Podcasts about Varanasi

In this episode of Cyrus Says, we sit down with rising MMA star Siddharth Singh, who hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and began his martial arts journey at just 18, transitioning from a strong base in wrestling and boxing. Now training at Soma Fight Club, Bangkok, Siddharth has honed a powerful hybrid style of aggressive striking and technical grappling, under elite international coaches. With an impressive professional record of 8 wins and 2 losses, Siddharth fights in the Welterweight division (77 kg) and has made his mark as a former SFL Welterweight Champion, defending his title twice before stepping into the cage with Brave Combat Federation in 2022, notably facing Algerian contender Malik Bara. Known for his rear-naked chokes and devastating overhand right, he brings a calculated, crowd-pleasing style to every fight. He was named SFL Fighter of the Year in 2021, and his talent has earned him partnerships with Under Armour India and NitroX Sports Nutrition. This fun and insightful conversation also features hilarious takes on emotional strength, patience versus Delhi traffic, charm overload, and sibling rivalries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being a pharmacist is exciting–as long as you're willing to try new things. These are wise words from my returning guest on today's podcast, who has been paving the way for integrative pharmacy. Dr. Swathi Varanasi is an award-winning pharmacist passionate about the intersection of personalized medicine, patient outcomes, and innovation. With experience spanning patient care, biotech, research, academia, and consumer product goods, Dr. Swathi has paved the way for healthcare professionals to pursue non-traditional career paths through creating postdoctoral training programs, industry internships, and online educational programs. She co-founded and serves as Chief Scientific Officer of the Life Sciences Division at Element Apothec, and serves as a Principal Investigator at contract research organization, Citruslabs. Dr. Swathi received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the Medical University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Carleton College. She was the first-ever pharmacist in the United States with formal residency training to specialize in integrative medicine and preventative health. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Affairs in biotech and has training in nutrition from Cornell University. Dr. Swathi has served as faculty and guest lectures at colleges and universities across the country. She is an advisor and consultant for a number of for-profit and nonprofit organizations aiming to make the world a healthier place for us to live–and thrive. She has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and featured in Yahoo, mindbodygreen, Well+Good, Entrepreneur, Forbes Health, and more. In 2023, Dr. Swathi was voted one of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy. Connect with Dr. Swathi via: Email: swathimvaranasi@gmail.com FB: Doctor Swathi IG: @doctorswathi Linked In:Dr. Swathi Varanasi Check out our earlier episode here: https://www.marinabuksov.com/s03e03-paving-the-unconventional-path-with-integrative-pharmacist-dr-swathi-varanasi/ Visit https://marinabuksov.com for more holistic content. Music from https://www.purple-planet.com. Disclaimer: Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Zweieinhalb Wochen voller Kontraste, spiritueller Tiefe, Kulturschock, Herzlichkeit, unglaublicher Kulinarik, bunter Farben und Momenten, die sich für immer eingebrannt haben:Ich nehme dich mit auf unsere Gruppenreise durch Indien – mit all den Highlights, die wir erlebt haben: Von der Tiger-Safari bis zum Holi-Festival, vom Bungee-Sprung bis zur Nachtzugfahrt, vom Yoga am Ganges bis zur Arti-Zeremonie in Varanasi.Du erfährst, was es mit dem roten Punkt auf der Stirn auf sich hat, wie viel eine indische Hochzeit kostet, warum ich mich selten so intensiv für Religion interessiert habe wie hier – und vieles mehr.Diese Folge ist nicht nur für alle, die sich für eine Indien-Reise interessieren – sondern wirklich richtig was dazulernen wollen.Ich wünsche dir ganz viel Spaß und freue mich auf dein Feedback

What makes it holy to get really stoned? This is an unavoidable question in India, where smoking cannabis is banned but done by dreadlocked devotees. Meanwhile, weed smoothies are frequently drunk at religious festivals.The writer Karan Madhok investigates this paradox – along with many others – in his new book Ananda, subtitled “An Exploration of Cannabis in India”. It also covers lots of other subjects, including cultural history, indigenous medicine, politicised religion, the pleasures of travel and the charms of Varanasi.As we discuss, references to cannabis date back to the Vedas, though the custom of smoking it is relatively recent. Like criminalisation, that came from outsiders – and ironically countries that promoted prohibition, such as the United States, have since been at the forefront of legalisation.Things are now changing in India with commercialised hemp and Ayurvedic remedies, but recreational use is illegal. Our conversation considers the benefits as well as the drawbacks of cannabis consumption, and asks if the bliss to which Ananda refers might be found more sustainably by other means.

A heartbreaking accident in Vadodara involving law student Rakshit Chaurasia, who lost control of his car, crashing into multiple vehicles and pedestrians. The victim, Hemaliben Patel, had stepped out to buy Holi colors when tragedy struck.Rakshit, who hails from Varanasi and studies at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, initially denied any wrongdoing. In viral videos, he can be heard shouting after the accident. He has taken full responsibility for the incident and expressed willingness to face the consequences.Episode show notes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.3amfear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Narrated by: Nikita FerraoInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@3amfearpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ncferraoauthor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find me on Youtube @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3AM Fear Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free thriller eBook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ncferrao.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Music: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.purple-planet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Music: Music by Dark BurdenLink to the composer's YouTube channel: ⁠⁠   / @darkburden  ⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE us on YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3qumnPH⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/33RWRtP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2ImU2JV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me on nikita@3amfear.comSources:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Aegg3ROCAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UXzLu13KSk&t=17shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebpSlwKcCTAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iG2d-bKcIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xQTHgRz6f8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN2wVZbh1Tc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWehGtwSG14&t=19s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSGvqLY8N3Q https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rakshit-chaurasia-vadodara-accused-had-brush-with-law-last-month-was-let-go-after-apology-7935105 https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/vadodara-accident-accuseds-friend-was-reluctant-to-hand-him-the-steering-relented-after-he-insisted-police-9891436/ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/vadodara-car-crash-shocking-footage-shows-rakshit-chaurasiya-taking-drivers-seat-before-fatal-accident/articleshow/119109565.cms https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rakshit-chaurasia-vadodara-crash-cctv-footage-shows-vadodara-accused-was-not-driving-then-this-happened-7940557 https://www.deccanherald.com/india/gujarat/vadodara-accident-case-accused-had-taken-drugs-switched-seats-before-crash-3449505 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gujarat/accused-looked-intoxicated-was-overspeeding-for-enjoyment-says-victim-of-vadodara-car-accident/article69339218.ece https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rakshit-chaurasia-vadodara-crash-vadodara-crash-accused-kept-saying-another-round-did-he-mean-this-movie-7941182

Once on the brink of extinction, Varanasi's ancient wooden toy industry has made a spectacular comeback, thanks to the relentless efforts of artisans like Padma Shri awardee Godavari Singh, who passed away earlier this month. His exquisite handcrafted toys not only preserved a centuries-old tradition but also gained national recognition, featuring in the New Delhi tableau during the Republic Day celebrations, where he was honoured for his contributions. In this episode of Padma Pride, we explore how Singh, along with new-age entrepreneurs, steered this centuries-old craft into a flourishing industry. About Padma PridePadma Pride is an inspiring audio series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, celebrating Padma Awardees and their extraordinary impact. Every Sunday, webring you the story of a changemaker shaping India's future. (Narration: Shalini Singh, The Good Sight).

