Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, July 5, 2016 (Houston Chronicle, by Kavita Pallod): For me, as for most tweens, middle school was a time of all-encompassing awkwardness. I didn’t know what to do with my oddly proportioned limbs, how to dress while my mom was still shopping for me, what was acceptable to pack for lunch or even how to greet my…
Source TIRUVANNAMALAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA July 2, 2016 (by A.D Balasubramaniyan, The Hindu): Activists in Tiruvannamalai opposing the move to widen the girivalam (circumambulation) path, have decided to come together to protest against the work. Work has begun for the digging of a ditch for a 12-km long drainage line along the proposed foot path. Many activists, environmentalists, pilgrims and…
Source “May I take your order?” the waiter asked. “Yes. I’m just wondering, how do you prepare your chickens?” “Nothing special, sir,” he replied. “We just tell them straight out that they’re going to die.”
Source UNITED STATES, July 2, 2016 (NCBI Abstract): HPI note: We found this an interesting investigation into both ritual and placebo effect. It is from a scientific, not mystical viewpoint, obviously, but still food for thought. Using a comparative analysis of Navajo healing ceremonials, acupuncture and biomedical treatment, this essay examines placebo studies and ritual theory as mutually interpenetrating disciplines.…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 2, 2016 (Prameya News7): The Supreme Court on Friday decided to intervene in an issue described by the Madras high court as “land of lords in trouble” and expressed concern over rampant encroachment, misuse and misappropriation of hundreds of thousands of acres of temple lands. Appearing for the petitioner, advocate K K Mani said Tamil…
Source BANGLADESH, July 2, 2016 (The Daily Star): Assailants attacked a Hindu priest leaving him severely injured in Satkhira Sadar Upazila early today, a day into the killing of a Hindu priest in Jhenidah and a Buddhist man in Bandarban. Bhabasindhu Bor, priest of local Sree Sree Radha Govinda temple in Brahmarajpur village of Satkhira Sadar Upazila, is undergoing treatment…
Source INDIA, July 1, 2016 (Times of India): The first batch of 1,138 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for this year’s Amarnath Yatra that begins from Saturday. State deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, junior minister Priya Sethi and Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in winter capital Jammu at…
Source One who is established in a comfortable posture while concentrating on the inner Self naturally becomes immersed in the Heart’s ocean of bliss.— Siva Sutras III, 16
Source When the Creator dances, the worlds He created dance. To the measure that He dances in our knowledge, our thoughts, too, dance. When He in heart-endearing dances, the several elements, too, dance. Witness in rapture surpassing the dance of that One who is a glowing flame.— Tirumantiram, 2786
Source SIKKIM, INDIA, June 27, 2016 ( by Bubhudatta Pradhan):India has 650,000 organic farmers–more than any other nation. Nimtshreng Lepcha seeps medicinal leaves in cow urine and sprays the brew over his tomatoes. It’s the main way pests are repelled on his farm in the Himalayan foothills and across the northeastern state of Sikkim, the first in India to go…