tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88889972011-04-21T15:08:02.445-05:00Thoughts on spirituality and related topicsBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-48421878186752296702007-05-06T08:46:00.001-05:002008-12-22T10:59:38.517-05:00

Hindu UK provides this useful summary of the Hindu notion of God. The first paragraph gives a pretty good description of the 'nondual' philosophy of Advaita, which is considered the highest manifestation of Hindu thought regarding the Divine. Most people don't even know that Hinduism goes well beyond picturesque representations of Gods and Goddesses!

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1158368042860918582006-09-15T19:48:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:01:57.511-05:00

Was Krishna a historical figure or is he just a myth? This article by a Hindu scientist explores the origins of this most beloved of Hindu gods. However, let it be noted that the historical reality of Krishna is far less important to Hindus than is that of Jesus to Christians. It is only the spiritual message that counts.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1154969342697523762006-08-07T11:35:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:04:15.091-05:00

I don't read Chronicles Magazine, though I know about it through my interest in the political writings of Srdja Trifkovic. It has been called a 'paleoconservative' magazine, which seems to mean that it is less aggressive, interventionist and secular than the 'neocons' or Wall Street Journal types. It appears to have a Christian slant, which I view with some degree of skepticism. I will readily

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1154645613439866672006-08-03T17:45:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:05:53.618-05:00

Not having studied Zoroastrianism, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this interesting article on Zoroaster and his influence on Judaism and Christianity. One might also add possible influences on Hinduism. However, I can believe that it was a basically high-minded and tolerant religion, which was decimated by the barbaric onslaught of Islam. Here are some more links for further study:

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1152552625800220262006-07-10T12:19:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:07:45.952-05:00

This picture of Constanze Mozart in her old age is thought-provoking. On the one hand, Mozart is the joyful composer we all know so intimately, who lived in a remote time of powdered wigs, before photographs and other modern inventions. Partly due to some silly musicals, we imagine Mozart as always full of mirth and laughter, and his wife too. Yet this picture of Constanze in her old age is so

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1151279873913964022006-06-25T18:49:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:09:03.755-05:00

Of all the Westerners who have 'converted' to Hinduism, David Frawley is one of the most authentic, being one of the few Westerners to be recognized by a major Hindu sect in India as a Vedacharya or teacher of the ancient Vedic wisdom. In Hindu Voice UK, he gives one of his first interviews in a long time.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1149437580155894632006-06-04T11:11:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:10:01.994-05:00

Here is a beautiful new photoblog called Mexican Pictures .

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1148341402834649512006-05-22T18:39:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:11:00.228-05:00

This article shows how a single fascinating picture in her parents' home could reignite faith in an uprooted young Hindu woman.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1148230460082654552006-05-21T11:50:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:12:16.737-05:00

Here is a video from the Sakya Monastery in Seattle on the Wheel of Life in Tibetan Buddhism. To quote: "The Wheel of Life illustrates the essence of the Buddhist teachings, the Four Truths: the existence of earthly suffering, its origin and cause, the ending or prevention of misery and the practice path to liberation from suffering."Here is a tour of the colorful monastery.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1145800148965268722006-04-23T08:43:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:13:12.246-05:00

Francis Fukuyama understands something about life's mysteries, such as consciousness, which even modern philosophers and scientists often fail to appreciate. He realizes, along with Descartes, that consciousness simply cannot be reduced to matter, which makes it very mysterious indeed. (And matter is equally mysterious, in its own right, regardless of whatever superficial theories physics comes

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1142790157557775322006-03-19T12:38:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:14:01.624-05:00

Here is a clip of a remarkably lifelike Einstein robot being developed in Japan. This may raise all kinds of philosophical questions, but rest assured: No robot could ever be conscious. Or could it?

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1142128144010301182006-03-11T20:33:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:14:56.029-05:00

This dazzling image is not science fiction but an actual experimental apparatus at Sandia Labs called the Z-Machine, which is part of a general research program into fusion energy. Recently, the Z-machine briefly achieved a temperature of 2 billion degrees Kelvin - hotter than inside a star - and the researchers are not sure why!

