May 28, 2012|9:22 am

Altered states of consciousness and other mystical practices open doors in the spiritual realm. Once a door is opened, a person becomes vulnerable to any spirits which come through that door. For example, a seance opens a door. So do animal sacrifices....and all voodoo rituals as well. Astrology is another spiritual exercise which opens a door. Even something seemingly as innocent as placing a Native American "dreamcatcher" above your bed opens a door in the spiritual realm.

A number of years ago a mother heard me talk about dreamcatchers. She told me that her daughter had been having nightmares every night for years. She immediately removed the dreamcatcher from her daughter's bed. The first night the dreamcatcher came down, the nightmares stopped and never came back. Close the spiritual door and you close off access to unwanted spirits.

Hypnosis is basic to the Eastern religions. Prominent hypnotists have estimated that there are probably over 100 different stages of hypnotic trance. Christians should never allow themselves to be put in a trance....regardless of who is leading you into that mental state of relaxation. No matter what obstacles we face, God will help us if we rely upon Him rather than magical or mystical experiences. It is very dangerous to open hidden spiritual doors through hypnosis.

These doors are "hidden" because they are invisible to the human eye. You also don't see the spirits that come through these doors. Likewise, you don't see the Holy Spirit or Jesus when you trust Christ for salvation. Nevertheless, God enters your heart through a door in the spiritual realm the moment you are converted.

St. Paul asked, "Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?" (Galatians 3:2) There is only one right answer. The Holy Spirit enters a person's life through the door of Jesus Christ when that person believes the good news of the Gospel.

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Hypnosis operates on the other side of the ledger. As one New Age author put it, "Hypnosis can be an open door to psychic experiences of many kinds." Born again believers should never turn to psychic experiences to help them solve a problem. God is our deliverer and our defense. God is not the author of hypnosis.

Yoga opens hidden spiritual doors as well. The physical exercises of yoga are designed to prepare the body for the spiritual changes which yoga produces. Some of the reported symptoms of a "Kundalini Awakening" through yoga include: itching, burning, cramping, twitching of skin and body, severe emotional mood swings, anxiety, depression, rage, fear and dread, mental confusion, and even paranormal activity. In short, yoga never produces Christ-centered peace and joy. The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures and our faith in Christ to produce that good fruit....not the mystical practices of Eastern religions.

A person may enter into a seance or hypnosis or yoga with innocent motives. That doesn't solve the problem. When you open a door to spirits, you place yourself in harm's way....unless you are turning to the Holy Spirit. No born again believer should utilize yoga or hypnosis because of the spiritual dangers associated with these practices. Even when facilitated by a "professional," the dangers far outweigh any potential benefits.

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Hypnosis and Yoga Open Hidden Spiritual Doors

Kundalini literally means 'coiled.' In hindu mythology, kundalini is a coiled serpent at the base of your spine that, when awakened, causes spiritual enlightenment. While awakening your kundalini can certainly be a process, watch for a great place to begin!

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How to Awaken Your Kundalini

Launching its third major service project in less than a month after His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda’s coronation as 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam, Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam along with Madurai Aadheenam hosted a joint free weekend multispecialty medical camp on 26th & 27th May at the Madurai Aadheenam premises.In another major decision, the first overseas branch of Madurai Aadheenam ...

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His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda Launches Third Major Social Service Project in Less Than a Month

RICHLAND -- While traveling around the globe, especially in the U.S., one usually passes by diverse religious houses of worship.

In the Tri-Cities, there are approximately 200.

These institutions of worship generally range in denomination, faith and different religious disciplines of the world. Many of these places display informational signs including various worship and service features. Though the delivery of God's scriptural commandments in these sanctuaries may be different, it is presumed and understood that they teach their devotees some form of divine attributes.

One of these commandments is usually about the benefits of service and how this service can bring one closer to God.

Speaking from personal experience, my understanding of this level of service can be misinterpreted by some. In order to help me comprehend it, I consult and search for answers in Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS), the holy book of the Sikh religion.

By understanding the teachings therein, one can visualize that there are basically two types of service: outer service and inner service.

Outer service -- the most common -- is visible, easy and materialistic. Inner service, also known as self-service, is invisible and most difficult because it serves the mind.

