October 2012 by 16Rounds

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INTRO

MATERIALLY IMPOVERISHED, SPIRITUALLY NOURISHED Teachings of Queen Kunti

16Rounds to Samadhi 16Rounds is published: ● To propagate spiritual knowledge and to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. ● To bring people closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life. ● To expose the faults of materialism. ● To bring about the well-being of all living entities.

Queen Kunti was not only a sophisticated woman from a royal background, but a gentle, thoughtful, and, most importantly, spiritually realized soul which should be evident to anyone who reads the book Teachings of Queen Kunti. The following is an excerpt from a commentary Srila Prabhupada wrote to a statement of Queen Kunti as it is recorded in the Srimad Bhagavatam 1.8.27. By Srila Prabhupada

A living

being is finished as soon as there is nothing to possess; therefore, a living being cannot be, in the real sense of the term, a renouncer. A living being renounces something for gaining something more valuable. A student sacrifices his childish proclivities to gain better education. An employee gives up his job for a better one. Similarly, a yogi in devotion renounces the material world not for nothing but for something tangible in spiritual value. The famous six Gosvamis of Vrindavana gave up their worldly pomp and prosperity for the sake of devotional service to God. They were influential men

16Rounds is an independent magazine compiled, written, and published by a few Hare Krishna monks. It is produced in an attempt to benefit its readers, for our own purification, and for the pleasure of our spiritual grandfather, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder and spiritual guide of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The first copy is free. Additional copies of the same issue are $10 each. © 2012 16Rounds to Samadhi. All rights reserved.

16Rounds Staff: Editor: Mahat Tattva Dasa Mahat is a monk and the president of the ISKCON monastic community in San Diego. Layout: Bhismadeva Dasa Bhismadeva has been a monk since 2008 and is currently living in the ashram at the Hare Krishna temple in San Diego.

English editor: Matthew McManus Born and grew up in Los Angeles. Graduated from San Diego State University in 2011. Currently a monk at the ISKCON ashram in San Diego.

CONTACT: 16rounds@gmail.com www.16ROUNDS.com 1030 Grand Ave. San Diego, CA 92109 Call/text 858-405-5465 facebook.com/16roundstosamadhi ADVERTISE www.16rounds.com/advertise Call/text Mahat at 858-405-5465. SUBSCRIPTIONS 10 issues = $25 www.16rounds.com/subscribe DISCLAIMER: Views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors.

MEANING OF “16ROUNDS” Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means “union” or “linking.” Meditation is a process of yoga by which the spiritual practitioner achieves union with the Divine. The recommended process of meditation for the age we are currently living in is mantra meditation. This process involves chanting of mantras. The Upanishads, the classical spiritual texts of ancient India, say that the best mantra is the Hare Krishna mantra: hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare, hare rama, hare rama, rama rama, hare hare. A “Mala” is a set of 108 beads strung on a thread, sort of like a rosary. The spiritual practitioner prayerfully and with great concentration recites/chants the whole mantra once for each bead of the mala. The mala or the string of beads is held in the ﬁst of the right hand and is meant to help us count how many times we chanted the mantra. It also helps engage the sense of touch in the process of meditation. Once we have chanted the mantra 108 times, or once for each bead, we have completed “one round.” Serious practitioners of this spiritual discipline take a vow to chant at least sixteen times round the mala every day; thus the name “16 Rounds.”

in the worldly sense. The Gosvamis were ministers in the government service while one of them, Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami, was the son of an influential zamindar (royal landowner in India from the 1400-1500s) of his time. They left everything to gain something superior to what they previously possessed. The devotees are generally without material prosperity, but they have a very secret treasure-house in spiritual merits. There is a story about Sanatana Gosvami. who had a gemstone with him, which he kept in a pile of refuse. One day a needy man stole the gemstone, but later on wondered why the valuable stone was kept in such a neglected place.

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PHOTO CREDITS ©1 flickr.com/christophaigner ©2 flickr.com/posterboynyc ©3 flickr.com/ugglan ©4 flickr.com/humanrights ©5 flickr.com/28802358@N05 ©6 karma www.foto-tw.de ©7 flickr.com/joshc ©8 flickr.com/jgoforth ©9 flickr.com/us7thfleet ©10 flickr.com/radiorover ©11 flickr.com/polanri ©12 flickr.com/chrisk4u ©13 flickr.com/amchu ©14 flickr.com/stevemoreau ©15 flickr.com/chilledsalad ©16 flickr.com/jean_christophe

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SOCIETY

INTERFACE BLINDFOLD The Overlap of Real and Virtual By Matthew McManus

ALTHOUGH SUCH SITES AS FACEBOOK, AND YOUTUBE ARE IN ESSENCE VIRTUAL, STILL THEIR CONTENT OFTENTIMES DEPICT REALITY, AS WE KNOW IT, WITHIN THE PERVERTED INTERFACE OF VIRTUAL REALITY.

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As I write,

thousands of protestors blanket the Middle East, orchestrating protests in response to one producer’s short film in California deriding Muhammad. Aborning from the film has been torrid violence against the symbol of America, which due to the incendiary film has augmented enmity in the hearts of many Muslims. Indeed due to its posting on YouTube and the universal exposure it engendered, there has been a spread of insurrection like a forest fire, springing up in Arab countries and Muslim communities throughout the earth – Egypt, Yemen, Palestine, and India are some noteworthy participants.

Contemporary communication and media is precarious and daunting when compounded with the fragility of the world’s state of affairs. Due to increasing demands on finite resources, war between competing factions is ever more probable and the match to the oil could be one piquing post online. Even on a smaller scale, war among neighbors can be engendered by aggravating people’s already disturbed minds. For example, two men were recently sentenced in England to four years in prison for creating news about a fake riot that upset many people who thought it was real. As can be observed in society today, regulations regarding public viewership of some media material are established to prevent these types of pugnacious circumstances, but can never be impenetrable at occluding everyone from watching, or publishing it themselves. Furthermore, what is to prevent similar melees from sparking up spontaneously in the future? Or is it the ripened fruit of freedom of speech that we can now enjoy?

REALITY AS WE KNOW IT Virtual is defined as something 'simulated or extended by computer software.' Although such sites as Facebook, and YouTube are in essence virtual, still their content oftentimes depict reality, as we know it, within the perverted interface of virtual reality. One can visit YouTube and see millions of videos depicting real life events that occurred, visit Faceb o o k and see news about the real lives of other individuals, or a plethora of sites depicting reality. On the other end of the spectrum, web surfers can play as an avatar, a virtual character depicting the gamer, and ‘live’ as the character with some of the accoutrements and nuances of real life in the virtual world of “Second Life”. Although one may be able to distinguish the digital interface as unreal as well as the objects presented in it to be either factual representations of reality or mental concoctions, what if that line still becomes opaqued? The only bulwark would be the individual’s sense of discrimination, which is already competing with the technological trend geared towards blurring that boundary – making the unreal more tangible, thereby distorting the minds of many, if not the intelligence as well in anomalous instances.

