Buddhism Beliefs: Buddhist Vegetarianism

The first lay precept in Buddhism prohibits killing. Many see this as implying that Buddhists should not eat the meat of animals. However, this is not necessarily the case. The Buddha made distinction between killing an animal and consumption of meat, stressing that it is immoral conduct that makes one impure, not the food one eats.

Read more here: » Buddhism Beliefs: Buddhist Vegetarianism

God as Mother: Celebration of the Mother Principle

Durga Puja is to Bengal what Ganesh Chaturthi is to Maharashtra - an occasion to celebrate, worship, bond together, to get festive, to exhibit one's artistic abilities, and all in the name of the Divine Mother.

Relating to God as Mother forges a personalised relationship, strengthening the bond between bhakta and bhagvan, as between a child and mother. Celebrated as Navratri in other parts of India, these nine nights are devoted to the worship of the Divine Mother - some do it through dancing the Garba or Dandiya Raas as in Gujarat, and some do it through austerities and fasting.

Read more here: » God as Mother: Celebration of the Mother Principle

Seven cities in India correspond to seven centres or chakras in our body: ÒAyodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, Puri drawaravati chaiva, Saptaide moksha dayikaÓ. The seven cities are companioned  with seven sacred rivers; Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri

The microcosm and the macrocosm are interlinked. Planet earth, home to many organisms, is itself a large organism. It is not just a place for living beings; it is a living organism as a whole. This is what the Gaia theory says. Materialism considers everything as objects. Spirituality, on the other hand, discovers life in everything.

Read more here: » Gaia Theory: Chakras and the Seven Sacred Cities

Hinduism: Definition of Hinduism

Hinduism is not a religion but a set of beliefs and traditions which have evolved over a period of time. It is a way of life based upon a group of religious movements evolved in the Indian subcontinent over a vast period of time. It is not based upon a single scripture or the teachings of a single prophet. There is no central organization like the Church of Christianity or the Order of Buddhism to control its movements or progress.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Definition of Hinduism

The orthodox systems of philosophy believe in the authority of the Vedas. The heterodox systems of philosophy do not believe in the authority of the Vedas.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Orthodox And Heterodox Systems: Vedic Philosophy - The Orthodox And The Heterodox Systems Of Indian Philosophy

In 1999, Bennie LeBeau of the Eastern Shoshone tribe began to experience a torrent of dreams and visions. The visions directed him to set in motion the plans for a massive Medicine Wheel Ceremony. The ceremony is set to take place at High Noon on Saturday, May 8, 2004 at more than 20 sacred sites in the American West, and at many other sacred sites elsewhere around the world, including Australia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and the Middle East.

Read more here: » Native American Spirituality: Native American Medicine Wheel Ceremony on May 8th 2004

Guru Purnima:

THE FULL moon day in the month of Ashad (July-August) is an extremely auspicious and holy day of Guru Purnima. On this day, sacred to the memory of the great sage, Bhagavan Sri Vyasa, Sannyasins settle at some place to study and discourse on the thrice-blessed Brahma Sutras composed by Maharishi Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic, philosophical investigation.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Guru Purnima: Holy Days in Hinduism - Guru Purnima

Shivaratri

THIS FALLS on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Shivaratri: Hindu Rituals and Ceremonies - Shivaratri

Presentation of the Spiritual Reatreats in The Golden City.

Read more here: » Spiritual Retreats - A retreat for Enlightenment

When the painting is based on Vedic Principles you can get in touch with the source of all creation. Now anyone can go to the Oneness Festival in India and try out how Vedic Art turns life into a masterpiece of Art. Agneta Milde found Vedic Art ten years ago and writes about it here.

Read more here: » Spiritual Art: Vedic Art

Hinduism: The Meaning of Hindu

The word Hindu is not a religious word. It is secular in origin. It is derived from the word Sindhu, which is the name of a major river that flows in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. The ancient Greeks and Armenians used to refer the people living beyond the river Sindhu as Hindus and gradually the name struck. When the Muslims came to the sub continent they called the people living in the region as Hindustanis to distinguish them from the foreign Muslims. Subsequently when the British established their rule, they started calling the local religions collectively under the name of Hinduism. 

