Spiritual Lounge E-Magazine June2012

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SPIRITUAL LOUNGE E-MAGAZINE

Spiritual Lounge Year of the ‘Consciousness in Motion’ 2012

June 2012

EDITORIAL

Dear Readers, Once upon a time, there was a small pebble which despite its size was very ambitious. It dreamt of seeing the world. However, it was lying in a valley dry river bed, awaiting the floods that would take it afar, maybe to the vast oceans. But the other pebbles dissuaded this little pebble from going. They told the little pebble that it was better off where it laid. But the little pebble was unheeding. Months passed by and that one day did arrive, there was a torrential rains that monsoon and the pebble got drifted swiftly by the floods in the river. Because the little pebble was small, it did not sink in the water. It travelled with the force of the river current, observing things on its journey. Soon the roaring sound of the river meeting the sea was heard and the pebble was tossed into the deep wide sea. Initially the pebble floated but soon it gave way and settled onto the sea floor. Lost forever in the silent vast dense ocean floor.

We are like that pebble, wanting to travel and move towards the unknown.

Every pebble wants to be the big stone, not realizing that it was actually part of a big mountain, then a stone and now a pebble and soon it would disintegrate into grains of sand, over time. Every one transforms, into something, but it still does not lose its actual identity. The soul also moves across the universe in many forms but it does not lose its true identity.

This is also what's called the 'Consciousness in Motion' the spiritual year of 2012.

Come join in to spread awareness amongst all.

Join our Facebook group and like our page as well: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spirituallounge/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiritual-Lounge/197029616975219 Connect with us anytime at: spirituallounge@live.com or +91-9619629092

Thank you,

Editor

editor@spirituallounge.com Cover page Photo: Mayan Calender - Gautemala Copyrights: All rights reserved SPIRITUAL LOUNGE EMAGAZINE Š 2010-2012

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June 2012

CONTENT

CONTENT Editorial Page 2 Crystal Energy with Human Being- Binoy Page 4 - 6 Jiten Soni’s Quotes - Page 6 Achievement - By Betty Alark Page 6 Kundalini and Guilt - By Master Chrism Page 7 CinemaHall - The People VS The State of Illusion - Jean Jessup Page 8 Meditation – doing it or living it - By Jyoti Sondhi Page 9 Pramana-Naya and Syadavada - By Rahul Zota Page 10 - 11 Spiritual Ego – Part I - By Myra Godfrey Page 12

Science versus and without Spirituality By Ashwini Shenoy Page 13 - 14 Being - By Betty Alark Page 14 Faith Is the Biggest Movement - By Sushmita Mukherjee Page 15 - 16

Stories and saying I would like to live by - By Uma Krishnan -Page 17 - 18 FIRE - By Nancy Cleaves Page 18 Book Corner - 'Yoga beyond Asana' by Satya Kalra - Page 19 - 20 Book Corner - A Story to Live By written by Dr. Nancy Cleaves - Page 21 - 22 GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari Page 23 - 33

Edited by Dhara Kothari. Published by Moksa Publishers for Spiritual Lounge.

Designed by Biren Shah. Email: spirituallounge@live.com.

Cell: +91-9619629092 / +91-9757274289 3

Crystal Energy for Human Benefit - By Binoy

June 2012

Crystal Energy for Human Benefit Have you ever wondered about the power of crystals? Using certain crystals can help in healing a number of physical problems. Crystals are known as gifts of Mother Nature.

The originator of crystal healing is unknown.

However, this practice has been around for centuries. People have used amulets, magical stones, and gems all throughout history (though mainly in the eastern cultures in navratna lockets, tavis, etc.). It is now making its way into the western culture, primarily in the New Age and Occult movements.

Crystals are said to direct the flow of energy to the person in a particular part of the body and bring balance to a person's energy. Ultimately, they are used to cleanse the person from bad or negative energy believed to cause an illness.

Clearing out the bad spiritual energy alleviates the physical ailment. Crystals are used for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. Not only do people visit 'crystal healers', in some places, professional nurses are being trained to use crystals for their patients.

Additionally, crystals can be worn, placed next to a person's bed as they sleep, and in some cases placed around a person's bath and also to heal the seven chakras.

The best part is that we do not choose our crystals; it is the crystals that choose us, as per our needs.

Crystals

gamblers stone) Amazonite Amazonite is considered a soothing stone that provides hope and confidence and called the stone of courage and was said to be named after the Amazon women warriors.

It calms the brain and nervous system and aids in maintaining optimum health. Balances the masculine and feminine energies. Amazonite helps you to see both sides of a problem or different points of view. It soothes emotional trauma, alleviating worry and fear. Dispels negative energy, aggravation and blockages within the nervous system. Amazonite assists in manifesting universal love. It protects against electromagnetic pollution and absorbs microwaves.

Malachite Malachite is believed to be a strong protector of children. It is said to protect the wearer from accidents and protects travelers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. Also known as the crystal for Archangel Raphael

Pyrite

Rose Quartz

The resemblance of pyrite to gold has made it a traditional symbol for money and good luck. Its sunny golden color associates it with the sun, and with fortification and strengthening of the mind. Also known as fools gold (in olden days it was also known as

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Rose quartz is known as the love stone. It helps the user feel a strong sense of selfworth, therefore being worth love. Rose quartz is the stone of universal love.

It is also the stone of love in marriage.

Crystal Energy for Human Benefit - By Binoy Amethyst Amethyst enhances spiritual awareness and overcomes addictions and blockages of all kind. Amethyst is the stone of spirituality and contentment. Cool and relaxing, amethyst is a stone of psychic power. Wearing it helps promote meditation, peace, tranquility and oneness with your spiritual goals. It enhances and strengthens the powers of the bearer and helps attune with the higher self, dispelling fears, heightening intuition and helping to embrace your own intuitive wisdom.

Fluorite Fluorite is highly protective stone, especially on the psychic level. It helps you discern when outside influences are at work within yourself and shuts off psychic manipulation and undue mental influence. This stone cleanses and stabilizes the aura.

Clear Quartz Clear Quartz is an enhancer of the mind, body and spirit. Clear quartz can hold memory so it can be charged for specific healing activities and is a very powerful dispeller of negative energies and an amplifier of positivity. Since clear quartz can receive, send and hold energy, this crystal can help with meditation, healing, and can center and increase your physical energies.

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mind, body and spirit. In addition to its curative properties associated with the throat it also has beneficial effects on communication by allowing one to speak or write effectively with clarity, truth and honesty.

Tiger Eye A stone of protection, Tiger Eye may also bring good luck to the wearer. It has the power to focus the mind, promoting mental clarity, assisting us to resolve problems objectively and unclouded by emotions. Particularly useful for healing psychosomatic illnesses, dispelling fear and anxiety. Useful for recognising one's own needs in relation to the needs of others.

Balancing yin-yang and energising the emotional body, Tiger Eye stabilises mood swings, imbues us with willpower, purpose, courage and self-confidence, and releases tension.

Bloodstone As the name suggests this interesting colored stone are a great blood cleanser and purifier. They are said to neutralize and eliminate toxins from the blood, as well as aid your eyesight and help skin rashes. They will build courage and strength of mind, to do what needs to be done within your individual reality. It was believed that if you carried one of these stones you might avoid dangerous situations.

Black Tourmaline

Lapiz Lazuli The wearing or carrying of lapis lazuli is thought to improve self confidence and will power while encouraging the unity of

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Black Tourmaline is used for protecting one's energy field against negative vibrations, and also for drawing negative energies away from a

Crystal Energy for Human Benefit - By Binoy person. It can have a calming effect when needed, grounding flighty or scattered energies into the earth. Those who suffer from negativity, frequent worrying, and/or OCD can work with Black Tourmaline to help heal these issues. Very useful as defense against black magic.

Citrine The Citrine wand is used to absorb negative energy and break old patterns, and also to integrate previously blocked parts of the self. It vibrates well with the Third Eye and can enhance telepathy. Citrine is known as the 'success stone' because it promotes success, prosperity, and abundance. It particularly promotes success in business, earning it another nickname, 'merchant's stone', and is said to bring business if put in the cashbox of a shop or carried. Citrine is a stone of good fortune, although it brings good fortune in sometimes unexpected ways. It is a stone of manifestation, helping manifest abundance in many ways. Along with prosperity and good fortune, citrine imparts generosity, to share the wealth, so to speak. As a solar plexus chakra stone it is said to increase and magnify personal energy and power.

Binoy Sasidharan

Jiten Soni’s Quotes Obstacles are really kept to stop you from moving ahead in your life, if you really want to stop and have a look after your obstacles, then have only a look and take the greatest of steps to move ahead in your life.

If you only keep thinking about being good, and not acting on the same, then it's not being good, it's only about caring and not about loving them from the core of your heart and your soul.

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June 2012

Achievement Dreams- ideas caught in view Thought bought to life anew Vivid imagination Desire to achieve Lofty aspirations raising esteem Seeking the venue to solidify thought Motivation to go forth – promote and teleport Connecting with like minds You're on the same page The arena is open The way is paved You enter in - settle down The canvas is filled with color abound Lighted with brightness Inspiration surrounds Available materials at your finger tips Reflecting back on the origin of the dream Solidifying the creation- the end is in sight Proud of the outcome – the finished product Achievement!

Feeling great Recognition, your reward A call to return to the drawing board A clean slate - bring forth A continuum of streaming ingenuity Tapped into a storehouse of revenue – the depth of you Calling forth achievement beyond earths view!

Achievement!

By Betty Alark

Kundalini and Guilt‌ - By Master Chrism

June 2012

Kundalini and Guilt It is the part of a person that helps them to know what is the appropriate thought or action or feeling. It teaches us and helps to mold us by our feelings associated with its expression within us.

We feel guilt often for something we have done that goes against our own emotional morality. Guilt arises due to the infraction and helps us to realize how we have behaved and how we may have responded differently to the situation. How we may have handled it better. Guilt helps us to know these alternatives.

I feel these are all positive traits of guilt and that guilt is really a way of teaching with love from us for ourselves and our advancement into greater personal understandings.

Allowing another person to inflict guilt is an activity of allowing punishment from one person to another and guilt is often co-opted as a tool of passive aggression for this purpose. No other person can inflict guilt upon you without permission being given from you to them. But sometimes the soul will need this to occur if the moral structure of the person isn't strong enough to make the developmental advancement on its own. So a learning scenario is created or revealed that allows the lessons to be given.

Sometimes guilt can be used to help this process along. At other times it is used by others as a control method or as an abusive activity. In these situations both people are learning lessons of power and of love and either one can stop if they truly wish too but for the one 'receiving' self forgiveness must occur. For the 'abuser' guilt for that action may be next for them to experience and eventually self-forgiveness after their personal scenarios of balance activate for

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their education. It is a teaching process.

We must learn to forgive ourselves for the hurts and activities that we partake of that are worthy of guilt. These are most often infractions of an emotional nature. In some way our love has been abrogated and from that injury self worth issues can arise and in our pain sometimes we can do actions that we regret later on in defense of our self worth.

We then have guilt as a reflection of personal regret.

