During a recent visit to the sacred groves of Mawphlang in Meghalaya, I found myself reflecting on an idea that modern conservationists often overlook. Here was a forest that had survived for centuries, not because of government regulations, scientific management plans, or environmental activism, but because generations of people believed it was sacred. Many rationalists … Continue reading When Nature Becomes Sacred
Tag: philosophy
Sitting Near The Guru
In our Indian tradition, great importance has been attached to being in the presence of the Guru as much as possible and getting knowledge directly from him. While this is applicable to all forms of knowledge, this has crucial significance in the case of spiritual knowledge. The crux of vedic wisdom are compiled in books … Continue reading Sitting Near The Guru
Essays on Hinduism by Karan Singh
It is not a book review. I am not going to write about the pros and cons of the book. I loved the book and will give a summary of the book along with the salient features that stuck me. I read this book over a couple of days in a hospital waiting room. … Continue reading Essays on Hinduism by Karan Singh
how will you know what you are not?
If you were not you, who would you like to be? This is the topic for Indispire Edition #362. I don't know on what premise the proposer poses this interesting topic for bloggers to express their views. But, from the wordings it is assumed that the author already assumes you are you. So, supposing you … Continue reading how will you know what you are not?
The Quitters of Hindustan
image source: resanskrit.com Scene I In my first post of the current series, a reader has asked about how Odisha fell from its high pedestals of fine arts, affluence, power and glory. The presence of large number of huge temples of architectural grandeur indicate to affluent times in the past and to be affluent the … Continue reading The Quitters of Hindustan
will vasudhaiva kutumbakam ever be a reality?
Today when the whole of humanity is divided even in the face of a common enemy, what lofty ideals our ancient seers had. They conceived of a utopia where the whole humanity is bonded like a one family. This was long before a map of the whole world was available. By virtue of my association … Continue reading will vasudhaiva kutumbakam ever be a reality?
that which we call progress
What we call progress is nothing but our solutions of the puzzles thrown at us. Some of them are cosmic, some local, some biological, some social, some related with our survival and so on. Every answer brings new questions. Matter is composed of molecules. What about the composition of molecules? What about the composition of … Continue reading that which we call progress
forgive others and yourself for your own good
The question of forgiveness arises when there is wrong doing – actual or perceived and it is closely related to our sense of justice or fair play. When we feel we have been unfairly wronged by someone, we may seek revenge, nurse the wound to seek revenge later in an opportune moment, or forgive and … Continue reading forgive others and yourself for your own good
of ignorance
In Yogasutras, Maharishi Patanjali talks of five causes of misery - avidya, asmita, raga, dwesha and avinibesha. Avidya which means ignorance as well as wrong knowledge comes first. It is in fact the cause for other succeeding four causes, which means the primary cause of any kinds of misery is avidya. Avidya is the primary … Continue reading of ignorance
the tao of governance
“The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects; The next best are loved and praised; The next are feared; The next despised: They have no faith in their people, And their people become unfaithful to them. When the best rulers achieve their purpose Their subjects claim the achievement as their own.” (Ancient Chines Philosopher … Continue reading the tao of governance
PEBBLES AND WAVES 