An exhibition called "Gods Derived From India to Japan" is showing at the Okura Shukokan Museum of Fine Arts until May 26. The story behind the showing is a fascinating one. It all started 51 years ago when Toshio Yamanouchi's job took him to India as general manager for an iron importer company. His passion for religious art took him all across the country and in twenty-five years he built up his collection. In northern Uttar Pradesh, he discovered a miniature painting of "Govardhana Krishna."

In Madhya Pradesh, he purchased a 18th century three-headed Ganesha made of ivory. A sandalwood Saraswati was found in the NW state of Rajasthan. Yamanouchi's entire collection, which he has donated to the Okura Shukokan Museum of Fine Arts, consists of 350 statues, sculptures, reliefs and paintings. Seventy of these pieces are part of the present exhibition. Indian law would now prohibit the export of any historical object more than 100 years old. This law was passed in the early 70's. However, by this time, the collection had already been brought back to Japan. Diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 73, Yamanouchi chose to utilize what he thought might be his final years to write three books about how India and Japan are bound by their roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. The article says, "Yamanouchi identifies Benzaiten, the Japanese goddess of good fortune, with Saraswati; Seiten of the Jogan Period with Ganesha; and Enma, the Japanese lord of hell, with his Indian counterpart Yama." Interestingly, Yamanouchi was fascinated with the Hindu gods that he saw during weekly visits to Buddhist temples when he was a young boy. He recalls, "My parents were very religious. I saw many Buddhas at the temples, but I also noticed many Indian Gods protecting the central Buddha figure." <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Mumbai, February 18: Kshitij Garg (9) is a lanky boy, quiet and soft-
spoken. His favourite hero is a complete contrast to this.

``I like Hanuman because of his extraordinary strength. One day, I would also like to be as huge and powerful as him,'' he says. Typically, his favourite part of the classic Hindu epic Ramayana is when Hanuman reduces Lanka to cinders.

But in the age of playstations and raunchy music videos, how does he know so much about the epic? Well, Garg scored the highest (98 per cent) in the Ramayana Yojana exams conducted in 227 schools across Mumbai and Thane on January 28. The results were declared on Wednesday.

<b>The Ramayana Yojana—an initiative of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)— offers the study of the Ramayana as a comprehensive alternative to Value Education.</b>

``Our students really enjoy the course,'' says Garg's headmistress Priyanka Rajani, principal of the Hindi-medium Vidyanidhi High School, Vile Parle (West).

``And our teachers conduct sessions in a number of fun methods. Sometimes, we use skits, sometimes poster competitions. It's so much fun for the teachers too.'' Vidyanidhi also received the annual award for best overall response to the programme.

In its second year, the Rama Yojana initiative recorded a massive increase in participation, with <b>37,059 students taking the objective examination on January 28. That's an increase of 100 schools over the first year's total of 127.</b>

``We were concerned about the dying sense of culture in our children,'' says VHP Secretary Mohan Salekar.

``So we decided to do something about it. We now offer subsidised study material to interested schools and guidance to teachers. We have also requested schools not to project Rama as a deity but rather as a national hero, like Lincoln is regarded in America.''

The secular approach has won universal appeal, with nine civic schools, two convents and a whopping 216 private schools taking up the offer in four languages—English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati—for students of Stds V, VI andVII.

Every year, silver medals are handed out to the top performers. A total of 408 such medals were handed out this year.

There is also an annual award for best teacher, conferred this year on Meenu Madan of Ram Ratna Vidya Mandir, Bhayandar (West).

Madan is glad the children are taking to the programme. ``This generation has lost sight of its culture and even of basic values like humanity,'' she says.

``We, their guardians, have been lax and the consequences have been tragic. It's a good thing we have now woken up.''

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory...sid=118289
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Sunder]

Satcakra-Narupana By PURNANANDA SWAMI
Translated by ARTHUR AVALON

BOOKSTORES ARE FILLED today with paperbacks that describe the chakras, the energy centers through which Tantric yogis guide the Kundalini to attain realization.

The book you are about to read is one of the earliest in that genre. It was written more than five hundred years ago in Sanskrit by a Bengali yogi named Purnananda. We know this book was highly esteemed through the centuries because it was the subject of numerous commentaries.

In the early 1900s, a manuscript of this text was obtained by Arthur Avalon (Sir John Woodroffe). He translated it into English and included it as part of his famous book The Serpent Power which was first published in 1919.

Avalon's translation is reproduced here exactly as it appeared in The Serpent Power. However, we have omitted or changed some of his footnotes and added a few of our own.

We have retained Avalon's spelling cakra even though chakra is more usual today.

The copyright on this translation has expired.

[narayanan]

Came in the email.


<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Vivekananda Centre London as the educational arm of Hindu Council UK celebrated an award ceremony for students together with its launch of a textbook on Hinduism.




The event took place at Brent Town Hall on the evening of 25th February. The chief guests at the event were: Ian Rowberry the head of Religious Education at Edexcel Board and Keith Faulkner the managing director of Working Links and Chair of Skills Council at London Chamber of Commerce.


....

The event combined two aspects

   1.
      Issuing certificates to the successful candidates who sat for and obtained high grades in GCSE and Advanced level examinations in Hinduism. A whole string of candidates obtained a perfect 100 percent marks in Hinduism Modules at Advanced Subsidiary Level as well as at Advanced level. This is unheard of!Gaining 100 percent marks in essay type examinations is a very high achievement indeed.