It is a worthy model of learning. It is private for the most part and it is instructive in ways that allow us to move forward into forgiveness. We learn about how we wish to comport ourselves with others largely in the emotional and moral expressions of our interpersonal interactions towards others and yet not limited to our private interactions. Sometimes we screw up in public! And the ensuing embarrassment can also teach in very similar ways as that of guilt.

I do advise that we don't become too attached to the pain of guilt and instead realize the forgiveness within and utilize that as the personal teaching model of choice.

Forgiveness is a way of redemption from guilt. The healing starts from within our heart. But guilt is always there if you cannot adopt the self forgiveness structure and the education will continue. Blessings all! www.KundaliniAwakeningsystems1.com

Cinema Hall

June 2012

The people vs. the state of illusion difference between you and other people…In order to follow it [your own path] does take courage. It's going to take you into actions that people don't approve of, it will take you into actions you may be afraid of…” He goes on to explain how tapping into this source within one's self allows the experience of one's flow in life; to experience one's full potential and purpose in life.

The People vs. The State of Illusion, by Austin Vickers, is a documentary, much in the same style as films such as The Secret, What the Bleep Do We Know, and Down The Rabbit Hole. These films use heavy scientific evidence expounded by experts in various fields to prove the existence of spiritual experience.

When I saw the trailer to The People vs. The State of Illusion with all the professional graphics and stock footage, I thought, “Oh no, not another one of these slick new age documentaries for the masses.” But when I attended a screening at my local art house theater, I was impressed that the subject of the film dealt with how our beliefs and emotional memories create our reality. The film did seem to be a 101 course on emotional life, but did bring up profound ideas on how one can take hold of one's life by facing one's deeper e m o t i o n a l storehouse.

I am constantly on a search to see how I am continually creating my reality and I see how my expectations can limit my ability to see what is really happening in my world and the opportunities it presents. Debbie Ford, a life coach, said, “It happens in a moment. It doesn't have to take ten years on a couch to have a shift in perception. It takes a willingness and desire to know that what you're looking at now, when you're limited and stuck is not true.”

Despite the new age documentary formula, I applaud Austin Vickers for bringing to light the subject of emotional healing and looking at one's belief systems as a way to develop selfempowerment and enlightenment. Even though the concepts are on a beginning level, it really inspires one to start to look within at those dark emotional spaces most would rather never have to face, but are so much a part of our being.

It is said that we are using only 1% of our mind's capacity, but this film suggested that we are only processing this 1% because we are only seeing what we expect to see. Those expectations come from belief systems that are charged with emotional energy that many people would like to escape. Dr. Joe Dispenza, a neurologist and lecturer, explained how we use addictions to escape these feelings. He also went on to describe how many of us try to maintain a persona that is much different from whom we really are in order to “fit in” to society. It is interesting to see nervous breakdowns seen in light of this persona crumbling away.

No techniques or exact cures were given in the film, but there are quite a lot of workshops, books, DVD are offered on the website and at screenings. The DVD is coming out fall of 2012 and will be distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Highly recommended.

Dr. Thomas Moore, who wrote the best-selling book, Care of The Soul, in the film said: “To take this source of life …we get when we are born, deep within us and we can tap into it and you find strength and you find your identity, you find the

Jean Jessup http://www.moviereviewsfromaspiritualperspe ctive.com

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Meditation – doing it or living it - By Jyoti Sondhi

June 2012

Meditation – doing it or living it “The Lord sends you disturbance so that you can discriminate consciousness from thoughts, even in that experience of disturbance. With every disturbance the Lord is sending you a reason for meditation” Swami Chinmayananda Most of us are familiar with the term meditation. It is universally recognized as a tool to relieve stress and to relax. In some faiths and traditions, meditation is also recognized as a spiritual practice meant to serve a deeper purpose to facilitate spiritual growth.

There are a number of techniques that are commonly used in the practice of meditation. One such method is to sit quietly for up to, say, twenty minutes, and imagine a soothing light or a flower or a natural landscape, focusing exclusive attention on it. You could also focus instead on a single mantra. I have read about various other techniques, one of which involves meditation while quietly reciting a prayer. Some meditators strive to control the mind and not let any thoughts flow.

Others take a more relaxed approach, visualizing a vast dome of sky, with thoughts being regarded as no more significant than passing clouds.

When I was first introduced to meditation in a group class, I remember trying very hard to control my mind, opening one eye from time to time to see what others were doing, wondering if they were able to achieve the state that I was expected to reach, and anxiously calculating how many minutes had already passed and how long I would be required to go through this punishment of maintaining my uncomfortable position! As you can see, I had a lot on my mind! My period of meditation seemed unending and pointless.

Today, although I better understand the concept of meditation and what it is meant to achieve, I apply a different technique of meditation that works very well for me. Meditation is essentially a way to control the flow and churning of thoughts, the dialogues and the monologues that occupy our mind at all times. The key word here is control. Controlling these thoughts sometimes teases and entices them to come back again and again, getting stronger each time. It is very natural that, according to the old adage, “What we resist, persists!” That is exactly what was happening to me during my meditation classes.

In my experience, redirecting or rather replacing random thoughts with prayers and positive affirmations is meditation as well. We can be in prayer at the subconscious level all the time, even while performing our regular duties in the workplace or at home. We will then be in a meditative mode as well. The mind does not wander hither and yon, nor resurrect old grudges, regrets, or resentments. It is not inclined to

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dwell on fears of the future. In this state, which is the state of the present, the mind is in a meditative mode all the time.

The basic idea of meditation is to stop or tone down mental chatter and be in a state of silent awareness wherein, absent the usual thoughts, one feels the inner world. All this can be realized when we are in meditation, not just for ten to thirty minutes of the day on a meditation cushion, but at all times of the day and night. When we are immersed in a feeling of faith and gratitude, we are in clearer connection with the Divine.

The mind is relaxed and at peace. That is meditation too!

Here is a simple technique to quiet the mind in short spurts and thus prepare it for meditation at more expansive levels. I have found that focusing on my breath and repeating the words “I am calm” helps put me in a meditative mode. I do this while waiting at the bus stop, a traffic light, or even when a window is opening on my computer screen. This technique serves as a reminder to me whenever I sense my thoughts getting scattered. It helps me to come back to myself and get grounded.

The other day, I told my son before he was going for an academic exam that if at any time he felt he was getting distracted, he should just close his eyes for a second and say to himself, “I am calm.” That simple step would eliminate distraction and bring back his focus. On the other hand, if he tried to struggle against the distraction and force himself to get back to the exam paper, he would waste more time and energy. He found this technique very useful.

At any point of the day, when we switch off from the outside world to be with ourselves, we are in meditation. Rather than being an isolated activity that has to be incorporated into our busy daily routine, meditation can become an essential part of our life.

Instead of “doing it,” we can easily be “living it.” When we are in gratitude at all times, and when we are in prayer and affirmations, we are living in meditation and we are in more conscious connection with the Universe.

In fact, we are then living “spiritually.”

An essay from 'Lighting the Lamp Within' by Jyoti Sondhi- Reiki Master/Teacher Following Reiki Immersion, Jyoti received spiritual insights that transformed her life and led to 'Lighting the Lamp Within.' She now lives in Rome, and shares her journey to joy through workshops, and supports people in conscious living. For more information, visit www.lightingthelampwithin.com

Pramana-Naya and Syadavada - By Rahul Zota

June 2012

PRAMANA-NAYA AND SYADAVADA Pramana means total knowledge and Naya means partial knowledge. Pramana cannot be expressed in words and can be experienced only where Naya represents the part of Pramana. The sum of infinite nayas becomes Pramana. The omniscient who has destroyed all his/her destructive karma perceives direct knowledge (Pramana) without the medium of senses, space and time. The omniscient knows the ultimate truth but because of the limitations of language, he uses the language of Naya and Syadavada. All the mundane souls gains partial knowledge which is not complete. To believe it complete is the biggest mistake and leads to falsity. That is why the Jain seers found the principle of Non-absolutism or Anekantavad. Whatever we observe through the medium of senses is partially true. By the help of Anekantavad our understanding becomes deeper and we get free from sectarian dispute and dogmatism.

To understand Nayavada (The Theory of Partial Stand Points) we will take an example. Suppose I am holding two keys, one is small and the other is big. Now if I ask someone about the size of the keys then he will obviously reply that one is small and the other is big.

Now this is general observation of all of us but if we think deeper then we realize that this observation was relative. The first key is small but in respect to the bigger one but actually the smaller is bigger in respect to even smaller key. Same thing can be seen in many ways. If I say that one drop of water can kill me. Hearing this sentence all will obviously laugh at me but making our thinking wider we learn that such small amount of water is unable to kill me in my present form but in the cycle of birth-death and rebirth we undergo many life forms and we can be born as ant too, and an ant can die by sinking in just one drop of water! So we can see that all our sentences are relative. The absolute sentence cannot be expressed in any language. That is why Lord Mahavir used the language of Syad. The translation of the word Syad is 'May be'. Although he could perceive the ultimate truth directly by his soul, but to express it among the masses who listened to him, he used the language of Syadavada.

Lord Mahavir said, “Both unity and diversity are real but they are real in relation to each other, not absolutely. Once this underlying relativity is abandoned, we enter into falsity.� Once, Somila Brahmin asked Lord Mahavir whether he was one or many. Lord Mahavir replied that he was one as well as many and added that from the point of view of substance (synthetic entity), he was one. From the point of view of transformations of substance (analytic characteristics), he was also many. So we can see that one sentence does not point to reality but it does express just part of reality. There are infinite partial truths. The

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ancient Jain seers combined all infinite Nayas into hundred main Nayas and then they further combined all the hundred into a few, so our understanding becomes easier. Here I will give a short description on main Nayas: Classification of Nayas: Dravyarthika Naya (Substantial Point of View): Dravyarthika Naya means the standpoint that concentrates on a substance (the generic and permanent aspect). Dravyarthika Naya (substantial standpoint) considers all things to be permanent or eternal. In this point of view one considers the substance as a whole and gives its modes subsidiary status. E.g. while talking about the soul, one will consider the soul as immortal, was never created, nor will it ever be destroyed.

Naigama Naya (Generic or Teleological Point of View): This is the sub Naya of Dravyarthika. The etymological meaning of the word Naigama is the end product or result. For example, a person who carries water, rice and fuel and who, when asked what he was doing, says he is cooking. This reply is given in view of the result, which he intends to achieve though at the exact time when the question is put to him he is not actually cooking. His reply is correct from the point of view of Naigama Naya, though technically it is not exactly correct because he is not actually cooking at the time when he replies.

Sangraha Naya (Collective Point of View): A sub Naya of Dravyarthika. We get this Naya (viewpoint) when we put main emphasis on some general class characteristics of a particular thing ignoring altogether the specific characteristics of that class. E.g. there are 500 people in the hall. Here we are now considering only general qualities like people and not considering like how many were men, women, children, old, young, etc. One considers the general attributes of a substance like a substance has existence and eternality.

Vyavahara Naya (Practical Point of View): If we look at a thing from this standpoint, we try to judge it from its specific properties ignoring the generic qualities, which are mainly responsible for giving birth to the specific qualities. This amounts to the assertion of empirical at the cost of universal and gives importance to practical experience in life. This point of view sees an object in its special form rather than the common form.