TECHNOLOGY HAPPY

There seems to be an intoxicating effect technology has on avid users to the degree that they deem their actions via a digital interface to be inconsequential to life outside the interface. It can be used like a license to engage capriciously in what would only be contemplated subconsciously. For example, there are video games where gamers can kill and kidnap virtual peo-

ple, and engage in numerous other kinds of delinquent behavior – the tantalizing aspect being that it is so life-like, enabling one with the thrills of mimicking criminal behavior without having to suffer any backlash; the side effect, however, is that by becoming absorbed in the phantasmagoria, one’s behavior can change in often subtle, unconscious ways. On a large scale, the industrialization over the past two to three centuries has ushered the virtual computer world of today – a systematic and progressive impersonalist approach to the world, in stark contrast to bygone civilizations; it has had copious effects in how people perceive reality, their self identity, and one’s interaction of the subjective self with the subjective reality. In contemporary times, according to a 2006 study by sociologists from Duke University and the University of Arizona, the average American’s support system consists only of immediate family members. Furthermore, Keith Hampton, a sociologist from the University of Pennsylvania, has found that among the inner family

SOCIETY circle of the average American, there is still a great deal of communication but far less of it is personal; rather, a great majority of interaction is through the medium of social networking sites or other communication technologies.

VIRTUAL JUNKIES Researchers from Nottingham Trent University and Stockholm University recently published a study in Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology, and Learning that identified a disorder

termed Game Transfer Phenomena after conducting 42 in-depth interviews with avid game users between 15 and 21. Every participant showed signs of involuntary thoughts related to video games, wanting to use something from a game to solve a real life issue. Indeed a few consented to contemplating violent alternatives to problems they remembered while playing, even experiencing involuntary surges of violent thoughts and sensations. Professor

Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University gave the practical import to the study, saying this trend “suggests intensive gaming may lead to negative psychological, emotional or behavioral consequences, with enormous implications for software developers, parents, policy makers and mental health professionals.”

Jeremy Bailenson, an assistant professor of communication at Stanford University, has studied the effects of virtual reality on self perception. Lab research revealed that self-perception does in fact change with users identifying themselves to some degree as the video game character, even after exiting the game. In fact, according to the studies conducted at Stanford’s Virtual

WHO AM I?

NOT ONLY EMOTIONALLY, BUT PHYSICAL CHANGES CAN OCCUR WITH THE INTERFACE USER AS WELL, TRANSGRESSING THE INTERFACE’S EFFECT ON THE USER FROM SUBTLE TO GROSS BEHAVIORAL CHANGES.

Human Interaction Lab, just 90 seconds in virtual reality is enough to warrant behavioral changes. Although Bailenson uses some of the most advanced technology to depict real life, other, less advanced forms of virtual reality, still affect people in

synonymous ways. “Second Life” and “World of Warcraft” are two virtual reality games with millions of users worldwide. Researchers found, after studying 32 volunteers, that the virtual characteristics of the avatar that was used in the game – short, fat, beautiful, tall, or ugly – affected the selfesteem and self-confidence of the user in daily life. Similar findings can be traced to social media users like Facebook and Twitter, who rely on their facebook page and status instead of an avatar as their sense of identity or false ego.

Not only emotionally, but physical changes can occur with the interface user as well, transgressing the interface’s effect on the user from subtle to gross behavioral changes. A Stanford graduate student, Jesse Fox, has studied how players in virtual reality that have healthier habits such as regular exercise transpire the users to also engage in exercise. Fox’s research revealed that participants, who viewed their player engaged in exercise, were more apt to exercise for an hour more within a 24 hour period. Similarly, those who saw their player lounge did not exhibit the same response. In the all-too-real world of war, the military has began training soldiers to also engage in a video game style interface that looks as real as these unreal virtual realities. Soldiers manipulate drones that actually kill people, who are far removed from the operator. The soldiers are far removed from battle physically; nonetheless, they suffer the same mental anxieties as those on the front lines, according to Colonel

FURTHERMORE, ONLINE COMPANIES LIKE FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE TRACK THE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR USERS, WHICH CAN BE LEGALLY SHARED WITH OTHER PARTIES. Hernando Ortega, a surgeon for the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency.

BIG BROTHER

Whether malicious or innocuous, the repercussions of one’s activities on the Internet are far reaching, and more often than not, unforeseen, as awestruck people have witnessed from the malign domino effect of the anti-Islamic video. There is access to limitless information that was never before available to the masses. Great opportunity abounds with knowledge, and indeed even the layperson now has power to shift the global tides. Hence, a great responsibility rests with scores of people all over the world, but with privilege is the possibility of abuse, especially when proper education is absent. Portended in George Orwell’s 1984, a society that is constantly being monitored has fructified through technology. Harbingers of a police state can be seen in the

government. After passing the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative in 2009, the government is granted access to secretly gather or collect information on anyone if he or she is deemed a threat, even without having reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Interestingly, civilians in West Virginia can also download the I-phone application, Suspicious Activity Reporting, to monitor each other by submitting reports to the FBI of any strange or criminal behavior. Furthermore, online companies like Facebook and Google track the activities of their users, which can be legally shared with other parties. Adding fuel to the fire, President Obama’s new bill, National Defense Authorization Act, allows the government to indefinitely hold prisoners without trial, making the situation more precarious and pernicious for the spotlighted citizens of this country. George Orwell’s Ministry of Truth need not apply. Cont'd on pg. 7 ›››

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SOCIETY

SHIVA PARAM

WHETHER OR NOT AN ANIMAL MATCHES THE STYLE OF MY SOFA DECIDES ITS DESTINY: LIFE OR DEATH.

SOCCER BOYCOTT FOR ANIMALS? An Animalistic Hypocrisy By Shiva Param (Germany)

Who has

not come across the call to boycott the European Soccer Cup? According to several animal rights organizations’ reports, thousands of street dogs and cats are being caught, killed, and disposed of. The soccer boycott is supposed to protest these activities. This protest is laudable; however, if we are talking about mistreating animals, shouldn’t we boycott all 34 game days of the national

league too? Even if cats and dogs are treated well, things look worse for other animals. For example, there are thousands of cows born in cages, which are built from iron bars, neon light, and suction devices. The cows are predestined to stay their whole, very short lives in these places. The only time when these animals will see the sun is on the way from the farm to the cattle truck and on the way from the cattle truck to the slaughterhouse. We don’t want to

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go into any further detail to what happens to these millions of cows, pigs, and chickens in these institutions. When average-educated citizens or politicians are asked how this contradiction is justifiable, the first thing you get is a surprised look indicating, "What’s the point of that question?” Very often the answer is: “Well, isn’t it clear? Some animals are domestic animals and others are farm animals.” Well, just one moment!