Outer service does not provide any spiritual benefit by itself. However, if it is coupled with inner service, outer service may provide benefits.

Inner service brings spiritual enlightenment, which helps one achieve the purpose of life; merger of the mind and soul with its originator, the omnipresent God. This merger process also is known as salvation. Therefore, inner service is what religious scriptures repeatedly allude to in their respective verses.

Outer service, on the other hand, basically means to dutifully serve others to gain personal satisfaction, earn recognition and appreciation. Those who perform this type of outer service only,may develop negative attributes such as ego and greed, which may keep them away from God.

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Serving others will bring us closer to God

Generations of Chinese grew up under the spell cast by Wu Cheng'en's "Journey to the West", the 16th Century adventure epic which is the subject of two major upcoming film adaptations.

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'Monkey' to go West again as cinema power shifts East

Tanjavur, 22 May 2012: Paramahamsa Nithyananda today revealed his dream of an authentic Vedic revival in the new world. He observed that this would happen only if renowned spiritual organizations like the 1500-year-old Madurai Aadheenam played an active role in bringing about this cultural and spiritual renaissance. ...

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His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda Envisions Vedic Revival Through Madurai Aadheenam

With the Tamil Nadu Govt. in India announcing a 40% (Rs.40,000) subsidy on travel costs to Kailash-Manasarovar, the dream of visiting this hallowed pilgrimage spot is coming true for hundreds of Indian pilgrims and seekers.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 22, 2012

The legendary Kailash has been worshipped for millennia by the Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Bons and Jains as the living form of divinity. Located in the trans-Himalayan range in the western corner of Tibet, this breathtaking snow-capped monolith rises to a majestic 22,000 feet above sea-level. The sacred lake of Manasarovar at the foot of Kailash is among the highest freshwater lakes on our planet, located at 15,060 feet and spanning 320 km2 in surface area. Kailash is also the source of four of Asias longest rivers. Well-hidden from the eyes of the causal tourist, Kailash still remains a virgin land of rugged natural beauty.

Devout Hindus regard Kailash as the dwelling of the supreme Lord SHIVA and His consort Devi. Tibetan Buddhists believe this mountain to be the abode of Buddha Chakrasamvara, while followers of the Jain religion worship Kailash as the place where Rishabhadeva, their primary spiritual guide, attained liberation. In the Vedic scriptures, Kailash is described as the earthly manifestation of Meru, the legendary mountain which is the source and axis of the universe. In fact, Hindus consider Kailash so sacred that going around the mountain just once is enough to destroy all karmas and grant the pilgrim the ultimate liberation. Over the centuries, innumerable spiritual masters have traveled to this remote spot in the mountains for the vision of Kailash, including the Buddha and Adi Sankara, the 12th century pioneer of Indias Vedic renaissance.

Says His Holiness Paramahamsa Nithyananda, who heads Madurai Aadheenam, a 1500-year-old spiritual establishment believed to be the worlds most ancient living Hindu organization, You can never capture Kailash in words! Kailash is not merely a place, it is a glorious wordless statement by Shiva Himself! Just as the mitochondria are the energy powerhouses of each human cell, Mount Kailash is the mystical energy powerhouse for the entire Cosmos. Kailash is one of the most powerful energy fields on planet Earth. Over the centuries, thousands of saints have meditated and entered into enlightenment at Kailash, so the very air you breathe carries this intense energy.

Nithyananda, who personally leads groups of over a hundred pilgrims to Kailash-Manasarovar every year, insists that no matter how much has been said and written about Kailash, nothing can come close to the wonder of being personally awakened to the sacred secrets of this hallowed ground. Kailash is your shortcut to spiritual experience. You dont have to be a Hindu or Buddhist to experience this. Kailash is a spiritual superconductor, and anyone who enters its field will be taking a giant leap towards their own enlightenment, whether they realize it or not.

Revered as a living avatar (divine incarnation) by his 15 million followers worldwide, Nithyananda is an accomplished yogi and an adept in Indias mystical yogic sciences like levitation and teleportation. He says, Anything can happen to you in Kailash! Intense kundalini energy awakenings, magical materialization and spontaneous healing of diseases - our group has experienced all forms of energy play here. The important thing is to ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to hold all these energy experiences. During the trip, Nithyananda initiates the pilgrims into a gradual kundalini awakening process, to help them receive and hold the higher energies safely.