    2. Vivekananda Centre in association with Hindu Council UK have begun the process of launching its own resources in Hinduism. The event launched its textbook              called Hinduism for Schools. This textbook will alter the way Hinduism is taught and viewed in the West. The next series of textbooks yet to be launched                     are Advanced Hinduism and Primary Hinduism for under 11s.
The event was very successful and generated a lot of praise from all academics and parents who had packed the venue to capacity.
Though this book is primarily written for use by schools teaching Hinduism, it can also be used by lay readers looking for a structured understanding of this subject. Each chapter is divided into the 'main text', 'breadth of vision' and a 'memory guide'. The 'breadth of vision' incorporates material that offers deeper insights into Hinduism.
The two most serious challenges faced by world religions today are:
First, in a world that has become a global village, to find a way that religious communities can coexist peacefully and with full dignity. Secondly, to make religions relevant in a modern, diverse society. Hinduism has important contributions to offer in both these areas. In response to the first of these challenges, this book develops the theme of 'religious pluralism' in detail.
The second challenge faced by the world religions is the struggle, taking place at a deeper level. It is the struggle between religious and non-religious worldviews. What "9/11" revealed is not a conflict between two world religions but a conflict between religious and non-religious worldviews in the guise of a 'hard-line' religion fighting a 'materialistic world'. The way to resolve this challenge is to subject all religious teachings to the acid test of rationality. Why religions are not expected to abide by the standard of reason, no one knows.
The new discoveries at the cutting edge of modern science are very exciting and are beginning to reveal a spiritual dimension to hard sciences. Some of these discoveries are like the distant echoes of the Hindu philosophy. Werner Heisenberg, the founding father of modern physics, has commented that: One cannot always distinguish between the statements made by Eastern metaphysics and the pronouncements of modern physics. This book (and the next one in the series Advanced Hinduism) explores these links.
The source of our authority and inspiration for presenting Hinduism comes from Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902). The late Professor Ninian Smart paid tribute to Vivekananda by saying that it is with Vivekananda that Hinduism as an 'all-India religion' came into being. The most comprehensive and comprehensible face of Hinduism becomes visible through the lectures delivered by him. A unique feature of Hinduism is that it places equal, if not greater, emphasis on contemporary exponents of Hinduism, like Vivekananda. Most texts on Hinduism continue to present the historic rather than the contemporary expression of religion. The fixation some Western authors have on the teachings of Manu for example, reflect their own idiosyncratic approach. Hinduism prides itself as being a 'living religion', constantly evolving and refreshing the message of spirituality through contemporary spiritual giants. This book is a contemporary version of Hinduism in contrast to what have now become the antiquated forms.
So far, the portrayal of Hinduism in the West has been extremely poor. The special features of Hinduism, such as the 'divinity of man', 'pluralism', 'rationality and religion', or the 'links between science and religion', rarely get a mention. Most books portray Hinduism as a cultural phenomenon: 'just a way of life' incorporating hereditary caste, many gods and goddesses, idolatry, sati, Kali, etc. This book is a robust attempt to dispel such poor portrayals of Hinduism, a religion that has a crucial role to play in reviving and refreshing the message of spirituality throughout the modern world.
The books can be purchased at Hinduism for Schools at www.hinduism.fsnet.co.uk
Jay Lakhani
Chair - Education Executive

Hindu Council UK

www.hinducounciluk.org
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

Came via email..
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Question:
Lighting of the lamp at various functions - What is this ceremony called?
Why do we light odd number of wicks?
Why do we light only two for Kathakali while we light three for Bharatnatyam?


<b>Answer</b>

The Hindu philosophy and the related sciences evolved through the explorations of the open-minded ancient seekers of deeper facts of life and universe use a highly symbolic form of language, often as seen in the stories of the Purana-s which today call for their intellectual interpretation so that they can give much soothing wisdom to the disturbed modern man who is taught by the present-day consumerist-oriented education that life is nothing but an empty, meaningless and a chance phenomenon. It is the symbolism they employed that enabled the wisdom last through generations. The modern mid requires intellectual support to convince themselves of the practical relevance and validity of the ancient wisdom for further human evolution.

Light is a symbol of Enlightenment. It reminds him that man is capable of transforming the raw material called mind to the perfection of its Fullness and can thus achieve the Vedic evolutionary aspiration, 'thamaso maa jyothirgamaya' - lead me from darkness to Light.

In the background of practices of Hindu philosophy there are rational and scientific principles. One wick in an oil lamp can indicate the basic Oneness of the universe and all existence. Two wicks, of course,  represent the apparent duality of the One for in the projection of the universe and Its consequent appearance as the many. Generally, odd number of wicks are seen to be used and this again conveys the idea of the basic indivisibility of the One, and to indicate the involved in the _expression of the One as the many

The three wicks represent the three primeval energy modes called the 'gunas' - sattva, rajas and thamas - that cause the projection of  the infinite phenomena. The five wicks ( in  the Bharatha-naatyam generally five wicks are used) represent the five evolutionary stages - the 'pancha-bhoothas- from the subtlest physical space, Aakaasha to the grossest Privthvi, the earth element. There are well inter-connected principles in the background, the exploration of which will give modern man a new insight about himself and the universe.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

What is the Thai connection to Vijayanagara kingdom?

