Mundan

The Mundan ceremony, is a Hindu sacrement, or sanskar, in which a child receives his/her first hair cut. Everything in the Hindu community is sacremental. We had a lovely time of prayer, puja and bhajans in the Mukteshwar Math, as a family and celebrated life!

Summer in the HOT

Perhaps some of you know that we were considering going to Switzerland. Switzerland is NOT hot. Actually we were more than considering. We prayed and felt confident that the Sadguru was guiding our plans.

For the last 10 years I have been living in India. Since arrival I have not had any refresher course in the University of the Nations. My last training was the 'Introduction to Community Development' program run by Mercy Ships in Tyler, TX back in Spring of 1997. Beginning in New Delhi in summer 1997 as a young fresh 25 year old with a commitment to the poor and destitute I began to work with MERSI (Medical Educational Relief Service Int'l). Then later in Mussoorie, as a Hindi language student, I began to develop a totally new course in the University of the Nations called 'School of Hindu Studies'. It came as a result of interaction with the good and the lovely of the Hindu world. Using Hindu forms filled with the Sadguru's meaning.

After marriage to Aarti we were invited to serve in our present locale which included leading discipleship training and eventually joining the leadership team of a local NGO that operates a 'Widows Home' among other activities. In 2003 we were able to strike out on our own and take up the 'School of Hindu Studies' again. It was officially registered with the College of Humanities & Int'l. Studies that same year. We also partnered with a few others and a 'Hindi Language & Culture' internship was registered. Two SHS followed in 2003 & 2005 and our NGO grew to about 17 people!

By that time we were ready for a time of refreshment... yet it was not to be. Aarti's visa came 1 week later than our tickets and we had to make a hard choice to reorient our lives to spend the summer in India. Why do these things happen? Is it providence, determinism, government red-tape or human error?

We ask our selves these questions, but in spite of having to live through the summer in the HOT we will survive in the grace of our Sadguru.

Two Sweet Cherubs

SPRINGING INTO 2007

Indeed we just are recovering from the aftermath of Holi. Holi is the traditional Spring festival for Northern India and is arrived at after burning the evil goddess (or demoness depending on your orientation) Holika (who has a boon that makes her impervious to being killed by fire) and the redemption of the true bhakta, or devotee, Prahlad who was not burned in the end as her boon transfered to him by the grace of the Almighty. These are both represented as images in a giant bonfire with burns out by the following morning. People then return home to get ready for the day of water and colour which begins with much eating of sweets and thandai (special liquid preparations) flavoured with bhang, a local stimulant. Later in the afternoon and evening after bathing and donning white clothes people venture out and greet neighbours, relatives and friends by applying coloured tika (marks) to the forehead, shouts of 'Holi Mubharak Ho, Holi Mangalmay Ho' ring out and triple rounds of hugs (for the men at any rate) then more sweets.

We abstained from the intoxicants but utilised the occasion as a Hindu 'Easter' and shared the story of our Sadguru and his pure actions on our behalf, as our Jewish guru ji went to the Roman cross for the redemption of the WHOLE world. Indeed, another strange tale the ends not with his death but his resurrection and victory over the evil one!

All in the Family

It was a wintry night just before Christmas in 2003 that something happened. A few months later Aarti had a little kettle of her own with something special cooking. It was September 06, 2004 that Arjun was born. Why Arjun? We wanted a name that would show our love for Hindu culture but not for image worship. Arjun is mythological/real hero from the Bhagavadgita (Song of the Lord), a section of the Mahabharat, the great story of India. He dialogues with Krishna on right duties in life, in the setting of the battlefield. Some view it as a allegorical battleground of the mind and others view it as an actual location of war. What better name from the Hindu family can you think of that conveys righteousness, uprightness, strength, protection, philosophic inquiry and upholder of dharma? Indeed. We are three. Aarti, Arjun and me.

My best friend Chad

This guy here is my best friend. He has a cool office and has shirked the Man to get it.