One of Hinduism most fun and inclusive holidays is coming up: Holi! I say inclusive because it’s probably the best holiday for inviting new people and including friends of any religion or background. It’s a joyous and riotous celebration of spring. Holi is all about bright colors, laughter, and friendship. What’s better than running up to a friend and throwing colored powder all over their hair? In fact, holi traditions are so much fun that holi powders are now being... Read more
So I made a little video, less than a minute long, documenting my Mahashivaratri last week. Here it is: *** I am so happy to tell you all that my friend Jon, who has been a frequent commenter here at The White Hindu, has started his own blog about being a non-Indian Hindu. He is calling his The Invisible Hindu and I just love that name. Wish I had thought of it! Here’s a little introduction from Jon himself… “Hi,... Read more
I am very liberal. You should know that about me. But when it comes to Islam I have struggles that set me apart from other liberals. I think for most liberals (and most of my friends) defending Muslims is the same as defending any other minority. We care about people having equality and being safe and having the ability to practice their own beliefs without persecution. We believe in that for everyone (yes even those in the majority, even Christians... Read more
Some people find it odd that I blame our president for the shooting of two Hindus, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, in Kansas. Yes, there are always people who go off the deep end and murder people. The difference this time, I feel, is that the president encourages feelings of fear and distrust towards immigrants. Not just undocumented immigrants, all immigrants. He has told people that immigrants are to blame for their problems. It is like the movie The Fisher King.... Read more
My nails and I have a rather difficult relationship. Though my hair is thick and strong, somehow my fingernails are neither. They break very easily, nail polish only lasts a couple hours if that, and (to my great frustration) they are constantly dirty. I seem to always have a dark layer of gunk showing under my nails. I had pretty much just given up on them. Then my friend Sue invited me to a “Jamberry” party. I thought it was... Read more
I had this idea for a video series a while ago and we finally recorded our first one! My husband and I enjoy discussing philosophy and I thought it would be fun to share that with you guys and capture some of our funny conversations that highlight our similarities and differences as a Hindu and a Buddhist/Taoist. Transcript Ambaa: Hi, I’m Ambaa. I’m called “the white Hindu.” I grew up in an Advaitan family, so that is a branch of... Read more
This year Mahashivratri (Shiva’s Great Night) will be Friday February 24th. For me this is the first big holiday of the year and Shiva is the God I am most connected to (my ishta devata, if you will), so it’s very meaningful for me. I’m not totally sure how I’ll be celebrating this year. The bhajan group I used to go to usually has an event at someone’s home. I’m still on the mailing list, even though I haven’t gone... Read more
The last time I spoke about the concept of an Ishta Devata was actually on my former blog and in 2010! I didn’t realize it had been so long ago. Here is what I posted then and I will update with any new thoughts I have seven years later in italics… Dhurga recently mentioned Ishta-Devata in the comments. Simply put, this would be one’s personal God. There are many, many, many Gods in Hinduism. Each has different qualities and different... Read more
Contrary to popular criticism, liberals are not fans of terrorism. No one wants terrorism! (Except the terrorists themselves, of course). It’s not like liberals are going to forgive and forget the murder of innocent people. We’re not saying to coddle terrorists, you know? We just try not to lump innocent people in with the terrorists. I can’t imagine how frustrating and upsetting it would be if Hinduism, the religion that I love and the only thing that makes any sense... Read more
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Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita (book three, verses 25-26)
We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. Here are all of the posts on the previous verses for the Gita: Bhagavad Gita Study From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita… 25. While those who are unwise act From attachment to action, O Arjuna, So the wise should act without attachment, Intending to maintain the welfare of the world. 26. One should not unsettle the minds of The ignorant who are attached... Read more