Interestingly, among Eng-

lish speakers the word “pet” is preferred to “domestic animal.” Because we want to pet and cuddle these animals, they are allowed to live, while others, whom we want to eat, are carried to the slaughterhouse. In other words, whether or not an animal matches the style of my sofa decides its destiny: life or death. Doesn’t this remind us of old gladiator movies? After a poor gladiator has fought bravely in the arena and has killed all of his opponents (well, involuntarily), all of the spectators’ eyes turn to

the emperor, who sits on a pedestal with a well cushioned chair. If he enjoyed the fight, he will raise his thumb and the gladiator will be a free man. If the emperor didn’t enjoy the spectacle his thumb will go down and a herd of hungry lions will be released to rip the exhausted gladiator to pieces. Some emperors were especially liked because they sometimes let the audience decide the fighter’s destiny. In this case, the gladiator needed a majority of thumbs up to survive. According to some Greek

philosophers, a government that arbitrarily decides the destiny of its subjects is called a tyranny – the worst form of government. In this case, the population is helplessly subjected to the dictator’s temper. Historical sources tell us that dictators like Mao or Stalin had arbitrarily killed some of their ministers and private doctors. A single wrong word or look was sufficient.

Today’s society should seriously question whether it has accepted a similar way of tyrannical consciousness. There is no philosophical or ethical reason why one animal is declared a family member and the other is just a production unit. If devoted meat eaters are asked this question, due to their lack of knowledge, they usually just answer: “Because it’s tasty!” This thoughtless answer, however, is selfish and cruel to the highest degree. In the same way, the old emperors used the argument "Because I like it" to justify their abuse of gladiators.

Even if there were a difference between so-called domestic and farm animals, where does humankind draw the line? Is he allowed to decide on his own behalf whether an animal is meant to be loved or meant to be killed? Whenever Westerners see photographs of a dog slaughterhouse in Peking they are deeply disgusted; pictures of a German slaughterhouse; however, don’t seem to touch them at all. In such situations, some-

PHILOSOPHY INTERFACE BLINDFOLD Cont'd from pg. 5

TURNING THE INTERFACE INWARD The human body is also an interface one uses to interact with the world. Within the bodily sphere are senses one uses to navigate the world, facilitate the performance of work, and enjoy the fruits of one’s work. Simultaneously, one can perceive that the true self is not the body, but the observer of the body. A symptom of the observer is consciousness. Every living being is conscious to some degree; we can see this practically – the dog, tree, cow, and human being are all conscious. “THE HUMBLE SAGE, BY VIRTUE OF TRUE KNOWLEDGE, SEES WITH EQUAL VISION A LEARNED AND GENTLE BRAHMANA, A COW, AN ELEPHANT, A DOG AND A DOG-EATER [OUTCASTE]” (BHAGAVAD-GITA 5.18). times you can get the impression that cats and dogs have something, which cows and pigs do not have – a soul. But if dogs and cats have a soul – which most pet keepers are convinced of – why don’t cows, pigs and chickens have one as well? Obviously, there seems to be great confusion or perhaps ignorance – maybe it’s just cruel, tyrannical consciousness. There were times when humans, who thought themselves to be the “white master race,” had stated that Blacks, Indians and other people have no soul. They used this argument to justify the enslavement, killing, and even genocide of other races. Nowadays this kind of racism is strictly condemned in Western countries.

But who knows? Maybe there will be a society 200 years from now, which terms today’s society as the cruel “speciesists,” meaning humans who declare their own species as tyrants over all other kinds of species.

Maybe this “speciesism” will be condemned in 200 years as racism is renounced today. According to the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita, the soul is respected in all living beings, not just within a single race or species. vidya-vinaya-sampane brahmane gavi hastini suni caiva sva-pake ca panditah sama-darsinah

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dogeater [outcaste]” (Bhagavadgita 5.18).

But let’s go back to soccer. Wouldn’t it be a better idea to watch the soccer cup in the back yard, happily grilling vegetarian sausages rather than boycotting this cup with a schnitzel on their plates believing that they have just done something beneficial for the protection of animal rights? �

One must strive to live in accordance with higher, objective laws and principles in order to be satisfied with one’s self. Despite living in a subjective reality based on one’s limitations as an observer, there are still objectively ‘good’ pursuits, which are directed towards spiritual advancement, and are true sources of permanent happiness, not dependent on anything else. To become inured to a subjective reality without remaining tethered to objective principles leads to a life of hysteria fraught with suffering. Unnecessary reliance on material facilities can occlude our pathway towards genuine happiness and fulfillment, atrophying one’s determination and sincerity to pursue higher levels of truth; therefore, one who is wise does not take shelter of such temporal contrivances nor is he inattentive in how he associates with them. To develop the consciousness is inevitably the goal of every living being. Srila Prabhupada, founder of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness and a very learned personality of Vedic philosophy said, “Technology or science, it is the same thing. Our problem is the advancement of the spirit soul…there is actually no advancement of scientific knowledge.” �

WHAT IS THE POINT? Reincarnation & Karma

By Vic DiCara

The doubt is this:

“The purpose of reincarnation and karma is reformation of the soul over the span of many lifetimes. But if I don’t remember my previous lifetimes, I don’t know what karma is punishing or rewarding me for – therefore how can it be effective?” This doubt assumes that only things one consciously remembers can affect one’s life and attitude. Ask any psychologist and you will quickly realize this is not true. In fact most patients are affected by events they cannot (or, really will not) consciously recall, at least not accurately.

The patient’s conscious mind intentionally blurs, represses, and hides spe-

cific memories. Why? Remembering the event would cause a transformation that is too drastic and dramatic for their conscious mind to face. This is why the vast majority of people do not often have (or recognize) very clear memories from their previous lifetimes. To do so would cause a transformation too jarringly drastic and all-devouring for them to accept. If I tangibly recalled all my past lives, the importance of many (sometimes all) aspects of my current life might suddenly reduce to sub-atomic size. “You mean I have already done everything like this a million times before? And it never quenched the thirst? You mean I have already had a million children, wives, husbands, lovers, fans, dollars, etc.?” And not to mention: “You mean I always die!?”

The transformation that the blunt, unmetered dawning of this information would have upon a common mind would be like forcing a lightning bolt’s voltage through a delicate circuit board: it would fry. The vast majority of people are not ready or willing to completely embrace reality at this very moment. Therefore the universe, as orchestrated by the Supersoul, intentionally hides most of reality from our view and shows us only that which we are ready and willing to accept.

Yet we are not entirely abandoned to our wayward hallucinations. We are gradually and gently prodded in the direction of remembering and accepting reality. This is why karma exists. Through it, we can connect

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PHILOSOPHY

POWER TO THE PEOPLE? A Question About Democracy By Alec Heumann

For

anyone who grows up in America, the idea of democracy is planted in the brain at birth, and fed through school, media, and society as a whole. This is to such a degree that the question of “Why democracy?” may not even come to mind. The problem is that when people fail to ask the question why and do not strive to analyze their creed, the result is a society full of fanatics. Fanaticism is a belief or behavior which involves uncritical zeal. The fanatic displays very strict standards and little tolerance for contrary ideas or opinions. If a world of intelligence is at all desired, such a state of society is very troublesome. Therefore, let us look deeper into democracy.

