Huge 4x4

So what do you think? Is 2021 going to be a good year? What does the future hold? Most of us are still dealing with a hangover from 2020. COVID-19 is still not under control. We will be dealing with the virus for this year and maybe for years to come. Hopefully the vaccines will be effective against it, but we aren't sure. It is very likely that we will still need to mask up and social distance over the coming year. Even with a vaccine, we could still contract the virus and spread it. And what about the political situation? We are a divided nation politically. Healing these divides will take more than the coming year. It would appear that we narrowly missed losing the democracy that we had created over 200 years ago. Will there be more violent attacks on seats of government in the states and at the federal level? I  think one of the first things we can do to make 2021 a good year is decide to be optimistic rather than pessimistic regarding this year. No, I'm not talking … [Read more...] about How Do You Think the Year Is Going?

Source: Roberto Nickson/Unsplasj It’s no surprise that many of us are terrible at sticking to our New Year's resolutions. And yet, we keep making them, year after year. Why do we do it? Are we masochists? It’s certainly possible to re-engage with a goal and succeed on a subsequent try. There’s also something to be said for that feeling of starting anew: excitement, uncertainty, optimism . A fresh reset. Setting and pursuing a goal can also lead to other meaningful experiences: newly discovered interests and values, chance encounters, or a newfound sense of self-compassion and determination. It also allows us to connect with friends and bond over shared goals or a commitment to supporting each other. Having someone we can turn to for support can make setting New Year's resolutions significantly more enjoyable and keep us motivated and accountable. That said, although the support we receive from friends has the potential to be hugely influential, not all types are created … [Read more...] about How Friends Help and Hinder Our New Year’s Resolutions

I’m a confessed serial conversationalist. One thing social distancing has brought to my attention is the terrible deprivation I feel regarding fewer opportunities for meaningful, in-person conversations. I suspect I’m not alone in this. Source: Photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash Zooming, phoning, or texting just do not provide the same experience as conversation in the physical presence of another human being. These observations may seem like dwelling on the obvious, but because of the pandemic, and for other reasons, we may continue to rely on remote forms of communication longer than we prefer. This raises an issue we need to confront. Do we hold out until the virus goes away, or do we surrender to the fact we need to get better at communicating and socializing in the digital/virtual realm? I reluctantly argue for the latter because even when coronavirus is tamed, another virus may replace it. Developments like unaddressed climate change and civil unrest may … [Read more...] about Conversation Starvation Syndrome

Home Yoga spirituality Faith mysticism Faith Mysticism oi-Staff By Subodini Menon | Updated: Friday, July 3, 2015, 18:21 [IST] No place in India is as mysterious and magical as the Kamakhya temple. The temple, located on Kamagiri or Neelachal Parbat (eight kilometers from Guwahati), is the abode of the supernatural and occult. It is sacred to the tantriks all over India and is home to black magic and tantrik practices. Ambubasi Mela At Kamakhya Temple-The Goddess Who Menstruates Kamakhya Temple is one among the 51 shakti peeths and represents the yoni of Sati devi. It is said that Lord Shiva, furious over the self immolation of Sati devi, danced the dance of destruction (Tandav) and threatened to destroy the whole world. 20 Most Famous Temples In India Lord Maha Vishnu, realising this, cut the body of Sati devi with his Sudarshana chakra. The body was cut into 51 pieces that fell to the earth. Kamagiri is where the … [Read more...] about The Mysticism Of Kamakhya Temple