At the turn of this century, the Dalai Lama issued the following eighteen rules for living. 12 years on, we thought that 2012 was a great time to revisit these timeless points.
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson
3. Follow the three Rs: (1) Respect for self (2) Respect for others (3) Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Video : 18 Rules of Living By The Dalai Lama
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Devi Bhava - Amma
Devi Bhava:
Devi Bhava is a incredible night filled with just about the highest bliss available, no intoxicants needed, just Amma's most radiant intoxicating love who has taken form as Devi Herself. We are very lucky to still be in the presence of Devi in the west, for Amma no longer dresses as Devi in India.
So before Amma takes on the Bhava of Devi, a few things happen prior. I believe the Atma puja (offering of the self) starts at about 5:30 pm. There is a token line that is started prior to the puja so if you wish to get a low number i recommend arrive early, if you do not care what token you recieve then you can still get a token later in the night after the puja and after Devi Bhava has officially started. If you wish to recieve darshan you must get a token, which are usually distributed at the back of the hall. If you have never been to the puja and are interested in being in the hall where the puja takes place, make sure to get their early enough. Try not to bring a lot of bags and ofter stuff with you for the puja, the space gets very crowded very quickly, by bringing less stuff, you will most likely feel less crowded ;o) If you aren't able to get in the hall for the puja, now-a-days it is overflowed into other rooms via TV screen so you can still see and hear Amma. Before the puja starts Amma offers specific rituals in blessing water and stting the tone for the puja. After the water is blessed, water containers will be distributed throughout the hall. After the puja is over the water is invibed with supreme energy. Some people drink their whole cup in that moment some people keep it and add it to a bigger vessel later. Every single drop of the water is Amma's prasad so.. however you choose to cherish it, is completely up to you ;o) After Amma has blessed the water and before the puja starts Amma gives a satsang about key points She wishes to share with all of Her children.
After the satsang has taken place, Amma and Swamiji then guide everyone thru the Atma puja. There are specific rituals that wash away impurities that we carry around with us, which are performed as part of the puja process. It is an incredible experience, many upon many feel totally cleansed and sooo much lighter after doing the Atma puja.
After the puja is completed you will be asked to sit and meditate for a few moments and then someone at this point will announce what is to happen next. There is a lot of rearranging of the audio equipment and people that takes place after the puja is complete so make sure to listen to the announcement. The space gets a little crowded and hectic at moments because many people gather to see Devi. At this point also Amma gets up from the puja and goes behind the silk curtains to get ready for the Bhava of Devi.
While Amma is getting ready the Swami's gather around the sound system which is right in front of the stage and start off the night with the first ecstatic bhajan. ;o) This is a great time to get yourself situated somewhere. Within a few minutes later the curtains open.. this happens for about 30 seconds or so and if the crowd is quiet enough you can hear Amma's sweet voice singing Ambike Devi..
Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram
S'armadayike S'ive Santanam Namskaram
Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram
~O Mother, Goddess of the Universe, I bow before Thee.
O Giver of happiness, I bow before Thee.
(Bhajanamritam vol. 1 pg. 29)
Amma sings this as She is humbly sitting on the floor facing the crown, sari and garland of our beloved Devi.
After She sings this the silk curtains close again as Amma now adorns Herself with Devi's attire. During this time the swami's sing another bhajan or two and then the moment arrives. The curtains start to move again as the swami's excitingly open them.
There sits upon Her thrown, our Most beloved Queen of the Universe, Devi!!
Shimmering with such beauty and delight adorned with the most beautifully colored silk sari and jewel studded crown, Devi then showers flower pedals as Arati begins. At this point the first person waiting in line approaches Devi for the first Devi Bhava darshan of the night...such sweet bliss!!
And for the rest of this night following into the morning hours the mood is just like this, Devi embraces hundreds upon hundreds, sometimes even thousands for the whole entire night of Devi Bhava. And the bhajans.. WOW!!! Cannot say enough about these most ecstatic bhajans... they go on and on and on, one after the other after the other.. soooo supreme!! If you have bhajan books and you love to sing along, make sure to bring your bhajanamritams, they are a must have !!
Throughout this most blissful night snacks, chai and other goodies are offered just outside the hall. The Amma shop is also open if you wish to make any last purchases before the night is thru.
One just never really knows just how long Devi Bhava will go until.. it could go all the way until 1pm. You just never know!
After Devi has embraced everyone who came up for darshan, She then will perform specific ceremonies. These ceremonies include:
~First feedings for infants. Devi feeds them a very yummie sweet rice pudding. reallly sweet!!
~Rice Ceremonies: For children who are going into school. Devi will take their hand and draw certain things on a bed of rice, blessing their schooling.