DEFINING THE SUBJECT MATTER

Democracy is a system of government in which everyone has an equal opportunity to influence the actions society makes as a whole. This is based on the idea that everyone is equal, and thus no one should be given precedence over anyone else. Majority rule is an expression of this equal influence opportunity paradigm.

For the last 250 years democracy has been bolstered as the most logical, ethical system of government, and on that basis, at least externally, America has sent thousands of soldiers to the Middle East and Africa to make sure that no one forgets it. America’s imposition aside, how does this democratic philosophy stand up to the real world?

FINDING THE TRUTH

Everyone wants the best for the world. Even Hitler felt that his actions were for the ultimate benefit of human kind. So how can the best be brought about in this world? How should society determine what are the best actions to make?

Let’s imagine a scenario. The Large Hadron Collider in Europe has ruptured, and it is on the verge of meltdown. What should be done? Or for a less urgent example, let’s say a decision is being made about where to position troops throughout the world, with diplomatic relations needed to be taken into consideration, along with so many other factors (if I were experienced in this field I would know what those factors are). Would a majority opin-

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ion be the best way to figure out what to do in either of these instances? Or would the opinion of an expert be a more logical choice? I think that most people would lean towards the latter in these instances.

Is it not similarly logical that in other decisions that are made, the people making the decisions should also be those who are most qualified? As the Greek philosopher Plato said, “A good

! MAN AT TH OTS A W E V L W ! D? D WAL L I W A RE GREEN D E O A HAHA! T N I HA . E ON

decision is based on knowledge, not numbers.” What most people agree on has nothing to do with what is actually the best idea. The opinion of the majority, while possibly reflecting ra-

HAD I HAD ANOTHER DRINK, I WOULD HAVE MADE IT PINK!

tionality, is not necessarily the best option and is not necessarily objective and rational. “All right, maybe in these complicated matters an expert should take charge. But why should that always be

PHILOSOPHY the case?” The fact is that the world is a very complicated place. There are so many factors that influence the world, and all of these factors interact and interrelate with one another like a web. If someone is making decisions without understanding these interactions, they are bound to make the wrong decision. They won’t know how to place their efforts in such a way that a desirable change will come about, and therefore will tend to misplace their efforts, which is known as the erroneous priorities effect. A decision based on misunderstanding is bound to produce negative results. So shouldn’t those who make decisions be those who have the greatest understanding? Additionally, there is a great risk for society when in the decision making process subjective opinions are given priority over what is objectively beneficial for the world. This is why making progress in solving the issue of global climate change is such a hassle. Politicians are being influenced by their own personal interests along with the interests of corporate lobbyists, and thus despite the growing amount of evidence, still some say that there’s not enough evidence to justify action. Subjective opinion can also get in the way of objectivity in other issues, such as what the drink-

ing age should be (I think most eighteen year-olds wouldn’t mind that being lowered), whether or not same-sex-marriage should be legal, increasing taxes on tobacco products, etc. If these decisions are made based on majority opinion, objectivity could be given a back seat to personal motivations. Thus, a better option is for decisions to be made by people who are less motivated by their own subjective ideas and more interested in objective good. Finally, the concept of equality, which democracy has as its foundation, falls short. Materially speaking, no one is equal. Some are fat, some are short, some are smart, some are hard workers, some are tolerant, some are brave, etc.. People should be given power and responsibility based on their proclivity and character, rather than artificially putting everyone on the same platform.

THE VEDIC SOLUTION

On a personal level, the knowledge of ancient India has always struck me. From medicine to mathematics to astronomy to vast spiritual knowledge, the Vedas have it all. The Vedic social system, varnasrama, is particularly impressive because of its comprehensive nature and the stability and harmony

that it creates when properly implemented. While it is more complex in details than can be expressed in a few hundred words, the principles of varnasrama are simple and provide an effective solution to the problems present in democracy, namely the problems of artificial equality and majority rule. Therefore, I think that the modern world should consider adopting varnasrama to ﬁx the problems that it is currently facing in a democratic system. Everyone has a nature, which is different from everyone else’s and which gives them different proclivities and skills. Some are naturally good leaders, some are more intellectually oriented, some are attracted by manual work, some are naturally business inclined, etc. Accordingly, the system of varnasrama engages people in societal duties that ﬁt their individual nature in a way that benefits society as a whole.

In varnasrama, people’s service to the society is conceived of in four general categories: the brahmanas (philosophers), the ksatriyas (warriors and administrators), the vaisyas (farmers and merchants), and the sudras (laborers), which each play important and interconnected roles within society. The brahmanas are like the head of society, and

their role is to direct society in proper conduct. They are highly qualified, highly educated people, and are expected to uphold the highest standards of behavior. Brahmanas study spiritual knowledge, and then teach that knowledge to the rest of society. They adopt a voluntary lifestyle of poverty which helps them be unbiased. The ksatriyas are like the arms of society. They are also highly trained, and follow strict rules of behavior, similar to the chivalry of the knights of Europe. Ksatriyas serve as the administrators as well as the warriors of society. “Ksatriya” means protecting from harm; thus, the ksatriyas are responsible for the well-being of all citizens. Their main source of guidance is the brahmanas.

The vaisyas are like the stomach of society. As the stomach nourishes the rest of the body by distributing food to all the limbs, the vaisyas nourish society through farming, honest business, and honest banking. The final class, forming the majority of people, is the sudras. The sudras are like the legs of society, and their job is to move society forward through providing labor. Through their labor, they support the other sec-

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

THE LATEST FROM THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE SACRED APPLE A Spiritual Perspective On iPhone 5 By Mahat Tattva Dasa

What is so

cool about iPhone 5? Is it its, now even larger, retina display? The fact that it is thiner and lighter than iPhone 4? Faster wireless technology? The new A6 chip? Or that iPhone 5 is a miserable piece of poop in comparison to the iPhone 6? Hang on! Are you reading this on an iPhone? Cool.

GADGETS, WORLD, AND US To accurately understand an action, we necessarily need to analyze its consequences. No thing exists independently. The quality of the existence of a thing is valued in accord with the thingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with the world, with its influence on the world, the reactions it triggers, etc. Even though the latest

ventions springing from the restless human mind are in many ways useful and seemingly make life better, we can not and should not stop the analysis process there. The cool technological gadgets are possible and produced only because of the existence of ignoble and dangerous industrial and economic systems which we have made ourselves dependent on and which are unsustainable. You know all about it.

What is so cool about iPhone 5? Is it its, now even larger, retina display? The fact that it is thiner and lighter than iPhone 4? Faster wireless technology? The new A6 chip? Or that iPhone 5 is a miserable piece of poop in comparison to the iPhone 6? THE HOLY CHURCH OF and THE SACRED APPLE coolest technological in-

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COVER STORY If you don’t, then you must have had your head in the sand (or some other dark place) for quite some time and now have lots of catching up to do. Coltan is a rare and expensive metal that is necessary for producing electronic devices such as cellphones. This metal is mostly mined in the poor countries of Africa. Mining of coltan in Africa is directly a cause of untold miseries for African natives. Some journalists, like Austrian Klaus Werner, have documented links between multinational companies, such as Bayer for example, and the unethical and even illegal coltan mining and trafficking.

