India is a country where mythology can be found in every nook and cranny. There are innumerable religious places here. And, each of these religious places, temples have a story to tell of their own. All of them hold some or the other kind of mythological importance. One such famous temple is the Pushkar temple.
This temple is located in the holy city of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar is a place which is known to have more than 400 temples there. However, the most famous temple here is the Pushkar temple which is dedicated to Lord Brahma. In fact, this is the only temple in the entire country which is dedicated to Lord Brahma.
Pushkar is a city which is otherwise drowned in the drudgery of sleepiness, becomes extremely active when the Pushkar camel fair is around. One of the main reasons why the Pushkar temple is considered extremely sacred is because it is believed that Lord Brahma had performed an important religious rite (yagna) here in the ancient times. The Brahma Temple is located in the Pushkar Valley and is one of the most important pilgrim centres for most of the Hindus.
The entire Pushkar Temple, better known as the Brahma temple among the locals is done up in white marble. The walls of the temple are decorated with silver coins and the pilgrims are greeted by a silver turtle which is placed on the floor of the temple entrance. Although there are a large number of temples at this place, yet Pushkar is particularly famous for its five most famous temples.
One of the most famous legend states that the flower, which Lord Brahma is seen holding fell at this place, which led to the coming up of Pushkar temple, which is apparently exclusively dedicated to him. This temple, always manages to stand out of the crowd of other temples which are situated in this area. One of the main reasons for it can be attributed to the large amount of carvings and exquisite embellishments done at this temple. This temple is located on the banks of Lake Pushkar. Pushkar temple was first built during the 14th century on an elevated platform.
The marble image of the silver turtle on the entrance of the temple is one of its chief distinguishing features from all the other temples. The floor of the entire temple is adorned with black and white tiles in a checkered pattern.
Pushkar is a city which becomes extremely vibrant during the times of festivals and other religious occasions. The local population of Pushkar is staunch devotees of Lord Brahma and all the festivals, big or small are celebrated with lot of zest and excitement here. The holy lake of Pushkar temple is considered sacred by the devotees who visit this place. Thus, no visit to this place is complete without taking a dip in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake. While on a trip to Rajasthan, Pushkar temple figures out on one of the must visit places for every tourist.
It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that the world has evolved both physically and spiritually. We are no longer barbaric. We no longer commit genocide or mass murder in the interest of our specific form of faith. Or do we? The most recent case of religious intolerance was very recent indeed - 9/11 - lots of death and destruction; mass murder, even. In everyday life we also see thousands of examples of intolerance. Consider a Christian family. If a child in such a family suddenly decides to become a Pagan, this is unlikely to be accepted without some storms in both the child’s home and social life. So have we really evolved as much as we think? And if not, why not? Is it possible for all of us to just get along? The fundamental problem at the heart of religious intolerance is the concept of truth. Consider myself and my friend: I believe that Christ died on the cross for the sins of all human beings. I believe that only people who believe in him will go to heaven and that the rest is doomed for hell. This is the truth according to me. I have a terrible fear for all people who do not believe in Christ, including my friend. I therefore find it necessary to make a daily effort to “redeem” these poor lost souls. This truth is one of the fundamental principles of my faith. If I do not believe it, I can no longer see myself as a Christian. My friend, on the other hand, is a Wiccan. He believes that there are many gods, and that he can choose which ones to worship for his specific purposes. He does not believe in the Christian god, that this god is the only one out there; or indeed in heaven or hell. He does not believe that he is lost. This is his truth. There is nothing I can do to convince him otherwise. I believe that my friend is going to hell. He does not. We both believe that our respective views are the truth. We can’t both be right, can we? The problem is the stubborn human need to believe in an immutable religious truth. Because if we don’t, what of the afterlife? Our faith is the only promise of eternal existence that we can cling to. It’s the only thing between us and a debilitating fear of death. But can we change this? I am not the only one who believes that we can. We can change. We can all ‘just get along’ and avoid atrocities like family feuds, losing friends and losing lives. We need to understand the basic thing that we seem to understand in all other areas of life: no single ‘truth’ works the same for every single person. The fact that we are human makes us different. This difference implies that we need different things to make us happy. Take relationships for example. To be happy, I need a relationship with a man. I prefer that this man be blond instead of dark haired, and that he likes staying home rather than skiing on Mount