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First Hindu temple built in the US, in the year 1905. I'm on the fence, from an architecture point of view.
... it is more withdrawn than deep sleep, also, more wakeful than the waking state ...
17. Mai 2025
(taken March 2020)
Do not let the world show you anything that makes you fear or cause you to react! Rather begin to act from your own divinity. Know who you are! Always be aware of the Self which is you! There is absolutely nothing in this whole world, in this universe, that wants to hurt you! You have absolutely nothing to fear. - Then where does the fear come from, where do all these negative thoughts come from, these bad feelings we have sometimes. They come from miss-identification. ...
Robert Adams
robert-adams.de/1992-02-23.mp3
He never referred to an animal in the normal Tamil style as ‘it’ but always as ‘he’ or ‘she’. “Have the lads been given their food?” — and it would be the Ashram dogs he was referring to. “Give Lakshmi her rice at once” — and it was the cow Lakshmi that he meant. It was a regular Ashram rule that at meal-time the dogs were fed first, then any beggars who came, and last the devotees. Knowing Sri Bhagavan’s reluctance to accept anything that is not shared by all alike, I was surprised once to see him tasting a mango between meals, and then I saw the reason — the mango season was just beginning and he wanted to see whether it was ripe enough to give to the white peacock that had been sent from the Maharani of Baroda and had become his ward. There were other peacocks also. He would call to them, imitating their cry, and they would come to him and receive peanuts, rice, mango. On the last day before his physical death, when the doctors said the pain must be frightful, he heard a peacock screech on a nearby tree and asked whether they had received their food.
Squirrels used to hop through the window on to his couch and he would always keep a little tin of peanuts beside him for them. Sometimes he would hand a visiting squirrel the tin and let it help itself; sometimes he would hold out a nut and the little creature would take it from his hand. One day, when, on account of his age and rheumatism, he had begun to walk with the aid of a staff, he was descending the few steps into the Ashram compound when a squirrel ran past his feet, chased by a dog. He called out to the dog and threw his staff between them, and in doing so he slipped and broke his collar-bone; but the dog was distracted and the squirrel saved.
The animals felt his Grace. If a wild animal is cared for by people its own kind boycott it on its return to them, but if it came from him they did not; rather they seemed to honour it. They felt the complete absence of fear and anger in him. He was sitting on the hillside when a snake crawled over his legs. He neither moved nor showed any alarm. A devotee asked him what it felt like to have a snake pass over one and, laughing he replied “Cool and soft.”
from RAMANA MAHARSHI AND THE
PATH OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE by ARTHUR OSBORNE
(c) Sri Ramanasramam
from the roughly three thousand photos taken during the 60 days I stayed at Tiruvannamalai, this is one of my favorites. All the animals living at Sri Ramanasramam show such an amount of grace and dignity.
3rd. of January 2012
youtu.be/lIOQL7SOAuA?si=eCZhqaKmaHklAw0E
youtu.be/Wa8h4XHNNRU?si=YAhJ9DulSuq1OB5G
www.sriramana.org/music/7daytamilparayana/34devikalothram...
You are not earth, water, fire or air.
Nor are you empty space.
Liberation is to know yourself
as Awareness alone—
the Witness of these.
Abide in Awareness
with no illusion of person.
You will be instantly free and at peace.
You have no caste or duties.
You are invisible, unattached, formless.
You are the Witness of all things.
Be happy.
I am wonderful indeed--
beyond adoration.
I am astounded at my powers.
The universe appears within me
but I do not touch it.
from the Ashtavakra Gita
repost
What is necessary now is to recognise our own nature instead of going on being confused.
The ever present Buddha nature is like the unhindered sun shining in the sky, but sunshine never reaches inside a cave facing north. This cave is an analogy for misunderstanding, wrong view or partial understanding.
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
thank you friends for being here! <3
Be conscious of yourself as consciousness alone.
Watch all the thoughts come and go.
Come to the conclusion, by direct experience, that you are really consciousness itself, not its ephemeral contents.
Annamalai Swami in
as we continued along the road around the hill, it soon became dark and we entered the northern road which already spots the first shops of the city of Tiruvannamalai. The shops usually have no door and open towards the street.
Oh yes, I shouldn't have cut his feet!!
day 6/7
the stars may be seen distinctly before the sun rises, but as His light advances their rays are gradually absorbed by His, and they become invisible. Not from the want of light in themselves, but from the superior effulgence of the chief luminary.