This episode we will finish up the travels of Xuanzang, who circumnavigated the Indian subcontinent while he was there, spending over a decade and a half travelings, visiting important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and studying at the feet of learned monks of India, and in particular at Nalanda monastery--a true center of learning from this period. For more, check out our blogpost page:  https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-122 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan.  My name is Joshua and this is episode 122:  Journey to the West, Part 3 The courtyard at Nalanda was quiet.  Although hundreds of people were crowded in, trying to hear what was being said, they were all doing their best to be silent and still.  Only the wind or an errant bird dared speak up.  The master's voice may not have been what it once was—he was definitely getting on in years—but Silabhadra's mind was as sharp as ever. At the front of the crowd was a relatively young face from a far off land.  Xuanzang had made it to the greatest center of learning in the world, and he had been accepted as a student of perhaps the greatest sage of his era.  Here he was, receiving lessons on some of the deepest teachings of the Mahayana Buddhist sect, the very thing he had come to learn and bring home. As he watched and listened with rapt attention, the ancient teacher began to speak….   For the last two episodes, and continuing with this one, we have been covering the travels of the monk Xuanzang in the early 7th century, starting around 629 and concluding in 645.  Born during the Sui dynasty, Xuanzang felt that the translations of the Buddhist sutras available in China were insufficient—many of them had been made long ago, and often were translations of translations.  Xuanzang decided to travel to India in the hopes of getting copies in the original language to provide more accurate translations of the sutras, particularly the Mahayana sutras.  His own accounts of his journeys, even if drawn from his memory years afterwards, provide some of our most detailed contemporary evidence of the Silk Road and the people and places along the way.  After he returned, he got to work on his translations, and became quite famous.  Several of the Japanese students of Buddhism who traveled to the Tang dynasty in the 650s studied under him directly and brought his teachings back to Japan with them.  His school of “Faxiang” Buddhism became known in Japan as the Hosso sect, and was quite popular during the 7th and 8th centuries.  Xuanzang himself, known as Genjou in Japan, would continue to be venerated as an important monk in the history of Buddhism, and his travels would eventually be popularized in fantastic ways across East Asia. Over the last couple of episodes we talked about Xuanzang's illegal and harrowing departure from the Tang empire, where he had to sneak across the border into the deserts of the Western Regions.  We then covered his time traveling from Gaochang, to Suyab, and down to Balkh, in modern Afghanistan.  This was all territory under the at least nominal control of the Gokturk empire.  From Balkh he traveled to Bamyan, and then on to Kapisa, north of modern Kabul, Afghanistan.  However, after Kapisa, Xuanzang was finally entering into the northern territories of what he knew as “India”, or “Tianzhu”. Here I would note that I'm using “India” to refer not to a single country, but to the entirety of the Indian subcontinent, and all of the various kingdoms there -- including areas now part of the modern countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.  The Sinitic characters used to denote this region are pronounced, today, as “Tianzhu”, with a rough meaning of “Center of Heaven”, but it is likely that these characters were originally pronounced in such a way that the name likely came from terms like “Sindhu” or “Induka”.  This is related to the name of the Sindh or Indus river, from which India gets its name.  Xuanzang's “Record of the Western Regions” notes that the proper pronunciation of the land should be “Indu”.  In Japan, this term was transmitted through the Sinitic characters, or kanji, and pronounced as “Tenjiku”.  Since it featured so prominently in the stories of the life of the Buddha and many of the Buddhist sutras, Tenjiku was known to the people of the Japanese archipelago as a far off place that was both real and fantastical. In the 12th century, over a thousand stories were captured for the “Konjaku Monogatarishu”, or the “Collection of Tales Old and New”, which is divided up into tales from Japan, China, and India.  In the famous 9th or 10th century story, “Taketori Monogatari”, or the “Bamboo-Cutter's Tale”, about princess Kaguya hime, one of the tasks the princess sets to her suitors is to go to India to find the begging bowl of the Buddha.  Records like those produced by Xuanzang and his fellow monks, along with the stories in the sutras, likely provided the majority of what people in the Japanese archipelago knew about India, at least to begin with. Xuanzang talks about the land of India as being divided into five distinct parts—roughly the north, south, east, west, and center.  He notes that three sides face the sea and that the Snow Mountains—aka the Himalayas—are in the north.  It is, he says, “Wide in the north and narrow in the south, in the shape of a crescent moon”.  Certainly the “Wide in the north and narrow in the south” fit the subcontinent accurately enough, and it is largely surrounded by the waters of what we know as the Indian Ocean to the west, the east, and the south.  The note about the Crescent Moon might be driven by Xuanzang's understanding of a false etymology for the term “Indus”, which he claims comes from the word for “moon”.  Rather, this term appears to refer to the Indus River, also known as the Sindh or Sindhus, which comes from an ancient word meaning something like “River” or “Stream”. Xuanzang also notes that the people of the land were divided into castes, with the Brahman caste at the top of the social hierarchy.    The land was further divided into approximately 70 different countries, according to his accounts.  This is known broadly as the Early Medieval period, in India, in which the region was divided into different kingdoms and empires that rose and fell across the subcontinent, with a total size roughly equivalent to that covered by the countries of the modern European Union.  Just like Europe, there were many different polities and different languages spoken across the land – but just as Latin was the common language in Europe, due to its use in Christianity, Sanskrit was the scholarly and religious language in much of India, and could also be used as a bridge language.  Presumably, Xuanzang understood Sanskrit to some extent as a Buddhist monk.  And, just a quick note, all of this was before the introduction of Islam, though there were other religions also practiced throughout the subcontinent, but Xuanzang was primarily focused on his Buddhist studies. Xuanzang describes India as having three distinct seasons—The hot season, the rainy season, and the cold season, in that order.  Each of these were four month long periods.  Even today, the cycle of the monsoon rains is a major impact on the life of people in South Asia.  During the rainy season, the monks themselves would retreat back to their monasteries and cease their wanderings about the countryside. This tradition, called “Vassa”, is still a central practice in many Theravada Buddhist societies such as Thailand and Laos today, where they likewise experience this kind of intensely wet monsoon season. Xuanzang goes on to give an in depth analysis of the people and customs of the Indian subcontinent, as he traveled from country to country. So, as we've done before, we'll follow his lead in describing the different locations he visited. The first country of India that Xuanzang came to was the country of Lampa, or Lamapaka, thought to be modern Laghman province in Afghanistan.  At the time it was a dependency of Kapisa.  The Snow Mountains, likely meaning the Hindu Kush, the western edge of the Himalayas, lay at its north, while the “Black Mountains” surrounded it on the other three sides.  Xuanzang mentions how the people of Lampa grow non-glutinous rice—likely something similar to basmati rice, which is more prevalent in South Asian cuisine, as compared to glutinous rice like more often used in East Asia. From Lampa he headed to Nagarahara, likely referring to a site near the Kabul River associated with the ruins of a stupa called Nagara Gundi, about 4 kilometers west of modern Jalalabad, Afghanistan.  This was another vassal city-state of Kapisa.  They were still Mahayana Buddhists, but there were other religions as well, which Xuanzang refers to as “heretical”, though I'm not entirely sure how that is meant in this context.  He does say that many of the stupas were dilapidated and in poor condition. Xuanzang was now entering areas where he likely believed the historical Buddha had once walked.  In fact, Lampa was perhaps the extent of historical Buddha's travels, according to the stories and the sutras, though this seems unlikely to have been true.  The most plausible locations for the Historical Buddha's pilgrimages were along the Ganges river, which was on the other side of the subcontinent, flowing east towards modern Kolkatta and the Bengal Bay.  However, as Buddhism spread, so, too, did stories of the Buddha's travels.  And so, as far as Xuanzang was concerned, he was following in the footsteps of the Buddha. Speaking of which, at Nagarahara, Xuanzang mentions “footprints” of the Buddha.  This is a Buddhist tradition found in many places.  Xuanzang claims that the Tathagatha, the Englightened One, or the Buddha, would fly, because when he walked the land itself shook.  Footprint shapes in rock could be said to be evidence of the Buddha's travels.  Today, in many Buddhist areas you can find footprints carved into rock conforming to stories about the Buddha, such as all the toes being of the same length, or other various signs.  These may have started out as natural depressions in the rock, or pieces of artwork, but they were believed by many to be the actual point at which the Buddha himself touched down.  There are famous examples of these footprints in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China.  Of course there are also traditions of creating images of the footprint as an object of worship.  Images of footprints, similar to images of the Great Wheel of the Law, may have been some of the earliest images for veneration, as images of the Buddha himself did not appear until much later in the tradition.  One of the oldest such footprints in Japan is at Yakushiji temple, and dated to 753.  It was created based on a rubbing brought back by an envoy to the Tang court, while they were in Chang'an. Like Buddha footprints, there are many other images and stories that show up multiple times in different places, even in Xuanzang's own narrative.  For example, in Nagarahara Xuanzang also shares a story of a cave, where an image of the Buddha could be just barely made out on the wall – maybe maybe an old carving that had just worn away, or maybe an image that was deliberately placed in the darkness as a metaphor for finding the Buddha—finding enlightenment.  This is not an uncommon theme in Buddhism as a whole.  In any case, the story around this image was that it had been placed there to subdue a naga. Now a naga is a mythical snake-like being, and  we are told that this particular naga was the reincarnation of a man who had invoked a curse on the nearby kingdom, then threw himself from a cliff in order to become a naga and sow destruction.  As the story went, the man was indeed reborn, but before he could bring destruction, the Buddha showed up and subdued him, convincing him that this was not right.  And so the naga agreed to stay in the cave, where the Buddha left an image—a shadow—to remind the naga any time that its thoughts might turn to destruction. Later in his travels, at a place name Kausambi, Xuanzang mentions another cave where the Buddha had subdued a venomous dragon and left his shadow on the cave wall.  Allowing for the possibility that the Buddha just had a particular M.O. when dealing with destructive beings, we should also consider the possibility that the story developed in one region—probably closer to the early center of Buddhism, and then traveled outward, such that it was later adopted and adapted to local traditions.  From Nagarahara, Xuanzang continued to the country of Gandhara and its capital city of Purushapura, aka modern Peshwar.  This kingdom was also under vassalage to the Kapisan king.  Here and elsewhere in the journey, Xuanzang notes not only evidence of the historical Buddha, but also monasteries and stupas purported to have been built by King Kanishka and King Asoka.  These were important figures who were held in high regard for spreading Buddhism during their reign.  Continuing through the region of Gandhara, he also passed through Udakhand and the city of Salatura, known as the birthplace of the ancient Sanskrit grammarian, Daksiputra Panini, author of the Astadhyayi [Aestudjayi].  This work is the oldest surviving description of classical Sanskrit, and used grammatical and other concepts that wouldn't be introduced into Western linguistics for eons.  Daksiputra Panini thrived around the 5th or 4th century BCE, but was likely one of the reasons that Sanskrit continued to be used as a language of scholarship and learning even as it died out of usage as the day to day language of the common people.  His works and legacy would have been invaluable to translators like Xuanzang in understanding and translating from Sanskrit. Xuanzang continued on his journey to Kashmira, situated in the Kashmir Valley.  This valley sits between the modern states of Pakistan and India, and its ownership is actively disputed by each.  It is the namesake of the famous cashmere wool—wool from the winter coats of a type of goat that was bred in the mountainous regions.  The winter coat would be made of soft, downy fibers and would naturally fall out in the spring, which the goatherds harvested and made into an extremely fine wool.  In the 7th century and earlier, however, the region was known not as much for its wool, but as a center for Hindu and Buddhist studies.  Xuanzang ended up spending two years in Kashmira studying with teachers there.  Eventually, though, he continued on, passing through the country of Rajpura, and continuing on to Takka and the city of Sakala—modern day Sialkot in the Punjab region of modern Pakistan.  Leaving Sakala, he was traveling with a group when suddenly disaster struck and they were accosted by a group of bandits.  They took the clothes and money of Xuanzang and those with him and then they drove the group into a dry pond in an attempt to corral them while they figured out what they would do—presumably meaning kill them all.  Fortunately for the group, there was a water drain at the southern edge of the pond large enough for one man to pass through.  Xuanzang and one other went through the gap and they were able to escape to a nearby village.  Once they got there, they told the people what had happened, and the villagers quickly gathered weapons and ran out to confront the brigands, who saw a large group coming and ran away.  Thus they were able to rescue the rest of Xuanzang's traveling companions.  Xuanzang's companions were devastated, having lost all of their possessions.  However, Xuanzang comforted them.  After all, they still had their lives.  By this time, Xuanzang had certainly seen his fair share of life and death problems along the road.  They continued on, still in the country of Takka, to the next great city.  There they met a Brahman, and once they told him what had happened, he started marshalling the forces of the city on their behalf.  During Xuanzang's stay in Kashmira, he had built a reputation, and people knew of the quote-unquote “Chinese monk”.  And even though the people in this region were not necessarily Buddhist—many were “heretics” likely referring to those of Hindu faith—the people responded to this pre-Internet “GoFundMe” request with incredible generosity.  They brought Xuanzang food and cloth to make into suits of clothes.  Xuanzang distributed this to his travel companions, and ended up still having enough cloth for 50 suits of clothes himself.  He then stayed at that city a month. It is odd that they don't seem to mention the name of this location.  Perhaps there is something unspeakable about it?  Still, it seems that they were quite generous, even if they were “heretics” according to Xuanzang. From the country of Takka, he next proceeded to the kingdom of Cinabhukti, where he spent 14 months—just over a year—studying with the monks there.  Once he had learned what he could, he proceeded onwards, passing through several countries in northern India until he came to the headwaters of the sacred Ganges rivers.  The Indus and the Ganges rivers are in many ways similar to the Yellow River and Yangzi, at least in regards to their importance to the people of India.  However, whereas the Yellow River and Yangzi both flow east towards the Pacific Ocean, the Indus and Ganges flow in opposite directions.  The Indus flows southwest, from the Himalayas down through modern India into modern Pakistan, emptying into the western Indian Ocean.  The Ganges flows east along the base of the Himalayas and enters the eastern Indian Ocean at Kolkatta.   At the headwaters of the Ganges, Xuanzang found a Buddhist monk named Jayagupta and chose to spend the winter and half of the following spring listening to his sermons and learning at his feet. From there he continued his travels, and ended up being summoned by King Harshavardhana of Kanyakubja, known today as the modern city of Kannauj.  Harshavardhana ruled an immense state that covered much of the territory around the sacred Ganges river.  As word of this strange monk from a far off land reached him, the King wanted to see him for himself.  Xuanzang stayed in Kannauj for three months, completing his studies of the Vibhasha Shastra, aka the Abhidarmma Mahavibhasha Shastra, known in Japanese as the Abidatsuma Daibibasharon, or just as the Daibibasharon or the Basharon, with the latter two terms referring to the translations that Xuanzang performed.   This work is not a sutra, per se, but rather an encyclopedic work that attempted to speak on all of the various doctrinal issues of its day.  It is thought to have been authored around 150 CE, and was influential in the Buddhist teachings of Kashmira, when that was a center of Orthodoxy at the time.  This is what Xuanzang had started studying, and it seems that in Kannauj he was finally able to grasp everything he felt he needed to know about it in order to effectively translate it and teach it when he returned.  That said, his quest was not over.  And after his time in Kannauj, he decided to continue on. His next stop was at the city of Ayodhya.  This was—and is—a city of particular importance in Hindu traditions.  It is said to be the city mentioned in the epic tale known as the Ramayana, though many argue that it was simply named that later in honor of that ancient city.  It does appear to be a city that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, visited and where he preached.  It was also the home of a famous monk from Gandhara who authored a number of Buddhist tomes and was considered, at least by Xuanzang, a proper Boddhisatva.  And so Xuanzang spent some time paying homage to the places where the Buddha and other holy figures had once walked. “Ayodhya” appears in many forms across Asia.  It is a major pilgrimage center, and the city of “Ayutthaya” in Thailand was named for it, evoking the Ramayana—known in Thai as the Ramakien—which they would adopt as their own national story.  In Silla, there is a story that queen Boju, aka Heo Hwang-ok, wife to the 2nd century King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya, traveled to the peninsula all the way from the foreign country of “Ayuta”, thought to mean Ayodhya.  Her story was written down in the Gaya histories and survives as a fragment found in the Samguk Yusa.  Members of the Gimhae Kim, Gimhae Heo, and Incheon Yi clans all trace their lineage back to her and King Suro. From Ayodhya, Xuanzang took a trip down the Ganges river.  