Everest. I need to be married, and have children. I want only two children. My friend, on the other hand, is not interested in marriage or children. He prefers to have a serious relationship, but without the artificial commitment of marriage. And he doesn’t like children. He would like a partner with whom he can parachute and go white water rafting. There is nothing wrong with either of us. We have different needs, and live our lives accordingly. Neither of us is going to hell for it. Now more than ever, life involves choices. I can choose my husband and my career. I can choose between a career and children. I can choose both or neither. I can choose what to eat from day to day. I can choose what to wear. I can even choose things like culture. I can choose my religion. The Internet and globalization have made these choices more possible now than ever before. If there is no specific single truth surrounding human relationships, why should there be any single specific truth surrounding religion? Nothing is true. And everything is true. Each truth is true only for the person believing this truth. There is no reason to expect everyone to believe the same truth. A world filled with similar people would be a boring place indeed. If we could understand that spirituality is as much a choice as what to wear, we could begin to get over ourselves and live together in peace. My religion is neither more nor less important than yours. It is simply different. What I believe should make me happy. If it doesn’t, it needs to change. No hell, no guilt, no truth. In today’s world, we need to realize that we are all part of the divine. The form it takes depends upon collective culture and individual need. Killing a person for a religious principle is as absurd as killing them for their sense of fashion, or lack thereof. You can’t do it without some serious legal repercussions. Religion, faith and spirituality are very human needs. Like human relationships, the human-divine relationship is a very personal thing. No single relationship format is going to fit every human need. This is why there is difference in the world. This difference is beautiful. We should accept it, live with it, and learn from it. To persecute another for their sense of spirituality is childish in the same way as breaking someone else’s toy because you can’t have it. And so many of us are no longer children.
As soon as you experience the community of Bella Vida at Ridgeview Country Club all of your notions of apartment living will certainly become changed. There are a great array of Plano apartments from which to lease, including exceptional apartment residences that offer the same service, amenities, and upscale features that many of the condo communities offer. Ideal Plano Location If you have your sights set on Plano apartments then you absolutely must see the beautiful community of Bella Vida at Ridgeview Country Club. This townhome rental community is conveniently located near a number of major highways, including: US 75, the Dallas North Tollway, State Highway 289, State Highway 121 and the George W. Bush Tollway, thereby making it an exceptional choice when it comes to Plano apartments. Townhome Features The townhomes of Bella Vida have all been designed to resemble beautifully appointed estate homes, as each home features a separate, formal entrance with both a covered porch and a foyer, as well as a multitude of interior features, which include: granite countertops; ceramic tile and hardwood flooring; separate, glass-enclosed showers; one or two-car, private, attached garages; controlled access gates; upscale appliance packages; expansive windows; oval Jacuzzi garden tubs; and video conferencing, satellite high-speed internet access and DSL. The finishes of these Plano apartments are quite upscale, as well, as they include marble design features, custom wood cabinetry, double-sided, wood-burning fireplaces and custom mantles. All floors are mahogany hardwood, and crown molding, chair rails and picture frame molding further add to the estate feel of these exceptional townhome residences. Golf Course Community The community of Bella Vida was built as a golf course community that resembles many of the services and features found throughout some of the finest resorts in the country. There are no less than six swimming pools throughout this community, including a two-lane Olympic pool, a resort swimming pool, two water volleyball pools, a tanning pool, and even a white sand beach club. Tropical drinks can be enjoyed poolside, courtesy of the poolside cabana with swim-up bar. And outdoor recreation is plentiful, thanks to the lighted, championship tennis court, the picnic and barbecue areas, the jogging and walking trails, the professional sand volleyball court, the full-size basketball court, and the park and playgrounds. Outstanding Amenities The features of Bella Vida don’t end with the recreational amenities, though, as this superb townhome community also boasts maid and cleaning service, massage therapy, valet dry cleaning, airport limousine service, pet walking services, plant care services and errand services. The concierge can also make travel arrangements and book your tee times! Ridgeview Country Club All residents of Bella Vida have full access to the highly acclaimed Ridgeview Country Club Golf Course, which features beautiful views and a challenging course. The clubhouse of the Ridgeview Country Club Golf Course also offer many amenities to the residents of Bella Vida, including a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse, a 24-hour business center, conference rooms, a game room, and a theater room, complete with a 120-inch screen.