The case is similar here, for there is a strong and universal light which absorbs all the little distinct lights of the soul. They grow faint and disappear under its powerful influence and self activity is now now longer distinguishable.
separate consistently and perseveringly the "I am" from this or that and try to feel what it means to be, - just to be, - without being this or that.
Nisargadatta Maharaj
youtu.be/WxaUClPz9k4?si=N2WPJbZpgUmN9p0s
a happy series of about fourteen photographs happened yesterday; I will post one of them every day until they are all out. This is my latest arrival which came last year; a Les Paul Traditional in sunburst. So here is No 2. <3
Thanks you all friends for your support, visits, faves or comments!
like the mirage that produces an illusory oasis in the desert, the senses create the impression that there is a real world in front of us that is being perceived by the mind. The apparent reality of the world is an illusion. It is merely a misperception. ...
Self inquiry is the process by which attention is put on the substratum, instead of on the names and forms that are habitually imposed on it. Self is the substratum out of which all things appear to manifest and the Jnani is the one who is continually aware of the real substratum.
Annamalai Swami
youtu.be/1_j0C8_6pr4?si=hqvPFlRdNnw_0ymQ
personal interpretation; in this picture the mirage is already dissolving because the focus of attention is slowly retreating to it's source.
In Hinduism (especially in Jnana Yoga and Advaita Vedanta), neti-neti is the mantra, meaning "not this, not this." This expression can be found in the Upanishads. One of the first Advaita philosophers to propose the neti-neti approach was Adi Shankara. This apophatic practice (see apophatic theology) is an expression of the fact that the Absolute is not something that can be described - it is beyond discursive thinking.
Neti-neti is also an analytical process — understanding something through a clear definition of what it is not. One of the key elements of Jnana Yoga is the “net-net research” - an approach to understanding the nature of Brahman without using asserting (and, therefore, inadequate) its definitions or descriptions: more precisely, we are talking about consistent “discarding” attempts to define the Absolute in a discursive way.
The goal of this exercise is to remove conceptual schemes and other obstacles to meditation. Similarly, a sage can express the nature of the divine, simply pointing out its incompatibility with anything else.
Similar directions in other (and Indian) theological systems trying to uncover the Absolute, noting what it is not (neti - not that), are called apophatic theology.
原则
Paññā (Pāli) or prajñā (Sanskrit) "wisdom", is insight in the true nature of reality, namely primarily anicca (impermanence), dukkha (dissatisfaction or suffering), anattā (non-self) and śūnyatā (emptiness).
seen from the south; almost every morning those clouds are there; by noon they will have disappeared.
ascending from the town (Tiruvannamalai) and after a stop at Virupaksha cave, we reached Skandashram. These people gathered in the shade of a big mango tree and seemed to discuss things about Sri Ramana who lived here for many years until the death of his mother, after which he settled down on the Southside of Arunachala and where thus Sri Ramanasramam was founded.
day 7/8
Indian cities are cauldrons of turmoil but there are quiet spots as well. One such is the handsome Porter Town Hall in Kumbakonam. It's named after a great educator who did much for Indian education: William Archer Porter (1825-1890). The faux-gold statue in front is of Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902). He was an expert in Vedanta and Yoga and important in their transmission to the West. Also a pantheist and secular socialist his mottos were 'Strength is Life' and "Arise! Awake', extensively explained in a speech held here in 1897. They immediately reminded me of the great Dutch orator, educator and socialist politician Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis (1846-1919), who in 1898 founded an important socialist journal.
After a couple of minutes, back into the turmoil...
© Cynthia E. Wood
www.cynthiawoodphoto.com | FoundFolios | facebook | Blurb | Instagram @cynthiaewood
[11/25/08: This is the 'phone booth' at the Vedanta Olema Retreat Center in Marin County. My friend Alison and I stopped here to look around while we were on a little photo-roadtrip this past weekend. I especially love the jar marked "telephone money." There were about 40 cents in the jar, including a few pennies; I don't get the impression they're doing a lot of talking on the telephone up there...]
All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.
Swami Vivekananda (Indian Spiritual leader of the Hindu religion (Vedanta). Disciple of the famous 19th century mystic-saint Sri Ramakrishna of Calcutta. Founder of the Ramakrishna Order of Monks. 1863-1902)
Of what avail is knowing things
Other than the Self? And the Self being known,
What other thing is there to know?
