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Sacred Symbols - Holy Ash

2008-04-17T23:28:00.021-07:00

Sacred Symbols
MR PL Rethinam Chettiar

The Saiva symbols are the insignia of Saivism. Like nations and corporate bodies, religions too, have their own symbols. The main object of the symbol is to indicate its principle. The holy ash and rudraksha
are used as symbols by the Saivite to remind oneself as well as to make known to others one's religious creed and practices. Saiva philosophy declares that God,soul and bondage are eternal. When we apply the holy ash on the forehead with three fingers, it is called tripundara or 'three lines'. This indicates that the above three entities are without beginning or end and are eternal. Vendantins of the Sankara school explain the significance of the holy ash thus: "The world is impermanent and death is inevitable and the holy ash indicates this truth". They cite in this connection the statement of Pattinattar, "Even the crowned monarch will in the end be reduced to ashes".

Holy Ash
The Saivites consider the holy ash as an auspicious thing. Thiru Neeru (holy ash) also means 'wealth' Saint Jnanasambandhar in this decade of songs on the 'the holy ash' proclaims thus: "The holy ash brings
About prosperity, it is pleasant to behold, enhances the person so adorned; beautiful indeed is the holy ash." It is clear then that the idea that the holy ash reminds one of transience and is therefore inauspicious is not the view of the Saiva saints.
These saints do accept the transience of the world but the holy ash does not indicate such transience.

Aim of Saivism
The objective of Saivisn is the destruction of the three impurities of the soul, anavam, kanmam and mayai and thereby lead the soul towards bliss, Sivananda. The cow dung stands for the impurities. Burning it in fire represents the destruction of the thee impurities by the fire of knowledge. The white colour of the holy ash stands for the experience of unalloyed bliss.
Arumuka Navalar of Jaffna explains this idea in his Saiva vina-vidai.

Application of Holy Ash
Those who have been duly initiated may smear the holy ash mixed with water in the morning, noon and evening. At other times the ash as it is can be smeared over the body or applied in the form of tree lines. Those who are not initiated can also apply the ash mixed with water but only in the morning. At other times the dry ash can either be simply smeared over or applied as three lines. Whenever the holy ash is mixed with water it can be applied only in the form of three lines. The dry ash can be applied either way.

Basically, the holy ash can be worn at any time. It is recommended that it be applied as soon as one gets up in the morning. Some may wonder if it is proper to do so, especially without bathing or washing up. As the ash is considered holy and auspicious, there is no pollution attending to it under any circumstances. Obviously, after a bath there is a sense of cleanliness and some may prefer to apply the holy ash only after a bath. The important thing to remember here is that the holy ash be worn as long as possible if not at all times.

Many people feel that in a modern environment it may not be possible to adorn the forehead with the holy ash all the time. They consider it particularly difficult in a cosmopolitan society.

Well according to Jnanasambandhar, a similar predicament was faced by the Pandyan queen Mangayarkarasi in her time. She could not openly wear The holy ash as her husband himself had embraced Jainism and frowned upon Hindu customs. She opted to apply the ash on her chest and covered it with her garment. Going by that precedent those who feel today they cannot openly wear the holy ash may apply it on their chest under their clothing.
However, when they go to the temple or attend auspicious ceremonies outside, and certainly when they stay at home, they can make a special effort to wear the holy ash on their forehead. This effort will serve two purposes: One, to receive the direct benefits of wearing the ash and the other, to reinforce their religious identity. As to the exact procedure of applying the holy ash, this is how it goes: One should take the holy ash with the right middle three fingers, face the northern or eastern direction, lift the head up, utter the words 'Siva Siva' or 'Sivaya nama' and then either simply smear the ash or apply it as three lines. One should avoid taking the ash with one finger and applying it like a streak or as a circular dot. As Cekkizhar records in his poems, Jnanasanbandbar "applied the holy ash on his forehead thickly and fully."

While applying the holy ash with three fingers one should take care that there is no bend or breach in the streaks. The space between the lines should be even. There is a reason for applying the holy ash facing north or east. Mount Kailasa, the holiest of the Savite pilgrimage centres, is in China - north of where most Saivites live. The sun rises in the east Thus, both these directions are considered auspicious. The three streaks of the holy ash also have another symbolism: The first one represents purity in thought the second purity in speech and the third purity in action.

Purity in thought is marked by the absence of jealousy and duplicity and observance of love and humility. Purity in word consist of avoiding falsehood, harshness of expression, and observance of truth and sweetness of expression. Purity in action is characterised by avoidance of liquor, drugs , non-vegetarianism, lust, and extra-marital relationships, and on the positive side it means the control of senses, wearing dean clothes and keeping a clean body.

In short, the holy ash is a reminder to everyone of us that we should pursue the path of Truth.

Distinction of Caste
Saivites both in Tamil Nadu and in other countries are found to be caste conscious. Our saints and seers looked upon the holy ash as a means to negate caste distinctions. The saints of our holy Thirumurais have stated that we should pay due respect to anyone with the holy ash on him, regarding him as "our brethren, fellow believer and servant of Lord Siva"

Effect of Holy Ash
The holy ash is a constant reminder that a person is striving for divine grace. We should not ignore it in a lighthearted manner thinking that it is just a symbol. Only if we show due regard to the outward symbols, would lofty ideas flourish in our inner mind if we care for religious sentiments we must necessarily wear the holy ash.

Saffron and Sandal Paste
Holy ash is the primary symbol of Saiva religion. Saffron and sandal paste are only auxiliaries to the holy ash. We use saffron to suggest tat divine grace is auspicious. The sandal paste suggests that the divine grace is extremely comforting.

Rudraksha
The rudraksha that saivites wear round their necks is another major Saiva symbol. The puranas speak about the rudraksha as symbolizing compassion. When the demons of Trip pura (triple cities) harassed the gods, the latter appealed to lord Siva for help. When Lord Siva listened to their tales of woe, drops of tears rolled down from His eyes. Those drops turned into the rudraksha beads. Rudraksha reminds us that we should express our deep concern when we come across the sufferings of people.

The basic concept of Saivism is compassion. "Be kind to every living being" says Saivism. As there is no virtue higher than compassion, rudraksha which represents compassion is indeed a lofty symbol. We see some people wearing the holy ash and taking meat. But there is virtually none who wears rudraksha and eats meat. Thirukkural proclaims truth and non-violence as great virtues. The holy ash stands for abstinence from falsehood and rudraksha for non-violence.

