Month: April 2018

Arun Uncle tells us about the Inside Scoop and History of Benares (Varanasi) Kashi India.

That’s right, Krishna was born in a Jail.  In Mathura/Vrindavan still stands the actual jail where he was born.  Pretty exciting.

It is an outrageous hassle of winding alleyways, scam artists, and all sorts of discomfort to even Find the temple – AND THEN chances are REALLY REALLY high they won’t let you in anyway for a variety of reasons. Foreigners are not allowed, purses and bags not allowed so you’ll probably get scammed and robbed by having to “check your purse” – and again, they still might not let you in if you’re not the the right race/creed/gender/whatever they feel like. A cop saw I had a camera on me (well before I even walked in, especially since they wouldn’t have let me in anyway), instead of asking or saying “no cameras” he shouted and screamed and freaked out as if I was waving a gun or something crazy. Got into a huge tussle over nothing. He was perhaps looking for a bribe. My heritage, my religion – but yet I was born in the USA so can’t see it. Or I prob could have I made a bunch of bribes and endured outrageously abusive police corruption. If you have ANY self esteem whatsoever you’ll skip this. There are plenty of other historic temples in the area that aren’t as shady.

– Watch the Vid!

Perhaps the most famous Hindu story ever, the Ramayana (YES, the one that influenced STAR WARS), was originally written in Sanskrit by the poet Valmiki. In the 16th century, Goswami Tulsidas translated it into  the Ramayan in a dialect of Hindi so the masses could understand it.  He called it Ramcharitmanas (meaning Lake of the Deeds of Rama).  And here we are in the famous temple made on the same spot where Tulsidas did his work.

The Life of Tulsidas itself is a crazy story.  His mother didn’t give birth to him until after 12 months instead of 9 and he was born with a full set of teeth.  This freaked out his parents, and it didn’t help that he was born during an astrological bad luck-omen time …. so his parents abandoned him.  He was adopted by a monk and eventually grew to be a respected holy man himself.

As legend goes, Emperor Akbar summoned Tulsidas on hearing a story that he brought a dead man back to life.  Tulsidas declined to go because he was too busy writing.  He eventually told the Emperor  “all I know is Rama.”  Something you probably shouldn’t tell a Muslim ruler.  So the emperor imprisoned Tulsidas at Fatehpur Sikri. Tulsidas refused to bow to Akbar and wrote the ultra famous and amazing song Hanuman Chalisa and chanted it for forty days – All of a sudden an army of monkeys descended upon the town and wreaked havoc in all corners of Fatehpur Sikri entering each home and the emperor’s harem, scratching people and throwing bricks.  Never mess with a Hindu.

P.S. for those that are interested: Tulsidas also managed to merge both Jnani and Bhakti paths to liberation, although it seems he leans towards being pro Bhakti –  very similar to Ramakrishna (give or take some trivial variables) .  Both also died of horrible diseases 🙁    Both had IMMENSE impact on religious culture as it is today.

Varanasi (Benares or Kashi) is not only an important part of our family history and where my ancestors came from, but also perhaps one of the most famous holy cities in India.  Mentioned in the Mahabarat, The Gospel of Shri Ramakrishna, and countless others, Benares is a city on the bank of the Ganges. I finally got to see the city first hand – as well as the Ganges River (Ganga).  From famous temples to the aarti on the river, magic prana healers, mind boggling pollution, power hungry loser dick cops, to spiritual awakenings – the next several blog posts will be a series of our adventures that took place in Benares.    Starting with this one 😉

! Watch the Vid!

Fatehpur Sikri is a holy place in India, where although a Muslim historical site, draws in Hindus as well because of the magic wish fulfilling nature of the tomb where you can tie a string and make a wish.

By Mary Thompson –

Skin Essentials for Warmer Weather

When the seasons start to heat up it’s best to be prepared

These days it seems as if it will never warm up outside. After all who ever thought we would be seeing snow in April. It’s not everyday temperatures can go from 80 degrees to 30 degrees overnight.

However, given some time eventually things will start to warm up outside and with that comes quintessential changes to beauty rituals. Suddenly what was good for your skin on those cold crisp nights isn’t going to do it any good when the days turn hot and humid.

Below is a list of products that will make sure your skin and hair are able to defend itself during those hot steamy nights.

On days when humidity and perspiration are the norms, heavy moisturizing products may be the last thing it needs

For most people rising temperatures equal days on the beach to get a little sun and soaking up that vitamin D. As relaxing as all that sounds one element that isn’t so fun and can’t be ignored is the harmful effects of too much sun.

In order to avoid the devastating effects of sunburns, protection is the key. However, not all bottle of sunblock is created equal. One of the biggest factors which clearly differentiate the types are the amounts of SPF (sun protection factor).

Another element essential to sunblocks is a waterproof quality. Since, what good is that protection going to do if it gets washed off in the water?

AMIKA The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray ($25.00) https://www.sephora.com/product/the-shield-style-extending-spray-P409138?skuId=2035111&icid2=products%20grid:p409138: There’s nothing worse than sticky hands and residue after trying to evenly apply sunblock. To make things worse the whole point of sun protection goes down the drain when the protection melts away from heat and humidity.

This product will do neither of these things. Its anti-humidity capabilities will help it stay on in even the most horrendous of weather. The fact that it can be sprayed on allows for targeted application as opposed to large amounts ending up on hands and ultimately being rinsed off.

As it is with most Sephora products you can rest assured that it’s completely free of phthalates and sulfates.

COOLA Mineral Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 ($26.00) https://www.sephora.com/product/mineral-sport-sunscreen-stick-spf-50-P418626?skuId=1949726&icid2=products%20grid:p418626: This is the perfect product for rest and relaxation as well as fun in the sun or water activities. It’s gentle enough to be used on just about any skin type, while at the same time staying put to both humidity and water.

The application is exact and simple as well. Just when things couldn’t get any better, this product is completely free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates.  

Skin may not dry out but hair sure will

Taking a dip to cool off may be an activity so many look forward to, but what most people don’t realize is that this addictive repetitive activity can be torture on hair. Which after a short time can ultimately result in severe dryness to hair and scalp.

These products can act as an invisible shield against the once unavoidable damaging effects of salt water and chlorine.

Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three ($11.50) https://www.paulmitchell.com/paul-mitchell/clarifying/shampoo-three/: Nothing thoroughly cleanses hair and scalp better than a good quality clarifying treatment. It’s one thing to get rid of residue which can be the result of serums, masks and creams, but ridding your locks of chlorine is another story.

This lightweight yet sudsy lather shampoo is specially made for ridding your locks of chlorine and other harmful effects of taking frequent dips in the pool or the beach. In addition to thorough cleansing, your locks and scalp of drying outside effects will be a thing of the past.

After a simple cleansing process of later rinse repeat, condition and style as usual. Thus, leaving hair full of shine and body.

Now really having some fun in the sun is possible

Most people believe in the misconception that fun relaxing days at the pool or beach for a swim or just to catch some sun comes with the consequences of sunburns and damage to scalp and hair. Needless to say, those burdens which so many of us have just come to expect are now a thing of the past.

All it takes is the right product that not only come at the right price but will do you a lot of good as well.

Mary Thompson