Nithyanandas organization goes a long way to ensure a safe trip for their group every year. At least 4 doctors are part of each group, and oxygen cylinders are provided free to those who experience breathing problems at high altitudes. Last year, the entire proceeds of the trip were donated to a non-profit organization working to improve the general safety conditions in Kailash.

For those interested in an unusual holiday, Nithyananda is personally leading a trip to Kailash-Manasarovar between 27 July and 12 August this year. For more details: http://en-yatras.nithyananda.org/

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9534475.htm

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Mount Kailash Comes Closer To Pilgrims, Thanks To Government Subsidies

Paramahamsa Nithyananda, who has recently taken the responsibilities of the spiritual head of Madurai Adheenam, interacts with media, takes questions from critics and explains his future plans as head of the world’s oldest living Hindu organization.Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 19, 2012 Talking to media-persons at Madurai Aadheenam, Paramahamsa Nithyananda shared his plans for the 1500 ...

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Paramahamsa Nithyananda Responds to Critics

Eleven bodhisattvas stand in formation, their heads crowned and their almond-shaped eyes and faces dusted with gold.

The scene could be a reenactment of a painting, or a sculpture in a Buddhist temple or museum. But it's not. It's a scene beheld one recent Sunday afternoon at the shopping center in Yokohama's Noge district and the potential Buddhas are in reality just regular Earthlings.

For the last two years, a Japanese artist named Tetta has been working to re-create the 1,000 more than 800-year-old bodhisattva statues in the Sanjusangendo Hall at Rengeoin Temple in Kyoto using people made up and dressed appropriately and that sunny Sunday she'd brought her workshop to Noge, where 11 volunteers awaited her. "Bodhisattvas are those who are undergoing ascetic training to attain spiritual enlightenment," explained Tetta, of those frequent subjects of Buddhist art and sculpture. She said some people who have taken part in her workshops have described experiencing "instant enlightenment."

"Spending hours for the makeup and then walking around the streets with the embarrassing stuff on" is akin to ascetic training, Tetta mooted.

The 29-year-old artist based in Kanagawa Prefecture asked the 11 participants, including a university friend and that friend's friends at a Yokohama samba school, to meet in a municipal facility in Noge for a workshop on Buddha statues and how to make themselves look like bodhisattvas.

The mortal crew's transformation to near-Buddhahood began with Tetta giving a lecture on four kinds of Buddhist statues including ones of Tathagata (Nyorai in Japanese), who achieved enlightenment, and bodhisattvas (bosatsu), who are humans on the brink of attaining enlightenment. Tetta explained that each of the 1,000 bodhisattvas in Sanjusangendo Hall in Kyoto has a different face, so her plan is to help 1,000 people to transform themselves into bodhisattva lookalikes, then to photograph them and exhibit the pictures in Sanjusangendo-like lines in the future.

"Today, I want each of you to become one of the 1,000 bodhisattvas," Tetta declared, adding that so far she has taken pictures of 853 people made up to look the part.

After finishing her lecture illustrated with slides, Tetta showed the group how to start their transformations by painting base cream and powdery foundation on the face of one of their group, a man named Kenji Suzuki.

Suzuki said he joined in because he had seen "The March of Human Bodhisattvas," an installation-like event organized by Tetta and performed at the Yokohama Triennale last October. "I am interested in Buddhism, but I also thought this workshop would be a rare chance to 'become' Buddha," said the 48-year-old welder.

Next, still using Suzuki as a model, Tetta showed how to apply thick eyeliner around the eyes and then paint in the space between the lines and his eyes in black.