Wearing Rudraksha
As with the holy ash, we should try to wear rudraksha at all times. Rudraksha beads are obtained from a tree. The beads, strung in silk or golden thread, can be worn on the head, neck, ears, arms and hands. The beads should be so strung that they face each other.

Indispensability of Symbols
Some people hold the view that the use of symbols is not necessary. They argue that inner purity is important and outward symbols are not necessary and it only serves the purpose of differentiating us from the followers of other religions. We should remember that though one may have inner purity it is the external purity that makes us intensely aware of it Differences in language, food or the colour of a person will persist at all times. Instead of saying that all those differences should be removed, it is best that we should learn to respect each other. Differences in religion are bound to exist in the world. In these circumstances, there is no compulsion for anyone to abandon using religious symbols. As stated already, though there may be some difficulty in using religious symbols while at work or at school, we can use the religious symbols without inhibition in our homes and temples and on auspicious and festive occasions.

Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi - AMMA

2008-04-17T23:28:00.019-07:00

Love, compassion, empathy and tolerance--under the pressures of modern life, these qualities have all but disappeared. Through Her loving embrace and charitable activities, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (affectionately known as Amma or Mother) is healing the heart of the world, rekindling love and mutual respect, and awakening people to their fundamental oneness.

Through Her extraordinary acts of love and self-sacrifice, Amma has endeared Herself to millions. Tenderly caressing everyone who comes to Her, holding them close to Her heart in a loving embrace, Amma shares boundless love with all. Be they young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor--everyone who comes to Her receives the same unconditional love.

Amma's compassion crosses all barriers of nationality, race, caste and religion. She has initiated a vast network of charitable activities, which is drawing attention throughout the world. At the root of these services lies Amma's teaching that the Divine exists in everything--in every person, plant and animal. Perceiving this unity is the essence of spirituality and the means by which to end all suffering. It is through this simple, yet powerful message that Amma is transforming our world, one embrace at a time. In the past 33 years, Amma has physically embraced more than 24 million people.

Amma's teachings are universal. Whenever She is asked about Her religion, She replies that Her religion is Love.

She does not ask anyone to believe in God or to change their faith, but only to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves.

Paramahansa Yogananda Yogi

2008-04-17T23:28:00.017-07:00

Paramahansa Yogananda was born on 5 January, 1893, near the Himalayas, in Gorakhpur. His parents, brothers and sisters were all saintly and pious, but Mukunda (the boyhood name of Yogananda) was unique amongst all of them. He displayed his spiritual gifts and powers even from his childhood.

His line of Gurus descended from Babaji, the deathless Guru said to be the reincarnation of Lord Krishna. Babaji?s disciple was Lahiri Mahasaya, who in turn had as his disciple, Sri Yukteswar. It was Sri Yukteswar who was destined to be the spiritual master of Paramahansa Yogananda.

For ten years Yoganandaji trained for his high duty at the Ashram of his Guru, pursuing his university career at the same time. After his rigorous training, filled with the light of God-vision, he was now ready to undertake the mission entrusted to him by his line of Gurus.

The education of the youth was always dear to the heart of Yoganandaji. He set up his first school in Bengal in 1917. Its curriculum includes the standard high school subjects as well as Yoga concentration, meditation and the Yogoda system of physical development.

In 1920, Yoganandaji went to America as a delegate from India to the International Congress of Religions at Boston, and from then on America became his home. Five years later he founded the Self-Realization Fellowship with its head quarters at Mount Washington, Los Angeles. In his famous Autobiography of a Yogi, Yoganandaji has given graphic descriptions of his spiritual experiences and his contact with the great Yogis of India. This book has since become one of the greatest spiritual classics in the world and has been translated into many languages.

Paramahansa Yogananda had a broad and liberal heart. Even though he himself was a great Master, he approached other saints with great reverence.

Kriya Yoga was the method of God-realisation taught by Yoganandaji. His mission in the West was to spread the knowledge of Yoga practices, by which man can enter into union with God. Yoganandaji also gave new explanations to the teachings of the Bible, showing the similarity of its teachings with that of Hinduism. He promoted the cause of a better understanding between the East and West. Numerous students got personal instructions in Yoga teachings in the classes conducted by him in his ministry of thirty-two years. He spoke in churches, societies, universities and clubs.

In 1935, Yoganandaji?s class instructions were published in the form of lessons and mailed to students all over the world. In India the same teachings were spread by the Yogoda Satsanga Society, with its headquarters at Dakshineswar.

The Self-Realization Fellowship today has hundreds of centres throughout the world. There are seven large centres in California, where renunciates stay to serve and practise Yoga. A number of trained monks tour all over the world, giving discourses and Kriya Yoga initiation to students.

Besides giving instructions on Yoga and balanced living, SRF also conducts many social services, especially in India.

Yoganandaji attained Mahasamadhi on March 7, 1952. The great Master showed his power over death, for his body did not decay for many weeks.

God & Science!

2008-04-17T23:28:00.015-07:00

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his
class on the problem science has with God, The
Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and

Prof: So you believe in God?
Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?
Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?
Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he
prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt
to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is
this God good then? Hmm?
(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start
again, young fellow. Is God good?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?
Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From...God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in
this world?
Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did
make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?
Student does not answer.

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the
world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?
Student has no answer.

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to
identify and observe the world around you. Tell me,
son...Have you ever seen God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?
Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your
God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory
perception of God for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?
Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable,demonstrable
protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What
do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science
has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this
turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more
heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little
heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called
cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no
heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is
no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to
describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure
cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of
heat,sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there
such a thing as darkness?
Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the
absence of something.You can have low light, normal
light, bright light, flashing light....But if
you have no light constantly, you have nothing and
it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness
isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness
darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young
man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise
is flawed.
Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of
duality. You argue there is life and then there is
death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the
concept of God as something finite, something we can
measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.
It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen,
much less fully understood either one.To view death
as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact
that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.
Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of
it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students
that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural
evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your
own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile,
beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process
of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this
process is an on-going endeavor, are you not
teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist
but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever
seen the Professor's brain?
(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there an yone here who has ever heard
the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it?
No one appears to have done so. So, according to the
established rules of empirical, stable,demonstrable
protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your
lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the
student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith,
son.
Student: That is it sir... The link between man &
god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving &
alive.

WANT TO KNOW WHO THAT STUDENT WAS?
Answer:
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the present president of India.