~Wedding Ceremonies: Where Devi will perform a traditional indian wedding ceremony for the couple getting married.
These are the three main ceremonies that take place. It is rare though sometimes Devi will also give new colors to a brahmachari, though i have only seen this done once.
After the ceremonies are finished, everyone is then asked to form a line because at this point Devi will get finally up from Her chair, the same chair She has been sitting in the whole entire night, She will then come to the end of the stage, grab a handful of flower pedals, and She will then shower Her children with pedals as they walk passed Her. After the pedals are complete Devi stands at the end of the stage, beaming with such divine radiance.. looks at every single one of Her children in the hall. It is one of the most amazing things to witness. It is almost as if She gazes with a thousand lotus-pedaled eyes as She lovingly glances at each and everyone person. Still blows me away thinking about it..
While She stands their as radiant as the morning sun, She takes a handful of pedals and moves Her hands as some of the pedals drop to the floor. She does this a few times and closes Her eyes a few times and in that moment the silk curtains close one last time...
Many cry and call out to Her.. In this moment certain mantras are chanted to end this most auspicious night. One mantra chanted is Amritesvari Mangalam:
Amritevari mangalam
pranamatam muktiprade mangalam
bhuvanesvari mangalam
sukritinam ekasraye mangalam
(repeat)
hrdayesvari mangalam
hridilasa tejomayi mangalam
mrdu bhasini mangalam
vijayatam prema krte mangalam (3x)
O Amritesvari, may there be auspiciousness,
O bestower of Liberation for those who surrender to You, may there be auspiciousness.
O Goddess of the universe, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother the sole refuge of the noble hearted, may there be auspiciousness.
O Goddess of the Heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Effulgent One who shines in the heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother who speaks softly, may there be auspiciousness.
Victory onto You, the embodiment of Love; may there be auspiciousness.
(bhajanamritam vol. 3 pg. 278)
After Devi Bhava the hall is filled with Devi's unconditional love and supreme grace along with many many touched hearts. ;o) The floor is covered in flower pedals that Devi had previously showered, which you may collect for yourself or to share with others. Sometimes after this most blissful night, Amma will come out from behind the curtains dressed in Her whites again and either leave the hall or sometimes She will even stay to help clean up afterwards..Her love grace and selflessness is truly endless...!!
Source: http://ammachi.tribe.net/thread/b7ee41d7-5dea-4211-88bf-1180e4614bde
Devi Bhava is a incredible night filled with just about the highest bliss available, no intoxicants needed, just Amma's most radiant intoxicating love who has taken form as Devi Herself. We are very lucky to still be in the presence of Devi in the west, for Amma no longer dresses as Devi in India.
So before Amma takes on the Bhava of Devi, a few things happen prior. I believe the Atma puja (offering of the self) starts at about 5:30 pm. There is a token line that is started prior to the puja so if you wish to get a low number i recommend arrive early, if you do not care what token you recieve then you can still get a token later in the night after the puja and after Devi Bhava has officially started. If you wish to recieve darshan you must get a token, which are usually distributed at the back of the hall. If you have never been to the puja and are interested in being in the hall where the puja takes place, make sure to get their early enough. Try not to bring a lot of bags and ofter stuff with you for the puja, the space gets very crowded very quickly, by bringing less stuff, you will most likely feel less crowded ;o) If you aren't able to get in the hall for the puja, now-a-days it is overflowed into other rooms via TV screen so you can still see and hear Amma. Before the puja starts Amma offers specific rituals in blessing water and stting the tone for the puja. After the water is blessed, water containers will be distributed throughout the hall. After the puja is over the water is invibed with supreme energy. Some people drink their whole cup in that moment some people keep it and add it to a bigger vessel later. Every single drop of the water is Amma's prasad so.. however you choose to cherish it, is completely up to you ;o) After Amma has blessed the water and before the puja starts Amma gives a satsang about key points She wishes to share with all of Her children.
After the satsang has taken place, Amma and Swamiji then guide everyone thru the Atma puja. There are specific rituals that wash away impurities that we carry around with us, which are performed as part of the puja process. It is an incredible experience, many upon many feel totally cleansed and sooo much lighter after doing the Atma puja.
After the puja is completed you will be asked to sit and meditate for a few moments and then someone at this point will announce what is to happen next. There is a lot of rearranging of the audio equipment and people that takes place after the puja is complete so make sure to listen to the announcement. The space gets a little crowded and hectic at moments because many people gather to see Devi. At this point also Amma gets up from the puja and goes behind the silk curtains to get ready for the Bhava of Devi.