Many households enjoy having reminders of their faith present in their home. Religious themes have always been a favorite of tapestry weavers, and these impressive wall hangings have become staples for many interior designers. The styles range from Renaissance portrayals of Old Testament scenes to Raphaelite cherubs. Angel TapestriesAngels are often shown in tapestries chosen to hang in a bedroom. The idea of angels watching over loved ones while they slumber is a comforting one. This provides a tangible way to reassure young children, and remind parents that simple faith is often best. Larger tapestries can even be used as bed hangings or as a canopy to overhang a child’s bed. The restful colors used in many angel tapestries adds to the feelings of serenity and peacefulness. Pinks, creams, golds and blues add a softness that creates a peaceful feel. These colors traditionally represent emotions of calm and restfulness, and can be picked up in the bedspread, pillows and window treatments to turn a bedroom into an oasis. Angels are portrayed as rosy cheeked Cupids, serene seraphim or avenging archangels battling evil. The appearance of the angel to shepherds in a field to announce the birth of the Savior or the revealing of Gabriel to Mary for the Annunciation are Biblical events oft captured on tapestry for display. Feathered wings can be stark and swanlike, or downy and soft - often they reflect pale colors cast by candlelight, dawn or the glow of a halo. Biblical EventsOld Testament stories such as Moses with the stone tablets, the first sight of the Promised Land or Elijah in a chariot of fire have been worked into tapestries. New Testament scenes are also favorites of tapestry weavers. Various portrayals of Christ with the little children, standing at the door and knocking, or ascending into Heaven are often used as subject matter. Madonnas and reproductions of famous paintings in tapestry form can be easily found. Famous works of art such as the Last Supper or the Creation of Adam have been worked into the textiles for use as wall hangings as well. Those who have a passion for a particular artist can find tapestries showcasing the art of DaVinci, Michelangelo and Raphael among others. For those who find such daily reminders comforting, these tapestries make perfect wall coverings for family and living rooms. They can also be used as throws or hung over the back of a couch or settee. The rich colors used in most of these Biblically based tapestries will blend well with traditional furnishing. The Baroque style of many of the masters has been continued into the tapestry versions of the pieces. Catholic expressionism is another facet of religious tapestry. Christ on the cross, various saints and the holy Virgin Mary have been used as subjects for tapestries for hundreds of years. Some tapestries actually form the shape of a cross, and have the words of various psalms woven into the cloth across the body of the tapestry or around the border. Tapestries of Other FaithsChristianity doesn’t hold a patent on religious expression through textiles. Many Jewish tapestries dating back thousands of years have been reproduced and provide a stunning historical addition to a room. Muslim tapestries feature a fineness of work and symmetrical beauty of another unique styles. Celtic designs honor earth based religions dating back to the age of the druids. African themes honor religions practiced there, and many Eastern forms of worship have been rendered in tapestry form as well. The use of religious tapestries in the home is gaining wider acceptance, as people continue to personalize their living space. Tapestries allow a form of expression that is at once imposing and comforting. The ability to profess faith, no matter what the creed, in such an accessible way can be uplifting. Tapestries as an interior designing option dates back for thousands of years, but fell out of fashion for a century or so as far as modern homes were concerned. Most tapestries were seen in places of worship. Now interest has been revived, and both original tapestries and reproductions of famous works have been in high demand. Tapestries can cover a large space with a minimum of fuss, and provide the perfect backdrop for a bedstead or couch. You are sure to find one that will work with your décor or let you start a new look, and bring your own personal expression of faith into your home. Tapestries are a logical wall covering choice as they absorb sound and provide some insulation to drafty walls. Choosing ones that uplift and inspire only makes sense. Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved. This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are: Please leave copyright statement intact Please publish author info including links Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails Please keep all links intact and “as is” - no embedded keyword advertisingYou can contact us at articles@thetapestryhouse. com
Andrew Cohen has a magazine with this title. He claimed that he was enlightened but said that he had doubts about it all the time. So his definition of it included having doubts about himself. I am certain that I am not enlightened and have no doubts about it. But I am also certain about what enlightenment is. It is available to practically every person, but it is optional. This article could also be called East Meets West.
