Category Archives: Avatars of Shiva

On Being Enlightened vs. Being Self-Realized

Posted on March 25, 2014 by treadmarkz

by Aranyakananda I was asked the other day if there is a difference between being “enlightened” and being “Self-realized”/”Self-actualized” whichever you prefer. And if so, is it wrong to say “I am enlightened.” Let me deal with the second question … Continue reading →

Posted in afterlife, American Hindus, Apocalypse, Aum, avatars, Avatars of Shiva, Avatars of Vishnu, Brahman, Creation, detachment, dharma, Dharma religions, Dharmic Faiths, Divine Consciousness, dualism, duality, Eastern Philosophy, ego, existentialism, faith, Forms of Shiva, God, Heaven, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, inspiration, Kali, kali yuga, Kalki Avatar, Krishna, Krishna Consciousness, life, meaning of life, moksha, myth, Narayana, non-dualism, opinion, philosophy, reincarnation, religion, Sanatana Dharma, self-realization, Shaivism, Shiva, spirituality, transmigration, Trimurti, Vaishnavism, Vedanta, Vishnu, Western Hinduism, yugas | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Makes a Hindu?

Posted on September 4, 2013 by treadmarkz

by Aranyakananda If you follow the Western-Hindu.org blog you will know that its author, Tandava, while very well-versed in Hinduism, often posts on the exploits of other bloggers. By that I mean the blog often simply introduces new and interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in American Hindus, Avatars of Shiva, blogging, Comparitive Religion, current events, Dharma religions, Dharmic Faiths, Durga, Eastern Philosophy, editorial, faith, God, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, inspiration, Jesus, New Age, News, opinion, philosophy, pluralism, polytheism, religion, religious conversion, Sanatana Dharma, Shakti, Shaktism, Shiva, social commentary, spirituality, Uncategorized, Web site review, Western Hinduism, White Hindus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Vaisnavaganza: Ayyappa

Posted on April 18, 2013 by treadmarkz

by Aranyakananda This will be my final entry in this series entitled “Vaisnavaganza”. I had meant it to be a way to learn more about the depths of Vaisnavism and where its belief system came from and I think I … Continue reading →

Posted in American Hindus, Apocalypse, avatars, Avatars of Shiva, Avatars of Vishnu, biography, Brahma, Dharmic Faiths, Durga, Eastern Philosophy, editorial, God, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, homosexuality, inspiration, Kali, Krishna, Liberal, love, minorities, myth, Narayana, opinion, philosophy, polytheism, Puranas, religion, Sanatana Dharma, Shaivism, Shiva, social commentary, spirituality, Trimurti, Uncategorized, Vaishnavism, Vishnu, Western Hinduism, White Hindus, yoga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

King Kulasekhara & The Alwars and Nayanmars

Posted on March 24, 2013 by treadmarkz

by Aranyakananda mabhir manda-mano vicintya bahudha yamis ciram yatana naivami prabhavanti papa-ripavah svami nanu sridharah alasyam vyapaniya bhakti-sulabham dhyayasva narayanam lokasya vyasanapanodana-karo dasasya kim na kshamah O foolish mind, stop your fearful fretting about the extensive torments dealt out by … Continue reading →

Posted in American Hindus, avatars, Avatars of Shiva, Avatars of Vishnu, bhakti, Bhaktivedanta, biography, Buddha, devotional music, dharma, Dharmic Faiths, Divine Consciousness, Eastern Philosophy, faith, Gita, God, Hare Krishna, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, hippies, History, India, Indian classical music, Indian culture, inspiration, ISKCON, japa, jnana yoga, karma, karma yoga, Krishna, Krishna Consciousness, Lakshmi, Lord Rama, lyrics, mala, meditation, music, myth, Narayana, poetry, Prabhupada, quotes, Radha, Rama, Ramayana, religion, religious conversion, Sanatana Dharma, Shaivism, Shiva, Sita, social commentary, spirituality, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Trimurti, Vaishnavism, Vedanta, Vedas, Vishnu, Western Hinduism, White Hindus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Kula Shaker: Not Quite 21st Century Alwars, But Still…

Posted on March 22, 2013 by treadmarkz

By Aranyakananda I recently discovered “Kula Shaker”, a British “psychedelic rock” band who were very popular in the late ’90s, and have reformed in the 21st century. I am not sure if “psychedelic” is an appropriate label for them or … Continue reading →

Posted in American Hindus, avatars, Avatars of Shiva, Avatars of Vishnu, bhakti, devotional music, dharma, Dharmic Faiths, Divine Consciousness, Eastern Philosophy, faith, God, Hare Krishna, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, hippies, History, India, Indian classical music, Indian culture, inspiration, ISKCON, Krishna, Krishna Consciousness, mantras, music, music review, Narayana, Popular Music, Prabhupada, religion, religious conversion, rock music, Sanatana Dharma, Shaivism, Shiva, sitar, spirituality, Trimurti, Vaishnavism, Vishnu, Western Hinduism, White Hindus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hanuman and Harihara

Posted on March 17, 2013 by treadmarkz

by Aranyakananda Hanuman is said to be a reminder that everything in the world is out of our control and the mind is the only thing that we can control. Meditators call the difficulty of maintaining focus “monkey mind”. Indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in American Hindus, avatars, Avatars of Shiva, Avatars of Vishnu, books, Brahman, Comparitive Religion, Creation, dharma, Dharmic Faiths, Eastern Philosophy, God, Hanuman, Hindu Sects, Hinduism, inspiration, karma, karma yoga, Lord Hanuman, Lord Rama, meditation, myth, Patanjali, philosophy, pluralism, Psychology, Rama, Ramayana, religion, Saivism, Sanatana Dharma, Shiva, spirituality, Trimurti, Vaishnavism, Vedanta, Vedas, Vishnu, Western Hinduism, White Hindus, yoga | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment