There are a few guidelines that will help you to almost always pronounce Hindu words correctly. *Emphasize the third to last syllable of a word. In many words that’s going to be the first syllable, so default to the first if you’re put on the spot to pronounce something. If you have a chance to look at the word, count the syllables back from the end to emphasize the third to last. Here are some examples: SADhana, not SadHANA. raMAyana,... Read more
What were people enjoying last month? Google Analytics has the answer! Hinduism 101: What Do Hindus Believe I don’t know why it took me so long to put something like this together. It’s easy for me to forget that there’s lots of new people who are just starting to wonder about the very basics of Hinduism and there’s not a lot of easy to digest information out there. People are searching to know what Hinduism is and they want to... Read more
There’s something about human nature that no matter how much praise we get, one criticism burns so deeply it seems to negate all the praise and we fixate on that one negative comment. As it turns out, blogging is probably best for people with an ability to brush off criticism. People who have internalized that not everyone is going to love you or love what you’re doing. And so be it. I know that in my mind, but my heart... Read more
I’ve been learning quite a lot about how babies are made over the last several months. Since my close friend was starting to try for a baby about a year and a half ago and one of our other good friends is a neo-natal nurse, I got the benefit of a lot of knowledge. I learned that as a woman, I can track my own fertility using temperature and other fertility signs in my body. I always thought the “rhythm... Read more
I have been reading A Practical Wedding for five years. Yes, that is longer than I’ve known my husband. It’s not just my love of all things wedding that drew me in; Meg and her team are having conversations that are vital for all women and those who love them. They are never afraid to examine the truth of things, whether fears about using the word “wife” and how that might change one’s identity or what it’s like to get... Read more
October 5th begins nine days of celebrating the Hindu Goddesses as forms of Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Durga (Day 1-3) Durga is a warrior Goddess. She rides a lion or a tiger and she wears bright red. On each day she is also honored in one of her different forms: Kumari, Parvati and Kali. They represent the three different types of femininity: child, young woman, and adult woman. Lakshmi (Day 4-6) Lakshmi (Laxmi) is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. She... Read more
As a Hindu I always try to have my eyes and ears open to the needs that arise around me. I wait for causes to come to me, because they do arise right in front of you when you’re looking for them. I have a cause now that I really hope you will help me with. This one hits very close to home as a little girl I know battles for her life. For a long time the only thing... Read more
A friend on my Facebook page mentioned that she has trouble learning chants like the Gayatri Mantra because the videos of them go so quickly. I knew this was something I could help with! The Gayatri Manta is one of the nine Vedic prayers that I was taught as a child. I’ve been chanting this prayer pretty much from the moment I could form words! (I was very lucky that my parents are Sanskrit scholars). This is the whole thing…... Read more
I like to think that I’m an ethical and good person, right? I sure hope that I am. But sometimes I wonder whether I would be as moral as I hope if I were in a challenging situation. How can we know ahead of time if we would respond in a dharmic way when faced with a huge challenge? I feel like it was easier for me to be selfless and generous when I was a kid. I had my... Read more
The first time you visit a Hindu temple can be overwhelming or intimidating. Let me give you a rundown of what to expect so you’ll feel like a pro when you get there… (Men usually prostrate laying their entire body flat) There are sometimes set schedules at Hindu temples, but you don’t have to go at a particular time. There might be services such as the morning bathing and dressing of the Gods. You can arrive for those or you... Read more
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