The boat was packed to bursting with some 80 other travelers, and as they traveled towards a particularly heavily forested area, they were set upon by bandits, who rowed their ships out from hiding in the trees and forced the travelers to the shore.  There the bandits made all the travelers strip down and take off their clothing so that the bandits could search for gold or valuables.  According to Xuanzang's biography, these bandits were followers of Durga, a Hindu warrior-goddess, and it is said that each year they would look for someone of particularly handsome features to sacrifice to her.  With Xuanzang's foreign features, they chose him.  And so they took him to be killed.  Xuanzang mentioned that he was on a pilgrimage, and that by interrupting him before they finished he was worried it might be inauspicious for them, but he didn't put up a fight and merely asked to be given time to meditate and calm his mind and that they perform the execution quickly so that he wouldn't even notice. From there, according to the story, a series of miracles occurred that ended up with Xuanzang being released and the bandits worshipping at his feet.  It is times like this we must remember that this biography was being written by Xuanzang's students based on stories he told them about his travels.  While being accosted by bandits on the river strikes me as perfectly plausible, we don't necessarily have the most reliable narrators, so I'm going to have to wonder about the rest.  Speaking of unreliable narration, the exact route that Xuanzang traveled from here on is unclear to me, based on his stated goals and where he was going.  It is possible that he was wandering as opportunities presented themselves —I don't know that he had any kind of map or GPS, like we've said in the past.  And it may be that the routes from one place to another were not always straightforward.  Regardless, he seems to wander southeast for a period before turning again to the north and eventually reaching the city of Shravasti. Shravasti appeared in our discussion of the men of Tukhara in Episode 119.  With the men of Tukhara there was also mentioned a woman from Shravasti.  While it is unlikely that was actually the case—the names were probably about individuals from the Ryukyuan island chain rather than from India—it is probably worth nothing that Shravasti was a thriving place in ancient times.  It was at one time the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala, sharing that distinction with the city of Ayodhya, back in the 7th to 5th centuries BCE.  It is also where the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was said to have spend many years of his life.  This latter fact would have no doubt made it a place of particular importance to Xuanzang on his journeys. From there he traveled east, ending up following the foothills of the Himalayas, and finally came to some of the most central pilgrimages sites for followers of the historical Buddha.  First, he reached Lumbini wood, in modern Nepal, said to have been the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha.  And then he visited Kushinagara, the site where the Buddha ascended to nirvana—in other words, the place where he passed away.  From there, he traveled to Varanasi, and the deer park monastery, at the place where the Buddha is said to have given one of his most famous sermons.  He even visited the Bodhi tree, the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is said to have attained enlightenment.  He spent eight or nine days there at Bodhgaya, and word must have spread about his arrival, because several monks from the eminent Nalanda Monastery called upon him and asked him to come to the monastery with them. Nalanda Monastery was about 80 km from Bodhgaya.  This was a grand monastery and center of learning—some say that it was, for a time, the greatest in the world.  It had been founded in the 5th century by the Gupta dynasty, and many of the Gupta rulers and others donated to support the monastery, which also acted as a university.  After the fall of the Gupta dynasty, the monastery was supported by King Harsha of Kannauj, whom Xuanzang had visited earlier.  It ultimately thrived for some 750 years, and is considered by some to be the oldest residential university—meaning that students would come to the temple complex and stay in residence for years at a time to study.  According to Xuanzang, Nalanda hosted some 10,000 monks. Including hosts and guests.  They didn't only study Buddhist teachings, but also logic, grammar, medicine, and divination.  Lectures were given at more than 100 separate places—or classrooms—every day.  It was at Nalanda, that Xuanzang would meet the teacher Silabhadra, who was known as the Right Dharma Store.  Xuanzang requested that he be allowed to study the Yogacharabhumi Shastra—the Yugashijiron, in Japanese.  This is the work that Xuanzang is said to have been most interested in, and one of the works that he is credited with bringing back in one of the first full translations to the Tang dynasty and then to others in East Asia.  It is an encyclopedic work dedicated to the various forms of Yogacara practice, which focuses on the mental disciplines, and includes yoga and meditation practices.  It has a huge influence on nearly all Mahayana schools, including things like the famous Zen and Pure Land schools of Buddhism.  The Yogacharabhumi Shastra is the earliest such encyclopedic work, compiled between the 3rd and 5th centuries—so even if the monk Faxian had brought portions of it back, it was probably not in the final form that Xuanzang was able to access. Silabhadra, for his part, was an ancient teacher—some put his age at 106 years, and his son was in his 70s.  He was one of the few at Nalandra who supposedly knew all of the various texts that they had at the monastery, including the Yogacarabhumi Shastra.  Xuanzang seems to have been quite pleased to study under him.  Xuanzang stayed at the house of Silabhadra's son, Buddhabhadra, and they welcomed him with entertainment that lasted seven days.  We are told that he was then given his own lodgings, a stipend of spices, incense, rice, oil, butter, and milk, along with a servant and a Brahman.  As a visiting monk, he was not responsible for the normal monastic duties, instead being expected to spend the time in study.  Going out, he was carried around by an elephant.   This was certainly the royal treatment. Xuanzang's life at Nalandra wasn't all books: south of the monastery was the city of Rajagrha, the old capital of the kingdom of Magadha, where the ancient Gupta kings had once lived, and on occasional breaks from his studies, Xuanzang would venture out to see the various holy sites.  This included the famous Mt. Grdhrakuta, or Vulture Peak, a location said to be favored by the historical Buddha and central to the Lotus Sutra, arguably the founding document of Mahayana Buddhist tradition. After all, “Mahayana” means “Greater Vehicle” and it is in the Lotus Sutra that we see the metaphor of using different vehicles to escape a burning house.   We've already talked a bit about how the image of Vulture Peak had already become important in Japanese Buddhism: In Episode 112 we talked about how in 648, Abe no Oho-omi had drums piled up at Shitennoji in the shape of Vulture Peak. But although the sightseeing definitely enhanced his experience, Xuanzang was first and foremost there to study.  He spent 15 months just listening to his teacher expound on the Yogacarabhumi Shastra, but he also heard expositions on various other teachings as well.  He ended up studying at Nalandra Monastery for 5 years, gaining a much better understanding of Sanskrit and the various texts, which would be critically important when it came to translating them, later. But, Xuanzang was not one to stay in any one place forever, and so after 5 years—some 8 years or more into his journey, he continued on, following the Ganges east, to modern Bangladesh.  Here he heard about various other lands, such as Dvarapati—possibly referring to Dvaravati, in modern Thailand, as well as Kamalanka and Isanapura.  The latter was in modern Cambodia, the capital of the ancient Chenla kingdom.  Then Mahacampa—possibly referring to the Champa region of Vietnam—and the country of Yamanadvipa.  But there was still more of India for Xuanzang to discover, and more teachings to uncover, and so Xuanzang decided instead to head southwest, following the coast.  He heard of the country of Sinhala, referring to the island of Sri Lanka, but he was urged not to go by ship, as the long journey was perilous.  Instead he could stay on relatively dry land and head down to the southern tip of the subcontinent and then make a quick hop from there across to the island.  He traveled a long distance, all the way down to Kancipuram, the seat of the Pallava dynasty, near modern day Chennai.  From the seaport near Kancipuram, it was only three days to Sinhala—that is to say Sri Lanka—but before he could set out, he met a group of monks who had just arrived.  They told him that the king of Sinhala had died , and there was a great famine and civil disturbances.  So they had fled with some 300 other monks. Xuanzang eventually decided not to make the journey, but he did talk with the monks and gathered information on the lands to the south, on Sri Lanka, and on the islands south of that, by which I suspect he may have meant the Maldives.  While Sri Lanka is an area important to Buddhist scholarship, particularly to the Theravada schools, this likely did not impress Xuanzang, and indeed he seemed to feel that his studies in Nalanda had more than provided him what he needed.  Sri Lanka, however, is the source of the Pali canon, one of the most complete early canons of Buddhism, which had a huge influence on Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. So Xuanzang took plenty of notes but decided to forego the ocean voyage and headed northwest, instead.  He traveled across the breadth of India to Gujarat, and then turned back east, returning to pay respects once more to his teacher in Nalanda.  While there he heard of another virtuous monk named Prajnabhadra at a nearby monastery.  And so he went to spend several months with him, as well.  He also studied with a layman, Sastrin Jayasena, at Stickwood Hill.  Jayasena was a ksatriya, or nobleman, by birth, and studied both Buddhist and non-Buddhist texts.  He was courted by kings, but had left to continue his studies.  Xuanzang studied with him for another couple of years. Xuanzang remained at Nalanda, learning and teaching, expounding on what he had learned and gathering many copies of the various documents that he wished to take back with him, though he wondered how he might do it.  In the meantime, he also acquired quite the reputation.  We are told that King Siladitya had asked Nalanda for monks who could refute Theravada teachings, and Xuanzang agreed to go.  It isn't clear, but it seems that “Siladitya” was a title, and likely referred to King Harsha of Kannauj, whom we mentioned earlier.  Since he was a foreigner, then there could be no trouble that was brought on Nalanda and the other monks if he did poorly.  While he was waiting to hear back from Siladitya's court, which was apparently taking time to arrange things, the king of Kamarupta reached out to Nalanda with a request that Xuanzang come visit them.  While Xuanzang was reluctant to be gone too long, he was eventually encouraged to go and assuage the king. Kamarupta was a kingdom around the modern Assam region, ruled by King Bhaskaravarman, also known as King Kumara, a royal title.  This kingdom included parts of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.  Bhaskaravarman, like so many other regents, seems to have been intrigued by the presence of this foreign monk, who had traveled all this way and who had studied at the famous Nalanda Monastery in Magadha. He invited Xuanzang to come to him.  Xuanzang's teacher, Silabhadra, had exhorted him to spread the right Dharma, and to even go to those non-Buddhists in hopes that they might be converted, or at least partially swayed. King Bhaskaravarman was quite taken with Xuanzang, wining and dining him while listening to him preach.  While there, Xuanzang learned about the country of Kamarupta.  He also learned about a path north, by which it was said it was a two month journey to arrive at the land of Shu, in the Sichuan Basin, on the upper reaches of the Yangzi – a kind of shortcut back to the Tang court.  However, the journey was treacherous—possibly even more treacherous than the journey to India had been. Eventually word reached the ears of King Siladitya that Xuanzang was at the court of King Bhaskaravarman, and Siladitya got quite upset.  Xuanzang had not yet come to *his* court, so Siladitya demanded that Bhaskaravarman send the monk to him immediately.  Bhaskaravarman refused, saying he'd rather give Siladitya his own head, which Siladitya said he would gladly accept.  Bhaskaravarman realized he may have miscalculated, and so he sailed up the Ganges with a host of men and Xuanzang to meet with Siladitya.  After a bit of posturing, Siladitya met with Xuanzang, who went with him, and eventually confronted the members of the Theravada sect in debate.  Apparently it almost got ugly, but for the King's intervention.  After a particularly devastating critique of the Theravada position, the Theravada monks are blamed for trying to use violence against Xuanzang and his fellow Mahayana monks from Nalanda, who were prepared to defend themselves.  The King had to step in and break it up before it went too far. Ultimately, Xuanzang was a celebrity at this point and both kings seem to have supported him, especially as he was realizing it was about time to head back to his own country.  Both kings was offered ships, should Xuanzang wish to sail south and then up the coast.  However, Xuanzang elected to take the northern route, hoping to go back through Gaochang, and see that city and its ruler again.  And so the Kings gave him money and valuables , along with wagons for all of the texts.  They also sent an army to protect all of the treasures, and even an elephant and more – sending him back in style with a huge send-off. So Xuanzang retraced his earlier steps, this time on an elephant.  He traveled back to Taxila, to Kashmir, and beyond.  He was invited to stay in Kashmira, but because of his retinue, he wasn't quite at leisure to just go where he wanted.  At one point, near Kapisa—modern Bagram, north of Kabul—they had to cross a river, and about 50 of the almost 700 documents were lost.  The King of Kapisa heard of this and had his own monks make copies to replace them based on their own schools.  The King of Kasmira, hearing that he was in Kapisa, also came to pay his respects. Xuanzang traveled with the King of Kapisa northwest for over a month and reached Lampaka, where he did take some time to visit the various holy sites before continuing northwest.  They had to cross the Snow Mountains—the outskirts of the Himalayas, and even though it wasn't the highest part of the range it was still challenging.  He had to dismount his elephant and travel on foot.  Finally, after going over the high mountains and coming down, he arrived back in the region of Tukhara, in the country of Khowst.  He then came to Kunduz, and paid his respects to the grandson of Yehu Khan.  He was given more guards to escort him eastward, traveling with some merchants.  This was back in Gokturk controlled lands, over a decade later than when he had last visited.  He continued east to Badakshan, stopping there for a month because of the cold weather and snow.  He eventually traveled through the regions of Tukhara and over the Pamir range.  He came down on the side of the Tarim Basin, and noted how the rivers on one side flowed west, while on the other side they flowed east.  The goings were treacherous, and at one point they were beset by bandits.  Though he and the documents were safe, his elephant panicked and fled into the river and drowned.  He eventually ended up in the country of Kashgar, in modern Xinjiang province, at the western edge of the Taklamakan desert. From there he had two options.  He could go north and hug the southern edge of the Tianshan mountains, or he could stay to the south, along the northern edge of the Himalayan range and the Tibetan plateau.  He chose to go south.  He traveled through Khotan, a land of wool and carpets.  This was a major trade kingdom, and they also grew mulberry trees for silkworms, and were known for their jade.  The king himself heard of Xuanzang and welcomed him, as many others had done.  While he was staying at the Khotanese capital, Xuanzang penned a letter to the Tang court, letting them know of his journey, and that he was returning.  He sent it with some merchants and a man of Gaochang to deliver it to the court. Remember, Xuanzang had left the Tang empire illegally.  Unless he wanted to sneak back in his best hope was that the court was willing to forgive and forget all of that, given everything that he was bringing back with him.  The wait was no doubt agonizing, but he did get a letter back.  It assured him that he was welcome back, and that all of the kingdoms from Khotan back to the governor of Dunhuang had been made aware and were ready to receive him. With such assurances, Xuanzang packed up and headed out.  The king of Khotan granted him more gifts to help see him on his way.  Nonetheless, there was still a perilous journey ahead.  Even knowing the way, the road went through miles and miles of desert, such that in some places you could only tell the trail by the bleached bones of horses and travelers who had not been so fortunate.  Eventually, however, Xuanzang made it to the Jumo River and then on to Dunhuang, from whence he was eventually escorted back to the capital city. It was now the year 645, the year of the Isshi Incident in Yamato and the death of Soga.  Xuanzang had been gone for approximately 16 years.  In that time, the Tang had defeated the Gokturks and taken Gaochang, expanding their control over the trade routes in the desert.  Xuanzang, for his part, was bringing back 657 scriptures, bound in 520 bundles carried by a train of some 20 horses.  He was given a hero's welcome, and eventually he would be set up in a monastery where he could begin the next part of his journey:  Translating all of these books. This was the work of a lifetime, but it is one that would have a profound impact on Buddhism across East Asia.  Xuanzang's translations would revolutionize the understanding of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, and students would come from as far away as the Yamato court to study under him and learn from the teacher who studied and taught at none other than Nalanda monastery itself.  His school would become popular in the Yamato capital, and the main school of several temples, at least for a time.  In addition, his accounts and his biography would introduce many people to the wider world of central and south Asia.  While I could go on, this has already been a story in three parts, and this is, after all, the Chronicles of Japan, so we should probably tune back into what is going on with Yamato.  Next episode, we'll look at one of the most detailed accounts we have of a mission to Chang'an. Until then, I hope that this has been enjoyable.  Xuanzang's story is one of those that isn't just about him, but about the interconnected nature of the entire world at the time.  While his journey is quite epic, there were many people traveling the roads, though most of them didn't write about it afterwards.  People, artifacts, and ideas traveled much greater distances than we often consider at this time, well before any kind of modern travel.  It was dangerous, but often lucrative, and it meant that various regions could have influence well beyond what one might expect. And so, thank you once again for listening and for all of your support. If you like what we are doing, please tell your friends and feel free to rate us wherever you listen to podcasts.  If you feel the need to do more, and want to help us keep this going, we have information about how you can donate on Patreon or through our KoFi site, ko-fi.com/sengokudaimyo, or find the links over at our main website,  SengokuDaimyo.com/Podcast, where we will have some more discussion on topics from this episode. Also, feel free to reach out to our Sengoku Daimyo Facebook page.  You can also email us at the.sengoku.daimyo@gmail.com.  Thank you, also, to Ellen for their work editing the podcast. And that's all for now.  Thank you again, and I'll see you next episode on Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan