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Artist creates Yokohama bodhisattvas

15-05-2012 11:51 2012 Psychic Spiritual awakening - internal mental shift in power energy light and Intelligence for a greater awakening - Enlight-en-ment - getting Light lighter and lighter every day in every way for healers shamen Indigos starseed Reiki masters students masters gurus teachers and more kirk's daily channel and channeling #58 for May 15/2012 topics: Restoring the flow internal flow healing within Emotional IQ Spiritual IQ releasing the original child hood type traumas and dramas and sub-conscious realities for greater joy and Love and energy flow Visualization - The River backed up or dammed up as an internal energy release being willing to release having permission to release having permission to be present safe to be present letting go of old masks of care taker hero scapegoat perfect child lost child mascot and more aligning with the greater reality of Divine Love - perfect and un-conditional and also seeing our fellow humans as giving "conditional" love and having human defects this way we are not living in a constant dis-appointment but can rely upon the constant Love - unconditional Love of our Higher Power and also live in a clear reality that people may fail us at times to be everything we want them to be turning a human into and expecting a human to have Divine qualities when they dont deifying our lovers - partners - friends etc and more kirk works in person with clients who would like assistance with a Divine Higher connection to their soul's purpose original ...

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#58 2012 Psychic Spiritual Enlightenment - kirk's channel "Safe" to be "Present" 5/15 - Video

16-05-2012 15:24 Lynne discusses further how she came to begin her journey toward spiritual enlightenment and growth; causing the commitment she made, years earlier, to come true! Meditation began of her path. Find out more at:

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Lynne Herod-DeVerges - Beginning the Journey - Video

Author Tenzin Norbu converts a Christian idea into a Buddhist philosophy.Omaha, NE (PRWEB) May 14, 2012 Follow the path to enlightenment. Live a life of universal love. It is possible for every living being to become a Buddha.Based on the idea of loving one's neighbor as oneself, author Tenzin Norbu pens his new book "Ocean of Compassion" (published by WestBow Press). Norbu offers understanding ...

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New Book Asks Others to “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself”

Prayers in Paragon Hall. New iPad apps on meditation centres. A haunted house in which earthly desires stalk you like inexorable ghosts. A "dharma boy band" of singers interpreting their tunes through the spiritual looking glass. Then monks as film programmers picking movies that discuss virtues and vices in diverse voices. In short, Buddhism in a new setting: Buddhism in a mall.

Some ask why. Or others ask: why not? As part of the Sumbuddha Jayanti celebration to mark the 2,600th anniversary of Lord Buddha's enlightenment, Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives together with city of Bangkok will host two major events with the aim to bring the prophet's teachings close to the urban environment and throwing open the door to the study of the religion.

Tomorrow the "Lan Bodhi Festival: Temple in the Clouds" opens at Royal Paragon Hall and runs until Sunday, May 20. In early June, the first International Buddhist Film Festival opens at SF Cinema at CentralWorld, where 30 films with Buddhist-related themes will be shown, including a section of movies curated by respected monks (see sidebar on page 6).

Minus only the ferris wheel, the Lan Bodhi Fair is designed to be a colourful rendition of Buddhist-related activities, with the motif of transporting a temple fair into Bangkok's biggest shopping centre. There will be praying sessions, traditional ngan wat games (dunks, for instance, in which players throw balls at symbolic, wordly vices), lectures, concerts, and booths promoting Buddhist activities. More than 100 Buddhist organisations will come together to enliven the fair, and the underlying concept is clearly to make the thought of Buddhism less boring, more in tune with the pace of urban life, and bringing the religion closer to the people.

The Lan Bodhi Fair _ the title signifies the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment _ and the International Buddhist Film Festival were initiated by Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives, an organisation set up mainly to preserve the writing of revered abbot Buddhadasa Bhikku and to promote the learning of Buddhism. Run by laypeople, the archives have sought guidance from several monks in coming up with the two events. In trying to bring Buddhism into the new playing surroundings, in this case a luxurious mall, the organisers aren't just taking a proactive step in re-adjusting the image of the religion, but also asking devouts to have an open-mind to the new and provocative way that Buddhism might be accessed and appreciated.

Admired by many as a strict and forward-looking cleric, Jayasaro Bhikku is one of the consultants. He told us in an email about the challenge of bringing a big Buddhist event to the unlikely venue of a downtown mall: ''This project is not aimed at promoting or preserving the essence of Buddhism. It is meant to be an open door into the Buddhist world, a portal. It might also be compared to an artistic provocation _ The Paragon Provocation.''

