Mantras – The Vehicles of Sound & Form
Anjali KanojiaA mantra is a sacred sound, word, or phrase repeated during meditation or spiritual practice. The word 'mantra' derives from the Sanskrit terms 'man,' meaning mind, and 'tra,' meaning vehicle…
From the Vedas to Walden: The Hindu Roots of Transcendentalism
The Transcendentalists were a group of 19th-century American writers, thinkers, and philosophers who emphasized the importance of individual intuition, spirituality, and the connection between humanity and nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson…
Cultural Continuity: The Role of Caste, Gotras, and Kula Devas
Roles in Society and Caste The dharmasastras are fundamental to Indian culture and civilization. The Brahmanic social ideology, or caturvarnasramadharma ("dharma of four varṇas and four stages of life"), shapes…
The Divine Feminine and Indigenous Agriculture in Xochimilco
Xochimilco is a day trip from the center of Mexico City. Away from bustling city traffic and sounds, one gets instantly immersed in Nature, where the Feminine seems to lead…
Shiva, Snakes, & Yogis: Spirituality & Controversy at Gobekli Tepe & Karahan Tepe
Ancient pagan sites in modern-day Turkey, especially Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, are hailed as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times and have sparked controversy across…
Caste: Society’s First Classroom & its Contemporary Relevance
The caste system often gets a beating, mainly for not being understood or for purposefully misinterpreted. Based on cultural understanding, the caste system in its original form was a functional…
South Asia vs. Indian Subcontinent: The Misnomer in Cultural, Religious & Regional Identity
South Asia typically includes India, the Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Some international textbooks and definitions may include Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Iran. The irony is that this…
Reviving the Feminine: Restoring Balance Across Global Traditions
Sanatana and Yogic wisdom offers profound insights into the concept of the feminine. This concept emphasizes that the feminine is not limited to physical gender but is a universal energy…
The Spinal Connection: Yogic Gateway to Spiritual Transcendence
According to Yoga Darshana, the human body is a profound and complex system. This physical system is interconnected with one's mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The Yoga philosophy and practice…
Transcultural Spirituality: Rituals and Beliefs in Yoruba and Hindu Traditions
My interest in African Pagan religions allowed me to scratch the surface of Yoruba practices, which resulted in this brief write-up. Though distinct in their cultural and religious contexts, Yoruba…