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On peace

‎‎"Peace is a quality of the soul. It fills the pure heart. Peace is in
 the heart of a desireless person who has controlled the senses and the
mind." Sri Swami Sivananda.
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Famous quote

"There the sun does not shine; nor the moon and the stars; nor do these lightnings shine; nor even this fire. All this shines after that Light; by Its effulgence all this shines." -Katha Upanishad.
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Never worry

‎"All trials and difficulties are temporary. They will pass away. Have faith. Fear not. Worry not. Be cheerful. Contact God by regular Japa, Kirtan and study of holy books." Swami Sivananda.
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Miso Soup

I think just about everyone loves a steaming hot cup of miso soup! With a soothing and mild flavor, miso soup is light and "brothy", not the type of soup that is a meal on its own, so serve as an
appetizer. Miso soup is a quick, easy and light soup and is a staple of
Japanese cuisine. This basic recipe is a simple version of the classic
miso soup you'll find served in Japanese restaurants. Try this Vegetable Miso Soup recipe for a heartier soup, or, try this easy Garlic Miso Soup.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups
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Why « Samsara » ?


(Album Cover for « Samsara » by Christopher Stewart)


Poligraf’s first album will be entitled « Samsara » in reference to the cycle of reincarnation in Buddhist culture.


Samsara is a Sanskrit and Pali term derived from to « flow together, » « to go or pass through states, » « to wander, » and which translates as « continuous movement » or « continuous flowing. »


In Buddhism, it refers to the concept of a cycle of birth and consequent decay and death, in which all beings in the universe participate

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9 days of Mother's worship is over.

Sunday night completed 9 days of The Divine Mother’s worship. We had the perfect Swami Vishnudevananda style celebration. Gajananum from the Devananda Yoga Center in Berkeley, CA did an outstanding job. The food was perfect. Narayan and Hari Das took care of the details.

Swami Vishnu when He came down from the cave to get medical help from His frostbite was first admitted to a Maternity Ward and the next day a Father came over to apologize for His wife’s labor pain and her making noise. Swamiji s

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Autumn

In autumn, we naturally internalize the vital life force of the externalelements—earth, wind, sky, fire and water—and release what we no longerneed. Fall is also a natural time to examine and choose to—or notto—let go of old, perhaps inappropriate, thought forms and patterns aswell. Exploring our breath teaches us about the natural cycles ofreceiving and releasing that balance our lives. Root yourself in thegentle wave of your breath.



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(Untitled Artwork by Fred Bonneau)



« Polygraph » is intended as a portrait of human relationships turning to the sour, hinting at the necessity of constant genuineness. The composition lasts a little over 10 minutes and is composed of the following four sections :


  1. Exposition
  2. Confrontation
  3. Consideration
  4. Vindication

I have a particular fondness for that piece of music. One fine evening many years ago, the TV was on to Robert Lepage’s movie « Le Polygraphe » as I stumbled upon the main motif while tryi

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Swamiji's Feet ...

I think He had a very hard life. Quite a task to bring Yoga to the West. Look at ALL the Yoga there is today. It’s everywhere. In the 1980’s the only place you could openly teach was in a Unitarian church. In public institutions they had to give you space. Swamiji wanted practitioners not preachers. Everything He said has come true except Nuclear war. I was quite fortunate to know Him. Ruby Blue, the last time I saw Her said, “ I know He told you to go to Sivananda and that is right but Vishnude

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Modifying Fate Through Yoga

I see a lot of non-Indian friends on this site. While, their zeal and dedication to Yoga Vidya gives me immense joy, I am not quite sure whether they understand the meaning of Yoga and other terms of Indian Origin in their real perspective. I don't claim to be an expert or an authority on Indian religion or culture. On the contrary, there might be a great number of members who know much more than what I know about Yoga Vidya. However, being an Indian my self, I thought I should blog on some of t

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Epilogue (Juggernaut part 6)


("Steamroller" by dam)



The closing movement of « Juggernaut » is entitled, simply, « Epilogue. »


Inspired by ELP's « Abaddon's Bolero » from their « Trilogy » album, this instrumental piece is based on a single theme that is played in harmony by all the instrumentalists over various but similar chord progressions.


The section starts with bass line and triangle, soon followed by the main theme on guitar, and then the various instruments progressively add their voice to the ensemble. The music cres

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Love is expansion

"All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore love for love's sake, because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live." Swami Vivekananda.
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Multilethalead (Octoccata part 8)

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("Label from a bottle of O·c·t·a·T·o·n·i·c" by Christopher Stewart, using a picture of William Henry Fox Talbot by Antoine Claudet)



The eighth and final movement of « Octoccata » is entitled « Multilethalead » and starts on a ostinato-based progression that slowly morphs into a relentless string of offbeat melodies harmonized by an increasing number of voices, building up to a climactic reprise of the « Lethal Lead » theme introduced in the fourth movement.


The « Multi » part of the section's ti

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Marimbariation (Octoccata part 7)

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("Athletics tracks finish line" by Petey21)



« Marimbariation » takes its name from the brief passage featuring the marimba that leads this seventh movement of the « Symphony of Eights. »


Once the percussive instrument concludes its opening statement, the music returns to more traditional orchestrations as it explores a succession of quirky melodies supported by syncopated rhythms.


The section culminates on a repeated phrase wherein the main riff is a restatement of a previous figure which is now

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Swamiji changes everything.

Bharat had invited Swamiji to Delaware in 1973 and Swamiji accepted. Everyone is expecting to do Asanas & Pranayama from a world teacher a celebrity instead Swamiji spent the class time doing Devi chants. Bharat was really worried as people had paid for something different ! The next day Bharat asked some of the people in the class their thoughts. They loved it.

Swamiji was like a freight train when He did those “His” mantras, they were powerful. Swamiji told us TTC etc. some classic mantras and

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Progigoriation (Octoccata part 6)

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("Nixie eight" by L. Marie)



How on Earth can a musical movement be named « Progigoriation » you ask ? Well, obviously, because it's the prog rock variation of another similar movement entitled « Igorchestral » I emphatically reply. And so it is that the music of this sixth movement of « Octoccata » is closely related to that of the aforementioned second movement, with the noticeable difference that it is orchestrated for a 5-piece rock band comprising of drums, bass, guitar, organ, and synth.


If

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Reoctoverture (Octoccata part 5)

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("behind the eight ball" by eschipul)



The next segment of « Octoccata » is entitled « Reoctoverture. » Basically, this section is a reprise of the introduction, hence the name, as it restates the theme presented therein, albeit through new and generally heavier variations.


The beginning of this fifth movement is intended as a tribute to Gentle Giant as it mirrors the way in which various fragmentary parts progressively recreate the main theme after the middle section of « Proclamation » (from «

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I thought I could e-mail to mailing list the short lectures “snippettes” This action filled everyone’s mailbox and I have stopped this action. You never know until you try.


The lectures will be located at : http://idisk.mac.com/gregg.hill-Public?view=web


I know more about e-mail and computers after this failed attempt.

I tried and it was a great idea.


Peace.

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