Paryayarthika Naya (Modal or Modification Point of View): Modification point of view Paryayarthika Naya regards all things as impermanent, because they undergo changes (transformations).

Pramana-Naya and Syadavada - By Rahul Zota Hence it declares that all things are non-eternal or momentary from the standpoint of modes or changes.

In this point of view one considers modes of a substance as a primary subject.

Rujusutra Naya (Linear Point of View): The sub Naya of Paryayarthika. It does not emphasize all the specific qualities but only those specific qualities, which appear in a thing at a particular moment, ignoring their existent specific qualities of the past and the future. The past and future modes of a thing are not real as they have served or will serve their purpose and do not exist at the moment.

Shabda Naya (Literal Point of View): The verbal approach is called as Shabda Naya. This standpoint maintains that synonymous words convey the same meaning or thing, provided they are not different in tense, case ending, gender, number, etc. * Sambhirudha Naya (Etymological point of view): It is different from Shabda Naya because it concentrates on the etymological distinction between the synonyms. If carried to the fallacious extent this standpoint may destroy the original identity pointed to by synonyms. The etymological view asserts that, because the roots of synonyms are different, they are not actually 'synonyms' in the sense of words that mean the same as each other, e.g. Hut and palace are places to live. However, poor people live in a hut and king lives in a palace, in an etymological (word historical or derivation) point of view, it represents a specific quality or grammatical property of a word.

Evambhuta Naya (Determinant point of view): This Naya recognizes only that word which indicates the actual action presently attributed to the individual. In other words, among synonyms only that word should be selected which a correlation with the action has referred to. In this point of view, the word or sentence, which further determines its characteristic property in its present state, is used. E.g. the word thief is to be used only when a person is caught stealing and not because a person is a known thief. It represents a strict application of a word or statement.

The analysis of Naya shows that every judgment is relative to that particular aspect from which it is seen or known. This is also called The Theory of Relativity that means relativity of our particular knowledge or judgment to a particular standpoint. Since human judgments are always from particular standpoints, they are all relative and hence not absolutely true or absolutely false. Their outright acceptance as a sole truth or rejection as totally false would not be correct.

This led the Jain seers to their famous doctrine of 'Syadavada', which means the doctrine of relativity.

Nayavada reveals a technique to arrive at such an

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understanding. It teaches us that truth is revealed to us only partially if viewed from a particular aspect. Even if one finds that a proposition is quite contrary to the conviction he had for the whole life and hence the cause of great irritation to him, once he applies the principles of Nayavada his irritation begins to subside. The simple reason being is that he begins to realize the real cause for that contrary proposition .

SYADAVADA: The Theory of Seven Predictions The theory of Anekantavad is the metaphysical theory of reality. Jainism brings out another aspect of reality and that is its relativistic pluralism. While Anekantavad explains reality metaphysically, Syadavada explains it epistemologically (dealing with knowledge). Both are two aspects of the same reality. We have already seen how human knowledge is relative and limited which ultimately makes all our judgments relatively or partially true, and not absolute. Syadavada is also called as 'sevenfold judgment'. Syadavada is known as the theory of relativity of propositions or theory of relativity of judgments.

Jain philosophers have evolved a formula of seven predications which are known as Sapta-bhanga. 'Sapta' means 'seven' and 'Bhanga' means 'mode'. These seven modes of ascertaining the truth are able to be exact in exploring all possibilities and aspects. All these seven predications are explained with reference to an ethical proposition that 'Soul does exist'. With regard to this proposition, the seven predications noted above can be made as under: 1. Asti: Soul does exist 2. Nasti: Soul does not exist 3. Asti-Nasti: Soul does exist as well as it does not 4. Avaktavya: It is not possible to say whether soul exist or not 5. Asti-Avaktavya: Soul does exist but it is indescribable 6. Nasti-Avaktavya: Soul does not exist and it is indescribable 7. Asti-Nasti-Avaktavya: Soul does exist as well as it does not and it is indescribable All these seven modes can be expressed with regard to every proposition. The Jain philosophers have applied them with reference to self, its eternality, noneternality, identity and character. In fact, this approach of Anek채nta permeates almost every doctrine, which is basic to Jain philosophy. This is the general view of the method of the Jain dialectic. Only this type of dialectical method can represent Syadavada. The theory of sevenfold predication is treated as synonymous with Syadavada owing to the fact that the number of possible or alternative truths under the conditional method of Syadavada is seven only.

Spiritual Ego – Part I - By Myra Godfrey

June 2012

Spiritual Ego – Part I I'm sure you've heard about spiritual ego before, but perhaps you don't know what it is. While very subtle and easily missed, it's a death sentence if you are looking to grow inwardly.

Let's take a look at this concept, learn how to identify it and learn how to eliminate it from your life.

To know what spiritual ego is, we first need to know what ego is. In its most neutral definition, ego is the totality of our being. It's everything that makes us unique. It contains the energies of all the chakras, the soul and all the good and all the bad thoughts and experiences we have had in life. Ego is the cumulative “you” so to speak.

People often refer to ego in a negative context in spirituality, and that is unfortunate because ego in itself is not bad. An ego gone wild with desires is not good if you are looking to be conscious in life, but that is the only place you can really make a judgment on ego. It takes ego working together with the heart to make change in the world, so work with it, not against it. If you destroy your ego, you destroy the fabric of yourself. Woo it and love it. Make it your friend and collaborator on your spiritual journey and you are sure to be an effective conduit of divine expression here in the world!

So why does ego have such a bad rap? Ego has been demonized because it is the component of our system that determines where we focus our energy. When people come onto a spiritual path, they learn to demonize the ego (wrongfully) because it has usurped control of our most innerbeing. Instead of learning to change and grow, we as humans have a tendency to place blame so as to avoid responsibility for our actions and decisions. How easy to place blame on the ego since it is not our soul or root essence of Self? No beginner in anything understands the subtle underlying essence of what they are studying.

It's the same in this case. A beginner is taught to live from the soul, not the ego, so the beginner jumps to the conclusion that ego must therefore be bad. This is an exemplary example of how rationalization is the biggest enemy we have towards consciousness.

Where we find issue with ego in spirituality is not in ego itself, but in egoism, which is different.

Anytime egoism comes into play be assured you have moved off of track. Here is a fact of life. If 12

you find something that makes you feel good, egoism can get involved and try to put this thing on a pedestal. Egoism combined with naiveté can make people want to proselytize and say their way is best, not acknowledging that the world is a diverse place where there are many ways to find happiness and success in life.

The place where this thinking is most prominent is when it comes to either a particular belief system or to a particular teacher or guru. If a person has not yet learned the lesson of spiritual ego, this is where you are guaranteed to see it rear its ugly head. When a person cannot see beyond the greatness of their own religion, spiritual path or teacher and has to constantly praise the glory of their teacher while criticizing other people, be assured, they have not moved passed spiritual ego. It gets even more devious.

When a person thinks they are great because their teacher is great, that's a sign of a powerful spiritual ego. You are not great because your guru is great; you are only great if you choose to make yourself great. Of course a guru's energy can help in the transformation process, but it is solely up to you to decide and act and live a life of greatness. It does not magically just come to you because you idolize someone who is great. It happens because you use the teachings and transformative Shakti you have received to allow your own complete connection with the universe and all that is. All teachings lead to the same place; a state of unity consciousness or beyond where we are all one. Be great in life. Choose greatness with every breath; ensure spiritual ego has no place to reside within you.

Myra has founded Gita for the Masses (a nonprofit organization) and Hridaya Healing to help people see the inherent unity in all spiritual traditions and to help people overcome obstacles to their growth and fulfillment in life. She teaches workshops publically and works with individuals directly offering healing services, dharmic counseling, sadhana development, homam and a variety of other services based on the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita and the tantric Sri Vidya lineage. www.gitaforthemasses.org , www.hridayahealing.com. © Myra Godfrey 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Science versus and without Spirituality - By Ashwini Shenoy

June 2012

Science versus and without Spirituality Science and scientific inventions have grown by leaps and bounds in the last 200 years. And today we have become so dependent on something that has grown and flourished in last two hundred years while mankind has been here since millions of years. Ten years ago the mobile phone and computer were the privileges of the rich, have now become mandatory to daily living.

Daily life would be incomplete and man would be in a constant state of making ends meet to bring in these technologies that once man did not need to be happy. Television, refrigerator, radio are no longer a luxury. Electricity has become essential to human existence. Imagine having to live without electricity. The very thought of living without comfort providing electrical appliances is terrifying. Human being has become so dependent on all the scientific appliances and machines that lack of it creates huge challenges and difficulties in daily living without which smooth functioning of daily life that we have built around such appliances cannot be ensured.

Besides that, nobody can deny the negative consequences of modern science on nature, ecology, food chain and thus, on the entire planet. Ancient science was much more synchronous with the nature and considered all aspects of the human life. It had no ill effects on the planet, let alone dangerous destruction that would last for generations. Permanent destruction of our natural habitat at the cost of momentary luxury is taking place, right now, every day. Everyday a little more destruction in the name of development is happening. What is true development? Is it to be independent or to be dependent? Is it to be happy or experience pleasures? And we are letting it all happen, with all the risks and dependence for temporary pleasures. There is a difference between pleasure and happiness which no amount of pleasure can erase. No man can say that mere use of electrical appliances makes him happy. And the cause of this happiness is not comfortable life. We are creating unnecessary destruction haphazardly all around just to derive pleasures.

But what was the reason for the invention in the first place? The answer would be, to make human life more luxurious and easy. And i agree 13

that it serves its purpose. But doesn't the lack of it would cause havoc in human life? Yes it does, because it is no longer just a luxury, but a necessity. What if the future inventions create further human necessities? What if resources on this planet to fulfill these necessities end? What if we are nearing, each day, our own extinction by following modern science blindly? Is modern Science efficient enough to blindly follow? Do scientists keep the humanitarian aspects in mind while inventing? Are the long term effects of any commodity/appliances on human health kept in mind before they are exposed to common man?

What is the motto behind such inventions? Is it always wellbeing of people or to increase the sales or crush the competition? Are they thoughtful of the humankind? Are they thoughtful of the living animals and living nature before they introduce some new product in the market? Are Science and scientists controlled and misused by politicians?

Are we trapped in a never ending cycle? Are we all becoming addicts? Will this craze for more and more lead to self-destruction? Who would be responsible for the destruction? What can we do now? What went wrong? We all believe that scientific discoveries and inventions help in creating a more advanced and efficient human race. If that is true then, why have those inventions endangered the very existence of human race? Why are we suffering from global warming, disturbed food chain, polluted environment, melting glaciers, chronic illnesses, short life span, danger of nuclear destruction? I agree that such scientific advance has not happened in a span of hundred years before, but you cannot deny the fact that this sort of threat to all of the human existence, animals, green life has not happened before either.

To all the questions, there is an answer scientists would not want to hear. So let me explain this with another question. What would happen if a five year old is given a car to drive? The child is bound to have an accident. If the breaks are not applied at the right time, the car is bound to get destroyed and the child might die. That is the threat we face. The planet might get destroyed and we might die. Humans are like that unskilled

Science versus and without Spirituality - By Ashwini Shenoy

June 2012

child because we lack something to drive this planet right. Science is handicapped too. Both of them lack one thing- Spiritualty. Until we are ready to accept and believe that we all are connected and if one is affected, all others will gradually be affected. Until we accept Karma, that if we kill the nature; nature won't be able to spare us.

and contribute to heal the ailing planet, our planet with love, light and being.

