Spirituality and the human
Ralph Waldo Emerson (May 25, 1803 – April 27, 1882), who went by his middle name Waldo, was an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. In his lifetime, Ralph Waldo Emerson became the most widely known man of letters in America.
Fully autonomous weapons, also known as “killer robots,” would be able to select and engage targets without meaningful human control. Precursors to these weapons, such as armed drones, are being developed and deployed by nations including China, Israel, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. There are serious doubts that fully autonomous weapons would be capable of meeting international humanitarian law standards, including the rules of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, while they would threaten the fundamental right to life and principle of human dignity.
The theme of International Day of Peace this year is ‘End Racism. Build Peace’. The theme focuses on promoting harmony among the various communities on Earth. The theme encourages embracing diversity with peace and acceptance. In looking at Human Values and Peace, we learn that Peace must be manifested in feeling, word, posture, deed and temperament in the same uniform equal measure.
Many of us have come to Divinity and Love of the Divine through a long and torturous journey, through womb after womb. We may have been healers, philosophers, teachers, adherents of nature religions or folk religion, and perhaps, at times, accused of being in league with the devil, or practitioners of the left hand path, the dark arts. Some of us were tortured and burnt at the stake, simply for helping our fellow man and woman. We live in enlightened days filled with much tolerance. For some, it is important to acknowledge what happened in the past, and to release the past. In this manner, we offer this pithy history.
At the passing of the Monarch, rainbows were seen at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. It is said that the passing of this Monarch will bring about great change in how the world is viewed. It will also bring about change in how we view our own selves. For we are the ones we have been waiting for. Divinity is within the human, not in the skies nor in any far off place called Heaven, Nirvana or Chandra loka. Rainbows signify hope.
From time to time, we receive enquiry from students about their assignments on various topics. These questions often address matters relating to religion and spirituality. So we commence a new category, “Questions without Notice”. On this occasion, questions addressed Religion and Family Traditions.
The name Bhagavatha can be applied to every account of the experiences of those who have contacted God and the Godly (Bhagawan and Bhakta). God assumes many forms and enacts many activities. The name Bhagavatha is given to the descriptions of the experiences of those who have realised Him in those forms and of those who have been blessed by His Grace and chosen as His Instruments.
The great work known by that name is honoured by all masters of the Vedas. It is a panacea, which cures physical, mental and spiritual illnesses. The Bhagavatha is saturated with sweetness of nectar; it shines with the splendour of God.
The principle of Avatar or the Descent of God on earth, the Incarnation of the Formless with Form, for the uplift of beings – this is the basic fact that makes the Bhagavatha authentic. By Bhagavatha we also mean those with attachment to God, those who seek the companionship of God. For such, the book, Bhagavatha, is most precious; it is the breath of their life. Herein find choice selections from Bhagavatha Vahini.
