WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION -- Friday, Dec. 21, 7-9 pm.

APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day: December 22, 2007

Is there a moment quite as keen

Or memory as bright

As light and fire and music sweet

To warm the winter night?

- Author unknown

You are invited to a light Supper, Solar puja, and Kirtan to celebrate this Solstice Day! 

RSVP appreciated to Shiva Mandir, 303-722-3658, shivamandir@gmail.com.

… This shortest day, 

As promise awakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, fest, give thanks.

And dearly love their friends, and hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now, 

This year and every year.

Welcome Yule!

--From The Shortest Day 

by Susan Cooper

UNIVERSAL WORSHIP SERVICE -- Thursday, Dec. 20, 7-9 pm.

The Universal Worship Service was given in a Divine transmission to the spiritual luminary Hazrat Inayat Khan as a glorious way to bring together all the streams of religious devotion; to honor and amplify the power of each. 

Chai, sweets and savories will be served.

You, the Ultimate Reality, are All in All.Atheism confesses the ineffability of Your Essence.Polytheism personifies Your manifold Attributes.Monotheism witnesses the unity of Your Being.In every God-Ideal an emanation of You shines forth.The heart receives of You as much as it can contain.When the heart is supple it is capable of every form.Then Your manifestations surpass the limitations of belief.
— Pir Zia Inayat-Khan

The 33 Million Gods

We just found a very good explanation for the western mind about the pantheon of Hindu deities via Huffington Post and wanted to pass it on:


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gadadhara-pandit-dasa/the-33-million-demigods-o_b_1737207.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

I’m Rich, Rich, Rich!

As we celebrate Divali today, remember it’s a traditional time to acknowledge our abundance and wealth with a spirit of gratitude. As we send our thanksgiving to Lakshmi, a magnificent Mother of good fortune, beauty and luck, let us not forget all the wealth we truly possess. While we tabulate our monetary and material treasures, let’s also remember our other riches:  

The wealth of friendships

The wealth of opportunity

The wealth of adventure
The wealth of knowledge
The wealth of freedom
The wealth of success
The wealth of happiness
The wealth of love

May your Divali be filled with joy, illumination and generosity.

Namaste,

From Shiva Mandir

Diwali Celebration at Shiva Mandir, Tuesday November the 13th

On the November New Moon, Tuesday, November 13th, from 6 to 9 pm, we will celebrate Divali at Shiva Mandir. 

This is the most festive celebration of the year. Divali is the culmination of the harvest season, a time of thanksgiving for all of our bounty and an opportunity to thank the Divine Mother for all of her gracious gifts. Shiva Mandir’s celebration will include a puja to Lakshmi (the embodiment of abundance and good fortune), a light supper, dessert (the sharing of Prasad), music and gift-giving. Please bring flowers (roses for Lakshmi are preferred) or fruits (pomegranates are especially appreciated) and a dakshina (monetary offering).  

Shiva Mandir is located at 1391 S. Pennsylvania (at Arkansas), Denver, CO 80210, 303-722-3658,shivamandir@gmail.com.

The Story of Divali

Divali (or Diwali), is also known as the festival of lights because the celebration includes lighting the entrances, walls and windows of buildings with candles and decorative lights. In fact, the word “Divali” comes from the Sanskrit “Deepavali,” meaning row of lights. Divali is an ancient celebration observed all around the world including countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. Divali signifies many different things according to the culture and country celebrating it. Divali time comes at the approach of winter, the time of sowing the winter grains; it signifies the renewal of life.

The lights of Divali dispel the increasing darkness of the season.

It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, beauty and good fortune, alights on Earth in all Her celestial glory amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns at this time. The lights of Divali illuminate Lakshmi’s way as She walks through the villages, towns and remote places, blessing homes and businesses with prosperity. Traditions of celebration include:

* Forgiving all enmity and creating harmony in relationships.

* Bathing with special oils and fragrances.

* Wearing new clothes and beautiful jewelry.

* Decorating with lights and flowers.

* Exchanging gifts and sweets.

* House cleaning and renovating buildings.

* Re-thatching roofs and adorning cattle.

* Holding festivals that celebrate illumination, beauty, devotion and artistic expression.

The famous poet Rabindranath Tagore describes the significance of Divali in these beautiful lines:

“The night is black. Kindle the lamp of love with thy life and thy devotion.”

Do Your Friends Know How to Decharge?

Photo courtesy of Sara Mesmer

USING THE ELEMENTS OF NATURE TO RELIEVE STRESS, DECHARGE AND RENEW YOUR ENERGY

Saturday, October 13, 1-3 pm. Location: Shiva Mandir, 1391 S. Pennsylvania Street, Denver, CO 80210

Cost: You will receive some class materials. We ask a donation for your participation. A suggested donation is $10 to cover our expenses. Any amount is appreciated.

In this short, entertaining and hands-on class, you will learn how:

- Every human gets stress and strain from others

- To reduce stress effectively and instantly at home and work

- To identify the symptoms that decharging is needed

- To learn how to use the elements of nature to dissolve stress

- To restore balance and calm in your life

RSVP to Shiva Mandir, shivamandir@gmail.com, 303-722-3658.

Can’t attend at this time? Contact us and we’ll make a special appointment with you.

New Fall Class Announcements! Registration Deadlines Fast Approaching!

We are excited to announce that Shiva Mandir Center for Vedic and Yogic Studies will begin its third semester, September 22 -December 22, 2012. 

The Science of Yoga and the Art of Devotion with Nafeeah Kim, Channing Johnson and Sara Mesmer. 

For class overview, visit: http://www.vedicstudies.org/vedic-studies.html  

For class schedule and course description, visit:  http://www.vedicstudies.org/class--schedule3.html.

Nada Yoga, Raga and Divine Singing with Kabir. 

For class overview, visit: http://www.vedicstudies.org/nada-yoga--raga.html 

For class schedule and course description, visit the following page: http://www.vedicstudies.org/class--schedule.html 

Kundalini Yoga with Hukum Singh

For class overview, visit: http://www.vedicstudies.org/kundalini-yoga.html 

For class schedule and course description, visit the following page: http://www.vedicstudies.org/class--schedule2.html

Sai Shakti Bhajans with Sara Mesmer

For class overview, visit: http://www.vedicstudies.org/bhajan-singing.html 

For class schedule and course description, visit the following page: http://www.vedicstudies.org/class--schedule1.html

The Divine Mother with John (Yamajit) Mayer

For class overview, visit: http://www.vedicstudies.org/divine-mother.html 

For class schedule and course description, visit the following page: http://www.vedicstudies.org/class--schedule4.html

To register, contact Shiva Mandir by email or by phone:
shivamandir@gmail.com
303-722-3658.