Transformation in the entire world begins with individual transformation from within.

Now, some people find it nonsense. Scientists want proof that such an energy or spirituality exists. This is the worst case scenario: The five year has blindfolded himself and refuses to see the reality. For at least those who can see or are willing to see, wake up! You have all the power within you. First, be human and then experience your 'light' that would definitely come to your rescue when all else fails. There are many ways to the light. You will find your own in time but the thing you should do on your part is begin the journey. When we start walking on the path, we realize the love for the mankind. When we all realize and recognize the true way of living, which is nothing but loving, all the destruction will be reversed. Instead of loving machines, if we love animals, our nature would flourish. If we love and respect Mother Nature enough, all of the harm we have caused will be released. We ourselves would be healthier and happier. Don't worry about how you can affect the entire world because you already do.

Contact: +919664546279

Consciously changing the way you live and primarily your thought process. Instead again using the logical mind, listen to your heart and the infinite divine energy in you. The healing power of our Universe is unlimited, it transcends time and space. Even if you are skeptical about the whole thing and think logically, the least amount of logic will require you to understand that modern science does not have all the answers and has its own limits. But more importantly, it is creating dangerous consequences of its use every day, more and more. At this rate, extinction is not far away and this fact even science agrees to. Now there has to be something beyond science that needs to come to the rescue of the planet. What is that something? There are answers. Only if you are willing to listen. Begin! Take a step at a time.

Gradually, you will find your Spiritual Essence 14

Love and light to all.

Ashwini Shenoy, Thane.

Being Nothing to say No desire to think Simply – being!

Sitting in quietness Observing self – being!

Eye's closed Wondering what is in control!

Chest rising Even breaths Breath - being my focal point Grasping, inhaling, exhaling, relaxing Being in a state of “being” Letting down Unwinding In tune with all of me Muscles relaxed No tightness anywhere No worries - no cares Just me in space and air Being!

Nothing to say

By Betty Alark

Faith Is the Biggest Movement - By Sushmita Mukherjee

June 2012

Faith Is the Biggest Movement Where Faith Is, Doubt and Fear Is Not‌ When Belief is Absolute it becomes Faith. Absolute Belief is a Belief in Belief Itself Faith in Faith Itself irrespective of the forms of Faith as Faith is the Form.

Faith goes way beyond the religious context. True, faith finds expression in the form of varied religions. Yet faith is not restricted to religion alone. It is Infinite as it connects to the Infinite, the Creative Force of the Universe. Why, even a scientist has faith and proceeds ahead with faith.

Faith is a direction and guides one on it with absolute conviction, as absolute conviction.

Faith knows no barriers, rather faith erases all barriers; these barriers are of the mind while faith is that of the soul, deeply seated within. For, and with faith, the word 'impossible' doesn't exist.

The context of faith becomes secondary to faith as faith is more important, irrespective of the subject of faith. Faith is everything as it is faith that makes possible everything. Faith is that absolute state of belief wherefrom doubt has been displaced forever. Faith is that state of consciousness which is the key to all materialization.

Faith connects us to the empowerment within, whereby the seat of the creative force of the universe, residing within too, is accessed and activated as within so without. Since faith is infinite it is not desirable to confine it in particular definitions. In fact faith allows nothing to be impossible, yet defining faith adequately, is impossible. It is a sublime state of being. Like love, it too is unique in its experience and thus expression, and in a way synonymous as well as complementary to it.

Where love is, faith is and where faith resides love is experienced. And both liberate and heal all.

pause, with one thing common: the essence of faith absolute conviction and non-existence of doubt, as the result. When we have faith, we have indeed everything.

The ways, Faith 'has come' to me, after each realization of faith, is thus shared here. There are more, and would be, as well. Though in no ways the enumerations can capture the essence that faith is, in entirety; it is Infinite!

Faith puts you in touch with yourself, resulting in absolute belief, in your own self and capabilities and a realization that a bigger force is in operation, along with. And it is belief that creates, putting the creative force into motion in that direction. As we believe so we create. Thus when we doubt, it is doubt that is manifested, while matter desired manifestation, fails to. Faith produces selfconfidence and enhances it immeasurably.

Faith is beauty and humility personified. It respects the other faiths. Yet your faith doesn't allow you to court and have faith in the other faith doubt. As doubt too is a faith, a faith that doesn't have faith in faith. So faith makes you unidirectional without allowing any distractions.

With zero distraction, the effort gains concentrated impact a laser like coherence, which causes materializations.

With faith comes surrender and surrender renders one fully receptive to graces and blessings, present within and without. And with receptivity comes the envelope of calm, keeping one warm in this assuring cocoon of The Source Within.

Ultimately with faith, oneness with The Source is realized, experienced and realized.

Faith is all these and much more‌ Faith is its own logic

It blesses us all in different manner as experienced and realized at different phases in our physical life (after all physical life is for experiencing). And as with faith we consciously evolve, revolving all the time, with, and around, faith we 'get to faith' and 'get to' express faith in varying ways. And all the ways, always, sing in praise of faith, without a

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With mind one cannot experience or honor faith as it defies all logic of the mind and the conventions created by the mind. Where mind is limited and declares impossibilities, faith dissolves all, into possibilities with its omnipotence. It takes one to unprecedented heights that are unimaginable. It

Faith Is the Biggest Movement - By Sushmita Mukherjee enables one to uncover one's own mesmerizing capabilities and revel in it.

Goethe has been absolutely right in stating, “Real magic lies in believing in one's own self. One, who is able to do that, can make happen anything.�

Faith might seem illogical to the mind. But when soul-mind connection is established the logic of faith dawns on the mind and the mind is re-minded as it acknowledges that the un-manifest doesn't imply non-existence. That which is un-manifest is so perceived, bound by the limitations of the relative concepts of time and space. All that is made manifest within, in our consciousness be it the conscious, the subconscious or the superconscious is made manifest, without too.

Faith waters the un-manifest seed in the store consciousness to become manifest in the mind consciousness, so as to materialize. And again, faith establishes a communion of the individual consciousness with The Universal Consciousness and without even a prior manifestation in the mind consciousness, the un-manifest directly becomes a matter of reality: an expression of wondrous creativity apparently appearing out of the blue, yet in reality the expression of the ever present infinite spectrum of creativity within, accessed and activated by faith.

Faith is the biggest movement Faith is The Biggest Movement of All, as it takes one to All That There Is. Thus causes The Biggest Movement - A Paradigm Shift from The Relative to The Absolute. It doesn't displace, nor replace, anyone. But yes, it replaces one and all, on their path of Self-Realization, guiding them through, to it. It is only faith that transforms a being through life to a self-realized being. Faith is The Supreme Logic as it leads to The Supreme Being within, The Life Force, and empowers one with access to Its logic; Its Absolute Wisdom.

Faith keeps one on the move consciously as one is thus re-moved from the illusions of life the vagaries created by the mind that carries the vestiges from the past and clings to them. By forwarding what it does, in ignorance of what the soul is aware of, the mind tries for the best, but unchaperoned it destructs more than it creates.

Faith moves everything the unmoved and the immovable are rendered misnomers, removing all

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June 2012

from fear and doubt with absolute assurance, ensuring everything on this path. Mind too finally giving in to the logic of faith as it is convinced that it is in its best interest to surrender and then realize its fullest potential, the wondrous creations for which it has been created. And one emerges, as realized self-one with the path. One becomes the path in itself; one becomes a Faith movement moved by Faith.

Faith is a condition which makes everything possible, yet is not conditional. Faith keeps us moving, even when chips are down, as we move ahead with the absolute knowingness that, that what is 'down', is actually 'up' as it pulls us up towards our greatest truth and its grandest manifestation. Faith assures and ensures that, everything happens for the best. And we not only state this, we actually live this truth, with our absolute belief in this truth. Faith leads us to our true selves and empowers us to be our truth, as with faith one knows that.

Faith lies in Being, And in Being, The Being that one is, With Absolute Faith, In Faith, And in Being.

This is the Soul's Sole Purpose To be the Soul that it is,

By Being the Soul, Even through the Being in which it is, Being Human.

As you are Being, You Begin to Manifest The Being that You Are. With faith, everything that there is, is found within.

With Faith and as Faith, and with Love and Best Wishes, S u s h m i t a M u k h e r j e e : philosopher.mukherjee@gmail.com

Stories and saying I would like to live by - Uma Krishnan

June 2012

Stories and saying I would like to live by In our life now and then we come across a story or a saying or a phrase or some personalities who or which continue to inspire us, impress us or affect us all our lives. This happens in almost everyone's life. Without our knowledge they get imbedded in some part of the brain forever. In my life too there are incidences and stories which have remained with me till date and many of them I relate it to happenings in my life. We live certain stories in our real life.

Wolf has come, Wolf has come: As children this is such a popular story which I find it 100% true in real life.

Once there was a shepherd boy who had to look after a flock of sheep. One day, he felt bored and decided to play a trick on the villagers. He shouted, “Help! Wolf! Wolf!”

The villagers heard his cries and rushed out of the village to help the shepherd boy. When they reached him, they asked, “Where is the wolf?”

The shepherd boy laughed loudly, “Ha, Ha, Ha! I fooled all of you. I was only playing a trick on you.”

A few days later, the shepherd boy played this trick again.

Again he cried, “Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!” Again, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him and again they found that boy had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty.

Then, sometime later, a wolf went into the field.

The wolf attacked one sheep, and then another and another. The shepherd boy ran towards the village shouting, “Help! Help! Wolf! Help!

Somebody!”

The villagers heard his cries but they laughed because they thought it was another trick. The wolf attacked the boy and the boy died. Later the villagers went to look for him. It was true. They could see the wolf running and the body of the boy dead on the field.

Moral of the story is “We may not believe someone who often tells lies, even when he tells the truth.” This is true even in the corporate world, in our relationships, in school anywhere on Earth. Whenever one is caught telling lies again and again people stop trusting that person forever. To win back people's trust becomes almost impossible however hard one may try.

Also lying is a disease which almost becomes a 17

reflex action and a person starts lying for anything and everything. Lying can be fatal for our lives and for our own good we all should develop the habit of speaking the truth as far as possible and as long as possible if not always.

A thief who pretended to be saint: Once a thief was caught stealing and the villagers ran after him to catch him. The thief knew that if the villagers caught him they would kill him. He had nowhere to escape. That time he saw a saint meditating under a tree. So the thief sat under the adjoining tree and started to pretend as though he too was meditating. When the villagers reached the spot they found peaceful aura on the face of the thief. They said all though he came as a thief but in the presence of the holy man he has become holy himself. The villagers bowed to the thief and left.

The thief thought by just pretending to be holy I could achieve such calmness then if I actually become a holy person maybe I can attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

That's the effect of goodness. We should lead an inspiring life and keep the company of pious people because we become the person whose company we keep. Here it need not be physical presence of a person even keeping the company of good books can have the same effect.