That one light that shines as many selves,
Seeing this Self within
As Awareness' lighting flash;
The play of Grace; the ego's death;
The blossoming of Bliss.
from Atma Vidya (Self Knowledge) of Sri Ramana Maharshi
statue of Sri Ramana in the samadhi hall
allow the mind to rest with vivid clarity in an unaltered, empty state of mind. When the mind is still then settle into that stillness without trying to alter it in any way. ...
Patrul Rinpoche
within such nature as dharmata there is nothing whatsoever to be cultivated or achieved. It is present as your natural possession from the very beginning.
Every type of activity or effort binds you with the rope of ambition. There is no separate result to achieve by means of effort and striving. Let your mind of equality relax, unsupported in the realized state of dharmata. ... but nevertheless a person like you cannot let go and cannot stay put. You always make elaborate plans for unnecessary activities and think not for an instance of the dharma practice that is needed ....
- Padmasambhava
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a happy series of about sixteen photographs just happened; I will post one of them every day until they are all out. This is my latest arrival which came last year; a Les Paul Traditional in sunburst. So here is No 1. <3
Thanks you all friends for your support, visits, faves or comments!
here I met Murali a young man from Tiruchirapalli, still further south of India. We continued to walk together the remaining kms, talking and discussing spiritual things. On the way I convinced him to stay for two more days and walk with me again; he had come only for one day and wanted to drive back in the evening. Finally we decided to meet again early the next morning at the ashram gate of Sri Ramanasramam.
I don't remember whether this is at Varuna or Vayu Lingam, one of the eight main temples around Arunachala.
day 6/5
Your duty is to be and not to be this or that. ‘I am that I am’ sums up the whole truth.
The method is summed up in the words ‘Be still’. What does stillness mean? It means destroy yourself. Because any form or shape is the cause for trouble.
Give up the notion that ‘I am so and so’.
All that is required to realize the Self is to be still. What can be easier than that?
~Ramana Maharshi
day 5/7
© Cynthia E. Wood
www.cynthiawoodphoto.com | FoundFolios | facebook | Blurb
Vimukti is quite possibly the oldest man I have ever met, and I did nothing to make him look younger or 'better' here. And while he may be very old and very frail, to speak to him was to be in the presence of a very alert, very aware mind; not only that, to speak to him was to be in the presence of loving kindness... He had such a sweet demeanor, and tranquil calmness seems to be written all over his face; this was not an agitated, excitable soul. Vimukti (an assumed name, no doubt) was a tiny bit apprehensive about having his portrait taken -- not to be disagreeable or uppity or anything, but apparently because no one had ever taken his portrait before...or so he said. I think it was high time someone took this gentle man's portrait. [Taken at the Vedanta Olema Retreat Center in Marin County.]
This picture is #1 in my 100 strangers project. Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at www.100Strangers.com.
Lately the misty mornings have been making photography easy. Taken at a Vedanta Society shrine when a cloud blew over the hill
Bhaja Govindam is a popular 8th century Hindu devotional composition believed to have been composed by Adi Shankaracharya. This work of Adi Shankara underscores the view that devotion (Bhakti) to God, Govinda, is a vastly important part of general spirituality and especially Bhakti Yoga and Bhakti movement. This work is generally considered a good summary of Advaita Vedanta.
The composition has a very deep meaning. You can find the complete bhajan and its translation here.
[From archives of my Mt abu trip in feb,09]
This village is supposed to be displaced from the construction of a huge University from Vedanta company.
Praise That,
which is Bliss itself,
which is by nature stillness and light,
and which by Its knowing
reveals the world as a dream.
Ashtavakra Gita
the sun rising behind Arunachala, the ancient, sacred hill in South India.
ascending from the town (Tiruvannamalai) and after a stop at Virupaksha cave, we reached Skandashram. These people gathered in the shade of a big mango tree and seemed to discuss things about Sri Ramana who lived here for many years until the death of his mother, after which he settled down on the Southside of Arunachala and where thus Sri Ramanasramam was founded.
