For the corresponding video please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N7LBNczSOc
10/20/2011 12:45 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: logs in on 10/20/2011 12:45 pm (et).
10/20/2011 12:46 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Namaste
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10/20/2011 1:00 pm (et) Moderator: Welcome! This is Rebecca from the InterFaith Conference (IFC) and I will be your moderator. Let me explain how this will work. On the right, you will see a video playing of our current topic to get the conversation going. If you have a comment and/or question send it along to me, the moderator. As long as I deem it appropriate, the comment will be posted to everyone and the speaker will have the opportunity to answer your question.
10/20/2011 1:01 pm (et) Moderator: Today, our topic is ‘Reflections on Diwali’ with Bhavna Shinde Hurley, spokesperson for Forum for Hindu Awakening and Hinduism Education Coordinator at the Durga Temple of Virginia. For more information go to http://forumforhinduawakening.org/.
10/20/2011 1:01 pm (et) Moderator: As always, I would like to remind you of the rules of our engagement. This is a respectful place where we come together to learn more about the religions of the world. Whether you agree or disagree, we welcome your comments and questions that are posed in a respectful manner. Please no profane or offensive remarks, they will not be posted. Also, this is a place of learning, so please refrain from ‘soapboxing.’ If there are any issues or questions about this, they can be submitted along with the comments pertaining to our topic. I am here to make this a pleasant and educational experience for all, so enjoy and remember there are no stupid questions, just hostile ones!
10/20/2011 1:02 pm (et) Moderator: You can now view the beginning comments on the right. As you listen, please feel free to start sending questions or comments (YES, we want your comments). Also, the video will remain within the sidebar, so feel free to return to it as you wish. Our chat window automatically refreshes to keep the flow going, but if you wish to view the whole of the conversation, just hit the archive button. And lastly, PLEASE do not use double quotes as it leads to some issues
10/20/2011 1:03 pm (et) Vikings: private message to Moderator: logs in on 10/20/2011 1:03 pm (et).
10/20/2011 1:05 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: logs in on 10/20/2011 1:05 pm (et).
10/20/2011 1:10 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: These three days are a single festival correct? What binds the three specific days together? Is there a common theme?
10/20/2011 1:11 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Yes, the three days come under the festival of Diwali or more correctly, Deepavali.
10/20/2011 1:11 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Deepavali means a row of lights.
10/20/2011 1:11 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: On these 3 days, the celebrations involve lighting of rows of lamps for various purposes.
10/20/2011 1:11 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The lamps are wick lamps and use oil.
10/20/2011 1:12 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The theme is to go from (spiritual) darkness or ignorance about one's divine nature to the (spiritual) light of Knowledge about the divine and self.
10/20/2011 1:13 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The festival also celebrates the triumph of the divine or Righteousness (Dharma) over evil,
10/20/2011 1:13 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as Hindus celebrate the victory of their revered Incarnation Krushna (Krishna)
10/20/2011 1:13 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: who slayed the evil demon Narakasur
10/20/2011 1:14 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and vanquished the demon king Bali
10/20/2011 1:14 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: (hope this answered your question
10/20/2011 1:16 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: there are so many meanings to this festival. What meaning was the original, first or oldest? What is the history of this festival (when was it first celebrated by Hindus)?
10/20/2011 1:17 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The original meaning is the spiritual meaning
10/20/2011 1:17 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: namely, of going from spiritual darkness to spiritual light.
10/20/2011 1:17 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Yes definitely, I was also interested in how far reaching these triumphs are. Hindus are celebrating the triumph over evil, is this the triumph of evil for the world or just Hindus say?
10/20/2011 1:17 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Like when you talked about using the broom to sweep away pverty, is this hoping to sweep away the poverty of all?
10/20/2011 1:17 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Yes, indeed
10/20/2011 1:18 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The festival came to be celebrated in the times of Krushna as concerning the two days called Narakchaturdashi and Balipratipada.
10/20/2011 1:18 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: I find it interesting that the Hindu lunar calendar apparenly has each month begin on a full moon rather than the new moon, as seems more common to other lunar calendars (e.g the Jewish and Muslim)
10/20/2011 1:18 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The festival, while celebrated by Hindus, is really for universal benefit.
10/20/2011 1:19 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The Hindu months begin with the new moon
10/20/2011 1:19 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and end in the no moon after 2 fortnights, the bright and the dark.
10/20/2011 1:19 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: In some Hindu communities, hailing from North of India,
10/20/2011 1:20 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the calendar month may end in full moon, but it always
10/20/2011 1:20 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: begins with the new moon.
