Spirituality and the human
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the birthday of Hindu God Ganesha (Vinayaka – Ganapati), the God of wisdom, prosperity, and auspiciousness. Ganesh Chaturthi 2020 date is Saturday, August 22 – information based on Hindu calendar in India. This Ganpati Festival in 2020 ends with the immersion (Visarjan) of the idol on Anant Chaturdashi day – September 1, 2020.
Janmashtami, birthday of Lord Krishna, is based on calendars followed in India. It is also called Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, and Sri Krishna Jayanti – all refer to the birthday of Lord Krishna. Sri Krishna Jayanti 2020 date in West, East and Southern parts of India is on August 11. In North India, it is on August 12, 2020. For many, Krishna is the Supreme God. For others, Krishna is one of the many births of Mahavishnu, the one who perpetually takes birth to destroy evil and uphold dharma, righteousness on Earth. For others, Krishna is the guru of personal spirituality, as they read and attempt to live the teachings given in the Bhagavad Gita, the “Song of the Lord”, uttered by Krishna on the battlefield.
The time of coronavirus elicits reaction: due mystery spread – unaccountable contact with the virus – there can be trepidation, concern, worry, fear. How does one go about their daily business? How do you get food and water? How do you care for your children, your family, your parents, your dependent friends and neighbours? You know someone who is aged and gets home help? What is happening for them? Are they getting meals, the proper care? These and other questions flood our minds in this time of coronavirus.
We are all spiritual beings having a human experience. We admit – as a human race – that we all have souls. The International Distress Signal is “Save our Souls“. What is it we can do to save our souls, save our minds from fear and worry in these dreadful times of plague all over the world, sickness, and death. What can we do for those health-carers, medical front-line staff who are selflessly rendering care to those who are infected?
The answer is we can take time; we can take time to not haste, waste and worry. We can take time to remember we are spiritual beings and get in touch with our own spirit, that spiritual part of us that floods our world with transcendent love. Here we bring you a meditation – for you to take time, and nurture your soul, your spirit, your well-being. In so doing, you give light and love to all on Earth.
Guru Purnima is the festival of the guru; it is also known as Vyasa Purnima, as this is the day that Sage Vyasa completed dictating the Bhagavad Gita. On the festival of Guru Purnima, we were asked, ‘What is a guru, What is a Swami?’ We take some space here to consider Sanyasin, Swami, Acharya and Guru.
Sant Kabir Jayanti is observed on the Purnima or full moon day in the month of Jyeshta (May – June) as per traditional calendar. In 2020, the date of Sant Kabir Jayanti is June 5. It is believed that Sant Kabir Das was born on this day. The birth anniversary of Sant Kabir is observed in India and around the world. Meetings, satsangs, and recital of Sant Kabir’s poems are held on the day.
Gayatri Jayanti celebrates the manifestation of Goddess Gayatri, who is worshipped as Veda Mata (The Mother of Vedas). In 2020, the date of Gayatri Jayanti is June 1. Scholars also indicate that Sage Vishwamitra first uttered the Gayatri Mantra on the Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami day. And this day is observed as Gayatri Jayanti day.
Gayatri is a universal prayer that is addressed to the immanent and transcendent divine. The Gayatri Mantra is sacred and is considered the mother of the Vedas. It is non-denominational and can be chanted by anyone to illumine the intellect. It can be chanted upon waking, before the midday meal and in the evening – alone or in the company of the goodly and Godly.
In these days of the coronavirus – and threats to public health – as well as your own personal health, we need to be clear-headed about the decisions we make – particularly in the times that create stress and challenge for ourselves and for many, many other people. What is the best way for me to make important decisions at this time? How can I know I am making the right decision? What feelings will I have if I go ahead and do as I wish? What do we do with all this media information about who is right, who is wrong, is there a vaccine, should I take this or that solution? We need to use discernment, along with our common sense, and our spiritual sense. All these – together – can guide us on the path of life.
Lockdown, restriction, working at home, loss of income, home-schooling children, crowded house. Perhaps we are even uncomfortable with our own company, or those that we home-share with. Hope is a precious commodity. What sustains hope?
Prayer search intensity on Google rose around March 11, the date when the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 a pandemic. In Northern Europe, few people searched for prayer before COVID-19. There were smaller increases in Northern Africa are due to the high initial levels of prayer searches. The largest absolute increases occur in South America and Africa, some of the most religious regions of the world.
In times of crisis, humans have a tendency to turn to religion for comfort and explanation. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Daily data on Google searches for 95 countries demonstrates that the COVID 19 crisis has increased Google searches for prayer (relative to all Google searches) to the highest level ever recorded. This rise amounts to 50% of the previous level of prayer searches or a quarter of the fall in Google searches for flights, which dropped dramatically due to the closure of most international air transport. Prayer searches rose at all levels of economic status, inequality, and insecurity, but not for the 20% least religious countries. The increase is not merely a substitute for services in the physical churches that closed down to limit the spread of the virus. Instead, the rise is due to an intensified demand for religion: We pray to cope with adversity.
Everyday Masters present the Volunteers – a (non-verbal) narrative video about life on Earth and why we are here. A short video I made with my daughters. Two oversouls having a conversation about what the craziest experience they have ever had was. Going to Earth 🙂 The awakening we are going through right now on the planet is real.
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day the XIV Dalai Lama told, our planet is facing one of the greatest challenges to the health and well-being of its people. And yet, in the midst of this struggle, we are reminded of the value of compassion and mutual support. The current global pandemic threatens us all, without distinctions of race, culture or gender, and our response must be as one humanity, providing for the most essential needs of all.
In this strange covid-19 world, tens of millions of people around the world are currently in lockdown of some kind, allowed to leave the house only for essential shopping or exercise. Many are lucky enough to be living with their families, loved ones or friends, but for those who live alone, or whose relationship with their household is strained, loneliness is a very real result of social isolation.
During the first months of this year, we have seen once again how fragile is our global world, how great the danger of sliding into chaos. The COVID-19 pandemic is facing all countries with a common threat, and no country can cope with it alone.
