Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita, book two verses 52-56

Last updated on: April 20, 2015 at 8:41 am By Ambaa Choate

We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita… 52. When your intellect crosses beyond The thicket of delusion, then you shall become disgusted With that which is yet to be heard And with that which has been heard (in the Veda). 53. When your intellect stands fixed in deep meditation, unmoving, disregarding Vedic doctrine, then you shall attain Self-realization. 54. Arjuna spoke: How does one... Read more

Does Everyone Experience Unity?

Last updated on: April 20, 2015 at 7:54 am By Ambaa Choate

As I interact with so many more people every day now, I started to wonder if there are people who go through an entire lifetime without experiencing the serene awe of the universe. I don’t mean to cast judgements and I can’t know people’s life experience from seeing them in a grocery store check out line, but it really seems like some people have a very narrow and dark perspective. Even when I’m mired in the mundane details of life or... Read more

It’s My Birthday Today

Last updated on: April 16, 2015 at 10:26 am By Ambaa Choate

You guys, today I turned 33. I can hardly believe it! I still remember being ten years old and thinking thirty was several lifetimes away. I don’t quite know what to think about this birthday. Perhaps there’s no reason to think anything at all. It’s just another day to me, really. My life is going quite well. I am happy most of the time. I have the best husband ever, I have a house that I can really settle into and... Read more

Why Do Indians Eat With Their Hands?

Last updated on: April 15, 2015 at 3:27 pm By Ambaa Choate

It never occurred to me to ask this question. As soon as I found that some cultures eat with their fingers instead of utensils I was thrilled and immediately stopped using utensils as much as possible! I’ve always loved eating with my hands for two reasons… One: Whatever the material of utensils, they interfere with the taste of the food. It adds metallic or plastic or wood taste to your food. I hate that! Two: I’ve always felt like the... Read more

Check Me Out! Kirtan in MA

Last updated on: April 14, 2015 at 10:26 pm By Ambaa Choate

My friend Ken Larsen took some pictures at the kirtan singing night we had while Brad and I were visiting in Boston. I sat at the front with my friend Lata. Her voice is incredible. I wish she would come out with a CD! In one picture you can see my dad and my husband. Brad is wearing the kurta I got him at Fab India. He loves it! Let’s not even talk about how desperately I need to buy... Read more

Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita, book two verses 47-51

Last updated on: April 14, 2015 at 9:08 am By Ambaa Choate

We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita… 47. Your right is to action alone; Never to its fruits at any time. Never should the fruits of action be your motive; Never let there be attachment to inaction in you. 48. Fixed in yoga, perform actions, Having abandoned attachment, Arjuna,, And having become indifferent to success or failure. It is said that evenness of mind... Read more

The Wrong Mantra

Last updated on: April 13, 2015 at 8:00 am By Ambaa Choate

I’ve spoken before about how challenging meditation has been for me. Part of me wants to still my mind but the mind hates that! What a lot of meditation resources leave out is the fact that it is really hard work. Stilling the mind, ceasing thoughts for even a single moment, is enormously challenging. If you’re trying meditation you should know that it isn’t easy. But you should also know that there are things that could make it a little... Read more

The Paradox of Prayer in AARP Magazine

Last updated on: April 5, 2015 at 9:13 am By Ambaa Choate

My mother handed me one of her AARP magazines to read about Bob Dylan, but I kept reading finding lots of good articles. I stumbled across this one about prayer and it was very interesting. It was asking the question why people pray more often as they get older when being older means also experiencing many more times that prayers seem to go unanswered. Prayer is an interesting subject to me. I don’t relate to the type of prayer I... Read more

Scripture Study: Bhagavad Gita, book two verses 42-46

Last updated on: April 5, 2015 at 9:28 am By Ambaa Choate

We are doing a scripture study together: reading along through some scriptures and discussing the passages. From the Winthrop Sargeant translation of The Gita… 42. The ignorant ones proclaim This flowery discourse, Arjuna, Delighting in the letter of the Veda And saying, “There is nothing else.” 43. Full of desires, intent on heaven, They offer rebirth as the fruit of action, And are addicted to many specific rites Aimed at the goal of enjoyment and power. 44. To those (the ignorant... Read more

Visiting in MA

Last updated on: April 5, 2015 at 8:46 am By Ambaa Choate

Brad and I have come to Massachusetts to celebrate my mom’s birthday. After a family brunch, we went out to a kirtan singing that my mom put together with her friend Lata (I’m pretty certain that if you’re Indian and you live in MA, you know Lata). As we sat and sang, Lata’s gorgeous voice blending with her harmonium, it struck me how very lucky I am to have this family. So many non-Indian new Hindus that I speak to... Read more