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1141046208207635172006-02-27T08:13:00.002-05:002008-12-22T11:16:26.388-05:00

BBC Online has a slideshow of a Jain festival in India, where the faithful pour coconut, sugar cane juice and other offerings on a huge statue of their ancient saint Bahubali. The Jains are known for their pacifism, which has deeply influenced other religions of India as well as the world.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1131755081751746622005-11-11T19:14:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:18:29.880-05:00

This is the kind of art that could easily be sentimental, but Han Wu Shen dodges the bullet, in my opinion. At least, it's no worse than Renoir or some such artist. The Chinese have such imagination, delicacy and appreciation for beauty. I hope we never go to war with them!Han Wu Shen is one of several artists at the Cordair Art Site. Another is Bryan Larsen, who painted thisDoesn't this

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1131759006558420672005-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:002005-11-11T20:30:06.570-05:00

Buddhist Tradition Thickens Parts of the Brainfrom Yahoo! NewsNov 11, 2005Meditation alters brain patterns in ways that are likely permanent, scientists have known. But a new study shows key parts of the brain actually get thicker through the practice.Brain imaging of regular working folks who meditate regularly revealed increased thickness in cortical regions related to sensory, auditory and

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1124665806240440432005-08-21T18:06:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:19:23.177-05:00

Intelligent Design, a proposed alternative to evolution, has been a hot topic in the news and on the blogosphere lately. Since our biological origins inevitably touch on religion, the issue can be emotional. This prompted me to do a little research and thinking, and my results are here. (The picture shows a protozoa.)

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1123458996346913302005-08-07T18:55:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:22:46.128-05:00

Chilltopia is the name of a German musical group that plays what they call 'chill out and ambient music'. It has a mellow and funky sound, much like the blue and purple light on their webpage. I like their free download called 'The Last Battle of U-853'. I wish that Jimmy Smith bluesy organ were heard more often! They also have some interesting photography on their site, of which a few

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1122658542550249222005-07-29T12:29:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:24:07.750-05:00

Dove soap has an amusing new advertising campaign called Real Beauty to reassure women that it's OK to have 'curves'. When was it not OK to have curves? Women are supposed to have curves. Women are supposed to have flesh. I never liked the emaciated look that has taken over Western fashion photography for some years, and I can't believe how many women fell for it, suffering needlessly with

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1122246922236239022005-07-24T18:08:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:24:51.366-05:00

This is very inspiring, and hence spiritual! Lance Armstrong wins an unprecedented 7th Tour de France. The Tour de France is an incredibly arduous bicycle race around France, including the mountains, lasting 2232 miles. Winning seven races in a row is amazing, but winning them after fighting cancer is miraculous. Surely this has far more to do with Lance's spirit than with his body.'Vive le

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1122053860609337102005-07-22T12:37:00.002-05:002008-12-22T11:26:01.980-05:00

No need to explain why this is good news, from a spiritual point of view. And I thought my musical hero Beethoven had been nearly forgotten!Beethoven (1.4m) beats Bono (20,000) in battle of the internet downloads by Charlotte Higginsin The GuardianJuly 21, 2005

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1120578502932821162005-07-05T10:43:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:26:59.699-05:00

My study of Indian spirituality is supposed to take me away from samsara! Unfortunately, it got me interested in India in general, and I have discovered that there are quite a few stunning beauties over there. Here is an example. I can't imagine anything lovelier than this. It makes philosophical detachment quite a challenge! However, appreciation of beauty can also lead us to divine

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1120576557998854462005-07-05T10:07:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:27:50.395-05:00

The BBC reports that one of the Australian 'apostles' has disintegrated into the ocean. The apostles are a group of rocks off the scenic coast of Melbourne, which I visited about 10 years ago. I felt a twinge upon reading this story, as it reminds me of how all is impermanent, including the mighty formations of nature. Even the massive Himalayas will one day be reduced to dust.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1118788980804871782005-06-14T17:37:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:28:38.106-05:00

This is what makes America great! One thinks of Utah as a bastion of Christian Mormon conservatism, yet the ISKCON Temple at Spanish Fork will hold a Hindu Chariot Festival in the midst of splendid natural scenery.This festival is modeled after the oldest ongoing festival known to man. For the last three thousand years the Jagannatha Chariot Festival has been observed in Puri, a town in the

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1117064570795641882005-05-25T18:37:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:30:10.898-05:00

These wild and mysterious clouds are a rare formation called 'lenticular mammatus'. They appeared recently over Joplin, Missouri and were photographed by a local news team, where bigger versions can be found.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1117027769660186722005-05-25T08:22:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:31:44.121-05:00

From the BBC25 May, 2005Tucked away in the mountains of northern Pakistan, the tiny Kalash minority celebrates the end of winter in May each year with the Joshi (spring) festival. They claim they are descended from the soldiers of Alexander the Great.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1105209314321346112005-01-08T13:24:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:32:15.745-05:00

Here are some of the most most charming photos I've seen of Nepal. I love how the beauty of Hindu and Buddhist religion is integrated into everyday life. I hope the Maoist rebels don't destroy all this. Communism may have its origins in poverty, but it destroys spiritual life.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1100206707145089042004-11-11T15:00:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:34:45.687-05:00

