I was speaking with my daughter yesterday and philosophising on the fact that we cannot judge...We do not really know ourselves, so how to know what makes others behave the way they do...We leave judgements to God...Thank God we are not politicians! But someone has to be...and we can only pray that the the good Lord guides them in their decisions!
And then....this morning newspapers headline:
Saddam Hussein has been hanged!

Alongside photo: Shopped at the mall yesterday and had a cosy mother/daughter lunch...bonded...Felt great! Leaving for the hills (Monteagle)today with Daughter, her husband and children...It should be lovely and closer to God...Is it? Since He is omnipresent? Well the mind stops its chatter and so the Mind hears the ever speaking voice of the Lord clearer and that makes us feel closer to our true nature...that of peace! I think that is the reason...

Yesterday enjoyed a 'gyros' kind of a naam with salad and a daal kachori...quite delicious actually, with my daughter and student/spiritual/daughter and families at the Mediterranean cuisine. Alongside you will find a view of a lake from one of the houses in Hendersonville that I was invited out for lunch! Remember I told you that Nashville is picture perfect!

So I had a great Christmas at Opryland...and a great Birthday fondue at the Melting Pot...pls see the photos..!
On the 27th of Dec went to the Hindu Ganesh Temple. It is spectacular! has got priests who chant their mantras 'divinely' (if there is such a word) and Balaji is beautiful! I prayed for all that I have and all that I shall receive through His Benign Grace!
Read about Balaji, Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/balaji_sri_venkateswara.htm

http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/heavenly_hills_of_tirupati.htm

Hey, today is my birthday...or was it yesterday? or is it tomorrow? or is it on the 4th of jan? who cares, I was born and always felt very loved!even though my mother did not remember exactly! i know today's children wd make a very big deal of it! I don't! I have a full week to celebrate...taking my children out for lunch and they taking me out for dinner! have 2 presents to open when the children wake up! Got calls from Bombay, who were celebrating in my absence...family called and sent me cute cards! My gifts will probably be waiting when I return home! Even if not, I bask in the love and blessings of so many...The Living and the gone!

Last night (Christmas eve) went to Opryland (Nashville)...have been there and it was just heavenly!
Talking about Heaven, watched a tv show of Barbara Walters (2 hrs duration)of what various faiths think of heaven...Some people will kill to get there and some people will give their life (live for others in a positive manner)to get there...Some said that Heaven is here and now (depending upon your attitudes) Some did not believe in an after life...
I know that even if there is no heaven I cannot deliberately hurt another human being as I cannot then sleep in peace...So greater joy is derived by loving...and living for the moment...and I believe in heaven and miracles and myself and blessings and love...
Merry Christmas
Visit Opryland with us,
Click:
http://www.pbase.com/deadelvis/opryland
Click slide show...it is really beautiful!

My daughter Madhavi and her gorgeous sons...God bless them!

Today saw a great movie! 'Black diamond' Thought provoking!Had dinner at Chengis Grill, a Mongolian restaurant, where you choose your ingredients, your sauces, it is cooked for you and you add the toppings. It is quite yummy because it is made to your taste.
had lunch with a Spiritual daughter/student and her family...I had taught her (pompous statement!) correction: She learned the Geeta from me and she teaches my grandchildren...the Universe compensates!

Vimla Patil (ex Editor, friend of Femina) writes:
Dear Shakun, you are really painting the world red for Christmas. Have a blast and enjoy your blessedness. You are a special person and deserve every joy brought to you by your family, your work and the Grace of God. Carry on into 2007 and live a rich and fruitful life. Love and hugs Vimla Patil

Went shopping and had great icecream at Maggie Moos. The icecream was delicious, but what was interesting is the icecream was like putty which the sales lady kind of kneaded and stuffed with your favourite filling. I chose a Cinnamoo with Irish coffee filled with pecans...mmmm I mean moooo

Enjoying my grandsons as you will see in the photographs...
Reading a beautiful book called 'Daughter of the Ganges' (The book is also available in Spanish, I am told) It is by Asha Miro. It is about an Indian girl child who was adopted by a Barcelona couple...Since I was brought up in Spain and have a very good spanish friend who lives in Barcelona and am also familiar with Nasik and of course Bombay...I am thoughly enjoying it...
If you wish to read about my interesting friendship with my Spanish friend, do click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Song_of_life/2friends.htm

Today visited the Parthenon in Nashville and saw the replica of Athena Parthenos, goddess of war and wisdom and patron goddess of the city of Athens. The Parthenon is the world's only full scale replica of the Ancient Greek Parthenon...What beauties!

Last time I was in Nashville for Christmas was a few years ago...I find so many more lights and so much more traffic!I was almost happy to see so much traffic...it reminded me of home...It is really beautiful, the decorated houses, the cheer, the gifts...not too different from Diwali, but then America is a richer country!
But the feeling of cheer and 'wanting to connect' is the same...how different can humans be? Last night met old loved friends and had dinner at the Olive Garden and felt happy and loved and blessed...

I read the following in a local paper...Gov Phil Bredesen has 'marked a Christian holiday with a card depicting a Musim girl' Bredesen states on the back of the card "While it may seem odd to put a portrait of a young Muslim woman on a Christmas card, this season reminds us that He loves His children most of all"...The back of the card closes with "May the miracle of Christmas help bring peace to this young woman and her wounded land'
Spokesman for the Islamic Center of Nashville said that partially uncovered head is not Muslim dress code...
...Before I sign off I endorse Jesus Christ's message to love all people...Merry Christmas...I am a Hindu and I love Christ...and Krishna...

