Book Club: How to Become a Hindu (Chapter Eleven)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

The well respected Himalayan Academy and their guru Subramuniyaswami put out a book several years ago called How To Become a Hindu. Over the next few weeks I’ll be reading the chapters and discussing each one individually. Today we’re looking at the eleventh chapter: Conclusion (Book can also be downloaded free here: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/how-to-become-a-hindu) This is the conclusion of the book. It wraps up with more emphasis on the importance of a clean and declared start in a new religion rather than... Read more

Holistic Health and What That Means

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

A woman named Jodi Cailler has filmed a short documentary about holistic health called Not An Alternative. What that means is that taking a holistic approach to your health (not just treating one symptom or disease, but taking care of your body and mind and spirit all together) shouldn’t be called “alternative” treatment. It should be a part of all treatments. The reason I’m sharing this documentary with you is that the holistic health coach whose patient is the subject of this... Read more

We All Think Our Religion Is the Right One

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

Of course we do. When your spiritual beliefs are an important priority in your life, you research and carefully select your religion. You consider what the different religions of the world say and you go with the one that feels the most truthful to you. You test religious beliefs against your inner compass. I expect that, like me, you’ll find that there’s one religion that seems tailor made for you. It’s perfect. It makes sense. It seems so clear and... Read more

Boost Your Happiness Instantly

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

You probably already do this. You probably are doing to think “Duh!” When I was young, I kept my facial expression in what I would consider neutral. I didn’t really use my face to communicate emotion. Little did I know, it was communicating something: dourness. As a kid and even into my teenage years, I was kind of off in my own little world a lot of the time. So I’d go on these retreats through SES and I wasn’t... Read more

Ganesha: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

Ganesha is the elephant-headed God that is beloved by nearly all Hindus. Regardless of sect, branch, region, or family, it would be rare to find a Hindu who didn’t have a Ganesh murti or some type of Ganesh symbol. Why Worship Ganesha* Stories * Symbolism * Holidays * How He Is Worshiped * Mantras and Bhajans Why Worship Ganesha? Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles (Vighneshwara). He is the one to pray to before starting any new endeavor. Often he is also honored first before starting any... Read more

Make Your Own Golu Dolls

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

I’m a big crafter (as you can probably tell)! The techniques I’ve been working with the longest are crochet and knit. If you’re a crocheter like me, you can easily make little figures for your Golu doll display using the technique called amigurumi (a Japanese style for making little figures of all kinds). There’s no end to the possibilities. You can make anything with amigurumi technique! Here are some examples (click the pictures to go to the free patterns): ... Read more

Book Club: How to Become a Hindu (Chapter Ten)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

The well respected Himalayan Academy and their guru Subramuniyaswami put out a book several years ago called How To Become a Hindu. Over the next few weeks I’ll be reading the chapters and discussing each one individually. Today we’re looking at the tenth chapter: Nine Questions About Hinduism (Book can also be downloaded free here: http://www.himalayanacademy.com/view/how-to-become-a-hindu) This chapter is the FAQs of Hinduism, basically. The story goes that a group of teenagers sent in a request for official answers to questions... Read more

Hindu Shout Out!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

I already love Extra Credits, which is a free video podcast about video gaming. But now they’ve given me even more reason to love them. When they say they support diversity, they mean it. Check out this screen capture from one of the videos I just watched… Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfUfUc9fANc Read more

The Moment of Death

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

When I was growing up I was taught that our thoughts at the moment of our death matter. That moment is the one that will set you on the course for whatever comes next, whatever kind of life you’ll move to next. For this reason, I don’t want to die in my sleep. I want to be aware and in control when death comes for me. As scary and upsetting as it may be, I hope to have the presence... Read more

Make Your Own Krishna Doll

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:30 pm By Ambaa Choate

You guys have seen the cute little Krishna doll that I make for my Etsy shop. I thought today I’d share with you how it’s made so that you could make one of your own if you were so inclined! The basis is a pattern for a Waldorf style soft doll found here: http://www.mamasmiles.com/amigurumi-inspired-baby-doll-crochet-pattern/ It is crocheted, so you’d have to know how to crochet. I use a C size hook for it. I use a dark blue yarn from Knit... Read more