As I have already mentioned, a website called Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth summarizes scholarship which strongly suggests that Jesus Christ owes much of his symbolism to mystery religions and fertility myths then prevalent in the Greco-Roman world. There may have been a charismatic Jewish rabbi named Jesus, who inspired a local following, but I am persuaded that much of his myth was indeed

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1100195478119930522004-11-11T13:38:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:34:18.722-05:00

Iris Chang, who wrote an excellent book on the Japanese massacre of Chinese civilians in Nanking during the 1930's, has taken her life at the age of only 36. She was found with a gunshot wound to her head in a parked car along Highway 17 in Santa Clara county south of San Francisco, where she lives. She was suffering from depression, for which she had been receiving treatment. In a note prior

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1099515402276807282004-11-03T15:23:00.001-05:002008-12-22T11:33:44.751-05:00

Tom Wolfe is a celebrated author of American social life. He is a 'Southern gentleman' by birth and claims to have retained some of the traditional values of the religious environment he grew up in, despite not being religious himself. In particular, he is shocked — or rather 'awed' — by the promiscuity he has detected on upper class campuses and among the 'liberal elites' in general. He

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1100387252496481962004-11-03T15:14:00.000-05:002005-05-25T10:28:12.506-05:00

This article provides important insights into how conservative Christians feel about the 'liberal elite'. Liberals ignore this bitterness at their own peril. It would seem wise for liberals to compromise on non-essentials, such as having the word 'God' in the pledge of allegiance, allowing some non-denominational prayer in schools, or being satisfied with gay civil unions rather than marriages.

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1099165062955957792004-10-30T14:37:00.000-05:002004-10-31T14:08:59.443-05:00

There is a new movie out on quantum mechanics and spirituality called What the Bleep do we Know? Its website claims to have consulted professional physicists, but the movie has also been accused of exaggerating the claims of quantum mechanics. In particular, the macroscopic world of everyday reality continues as before. Even though quantum mechanics raises deep and intriguing questions

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098919526791114682004-10-27T18:25:00.000-05:002004-10-30T19:12:45.190-05:00

And for the mystery and magic of India... Kamat's Potpourri

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098919176618899442004-10-27T18:19:00.000-05:002004-10-30T19:16:34.656-05:00

I highly recommend this informative and colorful site on the meaning of Hinduism, its significance to the world, and the problems it faces. Clearly a labor of love. A Tribute to Hinduism

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098908424425325312004-10-27T15:19:00.000-05:002004-11-02T13:19:45.030-05:00

Here is an interesting and enjoyable site which discusses the pagan origins of Christianity. There may well have been an inspiring man named Jesus, but it seems likely to me that various myths grew around him over time, myths which were common in the Roman world. This site provides references to the scholarly literature, where you may verify the various claims. Pagan Origins of the Christ

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098907029304601072004-10-27T14:45:00.000-05:002004-10-30T17:39:59.436-05:00

For those who may be confused or intrigued by the last two messages on Advaita, here are some links taken from my website: Nisargadatta's I AM THAT A lucid discussion of Advaita by a modern master Shankara's Vivekachudamani A classic on Advaita that is easy to read Ashtavakra Gita Another easy to read classic Ramana Maharshi and others at ease Information on many Advaita masters past and

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098891371876779992004-10-27T10:21:00.000-05:002004-10-31T19:53:35.826-05:00

Yesterday's posting on Advaita Vedanta on the Yahoo Indian Civilization list drew some comments, to which I responded. Here are a few: Yes, I ask this question usually: How many of us can walk through the walls? :-) Your smiley indicates that you understand that philosophical idealism is not some silly black magic. The laws of nature remain the same, but the processes are simply realized to

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098823561389852962004-10-26T15:40:00.000-05:002004-10-30T17:39:00.323-05:00

Today I posted these general comments regarding Advaita Vedanta on the Yahoo Indian Civilization list: I believe that the 'incomprehensible' doctrine of Advaita can be fairly well grasped through an uncompromising philosophical idealism, in which everything is realized to be consciousness, as discussed in my essay: Advaita as Nondual Idealism There are some aspects of my interpretation

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8888997.post-1098822804366144682004-10-26T15:27:00.000-05:002004-10-30T19:33:39.300-05:00

Someone on the Yahoo Indian Civilization list asked why Hinduism has so many Gods and what it all means. Here was my reply: I am particularly concerned with showing you that Hinduism is quite 'logical' in the best sense. Your message expressed some doubts about this, and superficially an elephant-headed God may seem peculiar. But this is far from true. The essential point to realize is

Benjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978080361098813950noreply@blogger.com