The story about Abraham Lincoln On his first day in office, as President Abraham Lincoln entered to give his inaugural address speech, one man stood up. He was a rich aristocrat. He said, “Mr. Lincoln, You should not forget that your father used to make shoes for my family.” And the whole senate laughed. They thought they had made a fool of Lincoln.

Lincoln looked at the man directly in the eye and said, “Sir, I know that my father used to make shoes for your family, and there will be many others here, because he made shoes the way nobody else can. He was a creator. His shoes were not just shoes; he poured his whole soul into them. I want to ask you, have you got any complaint? Because I know how to make shoes myself. If you have any complaint I can make you another pair of shoes. But as far as I know, nobody has ever complained about my father's shoes. He was a genius, a great creator and I am

June 2012

Stories and saying I would like to live by - By Uma Krishnan proud of my father”.

The whole senate was dumb struck. They could not understand what kind of man Abraham Lincoln was.

In our life we attach so much importance to what we do and so little to how we do it. We should take care that whatever job that we do how so small it may be ensure that we have given our 100% to it. That's the path to excellence. A perfect shoe maker is better than a professor who teaches crap. Not only that we should ourselves adopt this trait of perfecting whatever we do and also we should also recognise the same in others and respect good job wherever we see it. In our lives we should learn to respect work and not position and money. We should teach our children to do the same.

There are many such stories and real life incidences which though old continue to inspire me every day.

Some Golden rules which I like to follow in my life are: 1) If the job is worth doing, its worth doing properly, otherwise don't do it.

2) If you do not follow the rule of “A place for everything and everything in its place” then you will land up searching for everything all the time and thus loosing valuable time in the process.

3) What I am, speaks louder than what I say or what I do. So don't think people cannot see through if you are pretending to be something which you actually are not.

4) Change before you have to.

5) Treat others the same way you want to be treated by them.

6) Few versus from Rahim: Rahiman dhaga prem ka; which means that Oh man don't break the thread of love in one stroke because once broken it cannot join back and even if it joins there will be a knot in it. So be careful how you deal with your loved ones. What takes years to build don't break it in a second.

FIRE Don't let your wounds define you; Let them refine you.

That is how gold is made.

You must welcome the fire, And ne'er tire Of its flames.

Oh how it burns And wounded souls spurn Such pain.

But in the ashes Are strokes and lashes That calls you by name.

Uma Krishnan: uma.subu@gmail.com

Nancy Cleaves 18

Book Corner

Yoga beyond Asana

June 2012

Excerpt from a book called 'Yoga beyond Asana' by Satya Kalra Introduction The goal of yoga is not just physical but to attain ultimate union with Supreme, and everlasting peace and bliss/Anandam - Self-Realization, “Sat Chit Ananda” Yoga has become very popular in the world in last decade. More than 20 million people in the USA alone practice yoga. The term yoga in the West is primarily associated with stretches and postures/asanas. Physical postures make up one branch of yoga philosophy; however, yoga is much more than asanas.

Originated in ancient India, the word "Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root verb “yuj” which means "to unite, to connect." True Yoga means the union of the individual (conscious mind) with the ultimate reality (Supreme consciousness). It also means oneness/alignment of the body, mind, and soul that result in eternal happiness and peace "Sat Chit Ananda." The practice of yoga is an art and science with not only a physical objective but also to create a balance between the body and the mind, achieve good health and attain calmness of mind, Equanimity, everlasting inner peace, bliss/Anandam and self-enlightenment-ultimate liberation (Moksha) from worldly suffering and cycle of birth and death.5 Yoga is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Self (Self-Realization). It is the path of rising to the state of bliss wherein the egoistic mind (I-ness and My-ness) is dissolved and the conscious mind is merged with the Supreme Consciousness. It is an art of right living that helps one attain the True Yoga, the freedom from the cycle of birth and death and the ultimate union with self.

Yoga, the State of Bliss is freedom from miseries and sorrows, cycle of birth and death, bondage of karma"cause and effect"; and experiencing eternal love, peace and happiness, “Sat Chit Ananda.”

There are two major ancient scriptures which originated from India, the Bhagavad Gita and the

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Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, that give details of Yoga. Each describes Yoga, the power of Yoga, obstacles of doing Yoga, how to overcome obstacles of yoga, how to practice yoga and the benefit from the practice of True Yoga.

More than 5000 years ago, yoga was taught to Arjuna

by Krishna in the battlefield when he was facing the calamities in his life and became very confused and dejected. Lord Krishna, the Lord of Yogas (Yogeshwar) explains to Arjuna the meaning of yoga and how every activity could be converted into yoga including sorrow/vishad and could lead into union with supreme if it is done with control of mind and senses, surrender to Him with faith and devotion.

Krishna summarizes the Yogas through eighteen chapters of the Gita. Each chapter is called Yoga and represents a different spiritual path that teaches how to self-awaken, selftransform, and unite with Self/Supreme. Since the Gita is a scripture of Yogas, therefore it is known as Yoga Sastra.

Four main yogas are described in the Gita: 1. Karma Yoga (Path of selfless action) 2. Bhakti Yoga (Path of love and devotion) 3. Jnana Yoga (Path of SelfKnowledge) 4. Dhyana Yoga (Mediation) or Raja Yoga KarmaYoga +BhaktiYoga +JnanaYoga Dhyana Yoga/Raja Yoga Self-Purification Self-Transformation Self-Realization/Oneness with Supreme.

One may have more inclination for one type of yoga, however all four yogas are interconnected and must be practiced together.

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali:

Book Corner

June 2012

The yoga philosophy was written down in The Yoga Sutra by the Indian sage Patanjali, approximately 200 AD. Yoga Sutra, also known as Raja Yoga. It is a step-by-step instruction manual for attaining the True Yoga and consists of four chapters. The first chapter describes the goal and theory of Yoga, the second chapter is about the practice of the Yoga, the third chapter explains the power of yoga and the fourth chapter is about Liberation from miseries and experiencing Eternal Bliss/Anandam and Peace, the Ultimate Union with Soul-Self –Realization, Oneness of All! The Yoga sutra is systematically arranged in the eight steps/limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. These are also mentioned though out in the Gita. The first two steps are the foundation of Raja Yoga, the next three (Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara) are for preparation of body and mind for mediation and samadhi. The last three steps (Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) are for raising the consciousness and ultimately uniting with the Supreme consciousness where one is in the state of bliss.

All the steps are equally important. These eight steps of yoga indicate a logical pathway that leads to the attainment of physical, ethical, emotional, and spiritual health and also the purpose of life, Eternal Love, Peace and Anandam – Ultimate Union with Self, "Self- Realization." Yoga is not a religion nor preaches any religion but is a way to a healthy, happy and peaceful life.

Day 1 What is Yoga?

Union with Self – Self-Realization Sanskrit root verb yuj = to unite, to connect Yoga, the State of Bliss is freedom from miseries and sorrows, cycle of birth and death, bondage of karma "cause and effect"; and experiencing eternal love, peace and happiness, "Sat Chit Ananda.”

Oneness of body, mind and soul is Yoga Yoga is a method to attain well-being of body and calmness of mind and attaining the purpose of life Self-Realization. (Gita. 2.48) When the mind comes to rest, becomes steady and peaceful by practicing of yoga, develops the ability to see the self by the self and content in the self, finds his happiness within his delight within, and his light within (State of Bliss). (Gita.6.20) Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one's being, from bodily health to selfrealization. Yoga means union - the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul.

Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one's actions. - B.K.S. Iyengar Day 2

A Note for Readers: What is the purpose/supreme goal of life?

If you sincerely devote, contemplate and practice the tips given in this guide, you will not only understand the true meaning of the Yoga but will also know the supreme goal of your life. Moreover, you will gradually develop more self-awareness, selftransformation. Furthermore, you will also lead a happier, healthier, and peaceful life. This guide is only a road map; you must drive it yourself to reach your destination. In order to avail the maximum benefits from this guide, do the following: 1. Each day, read one day's thought, and read every day (preferably in the mornings). Contemplate and practice it during the day.

Attain Love, Peace and Eternal Happiness/Anandam the Ultimate Union with Self "Self-Realization -Sat Chit Ananda and extend to others” Achieve the freedom from miseries of life, cycle of birth and death, and also enjoy your life to the fullest.

Self-Realization (Liberation from desire, fear and anger) is the supreme goal of life (Gita. 5.28) First focus on attaining your own Supreme goal of life and then extend to others. satya@pathtoanandam.org

2. Use the daily spiritual planner provided in the back of the book to evaluate your progress.

3. Read daily the poem given on the last page of the book.

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Book Corner

June 2012

A Story to Live By

Excerpt from the book: A Story to Live By written by Dr. Nancy Cleaves My name is Hokhmah, Holy Wisdom. To some I am known as Sophia, Ancient Wisdom, the Living Logos, and Eternal Word. From before the Before, I am; and I am with the beloved. I am the way of peace and compassion. I am the door to the realm of Sacred Mystery. I am that renewable life that sustains you.

With my wisdom, I have fashioned the Universe. To find me is a treasure beyond gold. I want to tell you a story. It is a story of unfolding compassion, enormous sacrifice, longing desire, yearning, and birthing; it is a story of one who is love, harmony and beauty. This is the story of the Universe; it is your story. If you remember anything I tell you, remember this: It is one story.

For all that is, comes forth from the One, and unto the One all return; in the Breath of the One, all breathe; in the Life of the one, all live.

Imagine then, we are leaving this galaxy, passing the planets, passing Jupiter, the big brother planet that shields and protects Earth. We pass through hundreds, thousands, millions, and then billions of galaxies.

The clock has rolled back almost fourteen billion years. Try to imagine - no time and no space.

Once upon a no-time, the Universe was everywhere, and as tiny as a …. This I will tell you later. In this no-time, no-space, the Beloved was, and is, and always will be. Now, I will use the past tense, but in the Beloved, there are no tenses. Every moment is this moment. So, the Beloved was alone and oh how she dreamed. She longed to express all of her inner beauty and intelligence. She wanted to know and be known.

She dreamed of relating, relationships, connections, interconnections, community, expressing her love, and being loved in return, and all things loving each other.

She wanted to display her vastness, her wonder, and intricate beauty. She literally ached to experience herself in dimensions not yet created. She longed for millions of beings all flowing in love. Then that wasn't enough. Her dream grew and grew. Still she was filled with longing unexpressed. She continued to dream. She imagined a vast expanse of harmony, of planets orbiting, stars and creatures, tiny little legs making webs and great cosmic webs spanning entire galaxies; everything so intricately connected. Oh, how her heart was bursting with desire to touch, to feel, to experience her sacred unity expressed in all kinds of creations.

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One moment, what actually became the first moment, as Beloved was in the deepest, meditative longing, a tear rolled down. She caught this tear and there! There, in this pool of primordial waters, she saw reflected all that she had longed for. Her entire dream was before her eyes. She was so overwhelmed. Very gently and reverently, she bent to kiss this tear, but I, the heat in her Holy Breath sent this tear off – and the Universe was birthed with a kiss.

Taken from the last chapter: Home Before the before, was the tear – the great longing. From that tear, you came forth and you are the trusted species that holds this tear. The tear has called you, led you out of chaos into the light, brought forth so many dreams into the realm of experience, and has inspired ingenious and artistic expressions. There is an intimate communion that develops with this tear. Its mystery intrigues you. It came from the depth of the Beloved's longing. I waited in silence, for the kiss. I was the heat that flared forth. All of that loving memory lives in the tear; it holds the memory of the Dream – the dream of it all.

