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  1. Andal

    Joseph Campbell - Critiqueing his ideas

    It's interesting because my masters degree was in religion and academically Campbell get's very little credit. In my opinion that is quite a shame. The hero with 1000 faces is a wonderful analysis of religious myth across traditions. What's even more interesting is I am a hypnotist by...
  2. Andal

    Experienced Direction ..Where do I walk?

    Namaste, My first introduction to Hinduism was through an American Sri Vaishnava- Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharyaji. His website has lots of good introductory info and his teaching style is approachable. Dharmacentral.com - Sanatana Dharma, Yoga, Meditation, Hinduism, Spirituality, and Krishna...
  3. Andal

    Violence Against Women

    Namaste Gaura Priya and Maya, I cannot agree more with your statements. I think you both hit it right on the head and it is important that we are actually talking about it. I pray that this incident sparks similar discussion in other Hindu communities. Sometimes at least in India the...
  4. Andal

    Kalava/ Rangoli Moli

    Of course the meaning is of importance. I ask about the wrist side because tradition is important to me. Not that it is more important than the sankalpa however. So it really doesn't matter? Aum Hari Aum!
  5. Andal

    Bindi Trend yay or nay?

    The bindi is more a cultural thing than a religious one. If Asians, Europeans, Americans, Africans, or anyone else want to adorn themselves with the beautiful mark of a bindi then I see no problem with it. Now if they were wearing tilaka for fashion (that probably will never happen lol) then...
  6. Andal

    Kalava/ Rangoli Moli

    Namaste and Happy New Year! I had a quick question and I can't find the correct answer. As a part of home aarti I like to wear kalava (rangoli moli) thread. Years ago I read it should be worn on the left wrist if you are an unmarried woman. Recently I read that unmarried women should tie...
  7. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    Yes there are two different ways of applying tilaka in Sri Sampradaya. The difference indicates which subsect one belongs to. We also have a branding tradition. Sudarshan and Vishnu's conch, one on each shoulder. I'm not sure it's practiced so commonly these days though. Aum Hari Aum
  8. Andal

    Violence Against Women

    This is both a human rights issue as well as a Hindu one. Whether or not the killers were Hindu is of less importance than the fact that Hinduism has permitted a culture of violence against women to persist in India and abroad. This has to stop. While violence against men and women is wrong...
  9. Andal

    Violence Against Women

    Namaste, As a Hindu woman and human being I am absolutely horrified by the gang rape and death of "Damini" Doctor: Young woman gang-raped in India dies - CNN.com We have a big problem here. Hindus are 80% of India and this type of violence is tolerated on a regular basis. Women are...
  10. Andal

    A few questions

    As everyone else has said yes :). You don't have to attend temple. In fact I hardly ever go. With that said temple can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with other Hindus. Properly maintained temples also have energy associated with it that are healing. Plus it is nice to have darshan with...
  11. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    In Sri Vaishnav kumkum is worn in the middle of the tilaka to represent Srimata Lakshmi. It is won't as a straight line. Given what others are saying about store bought kumkum and sindoor I am glad I don't wear it too often! Aum Hari Aum
  12. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    Gaudiya tend to be very strict Radha Krishna devotees. In that system, if I'm not mistaken, they see Vishnu as a lower expansion of Krishna. Vishnu is in charge of Vaikuntha which is lower than Krishna's Goloka. Of course it doesn't really natter. I am just surprised about the tilaka ;) Aum...
  13. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    Wow I had no idea the Holi powder is so bad! That's interesting Jai that your priests wear the Gaudiya tilaka being that your temple is southern. Aum Hari Aum
  14. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    I haven't heard that about kumkum or sindoor I have heard the traditional black eyeliner has lead as well as the Holi powder. Aum Hari Aum!
  15. Andal

    Starting to drift away from Hinduism...

    This is very common in in temples in India. If you like the shakti of the temple otherwise, keep going, you will get used to it :) Aum Hari Aum!
  16. Andal

    Would you kick your child out if he or she wanted to convert to another religion?

    I most certainly would not kick them out. If they began practicing black magic, demon worship, or some violent practice I would forbid such things in my home. If its just a run of the mill conversion, everyone is entitled to follow their heart. Aum Hari Aum!
  17. Andal

    I decided to wear tilaka today.

    I am very happy to hear you wore tilaka and felt that spiritual feeling ( I know what you mean). In my sampradaya not everyone wears it, usually just priests and sanyasi/ sanyasini. I'm not even sure if women are allowed to wear it. Regardless I wear it when I am conducting puja. If I am acting...
  18. Andal

    Kali

    I like his very much :) Aum Hari Aum!
  19. Andal

    Kali

    Kali can be frightening in appearance but it is out of protection. She took that form to protect us from demons along time ago (or the demons in our own minds). Sometimes we need to become that which we strive to overcome so that we know it inside and out. Many of our other deities are quite...
  20. Andal

    Kali

    Welcome! I can't answer your first question but I do have a special connection with Kali. I had a situation a few years ago where someone lied about me in a way that jeopardized my entire career. I was so hurt and honestly wanted revenge. I wasn't comfortable going to Vishnu about this as my...
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