Cool guide to Hampi

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/09/stories/2005030903030300.htm

Thailand Princess to visit Hampi today
By Our Staff Correspondent


BELLARY, MARCH 8. Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, Princess of Thailand, is expected to visit Hampi on Wednesday. According to the official itinerary, the princess is expected to land at the Toranagal airstrip at around 10 a.m. and travel to Hampi by road.

A host of officials from Thailand, including the Indian Ambassador in Thailand, Vivek Katju; the Ambassador of Thailand, Chirasak Thanesnant; the Director-General of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand, Phithak Phorombubpha; and the Protocol Liaison Officer, Anil Kant Sharma, will accompany Ms. Sirindhorn.

She is expected to visit the Virupaksha Temple, Mahanavami Dibba and Vijaya Vittala Temple complex, which houses the stone chariot, before leaving for Bangalore in the afternoon.

The Deputy Commissioner, S.N. Jayaram, and the Superintendent of Police, Pankaj Kumar Thakur, will accompany Ms. Sirindhorn during her visit to the heritage sites.

Restrictions

The traffic police will regulate the movement of vehicles in Hospet city and on the Hospet-Kamalapur-Hampi road on Wednesday.

The movement of ore-laden lorries has been banned on National Highway 63 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Traffic will be regulated from Hotel Mallige on the Kamalapur-Hampi road between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Traffic will also be regulated in Hospet.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

came in via email
-----------------------

The contributions of India: the seer-scientists and the renaissance in India.

by Vasant V. Merchant


The glorious heritage of India has been shaped and fostered from the Vedic and Upanishadic times. The Vedas are the earliest poetry and prose of humanity. The Upanishads have been described as the epic poems of self-knowledge, world-knowledge and God-knowledge. The vast galaxy of seer-scientists, philosopher-poets, savants and sages and the divine incarnations that traversed the paths of temporal knowledge-Apara Vidya and spiritual knowledge-Para Vidya have molded the Indian psyche and spiritual paths and left behind a rich and full history of thought that ranged from science, philosophy, religion and the living arts of man. They blossomed in an environment of respect and freedom of thought and expression and scientific inquiry. No new system of philosophy or spiritual knowledge came about or flourished unless the founder of the new system was thoroughly familiar and had carefully examined all the existing previous philosophies. Thus, the six systems of Indian philosophy-viz. Nyaya, Vaisesika, Sankhya, Jaina, Buddhist, Vedanta-dwaita and advaita-dualistic and non-dualistic systems et al developed a mutual harmony, and amity, wholesomeness and integrity in their core.

The renowned Chinese writer, philosopher and philologist (1895-1976 CE) opined, "India was China's teacher in religion and imaginative literature and the world's in trigonometry, quadratic equations, grammar, phonetics, as well as in philosophy she inspired Boccacio, Goethe, Schopenhauer and Emerson."

From the times of Vedic period (8000 BCE), the great culture of India has presented humanity with a gold mine of discoveries and inventions-ranging from aviation technology (800 BCE), to medicine and botanical science (Ayur Veda), (600 BCE), to atomic theory (600 BCE), plastic surgery (600 BCE), to Yoga (200 BCE), to chemistry (100 CE), to astronomy and mathematics (476 CE), to cosmology (3000 BCE), astrology and astronomy (499-587 CE) and the great masters like Swami Vivekananda, Paramhansa Yoga- nanda, Ramakrishrna Paramhansa, Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore, Mohandas K. Gandhi and others. The historian Will Durant has said, "Mother India is in many ways, the mother of us all." (The Story of Civilization; Our Oriental Heritage).

Among the seer-scientists and geniuses of India were the pioneers of science and spirit. Their lives were dedicated to peace and piety, acuity and achievements that continue to inspire humanity toward further progress and happiness of human beings inspite of the ravages of time, the fall of empires over the centuries.

Travelers to India may come and go, but there will always be a Krishna, Buddha, Christ, Zoroaster, Confucius, and Lao Tsu and other statuettes and art effects being displayed that bring out the mosaic of Indian peninsula-from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, the multi-racial, multireligious colors, customs and traditions and festivals.

India's priceless heritage is unveiled by Acharya Kapil (3000 BCE), as the founder of Sankhya philosophy. He is believed to have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and wife Devhuti. His pioneer work through the Sankhya School of Thought was to bring light on the nature and principles of the ultimate soul and spirit (Purusha) and primal matter (Prskriti), cosmic nature and creation.

Acharya Kapil's concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on the soul (atman), nature, matter and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in a class by himself, incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. He contended that Prakriti and Purusha are the mother of cosmic creation and all energies. With this he contributed a new chapter in the science of cosmology. His extraordinary and extrasensory perceptions, observations and revelations on the secrets of creation, brought him the recognition as the Father of Cosmology.

Acharya Bharadwaj (800 BCE) was a pioneer of aviation technology. He lived in the holy city of Prayag in a hermitage. An ardent apostle of Ayurveda, he also excelled in mechanical sciences. He authored the "Yantra Sarvasva" which includes discoveries that are not only outstanding but astonishing-e.g.: in space science, aviation science and flying machines. He described three categories of flying machines-viz. 1. that flies on earth from one place to another; 2. that travels from one planet to another; 3. That travels from one universe to another.