The reward of honouring the tear is that it brings you home. Home is where you enjoy the seventh principle of creation – peace and rest. Home is the true reality of who you really are. Here, there is great contentment and comfort; here there is the soul's peace, flowing in harmony with all that is, seen and unseen. Living in loving embrace of your soul's journey, brings the awakening of being home in greater measures moment by moment. Meister Eckhart was aware of this principle when he said to you, “God is at home. It is we who have gone out for a walk.”

Remember the grand event that happened six hundred thousand years ago. Light sensitive eyespots developed into eyes and Earth saw herself for the first time. The more you travel this soul's journey; the more you become sensitive to the Light. Gradually, or sometimes suddenly, often in a moment unexpected, an amazing transformation occurs and you see yourself, as if for the first time! You know that you are one with the Beloved; one with all creation; one with the entire Universe. It is a blissful peace; you are grounded in your own sense of being, and ecstatic that this very essence is the only Essence!

Book Corner

June 2012

Remember the grand event that happened six hundred thousand years ago. Light sensitive eyespots developed into eyes and Earth saw herself for the first time. The more you travel this soul's journey; the more you become sensitive to the Light. Gradually, or sometimes suddenly, often in a moment unexpected, an amazing transformation occurs and you see yourself, as if for the first time! You know that you are one with the Beloved; one with all creation; one with the entire Universe. It is a blissful peace; you are grounded in your own sense of being, and ecstatic that this very essence is the only Essence!

It is I, Hokhmah, who calls you home in the tear. I am the One who gathers all back into unity and harmony. I birthed you in my Essence, and walk with you through all the dark passages. I long for you to experience being Home in greater and greater dimensions of awareness.

Home, the hearth of love is always lit. You partake freely from my table of abundance. Home is Truth; Home is Love; Home is Peace. If your journey has been very hard, you can rest now. There is always more to journey through, but it will be softer now. If your beginnings lacked love, you have endured broken relationships.

Now you will attract a lover who is also home. As like attracts like, you will attract love to yourself. The Universe lives in an endless dance of attraction. You can spin and twirl around with us. What a delight. Enjoy the dance!

I have poured myself out for you in this story. Every word is a gift of wisdom, love and grace. What is more important is the space between the words. That is more of a gift; that is the Beloved breathing life into you, breathing love into you. You, my precious friend, are the loved, the loving and love itself – you. I have chosen to speak plainly to you for two main reasons, although the reasons are many.

I want you to come Home, and here experience that the Beloved is good – only good. I want you to know who you are. I want you to enjoy being alive. You deserve all of love's best. I want you to breathe deeply and freely, and enjoy the love of others, of a lover, and the love of all creation. The first reason is just that – love for you because you are worth it. The second reason is love for the gift of Earth. If you could experience the complete agony of Mother Earth, you could not bear it. Even one small portion of her agonizing pain would break your heart into a million pieces and you would go crazy; your body could not bear the intensity of the grief and groaning of Earth.

Mother Earth needs you; I need you to become active participants in healing her. I say her, but it is I. We are one, for one is all there is. Beloved, Intelligent Beauty and I, Wisdom are one. We worked, danced and played together cloaking our dream into this miraculous

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dimension. We are the 'I AM'. I am Beauty; I am beauty in Earth. I am Life. As Earth I live. As water I live. As mountains I live. And I ache deliriously. As Mother Earth, I have been so generous to all but humanity takes, kills, steals and destroys. The spirit that fuels modern civilizations, which are barely civil at all, is not the spirit of love.

Wherever you are on your journey, I implore you to live with intention. Before you buy anything, know where it comes from. Know what the making of that product has done to Mother Earth. Think about what you will do with that product when it becomes waste. Do you really need it? Who will profit from that purchase? When you see paper and wood, think of the trees. And then there is life's precious gift of water. How is she being honoured?

Where and how is your food grown? Are you wasting our gifts? By keeping these questions in your consciousness, and acting accordingly, you are a loving Mother Earth.

Hearken to my voice and you will find the wisdom and courage to take action and stop the destruction. The systems of this world are like the airplane I already mentioned. Not only is it out of balance due to patriarchy and abuse of power, it is also headed in the wrong direction. It cares not about the destruction it has already caused and that will bring its end, taking the beauty of Earth and all of life with it. Far too many humans just shrug their shoulders and continue living in the same uncaring manner, and others look for an end in 2012 or some apocalypse. With this thinking, I grieve all the more. But you, my caring listener, as you focus your soul on Home (heaven within and without), you are already there. Your loving attention creates the reality.

My wisdom is displayed in the heavens. The vastness of Beloved, Wisdom and Beauty is spread across billions of galaxies. This compassion and wisdom is available to all, and it is enough, more than enough to bring Malkutah – heaven here and now. Will you answer the call? You will have to become still and listen. Life in this present age is far too busy and noisy. You were not made to live in that way. Notice the stillness and quiet of nature. There is your true mode of being. Come my beloveds, although the ways of humankind are like scarlet, you and I will make them white as snow. For this, from my heart of hearts I thank you. Beloved hugs you. Intelligent beauty kisses you. And sacred Earth and all species will show their gratitude in their living.

The book is available at Amazon's Create Space and as an eBook at Kindle Publishing also part of Amazon.

Website: www.malkutah-heaven.com Follow Nancy on LinkedIn.

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari

June 2012

GUATEMALA The land of the Mayan Civilization Guatemala is officially the Republic of Guatemala. A country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contributes to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot.

The former Mayan civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization, which continued throughout the Post-Classic period until the arrival of the Spanish. The Mayas live in Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, the southern part of Mexico and northern parts of El Salvador.

Guatemala became independent from Spain in 1821, joining the Mexican Empire.

After it became an independent country in its own right, it was ruled by a series of dictators, assisted by the United Fruit Company. The late 20th century saw Guatemala embroiled in a 36-year-long civil war. Following the war, Guatemala has witnessed both economic growth and successful democratic elections.

The first evidence of human settlers in Guatemala demonstrates a presence at least as early as 12,000 BC. Some evidence suggests a presence as early as 18,000 BC, such as obsidian arrow heads found in various parts of the country. There is archaeological proof that early Guatemalan settlers were hunters and gatherers, but pollen samples from Petén and the Pacific 23

coast indicate that maize cultivation was developed by 3500 BC. Sites dating back to 6500 BC have been found in Quiché in the Highlands and Sipacate, Escuintla on the central Pacific coast. Archaeologists divide the pre-Columbian history of Mesoamerica into the pre-Classic period (2000 BC to 250 AD), the Classic period (250 to 900 AD), and the Calistic from 900 to 1500 AD. Mirador was the first politically organized state in America, named the Kan Kingdom in ancient texts. There were 26 cities, all connected by Sacbeob (highways), which were several kilometers long, up to 40 meters wide, and two to four meters above the ground, paved with stucco, that are clearly distinguishable from the air in the most extensive virgin tropical rain forest in Mesoamerica. The Classic period of Mesoamerican civilization corresponds to the height of the Maya civilization, and is represented by countless sites throughout Guatemala, although the largest concentration is in Petén. This period is characterized by heavy city-building, the development of independent city-states, and contact with other Mesoamerican cultures. The Post-Classic period is represented by regional kingdoms, such as the Itzá and Ko'woj in the lakes area in Petén, and the Mam, Ki'ch'es, Kack'chiquel, Tz'utuh'il, Pokom'chí, Kek'chi and Chortí in the Highlands. These cities preserved many aspects of Mayan culture, but would never equal the size or power of the Classic cities.

The Maya civilization shares many features with other Mesoamerican civilizations due to the high degree of interaction and cultural diffusion that characterized the region. Advances such as writing, epigraphy, and the calendar did not

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National Park was the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guatemala is a country of distinct fauna. It has some 1246 known species.

Of these, 6.7% are endemic and 8.1% are threatened. Guatemala is home to at least 8681 species of vascular plants, of which 13.5% are endemic.

originate with the Maya; however, their civilization fully developed them. Maya influence can be detected from Honduras, Guatemala, and Northern El Salvador and to as far as central Mexico, more than 1,000 km (620 miles) from the Maya area. Many outside influences are found in Maya art and architecture, which are thought to result from trade and cultural exchange rather than direct external conquest. After arriving in what was named the New World, the Spanish started several expeditions to Guatemala, beginning in 1519. And the rest is history as they say.

Guatemala is divided into 22 departments (departamentos) and sub-divided into about 334 municipalities (municipios). Guatemala is heavily centralized. Transportation, communications, business, politics, and the most relevant urban activity take place in Guatemala City. The country is mountainous with small desert and sand dune patches, hilly valleys filled with people, except for the south coastal area and the vast northern lowlands of PetĂŠn department. All major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, PetĂŠn is sparsely populated. These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot, humid tropical lowlands and colder, drier highland peaks. VolcĂĄn Tajumulco, at 4,220 m, is the highest point in the Central American states. The country has 14 eco-regions ranging from mangrove forests to both ocean littorals with 5 different ecosystems. Guatemala has about 252 listed wetlands, including 5 lakes, 61 lagoons, 100 rivers, and 4 swamps. Tikal

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Although Spanish is the official language, it is not universally spoken among the indigenous population, nor is it often spoken as a second language by the elderly indigenous. Twenty-one Mayan languages are spoken, especially in rural areas. Guatemala is rich in natural beauty and travel opportunities; it's a country that offers so much to those willing to step off the beaten track for a little while.

The world famous Mayan Calendar The Maya calendar is a system of calendars used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and in many modern communities in highland Guatemala.

The essentials of the Maya calendar are based upon a system which had been in common use throughout the region, dating back to at least the 5th century BCE. It shares many aspects with calendars employed by other earlier Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Zapotec and Olmec, and contemporary or later ones such as the Mixtec and Aztec calendars. Although the Mesoamerican calendar did not originate with the Maya, their subsequent extensions and refinements of it were the most sophisticated.

Along with those of the Aztecs, the Maya calendars are the best-documented and most completely understood. By the Maya

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari mythological tradition, as documented in Colonial Yucatec accounts and reconstructed from Late Classic and Post-classic inscriptions, the deity Itzamna is frequently credited with bringing the knowledge of the calendar system to the ancestral Maya, along with writing in general and other foundational aspects of Maya culture.

The Maya calendar consists of several cycles or counts of different lengths. The 260-day count is known to scholars as the Tzolkin, or Tzolk'in in the revised orthography of the Academia de las Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala. The Tzolk'in was combined with a 365-day vague solar year known as the Haab, or Haab year', to form a synchronized cycle lasting for 52 Haabs, called the Calendar Round. Smaller cycles of 13 days (the trecena) and 20 days (the veintena) were important components of the Tzolk'in and Haab' cycles, respectively. The Calendar Round is still in use by many groups in the Guatemalan highlands.