In psychology, they have the flow experience. There are a few books on it like, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (© 1990) by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (last name pronounced “cheeks sent me high”). Dr. Seligman (former president of American Psychological Association) calls him “one towering figure in the social sciences. ” The first line of this book says “Twenty-three hundred years ago Aristotle concluded that, more than anything else, men and women seek happiness. “
In his book, Authentic Happiness (2003), Dr. Seligman (author of a dozen books on psychology) describes the flow experience like this: “When does time stop for you? When do you find yourself doing exactly what you want to be doing, and never wanting it to end? Is it painting, or making love, or playing volleyball, or talking before a group, or rock climbing, or listening sympathetically to someone else’s troubles?”
The back of the book, Flow, says “These investigations have revealed that what makes experience genuinely satisfying is a state of consciousness called flow– a state of concentration so focused that it amounts to absolute absorption in an activity. ” Absolute is a powerful word. It is used to describe God. People can experience the flow at different degrees. I would play volleyball for hours and feel it during the whole time but at different degrees. Sometimes for a few minutes I would experience the flow experience to the infinite degree. This is the greatest thing that a human being can feel.
A woman had a near death experience and wrote a book about it. She said that while she was dead she felt something nicer than she ever felt when she was alive. This was her encounter with the flow experience. To feel it to the infinite degree, feels totally perfect. It is common for people to never experience it while alive. Although, the most ancient scriptures known to man say that people feel it while in deep sleep. This flow experience to the infinite degree is at the core of a human being. During it, time stops. I would have a feeling of eternal peace while feeling it. Eternal is a powerful word, but it was a renowned psychologist whose book describes the flow as absolute. When you feel it, you know that it is the secret of life or the meaning of life. It is supreme. It is being one with the universe. So I would think about how if I could play volleyball all the time, without stopping, for the rest of eternity, then I would be really happy. Of course that is impossible. But it can be felt while doing nothing at all. Millions of people around the world do meditation where they are doing nothing at all, physically.
A Harvard Medical School professor (Herbert Benson, M. D. ) has written a classic book on meditation called The Relaxation Response (1975) which is now being taught in many medical schools. This book teaches that the very purpose of technology is to make life easier so that people will experience less stress. But it explains that it is not working since people are now feeling more stress than ever before. So enlightenment is the ultimate state that a human can achieve. An enlightened person is someone who is in the flow experience to the infinite degree all the time. This is enlightenment.
According to those ancient scriptures, you will be feeling that infinite feeling the next time you go to sleep even though you do not remember it when you wake up. Several years ago, the singer Mariah Carey had a nervous breakdown and she said that it was due to lack of sleep. Some people have asked if someone could be enlightened and not know it. So you can see from the above that there is no doubt at all that you would know it if you were enlightened. I would also read non-fiction books for hours since I would feel the flow experience, but not to the infinite degree.
Where does this experience come from? It does not come from the brain. The science of cosmology teaches that if someone wants to know how long it took before the physical world was created or how far do things extend beyond the physical universe, these questions have no meaning. Time and space are only attributes of the physical universe, not the non-physical universe.