His designs, techniques and descriptions are found very impressive even by engineers of today. He describes aviation technology thus:

a. Profound secret: the techniques to make a flying object machine invisible through the application of sunlight and wind force.

b. Living Secret: the technique to make an invisible space machine visible through the application of electrical force.

c. Secret of reconnaissance/eavesdropping: the technique to listen to a conversation in another plane.

d. Visual secrets: the technique to see what is happening inside another plane.

Archarya Bharadwaj's brilliant and innovative discoveries have earned him the distinction of being a pioneer in aviation technology.

Acharya Charak (600 BCE) has been called the Father of Medicine. Charak Samhita is his most renowned work-considered the encyclopedia of Ayurveda. Even after two millennia, his principles, diagnoses and cures retain their potency value and truth.

Through his inquiries and investigations, he revealed his innate genius the facts of human anatomy when there was much confusion about science of anatomical theories in Europe. He studied blood circulation, embryology, pharmacology, diseases like diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis, in addition to the human anatomy. In the `Charak Samhita' he described the functions and the medicinal properties/qualities of 100,000 herbal plants. The influence of diet and nutrition, and activity on the body and the mind are emphasized, and correlation between physical health and spirituality are explored in contributing to diagnostic and curative science as well as mind-body relationships in healing and health. More than two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath, he prescribed an ethical charter for medical practitioners.

Acharya Charak has made landmark contribution to Ayurveda. In the annals of history, they are etched among the noblest and greatest rishisseer-scientists.

Medical knowledge about the duration, intensity and extensity of pregnancy was known in Ayur Veda. Vedic people were the first to know the exact length of pregnancy with its gestation, incubation and developmental periods from the embryonic and conceptual stages. The grave importance of the psychic factors during pre-natal and other phases of pregnancy-like the importance of the mother's thoughts and also those of the father's in influencing the child with samskaras-psychic impressions was recognized. Awareness of the relationship of the endocrine system to gynecology and obstetrics was appreciated (nadi-grantha sashtra).

In the archaeological findings of the ancient Indian civilization from Harrappa and Mohenjodaro, excavations of carvings, statues and structures were found with figures with acromegaly (disturbance of pituitary gland), dwarfism, scrofulous conditions from thyroid gland and other endocrine disturbances in treatment by the physicians. Patients were lying on a flat platform or surface restrained by side railings from falling and strap like mechanisms for restraining mental patients. Remnants and parts of animal hospitals for treatment of birds and animals were found. Coins with Taurus and Lion Seals were discovered. Presently, the largest bird hospital exists in New Delhi, retirement homes (ranches) for old cows and horses, were provided. About five years ago, old mules and donkeys (retired from the wing of Indian army) were placed in retire. meat facilities in Gujarat in rural communities.

Acharya Kanad (600 BCE) was the founder of atomic theory. He was a genius in philosophy, who founded "Vaisheshika Darshan" system.

He was born in Prabhas Kshetra near Dwarika in Gujarat. He was known as the pioneer expander of the law of causation, realism, and the atomic theory. He classified all the objects of creation into nine elements-viz. earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He has said: "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connects with each other to form molecules." Nearly 2,500 years before John Dalton, Kanad's statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time in the world.

Kanad also described the dimensions and motion of atoms and their chemical reactions with each other. T.N. Colebrook, the eminent historian has succinctly pointed out, "compared to the scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters in this field."

Acharya Sushrut (600 BCE) was recognized as a genius in medical science. He has written in great de. tails, the first ever surgical procedures in "Sushrut Samhita," a unique encyclopedia of surgery. Achary Sushrut was born to sage Vishwamitra.

Sushrut has been called the father of plastic surgery, and the science of anesthesia. He was known to perform Rhinoplasty-restoration of a damaged nose, and other challenging procedures on the eyes, and operations-when surgery was in its infancy in Europe and the rest of world.

Twelve types of fractures are described by Sushrut in "Sushrut Samhita" and six types of dislocations. His description of human embryology gives details of 125 types of surgical instruments including, scalpels, lancets, needles, catheters and rectal speculums-which were primarily designed from the jaws of birds and animals. Additionally, different stitching methods and the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark are discussed. Three hundred (300) types of operations are included in great detail.

The ancient Indians pioneered cranial surgeries, caesarian and other surgeries, and amputation. Sushrut was a giant in the arena of medical science.

Acharya Patanjali (200 BCE) was called the father of Yoga. One of the most unique contributions of India to the world is the science of Yoga. Contrary to the misconception about Yoga meaning only the physical exercise or certain physical postures, Yoga means in totality, the physical, psychological and spiritual integration of the being to discover and realize the Ultimate Reality through Yogic practices. The word Yoga comes from the word "to yoke"- the lower for the purpose of the higher. True Yoga is transformation of consciousness, as Sri Aurobindo has explained.

Acharya Patanjali hailed from the district of Ganda (Ganard) in Uttar Pradesh. He prescribed the control of prana shakti- life force, vital breath, for regulation and control of the body, mind and soul, conducive to good health and happiness. Acharya Patanjail expostulates 84 yogic postures which are aimed at effectively enhancing the efficiency of circulatory, respiratory, central nervous system, digestive and endocrine systems and several other organs of the physique. Patanjali speaks of eight (8) limbs of Yoga, which are instrumental in the attainment of ultimate bliss, in integrated state of consciousness--i.e. Samadhi. This can be attained through certain disciplines-viz. Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratvahara, dhyana, dharana, the ultimate stage being Samadhi. Popularity of Yoga is based on its scientific approach and benefits that are perceived to be medical, physical, psychological and spiritual.