DOING THE RIGHT THINGS VS. DOING THINGS RIGHT Who says that technological advancement is an advancement?! By what philosophical inquiry have we concluded that? The lack of this questioning is what I perceive to be an issue. I am of the opinion that modern people have gotten good at doing things right, but have done a terrible job of doing the right things. Doing the right things concerns itself with leadership, as opposed to doing things right, which concerns itself with management. Doing the right things could be compared to setting a lad-

der on the right wall. Doing things right could be compared to climbing the ladder by the proper method. Thus doing the right things, in principle, indicates a goal, a direction, while doing things right deals with mechanisms, systems by which things are done. Modern people are experts at technology, producing things such as computers, elaborate and efficient communication networks, vehicles for quick and comfortable transportation, etc. The plethora of arrangements for physical comfort of people in their artificially created habitats,

for example, is quite impressive.

People go about their lives following the social norms, such as getting educated, finding a job, taking out a mortgage, getting a poodle, etc., and thus to a certain degree they do things right, but they have no clue as to whether they are doing the right things, and they don’t seem terribly bothered by such ignorance. They don’t know and often don’t care to identify the right direction to focus their lives on, to climb the right wall. Often those who choose a wall to climb do not bother to eval-

uate the wisdom of that choice. Whatever the social norms are, folks just follow.

INCONSISTENCIES IN THE VALUE SYSTEM

"WHEN I GROW UP, I WILL CLIMB THE LADDER OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT!"

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For the most part, modern educational institutions teach the youth that life, the universe, and everything else is in essence a conglomeration of physical particles, while emotions, ideas, etc., are products of chemical interactions in our brains. At the same time, the potentially rational people are

"YOU ARE SICK. WE ARE GOING TO KILL YOU. BUT DON'T WORRY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO FEEL ANYTHING." taught that it is their right to pursue ideas such as equality. Do such individuals ever think what it is that objectively makes us all equal, considering that physically we are all different? No two individuals on the planet are physically equal in even a few aspects, let alone equal in all aspects. No two people are equally tall, smart, educated, athletic, etc. So,

what is it that makes us all equal? Equality is a religious and spiritual claim. Without bringing in metaphysics, it is impossible to objectively establish equality. Spirituality is the only proper basis for establishing equality. Yet we have allowed our society to toss spirituality out the window or reduce it to private life; which, in the materialistic opinion, has no

COVER STORY objective standing in public life. Because folks are so concerned about doing things right, they have forgotten to pursue the right things or, as mentioned above, even to try to determine a purpose worth endeavoring for by a solid philosophical evaluation. Thus they don’t notice the inconsistencies in their value system, and when they do notice the inconsistencies, they just don’t care. After all, to modern people philosophy is a matter of private choice, not a thing we as a society should bother ourselves and others with. It is a thing we do for fun, entertainment. If it isn’t entertaining, the fellas drop it. Historically we find that the only restraints on selfishness and vanity were spiritual and religious. Besides religion/spirituality no one really ever managed to define, or quantify in measurable terms, this vanity, which is otherwise an abstract idea. Hardly anyone even recognized the need to deal with the issues of vanity on a society-wide scale. It is “liberal” academia that blew that off, and now they are all crying about the runaway consumerism. Just see the inconsistency!

Modern “liberal” academia and the government have segregated religious/ spiritual life from the law and other such secular sections of our society. They have made spiritual ideas private, personal views with

no objective status. They think that if they get rid of God and soul, people will naturally gravitate toward liberal humanism. However, we see that people are rather stampeding into shameless consumerism. Let people do what they want by doing away with moral impositions, and they will open shopping malls!

FIX IT. DON’T THROW IT OUT

Religious communities have done their share of imposing irrational values on society, but that’s not a valid excuse to go to the other extreme and toss the baby out with the bath water. If one’s eye is diseased, the solution is not to pluck it out. It should rather be healed. Similarly, I propose, since religion went weird in the application of otherwise important principles, we should not cut it out, but should rather heal it, fix it, and do it right. Otherwise some of the core aspects of a civilized society, including such sophisticated ideas as equality, will also have to be cut out. But modern consumer prostitutes and the like don’t seem to be bothered by such inconsistencies. Thus folks continue to perfect the art of doing things right while neglecting to do the right things.

BACK TO IPHONE 5

Modern society is like a headless body, a body that

is stumbling around, concerning itself with the quality of its walking, running, jumping, and squatting, fully enamored with its ability to execute and improve such functions. But because of not having a head, the body cannot determine a meaningful course of action fortified by philosophical coherence. Before rushing to climb, we should first identify the wall worth climbing. Only at that time will we be able to tell whether iPhone 5, and everything else, is truly cool.�

WHAT IS THE POINT?

Cont'd from pg. 7 to themes from previous lifetimes without violating the principle that we cannot recall what we are unwilling to recall. These subconscious connections allow reality to gradually and gently dawn upon us over long spans of time, lifetimes. Those rare and few souls who have reached the goal of treatment and are cured of “ahankara” (conception of the identity as fundamentally not centered on and cut off from divinity); they are those upon whom karma has no effect at all, and for whom all of the past, present, and future is within their conscious comprehension. �

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

MATERIALLY IMPOVERISHED, SPIRITUALLY NOURISHED

tions of society.

He therefore returned and asked Sanatana Goswami for the most valuable thing. The thief was then given the process of chanting mantras which consist of the spiritual names of God.

Cont'd from pg. 9

Through the cooperation of these four classes of society, everything is able to run very smoothly, and people are able to live peaceful lives in which they feel satisﬁed by working according to their nature, and supporting society as a whole. Rather than everyone artificially being placed on the same level, people are given their part in society based on where they naturally ﬁt. Such a society is able to move in the most rational of directions, being led by highly qualified citizens. If we want to live in a rational and balanced world, democracy is not going to bring us to that goal. The basis of democracy is faulty, and misses the unique nature of every individual. I therefore think that people should consider alternative solutions, and let everyone live on their natural platform of existence rather than a sentimental idea of equality. �

Continued from pg. 3

Akincana means one who has nothing to give materially. A factual yogi in devotion does not give anything material to anyone because such a person has already left all material assets. Such devotees can, however, deliver the supreme asset because that is the only property of a factual devotee. The gemstone of Sanatana Gosvami, which was thrown in the rubbish, was not the property of the gosvami; otherwise, it would not have been kept in such a place.

This specific example is given for the neophytes in order to convince them that material hankerings and spiritual advancement go ill together. Unless one is able to see everything as spiritual in relation with the Supreme, one must always distinguish between spirit and matter. A spiritual master like Sanatana Gosvami, although personally able to see everything as spiritual, set this example for those who may have no such spiritual vision. Advancement of mate-

rial vision or material civilization is a great stumbling block for spiritual advancement. Such material advancement entangles the living being in the bondage of a material body followed by all sorts of material miseries. Such material advancement is called anartha, or things not wanted. Actually this is so. In the present context of material advancement one uses lipstick at a cost of a few dollars, and there are so many unnecessary things, which are all products of the material conception of life. By diverting attention to so many unwanted things, human energy is spoiled without achievement of spiritual realization, the prime necessity of human life. The attempt to reach the moon (or Mars, in recent years) is another example of spoiling energy because even if the moon is reached, the problems of life will not be solved.

