August 23, 2011
Happy
Ganesha Chaturthi
This year, Ganesha Chaturthi falls on
August 31 / September 1, the time to celebrate depending on your time zone. In India, for example, Chaturthi happens from 10:19 pm, 8/31, to 9:64 pm, 9/1. In New York, it happens from 12:49 pm, 8/31, to 9:34 am, 9/1.
Here is a most auspicious time, when the earth-sun-moon angle is such that this great God who is always closest to us comes even closer, shedding grace into our hearts and minds, helping to make our life more smooth and rewarding.
Loving Ganesha is without doubt the finest book on Ganesha anywhere. With characteristic simplicity and clarity, the author, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Gurudeva), introduces you to this God, shows how to develop a rapport with him and work with him to uplift your life, starting right where you are today.
A wealth of information.
Loving Ganesha overflows with all the practical, useful information you ever needed--all relevant to your spiritual aspirations and day to day life. Gurudeva explains that Ganesha lives in the most subtle worlds and is at the same time the most down-to-earth of the Gods. Here are two samples from the book's teachings:
• The sweet goody Ganesha holds in his hand is the elusive sweetness of life that everyone is looking for—and can be attained as we come close to him.
• Ganesha is easy to contact. Just ring a little bell, look at his image, think of him, talk mentally to him and there he is, listening.
- the meaning of Ganesha visarjana
- the nature of God Ganesha
- Ganesha symbology
- Ganesha from earloiest times
- Ganesha’s many forms in various cultures (Santa Claus, Laughing Buddha, etc.)
- sample prayers to offer to Ganesha
- a home ceremony to invoke Ganesha
- the astonishing worldwide milk miracle
- Ganesha mantras, hymns and liturgy
- Ganesha and Hindu culture
The mystical dimension of the book is its richest aspect. Gurudeva was one of the 20th century's great mystics. He personally knew Ganesha—"one of my best friends," he used to say—and was constantly in touch with him. Loving Ganesha, in fact, contains messages from Ganesha addressed to contemporary humanity that were mystically transmitted to Gurudeva.
Gurudeva was ever in touch with the Gods and sought all his life to convey his understanding and love of them. Ultimately, much of the book applies to all the Gods—showing who they are, what they do, how they relate and work with us—and who we are and how we can relate and work with them, which is our fulfillment and our service to them at the same time. It is the great message of Hinduism itself that Gurudeva depicts here, that we are divine beings reconnecting to our truest nature through the help and guidance of our great Gods.
540 pages • abundantly illustrated • $29.85 (before discount, see below)
Order Loving Ganesha
in time for Ganesha Chaturthi: 20% off
Order the book on or before September 1 to take advantage of a 20% discount. Your discount code is LG20. Order here.
Bodhinatha will soon be offering darshan, satsang and lots of practical wisdom at the following:
- September 17: California
- November 17-23: Mauritius
- November 24-27: Malaysia
- February, 2012: India (tentative)
- February-March, 2012: Texas, USA (tentative)
- Click for details and ongoing updates
- About Bodhinatha • Invite him to visit your area.
More resources at minimela.com
Or call 1-877-255-1510
Himalayan Academy
Kauai’s Hindu Monastery | 107 Kaholalele Rd
Kapaa, Hawaii 96746-9304 USA
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