day 7/7
First Hindu Temple in the West, also known as the Old Temple, corner of Filbert and Webster Streets, San Francisco, California. The building was constructed in 1905 by the Vedanta Society of Northern California Vedanta is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy. A young disciple of Vedanta, Swami Trigunatita, took over the society's leadership in 1902 and planned the temple that would become the organization's headquarters. In 1905 the first two floors were constructed in a conventional Western design. In 1908, Trigunatita, in collaboration with architect Joseph Leonard, added a third floor and a profusion of towers and domes, transforming the prosaic structure into a unique example of architectural eclecticism. In 1915, during the PanamaPacific International Exposition, the temple became an urban landmark, and its exotic architecture became a symbol of San Francisco's claim to be the "Gateway to the Orient". The temple was renovated in 2017 and is still in use as a residence for monks and a location for Friday night meetings and Sunday school.
a lady from Estonia took a few hours to complete this dedicated work in a small shallow pond in front of Sri Ramana's Mahanirvana room. Each flower is sitting in a small mud pot at the bottom of the pond. See pictures preceding for how the work started.
day 5/6
Malkiat Grewal Procam Slam Finisher at TCS 10K 2025 in Bengaluru.
To become a Procam Slam Finisher in 2025, you must complete the feature races at each of the four Procam International events within the specified time limits. This includes finishing the Open 10K at TCS World 10K Bengaluru, the Half Marathon at Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, the 25K Run at Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata, and the Marathon at Tata Mumbai Marathon.
"Age 75 , Retired Para Military Force (CISF) President Police Medalist-2007 : Love Marathon , Cycling, Photography, Gardening, and Goa beaches."
later in the afternoon I took another walk towards Skandashram; at a particular spot one has a beautiful overview over the city of Tiruvannamalai and the great temple (not on the picture).
day 5/13
I had tried the same shot before; then changed from Auto white balance to sunlight, which gave the picture more warmth.
This fifth day, which was the third day I was allowed to spend at Sri Ramanasramam, was one of the golden days of the whole trip with plenty of opportunities to take shots in a relaxed and free mood.
this is a closer look into the Mahasamadhi room; - see picture before for more information!
day 5/12
Description of Temple
Koviloor, at present, is a small village, 2 kilometres away from Karaikudi, an educational and commercial centre. The main features of Koviloor are our temple and the mutt.
On the main road, two magnificent chariots constructed with concrete, on both sides of entrance, welcome us to Koviloor Mutt and Temple and from that point a well laid road, leads us to the southern tower of the temple.
The temple is surrounded by four broad Mada Streets. In front of the temple, on the eastern side is the tank "Madhu Puskarani" with a mandapam in the centre of the tank. Surprisingly, by the grace of the lord, the tank is always full with water even during hot summer months. On the southern side, our mutt stands like a palace with granite structure. Northern and western side of the temple, residential quarters for the temple and mutt employees are built. The main temple tower, Rajagopuram, is built with seven tiers according to 'Agama' tradition. It is full of beautiful sculptures.
The History
The Koviloor temple of "Sri Kotravaleeswarar" was initially built by one Pandiya King "Veerasekara Pandiyan" approximately thousand years ago. At that time Koviloor was known as Saliwadi (Land of Rice) and Kalani Vasal (Land of Agriculture). It had been a laterite construction.
Later during the 18th century, His Holiness Shri la Sri Mukthiramalinga Gnana Desika Swamigal had started reconstruction work. Simultaneously he had established our Vedanta Mutt, when it came to be known as Koviloor.
Once Pandiya King Veerasekaran went for hunting near Saliwadi village and lost his sword and later recovered. He ordered the construction of the temple and named the deity as Kotravaleeswarar or Raja Katka Parameshwar (God who saved King's sword, valour and there by citizens)
A legend explains how merciful and considerate has been the Goddess towards the truthful devotees. In ancient times there was a devotee by name Sivagupthan, living at Saliwadi with his wife Sudanmai and daughter Aradhanavalli. One day Sudanmai asked her daughter to go to their farm to protect the rice grains from birds. At noon, the mother went to the farm and fed her child with curd rice. The child relished the food and happily ate it.
But to the surprise of Sudanami, after some time Aradhavalli came running and requested for lunch. On enquiry it was explained that she had not gone to the farm at all, instead gone to play with her friends. Immediately Sivagupthan and Sudanmai realised that Mother Universe had come down to save their rice grains. They rushed to the temple and saw the Mother sitting with a smile and remains of curd rice on her lips. From that day onwards She came to be known as "Thirunellai Amman" (Goddess who saved rice grain).