Acharya Patanjali will always enjoy a pride of place since Yoga is honored as one of the six main systems of Indian philosophy, and will be remembered for his teachings of self-discipline and self-realization leading to self bliss.

Nagarjuna (100CE) was an extraordinary wizard of science. He was born in the unknown, nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh. He produced many discoveries and innovations after twelve (12) years of dedicated research in the fields of metallurgy and chemistry. His master works were used as texts. They are "Rasa Ratnakar," "Rashrudaya," and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. In comparison to the medieval chemists/scientists in England who failed in their alchemical efforts Nagarjuna had discovered the secret of transmuting base metals into gold. As an alchemist, he also had a spiritual dimension-that of transmuting lower consciousness into the higher consciousness.

He is the author of medical books like "Arogyamanjari" and "Yogasar." His writings are prolific and versatile. He wrote twenty-four (24) books. His knowledge is profoundly scholarly. He was appointed the Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda. His discoveries are a milestone that continue to astonish the scientists of today.

Aryabhatt (476 CE) a master astronomer and mathmatician was born in 476 CE Kusumpur, Bihar. Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. At the age of 23, in 499 CE, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparalleled treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam." In this text, he formulated the process of calculating the motion of the planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space- 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating [pi] to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine [pi] table in trigonometry. Centuries later, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Pon Mussa in 825 CE credited the value of Pi to the Indians, and said: "This value has been given to the Hindus." Aryabhatt's most spectacular contributions is the concept of zero (0), which reached the Mediterranean, and Europe through the Arabs and travelers across the seven oceans. Without the concept of zero, modern technology would have been non-existent. Metaphysically also the zero has played a significant role in Sunyavada in Hinduism and Buddhism and the importance of zero principle as vacuum (sunyata) in physics-mathematics in the creative process.

Aryabhatt is rightly reputed as the colossus of mathematics.

Varahamihir (499-587 CE), an eminent astrologer and astronomer was honored in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti, Ujjain as one of the nine gems. The author of the book Panchasiddhanta Varahamir holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. Varahamihir in India and Ptolemy in Egypt (100 CE?-165 CE?) were both scientists par excellence and showed that the genus of astronomy was astrology. In the book, "Bruhad Samhita" and "Bruhad Jatak," Varahamihir delineates the path of the moon and the planets and notes that their luster is not because of their own light but due to the light of the sun. He reveals his discoveries in the domains of geography, and geological sciences, botany, constellation science and zoology concerning animal science.

Varahamihir's treatises deal with plant pathology, preventative and curative measures for various disease afflictions of trees and plants. His knowledge and unique contributions to astronomy and astrology still survive even to this day.

Bhaskaracharya II (1114-1183 CE) was a genius in Algebra. He was born in the village of Vijjadit-Jalagaon, in Maharashtra. His distinguished work in Algebra, geometry and arithmetic catapulted him into name and fame. "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita"--two of his works are among the most important and unparalleled and a tribute to his profound intelligence. These have been translated into different languages of the world. In "Siddhanta Shiromani"--his noted treatise, he deals with planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, astronomy equipment and mathematical techniques. His book "Surya Siddhanta" highlights the force of gravity, which he has explained thus: objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon and the sun are held in orbit due to this attraction.

Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity. It was 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton's discovery. A champion among the mathematicians of ancient and medieval India, Persian and European scholars were inspired to do further research on the works of Bhaskarcharya and earned fame and popularity. Kahlil Gibran, (1883-1931), from Lebanon (author of "The Prophet"), a philosophical-literary savant wrote: "The heights of heavens attract me but the force of gravitation pulls me down," speaking about the paradox of life.

Bhagwan Swami Maharaj (1781-1830 CE) born in Gujarat inspired a moral and spiritual message in the 19th century. He employed the method of dialogue and interaction with his aspirants in his book; "Shikshsapatri," and his sacred text "Vachanamrutam."

Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-), born in Chansad, Gujarat, has applied India's ancient wisdom to create architectual and spiritual marvels like Akshardham and the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in London. He has emphasized that (Vedic) rishis (seers) were great scientists who gifted society with discoveries that brought peace and progress to humanity. Today, however, he cautions, scientific discoveries and inventions have to be tempered with Vivek, power of discretion to use for what is good and beneficial for humankind.

The Renaissance in India

A historical look at India from the last thousand or even hundred years, one cannot help but notice the phenomena of saints, sages and spiritual personages, in addition to the intellectual, literary, artistic, scientific and spiritual geniuses that have contributed to the Renaissance of India. This range includes Vivekananda, ka Tirtha, Ramakrishna, Sri Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, Anandmayi Ma, Shivananda, Neem Karoli Baba, Nityananda--to mention only a few--among great individuals. In this galaxy of stalwarts, these individuals are not necessarily the products of any one organization or any school, nor are they "clones of one another."