You exist in the non-physical universe. Do you only exist there after you die? No, time has no existence there. So you could say that in that world or universe– you are eternal. You have no beginning and no end. That is where the flow experience comes from. A very famous American psychologist, Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), said “I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness. ” Copyright 2007 by Chuck Bluestein. Learn how to Be Happier With Less Stress
Copyright 2009 by Christopher Aldridge, All Rights Reserved. The year is now 2009 in the United States of America. We are so quick to assume that we are past religious persecutions in this country, and for the most part we may be, but the problem still lurks in many forms with more influence than you may think. If you think that we live in a country full of tolerance and where no one at anytime would ever be harmed or discriminated against because of their religion, think again! I cannot say for sure that these things happen on a large scale, but they are still wrong, big or small. Let’s say there are two thieves, on steals $100 the other $1000. Big or small, they are both thieves. Many Wiccans and Pagans I have met are in hiding. I have known several who stay in hiding for fear of losing their job or even being killed or harmed in certain places simply because of their religious beliefs. Now I am sure that if someone harmed or killed another simply because of religion and the criminal would be caught, they would be punished to the fullest extent of the law (this may be in question in the deep south). But because there are so many in hiding for fear of losing their job, shows there is a problem. Being fired because of your religion is a harsh reality. And the real tragedy here is the fact that it is very hard to prove that your boss fired you because of your religion. It would mostly be tough to prove that beyond the shadow of a reasonable doubt. But if you’ve worked a job for a year or more without any trouble and you are fired shortly after your religion is discovered or comes out, there is clearly something fishy, and should be highly investigated by the proper authorities. Due to a lot of Christian and media propaganda, Wiccans and Pagans tend to get a bad, disgusting label. Sadly, this leads to their discrimination and even danger to their safety. Some Wiccans have told me that they see a lot of hatred and discrimination toward Wiccans and Pagans in their areas. There was one I spoke to from the deep south who told me of how religiously intolerant his area was. One even went as far as to tell me that if I would start telling how the Bible came from Paganism in their area, I could be killed. I pray that the religiously intolerant is only a few who speak louder than the majority who are tolerant. If my religion was discovered at my place of employment, I would not be ashamed, but I would fear losing my job. Even our former President George Bush spoke out against Witchcraft being practiced on military bases when he campaigned for President for the first time. I think we need the New Age that is growing larger and larger everyday. My literary site: http://www. christophersliterature. webs. com My Myspace: http://www. myspace. com/therealprincechristopher MyWiccanBlog: http://www. thewiccanblog. blogspot. com
Two female athletes from Lock Haven University are among the 11 finalists to receive the Honda-Broderick Cup. This is awarded to the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year for Division II.
The two Lady Eagles vying for the honor are Senior Li Yizhi (Shanghai, China) and sophomore Kristen Erb (Reading, Pa. /Exeter Township).
Li wrapped up one of the most outstanding careers in the women’s athletics history of Lock Haven this past fall. She is a three-time All-American and the most garnished volleyball player in the history of Lock Haven. She got the title American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Co-National Player of the Year during the 2006 season.
She played from 2003 up to the 2006 seasons and her name is dribbled all throughout the record books of the seasons. She has 14 school records. These include breaking the records for the new standards for career digs (1,717) and total blocks (704). In 2003, she led the nation in hitting percentage as a freshman (. 471), in 2004 as a sophomore (. 461) and in 2006 also again as a senior (. 465).
In the Official 2006 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Records Book, Li YiZhi is only the player who owns a higher career hitting percentage in any NCAA Division. Amy Albers, the leader, is from a Division III school and played for Washington-St. Louis. She hit the record at . 530 and played in 1992-94.
With . 456, YiZhi’s second overall mark is the new career record for Division II. Moreover, it also tops the Division I record of . 423.
At the LHU, during her time, she has helped the program through a 124-22 (. 849) record for over four seasons. She also had two PSAC West Regular season championships, three PSAC Tournament championships, and four Atlantic Region championships. These are the things that made this female athlete to qualify as one of the 11 finalists to receive the Honda-Broderick Cup.
Kristen Erb entered and finished a dramatic second year season. She led the Lady Eagles to their second straight National Championship tournament and a 52-5 mark. She had her sensational rookie season that paved way for Haven to experience their first national championship in softball. She also got the Honda-Broderick Cup in 2006.
With an amazing 39-4 record, she finished the season running her career record to 75-5 in the circle. After this season, she was able to qualify in the First Team All-American selection; and in 2007, she was named Daktronics All-American First Team Pitcher of the Year.
LHU has lost only nine games in the last two seasons with Erb leading the way.
A recipient of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Pitcher of the Year honors, Erb qualified for the 2007 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II All-Region First-Team.
She led the Haven at the same time earning PSAC and NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Region titles and received MVP honors in both tournaments; a superb ability of a female athlete.