Jayasaro Bhikku is actually the one who initiated the idea of a film festival as a means to promote Buddhism. ''Speaking as someone who considers Shakespeare and Ken Loach amongst his earliest teachers,'' he said, '' I believe in the power of drama to deal with topics like meaning and meaninglessness, love and hate, kindness and cruelty, selfishness and selflessness, justice and injustice, revenge and forgiveness, heroism and cowardice, wisdom and foolishness in stories that engage the emotions and provide memories that last a lifetime.''

At the fair this weekend, at least three new iPad apps will be launched. One of them is a nationwide guide to Buddhist retreats and meditation centres; another is an interactive e-book of the famous Kalanukrom, a timeline history of Buddhism told in paralell with world history, written by Phra Payut Payuto.

Shifting into a more exciting gear, Pod Moderndog, Arak 'Pe' Amornsupasiri and Tul Waitoonkiat are three headline rockers who will perform at the fair. It's not clear how loud they would be allowed to be, but Santi Opaspakornkij, one of the event's publicists, says that the musicians will show the audience how to interpret their songs along the line of spiritualism. Even a love song, for instance, can lead to the lesson of impermanence.

''Buddhism doesn't have to be dull,'' says the publicist. ''This way we hope to reduce the prejudice that some people may still have with learning the religion. We simply try move closer to everyone.''

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Temple fair in the clouds

Bishops Billy and Catherine Baskin, spiritual leaders at New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center, invites the community to the Praise Overflow Weekend (POW) a "very special" two-day outreach event geared to youth and young adults ages 18-35.

"We believe when they [youth and young adults] are reached, they will in turn, impact and aid in the transformation of our city, county and the society at large," said Trolena Brown, a member of the church at 16800 NW 22nd Ave. in Miami Gardens.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. on May 26, with a gospel concert to feature national recording artist Anthony Evans, Jr, recently seen on NBC's "The Voice." Evans is the son of internationally known radio and television minister the Rev. Dr. Tony Evans.

On May 27, the worship service will feature Pastor Jermaine Johnson of Branch Worship Center in Conyers, Ga., as the guest speaker.

Brown said the Memorial Day weekend in South Florida is usually associated with alcohol, crime and violence. "The concert," she said, "will serve as a safe and uplifting alternative to young adults and families during the weekend. Our ministry strongly believes that our efforts will help decrease crime and negative activities , but we need the support of our community."

Everyone is invited to the two-day event. For more information call the church office at 305-625-7246 and ask for Carolyn Banks.

Yoga and meditation

The Universal Truth Center for Better Living (UTC) at 21310 NW 37th Ave. in Miami Gardens, will present the Rev. Ellen Grace O'Brian, a Kriya Yoga instructor, who will lecture on discipleship and awakening spiritual revelations in everyone , at 10 a.m. Saturday.

According to a press release from UTC, O'Brian is the senior minister and spiritual director at the Center for Spiritual Enlightenment in San Jose, Calif., which is a ministry in the spiritual tradition of Kriya Yoga, serving people from all faith backgrounds seeking self-realization and God-realization.

Her lecture topic is, "The Way to Discipleship," and in the workshop, O'Brian will discuss how people can embrace their chosen spiritual path.

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Church offers young people a better way to celebrate Memorial Day

Working at the Opening To Life Studio in Portland, Oregon, Master Roger teaches individuals to achieve balance in their lives, cleanse their karma, be of service to others, and lift the soul to a higher standing in heaven.Portland, OR (PRWEB) May 12, 2012 Open a path to harmony by learning life-transforming practices with Master Roger Givens, Worldwide Representative of Dr. and Master Zhi Gang ...

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Experience the Power of Divine Healing Hands in Life-Changing Workshops with Master Roger Givens

Some retreats involve hot stone therapy and beauty mud baths.

Others offer spiritual enlightenment or just peace and quiet.

Acclaimed Texas singer-songwriters Kevin Welch and Jimmie Dale Gilmore hold out a different promise - a chance to share (and grapple with) the elusive art of song with a makeshift family of about a dozen student songwriters under the expanse of the West Texas sky.

"Music Is a Family: A Songwriting Retreat" takes place May 17-20 at El Cosmico, Austin developer Liz Lambert's vintage trailer, safari tent and teepee hotel and campground on Texas 67 just outside Marfa.