The completion of significant calendar cycles (period endings), such as a k'atun-cycle, were often marked by the erection and dedication of specific monuments, commemorating the completion, accompanied by dedicatory ceremonies. A cyclical interpretation is also noted in Maya creation accounts, in which the present world and the humans in it were preceded by other worlds (one to five others, depending on the tradition) which were fashioned in various forms by the gods, but subsequently destroyed. The present world also had a tenuous existence, requiring the supplication and offerings of periodic sacrifice to maintain the balance of continuing existence.

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Similar themes are found in the creation accounts of other Mesoamerican societies.

Since Calendar Round dates repeat every 18,980 days, approximately 52 solar years, the cycle repeats roughly once each lifetime, so a more refined method of dating was needed if history was to be recorded accurately. To specify dates over periods longer than 52 years, Mesoamericans used the Long Count calendar.

Unlike the 52-year Calendar Round still used today among the Maya, the Long Count was linear rather than cyclical, and kept time roughly in units of 20: 20 days made a uinal, 18 uinals (360 days) made a tun, 20 tuns made a k'atun, and 20 k'atuns (144,000 days or roughly 394 years) made up a b'ak'tun. Thus, the Mayan date of 8.3.2.10.15 represents 8 b'ak'tuns, 3 k'atuns, 2 tuns, 10 uinals and 15 days The Maya at XultĂşn were likely less concerned with the end of the world than the end of their world, according to Mayan-writing expert David Freidel. During tough times, the Maya looked to their leaders to divine the intents of the gods and appease them. In turn, those rulers may have looked to the scribes, who many archaeologists believe used past events in combination with mysterious, complex arithmetic to predict the future.

Astronomical records were key to the Mayan calendar, which has gotten some attention recently because of doomsday warnings that it predicts the end of the world this December.

Experts say it makes no such prediction. The new finding tells us that the new found calculations

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GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari

include a time span longer than 6,000 years, meaning it could extend well beyond 2012. The recent find talks about the room, part of a large complex of Mayan ruins in the rain forest at Xultun in northeastern Guatemala. The tiny, millimeter-thick red and black hieroglyphs are said to be unlike any seen before at Mayan sites.

According to archaeologist William Saturno of Boston University, they appear to represent various astronomical cycles of the Maya. The new calendar and another found nearby contain 17 baktuns 400 year periods and continues for an additional 4,000-7,000 years beyond the 21st century. The scientists say that while one calendar cycle does end this December, another one begins right afterwards.

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population of the Petén region declined, and after a time the old cities were allowed to be reclaimed by jungle. The Maya Biosphere Reserve, which contains the largest tropical forest in Central America, encompasses five national parks and three wildlife reserves, or biotopes, in the Petén. The Biosphere's forest and wetlands are home to 333 species of birds and 54 mammals. You can see lots of spider and howler nibkeysm toucans, parrots, and many other tropical animals as they explore the region's archaeological sites and parks. Flights to Petén take about an hour from Guatemala City.

Roads to the area are quite good, and Flores can be reached in about seven hours by car from the capital.

Flores and Lake Petén-Itzá

Places of interests

Flores, the departmental capital of Petén, sits on a small island once occupied by the Maya-Itza, in Guatemala's second largest Lake of Petén Itza.

The lake covers 99 square kilometers, and many of Petén's inhabitants live in small towns around its shores. The largest of these towns is Santa Elena, connected to Flores by a causeway. The Island is named after Cirilo Flores, one of the first Guatemaltecos to call for independence from the Colonial powers. For many, the main reason to visit Flores is its proximity to Tikal, the most famous Mayan ruins in Guatemala, or as a starting point for trips around Petén.

North

Tikal

Hot, jungle region in the north with the most impressive ancient Maya ruins.

Petén El Petén, Guatemala's largest and northernmost section is a world into itself, with more than 2,000 archeological sites left by the enigmatic Maya, and huge expanses of pristine tropical forest. More than a thousand years ago, what is now the Petén was the hub of Classic Maya civilization, with a high population and many large splendid cities. The Maya people did not disappear (more than 40% of Guatemala's population are ethnically Mayan today), but no new temples and palaces were built, the 26

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able to go up until the crest base and see the beautiful sight of Tikal. Temple V is located to the south of the Central Acropolis, with a height of 57 meters, it offers at its summit, one of the most spectacular panoramas of the National Park Tikal. Current excavations tell us that it was built between 550 and 650 year A.C. Temple VI is the Inscriptions Temple by its crest (12 meters high), which façade, sides and eaves, are covered with sculptures. Big Pyramid Plaza or Lost World is one of the most ancient monumental complexes of Tikal city, which are from the Superior Preclassic era. It is approximately 35 meters high and conform a complex of astronomic commemoration.

Tikal means place of voices. It is, the biggest Mayan City known and studied. The ruins of Tikal include more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths. The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C., and for the next 1500 years the area was an important religious, scientific, and political center.

Temple I, known also as Big Jaguar Temple, it was built around the 700 year of our era. Its crest reaches 45 meters high above the Major Plaza. It was built, within the generalities of the Mayan temples, in pyramidal shape. Temple II is known also as Masks. Close the Big Plaza by the west, 38 meters high. The temple was built by the governor Ah Cacao around 700 A.C. North Acropolis is a religious area, within the ceremonial complex of Tikal. It is the most complete individual construction so far excavated in the Mayan area. Central Acropolis is integrated by small courtyard at different levels, by large and low buildings called palaces.

Almost all the structures visible today are dated from the latest classical period (550-900 of our era). Temple III is approximately 50 meters high. It possess original lintel carve in wood. One of them describes the scene whereby it is known by the name of Jaguar Priest Temple. It was built during the latest Classical, and is 55 meters high.

Temple IV is 70 meters high. It is the highest structure of Tikal and is named Two-headed Snake Temple. It was built around 741 of our era, by the governor Yaxkin Caan Chac. A visitor is 27

Other sites Yaxhá is an archaeological site 73 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. 62 km from Flores, just after Holtún, turn off on to the dirt road to Yaxhá (11 km). The site is not as popular as Tikal, but is well worth the trip. In addition, you may find that you are the only visitor, which offers a very different kind of experience from that of wading through the crowds at Tikal. There is ongoing restoration work at the site. Topoxte is the only restored, Post-Classic site in the Petén, with columns and other architectural features similar to those found at Yucatan sites such as Chichen-Itza and Mayapan. Holtún is a small archaeological site 60 km from Flores on the way to Melchor de Mencos and the Belizean border. A broad, but unmarked path leads to the site. Locals can give directions. The site contains tree and vegetation covered temples. Painted masks adorn the inside

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari of one of the temples, but this part is off limits to tourists. El Mirador - Flores is the base for tours to the site of the largest Mayan temples, El Tigre and La Danta. This archaeological site deep in the rain forest near the Mexican border is of huge significance and can only be reached by foot and mule train - a five day round trip trek. An extra day allows further travel along much of an ancient raised causeway to the ruins at Nakbé, which are around 3.5 hours away and 5 km closer to Carmelita. Uaxactún is 23 km from Tikal, is a small, forested ruin a beautiful observatory, temples and palaces, and many other structures organized into eight groups. The temples and observatory of Group E are arranged to mark points where the sun rises on the summer and winter solstices. A large temple in Group A offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. About 600 people live near the ruins, and children in the community make some beautiful dolls from tusa, or corn husks. Ceibal was the greatest classic establishment, with major power on the West margin of La Pasión River; having a very favorable regional situation as point of control and interaction in commercial and transport activities, as well as political-military. The site occupies the highest point, located above a limestone layer that lifts about 100 meters high over see level. It is compose for a ceremonial center that covers an approximately area of 1km. square, distributed in three high hills, separated each one by great depressions, which drain towards the river.

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enormous caves, abundant wildlife, fascinating traditions and friendly people. Las Verapaces has something to offer every traveler. At its upper elevations, a light rain, known as chipi frequently falls, nourishing the mosses, ferns, orchids and bromeliads that grow in the area`s cloud forest reserves. The Verapaces consist of Guatemala's Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz departments.

Punta de Chimino

Las Verapaces

Found on a peninsula of Lake Petexbatùn. Punta de Chimino was a heavily-fortified Maya city with three walls and defensive trenches. The city with three walls and defensive trenches. The city underwent a burst of construction from 830 to 850, at the end of the Classic era, when several building and stela were erected. Sometime between 900 and 950 AD, the city was abandoned for unknown reasons.

A land of lush vegetation, gorgeous waterfalls,

Central Highlands The Guatemala highland is a region of extraordinary natural beauty and invaluable cultural richness. This region offers a number of options to immerse itself in the Maya legacy and become part of the mystical experience.

Guatemala City Guatemala's capital city is the most modern and cosmopolitan city in Central America. Fast paced and vibrant, Guatemala City (or Guate as its referred to locally) is a wonderful blend of old and new and possesses a distinct Latin charm.

The city is divided into 21 zones (zonas). Zona 1 is

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destroyed yet again by a massive earthquake on July 29, 1773. Guatemala's governor decided to relocate the capital, moving is to the Ermita Valley, where Guatemala City is found today.

Coban

the old historic center. Here are the national palace, the presidential palace, the cathedral, the main plaza, and the Central Market. South of Zona 1 is Zona 4, with many of the official buildings like the national bank, the national theatre, and the tourist board (INGUAT).

Farther south is Zona 10 and Zona 9, divided by Avenida La Reforma. Zona 10 hosts most of the high class hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping facilities. A small part of Zona 10 is called Zona Viva (the lively zone) because of its nightlife.

Guatemala City was founded in 1776, after a devastating earthquake destroyed the former Spanish capital of Central America, known today as Antigua Guatemala (or simply Antigua).

Antigua Antigua Guatemala, the colonial jewel of the Americas, is found just 30 minutes from Guatemala City. Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities, it is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped some 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! Set in a fertile valley dedicated to coffee farming and overlooked by three beautiful volcanoes. Antigua is one of Guatemalan's best-loved tourist destinations.

Antigua Guatemala, originally named Santiago de Los Cabelleros, was one the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, which stretched from Chiapas all the way to Costa Rica, The city was founded on March 10, 1543. After the city was 29

The area of Coban is incredibly rich in flora and fauna and lakes are found throughout. Large, dense cloud forests of exceptional beauty, sparkling waterfalls and several incredible cave systems make it an ideal place for true Ecotourists. Coban is the state capital of Alta Verapaz and a convenient base for exploring the area. Coban was founded in 1543 by Dominican priests and today is an important center of coffee and cardamom production. At the vivero Verapaz more than 650 species of orchids are cultivated (including the Monja Blanca, Guatemala's national flower). In the region of Lanquin, water and minerals have created unique geologic formations. One such formation is Semuc Champey. Declared national monument, it is a series of waterholes cascading down through the cloud forest.

Other places in central highlands 1 km from the municipal seat of LanquĂ­n, on the road that leads to Coban, passes over the input Lanquin Caves. It is an enormous and beautiful complex, lounges, cupolas and capricious limestone formations which give it an extraordinary beauty, is not known where the cave ends. Some formations have names of animals and other shapes that resemble. Baja

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari Verapaz, according to history this place was known to have the first sugar mill in Central America. Located within the Candelaria Caves National Park, the Community of Cemetery Candelaria offers breathtaking visit to two dry caves and an exciting water route, floating on tubes in an underground section of the Rio Candelaria. Candelaria system was a pilgrimage site of great importance to the Mayan civilization and is today a refuge for a wide variety of flora and fauna. For the lover of archeology, it is reported that there are more than 20 archaeological sites around the system and lots of pottery, which shows its importance in ancient times.