Erb got 280. 2 innings and recorded 299 strikeouts while allowing just 22 walks on the season. She gave up just 32 runs. Twenty five of which were earned while running her ERA to a stellar 0. 62 which is the top mark at the Division II level in the nation. With 18 shootouts, she pitched 31 complete and stunning games. And with seven homeruns, she hit . 328 with 40 RBIs. This female athlete is really a pride of Lock Haven University since this is the second straight year that Erb has led the nation in ERA.
For this season, Erb was twice named NFCA National Player of the Week. She has also earned the honor of PSAC West Pitcher of the Week four times.
In its 31st year, the Honda-Broderick Cup recognizes and commends the efforts of the top woman collegiate athlete in each of the 11 sports for Honda Sports Awards. In effect, the 11 award winners will then receive their eligibility to be recipients of Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year award.
The American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will sponsor the awards program and the winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup will be declared on June 25 in New York City at Columbia University.
About Honda Motors Company
Honda Motor Co. , Ltd. or simply called Honda is a Japanese engine manufacturer and engineering corporation. It is most well known as manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, placing Nissan in the second spot as the second largest seller of auto mobiles in Japan. It also produces a wide list of other products such as Honda timing belt, trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies and systems.
With its main headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Honda has it market in the US that is headquartered in Torrance, California.
Aside from the automotive industry, the company is also involved in racing and other sports.
Deharadun is nestled between the Shivalik mountain ranges. It is called the hill city, the capital of the new Uttranchal State. The city has a pleasant climate. It is the center of many pilgrims.
Dehradun has a very charming geographical location surrounded by the Himalayan ranges. The temperate climate of the city is visited by a number of tourists every year. There are many religious interests that may captivate and rejuvenate one’s body and soul. Below are some of them:
Tapkeshwar Temple
Tapkeshwar Temple is a famous cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also known as Guchhu Pani and is located in the banks of a stream. It was transformed as the busiest pilgrim center among others. The name itself was derived from the dribbling river waters of the cavern’s ceilings. The temple’s cool spring sulphur component has a therapeutic value, making it a dipping spot for pilgrims.
Ram Rai Gurudwara
Ram Rai is a popular pilgrimage center and the oldest Gurudwara for the Sikh religion. It was established by Ram Rai Gurudwara in the early 17th century, with the support of the Dehradun ruler. Legend tells us that the great Sikh Guru Ram Rai was thrown away and settled down in Dehradun Valley.
The gurudwara features a typical Sikh shrine having a holy book Adigarantha at its center. Other things to see are a large dining room with free meals and utility rooms. Most devotees of any sect or religion can offer their prayers here. Admission is free.
A large number of tourists visit the place because of its flag fair every year as well as the marvelous landscape around the center.
Sai Darbar Temple
The temple of Sai Darbar is a hill resort located 8 kilometers from the clock tower of the city’s capital. The temple is open to all kinds of devotees in order to pray at peace. It is one of the well known temples that possess a high spiritual and cultural content.
The temple was built using glittering marble stones with ornamented designs and paintings inside. It is an ideal place for prayer sessions. The temple is continuously maintained by private organizations in Dehradun.
Chandrabani
Chandrabani is a famous temple in Delhi road. It is 7 kms far from Dehradun. The sacred place has a pond called Gautum Kund and a temple. It is believed that Ganga was seen on this spot. Aside from this, Maharshi Gautam together with his wife and daughter Anjani lived at Gautam Kund. A large number of devotees visited Chandrabani to take a dip in the holy waters of Gautam Kund. It is just 2 kilometers away from the main road in Shivalik hill.
Santala Devi Temple
Santala Devi Temple is also one of the famous temples located 15 kms from Dehradun. The temple is dedicated to Santala Devi. Legend says that Santala Devi with his brother had missed to face the Mughals. They abandoned their weapons and pray. Both brothers are turned into stone images. The temple stands as a symbolic meaning of the people’s faith with cultural and religious significance.
Mindrolling Monastery
Mindrolling Monastery is a renowned monastery of the Nyingma sect which means “The Place of Perfect Emancipation”. It was built in 1676 and known as one of India’s largest Buddhist Viharas.