THAT WONDERFUL ARCHITECT

2008-04-17T23:28:00.013-07:00

THAT WONDERFUL ARCHITECT
(by Swami Sivananda)

Who has built this marvellous body-palace?
The architect of this wonderful body
Has shown the greatest skill
In building this body.
He is the Architect of architects.
The outside arches of buildings
Are nothing when compared to the arches in this body,
A few fragile bones are joined together;
An arch is formed in the foot.
It can support a weight of two or three maunds.
A tiny nerve moves the muscles of the face
Which express various emotions of the mind.
What a grand marvel!!
Look at these delicate organs: eye, ear, etc,
A small aperature in the eye
Admits huge mountains to the vision.
This greatest Architect is the Lord
Who dwells in the chambers of your heart.
Glory to this great Architect of architects!
Prostrations to this wonderful Architect!

Tulasi

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1) Just by looking at you (Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just by touching you, one's body becomes pure. By praying to her, all diseases practically become removed. If one waters her or makes her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed. Just by planting or transplanting, one achieves nearness to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, she awards liberation and devotion to Him, therefore I pay my humble obeisances to such a wonderful Tulasidevi.

2) If someone daily goes around Tulasi and pays obeisances to her, there is no more sin to be destroyed in him.

3) Any person who daily sees Tulasi, touches Tulasi, chants Tulasi's prayers, meditates on Tulasi, pays obeisances to her, hears about her, transplants and worships her, he achieves all auspiciousness. Any person who does these nine kinds of service goes to the abode of the Supreme Lord Hari and remains there eternally.

4) In Kali-yuga, Tulasidevi burns up all of a person's sins who bathes her, gives her in charity, meditates on her, eats her leaves, worships Lord Sri Kesava with her, transplants her or sings her glories.

5) Oh best of the Vaisyas, seeing Narmada, taking bath in the Ganges, and touching Tulasi leaves are equally meritorious. If somebody plants, protects, waters, sees or touches Tulasi, then that person's sins acquired by body, mind and words are burnt into ashes.

6) In any house where Tulasi Maharani is very carefully protected and watered, the messengers of Yamaraja give up that house from a distance.

7) Oh king of the birds (Garuda), anyone who has planted a garden of Tulasi, either in the forest or in the house, I truthfully say that he has won the seven planetary systems.
8) Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his body, if the mud from Tulasi is available, they are not just men, but they are equal to the demigods. Oh best among the sages, in anyone's house, if there is the clay of Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and Tulasi leaves available, that house is certainly a place of Lord Visnu.

9) Leaves of Tulasi, flowers of Tulasi, fruits of Tulasi, branches of Tulasi, bark of Tulasi, sprout of Tulasi, blossom or bud of Tulasi, and clay of Tulasi are all completely purified.

10) If anyone daily has Tulasi leaves on his navel, in his mouth, on his head, or on both of his ears, what is the use of him going to the places of pilgrimage in this world?

11) Even if a most sinful hunter eats a Tulasi leaf and dies afterwards, whatever sins he has in his body turn into ashes. As whitish and blackish water (Ganges and Yamuna water) remove all kinds of sins, in the very same way, white (green) and black Tulasis removes all kinds of sins, and if he eats these leaves (after offering them to Lord Krsna), all of his desires are perfectly achieved.

12) Any person, in his young age commits thousands of sins but later on eats a Tulasi leaf, he becomes free from all sins. This narration was heard previously near Lord Sri Hari.

13) What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi? Her fallen leaves, her rotten leaves and her water, even if fallen (mixed with her mud?) is purifying. If even a minute quantity of the mud which has emanated from the Tulasi root has been placed on one's head, all of one's sins are removed. Although Tulasi is so glorious (and her leaves are so purifying), still Vaisnavas never eat Tulasi leaves without first offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

"Anyone who has received initiation in the Vaishnava mantras is obliged to engage in regular worship of the Deity, including offering all he eats to the Lord. When devotees make such food offerings, they should remember to place tulasi leaves or flowers on them because Lord Vishnu does not accept any food without tulasi. Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and
thus her leaves and flowers are also most dear to Him. The term vrkrcvatra, meaning the Lord's incarnation meant for accepting worship (arcvatra) in the form of a tree (vrka) is applied to Tulasi Devi. Her leaves and flowers are therefore prescribed as an essential part of the worship of the Lord's other arcvatra, i.e., the deity form of the Lord in the temple.

These regulations are found in all the scriptural texts that describe the procedures by which one is to worship such deity forms of the Lord."

Vedic Culture- Scientific Findings of Hinduism

2008-04-17T23:28:00.009-07:00

Some Scientifically Proved Findings of the study Of Our Vedic
Culture. Recently a programme was held, where these findings were explained by Dr.Gopalakrishnan [Indian Council of Science reasearch], Dr. Sasikumar of ISRO Hydrebad and Anujan Bhattathiripad.

The Instrument to measure the positive energy was first found by the Russians. The maps of the underground water lines were lost. They invented a device, two 'L' shaped rods which would deviate from each other if pointed towards an object that has positive energy. As flowing water has positive energy, it was easy for the Russians to find the water lines. So the government approved this as an authentic proof
for measuring positive energy.

1.The effect of going to the Temple.

In the temple, the Sanctum sanctorum is completely enclosed on three sides.The effect of all energies is very high in here. The lamp that is lit radiates the heat and light energy. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers gives the sound energy. The fragrance from the flowers,the burning of camphor and incense sticks give out the chemical energy.The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that comes out of the idol. The water that is used for the pooja is called "holy water or Theertham" because it
receives the positiveness of all these energies.When people go to the temple for the Deepaaraadhana, and the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the people who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the people passes on the energy to all. That is the reason why, men are not allowed to wear shirts to the temple and ladies have to wear more ornaments because it is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed in ladies. It is proved that
Theertham is a very good blood purifier,as it is highly
energised.Hence it is given as prasadam to the devotees.

2. Worship of Tulasi and Peepal Tree [aalmaram}

Tulasi should be worshipped by prostrating before it.As it is not tall the oxygen passed out from the plant, along with its
positive energy, can be obtained only at the lower level. Whereas the Peepal tree should be worshipped by going around it, to get the full effect of the oxygen and the positive energy. The oxygen layer is very close to the leaves of the tree and as these leaves shake at the slightest breeze,it passes the energy more effectively. While going round the tree, our negative energy passes out of us through our
right side and is absorbed by the tree and transformed into positive energy. This is passed on to us when we go round the tree.

