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Equal vision
The powerful concept of equal vision (sama darshana in Sanskrit), is not about external equality. We are different in multifarious ways. Sama darshana is about a deeper vision, a deeper seeing. It’s a reminder to acknowledge the soul's presence within all living things. It’s one of the principles of a living spiritual practice, and by that I mean, the effort to actually live the teachings, everyday. So when I saw the photo of the mega-rich couple on the magazine cover, shar
Smoldering Love
I recently read a story about firefighters in LA and the work involved in containing wildfires. One group is designated to walk miles and miles every day to put out smoldering ashes. Sometimes, they are buried deep and have to be dug out. They are a hidden danger and, if not discovered, have the potential to ignite and start a new fire. What a great word, smoldering, and it made me think of what emotions might be smoldering within us. What have we buried, consciously or unc
8 Steps to Pure Love
Blessing the land of India in the 16th Century, the Golden Avatar, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was a powerful force in the blossoming of the Krishna Bhakti movement during that time. He left behind 8 teachings known as the Siksastakam. These verses are celebrated as an essential guide to uncovering our love for Krishna. Each verse could have its own book, so filled they are with deep and wide truths. The following overview gives us a glimpse of the teachings. Come clean Anytime any
Snow Story
We gathered at the window to watch the snowfall. It was coming down lightly, the small flakes landing softly on the ground. I thought it wouldn’t amount to much. Next to me, a friend shared that snow experts say it’s the small flakes that actually make the big impact. Larger flakes have more water and don’t stay. And sure enough, a few hours later the small steady flakes had built up an impressive layer of whiteness. And continued to fall. Unlike the steady covering of snow,
God is Everywhere
Ananda Vrindavan Devi In our temple room, during the meditation class, a guest was taking photos of his friends with his back to the altar. He was standing, they were sitting, and everyone was distracted watching him instead of trying to meditate. I went up to him and whispered, “Not now during class, and not with your back to the altar.” He responded, “I believe God is everywhere” (therefore I can put my back anywhere).’ To which I responded, “Yes, and He is also there on th
Clean the heart
Ananda Vrindavan Devi “Glory to the Sri-Krishna-sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are
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