Finden wir auf Reisen zu uns selbst? Was machen heilige & spirituelle Orte mit uns? Gibt es Erkenntnis durchs Unterwegsein? Und warum reisen wir überhaupt? In einer ganz besonderen Folge widmen wir uns den großen Fragen des Lebens und des Reisens - zusammen mit unserem Freund Michael ‚Curse‘ Kurth. Er betreibt den Podcast „Meditation, Coaching & Life“, hat das Buch „199 Fragen an dich selbst“ geschrieben und ist ganz nebenbei einer der relevantesten und besten Rapper Deutschlands. :) Seine Neigung zum Buddhismus, seine Arbeit als systemischer Coach und Lehrer für tibetisches Yoga und Meditation hat ihn unter anderem nach Indien geführt, zum Sitz des Dalai Lama. Doch nicht nur dort sind wir in dieser Folge. Es geht um die spirituellsten Ecken dieses Planeten - sei es Jerusalem, Varanasi, der Vatikan und noch ganz andere Flecken Erde, die ‚etwas‘ mit uns machen. Ihr wisst schon. Eben das, was man nicht in Worte fassen kann. Mehr als die Summe der einzelnen Teile. Und dafür muss man übrigens nicht religiös sein! Und gegebenenfalls auch nicht einmal die Welt umrunden. All das und noch mehr zu dieser einen ganz besonderen Reise, die wir alle kennen und doch individuell erleben: in dieser Folge. Unsere Werbepartner findet ihr hier: https://www.reisen-reisen-der-podcast.de/werbepartner Mehr zur Arbeit von Curse gibt s hier: www.curse.deNoch mehr Reisen Reisen gibt es in unserem Newsletter-Magazin: https://tinyurl.com/3epcheb5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Discovering Secrets and Friendship in Varanasi's Holi Colors Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-03-10-22-34-01-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी की प्राचीन गलियों में, जब बसंत की मधुर वायु बह रही थी, रंगों का त्यौहार, होली, शहर की रग-रग में घुल चुका था।En: In the ancient lanes of Varanasi, when the sweet breeze of spring was blowing, the festival of colors, Holi, had permeated the entire city.Hi: गलियां गुलाल और हंसी से गूंज रही थीं।En: The alleys were resonating with gulal and laughter.Hi: इसी चहल-पहल के बीच, आर्यन, एक युवा विद्वान, नवीन ज्ञान की तलाश में निकला था।En: Amidst this hustle and bustle, Aaryan, a young scholar, ventured out in search of new knowledge.Hi: उसकी खोज का केंद्र बिंदु था एक दुर्लभ पाण्डुलिपि, जो किसी गुप्त स्थान पर छुपी हुई थी।En: The focal point of his quest was a rare manuscript, hidden in some secret location.Hi: आर्यन को वाराणसी आए कुछ ही दिन हुए थे।En: Aaryan had come to Varanasi just a few days ago.Hi: उसका मन विद्या, ज्ञान और आध्यात्मिकता में लिप्त रहता था।En: His mind was absorbed in education, knowledge, and spirituality.Hi: इसी खोज में जब वह बाजार में घूम रहा था, उसकी नजर अचानक एक चुलबुली लड़की पर पड़ी।En: While wandering through the market in this search, his eyes suddenly fell on a lively girl.Hi: वह प्रिय थी, एक स्थानीय व्यापारी की बेटी, जिसकी आंखों में घूमने की ललक थी।En: She was Priya, the daughter of a local trader, with a wanderlust in her eyes.Hi: प्रिय के पास से गुजरते हुए आर्यन ने उसके चहरे पर रंगों की छटा और मुस्कान देखी।En: As Aaryan passed by Priya, he noticed the blend of colors and her smile on her face.Hi: दिल को भाने वाली उसकी हंसी आर्यन के कदम रोक नहीं पाई।En: Her heartwarming laughter couldn't stop Aaryan's feet.Hi: प्रिय ने मुस्कराते हुए पूछा, "क्या खोज रहे हो?En: Priya smiled and asked, "What are you searching for?"Hi: " आर्यन ने हिम्मत जुटाकर अपनी खोज के बारे में बताया।En: Summoning courage, Aaryan told her about his quest.Hi: आर्यन की समस्या थी—उसके पास कोई संबंधी या जानकारी का स्रोत नहीं था जो उसे उस गुप्त स्थान तक पहुंचाए।En: Aaryan faced a problem—he had no relatives or source of information to lead him to that secret location.Hi: प्रिय ने उसकी बात सुनकर सोचा, "यह तो एक अद्भुत यात्रा हो सकती है!En: Listening to his tale, Priya thought, "This could be an amazing journey!"Hi: ""मैं तुम्हारी मदद कर सकती हूं," प्रिय ने कहा।En: "I can help you," Priya said.Hi: आर्यन ने थोड़ा संकोच किया, लेकिन प्रिय के उत्साह ने उसका संदेह दूर कर दिया।En: Aaryan hesitated a little, but Priya's enthusiasm dissolved his doubt.Hi: होली का दिन आ पहुंचा।En: The day of Holi arrived.Hi: बाजार का माहौल और भी जगर-मगर हो रहा था।En: The ambiance of the market was getting even more lively.Hi: प्रिय और आर्यन ने इस भीड़भाड़ में छुपकर उस गुप्त पुस्तकालय की ओर बढ़ने का निर्णय किया।En: Priya and Aaryan decided to sneak through the crowd toward that secret library.Hi: रंगों की बौछार में छुपते-छुपाते, उन्होंने एक गली कोने में प्रवेश किया जो उन्हें गुप्त पुस्तकालय तक लेकर गया।En: Hiding in the showers of colors, they entered a lane corner that led them to the hidden library.Hi: आखिरकार वे वहां पहुंचे।En: Finally, they arrived there.Hi: धड़कते दिल से दरवाज़ा खोला।En: With pounding hearts, they opened the door.Hi: अंदर वे पाण्डुलिपि देखने में सफल हो गए।En: Inside, they succeeded in seeing the manuscript.Hi: यह केवल ज्ञान का भंडार नहीं था, बल्कि प्रिय के पूर्वजों द्वारा संरक्षित गया एक रहस्य भी समेटे था।En: It was not just a treasure trove of knowledge, but it also contained a secret preserved by Priya's ancestors.Hi: इस खुलासे ने प्रिय को अपनी विरासत के प्रति गर्व से भर दिया।En: This revelation filled Priya with pride for her heritage.Hi: आर्यन को एहसास हुआ कि जीवन की यात्रा में साथी की अहमियत कितनी होती है।En: Aaryan realized the significance of a companion in life's journey.Hi: प्रिय ने न केवल आर्यन की खोज को पूरा करने में मदद की, बल्कि अपने पूर्वजों की महानता को भी जान लिया।En: Priya not only helped complete Aaryan's quest, but also came to know the greatness of her ancestors.Hi: होली की यह कथा आर्यन के जीवन में दोस्ती और विश्वास का इंद्रधनुष छोड़ गई।En: This tale of Holi left a rainbow of friendship and trust in Aaryan's life. Vocabulary Words:permeated: घुल चुका थाalleys: गलियांresonating: गूंज रही थींmanuscript: पाण्डुलिपिfocal: केंद्रabsorbed: लिप्तwanderlust: घूमने की ललकblend: छटाheartwarming: दिल को भाने वालीsummoning: हिम्मत जुटाकरhesitated: संकोच कियाrevelation: खुलासाpreserved: संरक्षित गयाventure: निकलाquest: खोजsignificance: महत्वtreasure trove: भंडारpride: गर्वcompanion: साथीancestry: पूर्वजोंlively: चहल-पहलambiance: माहौलbustle: चहल-पहलsneak: छुपकरshower: बौछारpounding: धड़कतेtrove: भंडारancestry: पूर्वजोंrevelation: रहस्य