The yogis of devotion are called akincanas because they have practically no material assets. Such material assets are all products of the modes of material nature. They foil spiritual energy, and thus the less we possess such products of material nature, the more we have a good chance for spiritual progress.�

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OPEN MIC

AS THE AIR CARRIES AROMAS The Story of Lucy By Janice Gunn

TALKS WITH MOM As usual, when he got home from work, Edgar went to the living room. He had to walk past Lucy’s bedroom to get there. He snapped open a can of beer and sat down for the Jets game. During the commercials he pushed mute on the control and talked to Lucy, his mom. “I lost my job today, Lucy. The University let me go.” A sad sigh fell through the silence.

“Oh, don’t get disturbed.” He pushed mute again and went back to the game. Next commercial: “Mom… listen, I hated teaching Biology.” He opened another can of beer.

Her bedroom door slammed shut; Edgar watched an instant replay. “Lucy, why you slamming the door again? They told me, ‘Not as many kids declaring the evolutionary major this year.’ Good! They

don’t need me.”

Another beer and Edgar fell back in his chair and dozed off. He woke when a framed photo of Lucy with her pet dog crashed on the floor.

“I kept tellin’ you, Lucy, you were going to break the glass. Now look what you done!” He frowned and drifted off to sleep again. Inside his eyelids he saw her watching him and she was crying. Edgar gave up bathing and shaving. He had a supply of beer in the house. He often went into Lucy’s room to gaze at the jewelry box, the pearly comb, the silk gloves and hats, the dresser. He smiled as he examined the book case covered with part of an American flag. He noticed some things thrown to the floor. “Sorry if I trouble you, Mom. I’ll get another job.” She never spoke but he knew she was there.

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CHARLIE’S VISIT

A few days passed. Charles knocked on the front door. “Uncle Edgar, I know you’re in there. Open up,” cried Charles.

Edgar opened the door slowly. “I e-mailed you…” Charles stopped talking and looked closely at Edgar. “Uncle Edgy, you look, uh, different. You okay?”

“Yes, listen, no one said you were coming,” Edgar closed the door. “Not invited.” “Edgar, Edgar! What would Gramma Lucy say?” Charles shouted. ”I got no where to go. How can you do this?”

Charles pushed himself in and plunked down on the sofa. “Last summer I wasn’t welcome, either. Ha! Hey, Edgar, lighten up. It’s good to see you again.”

July flew by. Charles was mostly out skate boarding or reading books in the basement. He tried to stay out of his uncle’s way. Edgar was

talking to himself, getting drunk and watching sports.

One evening, over takeout pizza, Charles talked with Edgar.

“Uncle Edgar, for a fact, dude, Gramma Lucille was some sort of a hippie.” “Don’t talk like that,” said Edgar. “Mother was not a hippie.” “Uncle Edgar, you know it.” “Maybe a beatnick.” “A hippie.”

“Shut up, Charlie!” Edgar threw his piece of pizza down on his plate.

“Please eat your pizza, Uncle Edgar.” “Thank you!”

“She sure loved pets, huh…?”

“Oh, we must’ve kept a hundred pets over the years. Sometimes this house was like a zoo.” “I sure do remember the baby alligators. Remember the messenger pigeons? Oh, and the baby monkey! Say, Edgar, why’d you choose

OPEN MIC Evolutionary Biology?”

“University level teaching,” said Edgar.

DARWIN RAP

Edgar got up to serve them each some salad and sat down again. Charlie rolled his fingers on the table.

“There’s something I want to run by you,” Charles said, “just hear me out a sec, please.” Edgar yawned.

“What if a dog is not always just a dog? What if its soul reincarnates in another model, say a lion or a bull or an ape.” “Only humans have souls,”

“Well you know there are some really dysfunctional humans, Edgar. At the same time there are some really intuitive type animals.” “Yeah. So?”

“Now did you know that elephants have complex mourning rituals for their dead?” “I read that.”

“Monarch butterflies fly from Northern America to Mexico to have offspring who migrate back exactly to where their parents came from!” “What are you getting at?”

“So what if underneath it all, we’re just climbing a ladder of increased awareness? Spiritual Evolution. Uncle Edgie, what if that’s the real nine yards? “Prove it to me.”

“Can you prove your evolution? Back in the day Darwin himself said there weren’t enough fossils that make a sequence. A hundred years later and paleontologists still don’t find enough true sequences to make it even a mathematical possibility.”

“We don’t need sequence anymore. We have Punctuated Equilibrium,” Edgar got more salad. “Extreme changes take place and dominate in spurts…” “Sure. Of course, like the eyeball. One day it was blind, and in a spurt it could see,” replied Charles. “One day a blind DNA process gave birth to eyeballs and eardrums…” Charles broke into rap,

“…If the first bird couldn’t soar, then his wings, what were they for?

Did he keep `em by his side, or take the cool wind as his ride? When he migrated to the north, was there a map to take him forth? Cranes, swans or butterflies, throughout the continental skiesDon’t use a compass or GPS; so what’s your Darwin guess?” “I don’t understand music,” said Edgar.

“Oh man… I don’t believe you,” Charlie was disgusted.

“Edgar, who in the heck you talk to at night?”

Similarly, in remote villages in India there are worshippers of ghosts. Sometimes people go to a tree if they have knowledge that a ghost lives in a tree. They worship that tree and offer sacrifices.” -Bhagavad-gita, 8.25 Charles turned off the lamp but he was restless. How’d he make Edgar so mad?

Hmm…Edgar never leaves the house of his Mom, a dead person…the house still smells like her, a dead person….eleven years and he still keeps her stuff, a dead person. Edgar never leaves his Mama. Her soul could not leave though she died; him being so dependent, he her favorite. And her stuff never stays put in one place! Like he uses it or something weird, or she uses it? This must be the mode of darkness, like the book says. This is how they worship the ghosts! From Lucy’s room came Edgar’s voice, “The kid’s got to go! He bothers me, Mom. He talks too much…” Charles heard a moan. His

heart sped up.

I can’t take this anymore. Tomorrow I’ll call a temple priest. I’ll ask the priest for some ritual…

CHARLES EXPELLED

The next evening Charles found Edgar in the garden. Charles apologized.

“Sorry I upset you last night, Edgar. I talk a lot. Anyway, I tidied up the place when you were out shopping today. Did you notice?” “You did?”

“Yea, and you know, I did something else real special for you,” Charles said slowly, It’s gonna help you out. Make the place better. Help you move on….” “What, Charles?” Charles stepped closer to Edgar.

“Gramma Lucy’s been stayin’ here, hasn’t she Uncle Edgar? She never left this place, ain’t that right?” Edgar stared at Charlie.

“Sorry Edgar. I called a temple. I asked for a Vedic priest to come out and do a

ceremony to help her soul to be released.” “What? What did you do?”

