KAUAI, HI, USA, December 1, 2010:
The January/February/March edition of Hinduism Today, Hinduism's flagship
magazine, has been released in digital form and is now available for free
on your desktop. You can read it on our website or download it. In this
issue we deliver two monumental Educational Insights, a major feature story
on the famed Gold-Clad Temple of Vellore and a host of other captivating
pieces you can't miss.
Our first Insight Section tells the modern history of India from
Independence to modern times. If you have found history to be a tough read,
as most of us have, you will find this summary remarkably engrossing from
start to finish. The expert critics who reviewed the text for us said they
found it an "easy read" and were inspired to see how Dr. Shiva Bajpai
and our editors had managed to accurately and endearingly summarize six
decades of complexity. This is the fifth and final chapter in our series on
Hindu history for use in US primary and secondary schools. In writing this
lesson, we found that little appreciation has been given modern India's
founders for their genius, skill and courage in creating the world's
largest democracy out of the ruins of Colonial India. Between 1947 and
today, India stayed united as astounding progress occurred: the life expectancy
doubled; its share of world's gross income doubled; the annual national
rate of growth more than doubled; poverty was reduced by half; and literacy
was increased six-fold. These figures resulted from successful
nation-building. To a significant extent, India's unity over these last
sixty years has sustained Hinduism's unity. It is also notable that modern
India continues to be what India has always been: a deep source of wisdom
and practical spirituality valued by societies around the world. Read all
about it in this issue of Hinduism Today.
Our feature article takes us to Malaikodi, a once sleepy village outside
Vellore in Tamil Nadu, where a new spiritual movement is emerging with
dynamic social service programs and a powerful temple to the Goddess that
is entirely gilded in gold. Until now, the press has been kept at bay by
the Narayani Peedam, and cameras are not permitted on the grounds. When our
intrepid reporter, Rajiv Malik, and professional photographer Dev Raj
Agarwal stepped into the complex, that was the first time journalists had
been given free reign to tell this amazing story in words and pictures. The
Sri Mahalakshmi Narayani Golden Temple is the magnificent centerpiece of a
sprawling 100-acre complex established by the Narayani Peedam, a grassroots
organization led by a guru called Sakthi Amma, a young, self-proclaimed
avatar of the Goddess.
Our second graphically rich Educational Insight brings you deep into
sadhana, a Sanskrit word that names the broad range of spiritual disciplines
that make Hinduism such a dynamic, progressive force of personal progress
and experience. The heart of this piece is an inspired discourse by our
founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, in which he outlines for seekers
the importance of sadhana, especially in the form of a daily vigil. He
discusses the misconceptions and benefits, arguing that the consistent
performance of sadhana yields experience about the body, mind, emotions and
the three worlds of existence that yields spiritual transformation. This
Insight introduces several novel sadhanas that you can adopt in your own
life, including "Being the Witness," "Complete
Surrender" and "Subconscious Journaling."
If you are not already concerned with the direction that mainstream food
has taken, you will be after you read our three-page story entitled
"How Our Food Choices Affect the Entire Planet." We present
excerpts from eye-opening books by experts in the field. In "The
Ethics of What We Eat, Why Our Food Choices Matter," Professor Peter
Singer and animal rights activist Jim Mason show how eating meat, poultry,
fish and factory-farmed dairy products not only contributes to animal
abuse, but also environmental degradation, social injustice and climate
change. For further insights and earthy alternatives, we refer to Michael
Pollan's 2010 bestseller, "Food Rules." Skipping his
recommendations on eating flesh, you will, as we did, find his 64 rules for
better eating remarkably sensible, and funny as well. Pollan's impressive
set of food books will make readers stop and think before buying factory
raised flesh or processed foods.
In this issue's Publisher's Desk column, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
focuses on a question that Hindus everywhere ask him: "How can I be a
good Hindu amidst our busy times?" In response, he lays out the basic
practices of Hinduism and explains how they can enhance your life. His
prescription, called "Practice makes perfect," comes with an
encouraging, compelling theme: "Our inner essence, our soul nature, is
already perfect. Our practice, or self effort, is to bring that inner
perfection into our outer intellectual, emotional and instinctive
nature.... The most devout know that each life on Earth is an opportunity
for advancement and therefore take advantage of the many tools their faith
provides. Following these five traditional observances brings forth, day by
day, the perfection that lies, waiting, within each of us."
There is lots more, of course. A book review, our Quotes and Quips page,
and some dynamite letters to the editor in which readers debate the merits
and demerits of "Sita Sings the Blues," the feature story in our
last issue. Last but not least, we should mention Dr. Virender Sodhi's
column on ayurveda. It is a blockbuster. In this issue he dives into the
malady of hypertension, describing the debilitating way this serious
imbalance is approached by mainstream medicine, while offering solid,
earthy advice from the perspective of India's science of life.
Yes, all this is in the current issue of Hinduism Today, where you go to
stay in touch with Sanatana Dharma. Don't miss it! Read it here.
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