Spring 2018 Indian Epics

Suvannamaccha I started here because I am working on a story for my project dealing with Suvannamaccha and Hanuman, who became an item during the bridge construction in the Ramayana according to Thai folklore. Mermaids and Suvannamaccha in particular are strongly associated with luck in Thai culture, and banners of her can be found in many public places in older towns. Macchanu Macchanu is the son Suvannamaccha had without Hanuman's knowledge. Many years after their dalliance, Hanuman and Macchanu are fighting on opposite sides of a battle and see and recognize each other even without having met. Macchanu is described as a half-fish, half-monkey with serious battle skills. Here's an image of what he supposedly looks like. Macchanu Image Source: Detechter Matchanu-class Submarine The Thai Navy actually used Matchanu (an alternative form of Macchanu) as the name for a submarine, and there were a whole category of mythical-name vessels used way back in the late ...

Flow is defined as a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. Absolute attention leaves no leftover worry space, and knowing you're accomplishing something eats up all those little doubts and nagging voices in the back of your head. A FLOW balance chart, between challenge and skill, allows for maximum immersion in the FLOW state. Anything too challenging will cause anxiety, and anything too skilled will cause boredom if the skill is undeveloped. Image Source: Youtube I remember taking my very first art class and feeling completely absorbed in tracing out every tiny vein and crinkle of an autumn oak leaf; three hours went by and and I realized the room was empty and I was alone. That's probably my best ever FLOW memory, and I have cultivated many hobbies over the years which yield that same feeling of total immersion. I have never before considered the balance between challenge and skill providing the FLOW "sweet s...

Matsya's Secret: Only humans can empathize, and exploit Part 1 Manas give humans the ability to imagine, and therefore humans are called Manavas. Manu, the first man, was engaged by Vishnu in fish form. This is a reference to jungle law (the big fish eating smaller fish eating smaller fish mentality). The entire natural world lives by this creed, save humanity. Might is not always right, so we judge. Manu saves a small fish from a larger predator, and in doing so transforms nature. The pot he keeps the fish in represents culture, that which we have changed and created from what would have been only nature. Dharma represents the thought that creates the secure world, and is an artificial construct. Adherence to jungle law brands us or animals as pashu, while rising above, and living beyond the "might is right" mentality brands us purusha, or humans. Pashu could be a potent insult. The pot the fish is stored within brings the concept of property, namely Man...

Expansion of Lord Vishnu (energy) into every component of the universe First video These are quick notes from the first video of 7 Secrets of Vishnu. The symbolism of Vishnu, Mohini, and core ideas of Hinduism are discussed generally. Spiritual growth need not exclude material growth. Central theme of Vishnu lore: spiritual reality (purusha = human) wrapped in material reality (prakriti = nature). Only humans have ability to reflect, imagine, choose (not sure I agree with that) their paths. Both material and spiritual realities are intertwined and complementary, shown frequently as a human couple (dampatya adorning temple walls). Common nouns become proper nouns: purusha becomes Purusha (God). Vishnu (spiritual) and Lakshmi (material) are the yin and yang of reality. Adi-Ananta-Sensha The serpant Narayana sleeps upon Adi - one, waking, first perception of time Anantna - infinity, fully woke, ultimate sensation and full awareness of time Sensha - zero, sleeping, nothingn...

So far, I have not had serious difficulty with completing core assignments each week. However, I work every weekend (usually doubles), and I would very much like to get more done earlier so that I don't come home exhausted to remember my project assignment is unfinished. I get my best work done after school is finished Tuesday and Wednesday (my off days at work), and find I enjoy this class much more when I am not rushing to meet a word count at the last minute.  I have chosen to use some of the audible choices instead of the reading options simply because I do spend about 1.5 hours in the car each day I drive to school (MWF), and that time sure does add up! As it stands now, I am 64 points from completing the course with an A, and I am resolved that I will finish early. I am also planning on completing one comment (blog or project) each weekday, leaving me with only one or two leftover to process during the weekend. If I feel ambitious, I might do two each day and use that EC M...

Krishna I used Epified - The Krishna Story this week for my reading assignment, and was rather surprised to note some of the similarities between Krishna's birth and childhood and that of the story of Jesus. This prompted me to do a little digging to figure out who today worships Krishna, and what the differences were between the two men. Vaishnavism As Krishna is the avatar of Vishnu, those who worship him are referred to as Vaishnavas, and believe in numerous human incarnations, including Rama, Govinda, and Jagannath alongside Krishna. The parallels in Krishna's life to that of the biblical story of Jesus brought me to Kersey Graves' book, The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors, boasting of no less than 346 parallels between the life of Jesus and Krishna. The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors Messiah-types from Egypt, India, Nepal, Syria, Persia, and Rome are just a few of the locations. The biggest takeaway from this book (without reading it, mind you) is t...

There seem to be numerous similarities with the story of Krishna and the story of Jesus, which is impressive considering the serious contrast of Hindu faith with Christianity / Judaism. However, just as many great epic stories have roots in cultures around the world, this is perhaps not as surprising after all. Beginning with events prior to their births, both King Herod and King Kans were warned of the birth of a boy child who would destroy them. No virgin birth happens in the Hindu Krishna tale, but the killings of thousands of baby boys following or preceding the birth of baby occurs. They are both reared among the common people, and multiple tales of miracles accompany each throughout their journey to adulthood. The story of the elderly and disabled woman of faith is very nearly identical to both, as her healing occurs as a byproduct of her faith in their power. Neither marry, as Krishna's realization of his true nature (and responsibilities to the people of this age) preve...