Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami gives his weekly upadesha in Kadavul Temple at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery in Hawaii. It is part of a series of talks elaborating on the inspired teachings of Satguru Śivaya Subramuniyaswami as found in his book Merging With Śiva.
“How do you avoid unhappy states of mind? By consciously flowing awareness into the radiance, the light emanating from the self-effulgent being within the lotus of the heart. Direct awareness through controlled breathing. Remembering this basic principle, tell yourself that it is there, and soon you will begin to feel it. You will actually cause to grow within yourself a subtle nerve force that will turn awareness into the inner being so that consciously you can feel the Self God, your Śivaness, and its emanation that even now exists within you. In this way you can experience true bliss, true happiness, blissful happiness that does not cycle or fade.“
Today we explored around Iraivan Temple, and while doing so, we noticed that the previously muddy areas are now filled with grass. Our hired workers have been seeding and watering them every day, and now the grass is growing faster, filling in the gaps and making the area look beautiful. As you can see in the picture, there are still a few parts that need some work, so the team will be focusing on those areas soon. Aum.
For decades our welding tasks temporarily took over spaces dedicated to other needs, which wasn’t ideal. Now with the new Hale Hana metal building, the Siddhidata Kulam is able to dedicate a protected space just for welding, including storage for the equipment. The framing and outside walls are done; now the inside walls, ceiling and wiring are being intalled and covered up. To make the most of space, a staircase was built alongside so that the roof can be used for general storage.
Each season during Sadhu Paksha, the monks of Kauai Aadheenam enter a period of retreat and quiet reflection. Morning routines shift to include silent walks through the monastery grounds, offering time to observe and connect with the natural surroundings. This photo collection captures the peaceful environment during this season—sunlight filtering through trees, quiet pathways and the subtle changes in nature that mark this introspective time. It’s a glimpse into the stillness and focus that define these days at the monastery.
“The devotee’s path is to merge—in the totality of his I have seen myself, in a certain state of samadhi, as pure life force flowing through a jungle, through trees, through plants, through water, through air. That is superconsciousness. It is so permanent. It is so real., willpower and life force—into the Self, God, Siva.“
We’ve recently started growing some sprouts in our garden. Mostly we’ll be growing the gold standard of alfalfa and broccoli sprouts. But this first batch is mung micro greens. At this stage of growth, the harder-to-digest compounds are all gone. They get rinsed in a light vinegar solution before serving with food.
From ChatGPT about it:
Microgreens like mung, broccoli, and alfalfa are considered exceptionally good for you because they concentrate nutrients at a stage of growth when the plant is most metabolically active. Here’s why each is so beneficial:
1. High Nutrient Density:
Microgreens can contain 4 to 40 times more nutrients by weight than their mature counterparts. This includes vitamins (C, E, K), minerals (iron, potassium, zinc), and antioxidants. Because they’re harvested just after sprouting, they retain the compounds the plant generates to fuel its early growth.
2. Rich in Antioxidants and Enzymes:
Broccoli microgreens are especially high in sulforaphane, a compound known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens, which may support hormonal balance and bone health. Mung sprouts provide digestive enzymes and bioavailable proteins, making them easier to digest than dried beans.
3. Easier Digestion and Better Absorption:
Sprouting breaks down complex compounds (like phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors), making nutrients more bioavailable. This means your body can absorb vitamins, minerals, and amino acids more easily from microgreens than from unsprouted seeds.
4. Support for Detox and Immunity:
Many microgreens, especially cruciferous types like broccoli, support the body’s detoxification pathways and help balance oxidative stress. Their high chlorophyll content may also support liver function and overall immune resilience.
In short, microgreens are a super-concentrated form of plant nutrition. They’re not just a garnish—they’re a living food that can powerfully support vitality and well-being. Aum.
This was the floor being pressure washed yesterday.
Tools of the trade.
We begin with stone. Today we are installing quartzite from Brazil on the floor of the Stone Bell Tower. It will match the floor of the nearby Silpi Pavilion, which you see in the background in this first photo. Quartzite is a dense kind of stone, which makes it perfect for tropical paths and floors since it does not give a foothold to lichens or molds to grow and it has a slip-proof texture.
