What are the hidden secrets of the living Christmas tree? We can see this symbol of the tree repeated in many places in both art and within our modern culture, but this is a very ancient symbol. The Christmas tree as we know it today started as a tradition in...

Ingredients: For Thai Green Paste: ½ cup fresh coriander leaves and stems 4-6 Kefir Lime leaves 10 Thai green chilies 1 tablespoon Galangal powder 2 tablespoon lemongrass powder 1 teaspoon ginger paste 1 teaspoon ground coriander powder ½ cup fresh basil leaves blanched ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cumin...

Mind Your Senses We often use the term: ‘Mind your own business.’ But how about minding our own senses? If Raja Yoga is mastery over the ‘self’, then who is the ‘self’, and who or what are we supposed to be mastering? There are many stories and poems from around...

Ingredients: (makes 80 pieces) 3 cans of condensed milk (8 oz each) 3 sticks of butter (4 oz each stick) 1 – 1 ½ lb. sugar (can alter quantity according to preference) 150 gm cocoa powder 1 lb. roasted mixed nuts (coarsely chopped) 1 pinch of salt Method: In a...

A different perspective A friend took her children on one of those rollercoaster rides, which took them through the Haunted House. On this ride, they experienced ghosts, scary sounds, sudden movement of the carriages…. all of which made everyone scream. At the end of it, they all felt like they...

We Are What We Eat A vegetarian diet is an essential component of spiritual lifestyle and plays a major role in maintaining the inner tranquility and calmness. It is beneficial at physical, emotional, spiritual and ecological levels. Spirituality and root of all religions believe in Non-violence, and following a vegetarian...

Happy Diwali!! A single Diya or lamp holds infinite beauty and hope. Diwali is a celebration of victory over evil or darkness and the coming of a New Year. But if we think deeply, what is this darkness we want to remove? Light means to follow a virtuous path such...

Ingredients: 100 grams semolina 100 grams sugar 100 grams ghee 400 grams water Cashew nuts, coconut flakes, cardamom, raisins Method: 1) In a saucepan add the sugar and water. 2) Add the cardamom put on the heat. 3) Keep on the flame until all the sugar has dissolved. 4) In...

The festival of Dussehra or Vijayadashami celebrates the victory of good over evil, symbolized in Indian mythology by the slaying of the demon king Ravana by Rama, and by the killing of the monster Mahishasura by Goddess Durga. Every year, effigies of Ravana are burnt on Dussehra, which falls on...

You can’t always change situations. You can never change other people. The only thing you can change is yourself. The eight powers of the soul attained through Raja Yoga meditation are always available to help you in every situation that you will face in life. With self-transformation as your goal, your...