Srini/Pettai sharing his experience of visiting Prayag and Varanasi during Maha Kumbh in Feb'25

Decisions Determine destiny - Chaitanya Charan 27 02 2025 - Varanasi by Exploring mindfulness, yoga and spirituality

In this episode, we confront one of life's most profound and universal truths: death. Despite its inevitability, death remains a taboo topic in many cultures, often shrouded in fear and avoidance. We explore the concept of a “good death” versus a “bad death,” discussing how saying goodbye, letting go, and even planning one's end can create a more peaceful passing for both the dying and their loved ones. From personal anecdotes about witnessing death to cultural perspectives like Hindu cremation ceremonies in Varanasi, we examine how exposure to and understanding of death impacts our relationship with life. We also delve into practical preparations for death, from creating a will and organizing personal affairs to embracing the “Say It Now” philosophy—expressing gratitude and love to others while they're still here. Inspired by books like Die with Zero and The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, we reflect on the importance of living fully and intentionally. Whether it's experiencing life's milestones at the right time or ensuring you leave a meaningful legacy, this conversation invites us to embrace death as a reminder to live authentically and connect deeply.

Síðustu ár hefur hópur íslenskra listamanna heimsótt Varanasi á Indlandi og dvalið þar á vinnustofum Kriti gallerísins, sótt sér næringu og innblástur. Afrakstur dvalarinnar má sjá á sýningu sem nú stendur yfir í Listasafni Árnesinga og hefur yfirskriftina Meðal guða og manna. Um sýningarstjórn sér Pari Stave, en hópurinn telur sex mótaða og margreynda íslenska listamenn, þau Margréti H. Blöndal, Guðjón Ketilsson, Eygló Harðardóttur, Sólveigu Aðalsteinsdóttur, Sigurð Árna Sigurðsson og Einar Fal Ingólfsson, sem er forsprakkinn að þessu viðamikla verkefni. Það finnast varla ólíkari lönd og menningarheimar en Ísland og Indland og íslensku listamennirnir sem héldu til Varanasi fetuðu í fótspor margra annarra listamanna og hugsuða sem hafa farið þangað í leit að áhrifum og upplifunum. Varanasi er borg öfga, lita og fjölskrúðugs mannlífs, þar sem dauðinn er alltaf nálægur við hið helga Gangesfljót. Við heyrum af upplifunum listamannnanna sex, ásamt stofnanda gallerísins og vinnustofunnar, Navneet Raman. Svipmynd dagsins er af vinnustofu í Varanasi. Umsjón: Melkorka Ólafsdóttir

No Risk, No Reward. How This Semiconductor CEO Uses $MRAM Memory To Improve The World. Everspin Tech CEO $MRAMGuest:Sanjeev Aggarwal, President & CEO Everspin Technology (Ticker: $MRAM)Website:https://www.everspin.com/Ticker: MRAMBIO: Sanjeev Aggarwal, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. With over 25 years of expertise in the non-volatile memory and semiconductor industry, Sanjeev has been instrumental in shaping Everspin since its inception in 2008 through various leadership positions. Most recently, he served as the Chief Technology Officer driving product and technology roadmaps and business agreements with partners, vendors, and suppliers. As the Vice President of Technology R&D, he directed cross-functional teams to develop and qualify new technology and products. As Vice President of Operations, he managed manufacturing operations, supply chain, and managed joint development agreements for technology transfer and production. Before Everspin, Sanjeev was at Freescale Semiconductor and part of the team that spun out to form Everspin Technologies. Prior to his work on MRAM, Sanjeev worked on developing Ferroelectric memories at Texas Instruments. In 2005, he was awarded the Technical Excellence Award by the International Symposium on Integrated Ferroelectrics for his contributions to commercializing FRAM technology. Sanjeev is Senior Member, IEEE and his technical contributions include over 100 issued patents, more than 100 publications and numerous invited presentations. He graduated from Cornell University with a doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering and received his bachelors from Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi in Ceramic Engineering. Sanjeev is also a member of the Everspin Board of Directors.

KJ took a dip at the Triveni Sangam, here he is in  conversation with Dr Omar Ali and Maneesh on what was the experience like. His travels across Lucknow and Varanasi make an appearance too. We conclude the episode with a hat tip to the greatest Indian Dessert. 