Read more here: » Definition of Hindu: The Meaning of Hindu

Kundalini Awakening

Kundalini awakening or pranic awakening and its cross-tradition similars-the spontaneous spinal rockings known in Judaism as davening and in Sufisim as zikr; the "taken-over" gyrations of gospel "holy ghost" shaking and dancing and charismatic/pentacostal "mani-festations"; the Dionysian "revel"; QuakerismÕs and Shakerism's autonomic quaking and shaking; Tai Chi guided by chi itself; the shamanic trance-dance; BuddhismÕs and Raja-YogaÕs effortless "straight back" (uju-kaya) meditation; the yogically derived ecstatic belly-dance and Flamenco; and even the full-bodied, spontaneous Reichian "reflex"-literally embody the spiritual path.

Read more here: » Kundalini Awakening: Kundalini and Sahaja Yoga (Spontaneous Yoga)

 Sai Baba: A Pilgrimage

A Sai Baba devotee meets with Paramahamsa Hariharananda for initiation at the Karar Ashram in Puri, India - March 1989.

The article is an excerpt taken from the devotees book, Glimpses of the Divine: Working with the Teachings of Sai Baba by Birgitte Rodriguez.

Read more here: » Sai Baba: A Pilgrimage

In this article, the author share a simple and very powerful way of combining drumming with clearly expressed intentions together forming your own strong prayer. This technique can be used by anyone and adopted to suit your own personal need.

Read more here: » Spiritual Music: Song Alchemy - Drumming for spiritual awakening

Sacred Numbers: Maths as Tool to Attain Mukti

"I bow to that glorious Lord of the Jainas, who as the shining lamp of the know-ledge of numbers made to shine whole of the universe", said Mahaviracharya in Ganita Sara Sangraha. Few know that ancient Jain scientific thought is a rich source of Indian scientific heritage. The grand Jain spiritual tradition and its masters broadly influenced Indian thought and rationality in three key areas: Atomism, non-absolutism and mathematical concepts including the theory of numbers. As realists, a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the material world was important to Jain philosophers.

Read more here: » Jainism: Maths as Tool to Attain Mukti - Sacred Numbers

Sacred Sites: Temples as Places Of Deep Insight

Temples and other places of worship play a significant role in cultural reformation. The innate vibrations, cultural complexion, and spiritual qualities resonate all around the devotee. So they are more than places of worship; they are cultural rendezvous centres for traditional community activities. They are also meeting places for families and friends.

Read more here: » Sacred Sites: Temples as Places Of Deep Insight

Creative Math of the Origins of Universe

For the creation of anything three causes are required to be fulfilled: Material cause, instrumental cause and supporting cause. In Creation, Brahman is all of these three causes. He evolves Himself into Mulaprakriti or primordial matter.

Read more here: » Vedic Genesis: Creative Math of the Origins of Universe

Trilinga Swami

Sri Trilinga Swami of Benares, born in Andhra Desa, lived some fifty years ago. He lived for 280 years. He made his Tapas in Manasarovar (Tibet). Once Ramakrishna Paramahamsa also saw him at Benares.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yogis: Trilinga Swami

While we are sleeping, angels have conversations with our souls.

Read more here: » Angel Inspirational: Daily Angel Wisdom Quotes

A physician with a magic touch—that, in essence, defines Dr P.G. Kurup. But, unlike other doctors, the word 'magic' has more than a symbolic meaning in his case. For Dr Kurup has actually healed impossible cases through aura diagnosis and surgery, baffling the medical community. A distinguished allopath who opted for alternative healing systems, Dr Kurup discusses his unique method of aura healing and his own spiritual growth in an exclusive interview with Indian yoga exponent T.K.V. Desikachar.

Read more here: » The Aura: Aura diagnosis and aura surgery

Sacred Places: Tree Of Knowledge Can Liberate You

Siddhartha Gautam roamed in search of the secret of sorrow and suffering. At Gaya, a village on the banks of the river Niranjana in Bihar, he sat in silent contemplation under a banyan tree.

He attained enlightenment there, and became known as the Buddha. The spot began to be referred to as the Throne of Wisdom, and the banyan tree is now known as the Eternal Wisdom Tree, the Akshaya Bodhibriksha .

Read more here: » Sacred Places: Tree Of Knowledge Can Liberate You