3. Measuring the energy.[This is measured with a pair of 'l'shaped rods held horizontally facing the object to be tested]

a. All flowers that are used in the temple for Pooja are proved to have positive energy.

b. Gingely oil [Nallenna] is proved to have more positive energy than other medium. Hence, best for lighting the lamp.

c. The fresh sandalwood paste given from the temple has more positive energy than the one, which is kept for a day or two. d. The use of the traditional wick lamps is very effective in passing out the energy, as there is a regular movement for the flame. The energy is passed out through the waves of movement. So the lighting of electric lamp does not serve the purpose of passing the energy.

4. Aura and its Measurement. There are various rings around us that form the aura of our body.

The first is our 'SAREERA' OR THE BODY itself.
The next is 'AATHMA' or the SOUL.
The third is 'MANAS' or the MIND.
The fourth is ' VIGNYANA' or KNOWLEDGE.
And the last is 'AANANDAM' or HAPPINESS.

This aura can be measured scientifically by the rods. A person's aura was measured and was found to be of one-foot radius. The same person was asked to chant prayers for a few minutes. Then, again, his aura was measured. The radius of the aura had increased by another foot and showed two feet. This proves the positive effect of prayers.

5. Aspects regarding sleep.

Normally children are found rolling a lot in their sleep.It is
proved that they do so because their bodies can detect the positive energy even in sleep. When they roll they move to the place where there is positive Energy.If their cot is moved permanently to this place, they stop rolling. This is applicable to older people also.We are asked to sit and chant prayers before we go to bed and also chant them before getting up.

It has been proved that 23% of the heart attacks occur when people lie down. This is because, a person who has been vertical the whole day suddenly lies down causing an irregularity in the heartbeats. So, to stabilise this, it is proved that sitting on the bed and chanting prayers for two minutes will be effective.And it has the same effect when done before getting up also. It is proved that chanting 'Narayana naamam'108 times comes to exactly two minutes.

6. Why is it considered a bad omen when a cat crosses our path when we go out?

Cat is an animal, which has only negative energy.

ISN'T IT STRANGE.......

2008-04-17T23:28:00.007-07:00

ISN'T IT STRANGE.......

Isn't it strange how $200 seems like such a large amount when you
donate it to temple, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at the temple,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're
praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of
the Bhagavad-gita, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or
games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row or at the back of the temple room?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for temple 2-3
weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to
share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and
repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how we believe everything that magazines and
newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bhagavatam and other scriptures?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in the spiritual world,
but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded
right away, but when we are going to send messages about Krishna, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?
Now that you've read this message, if you feel that it is appropriate,
forward it to anybody that you consider a friend.

Giri Bala Yogini

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This great woman yogi has not taken food or drink since 1880. I am pictured with her, in 1936, at her home in the isolated Bengal village of Biur. Her non-eating state has been rigorously investigated by the Maharaja of Burdwan. She employs a certain yoga technique to recharge her body with cosmic energy from the ether, sun, and air. (the elderly woman)

- Paramahansa Yogananda

Mahavatar Babaji

2008-04-17T23:28:00.003-07:00

Haidakhan Wale Baba lived in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the Kumaon region, birth place of many of India's great saints. He was acknowledged as Shiva Mahavatar Babaji, the eternal manifestation of God in human form.

Babaji's recent physical manifestation was between 1970 to 1984, when He appeared in a holy cave at the foot of the Kumaon Mount Kailash in a remote village called Haidakhan. Many people, from all over the world, have mystically been drawn to Babaji through extraordinary events, dreams and visions and are receiving His Blessings.

Babaji urged the people to "follow the religion that is in your heart." He said "every religion leads to the same divine goal" and that he had come to revive the eternal and ageless religion, the Sanatan Dharma; the three basic principles: Truth, Simplicity, and Love. He emphasized constant repetition of the ancient Sanskrit maha mantra OM NAMAH SHIVAYA -- "Lord, Thy Will be Done" and to live in harmony along with selfless service to humanity.

Shri Babaji is acknowledged as the Shiva Mahavatar Babaji described by Paramahansa Yogananda in "Autobiography of a Yogi"': a Mahavatar being a human manifestation of the Divine who can materialize a body at will. Babaji's devotees believe that He has continually manifested since Creation to help Humanity. One manifestation of Babaji was around 1800 at which time He traveled extensively in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, gathering his devotees and disciples around Him. In 1922 He traveled to the meeting place of the Kali and Gori Rivers, seated Himself on the surface of the water and disappeared in a ball of light.

His latest manifestation was between 1970 and 1984, and was foretold by a great Saint, Mahendra Baba, who following a lifelong search for Babaji, experienced a miraculous meeting with Him at Siddhashram, near Ranikhet in Uttar Pradesh, India. Thereafter, Mahendra Baba devoted himself to traveling through India prophesying Babaji's return.

Babaji appeared in 1970, as a youth of 18 or 20 years, in a holy cave at the foot of Kumaon Mount Kailash at Haidakhan, near Haldwani in Uttar Pradesh, India. His divine power was experienced in many ways: in September of 1970 He ascended Mount Kailash and sat on the summit without food or sleep for 45 days; several people saw Him simultaneously in different places; He healed the sick; He brought transformation into many people's lives.

Babaji spent most of His 14 year incarnation at Haidakhan where he established a beautiful ashram, and near the village of Chilianaula, near Ranikhet, He built a large and breathtakingly beautiful Temple and Ashram overlooking the Himalayas.

Babaji taught that He had come to revive the Santana Dharma, the ageless Eternal Religion from which all religions have come. He stressed three basic principles: Truth, Simplicity and Love. He emphasized constant repetition of the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya","I surrender to God", and selfless service to Mankind.

Many people have been drawn to Babaji and many spiritual centers in the West have been dedicated to Babaji and His teachings. Thousands of people all over the world have received Babaji's blessings and have been called to the spiritual path through extraordinary events, dreams and visions.

Babaji left his body on 14 February 1984. He had come to give a message to the world, and having done this, He left. His last message was:

"I am always with you".

http://www.babaji.net/teachings-babaji.htm

Know the Truth Through Meditation

2008-04-17T23:28:00.001-07:00

His Message: Meditation

Although Shri Swamiji never preached doctrine or gave lectures, he enjoyed talking with devotees and answering their questions, and many such conversations with Shri Swamiji have been recorded. When devotees pressed him on his philosophy, he often suggested The Yoga Vasishta, the ancient text which preserves the instructions of the yogi Vasishta to the young prince Rama, the great incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu. Through Vasishta's own Self realization and the power of his discourses over several days, Lord Rama attained Self realization. Swamiji's own philosophy, he explains, is the same as that in The Yoga Vasishta.