"It's gonna be really cool out there," Welch said. "It's nice to get out in that atmosphere of creativity."

Both men have experience conducting songwriting workshops across the country.

But this is the first time that Welch, who lives in Wimberley, and special guest and Austin resident Gilmore have done one together and in Marfa.

Registration costs $1,250 per person and includes meals and accommodations. For more information, call 432-729-1950; online at http://www.elcosmico.com.

Welch, who holds songwriting workshops nearly monthly in Wimberley, calls the Marfa excursion "a grand experiment." The locale may be new, but he expects the mix of participants to be wide ranging.

"I've had people that are total beginners to seasoned, touring professionals come from Australia, England, Canada, all over the United States," he said. "I've had people as young as 14 and people in their 70s, just anybody who is interested in the whole process and kind of tweaking their awareness when they're writing, whatever kind of song they're wanting to write."

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Songwriting workshop attracts all

For the espresso obsessed (like me), visiting Italy is like journeying to Mecca: Caffeine-loving crusaders seek answers by crossing time, language and cultural barriers to visit the drinks motherland. And although its not a sip from an Islamic holy well, this potent secular beverage does transport devotees to a higher plane if only until the jitters wear off.

Sacred spots are scattered across Italy: Each major city has its own coffee tradition, and limiting myself to one or two would feel as incomplete as sticking to decaf. As a barbecue fanatic must bounce not only between the Carolinas but also through Missouri, Tennessee and Texas for meaty enlightenment, I wont fulfill my pilgrimage simply by slugging a few espresso shots in Rome.

Italy coffee tour: Where to go and what to know

So I select stops that will give me the widest range of coffee and culture: Starting near the rippled canals of Venice, Ill move south to the piazzas of Florence to the bustling streets of Rome and finally to Napless craggy coastline, attempting to parse the cultural code of the cappuccino in its birthplace. Can overcaffeination lead to illumination? Im determined to find out, one ounce at a time.

Coffee and canals

Venices pin-drop silence at sunrise is interrupted only by singing gondoliers, and the mostly pensive calm that settles on the car-free city reminds me that Im on a fanatical quest. I try to imagine wandering these narrow alleyways 400 years ago, when coffee first arrived at the ports, along with spices from Arabia and Africa. Venices first cafe reportedly opened in the 17th century, although the details of where and when vary.

One of its most venerable, however, remains. Caffe Florian on the Piazza San Marco has been an ornate and extravagant shrine to espresso and liqueur-drenched desserts since 1720. Gold glints from every indoor surface and is reflected in the crema, the aromatic foam atop the coffee. This is my first sip of the trip, presented without fanfare, and I half expect it to be something of a life-changing revelation.

A revelation it is, though not exactly of the type Im seeking. The bitterness in this cup implies old beans carelessly brewed; a rubbery aftertaste betrays the robusta, or lower-grade commercial coffee, that infuses the otherwise light, bright espresso. (The latter disappointment proves to be recurring: Italian blends often feature robusta to boost the crema, unfortunately at the expense of flavor.) But the sheer nonchalance of the service, contrasted with the opulence of the setting, makes this feel like a secular tourists visit to the church of coffee.

If nothing else, I know that Im on the right track.

Thankfully, Venice redeems itself in a less ostentatious locale. Not far from the Jewish ghetto is cafe-cum-roastery Torrefazione Marchi. Snuggled among busy butcher shops and pizzerias, this warm little spot is perpetually crowded with neighbors and shopkeepers on the move, downing espresso and biscotti before grunting a quick farewell. A small roasting machine in the back room keeps the baristas in a steady supply of single-origin coffees and custom blends, such as the semi-secret Caffe della Sposa, a mix of beans from eight growing regions. The shot I order (a citrusy Colombian) is speckled with chestnut and mahogany browns, and its sharp fruitiness makes my mouth water. Three sips later and Im out the door in a flash like the Venetians around me, ready for the next espresso, the next cafe, the next stop on my quest.