Ellen Kamhi talks with Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, an award-winning healthcare professional recognized for her trailblazing work at the forefront of personalized medicine and healthcare innovation. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina and became the first pharmacist in the U.S. to complete a postdoctoral residency in integrative medicine and preventive health. Following this achievement, she co-founded the Integrative Health Pharmacy Residency Program. Her credentials also include a postdoctoral fellowship in biotech and nutrition from Cornell University.  Her research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and she has served as faculty and guest lecturer at numerous academic institutions. In 2023, was honored as one of 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy.  https://myosmd.com/

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: From Ashes to Unity: A Family's Rekindled Bond in Varanasi Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-02-03-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी के घाटों पर शीतकालीन शाम ने अपनी चादर फैला दी थी।En: The winter evening had spread its cloak over the Varanasi ghats.Hi: गंगा की लहरें धीरे-धीरे किनारे से टकरा रही थीं, और अर्तियां जल रही थीं, मानो आकाश के तारे धरती पर उतर आए हों।En: The waves of the Ganga gently lapped the shores, and the aartis were lit, as if the stars of the sky had descended to earth.Hi: आरव, मीरा और कबीर घाट पर खड़े थे।En: Aarav, Meera, and Kabir stood by the ghats.Hi: उनके हाथों में वे यादें थीं, जो उनके प्रियजन के साथ जुड़ी थीं, और दिल में वह दर्द जो बिछड़ने से होता है।En: In their hands were the memories associated with their loved ones, and in their hearts was the pain that separation brings.Hi: अपने माता-पिता की अंतिम इच्छाओं को पूरा करने के लिए आरव जिम्मेदारी का बोझ अपने कंधों पर महसूस कर रहा था।En: To fulfill his parents' last wishes, Aarav felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.Hi: यह बोझ उसे लगातार याद दिलाता था कि अब परिवार की जिम्मेदारी उसी पर है।En: This weight constantly reminded him that the responsibility of the family now rested with him.Hi: मीरा, परिवार की सबसे छोटी, खोई-खोई सी थी।En: Meera, the youngest in the family, seemed lost.Hi: उसे यह सब बेमानी लग रहा था।En: All this felt meaningless to her.Hi: वह अपने माता-पिता से एक गिरा हुआ संवाद महसूस कर रही थी।En: She felt a broken connection with her parents.Hi: कबीर, जो हमेशा परिवार में हंसी-मजाक के लिए जाना जाता था, आज अपने भीतर के पछतावे और अधूरे मुद्दों को लेकर गंभीर था।En: Kabir, who was always known for laughter and jokes within the family, was serious today, dealing with inner regrets and unresolved issues.Hi: आरव ने घाट की ओर कदम बढ़ाए।En: Aarav took steps toward the ghat.Hi: उसके मन में उथल-पुथल मची थी।En: His mind was in turmoil.Hi: मीरा की बेजारी उसके लिए एक चुनौती थी।En: Meera's indifference was a challenge for him.Hi: वह जानता था कि उसे मीरा से इस विरुद्धता के विषय में बात करनी होगी, लेकिन कैसे?En: He knew he had to talk to Meera about this contradiction, but how?Hi: ठंडी हवा का झोंका आया।En: A cold breeze blew.Hi: आरव ने गंगा की ओर देखा और राख को धीरे-धीरे समाप्त करना शुरू किया।En: Aarav looked towards the Ganga and began to gently scatter the ashes.Hi: तभी, उसका दिल भर आया।En: At that moment, his heart welled up.Hi: उसकी शांति टूटी और वह घुटनों के बल बैठ गया।En: His peace was broken, and he sank to his knees.Hi: उसके आंसू बहने लगे।En: His tears began to flow.Hi: मीरा ने यह देखा और उसके पास आई।En: Meera saw this and came to him.Hi: वह भी रोने लगी।En: She too began to cry.Hi: ये था वो लम्हा जब दोनों का दिल खुला।En: This was the moment when both hearts opened up.Hi: आरव ने मीरा की आँखों में देखा और धीरे से कहा, "मुझे भी डर लग रहा है।En: Aarav looked into Meera's eyes and softly said, "I am scared too."Hi: "कबीर, जो हमेशा अपनी हंसी के पीछे अपने भाव छिपाता था, ने अब उनकी चर्चा में शामिल होने का फ़ैसला किया।En: Kabir, who always hid his emotions behind his laughter, decided to join their conversation.Hi: उसने उनके माता-पिता की कुछ मजेदार कहानियां सुनाईं।En: He shared some funny stories about their parents.Hi: तीनों हंस पड़े।En: All three laughed.Hi: पहली बार, उन आंसुओं और हंसी ने उन्हें करीब लाया।En: For the first time, those tears and laughter brought them closer.Hi: उनका दिल हल्का हो गया।En: Their hearts felt lighter.Hi: आरव को विश्वास हुआ कि वह परिवार के लिए खड़ा हो सकता है, और मीरा ने परिवार के साथ संबंधों की मजबूती को फिर से महसूस किया।En: Aarav gained confidence that he could stand for the family, and Meera once again felt the strength of her connection with the family.Hi: एक बदलाव हवा में था।En: A change was in the air.Hi: उन कहानियों ने एक पल में ही बहुत कुछ बदल दिया था।En: Those stories had changed a lot in just a moment.Hi: गंगा की लहरों में उतार-चढ़ाव जारी था, और कामत के किनारे पर, वे तीनों एक नया अध्याय लिखने को तैयार थे।En: The ups and downs continued in the Ganga's waves, and on the ghats of Kamat, the three were ready to write a new chapter.Hi: पीछे रह गए अतीत और आने वाले कल के बीच, इस परिवार ने किसी तरह अपनी एकता फिर से पा ली थी।En: Between the past left behind and the coming tomorrow, somehow, this family had rediscovered its unity. Vocabulary Words:cloak: चादरgently: धीरे-धीरेlapped: टकरा रही थींdescended: उतर आएassociated: जुड़ी थींseparation: बिछड़नेresponsibility: जिम्मेदारीweight: बोझrested: थीindifference: बेज़ारीcontradiction: विरुद्धताbreeze: हवा का झोंकाscattered: समाप्त करनाwelled up: दिल भर आयाregrets: पछतावेunresolved: अधूरेturmoil: उथल-पुथलknees: घुटनों के बलsank: बैठ गयाindifference: बेजारीchallenge: चुनौतीstories: कहानियांchapter: अध्यायunity: एकताlaughter: हंसीstrength: मजबूतीconnection: संबंधrediscovered: पाईmemories: यादेंpain: दर्द

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Threads of Inspiration: Arun's Journey Through Banaras Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-01-09-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: सर्दियों की वो सुहानी सुबह थी जब बनारस की गलियों में मकर संक्रांति की हलचल थी।En: It was a pleasant winter morning when the hustle and bustle of Makar Sankranti filled the streets of Banaras.Hi: गंगा के किनारे, सजी-धजी बाजार की गलियों में रौनक थी।En: Along the Ganga River, the lanes of the decorated market were bustling with life.Hi: रंग-बिरंगी साड़ियों से भरे हुए बाजार में भीड़ लगी हुई थी।En: The market, filled with colorful saris, was crowded.Hi: हर कहीं से लुभावनी गंध और आवाजें आ रही थीं।En: Enchanting aromas and sounds were coming from everywhere.Hi: चाय के स्टॉल से उठती भाप सर्द हवा में मिठास घोल रही थी।En: Steam rising from the tea stalls sweetened the cold air.Hi: इसी बाजार के बीचोंबीच, अरुण सपनों में खोया खड़ा था।En: Amidst this market, Arun stood lost in his dreams.Hi: वह एक युवा कलाकार था जो बनारस में कुछ नई प्रेरणा की तलाश में आया था।En: He was a young artist who had come to Banaras seeking new inspiration.Hi: उसके मन में एक खास सांस्कृतिक साड़ी खरीदने की इच्छा थी जिसे वह अपने कला प्रोजेक्ट में उपयोग कर सके।En: He had a desire to buy a special cultural sari which he could use in his art project.Hi: परन्तु, इतने सारे स्टॉल और उनकी चकाचौंध में वह एक अच्छी और असली साड़ी की पहचान नहीं कर पा रहा था।En: However, amidst so many stalls and their dazzling displays, he couldn't identify a good and authentic sari.Hi: अरुण ने सोचा, "क्यूँ न यहां के लोगों और दुकानदारों को ध्यान से देखें।En: Arun thought, "Why not observe the people and shopkeepers here carefully?"Hi: " उसे उम्मीद थी कि इसी से उसे अपनी खोज में सफलता मिल सकती है।En: He hoped that this might help him succeed in his search.Hi: अचानक, उसकी नजर एक खूबसूरत साड़ी पर गई जो एक स्टॉल पर लटकी हुई थी।En: Suddenly, he noticed a beautiful sari hanging at a stall.Hi: इसके धागों में ऐसा जादू था जो वह नज़रअंदाज़ नहीं कर सका।En: There was magic in its threads that he couldn't ignore.Hi: लेकिन उसे शंका थी कि क्या यह वाकई असली है।En: But he doubted whether it was genuine.Hi: उसे तब ही एक दुकान मालकिन, माया से भेंट हुई।En: It was then that he met a shop owner, Maya.Hi: माया ने अरुण से बड़े मनोयोग से बात की।En: Maya spoke to Arun with great sincerity.Hi: "यह साड़ी वाराणसी की खास है।En: "This sari is special to Varanasi.Hi: इस पर जो बुनाई है, वह पुश्तैनी हुनर से की गई है," माया ने कहा।En: The weaving on it is done with ancestral skill," Maya said.Hi: उनका आत्मविश्वास अरुण को प्रभावित कर गया।En: Her confidence left a deep impression on Arun.Hi: माया की मदद से अरुण ने साड़ी खरीद ली।En: With Maya's help, Arun purchased the sari.Hi: उसके मन में अब इस साड़ी को लेकर अनोखी कहानियाँ उमड़ने लगीं।En: His mind now brimmed with unique stories about this sari.Hi: वह इस खरीदारी से बहुत संतुष्ट था और असली बनारसी कला को महसूस कर पा रहा था।En: He was very satisfied with this purchase and felt he could truly appreciate the authentic Banarasi art.Hi: बाजार से निकलते समय अरुण ने महसूस किया कि साड़ी की खरीदारी ने सिर्फ उसके प्रोजेक्ट के लिए ही नहीं, बल्कि उसके अपने जीवन में भी नई सोच और दृष्टिकोण ला दिया था।En: As he left the market, Arun realized that purchasing the sari brought not just something for his project, but also introduced a new way of thinking and perspective in his own life.Hi: वराणसी की तपिश, संस्कृति, और कला उसके मन में औऱ भी गहरे उतर गई थी।En: The warmth, culture, and art of Varanasi had sunk even deeper into his heart.Hi: अरुण बाजार से बाहर आया और अपने में एक अनोखी प्रेरणा पाकर खुश था।En: Arun stepped out of the market, happy to have found a unique inspiration within himself.Hi: अब वह जान चुका था कि असली सुंदरता उस यात्रा में है, जो हम चीजों के पीछे की कहानियों और बारीकियों में पाते हैं।En: He now knew that true beauty lies in the journey we find in the stories and intricacies behind things.Hi: वह अब हर छोटी चीज़ की कीमत जान चुका था।En: He had come to value every little thing.Hi: यह मकर संक्रांति उसके जीवन में एक नया-मोड़ लेकर आई थी।En: This Makar Sankranti brought a new turning point in his life. Vocabulary Words:pleasant: सुहानीhustle: हलचलbustling: रौनकenchanting: लुभावनीaromas: गंधamidst: बीचोंबीचartist: कलाकारsincerity: मनोयोगconfidence: आत्मविश्वासunique: अनोखीpurchase: खरीदारीappreciate: महसूस करनाauthentic: असलीancestral: पुश्तैनीskill: हुनरperspective: दृष्टिकोणintricacies: बारीकियोंsatisfaction: संतुष्टिinspiration: प्रेरणाweaving: बुनाईobserve: देखनाauthentic: असलीstall: स्टॉलattire: वस्त्रdesire: इच्छाthreads: धागेintroduction: परिचयwarmth: तपिशturning point: मोड़bewildered: अवाक