"Meditation is to control your own mind.
Through meditation you can get peace of mind.
Whatever you do in life is done better.
Meditation reduces the tension in you.
The practice of meditation makes it easier for you
to understand the people with whom you interact.
It makes you more aware of your surroundings and
it will even give you the power to change circumstances.
With progress, meditation helps you attain God realization."

"You need experiences and that is what Swamiji gives. I will teach you. It is my duty to help you in meditation. Swamiji is here to change people. First they come and have darshan and look at Swamiji. That is how it starts. Then Swamiji teaches them meditation and makes them meditate. Their doubts will be cleared and later on they will tend to become like Swamiji."

"Swamiji has come to teach spiritual practice, reduce tensions and give you peace.
If you meditate for one hour a day then your mind will come under control.
Automatically the duration of meditation will increase and you will get samadhi.
As you keep practicing meditation you will get a lot of happiness and bliss.
The kind of happiness you get in meditation does not exist anywhere else on this earth.
All the kinds of happiness that you experience outside are nothing compared to the happiness you get when you meditate."

Shivabalayogi

Osho

2008-04-17T23:24:00.001-07:00

Osho, also known as Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was a fully enlightened master who lived during the twentieth century.

He was also a man of extraordinary intelligence, erudition, charisma, and powers of communication.

Some people thought of him as a guru of hedonism, an impressario of spiritual Mardi Gras. Tens of thousands of seekers jetted across oceans to his ashrams and communes to participate in giddy, high-energy experiments in living and consciousness.

But he was also a professor of philosophy, a lover of literature, and the author of an extraordinary library of books that explain the Hindu and Buddhist scriptures in matter-of-fact, crystal-clear English.

In the 1980s, he and his followers built a 65,000-acre city from scratch in the Oregon wilderness. Some people called it an experiment to provoke God, and others called it a fascist concentration camp.

Controversy surrounded him; he was accused of crimes and eventually deported from the United States for violations of immigration law.

He has left us a great legacy: his books. We think they are the clearest maps of the roads to enlightenment that anybody drew during the twentieth century.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Biography

Born in Kuchwada, Madhya Pradesh, India on December 11, 1931. His parents gave him the name Rajneesh Chandra Mohan and raised him as a Jain. When he was seven, his grandfather died with his head in Osho's lap while riding to the doctor in a bullock cart. Osho became enlightened at 21 and graduated at about the same time from the University of Saugar with first-class honors in philosophy. While a student, he won the All-India Debating Championship. He was a professor of philosophy at the University of Jabalpur for nine years. In 1966, he left his teaching post and established an ashram in Bombay. In 1974, he left Bombay and established an ashram in Poona. In 1981, he moved to the United States and established an ashram in Oregon. In 1986 he was deported from the United States for violations of immigration law (to which he pleaded no contest) and returned to Poona. He died on January 19, 1990.

Yoga postures that strengthen and tone the arms.

2007-07-01T03:47:00.003-07:00

Fitness instructor teaching yoga

2007-07-01T03:47:00.001-07:00

Cass Naumann gives an introduction to yoga. She is a singer, songwriter, model and actress. Cass has years of experience as a fitness instructor teaching yoga, kick boxing, pilates. In this video Cass talks about the benefits of yoga and yoga medication.

Krisnamacharya Yoga Film 1938

2007-07-01T03:46:00.001-07:00

This is a video made in 1938 showing the Great yoga teacher demonstrating asana and pranyama. He was the teacher of BKS Iyengar and Sri K. Pattahbi Jois, founder the Astanga style of yoga.

Why Nice Guys Can’t Get Girls

2007-06-08T06:18:00.001-07:00

This post was inspired by a book I read called No More Mr. Nice Guy by Danny Glover.

It seems American society is being flooded with nice guys. Every women reading this article knows EXACTLY what a nice guy is. There’s no need to pull out Websters here. In addition to that, every woman reading this knows AT LEAST one nice guy in her social circle.

For the men reading this, chances are if you are an American male, you have a very strong possibility of being a nice guy. Here’s the litmus test you can use in order to determine if you are one.

Do you constantly seek approval from women?
Do you try to “buy” love from women with fancy dinners and gifts?
Do women that you like tell you you’re like a brother to them? (that’s the kiss of death btw)
When you ask women out, do they reply “Let’s just be friends.”?
Do you think it’s bad to be male?

If you find yourself nodding along to these questions, I’m sorry to be the one to point out to you that you are a 100% Certified Grade A Nice Guy with all the trimmings, but don’t despair, there is hope.

A lot of theories have been tossed around regarding why women don’t go for the nice guys.

“They’re not a challenge.”
“They’re too boring.”
“There’s no excitement.”
“They’re too easy to get.”
“They’re pushovers.”

These to me, are the superficial reasons why women don’t go for nice guys. We need to dig a bit deeper.

What’s the root reason why nice guys can’t get the girls?

In my opinion, there are actually two root reasons.

1. They don’t embrace their masculinity.
2. They put women on a pedestal.

1. They don’t embrace their masculinity.

The book I mentioned lists several reasons as to why men of this generation have become nice guys. One reason that really struck me was radical feminism. Glover stated that radical feminism led to a social climate that was extremely hostile toward men.

“All men are pigs.”
“Men are the cause of all the problems in the world.”
“Men are rapists.”
“All men are good for nothing animals who treat women like pieces of meat.”

Therefore, boys concluded that women did not like men, so they strived to hide their masculinity. After all, men were pigs right? And women don’t like that right? So don’t be a man, and you won’t be a pig and women will like that right? Twisted reasoning indeed.

The result? Women all over America becoming extremely frustrated with the lack of real men today. Radical feminism has tasted the fruits of its labor and it is very bitter.

Don’t mess with nature. If you’re male, be male. If you’re female, be female. Don’t hide it. Embrace it.

Get the notion of “It’s bad to be male” out of your head right this second.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being male.

Just like there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being female, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being male.

Embrace your masculinity. Do not be ashamed of it.

2. They put women on a pedestal.

The book also states that because of a shift from an agrarian to a manufacturing society in America, as well as several wars in between, boys were left without fathers at home.

Furthermore, the educational system was primarily comprised of females.

With the absence of male influence at home and at school, boys were conditioned to look to women for definition and approval. This habit carries on to adulthood in the form of guys seeking approval from women.