“Edgar. She loves you so much, but she needs to move on, it’s no good being a loose spirit with no body. Don’t she sound to you like she’s suffering?” “What?”

“Sighing and moaning! I called up a brahmana priest friend of mine who came and recited some really fine mantras, sprinkled holy water, we blew conch shells. We did the house up pretty good, burned incense.” Edgar turned very pale.

“C’mon, Uncle Edgar, I think she liked it. She was my Gramma. I loved her… You’ll feel better too, now that her soul is liberated…”

Like a summer thunder storm, Edgar suddenly flew at his nephew with his fists. Charles ran out the gate. He went back only to get his things and go home.

EMPTIED HOUSE Edgar lamented that he had chased Charles off. “Why’d I do it, Mom?” he asked Lucy. “Your grandson…” But there was unusual quiet. Lucy’s lifetime collection of things was still. Edgar wept from time to time. He felt very confused: he lost his job and Lucy nearly at the same time.

Winter came and put its cold fingers on everything. Edgar had to shovel snow. He dug a path to the mailbox so he could get his unemployment checks. He packed most of Lucy’s things into the basement. Without the pearly comb, the jewelry box, the silk gloves and hats, Lucy’s room looked empty. Edgar found the Bhagavadgita Charles had left laying open. The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life as the air carries aromas. Thus he takes on one kind of material Cont'd on pg. 17 ›››

“Me? I don’t talk at night! Shut the hell up or I’ll send you home.”

“Easy, easy, Uncle Edgie. I was just playing with you… you’re still my favorite uncle,” Charles stood up. “I’m going to bed now. G’night.”

THE EXORCISM

Lying in bed that night Charles read from an old Sanskrit scripture he had found in the basement.

“…it is clearly described here that those who are in the mode of ignorance, in darkness, worship dead spirits. Sometimes people worship at the tomb of some dead man.

“SIGHING AND MOANING! I CALLED UP A BRAHMANA PRIEST FRIEND OF MINE WHO CAME AND RECITED SOME REALLY FINE MANTRAS, SPRINKLED HOLY WATER, WE BLEW CONCH SHELLS. WE DID THE HOUSE UP PRETTY GOOD, BURNED INCENSE.”

“REGARDING ANIMALS, JOE, LISTEN. WHAT IF A CHIMP IS REALLY NOT A CHIMP?

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OPEN MIC

BEINGS & THINGS THE STORY OF LOVE A Short Film By Mahat Tattva Dasa

When we come

in contact with a being or a thing, our experience is pleasant or unpleasant. If the experience is unpleasant, we try to push the being or the thing out of our conscious experience; we try to create a distance, physically disconnect ourselves from it. If the experience is pleasant, we try to keep that being or thing within our conscious experience because it is causing us pleasure. Thus we become possessive. In ignorance some call this love.

If the pleasure-causing being or thing for some reason begins to leave our conscious experience, we try to do anything we can to prevent him / her / it from leaving. This may involve begging, pleading, bribing, threatening, hurting, manipulating, etc. Basically what is happening is that one being treats another one as a means to one’s own ends, rather than seeing the other being as an independent, autonomous living being with its own ends and potentials to achieve. In this way, in the mind of a materialist, a living being is converted into a thing, a mere means to one’s own ends. Those who are spiritually realized, however, have the freedom to interact with the world without ever becoming possessive or repulsive. Why? Because they never see anyone as means to their ends. They are self-content and are therefore free to be fully morally correct by not becoming possessive or repulsive.

On the other hand, those who are not spiritually realized, they continue to bounce back and forth between attraction and repulsion, emoting so-called love and hate. That is why I recommend: chant Hare Krishna and be happy. �

Sometime in July of this year I teamed up with a few friends of mine, Rishi Avila, Prema Bhakti Cornia, and Sage Bova, to produce a short film we titled Beings & Things. We have tried to communicate some wisdom in the film. The transcript from the film's short speech is printed above, next to the screen shot. Watch the film at www.16ROUNDS.com. Look at the bottom of the home page.

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OPEN MIC AS THE AIR CARRIES AROMAS Cont'd from pg. 15

body and then quits it to take another. -Bhagavad-gita 15.8 Edgar lost interest in everything, but he began to read the Sanskrit verses in the Bhagavad-gita.

GOOD-BYE?

By early Spring Edgar found a job at a high school teaching science. One day, Joe, a student he had taught at the University, knocked on the door. “Good to see you, Dr. Sylvester. There’s something I need to ask you, if you don’t mind.” “Go on, what?” said Edgar.

“The behavior lab is scaling down. Some of the primates we were studying have to go to good homes. I brought the best one to you.” The smiling student unzipped the pocket of his back pack revealing the hairy head of a chimpanzee. “Oh, my…”

SECURITY?

"The consciousness of being at war, and therefore in danger, makes the handing-over of all power to a small caste seem the natural, unavoidable condition of survival." -George Orwell

This photo

of the large TSA poster was taken at the entrance to the train station in downtown San Diego.

Personal and collective security is a responsibility of individuals and the society. It takes individual and collective efforts to maintain both individual and collective safety. It is reasonable to expect a government to educate its people about safety measures and also to solicit help from them in combating crime and terrorism.

However, when the invisible and subtle border is crossed, a security threat becomes a means for a few to control the many. Please

reference the quote above by George Orwell. It is for this reason that a few, namely those who govern, keep the many, namely the governed, in a state of fear. As long as the many are afraid, they willingly empower the few. The few seek the empowerment as it gives them access to privileges, material assets, and ultimately a greater freedom of choice. At the pretext of heading off danger and threats, the few can engage the many in attacking the innocent for the goal of plundering their natural resources. So, when our governments remind us of security, is our security all they are having in mind?

We have addressed this topic in our short film AXED. You can find the film at the following youtube channel: www.youtube.com/mahattattva

“It’s just a child, Dr. Sylvester. I know you know how to take care of them. It’s either your house or the zoo.…” “He’s a nice one, Joe,” Edgar put out his index finger and the chimp softly held it. “Not a he, sir, a female.” “What’s her name?”

“The guys at the lab named her ‘Lucy,’ after the hominid link, you know…”

Edgar quickly pulled his finger away. “Lucy?” Tears sprang into Edgar’s eyes.

“The living entity in the material world… carries his different conceptions of life… from one body to another, just as the air carries aromas,” said the professor. The chimp let out a little whimper. Joe and Edgar gazed at her small face. “Regarding animals, Joe, listen. What if a chimp is really not a chimp?

Just what if it has a soul,

like you or me, and the soul is simply trapped in the cage of a biological machine which happens to be nonhuman?”

Joe did not know what to say. “Joe, how many fragrances have you smelled during your life?” “Oh, thousands, I’d say...”

“Yes, everything from toothpaste to fresh roses. Did you ever see any of those smells?” Joe shook his head.

“Have you ever seen a television signal?” “No, can’t say I did.”

“Our spiritual destiny is not determined by our cells or RNA. The karma of transference is so fine, so subtle; it is compared to the air carrying an aroma. A ghost, for instance!” The student stepped back.