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with the Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, who's shaking things up in the pharmacy world! Named one of 2023's 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy, Swathi shares her fascinating journey from pharmacy school to becoming a pioneer in integrative medicine and healthcare consulting. With her PharmD from the Medical University of South Carolina and BA from Carleton College, Swathi has blazed quite a trail in pharmacy. She made history as the first U.S. pharmacist to complete a residency specialising in integrative medicine and preventative health. Add to that a biotech Medical Affairs fellowship and a Cornell nutrition certificate, and you've got someone who's seriously dedicated to expanding what's possible in pharmacy! Let's talk about creating your own opportunities! Swathi teamed up with a mentor to create something totally new – the first-ever integrative medicine pharmacy residency. These days, Swathi's rocking it as a consultant and fractional executive in the healthtech and CPG world, while advising various organisations and teaching future pharmacists. Her career path shows just how many doors can open when you're willing to think outside the box! Swathi dropped some serious wisdom during our chat. Here are the golden nuggets: 1. Job Hunting Pro Tip: Those "required qualifications"? Think of them more like a wish list! If you've got transferable skills and enthusiasm, go for it. 2. Networking Made Simple: LinkedIn is your friend! Don't be shy about reaching out to people doing interesting things – the worst they can do is not respond. 3. Regular Check-ins: Take time every few months to reflect on what you're enjoying in your work and what you might want to change. 4. Creating Opportunities: Wherever you land, think about how you can create opportunities for others, especially students. 5. Transferable Skills Matter: Your pharmacy background is valuable in unexpected places – you just need to show people how your skills translate. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT STARTING A PODCAST? Join our weekly newsletter where we pull back the curtain on our podcasting adventures – sharing everything from production hacks to scheduling secrets, marketing wins (and fails), and how to create & build your show while balancing a full life. Subscribe now and let's turn your podcasting dreams into reality. https://anisha-and-sunjay.kit.com/d2058726a3 SIGN UP to my PODCAST NEWSLETTER below so you'll be the first to know when new episodes are being released. You'll also receive regular inspiration, tips, tools, and free content. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pharmacistdiaries.ck.page/newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ PARTNERSHIPS and DISCOUNTS: The Naked Pharmacy is offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

There are of course innumerable similarities between the life and message of the Buddha and Swami Vivekananda: in a future lecture, I hope to sketch this out in much more detail. I think there is a particularly strong resonance between Swami Vivekananda's various spiritual experiences and realizations (and also his highest ideal of serving God man) and the Boddhicitta/Boddhisattva ideal of Mahayana Buddhism. One day, I will make a strong case for the Mahayana Buddhist interpretation of Sri Ramakrishna's life and teaching. Of course, in terms of modality, Sri Ramakrishna emphasized a Tantrik, deity-oriented approach which leads us into exciting Vajrayana territory too. A discussion comparing Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya and Dharmakaya to Vaikhari, Madhyama and Pasyanti Vak is of course fore coming. And I have a desire to do a short biography on Milarepaji also, perhaps on his Parinirvana which is the full moon of Bumjur Dawa (by the Tibetan Lunar Calendar) I believe. It will be around Shiva Ratri time!Naturally all these links between Shiva, Swami Vivekananda and the Buddha are particularly pronounced in Varanasi, especially near Sarnath where the Buddha spoke the words that would resound timelessly through eternity! There is a striking resemblance to what he spoke about and what Swami Vivekananda spoke out, a resemblance that is of course more tangibly felt in this place than intellectually cognized. Since I happen to be in Sarnath on Christmas Eve, I thought I'd reflect a little on that in this talk. Jai Jesus Christ! Jai Buddha! Jai Swami Vivekananda Guru Maharajji Ki Jai!Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMAnd if you feel moved to donate to support me and this work, you're welcome to here:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jaimakaliSupport the show

Disclaimer: This video is created for educational purposes only. The opinions expressed by the guest are their personal views and do not reflect our stance. We have no intention to defame or harm any individual, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned in this video. Our aim is to provide information to help the audience make informed decisions. In this telugu podcast episode, Dr. Pavan Mamidi delves into the fascinating and thought-provoking concept of Death Economics, an area of study that examines the livelihoods tied to death, particularly in the context of Varanasi's iconic Manikarnika Ghat. This ghat, a central location for cremations in the city, serves as a platform for understanding how death becomes a part of the local economy. Dr. Mamidi shares his unique experiences conducting seminars on Death Economics at this revered site, providing a rare perspective on how livelihoods and death intertwine, particularly within the Dom community, the caste historically tasked with cremation duties. Through these discussions, Dr. Mamidi explains how such a community has managed to develop sustainable livelihoods from death rituals, despite societal challenges and opposition. One of the more profound themes discussed in this episode is the general societal reluctance to talk about or even think about death. This avoidance, Dr. Mamidi argues, can lead to a disconnect with the natural process of life. By exploring the practices at Manikarnika Ghat, he provides an eye-opening look at how death is normalized in this community. He shares that many cremations occur here daily, but this becomes almost a routine, something the people have learned to cope with over generations. Dr. Mamidi also reveals his personal experience of living among the Dom community and reflects on the cultural ignorance surrounding death in broader society. He discusses how this ignorance has significant consequences, including the common reluctance to write wills, which often causes additional complications for families when someone passes away. The podcast also clarifies the difference between Kashi and Varanasi, often misunderstood terms that refer to different aspects of this ancient city. While Varanasi is the bustling, sacred hub of life and death, Kashi is often considered the spiritual essence of the city, transcending the physical world. This distinction forms the foundation for discussions on the economy of death, touching on stories like that of the abandoned woman who highlights the intersection between poverty, gender, and death. One particularly fascinating part of the episode dives into the rituals that are central to Indian society. Dr. Mamidi shares how many rituals originate as coping mechanisms for life's uncertainties, and how an intercaste wedding led to the rise of a particular ritual. He delves into the psychological underpinnings of why people pray, often only when they need something, and offers his personal perspective on karma and God. The final section of the podcast delves into Dr. Mamidi's professional journey as a behavioral scientist, highlighting his work in policy making and nudge theory. His experiences with social campaigns such as the Mask Campaign, tackling toxic masculinity, and working on policies for child nutrition are shared in great detail. Dr. Mamidi examines how small behavioral changes can have a huge impact on societal norms, citing numerous examples such as the Swacch Bharat campaign, the Pepsi case study, and the Ketchup example. In the end, the podcast encourages listeners to think critically about social norms, and the impact of media on behavior change. Dr. Mamidi also reflects on the importance of recognizing loss aversion, and how it shapes our decisions. Ultimately, he challenges listeners to reconsider their views on life, death, and the rituals that shape our culture.

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: A Journey to Self-Discovery on the Delhi-Varanasi Express Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-12-27-08-38-19-hi Story Transcript:Hi: दिल्ली से वाराणसी की ओर जाने वाली ट्रेन अपनी धड़धड़ाहट के साथ स्टेशन से रवाना हुई।En: The train heading from Delhi to Varanasi set off from the station with a steady rumble.Hi: ठंडी का मौसम था, और खिड़कियों पर हल्की बर्फ जमी हुई थी।En: It was the cold season, and there was a light frost on the windows.Hi: ट्रेन में जिंदगी का एक मेला लग रहा था।En: Inside the train, it felt like a fair of life was in full swing.Hi: कहीं पर चाय वाले की आवाज़ तो कहीं पर बच्चों की हँसी गूंज रही थी।En: Somewhere, the voice of the tea vendor echoed, and somewhere else, the laughter of children rang out.Hi: अर्जुन, जो अपनी ज़िम्मेदारियों और सपनों के बीच में उलझा हुआ था, एक सीट पर बैठे खिड़की के बाहर देख रहा था।En: Arjun, caught between his responsibilities and dreams, sat on a seat gazing out the window.Hi: उसकी आँखों में अनिश्चितता की झलक थी।En: There was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.Hi: उसे अपने करियर को लेकर बहुत असमंजस था, और वह अपने माता-पिता को इस बारे में बताने से डर रहा था।En: He was very confused about his career and was scared to talk about it with his parents.Hi: वहीं, उसके सामने वाली सीट पर बैठी थी प्रिया। प्रिया के मन में अपने परिवार से मिलने की खुशी थी, लेकिन अंदर ही अंदर वह एक लेखिका बनने का सपना पाला हुआ था।En: In front of him sat Priya, who was happy to meet her family, but deep inside, she harbored the dream of becoming a writer.Hi: समाज के दबाव के बावजूद, वह अपने सपने के लिए संघर्ष कर रही थी।En: Despite societal pressure, she was struggling for her dream.Hi: उनके बगल में बैठा था कबीर, एक स्वतंत्र यात्री जो हमेशा नए अनुभवों की तलाश में रहता था।En: Beside them was Kabir, an independent traveler always in search of new experiences.Hi: कबीर का जीवन बस जीना था, हर पल को खुलकर महसूस करना।En: Living life was all that mattered to Kabir, feeling every moment to the fullest.Hi: ट्रेन की शोर-शराबे के बीच अर्जुन ने सोचा कि दूसरों से बात करके शायद वह अपनी समस्या का हल ढूंढ सके।En: Amidst the noise of the train, Arjun thought that maybe by talking to others, he could find a solution to his problem.Hi: उसने प्रिया और कबीर से बातचीत शुरू की।En: He started a conversation with Priya and Kabir.Hi: कबीर की आज़ाद मानसिकता और प्रिया के सपनों के प्रति उसकी प्रतिबद्धता ने अर्जुन को प्रभावित किया।En: Kabir's free-spirited mindset and Priya's commitment to her dreams impressed Arjun.Hi: प्रिया ने कागज का एक टुकड़ा निकाला और अर्जुन को दिखाया।En: Priya took out a piece of paper and showed it to Arjun.Hi: उसमें उसके लिखे कुछ नोट्स थे।En: It had some notes written by her.Hi: उसने कहा, "मैं एक दिन किताब लिखूंगी। मेरे अंदर कहानियाँ हैं जो पूरी दुनिया तक पहुँचनी चाहिए।"En: She said, ""One day, I will write a book. There are stories within me that should reach the world."Hi: अर्जुन ने सोचा, प्रिया अपने सपनों के लिए इतना लड़ सकती है, तो वो क्यों नहीं?En: Arjun thought, if Priya can fight so much for her dreams, why can't he?Hi: कबीर ने हँसते हुए कहा, "ज़िंदगी को खुलकर जियो, ना कि दूसरों की उम्मीदों के हिसाब से।"En: Kabir laughed and said, ""Live life openly, not by the expectations of others."Hi: यही बात अर्जुन के दिल को छू गई।En: These words touched Arjun's heart.Hi: उसने तय किया कि वह घर जाकर अपने माता-पिता से खुले दिल से बात करेगा और अपने सपनों की ओर पहला कदम बढ़ाएगा।En: He decided that he would go home and talk openly with his parents and take the first step towards his dreams.Hi: वाराणसी पहुँचने तक अर्जुन का चेहरा बदल चुका था।En: By the time they reached Varanasi, Arjun's face had changed.Hi: अब उसमें संकोच नहीं, बल्कि आत्मविश्वास झलक रहा था।En: Now there was no hesitation, but rather confidence shining through.Hi: उसने अपने सपनों की दिशा में पहला कदम उठाने का निर्णय ले लिया था।En: He had decided to take the first step in the direction of his dreams.Hi: अर्जुन को एहसास हुआ कि डर से पार पाकर ही वो अपने जीवन का सही मार्ग चुन सकेगा।En: Arjun realized that only by overcoming fear could he choose the right path for his life.Hi: ट्रेन वाराणसी के स्टेशन पर रुकी तो अर्जुन ने अपनी मंजिल पक्की कर ली थी।En: When the train stopped at the Varanasi station, Arjun had solidified his destination.Hi: उसने प्रिया और कबीर का शुक्रिया अदा किया और भविष्य की उम्मीदों के साथ ट्रेन से बाहर निकला।En: He thanked Priya and Kabir and with hopes for the future, stepped out of the train.Hi: उसका दिल हल्का और मन शांत था।En: His heart was light, and his mind at peace. Vocabulary Words:steadiness: धड़धड़ाहटrubble: बर्फfair: मेलाvendor: वालेresponsibilities: ज़िम्मेदारियोंgazing: देख रहाuncertainty: अनिश्चितताcareer: करियरconfused: असमंजसharbored: पालाsocietal: समाज केpressure: दबावstruggling: संघर्षindependent: स्वतंत्रtraveler: यात्रीexperiences: अनुभवोंsolution: हलconversation: बातचीतimpressed: प्रभावितconfidence: आत्मविश्वासnotes: नोट्सdirection: दिशाfear: डरovercoming: पार पाकरdestination: मंजिलthanked: शुक्रियाhopes: उम्मीदोंpeaceman: मन शांतhesitation: संकोचcommitment: प्रतिबद्धता