10/20/2011 1:20 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: So, this might be a bit off topic, but since it is such a question in my own tradition, I'm wondering what the answer to this is in Hinduism. Since this is celebrating the triumph over evil, where does the evil we experience in life come from?
10/20/2011 1:20 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The lunar system of measuring time is considered to be more accurate than the solar system.
10/20/2011 1:21 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: In the Hindu Scriptures, it is said that nature is a reflection of human mind.
10/20/2011 1:21 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Thus, what we see around us, in the current times, predominantly negative,
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: is a reflection of the decline in the spiritual level of individuals and society at large
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: due to a lack of spiritual practice.
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Evil, such as hurting others, crime, etc., ultimately starts from within the person.
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Of course, in Hinduism
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: we have the concept of afterlife and subtle regions
10/20/2011 1:22 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said:
10/20/2011 1:23 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: There is some difference
10/20/2011 1:23 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: in the calculation of the almanac
10/20/2011 1:24 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as mentioned in the video it will begin for some on the 25th
10/20/2011 1:24 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the lunar almanac.
10/20/2011 1:24 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Hope this has clarified it a bit.
10/20/2011 1:24 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Going back to the question in terms of the time period this started
10/20/2011 1:25 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the latest Incarnation is Krushna
10/20/2011 1:25 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and that was over 5000 years ago.
10/20/2011 1:25 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: is this one of the oldest Hindu festivals?
10/20/2011 1:26 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: No
10/20/2011 1:26 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: As Hinduism is very ancient
10/20/2011 1:26 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: since 5000 years ago was the last of our Scriptures (the Gita, given by Krushna/Krishna)
10/20/2011 1:26 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the celebration of festivals associated with
10/20/2011 1:27 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: much older Incarnations
10/20/2011 1:27 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like Rama
10/20/2011 1:27 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: (considered to be 100s of 1000s of years ago)
10/20/2011 1:27 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: their celebration started much earlier.
10/20/2011 1:27 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: You mention in the video Bali was being punished for giving to the undeserving, what in Hinduism makes when deserving of alms?
10/20/2011 1:28 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: In Hindu Dharma those deserving of charity are those who will benefit others
10/20/2011 1:28 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: so, by the time recorded history begins, many of these traditions are already in place and we really only have legend to give us any earlier 'history'
10/20/2011 1:28 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and not bring harm to others
10/20/2011 1:28 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: such as Saints, seats of spiritual and Dharma education,
10/20/2011 1:28 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: temples,
10/20/2011 1:29 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as well one may give to causes such as schools, hospitals, etc.
10/20/2011 1:29 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: however, the most deserving are in that order
10/20/2011 1:29 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as to how much benefit they bring to society
10/20/2011 1:29 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: accordingly Saints and seats of spiritual/Dharma education
10/20/2011 1:29 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: are the most deserving
10/20/2011 1:30 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: so charity is not a matter of helping those in need but helping those who help others?
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: If the celebration of Divali actually starts on October 25, why did we go to Fed Ex Field for the community celebration of Divali last Saturday?
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes, one can help others in need
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: however, while donating one should make sure it will not be misused
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: such as if the person indulges in negative things
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Does the Dharma go into specifics? I mean we all have very different, and sometimes contradictory ideas of what is to the benefit of society?
10/20/2011 1:31 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: then that donation would be in vain
10/20/2011 1:32 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Yes, Dharma goes into specifics
10/20/2011 1:32 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: such as it prescribes donating to
10/20/2011 1:32 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Saints, seats of Dharma education, such as Brahmins (priests)
10/20/2011 1:32 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as well donating to the needy
10/20/2011 1:33 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: In the order of spiritual benefit received by the donor
10/20/2011 1:33 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: it depends on the deserving nature of the recipient and the spiritual emotion of the donor
10/20/2011 1:33 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the donor should not donate out of ego
10/20/2011 1:33 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: but out of humility
10/20/2011 1:34 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that to begin with everything belongs to God
10/20/2011 1:34 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: he is merely being given the opportunity by the recipient to be an instrument
10/20/2011 1:34 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: in God's work
10/20/2011 1:34 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: That is certainlynot a far stretch from my own tradition, the whole 'don't let your right hand know what your left is doing'
10/20/2011 1:34 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: God, who looks after the acquatic life in the deepest seas is more than capable of taking care of the recipient.
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: so tithe to the church fits with this idea of Dharmic charity?
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: donating to the temples or Dharmik seats
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: So God is taking an active role through the person working for the good?