While Amma is getting ready the Swami's gather around the sound system which is right in front of the stage and start off the night with the first ecstatic bhajan. ;o) This is a great time to get yourself situated somewhere. Within a few minutes later the curtains open.. this happens for about 30 seconds or so and if the crowd is quiet enough you can hear Amma's sweet voice singing Ambike Devi..
Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram
S'armadayike S'ive Santanam Namskaram
Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram
~O Mother, Goddess of the Universe, I bow before Thee.
O Giver of happiness, I bow before Thee.
(Bhajanamritam vol. 1 pg. 29)
Amma sings this as She is humbly sitting on the floor facing the crown, sari and garland of our beloved Devi.
After She sings this the silk curtains close again as Amma now adorns Herself with Devi's attire. During this time the swami's sing another bhajan or two and then the moment arrives. The curtains start to move again as the swami's excitingly open them.
There sits upon Her thrown, our Most beloved Queen of the Universe, Devi!!
Shimmering with such beauty and delight adorned with the most beautifully colored silk sari and jewel studded crown, Devi then showers flower pedals as Arati begins. At this point the first person waiting in line approaches Devi for the first Devi Bhava darshan of the night...such sweet bliss!!
And for the rest of this night following into the morning hours the mood is just like this, Devi embraces hundreds upon hundreds, sometimes even thousands for the whole entire night of Devi Bhava. And the bhajans.. WOW!!! Cannot say enough about these most ecstatic bhajans... they go on and on and on, one after the other after the other.. soooo supreme!! If you have bhajan books and you love to sing along, make sure to bring your bhajanamritams, they are a must have !!
Throughout this most blissful night snacks, chai and other goodies are offered just outside the hall. The Amma shop is also open if you wish to make any last purchases before the night is thru.
One just never really knows just how long Devi Bhava will go until.. it could go all the way until 1pm. You just never know!
After Devi has embraced everyone who came up for darshan, She then will perform specific ceremonies. These ceremonies include:
~First feedings for infants. Devi feeds them a very yummie sweet rice pudding. reallly sweet!!
~Rice Ceremonies: For children who are going into school. Devi will take their hand and draw certain things on a bed of rice, blessing their schooling.
~Wedding Ceremonies: Where Devi will perform a traditional indian wedding ceremony for the couple getting married.
These are the three main ceremonies that take place. It is rare though sometimes Devi will also give new colors to a brahmachari, though i have only seen this done once.
After the ceremonies are finished, everyone is then asked to form a line because at this point Devi will get finally up from Her chair, the same chair She has been sitting in the whole entire night, She will then come to the end of the stage, grab a handful of flower pedals, and She will then shower Her children with pedals as they walk passed Her. After the pedals are complete Devi stands at the end of the stage, beaming with such divine radiance.. looks at every single one of Her children in the hall. It is one of the most amazing things to witness. It is almost as if She gazes with a thousand lotus-pedaled eyes as She lovingly glances at each and everyone person. Still blows me away thinking about it..
While She stands their as radiant as the morning sun, She takes a handful of pedals and moves Her hands as some of the pedals drop to the floor. She does this a few times and closes Her eyes a few times and in that moment the silk curtains close one last time...
Many cry and call out to Her.. In this moment certain mantras are chanted to end this most auspicious night. One mantra chanted is Amritesvari Mangalam:
Amritevari mangalam
pranamatam muktiprade mangalam
bhuvanesvari mangalam
sukritinam ekasraye mangalam
(repeat)
hrdayesvari mangalam
hridilasa tejomayi mangalam
mrdu bhasini mangalam
vijayatam prema krte mangalam (3x)
O Amritesvari, may there be auspiciousness,
O bestower of Liberation for those who surrender to You, may there be auspiciousness.
O Goddess of the universe, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother the sole refuge of the noble hearted, may there be auspiciousness.
O Goddess of the Heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Effulgent One who shines in the heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother who speaks softly, may there be auspiciousness.
Victory onto You, the embodiment of Love; may there be auspiciousness.
(bhajanamritam vol. 3 pg. 278)
After Devi Bhava the hall is filled with Devi's unconditional love and supreme grace along with many many touched hearts. ;o) The floor is covered in flower pedals that Devi had previously showered, which you may collect for yourself or to share with others. Sometimes after this most blissful night, Amma will come out from behind the curtains dressed in Her whites again and either leave the hall or sometimes She will even stay to help clean up afterwards..Her love grace and selflessness is truly endless...!!
Source: http://ammachi.tribe.net/thread/b7ee41d7-5dea-4211-88bf-1180e4614bde
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Bill Maher on Religion
Bill Maher is both an atheist and a comedian so it's no surprise that he makes fun of religion. Most of the clips with Bill are taken from his show but sometimes he does a monologue -- in this case at a show he called "I'm not wrong" which he presented in the fundamentalist stronghold, Raleigh, North Carolina in February 2010.