In the words of Dr. David Frawley in his book: Arise Arjuna in "The Value of Hindu Culture for the World" (pp:203-204) he clearly points out that "if we look at the West or the Islamic world over the last thousand years, it is difficult to find such a number of people of spiritual realization. Without a cultural support such a great assembly could not arise or would not be appreciated. While these sages are the fruit, the culture is the field that nourishes the trees (teachings) on which they grow." The Vedas are the roots, the source from which these personages have derived their inspiration and nourishment.

Dr. David Frawley continues in his penetrating analysis of Indian culture, and points out, "the worship of the Gods and Goddesses, Hindu devotional meditations, pujas and rituals are little known or understood in the West. Many Western followers of Hindu Yoga have never entered a Hindu temple or seen a puja performed, except as a curiosity." Their acquaintance with Yoga is only though Hatha yoga-physical postures-asanas, and their understanding only surfacial of the real meaning of Yoga, as alluded in the early part of this article. Dr. Frawley reiterates that "Ayur Veda," the medical system is only now getting some recognition in the West. Vedic astrology is just beginning to surface and looks like it will become quite popular at least in astrological circles. Hindu music has made quite a mark of its own from the Beatles to Ravishankar, its rhythms and melodies have brought joy and unity. Sanskrit poetry, drama and aesthetics, the most extensive, intricate, profound and spiritual in the world, are little known or appreciated. Even the poets of the Western world who aim at a symbolic or mystical approach do not have an idea as to how extensively this realm had already been explored in India with such figures as Kalidasa. The Vedas and Upanishads, the great fountainheads under these multiple currents are largely unknown by those who teach and preach, including in the academia.

A new trend in India is now to introduce Vedic science, Sanskrit, and Vedic studies from an Indian point of view--with a new historical reorientation in schools and universities. The Vedic worldview is universal in its outlook, and its horizons are far and wide reaching. India must not revel in its past glory and grandeur and rest on its past laurels. She must re-think and re-evaluate the direction of her growth and progress in the light of the roots of her indigenous culture to give birth to the possibilities of new freedom of thought and action commensurate with her ethical and spiritual values. She must weed out the deadwood, dross and debris with the spiritual passion of Shiva to destroy ignorance and evil and the ills of society. She must keep the genius of her identity and synthesize the ancient with the modern, overcome the inadequacies, negativities and limitations of the past and preserve, nourish and create new changes in the present and the future with the persistence and powers of Vishnu to unite and integrate to regenerate and recreate with the powers of Shiva.

The challenge is indeed clear for it holds the potential, power and promise to fulfill the work of galvanization with gigantic energy, valor, self-discipline, self-sacrifice, and dynamism. She must foster individual and collective responsibility.

As Sri Aurobindo says: "true knowledge is that which unites." It must educate, awaken and transform the consciousness. That is the mission of the scholar--teacher: Peace through integral development.

[Guest]

<b>NRIs pour money for mythological park in India</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The park is to be built on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar, Uttaranchal, and will bring together an entire pantheon of Hindu gods, including Ram, Krishna and Hanuman.

Shiv Sagar, grandson of film and television maker Ramanand Sagar - whose serial "Ramayana" set an unbeatable record for TV viewership - is on a tour of the US to seek NRI support.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[ramana]

Has anyone seen the Indian cartoon Tenali Raman available on DVD? Its based on the Nickelodeon version of the cartoons.

[Guest]

Came via email...
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>1 what are the benefits of serving food on banana leaves?</b>


a) In past no plates / banana leaves were easily available and was
big enough to contain the food. Also, there is no particular smell in
the leave that can put you off.
b) Easily disposable and environment friendly (clean). Burn them and
the ozone layers are not affected.


<b>2 what is the reason for food to taste better when served or cooked on
banana leaves?</b>

a) As there is no chemical reaction the food keeps its value intact,
it can take heat and react well without tearing apart by the heat. b)
Tasting better has it is considered green leaf(adds value to food
just like any other greens) and it contains the leaf taste to make it
better.Easily manageable on heat.


<b>3 what is the correct way to place food on the banana leaf?</b>

a) The sweet should be placed 1st and followed by the
vegetables(side dishes) - to begin. After that followed by white rice
and curry(sambar), rasam, payasam. Just as a human life how it begins
sweetly and face and encounter good and bad (side dishes -
sour,sweet,bitter & etc), white rice is our pure human life - soul/sambar is a
kalavai of human life with the side dishes.After having all that our later
age - we have become composed and knowledgable resembling rasam
(experiences and encounters
mellow down)than you gain the enlightenment with sweet again payasam.


narrowed part should be placed on the left hand side and the broad end
should be on the right basically giving more room for the right hand to
get the food comfortably to eat/the unwanted items (like chilli and
etc) can be placed at the broad end.


<b>4 what is the reason for using the tail*(should be head end) end of
the banana leaf to serve prasatham or to serve special guest?</b>

a) It's called Thalai Vazhalillai - In our body Sirasae prathanam
meaning very important part.Also, Thalai Vazha illai represents our
humbleness and we are not permanent on this earth. We will give the
best to God. Thalai is an important word. We give more respect for thalai
ex: Thalai pillai, padai thalai & etc. So humble /bow down ( no
arrogance ) is the best thing we could do as human being. Thalai vazhai
illai's narambu centre vein is thinner and wouldn't tear easily as of the
broad tail end.