Nice guys see women they like and automatically put them on a pedestal, wondering what they can do to gain their approval. Maybe write them a 10 page love letter, or make them a mix tape, or shower them with expensive gifts, all in a vain attempt to gain her approval and win her love.

They do all this in the beginning of a relationship, hence having the quality of “coming on too strong, being too eager and not being enough of a challenge.” By doing these things from the very beginning, men silently imply that they are not good enough and must resort to other tactics to deem themselves worthy of women.

Nice guys see women and think, “Man, I have to do something in order to get that girl. They’re way up there and I’m way down here so I have to compensate somehow”.

As a result, nice guys spend their every waking moment, dreaming of how they can get the girl. They spend all their free time around the girl, going shopping with her, listening to all her complaints, sympathizing with the problems she is having with her boyfriend, all in vain attempt to gain her approval in hopes that one day she will come racing into his arms.

Women are human. They eat, breath, sleep, and go to the bathroom on a regular basis just like the rest of us. Women are not goddesses. They have the same insecurities (if not more) as you and I. There’s nothing different about them. They are human.

Don’t think that you have to gain approval from them.

All right, so how can you stop being a nice guy?

Don’t be afraid to be male. Embrace your masculinity.

But what does it mean to embrace your masculinity? What does it mean to be male?

Let’s break down attraction to the most basic elements.

Male and female.

Males are attracted to females.

Females are attracted to males.

Biologically speaking, what makes somebody male?

Testosterone.

Biologically speaking, what makes somebody female?

Estrogen.

Testosterone is attracted to estrogen.

Estrogen is attracted to testosterone.

Ever wonder why the jocks got the girls in high school? They worked out and played in competitive sports; two things conducive to promoting testosterone in the body.

Ever wonder why “bad boys” and criminals get the women? They are risk takers. They pay no attention to law. They are reckless and dangerous. Again, symptoms of high testosterone.

Research has linked high testosterone to criminal behavior.
Research has linked competition and weight lifting to high testosterone as well.

Testosterone: Hormone of the Gods?

Women are attracted to the jocks and bad boys simply because they are male in the sense that they have high testosterone.

Is the flip side true? Are men attracted to beautiful women simply because they are women in the sense that they have high estrogen?

Yes, studies have shown that men are attracted to women with high estrogen levels.

Feminine Beauty Linked to Estrogen Levels
A beautiful combination: Researchers link estrogen to looks
Hormone levels predict attractiveness of women

(Btw, you will find women use make up as well in order to give the illusion of the physical characteristics of high estrogen in order to attract males)

There’s a deeper science that goes into this about how high levels of testosterone and estrogen reflect underlying health and fertility, but I won’t get into that.

Strictly speaking in biological terms, testosterone makes the man and estrogen makes the women.

Is this surprising? No.

Drill down to the basics.

I am male, she is female.

Act accordingly and attraction will not be a problem.

Now, am I advocating that you go and inject yourself with 500 liters of testosterone? Absolutely not. Injecting yourself with synthetic testosterone shuts down your body’s ability to produce it naturally.

I am advocating however, that you engage in activities that will raise your testosterone levels.

Lifting heavy weights on a consistent basis coupled with proper nutrition and rest will raise levels of testosterone in the body. When you lift heavy weights, you literally create little tears in your muscle tissues. Testosterone, an anabolic hormone responsible for muscle growth among many other things, is produced by the body in order to rebuild the muscle to resist against future weight.

So instead of sitting on your butt playing World of Warcraft, Playstation, or X Box, get out there and pick up the weights.

You will find that by building your testosterone, your demeanor toward women and theirs toward you will change. When you lock eyes with a beautiful women, you won’t immediately shift your eyes to the ground and be embarrassed. You’ll lock eye contact with her and be comfortable about it. SHE will be the one who looks away.

You will find that women will start paying more attention to you. It’s as if they’re equipped with incredibly sensitive receptors to testosterone. (studies have shown that women are capable of identifying individuals with high testosterone simply by smelling sweaty t-shirts)

Try a regimen of weightlifting and compare your attitude and results with the opposite sex after a short period of time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Quick point though: Don’t become so obsessed with testosterone that you start letting it control you, in terms of your behavior and attitude. Then you’ll turn into the jerk or the criminal. The key is to have testosterone and control it. Don’t let it control you.

Just be true to your nature.

To illustrate my point even further, imagine a woman with a thick beard, mustache and a deep voice hitting on you at the bar. You would be repulsed right? Of course you would! This woman is not embracing her true nature as a female. Women are a million times more repulsed because nice guys do exactly the same thing. They don’t embrace their true nature as a male.

If you’re male, be male. If you’re female, be female and let nature take its course.

You don’t need the memorize pick up lines. You don’t need to psych yourself up to meet women. You don’t need to make a ton of money. You don’t need to have a great job. You don’t need the BMW.

You just need to be male. Everything you need is already inside of you. Use it.

Don’t make women the focal point of your life.

Nice guys revolve their entire lives around the women. Nice guys spend all their time dreaming of all the future possibilities with her. They do all this from the get go. What must I do to get her? I’ll write her poetry. I’ll take her out to the most expensive restaurant and show her how wealthy I am. I’ll buy her favorite pair of shoes that she mentioned in a conversation nine years ago. They will drop whatever they are doing at a drop of a dime and be at their beck and call 24/7.

All acts reeking of extreme desperation.

What’s the solution? Is it to try not to act desperate?

These are when the “rules of dating” come into play. Call her three days later, act aloof, be a challenge. That’s all utter garbage. That’s all smoke and mirrors.

Don’t try to fake not being desperate by following these “rules”. Just don’t be desperate naturally. How?

Don’t make women the focal point in your life. Have something else going for you. Have a worthy goal or dream you are pursuing that is of higher priority than women.

Have a dream. Have a goal and work toward it. Women will not seem that intimidating anymore. You won’t spend all your time with her. You won’t become “too easy” or “boring” because you’ve got something else going for you.

Instead of using all your time, money, and energy pursing women, use all that to accomplish your own goals. Napoleon Hill refers to this as sexual transmutation. Channel all that energy into fulfilling your own goals and you will find yourself unstoppable.

Nice guys place their worthiness and happiness on getting the girl. Instead of doing that, make your own life happy and worthwhile by pursuing your own goals and ambitions. Then, she’ll be the one asking, “What can I do to get him?”