“Wow, you’ve changed. They said you might be different...”

“Yes, actually,” Edgar laughed. “Now I am studying the realm of pure consciousness. According to the Vedas, all species on earth have ‘devolved’ from a pure state of transcendental splendor.” “Well, professor you always were pretty random... Anyway, as we were discussing, sir, can you take the chimp, please? I think you like her.” “Of course I like her. But it’s best you take her to the zoo.” “Why?”

“Grown chimps make terrible pets. Big mess.”

Joe picked up Lucy’s chimp hand and waved it at Edgar. “Does that mean goodbye?” Joe asked.

Suddenly the chimp wiggled out of the backpack and jumped through the doorway toward the bedroom. Joe laughed and chased after her. “She likes it here…” Joe

cried.

“Catch her!” called Edgar.

They ran into Lucy’s empty room where the chimp sat down in the middle of the floor and let out a high pitched scream. She shrieked and her whole body shook. They were afraid to approach her. She grabbed up a throw rug and threw it against the wall. The chimp moved here and there in the room and looked everywhere. She turned a box of packed up items onto the floor. She found the pearly comb and went in a corner with it and whimpered. Tears appeared on her face. Edgar was so startled by his own emotion he went in the living room and would not help Joe catch the chimp. “Are you all right Dr. Sylvester? Don’t worry, I’ll just take her to the zoo,” Joe said. He let himself out the front door with Lucy in his arms. “The living entity in the material world carries his different conceptions of life from one body to another, as the air carries aromas. Thus he takes one kind of body and again quits it to take another. “The living entity, thus taking another gross body, obtains a certain type of ear, eye, tongue, nose and sense of touch, which are grouped about the mind. He thus enjoys a particular set of senses. “The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys or suffers under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this. “The endeavoring transcendentalists who are trained in self-realization can see this clearly. But those who are not situated in selfrealization cannot see what is taking place, though they may try to.” -Bhagavad-gita 15.8-11�

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LIFESTYLE

ABHYANGA

Ayurvedic Oil Massage â&#x20AC;&#x153;The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.â&#x20AC;? -Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89 By Sara Bock

Many

people look forward to the luxury of massage, whether given by a friend or by a professional masseuse. Massage relaxes the muscles and nervous system, relieves tension in the body, and improves circulation and other internal bodily functions. Our bodies are vehicles for the work we need to accomplish in this world, and for self realization. Massage can help maintain our bodies in optimal health so that we can work with less physical and mental discomforts towards our life purpose. Massage can be costly, however. Imagine being able to reap the benefits of massage in the comfort of your own home for little or no cost on a daily basis. Abhyanga is a type of full body Ayurvedic oil massage that one can perform daily on oneself without formal massage training.

Abhyanga refers to a massage that nourishes the entire body from head to toe. The word for oil in Sanskrit is sneha, which also means love. Applying oil to the body is symbolic of nurturing our cells and tissues with love. Although abhyanga can be given by certified Ayurvedic massage therapists, it can also be done at home as part of a daily morning routine. The morning routine is an essential part of an Ayurvedic lifestyle. It includes rising early, meditating, doing some gentle yoga stretches, self oil massage (abhyanga), and proper cleansing of the mouth and body. In this article, the benefits of oil massage will be described, followed by instructions on how to do self-abhyanga. The skin is composed of seven layers, and according to Ayurveda, these seven layers correspond to the seven types of tissues found in the body. Natural oils, as opposed to manufac-

tured skin lotion, permeate all seven layers, thus nourishing the seven tissues (blood, plasma, muscle, fat, bone, nerve, and reproductive tissues). Oils massaged into the skin permeate all seven layers within 10 minutes. Oil massage can be likened to oiling the engine of your car. If you do it regularly, your car will run at peak performance without giving you trouble. It is preventative as well as healing for already existing ailments. Human skin has 640,000 sense receptors that keep in constant contact with the brain. Healing touch sends messages to the brain and throughout the body, improving various bodily functions including the immune system, nervous system, and circulatory system. Additional benefits of abhyanga include: toning of the muscles, stimulation of toxin release from cells, calming of the nerves and stress reduction, lubrication of the joints, increased mental alertness, improved elimina-

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tion of bodily toxins, softer, smoother skin, increased stamina, and better and deeper sleep at night. Abhyanga is especially grounding and helpful for people with nervous or mental vata disorders, as the moisture and warmth of the oils counteract the dryness and cold which are at the root of nervousness and anxiety.

To perform abhyanga, you need to first select an oil best suited for the season and for your body type. Choosing the wrong oil can exacerbate certain health issues, so it is recommended that you see an Ayurvedic practitioner to find out your body type and the best corresponding massage oil. In general, people with vata imbalance (feeling ungrounded, anxious, dry skin, quick thoughts and speech, underweight) benefit from heavy, warming oils like sesame in the fall and winter, or almond in the late spring and summer. Organic oils are always recommended. Ashwaganda and Bala are herbal oils recommended for people with vata imbalance. Daily oil massage can be life changing for people with vata/nervous imbalances, and the benefits and grounding effects can often be immediately felt. People with pitta imbalance (fiery, short tempered, burning indigestion, competitive) benefit from cooling, lighter oils such as coconut and sunflower, or medicated oils such as Brahmi or Bhrangaraj. People of kapha imbalance (lethargic, slow, heavy, overweight) already have physical qualities that oils have (heavy, moist) so can do oil massage in moderation. Herbal medicated oils may be best (find an already prepared kapha massage oil) or use a warming oil such as sesame or mustard. As part of a daily routine, or at least a few times per week, apply the oil (can be heated or room temperature) before your morning shower on your entire body with

fingers and palms. Apply light pressure on sensitive areas such as the stomach or heart. Give more attention and oil to areas such as soles of the feet and palms of hands where there are concentrated nerve endings. Use circular motions over rounded areas such as head and joints, and straight strokes on straight areas such as arms and legs. Spend about 5 minutes applying the oil, and leave oil on your body for at least 15 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30 minutes. It is helpful to have an old pair of sweats, pajamas, or a robe designated for this purpose only, as the oil can stain your clothes. While the oil soaks into your body, you can take time to read, meditate, listen to soothing music, or perform another calming part of your morning routine. Before rinsing the oil off in the shower, it is recommended to take a towel (also designated for this purpose) and rub off some of the oil to avoid clogging the shower drain. Then shower as usual, and continue on with your day. Some benefits will be felt immediately, while longer term benefits such as improved internal health and naturally glowing skin will come over time. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so take time in the morning to nurture your skin, tissues, and internal organs with oil massage. You can purchase massage oils at many health food stores in the beauty/skin care department, or you can go online to Ayurvedic websites such as www.banyanbotanicals.com for oils that contain healing Ayurvedic herbs. You can search online for an Ayurvedic Practitioner or Spa near you to find out which oil is best for your body type. Cooking oils are not recommended as they smell quite strongly and are not created for the purpose of massage. Your health is your wealth. Hare Krishna.ďż˝

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