The monastery is dedicated for the learning of Buddhist scriptures, traditional Tibetan medicine, Tibetan lunar calendar, calligraphy and astronomy. History told that the monastery witnessed several attacks and natural calamities. Mindrolling Monastery is an architectural wonder by Khochhen Rinpoche. It continuously trains upcoming monks and yogis in the past 300 years.
Tapovan
Tapovan is a holy place bounded by lush plants and a splendid river. There are beliefs that Dronachrya had undergone penance in this place. Many Sadhus and sages come over because they believe that atoning for their sins is the only way to settle with the Almighty.
Visiting these religious places surrounding Dehradun is a good way to strengthen your beliefs. Most tourists and devotees go on religious tours here for self-introspection.
Experience all the charms Hawaii has to offer at the Aloha Beach hotel nestled between the verdant east coast of Kauai and the sacred Wailua River. This luxury Kauai Hawaii beach hotel and resort is the perfect place for your Hawaii honeymoon vacation or romantic vacation in Hawaii. With a central location on the island, this destination resort in Hawaii provides easy access to the Lihu’e airport, local shopping, Kamalani Playground, Lydgate Beach Park and other popular attractions.
Look to the best hotel in Kapa’a Hawaii to meet your need for a complete Kauaii Hawaii family vacation package. Along with an abundance of entertainment opportunities surrounding the Aloha Beach Hotel, guests of this beachfront hotel in Hawaii will discover plenty of activities within the resort. This luxury Hawaii hotel, surrounded by picturesque views, boasts Kauai’s only protected swimming and snorkeling beach. In addition, two swimming pools, Jacuzzi, fitness room, tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard are a few of the amenities available to our guests to ensure a pleasant Hawaiian vacation. Aloha Beach hotel also features some of the best options in Hawaiian dining. The Palms restaurant, a Hawaiian-themed dining room, is the ideal place to sip a cool drink or dine on a sumptuous meal while watching the sun set on Kauai. In addition to this restaurant, the Kuhio Lounge and the Kahuna Bar & Grill offer more tasty options for excellent food and drink.
With beautiful vistas from every room, activities galore and unrivaled amenities, visitors to Hawaii should look no further than the Aloha Beach hotel for an unforgettable Hawaiian getaway.
The Aloha Beach Hotel Kauai invites you to experience a unique combination of warm, genuine aloha spirit and the pampering treatment of a modern Kauai hotel. Our beautiful beachfront location features 216 luxurious rooms, suites and cottages which provide breathtaking ocean or garden views. All rooms come fully-equipped with a refrigerator, safe, free parking and many additional amenities you may require during your stay.
Experience the luxury of our Hawaiian-style guest rooms and suites in the Maile and Pikake Wings. These spacious rooms with spectacular views of lush gardens or the glistening ocean can accommodate up to four people, and families or large groups may request adjoining rooms.
For more privacy on your Hawaiian retreat, choose one of our beautiful two-room cottages, boasting a separate sleeping and living area and a lanai to enjoy the crisp ocean breezes.
The friendly staff at the Aloha Beach Hotel Kauai invites you to experience the ultimate Kauai vacation. Take advantage of Kauai’s only protected swimming and snorkeling beach where you will discover a vivid palette of colors in the native marine life. For land-based entertainment, the hotel also offers numerous options for exhilarating activities including tennis, volleyball and shuffleboard.
Guests of the Aloha Beach Hotel Kauai are presented with a variety of tantalizing onsite restaurants, sure to satisfy even the most discriminating diner. This newly-renovated beachfront hotel is an exotic island hideaway offering attentive service paired with thoughtful amenities and relaxing accommodations.
These extensive amenities include:
2 sparkling swimming pools
Daily maid service Fitness room
Free parking
Gift shop
Jacuzzi
Kahanu Bar & Grill
Kuhio Lounge
Laundry facilities
Meeting and banquet facilities
Palms restaurant
Picnic tables
Protected swimming & snorkeling beach
Shuffleboard
Tennis
Valet service
Volleyball
An individual has not started living until he or she can rise above the narrow confines of his or her individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. “-Martin Luther King, Jr.