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: is an integral (and hence) a regular part of the duties
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: for those who follow Hindu Dharma
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: actually
10/20/2011 1:35 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: I'm just wondering if it has echoes in the talk of grace
10/20/2011 1:36 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the donor remaining anonymous is a good practice
10/20/2011 1:36 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as it helps keep the ego at bay
10/20/2011 1:36 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that one has donated
10/20/2011 1:36 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: so it is similar to what you were saying
10/20/2011 1:36 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: let the left hand not know the right hand's doing
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: The donor remaining anonymous is also a feature of other religious traditions
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that shoud be the spiritual emotion of the donor
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that he is a mere instrument
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: so he keeps an attitude of gratitude and humility
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: do a lot of people actually give with the idea of gaining spiritual merit?
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: oh ok
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I did not understand the question
10/20/2011 1:37 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: what does it mean to give the idea ?
10/20/2011 1:38 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Are we talking about my question?
10/20/2011 1:38 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Laura's
10/20/2011 1:38 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: remind me what the reason is behind giving $101 or $501 instead of $100 or $500
10/20/2011 1:38 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: I give so I can gain merit rather than simply giving to help others. The first is ego filled, not the second
10/20/2011 1:39 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: here
10/20/2011 1:39 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: ego can exist even in the feeling that I am helping others
10/20/2011 1:39 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Agreed with you
10/20/2011 1:39 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that to do it out of expectation of merit has ego
10/20/2011 1:39 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: best is to harbor no ego
10/20/2011 1:40 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: but that can come only with conscious spiritual practice and efforts to overcome the ego
10/20/2011 1:40 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: which can come finally only with grace
10/20/2011 1:40 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as ego is all pervading one's identity
10/20/2011 1:40 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Sorry, Susan, what was your question ?
10/20/2011 1:41 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: Re:
10/20/2011 1:41 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes, Laura
10/20/2011 1:41 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Oh, it was actually about some of what you just said. I was wondering how much of a similarity I could draw with the Christian concept of grace
10/20/2011 1:41 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: sometimes it can be linked to the idea of energy
10/20/2011 1:41 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: Grace and no effort to minimize our taxes! The IRS gives US taxpayers the option of itemizing our deductions and an important part of that for me is cash and non-cash charitable deductions
10/20/2011 1:42 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: I have always wondered: WHY 108? What's the significance of that number
10/20/2011 1:42 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like odd numbers are linked with divine energy (shakti) while even numbers with divine principle (tattva)
10/20/2011 1:42 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: 108 has a lot of significance
10/20/2011 1:43 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: it is associated with the multiples of chanting
10/20/2011 1:43 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Hindus do
10/20/2011 1:43 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as it is derived from the number of breaths we take in a certain period
10/20/2011 1:43 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and how much of it should be minimum offered to God
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: by remembering God
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: (at least half the breaths should be devoted unto God's rememberance
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: as well
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: it is derived from the 108 subtle frequencies that hit the earth
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: various regions of earth in total
10/20/2011 1:44 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: Interesting connection: 108, take the zero out and you have 18, which is a significant number in Judaism (because, in Hebrew, it spells the word 'life')
10/20/2011 1:45 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and also it is a multiple of the 6 main internal foes we have within (anger, lust, pride, envy, attachment, etc.)
10/20/2011 1:45 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: oh wow
10/20/2011 1:45 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: so 108 is a cosmic thing
10/20/2011 1:45 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes
10/20/2011 1:46 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Ok, since we are getting off topic a bit anyways, I was wondering how you view Hinduism, if it is a polytheistic tradition?
10/20/2011 1:46 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: actually, only the other day
10/20/2011 1:46 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I came across a discussion
10/20/2011 1:46 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: about this
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: to say that Hindu Dharma is polytheistic or monotheistic
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: none of it would fully describe it
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and the very paradigm would need to shift
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I can simply summarize it for you as this
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: then you can decide
10/20/2011 1:47 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: whether you want to fit it into polytheism or monotheism
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: in Hindu Dharma
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: it is not there is only one God
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: but that there is only God
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: nothing but God
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Sounds like you have the same discussion we have over the Christian Trinity!