So nice guys, don’t feel so bad. Society is structured to easily make nice guys of any male but the key is not to blame society and if you’re a frusterated nice guy, the key is not to blame women in general. It’s just to become aware that the common factor is YOU and that you change by embracing your right to be male.

Embrace your masculinity, take women off the pedestal, and don’t make women the focus of your life. Harness all that energy, time, and money and apply it toward realizing your own goals and dreams and the nice guy within will never appear again.

Nike - Usher - Footballers

2007-06-08T04:54:00.001-07:00

Nike - Usher - Footballers

Amazing Advertisements

2007-06-08T04:37:00.001-07:00

Amazing Advertisements

Beer Advertisement - Guy Throws the Nice Woman

2007-06-08T04:33:00.001-07:00

Beer Advertisement - Guy Throws the Nice Woman

How kids will be in 3000

2007-06-04T02:54:00.001-07:00

How kids will be in 3000

BEAUTY Vs. BRAINS

2007-06-01T10:47:00.001-07:00

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Women In Art

2007-06-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

Tattoo Remover (SNL)

2007-05-30T23:35:00.001-07:00

"
Turlington's Lower Back Tattoo Remover"

White Guy recites lyrics to "Buy you a drink"

2007-05-30T23:32:00.001-07:00

How the hell do these songs reach #!?

Saltwater into fire: An endless energy supply!

2007-05-30T23:31:00.001-07:00

Could this be real, or an elaborate hoax? John Kanzius discovered that his radio frequency generator could release the oxygen and hydrogen from saltwater and create an incredibly intense flame.

Biggest Fraud Of the world What the bartenders don't tell you !

2007-05-30T23:29:00.001-07:00

Remove Scratches From Anything Using Toothpaste

2007-05-19T04:55:00.001-07:00

HIND UFO

2007-05-19T04:45:00.001-07:00

1000 Movies, 1000 Quotes, 1000 Numbers

2007-05-19T04:42:00.001-07:00

Did Jesus learn what he knew from India

2007-05-19T04:39:00.001-07:00

Petey Greene - How to Eat Watermelon (Enhanced)

2007-05-19T04:36:00.001-07:00

A Lucky Person in the World

2007-05-19T04:33:00.001-07:00

Improve Your Night Vision

2007-05-19T04:28:00.001-07:00

Improve Your Night Vision - The best bloopers are a click away

This N That Card Trick: Demonstration and Explanation

2007-05-07T09:12:00.001-07:00

(Click the play button to watch this magic video)

Transmute Card Trick Tutorial By G.A.

2007-05-07T09:11:00.001-07:00

(Click the play button to watch this magic video)

The Floating Card Magic Trick Turorial

2007-05-05T04:59:00.001-07:00

How to always win a Coin Toss (Magic Trick)

2007-05-05T04:55:00.001-07:00

Pen Thru Dollar Magic Trick Revealed

2007-05-03T02:57:00.001-07:00

Pen Thru Dollar Magic Trick Revealed
The Hottest Magic Trick Website in the World
(Click the play button to learn how to do this magic trick)

Coin Thru Condom Magic Trick Tutorial Magic (Revealed)

2007-05-03T02:49:00.001-07:00

Coin Thru Condom Magic Trick Tutorial
(Click the play button to learn how to do this magic trick)

THE WONDERFUL WINDOW Magic (Revealed)

2007-05-03T02:32:00.001-07:00

Ask your friend to write down any number of three figures in which the difference between the first and last figures is two or more than two. imagine he has written 317. Tell him to change the places of the first and the third figures

Then he must subtract the smaller number from the larger (713-317 = 3%). At last he must change the places of the figures in this answer and add them to the answer (693 + 396 = 1089).

"Now, if you breathe on the glass of that window," you say to him, "you will sec the answer on the glass." When he breathes on the glass, he will sec number 1089 on the window.

The secret is very simple: the answer is always 1089. Before you do the trick, put some detergent in a glass of water, then put your finger in the water and write with it 1089 on the window. Nobody can see the writing when it is dry, but when somebody breathes on the glass the place where your finger touched the glass will not become darker.

QUICK ADDITION Magic (Revealed)

2007-05-03T02:21:00.001-07:00

Anybody can learn to count fast if he knows the secret of the following trick.

Ask your friend to write any five-figure number on the blackboard. Then you write your five-figure number under it. You choose your figures so that each one with the figure above it will make nine.

For example: His number: 45 623
Your number: 54 376

Tell your friend to put a third five-figure number under your number. Then you write a fourth number in the same way. After he has written the fifth number, you draw a line under it and quickly write the sum. You may even write it from left to right!

How do you do it? You subtract two from the fifth number and put 2 in front of your answer. For example: if the fifth number is 48 765, the sum will be 248 763.

How to copy a newspaper picture without any Machine (Magic Liquid) Revealed

2007-05-03T01:09:00.001-07:00

You have often seen interesting and funny pictures in newspapers and you wanted to copy them. How can you do it? Now

you will learn how to make a mixture. With the help of this mixture you can easily copy newspaper pictures on white sheets of paper.

You must mix four parts of water with one part of turpen - tine. Then you put a very small piece of soap (it must not be larger than half a match-box) and shake the mixture. Soon the soap disappears, but it will not allow the turpentine and water to separate.

Now, if you want to copy a newspaper picture, you must wet it a little with the mixture, then put a white sheet of paper on it and rub the paper strongly with a spoon. The turpentine dissolves enough of the ink and you find a reverse picture on your sheet of paper.

Watch a $1 bill Turn into a $100 Bill - This is a Mind Blowing Magic Trick!!!

2007-05-01T22:53:00.001-07:00

(Click the play button to watch this magic trick)

Invisible Palm Magic Trick Revealed

2007-05-01T22:44:00.001-07:00

(Click the play button to learn how to do this magic trick)

THE WISHBONE KNOT

2007-05-01T22:31:00.001-07:00

The next time you have chicken, save the wishbone and soak it for at least twenty-four hours in a cup or glass filled with vinegar

You will then be able to tie it into a knot it will be so flexible. Vinegar is a mild acid that breaks down the bone making it elastic.

THE MAGNETIC BOTTLE

2007-05-01T22:30:00.001-07:00

For this you need a beer or pop bottle and a room that has been painted with latex paint. Take the bottle to a corner of the room and, with the label facing out, you rub it rapidly against the two facing walls in short quick motions

Friction will heat the paint making it sticky. Once you feel the bottle begins to stick, just leave it hanging there and walk away as the bottle just dangles there. Sometimes they will stick for days.