During the third week of May, in Washington D. C. over 1,200 patriotic Americans of all faiths and the spiritual but not religious came together for the second conference of The Network of Spiritual Progressives/NSP and to lobby Congress. The activists are challenging the misuse of religion, God and spirit by the Religious Right and the anti-religious and anti-spiritual biases within the Liberal Left.
Authentic spirituality will inevitably lead one to become political. The Network of Spiritual Progressives is a diverse community that is unified by one heart that is broken over the state of the world and our nation. These activists are willing to sacrifice their life, resources and time to the work of confronting the Old Bottom Line in America which is based on greed, materialism, selfishness, power and over consumption.
The New Bottom Line proposes that institutions and social practices should be based on the higher values of love, caring, generosity, and equal human rights. The NSP proposes that the well being of every American depends on the well being of everyone in the world and recognizes our interdependence with all people and Mother Earth.
On May 18th the activists visited their Congressional Representatives to present “A Spiritual Covenant with America. ”
The eight point platform addresses individual, social and governmental responsibility for ethical behavior that honors the sacredness of all life. As the debate over immigration was going on in Congress many activists were promoting a rational approach to immigration through a strategy of non-violence and generosity that works to eliminate poverty not with a hand out but with furnishing the means and the support to enable the impoverished to attain a decent life.
The NSP supports a “Global Marshall Plan to use 5% of the GDP of the advanced industrial societies-each year for the next twenty years-to end global poverty, hunger, homelessness, inadequate education, and inadequate health care. This will do more for homeland security and military safety than does sinking trillions of dollars into wars and strategies of world domination that can never work and are immoral. . . not by dumping money into the hands of corrupt governments, but through cooperation with NGO’s committed to human rights, democracy, environmental sustainability and enhancement and respect for native cultures and traditions. ” [Number 7 in The Spiritual Covenant with America]
Many will say the NSP members are all dreamers, but it was dreamers who imagined life without slavery, civil rights, and women’s rights and it was Rilke who first understood: “You must give birth to your dreams: they are the future waiting to be born. ”
These ‘out-of-the-box’ thinkers and visionaries will not be satisfied with any short-term political gain. The task of transforming society requires commitment, persistence and a deep inner life. What progressive spiritual activists have in common is a broken heart united over the plight of the poor and oppressed, a commitment to total non-violent resistance no matter what the provocation, and sacrificial lives that offer time and resources to actualize the message Christ spoke of when he proclaimed on the Mount of The Beatitudes, that the reign and the kingdom of God is a kingdom where all beings are equal and valued just as they are.
In a country that possesses 11,000 nuclear weapons with many in excess of 20,000,000 tons of TNT [the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were 12,000 tons] yet claims to be based on the Judeo-Christian ethic of thou shalt not kill, is staggering in it’s hypocrisy. The law of Karma is what goes around comes around and the fallout from one of these WMD will find its way back home through water and wind currents and the words of Pogo come to mind: “We have seen the enemy and he is us. ”
Mankind is the only species that has the choice of annihilating itself. “Since the end of the Cold War, the world has spent more than $10 trillion on armaments. The Untied States alone spends approximately $100 million every day to keep its nuclear arsenal at the ready. ” [Jonathon Granoff, TIKKUN Magazine 9/11/03]
American money proclaims “In God We Trust” but the facts on the ground are that we have become an empire of blasphemers.
Fundamentalist Christians rail against abortion yet are for capital punishment and war. They have narrowed morality down to abortion and same sex marriage and neglect that God is love and where ever there is love: God is there.
If we are serious about a peaceful world we must have a moral agenda that stands firmly against empire building and violence. John Dear, the Jesuit priest who has been arrested 75 times for his peace activism asked Cesar Chavez what he thought was the key to peace, and Chavez exclaimed: “Public Action! Public action! Public action!”
In the ’60’s we understood if one is not a part of the solution, one is part of the problem. Throughout America patriotic spiritual activists of all faith paths and the spiritual but not religious have found common ground and are doing something more than criticizing and whining. Chapters of The Network of Spiritual Progressives are forming from the New York Islands to the Gulf Stream waters for this world belongs to all human beings.
