Modern Seers Portal

Beginning from NEXT Sunday (June 8th, 2008), we will change the time and format of Dharma Chakra (group meditation).

We will begin Dharma Chakra at 2 PM Eastern (New York) time and end it at about 3:30 pm Easter time. We want to webcast our group meditation worldwide -- 2 pm Eastern time is 11 am on the West coast and late evening or night in Europe. This has been requested by several students living abroad and in the Western USA.

We will no longer have a potluck dinner afterward. Instead, we will have frequent tantric feasts -- for special dates, celebrations, holidays, etc.

Not sure if anybody has seen or heard of Alex Grey, but he creates some breath-taking artwork. Check out http://www.alexgrey.com/, and click on "Paintings" to see some examples - alternatively, you could search for some of his stuff on images.google.com - amazing!

If any of you would like to strengthen your core, there is a great workout in Yoga Journal's November 07 issue. I have been using it a lot with my yoga classes and it is getting raves!

We had great time at the silent retreat on Sunday, May 18, 2008 to celebrate Buddha's and my guru's birthday. We meditated continuously for 4 hours followed by Dharma Chakra (group meditation process). Several people joined us remotely -- meditated with us in their homes. There was a great sense of peace, contentment, and satisfaction after the retreat (some of it no doubt because it was over :). Join us next time in person or remotely.

Quite a few new people showed up last Sunday for our group meditation. Most regulars did not -- they were celebrating Mother's day. The regulars are great cooks -- we usually have amazing (and mostly organic) food after DC. So, I was a little worried -- and shouldn't have. A student from Canada came to visit and brought us lots of great Indian food -- with cooperation of his mom who we should thank. This continues our tradition of having unfailingly sumptuous tantric feasts after our group meditations. Is someone watching over us?

I am this year's winner of the 5th annual Faculty/Staff Poetry Contest at SUNY Fredonia. I was presented with the "Holy Mackerel" award (a wooden fish trophy), which I will keep in my office for a year (until next winner is announced.

Here is the winning poem:

I remember the smell
Burning smell of sandalwood and flesh
My youth burning away
I remember the heat and thirst
No water near by
No way out through the crowds

His body still burning
His loyal monks will turn him
Add sandalwood for two more hours
Their orange robes and sleeves rolled up

When one knows Samsara and Nirvana are but two views of the same Thing on one paper, one wants to laugh and laugh and laugh. Yesterday, we had a warm spring day and today we have rain, rain, rain. I want to laugh. Happy to be alive. Happy. Satisfied. At peace.