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: so everything is God
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde:
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: the divine hierarchy goes like this
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: susan, the question might be like asking is Christianity monotheistic or tri-theistic? To the Christian mind, it's the same one God'
10/20/2011 1:48 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: The Supreme Unmanifest God Principle (Parameshwar)
10/20/2011 1:49 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: from whom emanates God (Ishwar)
10/20/2011 1:49 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: who is also unmanifest
10/20/2011 1:49 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: who further manifests in various principles
10/20/2011 1:49 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: divine principles
10/20/2011 1:49 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like the main 5
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Creation (Bramhaa), Multiplicity (Shakti)
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: One might wonder if the more strict monotheism of Judiaism and Islam actually places a LIMIT on God by saying God is not in the things of this world and does not manifest in many forms
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Sustenance (Vishnu)
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Destruction (Shiva) and
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Bliss (Ganesh)
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: from whom emanate other divine principles
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: various permutations and combinations
10/20/2011 1:50 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like the millions of shades of color
10/20/2011 1:51 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: emanating from the RGB primary colors
10/20/2011 1:51 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: Taoism and Shinto are much the same way - the one (Chi) gives rise to two (yin yang) which gives rise to the Five Elements...
10/20/2011 1:51 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: hmm
10/20/2011 1:51 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: the many are part of the one
10/20/2011 1:51 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I am getting to learn many things today
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: so that God principle exists as per Hindu Dharma
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: in every person
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and everything - animate or inanimate
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: but in differing proportions
10/20/2011 1:52 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Could you explain emanation? I mean Augustine uses similar vocabulary, but I have a feeling it means something different in the context, does it mean there is an actual presence of what has come before it?
10/20/2011 1:53 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: In a Saint or God realized person even much more
10/20/2011 1:53 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes
10/20/2011 1:53 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: Susan: the sun 'eminates' rays of light energy that extend far from the point of origin
10/20/2011 1:53 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like yellow exists as a combination of green and blue
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: oh no
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: that is eminate
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: it is different from emanation
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: but then again
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: my English is limited
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: so what I meant to say is
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like the analogy of yellow coming from
10/20/2011 1:54 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: green and blue
10/20/2011 1:55 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: thus, a particular Deity
10/20/2011 1:55 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like Datta
10/20/2011 1:55 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: has 80% Vishnu (Sustenance) principle
10/20/2011 1:55 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: so the unmanifest eminates divine energy infinitely in all directions
10/20/2011 1:55 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: or like all the many colors of the rainbow come from and are contained in white light?
10/20/2011 1:56 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: in white light we do not see the colors but they are all there, hidden (unmanifest)
10/20/2011 1:56 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes
10/20/2011 1:56 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: like the white
10/20/2011 1:56 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: and other colors
10/20/2011 1:56 pm (et) Moderator: Susan said: Ok, yes it does seem different, I think that is why Christianity tends towards language of 'procession' instead
10/20/2011 1:57 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: I wonder if the light analogy would also work to explain the Christian trinity
10/20/2011 1:57 pm (et) Moderator: Alright, we have just a couple of minutes left, so please finish any concluding thoughts.
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to present about Deepavali, our festival of lights.
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I pray for universal understanding on this upcoming auspicious occasion.
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Clark Lobenstine: Susan, you may want to say much of Christianity rather than Christianity. We are a very diverse group!
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: I like this light analogy. One can make an infinite number of colors out of just three primary and those three primary come from/ are contained in white light
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I invite you all
10/20/2011 1:58 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: to our celebration at the Durga Temple
10/20/2011 1:59 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I'm glad you liked it, Laura
10/20/2011 1:59 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: I too, found it helps make sense
10/20/2011 1:59 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: similarly, the divine can be seen all around us, in countless forms, yet all comes from just one UNmanifest divine source of all
10/20/2011 1:59 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes indeed
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: If you have any suggestions for me to improve
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Moderator: Laura S said: one or many? you decide
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: yes. please feel free to
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: contact me
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: at info@ForumforHinduAwakening.org
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: you can also learn more about this festival and Hinduism at this site
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde: ForumforHinduAwakening.org
10/20/2011 2:00 pm (et) Bhavna Shinde:
10/20/2011 2:01 pm (et) Moderator: Thank you for your participation today. Next week our chat is a ‘Goblins and Ghosts and Ghouls, Oh My!: A Look at the Spirit (s).’ We hope to see you there! If you would like to contact or guest, please contact me at rebeccac@ifcmw.org.
10/20/2011 2:01 pm (et) Moderator: Also, this is a new effort on our part so we welcome your feedback! Any comments will be helpful. If you have any suggestion please feel free to email me at rebeccac@ifcmw.org.
10/20/2011 2:01 pm (et) Moderator: This moderated chat room is just one example of the many programs which the InterFaith Conference is doing. If you are able and willing to financially support the InterFaith Conference’s vital year-round work, please donate now using the donate button on our website – www.ifcmw.org. You can also find out more about us and sign up for our bi-monthly newsletter.
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