I received the following comment from a reader...

Hey - what exactly am I commenting on?? On Gov Bredesen?- it is all true so no problem there - I mean there is certainly an underlying tug of war between the Muslims and Christians as to who is the "right" God - so every blessing is usually accompanied by a wish that the "other" will realize that they need to pray to the "real" God in order to be put out of their misery.... but that is an old story - a story of all evangelists - nothing new. But I am sure it ruffled some feathers that a Christian was praying for peace for a Muslim girl - maybe that was the problem in the first place but since that would have been really tacky to highlight, the Islamic center zeroed in on the uncovered hair. Who knows?

There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading in the same direction, so it doesn't matter which path you take. The only one wasting time is the one who runs around and around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.

Click:
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Articles/interfaith_dialogue.htm

My daughter has been receiving some very interesting Christmas gifts (among regular ones)from friends...Thought that I should share the ideas with you :)
Correct ingredients to cook a meal, bake a cake along with the recipe...A ticket to a movie along with popcorn and icecream (paid for)...Gift card to hire a video along with a meal...meal for family at a great resturant...various coupons for coffee...nice no?

THE HOUSE OF ANNE FRANK AMSTERDAM

Weather has been absolutely great...sunny and moving around in a sweater...not very jet lagged as rested in Amsterdam before taking the rest of the flight...
2 interesting things...watched Anne Frank's house from outside as did not hv time to explore within and today 'Diary of Anne Frank was on tv...Anne says "She wd like to live after she dies!" She has lived and how! "The diary of Anne Frank' has been read by almost everybody...another interesting observation...watched Oprah where she discusses a program called 'Challenge' which aims at seeing the pain that people/students go through due to rejection/ridicule because you may be different in colour, caste, creed, preferances...In the group discussion people ask each other; If you knew me better, you would know that....I hurt when you say this...I hv a troubled marriage...childhood...It was an eye opener...everyone hurts...and we are not aware why or how many times we inflict the hurt...
more later...
Love,
Shacune
www.dalsabzi.com

Nashville never stops to amaze me...
It is picture perfect. Any view from any window you can turn into a postcard.
Amsterdam was also gorgeous, shall post photos soon....I am glad I rested my back in a good hotel before taking the rest of the flight...My beautiful children are so happy to see me and I them! There is already a gift for me under the Christmas tree! God bless them and all of you...
Shall keep in touch...you do too!
much love,
Shakun

On the 18th of November 2006 we had a talk by Laxmi Dhaul on the Chishti Dargahs of North India at the Times of India bldg, Mumbai. Laxmi is a multi-faceted person, a good speaker and has written two books on the Sufi shrines at Ajmer and Delhi. In the above picture the book that she holds, is entitled: The Dargahs of Nizamuddin Auliya. She also has other books to her credit.

She shared with us many slides which she had prepared during the process of putting these books together.

Click:

Sufis and Sufism

A merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you!
Do check out the following articles on: (Copy/paste to browser)
www.dalsabzi.com


01-jan-07 Happy New Year
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/newyear.htm
25-Dec-06 Merry Christmas
04-Dec-06 Sri Dattatreya Jayanti
01-Dec-06 Geeta Jayanti
25-Nov-06 Agnihotra
25-Nov-06 Magic of Mantras and Prayers
22-Nov-06 Thanksgiving
05-Nov-06 Guru Nanak
05-Nov-06 Guru Aarti
04-Oct-06 Gems from Morari Bapu's discourses
17-Sept-06 My Mid-day article on karmas

Gautama Buddha says:

Believe nothing, O monks merely because you have been told it...or because it is traditional, or because you yourselves have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever after due examination and analysis, you find to be conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings-that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide.

On the 2nd of December 2006 Lord Balaji and Padmavati came together in Holy Matrimony in Bombay (Aamchi Mumbai)
I was also invited to attend another wedding on the same day, same time.
Which one shall I go to, I asked myself?
When I don't know what to do, I do nothing and allow events to flow.
I was offered a VIP pass and a ride to Bandra Kurla Complex...So I decided that the Lord wanted me to attend His wedding!
And I did!I attended (as Times of India, front page put it) a Match made in Heaven solemnised at Bandra!
Devotees from all over India, politicians,film stars in their best Kanjeevarams showed up!
The Utsava Murthis were brought to Mumbai from Tirupathi.
This is the first time that Lord Balaji has wed Padmavati outside the South Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
In Tirupati devotees must pay a few thousand rupees to watch the wedding in the temple but entry to the Mumbai event was free.
The South Indian Education Society and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam were instrumental in bringing the wedding to Mumbai.
I have read that five lakh ladoos were prepared for a 2 day event.
SIES chairman V Shankar prayed that the visit of the Lord to Bombay would bring to an end the natural and man made calamities to the city!
I personally sat transfixed and mesmerised by the perfect rendition of the Mantras...they followed me all the way home and I do hope that their vibrations have found a permanent place in the depth of my mind body and soul.
To see a picture and read more about Balaji and Padmavati, click or copy/paste to browser:
http://dalsabzi.com/Articles/balaji_sri_venkateswara.htm

To read about the Heavenly Hills of Tirupati
Click or copy/paste to browser:
http://dalsabzi.com/Articles/heavenly_hills_of_tirupati.htm