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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Shri Krishna’s Wisdom: Yoga, War, and Righteous Action

There are three main lessons, broadly, from Shri Krishna's Life. The Bhagavad Gita outlines the different yogas or pathways to realizing the Divine. Additionally, we get a front-row seat on…

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Mandalas & Kolams: Sacred Geometry of Dharmic Traditions

Mandalas, with their origins in dharmic traditions, transcend cultural boundaries. They serve as symbolic representations of the universe and the cyclical nature of existence. Used as aids for meditation and…

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