Phone Directories (secrets)!!!!FREEE

2007-05-01T21:59:00.001-07:00

How to find an unlisted phone number

You can search a pretty extensive database at ThinkDirectMarketing by name, by street address and by phone number.

Database America People Finder (Address or phone, or reverse phone number lookup)WhitePages.com lets you look up by name, by phone number and by street address.

Search Info USA by name and by phone number
Info Space for Phone and Address search and Reverse Lookup. In the US and Canada.

Primeris has a function called Fone Finder that looks up numbers in the US and Canada as well as International Switchboard

AnyWho (ATT) has Find a Person and Reverse Lookup.
Searchbug has Find by Name, Find by Address, Find by Phone and Area Code Decoder.

Phone Searches in the United Kingdom
AmeriCom Long Distance AREA DECODER Give them a number and they will tell you what city it's from in the USA or Canada. Canada 411
Yahoo has a list of resources
Whois/ White Pages / Directory Services
Telephone Directories On The Web
RingThem.com also has world directory listings.

Card Flick Colour Change Tutorial(video)

2007-04-29T05:47:00.001-07:00

BETS YOU CAN'T LOSE

2007-04-29T05:36:00.001-07:00

CAN'T WRITE A NUMBER?

The challenge: Bet you can't write this number down in ten seconds. It's less than one hundred thousand.

Ready?

Eleven thousand, eleven hundred and eleven.

How it works:
11,000 = Eleven thousand
1,100 = Eleven hundred
11 = Eleven
Total - 12,111 is the correct answer, although you could accept 11,000 1,100 11, but no one will be able to figure that one out in 10 seconds. You win!

THE FOLD

2007-04-29T05:28:00.001-07:00

Challenge someone to fold a $20 dollar bill in half, doubling it each time, 8 times. Tell them that they can keep if it they can do it.

It's impossible.

You can't fold a piece of paper in half (doubling it), more than eight times. Not even something as thin as toilet paper, or as large as newspaper . . .

It's impossible.

Go ahead, try it.

THE FAST, FREE BEER

2007-04-29T05:25:00.001-07:00

Don't try this one on someone that doesn't have a good sense of humor. Bet that you can drink three glasses of beer (or soda, whatever), before they can drink one shot glass of whatever. Explain the two rules carefully

1: You absolutely cannot touch the other's glass and they cannot touch yours.

2: You get a one beer head start and they cannot start drinking until after you set your first glass down on the bar. Tell them this is your warm-up.

The Secret: You drink your first beer and then set your empty glass upside down, over their shot glass. Tell the bartender to keep your third beer cold while you leisurely drink your second. Your victims can only stand and scratch their heads.

2007-04-29T05:15:00.001-07:00

THE DIME IN THE GLASS
Submerge two high ball glasses in water so that they fill and place them top to top, with the water in them in front of you.

The Wager: That you can place a dime into the bottom glass without spilling a drop.
The Secret: This one is pretty easy. Take a spoon or knife (provided it's metal) and tap the side of the upper glass until it moves just enough to slip the edge of a dime between the two glasses. Then you gently tap the dime until it falls into the glass. The surface tension of the water will keep it from spilling.

2007-04-29T03:31:00.001-07:00

LIQUID METAL Magic Trick (revealed)

2007-04-27T09:25:00.001-07:00

(Click the play button to watch this magic video)

LIQUID METAL Magic Trick (revealed)

Coin Vanish Magic Trick Performed by aPoCaLiV

2007-04-27T09:11:00.001-07:00

Coin Vanish Magic Trick Performed by aPoCaLiV

2D Dice Magic Trick Revealed (Easy to do)

2007-04-27T07:17:00.001-07:00

2D Dice Magic Trick Revealed (Easy to do)

A LIT MATCH WON'T BURN

2007-04-27T07:10:00.001-07:00

Fire of course needs oxygen to burn. If you hold a lit match over a fresh glass of soda or beer, the carbon dioxide will snuff the match. Carbon dioxide is the gas that gives beverages it's "fizz" or carbonation. When these bubbles rise to the surface they are carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide will snuff a fire.

DROP THE LIGHT BULB

2007-04-27T07:08:00.001-07:00

Tell someone that you can drop an ordinary light bulb onto a concrete floor and it won't break.

Sure, if you drop from only three inches.

Wrong.

Tell them that you can drop it from waist high, no problem.

The secret: Drop it with the metal end down. The metal absorbs the shock and the bulb will not break.

This is a great one to do in a garage or warehouse.

PICK A PUZZLE

2007-04-27T07:06:00.003-07:00

Make five connected squares out of toothpicks as in the illustration below.

Challenge someone to remove only three toothpicks and leave three squares. The answer is in the second drawing.

THE LEVITATING CIGARETTE

2007-04-27T07:06:00.001-07:00

Hold a pack of ordinary cigarettes up with one hand, make a few magic passes over it with the other hand and say a few appropriate magic words and watch your friends faces light up as a cigarette mysteriously rises from the pack.

The Secret: Before the trick is performed, a cigarette is placed between the cellophane and the pack, this is the side that faces you. Hold the pack slightly above eye level so that your audience can't see that the cigarette rises from the rear of the pack instead of from the inside. You make the cigarette rise with your thumb from the rear of the pack.

THE SECRET KNOT TIE

2007-04-27T07:04:00.001-07:00

The challenge: To tie a knot in a piece of string that is being held at both ends without letting go of either end.

The secret: Lay the string or cord on a table. Then simply fold your arms, one above the other, right hand on upper left arm, left hand under upper right arm. With your arms thus folded, grasp one end of the string in each hand. Simply pull hands towards each other while maintaining your grasp on the string, and by the time your hands are separated, there will be a knot in the string.

knottie_I

TWO BOTTLES AND A BILL

2007-04-27T07:03:00.001-07:00

Using two beer or soda bottles that are the same, place one of the bottles right side up near the edge of a table. Put a dollar bill on top of this one and center it. Then balance the second bottle on top of the first, sandwiching the bill between them. Now challenge your friends to remove the bill without touching the bottles.

Here's how: Grab the bill between thumb and forefinger and hold it straight out, just tight enough not to tip the bottles. Using one or two fingers of the other hand, strike down on the dollar bill as fast as you can, still maintaining your grip with the other hand. The bill will zip right out leaving the bottles without even a wobble.

Important! The bottles must be completely clean and dry for this to work. Practice a few times to make it look really easy.