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In Italy, a spiritual search for the essence of espresso

Free Meditation and Spiritual WorkshopIlupeju Lagos, Nigeria (PRWEB) May 12, 2012 Vihangam Yoga Nigeria conducting free Spiritual and Meditation workshop on every Sunday. Vihangam Yoga- A way to Enlightenment & Ultimate Realization to God.Enlighten your Soul, attain Almighty with wonder of Vihangam Yoga practice of minimum 10 minutes each Morning, evening & enjoy eternal Peace, Happiness & Bliss ...

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Vihangam Yoga Nigeria Conducting Free Spiritual and Meditation Workshop on Every Sunday

A young girl is ordained as a Buddhist nun at Puthi Khorsachara pagoda, where 300 young people lived for a week as monastics. Photograph: Sou Vuthy/Phnom Penh Post

It is traditional practice in Khmer society for young people to be temporarily ordained as monks or nuns at a Buddhist pagoda. The rite is often done as a show of gratitude from children to their parents, and as a way of earning merits during ones lifetime by learning the Buddhas teachings.

Each year, boys and girls ranging from primary school to university students are ordained at Puthi Khorsachara, where they stay for a week to live as monks and nuns.

This year, 300 young people made the journey to the temple 200 kilometres from Phnom Penh.

Soun Sok Chamrouen, a former engineer student at Preah Kossomak Polytechnical Institute in Phnom Penh, participated in the ordaining ceremony to further his spiritual practice.

I decided to ordain in right now, because I want to understand about Buddhas lessons and his advice, which led people to educate my spirit, my family and society peacefully, said Soun Sok Chamrouen, adding that this event also educates Khmer youth to be grateful to their parents.

We want to learn about the two basic beliefs of Buddhism, which are the principles of rebirth and karma, said Vises Sothearath, a young woman ordained as a nun for the ceremony.

For example, the eight steps to enlightenment through the Buddhas way, she said

Thammear Nunth, a high-ranking Buddhist monk and the General Secretary of Buddhism Practice Section at Pannasastra University, said that in the past both boys and girls relied on pagodas to access general education as well as Buddhist teachings.

Now that they are provided education in schools and universities, they seem to be drifting away from Buddhism, he said. This ordaining was an opportunity to connect university students to Buddhism again, explained the monk.

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Students get a taste of monastic life | Lifestyle | The Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia's Newspaper of Record

More than 70 people filled a family meditation temple in Mount Shasta Friday to experience what are believed to be ancient, earthly remains of Buddha.

The 2,600-year-old relics were retrieved from the spiritual master's ashes after his cremation, according to one of two custodians who have accompanied these relics and those of others on a world tour.

Specifically, we have 3,000 relics from 40 masters, said Chris Cowen at the home of John and Patty Cashman before the ceremony Friday. They resemble pearls, but they are actually the crystallization of enlightenment. Simply being in the presence of the relics, you receive a lot of blessings, regardless of one's spirituality.

He said this was the third time the relics have visited the Cashmans temple, the first time since 2003.

The other custodian, Dana Lissey, said her spiritual teacher, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, gathered all the relics. Their world journey is part of a project that offers the relics to the public until they are permanently enshrined in the Heart Shrine of the Maitreya Buddha statue in Kushinagar, India.

His wish was for the relics to travel the whole world so that people could see them and recognize their very positive energy, she said. About 1.5 million people have seen them in the last 11 years.

At the beginning of the opening ceremony to honor the relics' three-day visit in Mount Shasta, John Cashman welcomed all faiths to his temple. Representatives from several groups contributed word and song to the proceedings. Among those were the pastor and choir from Mt. Shasta Baptist Church in Weed, Zen Buddhists from Shasta Abbey, singers from the Mount Shasta Quaker Fellowship, and a minister from the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Siskiyou.

Attendees queued around a shrine in the center of the temple. They paused before display cases containing the relics to read and reflect. Behind each container of relics in a display case stood a card bearing a picture and information about the master whose ashes yielded them.

Lissey said this display of relics represented a range of historical figures from the first Buddha to master Lama Lhundrup, who passed September of last year.

As the procession slowly circled the shrine, a pastor from Shasta Abbey sat with a gold container said to house relics from the ashes of Buddha. It's peaceful, said Rev. Jisho Perry of the feeling that came to him as he held the sacred relics. We meditate on silence. This is a deep silence.

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Buddhist relics draw crowd in Mount Shasta