One of the top comments made by people defending religion is that -- "it does no harm - in fact it can be a comfort so leave it alone." Here Bill talks about that.
One of the top comments made by people defending religion is that -- "it does no harm - in fact it can be a comfort so leave it alone." Here Bill talks about that.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Negative words
Joyce carries around examples of useless, negative words we carelessly say throughout our lives.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Amma's North American Tour 2011
Amma’s 2011 American Yatra will occur between 27th May and 18th July.
Dates are tentative, subject to change and venues are to be announced later.
Seattle
Public Program: Fri May 27
Retreat: Sat May 28 – Mon May 30
Devi Bhava: Mon May 30 (Evening)
San Ramon
Public Program: Thu June 2 – Sun June 5
Retreat: Mon June 6 – Wed June 8
Devi Bhava: Wed June 8 (Evening)
Los Angeles
Public Program: Fri June 10 – Sat June 11
Retreat: Sun June 12 – Tue June 14
Devi Bhava: Tue June 14 (Evening)
Albuquerque
Public Program: Fri June 17
Retreat: Sat June 18 – Mon June 20
Devi Bhava: Mon June 20 (Evening)
Dallas
Public Program: Wed June 22 – Thu June 23
Devi Bhava: Thu June 23 (Evening)
Iowa
Public Program: Sat June 25 – Sun June 26
Devi Bhava: Sun June 26 (Evening)
Chicago
Public Program: Tue June 28 – Wed June 29
Devi Bhava: Wed June 29 (Evening)
New York
Public Program: Sat July 2 – Mon July 4
Devi Bhava: Mon July 4 (Evening)
Washington DC
Public Program: Wed July 6 -Thu July 7
Devi Bhava: Thu July 7 (Evening)
Boston
Public Program: Sun July 10
Retreat: Mon July 11 – Wed July 13
Devi Bhava: Wed July 13 ( Evening)
Toronto, Canada
Public Program:Fri July 15
Retreat: Sat July 16 – Mon July 18
Devi Bhava:Mon July 18 ( Evening)
Dates are tentative, subject to change and venues are to be announced later.
Seattle
Public Program: Fri May 27
Retreat: Sat May 28 – Mon May 30
Devi Bhava: Mon May 30 (Evening)
San Ramon
Public Program: Thu June 2 – Sun June 5
Retreat: Mon June 6 – Wed June 8
Devi Bhava: Wed June 8 (Evening)
Los Angeles
Public Program: Fri June 10 – Sat June 11
Retreat: Sun June 12 – Tue June 14
Devi Bhava: Tue June 14 (Evening)
Albuquerque
Public Program: Fri June 17
Retreat: Sat June 18 – Mon June 20
Devi Bhava: Mon June 20 (Evening)
Dallas
Public Program: Wed June 22 – Thu June 23
Devi Bhava: Thu June 23 (Evening)
Iowa
Public Program: Sat June 25 – Sun June 26
Devi Bhava: Sun June 26 (Evening)
Chicago
Public Program: Tue June 28 – Wed June 29
Devi Bhava: Wed June 29 (Evening)
New York
Public Program: Sat July 2 – Mon July 4
Devi Bhava: Mon July 4 (Evening)
Washington DC
Public Program: Wed July 6 -Thu July 7
Devi Bhava: Thu July 7 (Evening)
Boston
Public Program: Sun July 10
Retreat: Mon July 11 – Wed July 13
Devi Bhava: Wed July 13 ( Evening)
Toronto, Canada
Public Program:Fri July 15
Retreat: Sat July 16 – Mon July 18
Devi Bhava:Mon July 18 ( Evening)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
ZEITGEIST: MOVING FORWARD | OFFICIAL RELEASE | 2011
This is the Official Online (Youtube) Release of "Zeitgeist: Moving Forward" by Peter Joseph. [30 subtitles ADDED!]
On Jan. 15th, 2011, "Zeitgeist: Moving Forward" was released theatrically to sold out crowds in 60 countries; 31 languages; 295 cities and 341 Venues. It has been noted as the largest non-profit independent film release in history.
This is a non-commercial work and is available online for free viewing and no restrictions apply to uploading/download/posting/linking - as long as no money is exchanged.
A Free DVD Torrent of the full 2 hr and 42 min film in 30 languages is also made available through the main website [below], with instructions on how one can download and burn the movie to DVD themselves. His other films are also freely available in this format.
Website:
http://www.zeitgeistmovingforward.com
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com
Release Map:
http://zeitgeistmovingforward.com/zmap
$5 DVD:
http://zeitgeistmovie.com/order.html
Movement:
http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com
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