<b>5 what is the correct way of folding the banana leaf after eating?</b>
Those days they don't fold the banana leaves, this would enable the
guess to know whether the food was good.Only the hostess has to fold
and throw. Over the years they folded and I think it should be from the
outter side to the ourside ther as to say I have completed and had
enough satisfied meal.


<b>6 Why is it that the hostess always carries the banana leaf away to
dispose it?</b>
Thanathil siranthathu annathanam, So if the punniyam must be
completed, it's good to remove someone else illai by bowing ourselves
to remove, getting their person's blessings. People who had the
satisfied meals would be tired and while we remove it they appreciate and bless
us.These punniyam is what needed for the hostess.


<b>7 Is there any special enzymes etc on banana leaves?</b>
I don't think any special enzymes are there. Banana tree is the
only tree represents human life. This tree is never wasted, it only
gives combs of bananas once (Vazhai maram - kulai oru tharam thaan
thalum). Human life will be complete by their Offspring. The banana leave got
no unpleasant odour and it is just like any other green where by get's
soft when they get heated, this enable the food to have the value and
not changing the taste and added taste to the food. Most of the leaves
will have some odour or scent, which change the taste of the food. Can
you think of any leave which can hold the food to cook without any
change?


<b>8 Is there any special banana leaf myths, folklores or stories?</b>
In Mahabharatham - Lord Krishna requested the Pandavas to offer
food to the people( Anna thanam) When the people in the kingdom
finished the food, Krishna rushed to remove their leaves. The pandavas were
shocked and questioned Krishna. He replied, no point only offering, also
must humble ourselves to collect it to get the best -deeds( puniyam).
The pandavas realised it and started removing the leaves. This is partly
to win the Kuruhsethras war. Blessings are more important than
anything.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

There is some same-same stuff in here but in general a good interview.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g...4/findrelig.DTL

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->FINDING MY RELIGION
Former Air Force colonel Kirby Knox is a born-again Hindu

David Ian Miller, Special to SF Gate

Monday, March 14, 2005

Kirby Knox. Photo courtesy of Kirby Knox Kirby Knox as a military cadet. Photo courtesy of Kirby Knox Ammachi, the "Hugging Guru" hugs one of her disciples. Ph...

As a former colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Kirby Knox is accustomed to giving orders as much as following them. These days, however, he's willingly surrendering to a guru as part of his spiritual practice.

Knox, a 53-year-old physician who received his medical training while in the military, is a devotee of Ammachi, a Hindu holy woman revered as the "Hugging Saint" because of her practice of transmitting blessings in the form of hugs to millions of people around the world.

Knox, who practices acupuncture and other alternative therapies in Richmond and San Leandro, has been fascinated by Eastern religious ideas and practices since his days as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
So, tell me about your upbringing. Did you grow up with a particular religious faith?

I was raised in a strict Methodist family. My father was in the Air Force until I was 12, so we went to church on the [military] bases where we lived. When he retired, we joined a church in south Florida where my mother's parents belonged.

What was your attitude about the church as you got older?

I didn't understand how someone from a different country -- like, say, in the heart of Africa -- who was not raised a Christian would be consigned to Hell for not taking Jesus as his personal savior. Then, when I was in high school, I had an English teacher -- he must have been an atheist or something -- who raised a lot of philosophical questions around religion. At some point during that time, I just decided I didn't believe what the Methodist Church was propagating.

When did you begin seriously exploring Eastern spiritual ideas?

I was in medical school, browsing in the bookstore, and this book just kind of popped out at me on the bookshelf. It was "Life after Life," by Raymond Moody. He was a physician who chronicled people's near-death experiences. I was fascinated that there was such consistency among people's accounts, and that really got me questioning what I believed about reincarnation and other ideas. I began trying to find my own spiritual roots.

Do you still think of yourself as a Christian?

Not really. I still love Jesus -- in some ways even more so than when I was a kid. But I don't consider myself a Christian, because I don't believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

Eventually, you become a devotee of Ammachi, the Hindu holy woman who is considered by her followers to be an avatar, a divine incarnation of God. What led you to her?

One of my friends was a serious devotee of hers and invited us to the ashram [in San Ramon]. Each time, I got her blessing, her darshan, which is a very powerful spiritual experience. About two and a half years ago, that same friend suggested I spend three days on retreat with her.

What happened on the retreat?

I mentioned earlier how much I loved Jesus. I can remember as a young person thinking, "What would it have been like to be around Jesus? What would it have been like to be at the Sermon on the Mount?" As I was sitting there, watching this woman beam unconditional love to every person, every single person she was hugging that day -- and feeling that unconditional love myself -- I started thinking about that [memory] and how this was almost like being in the presence of Jesus. One thing led to another, and it was like some floodgate in my heart opened up, like a ton of bricks fell -- I just fell in love with this person. Since that time, I've gone to every one of her retreats here locally. Tasha, my wife, and I have become fairly serious devotees.

How would you describe your spiritual orientation these days?

I guess you could say I'm a born-again Hindu. My spiritual practices, the services I go to, are all centered in Hinduism -- although it feels kind of funny to say that, given my Christian background.

How has your association with Ammachi changed your spiritual beliefs? Do you have a different worldview than you did before?