East/Caribbean Coast This is one of the religious centers of most importance for its spiritual awareness and mysticism.

Izabal On Guatemala's Caribbean coast, in the deportment of Izabal, visitors will see the country's largest lake, visit a Spanish fortress built to keep pirates out of the lake and travel down a lovely river bounded by lush tropical forest to a Garifuna village.

Birdwatchers will find some of Guatemala's most exciting birding in a rainforest reserve where jaguars and puma still roam. Izabal is Guatemala's largest lake, more than 45 km long and covering about 590 square km. It is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest inhabited by hundreds of bird species, monkeys and many other animals. Unique to the lake is the freshwater sea cow (manatee), a mammal that can weigh up to a ton.

Río Dulce The sweet River runs about 40 km from Lake Izabal before it empties into Amatique Bay at Livingston. At its upper end there is the town of Frontera. Downstream, the river widens into an area known as Golfete, before flowing through a narrow, spectacular gorge and then on the bay.

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Livingston Livingston, a charming town located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce, is unique in Guatemala due to its Garifuna culture. Originally a mix between a native tribe, the Kalipuna's and slaves from Nigeria mixed in the 17th century and conserved their own language, music and religion. Livingston can only be accessed by boats traveling across the bay from Puerto Barrios or down the Rio Dulce from Frontera.

Puerto Barrios It is a seaport and the capital of the department of Izabal on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala. It is also the commercial heart of the region, because it has two ports: Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. Santo Tomás is the biggest port in the country. Puerto Barrios has an international airport. One of the most visited places is a local river called Las Escobas.

It's in the Cerro San Gil, outside the urban area of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomás de Castilla. The river is famous for its crystalline water and is very cold. It's in the middle of the jungle, but is very easy to reach it by a road or walking. The river has several natural pools, and they look like paradise. But check the weather report before going there. If it has been raining in recent days, the water will be dirty.

Quiriguá The Quiriguà archaeological site, located just 94 km from Puerto Barrios on the road to Guatemala City, contains the largest stelae ever discovered in the Maya world. This Maya city was probably founded in the Late Pre-Classic era and flourished until the 10th century, when it was abandoned for unknown reasons. Nice stelaes, dating from 692 to 810 AD are arranged around the central plaza, accompanied by altars

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari carved into zoomorphic shapes. The ruins are unrestored and mostly unexcavated, but deciphered hieroglyphs from the stelae and altars tell a fascinating story of Quiriguà's relationship with nearby Copàn. No one is quite sure how the huge sandstone blocks, quarried mountains to the north and carved into stelae and altars at Quiriguà, were transported by the city's inhabitants.

The Western Highlands The Western Highlands stretches from the outskirts of Antigua to the Mexican border. It's probably the most beautiful part of Guatemala. The region defines itself with two main features: a mountain range of volcanoes on its south side and the tall mountain ranges that form the northern side.

Chichicastenango Is a small town in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Located at an altitude of 2030m, it is surrounded by valleys and mountains. It is mostly renowned for its colorful Thursday and Sunday markets, where it is said that some of the most beautiful traditional Maya textiles are sold.

The famous handicraft market of Chichicastenango draws not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala. They represent many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells. This town in the mountains of Quiche has been, since preHispanic times, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area.

Lake Atitlán Arguably the most beautiful lake in the world, Atitlan owes its grandeur to its enormous size and spectacular, volcanic setting. Measuring 31

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more than 17 km in diameter and covering about 130 squares km. Lake Atitlan was formed when a volcanic caldera, depleted of its magma, collapsed following the Chocoyos eruption 85,000 years ago. There stately volcanoes Atitlan, Toliman and San Pedro rise gracefully from its southern shore, their perfect cones reflected in the azure mirror of the lake. The tallest of these volcanoes Atitlan, towers 3,537 meters ASL. Fishermen from Maya villages ply the lake in large boats ferrying passengers from one town to another, all wary of the Xocomil wind that rises some afternoons and chops the Lake's usually placid maters into treacherous waves.

Panajachel Panajachel or Pana as it is widely known is a small town on the North shore of Lake Atitlán. Pana is a small town with a booming tourist industry. With the exception of possibly Antigua, Panajachel is one of the major tourism areas in Guatemala.

Boats to Santiago Atitlan leave from another dock every 30 minutes, and take around 25 minutes to cross the lake. Santiago Atitlan is great place for bird watching.

Quetzaltenango Quetzaltenango, a Nahuatl word meaning 'place of the quetzals', was named by Spanish conquistadors impressed by the number of quetzal feather worn by Maya-Quiche soldiers.

The city is also known as Xela, or Xelaju.

Quetzaltenango is a beautiful city of the highlands; settle in an extensive valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. It conserves the antique traditions of the MayanQuiche, mixed up with a colonial past and dynamic modern life. It is currently considered, as the second most important city of Guatemala, due to its size, industrial, cultural and commercial activity. Due to the volcanic manifestations in the area, are located numerous steam springs in which there have habilitated

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari natural warm and sulfured bathes. The most accessible are the Almolonga, Cantel and Aguas Amargas baths. In Quetzaltenango is elaborated textiles, basket work, ceramic, palm and metal, musical instruments, products in wax, leather, pyrotechnics, as well as jicara and guacawl. Near Quetzaltenango is the hot springs of Fuentes Georginas. The road leading to the hot springs passes through lush plots of agriculture and sheer drop-offs along the passage create aweinspiring views of the valley below. Also in the area are two blown glass factories, where locals continue the artful tradition of glass blowing creating beautiful products.

Huehuetenango The department of Huhuetenango harbors some of Guatemala`s most spectacular scenery. The Cuchumatanes Mountains, part of the Sierra Madre mountain range, soar to 3,600 m ASI and contain beautiful lakes, pine forest and highlands pastures where sheep graze. From the low-lying town of Huhuetenango, a road snakes up the rocky face of a mesa that marks the entrance into the mountains. During the Classic period (250 - 900 AD), Huehuetenango was part of the Mam Kingdom, which ruled most of the western highlands. Zaculeu, the ancient capital of the Mam Maya group, lies on the banks of a stream in the Cuchumatan Mountains. Zaculeu, which means White Earth, may have referred to the city's white structural buildings. The site contains a ball court and several temples that show the architectural influence of the Mexican highlands. The buildings seen today, date back to the Maya Post-classic Period, although the original settlement goes back to the 5th Century A.D. South/Pacific Coast Guatemala's southern coast, a fertile plain about 30 miles wide nourished by sediment from the volcanic mountain range that towers above it, is the country's most important agricultural area.

Monterrico Monterrico town, in the municipality of Taxisco, this reserve is a section of the Chiquimulilla 32

June 2012 Channel, conformed by shores, mangles, and rivers represented in a magnificence way. The beaches are full of interesting but awkward steep angles due to the strength of the pounding surf.

The ocean floor here drops off very steeply after only 20- 40 feet, making the undertow here very strong; only strong swimmers should venture out very far. This topography also provides some nice waves for surfing.

Abaj Takalik Located near Retalhuleu, the archaeological site of Abaj Takalik shows an interesting combination of Olmec and Maya sculptural styles. The earliest inscription yet found in Guatemala, from 235 BC, was discovered on Stela 2 at the site. Abaj Takalik covers about 9 square km, much of which is coffee farms.

Archaeologists believe the site was first occupied in about 800 BC and was inhabited for 1,400 years, until the city collapsed for unknown reasons in 500 or 600 AD. Visitors will see several stelae, monuments, small pyramids, and, in the site's museum, ceramic figures, grinding stones, jewelry and obsidian blades.

Pacaya The Pacaya volcano is located between the Guatemala and Escuintla departments. Pacaya first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at least 23 times since the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. After being dormant for a century, it erupted violently in 1965 and has been erupting continuously since then, sometimes showering the nearby city of Antigua with ash. This is an active volcano where you can get close enough to the lava flows to poke sticks in it. The ground is made up of loose volcanic rock and is quite unstable in parts.

Things to remember 1. Valid passports are required of everyone except citizens of Central American countries.

Except for a handful of countries that do not require visas, the rest do, so please check with the nearest consulate.

2. The local currency is the Quetzal which is

GUATEMALA - Compiled by Dhara Kothari named after the national bird, which has ancient and mythic connotations even today. US dollars are widely accepted and can be exchanged in most small towns. ATMs can be found in the major towns but do not expect to find them in every tourist spot. It is fairly easy to find yourself in a town without an ATM or a place to change money. Do not expect to be able to easily exchange travelers' checks to Guatemala. You might find a few places willing to accept checks issued by American Express but all other types are universally turned down.

Amazingly even major banks in Guatemala City do not accept VISA travelers' checks. Always exchange money at a bank or hotel, never on the street.

3. It is common to bargain for most purchases in the open air market. Though you may be able to bargain in other places, be aware that chain-owned shops have fixed prices. Some characteristically Guatemalan things you might consider buying here are; Fabrics and traditional textiles, Jade, Coffee, Cardamom, etc.

June 2012 Guatemala City, especially after dark, and do not stay in hotels there. Using the slightly more expensive hotels in Zone 10 or Zone 13 (near the airport) is a much better idea. Women should be especially careful around men, even if the men present themselves as local hotel employees. Do not use buses at night in Guatemala City, as they are frequently robbed by gangs. Instead, radiodispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo) are a safer way to get around the city. When travelling by chicken bus; beware of anyone sitting next to you. Do not offer bribes directly to an officer because it is illegal and you could actually end up in more trouble. It is dangerous to travel between cities after dark. Doing so significantly increases your risk of being in a car accident or being the victim of an armed robbery.

Pickpocketing is common in markets, so never keep anything in your back pocket and take as little with you as possible.

6. Never take photos of children without permission. Some Guatemalans are extremely wary of this and will assume you are a kidnapper.

7. Drink only purified water. Check for certain tropical diseases.

4. Guatemalan food differs from Mexican food in that it is a lot less spicy, and chilies are generally served in a separate dish from the main course to be added as desired, rather than included in the food. Guatemalans usually dress down when they go out.

5. Guatemala has one of the highest rates of violent crime in the world. Travelers should take some extra precautions when in Guatemala. If you are mugged, carjacked, or approached by armed individuals, cooperate. Do not make any sudden movements, and give whatever belongings or money demanded. Tourists have been shot and killed for resisting muggers. Do not go to areas known to be hotbeds of drug trafficking activity and do not go to the most dangerous neighborhoods in Guatemala City (zones 3, 6, 18, and 21). Be careful in Zone 1 in 33

8. Cab drivers must carry visible identification in the cab, including their name and photograph.

They must use their meters for trips of 12 km or less. For longer trips, the fare can be negotiated beforehand.

9. Do not touch the plants or attempt to pet the animals. At the beach, before entering the water, find out which are the safest areas. Request information about tides and undertows with hotel lifeguards.

10. Internet access is widely available. Even most of the more remote areas have some type of internet access available. Many larger areas also have Wi-Fi. Just ask and you will eventually find some sort of free access.