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August 10, 2012
Hindu of the Year issue soon to be released
When Hinduism Today's October-November-December 2012 issue is released in about ten days, the world will know who it has named as Hindu of the Year for 2012. Who it is may surprise you, although you already know this recipient as a most deserving one. We'll give you a hint: the recipient has a direct connection to Hindu temples.
Most of the issue is, in fact, dedicated to that marvelous and enduring institution, the Hindu temple, offering a wealth of inspiring and vital information. It also contains an important editorial by publisher Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami where he reminds us of Hinduism's most essential and distinguished tenet, that all of us are inherently divine beings, yes, no matter how it may appear. How much is that worth?
Hinduism Today editors
Here is a relatively rare opportunity to meet two of Hinduism Today's editors, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami (left) and Senthilnathaswami (right). They are also a part of the team of swamis of Kauai's Hindu Monastery who authored the seminal Guru Chronicles. They will be in California and Texas in a few days, August 15-22, attending various events. See their schedule below.
The book
The Guru Chronicles that the swamis will be presenting at book-signing events in a few days tells the grand story of one of Hinduism's most respected spiritual lineages, from 2,000 years ago to the present.
It is a compendium of the extraordinary deeds, words and impact of the successive gurus, up to and including the founder of Hinduism Today, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Gurudeva), who kept the spiritual fires burning through the centuries. The many anecdotes, testimonials and outpourings that fill some 800 pages take one into the rarified and ever blissful consciousness of those great ones. For the spiritual person, the book is a bottomless treasure. He or she can muse and gather insights to his or her heart's content—into life itself, the ultimate purpose of it all, who we are, where we’re going and how we’ll get there.
The authors
On the left is one of the many S. Rajam illustrations that abound in The Guru Chronicles. It depicts Gurudeva sitting with his team of editors. Together they worked for decades to publish the guru's teachings, including the massive Trilogy, which are the main body of Himalayan Academy's texts today. And together they began work on Guru Chronicles, many years ago.
So the two swamis introduced above, as they travel, will represent at once, 1) Hinduism Today, as two of its editors, 2) The Guru Chronicles, the book, as two of its authors, and 3) the spiritual lineage itself and its continuity, as two of its contemporary disciples.
If you have the chance, do come meet them. They are looking forward to seeing you.
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San Jose, CA, Friday Aug 17, 1-6 pm: Hindu Mandir Executive Conference (HMEC) inaugural event. San Jose, California. At 1 pm Sadasivanathaswami (Hinduism Today's editor-in-chief) will give a presentation with slide show, Visiting a Hindu Temple .
The HMEC is expected to be a powerful event attended by some 20 dynamic or activist swamis and temple staff from throughout North America. A literature table will display myriad Hinduism Today & Himalayan Academy teaching and learning tools, many of them offered to attendees at no charge.
- San Jose, Friday August 17, 6:30 pm: The Guru Chronicles book-signing event at Barnes & Noble bookstore, San Jose. Sadasivanathaswami will give a slide-show presentation on the book and the amazing story of its creation.
- San Jose, Saturday 3-4 pm: Senthilnathaswami, assistant editor of Hinduism Today, will give a slide-show presentation on Spiritualizing Temple Leadership.
- Midland, TX, Monday August 20, satsang by invitation. Contact.
- Houston, TX, Tuesday August 21, 6:30 pm: Guru Chronicles book-signing event at Keshav Smruti (Hindus of Greater Houston), Houston, with a slide-show presentation.
Last March, some 70 beautiful people got away from it all to enjoy each other's company and imbibe 8 seminars by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami.
They spent three days in an idyllic and serene Buddhist retreat center near Santa Cruz. As always, Bodhinatha showered them with tips on how to work with themselves and make spiritual progress. At one point, he explained how to proceed one step at a time. "Say our long term goal is to retire in comfort and ease. If we save a minimal amount each month and persist over a long time, we'll reach the goal. Similarly, in spiritual life, if we strive with consistency, taking small steps each time, we'll reach our goal."
One devotee said afterwards, "This is my first retreat and it was a spiritual awakening for me. I realized the path to God is much simpler than I was making it."
The next retreat will be held at the same locale next Spring. For more information about it or about Himalayan Academy's course of study, please contact us.
- Listen to talks by Bodhinatha
- Three ways to study Himalayan Academy's Master Course
Bodhinatha travels. He will be offering darshan, satsang and lots of practical wisdom at the following:
- August 11: Langham, Maryland, near Washington DC, attending the Nallur Festival.
- September 22: Walnut Creek, California. Aloha Luncheon for friends of Kauai's Hindu Monastery and Himalayan Academy. By invitation and RSVP. Contact.
- Click for details and ongoing updates
- About Bodhinatha
- Invite him to visit your area.
Previous Himalayan Academy newsletters
Visit Himalayan Academy's Minimela for Hindu teachings in modern, clear language, making them easy to understand and pass on to young people. See our new games for children (Devatrek or Iraivan Temple Squares) and a special section of books for children—all great gifts for them.
Give your young ones the opportunity to learn the Eternal Truths that never fail. Help them discover the meaning in our culture, philosophy and religion. These should be clear in their minds. Then the Sanatana Dharma will belong to them , never to be lost. —Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
Don't hesitate. If you don't do it today, when will you do it? Do this for them now. Now is the perfect time. Om.
1-877-255-1510books@hindu.org
Himalayan Academy
Kauai’s Hindu Monastery | 107 Kaholalele Rd
Kapaa, Hawaii 96746-9304 USA