I wouldn't say they have changed, exactly. It's more like she fulfills my beliefs. I remember, 15 or 20 years ago, I picked up a book about the oneness of all religions. Something about that idea struck me as true. A few years later, I read "The Tao of Physics," and the author said pretty much the same thing, the idea that physicists have gotten to the point where they realize that beneath everything is consciousness, which holds the universe together, so everything really is "all one." That's also a teaching of Hinduism, and it's something I have wanted to feel and experience for my entire life. So, part of my spiritual path is trying to free myself from my ego to the point where I can recognize the truth that all is one.

How do you do that?

Part of my spiritual practice is, as much as I can, turning over every aspect of my life to Amma. I do it in little ways, like when I'm driving in a car and I notice that I'm stressed out because I'm trying to get somewhere in a hurry. I'll say to myself, "Just let go of the anxiety. Turn it over to Amma. If she wants me to get there on time, I will. If she wants me to be late, then that's OK with me, because she's the one establishing the rules here." It's brought me a tremendous amount of peace and serenity in my life. When you surrender the responsibility for how things turn out, you're no longer burdened by it.

How does that work as a physician? Isn't it difficult to surrender responsibility when you're caring for someone who is sick?

As a Western physician, I was taught that I am responsible for the health care of my patients. I had to decide what the problem was, choose the right medication and do the follow-up to make sure everything went well. So there's this tremendous responsibility that I, as the physician, assumed. But since I met Amma, I've done a lot more of saying to myself, "OK, Amma, I'm asking you to let me be an instrument of your healing. I'm going to do the best I can, take care of people as much as I can, but I'm going to let the result of my effort be in your hands."

Do you think that makes you a better doctor?

That's difficult to say. I will say that my connection to Amma has opened my heart, and that openness is reflected in the way that I am with my patients. Sometimes, when I walk into an exam room, I experience this palpable sense of love toward the patient. That definitely helps me be a more compassionate doctor. And I think it's safe to say I didn't have that kind of experience years ago, before my connection to Amma.

Some people in Western cultures are uncomfortable with the idea of giving themselves over to a guru. Do you ever worry about giving up control?

I have to say that surrendering to a guru is a gradual process. There are times when it's difficult, and there are times when I've wondered, "What am I doing?" But more recently, it's become easier for me. I think what helps is my own personal belief that Amma is a divine representation of God. It takes a certain leap of faith for anyone to believe that God is manifest in physical form as Jesus, Buddha or Mohammed. But once you do that, the path is made easier to you to surrender yourself.

Do any of your friends have a hard time understanding what you're doing?

Most of my friends have spiritual backgrounds, and I think all of them appreciate my desire to be closer to God. The people who really have a hard time are my family -- I'm like the black sheep. My parents are strict fundamentalist Christians. I've got four brothers, one of whom is a Methodist minister. All of them are deeply devout Methodist Christians who do missionary work each year. I try to explain to them a little about Eastern beliefs and reincarnation; it's kind of sad, because I really can't share with them what is really the most important aspect of my life, which is my relationship with God.

As a doctor, you've had a lot of scientific training. Do you ever see a conflict between science and spirituality?

No, because I've always considered myself to be quite an unusual doctor and scientist -- I've never quite fit into the stereotypical mold. If anything, I've looked the other way at Western medicine and wondered what was wrong with it: Why does it have to be so mechanical? Where's the place for heart and spirit?

You're not a stereotypical military man, either, although you spent 23 years in the Air Force and retired as a colonel. How did you fit in with your fellow servicemen?

People knew I was a little different. They knew I did things like take training in past-life therapy and go to places like Harbin Hot Springs. I was definitely interested in things that somewhat more conservative Air Force officers weren't generally interested in.

I want to ask you about Amma's practice of hugging. I've read that she's hugged more than 50,000 people in a single day and 21 million in the last 30 years. What's that about?

I think the hugging is really about her recognizing that each person who comes for her blessing is not an individual, not separate from her self -- she sees that person as divine. Of course, she also knows that each person has an ego that's clouding their perception of who they are. When she hugs them, she imparts a certain amount of her own spiritual presence and energy with the intent of opening up their hearts to God. The wonderful thing is that it doesn't matter what your spiritual background and belief is. You could be Jewish, Muslim, Christian, whatever. It's her firm conviction that there's good in all religions.

Do you have a particular spiritual practice?

I do quite a few things. I have a mantra that Amma gave me. I'm supposed to recite it 108 times a day. But I try to do it as much as I can, when I'm shaving or driving my car. I also try to get up once in the middle of the night to pray and meditate for an hour or so.

What is your mantra?

I'm not allowed to tell you. It's something between you and the guru. I could share it with my wife, but I haven't. I may tell her on my deathbed [laughs] -- I don't know.

Speaking of death, you believe in reincarnation, right?

Well, I don't want to be reincarnated [laughs]. But I believe if I'm not successful in finding my true nature, I will be.

What does "finding your true nature" mean to you? How will you know that you've done it?

You probably don't know until the moment you've awakened, because, up to that point, there's still a concept of "I," which represents the ego. As long as the ego is there, there is a sense of separateness between you and everything else. If there's ever going to be an experience of oneness, then you, as an entity, have to disappear. My desire is that, through spiritual practices and the grace of Amma, at some point in my life, my sense of individuality will be eliminated, and, in that instant of time, there won't be a Kirby anymore. Everything will be God -- it will all be one with me. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->