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Embracing Doubt: A Diwali Journey to Inner Wisdom Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-12-23-08-38-20-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी की प्राचीन नगरी में, सर्दियों की ठंडी बयार बह रही थी।En: In the ancient city of Varanasi, a cold winter breeze was blowing.Hi: गंगा के पवित्र तट पर दीपावली की जगमगाहट थी।En: The sacred banks of the Ganga were ablaze with the lights of Diwali.Hi: चारों ओर दीयों की रौशनी और मंत्रों की गूँज हवा में तैर रही थी।En: Everywhere, the glow of lamps and the resonance of chants floated in the air.Hi: इसी माहौल में राजेश अपने सभी संकल्पों के साथ उपस्थित था।En: In this atmosphere, Rajesh was present with all his resolutions.Hi: उसकी आँखों में एक अलौकिक चमक थी।En: There was a supernatural gleam in his eyes.Hi: राजेश एक युवा विद्वान था, जो ज्ञान की खोज में अनवरत प्रयासरत था।En: Rajesh was a young scholar, continuously striving in the pursuit of knowledge.Hi: उसके साथ आज उसकी बचपन की मित्र माया भी आई थी।En: Accompanying him today was his childhood friend Maya.Hi: माया भले ही परंपरागत मान्यताओं पर सवाल उठाती थी, परंतु राजेश के प्रति उसकी मित्रता गहरी थी।En: Maya, though she often questioned traditional beliefs, had a deep friendship with Rajesh.Hi: गंगा किनारे खड़ा विज्ञ देव, इस विशेष अनुष्ठान का निरीक्षण कर रहा था।En: Standing by the riverbank was Vigya Dev, observing this special ritual.Hi: लेकिन आज उसका मन विचलित था।En: Yet today, his mind was unsettled.Hi: उसके मन में भी कई प्रश्न उमड़ घुमड़ रहे थे, जिनके उत्तर उसे खुद नहीं पता थे।En: He had many questions stirring, for which he himself did not have the answers.Hi: राजेश ने गंगा किनारे बैठकर आंखें बंद कीं और ध्यान लगाने का प्रयत्न किया।En: Rajesh sat by the riverbank, closed his eyes, and attempted to meditate.Hi: लेकिन उसके भीतर शक के बादल उमड़ने लगे।En: But clouds of doubt began to gather within him.Hi: क्या वो यह अनुष्ठान सच में निभा सकता है?En: Could he truly perform this ritual?Hi: क्या उसका विश्वास उसकी संकल्प शक्ति से अधिक गंभीर है?En: Was his faith more profound than his resolve?Hi: वह मन ही मन द्वंद्व में डूबने लगा।En: He began to drown in an internal conflict.Hi: माया ने उसकी मनोदशा को भांप लिया।En: Maya sensed his state of mind.Hi: वह राजेश के पास आई और बोली, "राजेश, अगर तुम्हें शक है, तो शायद उसके पीछे कोई कारण होगा।En: She came to Rajesh and said, "Rajesh, if you have doubts, perhaps there's a reason behind them.Hi: पूंछो खुद से कि तुम ये अनुष्ठान क्यों कर रहे हो।En: Ask yourself why you are performing this ritual."Hi: "राजेश ने उसकी बात चुपचाप सुनी।En: Listening silently to her words, Rajesh pondered.Hi: देव में उत्सुकता और भय एक साथ उभर आए।En: Curiosity and fear arose simultaneously within Dev.Hi: वह जानता था कि उसकी भी आस्था डगमगा रही थी।En: He knew that his own faith was also faltering.Hi: यह सब देख देव ने संकोच से मुंह खोला, "राजेश, हर बार मैं यह अनुष्ठान करता हूं, पर मेरे भी मन में संदेह उठते हैं।En: Seeing all this, Dev hesitantly spoke, "Rajesh, every time I perform this ritual, doubts arise in my mind as well."Hi: "इस सच्चाई को सुनकर राजेश चौंका।En: Hearing this truth, Rajesh was surprised.Hi: विनम्रता और सहजता से उसने कहा, "दूसरों की अपेक्षाओं से दब जाना तो आसान है, लेकिन अपने सवालों के जवाब ढूंढ़ना मुश्किल।En: With humility and simplicity, he said, "It's easy to succumb to others' expectations, but finding answers to your own questions is difficult."Hi: "अनुष्ठान के बीच में राजेश ने अपनी आंखें खोलीं और सबके सामने अपने संदेह प्रकट किए।En: Amidst the ritual, Rajesh opened his eyes and expressed his doubts in front of everyone.Hi: उसने देव से कहा, "हमारे अंदर का मार्गदर्शन शायद हमारी शंकाएं हैं।En: He said to Dev, "Perhaps the guidance within us is our doubts.Hi: हमें इन्हें अनदेखा नहीं करना चाहिए।En: We should not ignore them."Hi: " माया ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा, "शायद हमें विश्वास और संदेह के बीच संतुलन बनाना चाहिए।En: Maya smiled and said, "Perhaps we need to balance faith and doubt.Hi: ये दोनों ही हमारे रास्ते का हिस्सा हो सकते हैं।En: Both can be part of our journey."Hi: "देव और राजेश के चेहरों पर हलकी मुस्कुराहट थी।En: A soft smile appeared on the faces of Dev and Rajesh.Hi: उन्होंने महसूस किया कि विश्वास और संदेह एक-दूसरे के विरोधी नहीं, साथी हो सकते हैं।En: They realized that faith and doubt are not opponents but companions.Hi: अनुष्ठान का अंत कुछ अलग था, परंतु इसकी भावना अधिक सच्ची हो गई थी।En: The ritual ended somewhat differently, but its spirit became more genuine.Hi: गंगा की ठंडी लहरें, दीपों की रोशनी में जगमगा रही थीं।En: The cold waves of the Ganga shimmered in the light of the lamps.Hi: राजेश के मन ने अपने भीतर की आवाज़ को सुना था।En: Rajesh's mind had listened to the voice within him.Hi: इसी के साथ, उसने एक नया संतोष पाया।En: With this, he found a new satisfaction.Hi: तीनों ने मिलकर यह समझा कि सच्चा ज्ञान अक्सर सवालों से ही शुरू होता है।En: The three of them understood that true knowledge often begins with questions. Vocabulary Words:ancient: प्राचीनbreeze: बयारsacred: पवित्रablaze: जगमगाहटresonance: गूँजatmosphere: माहौलresolutions: संकल्पोंsupernatural: अलौकिकgleam: चमकscholar: विद्वानcontinuous: अनवरतpursuit: खोजritual: अनुष्ठानstriving: प्रयासरतquestions: सवालfaith: आस्थाdoubt: शकconflict: द्वंद्वresolve: संकल्प शक्तिcuriosity: उत्सुकताfear: भयhumility: विनम्रताsimplicity: सहजताexpectations: अपेक्षाओंguidance: मार्गदर्शनinternal: भीतरcompanions: साथीgenuine: सच्चीshimmered: जगमगा रहीsatisfaction: संतोष

Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, also known as Dr. Swathi, is an award-winning pharmacist passionate about the intersection of personalized medicine and healthcare innovation. With experience spanning patient care, biotech, clinical research, academia, and CPG, Dr. Swathi has paved the way for healthcare professionals to pursue non-traditional career paths through creating postdoctoral training programs, industry internships, and online educational programs. Dr. Swathi founded and runs Varanasi & company, a full-service consulting and advisory group for healthtech and CPG companies. She has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals and featured in Yahoo, mindbodygreen, Well+Good, Self, Men's Health, Entrepreneur, Forbes Health, and more. In 2023, Dr. Swathi was voted one of the 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy. Dr. Swathi received her Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the Medical University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Carleton College. She is the first pharmacist in the United States with formal postdoctoral residency training specializing in integrative medicine and preventative health. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Medical Affairs in biotech and a nutrition certificate from Cornell University. We discuss:  Her unique career path at the intersection of integrative medicine, pharmacy and entrepreneurship and how you can follow your curiosity to find work that fits your passions and skills How she manages her time working with so many different companies  The value of integrative medicine and the importance of creating your own definition of what health and wellness means  The many lifestyle factors that can be tested before supplements or medication if we really look at the whole person The work she does with CPG companies, how she decides what type of companies she works with and what YOU should look for when choosing supplements, snacks and other wellness products to ensure they're safe and meet efficacy standards Why she keeps her wellness practices simple, how to pick the ones that work for you and that Instagram isn't reality The critical role of muscle for longevity and quality of life but the recognition that it's part of a multi-faceted approach that includes nutrition, movement and mindfulness.   Common misconceptions about health including nutrition, supplements, and exercise  Practical tips for everyday life and how you can take charge of your health by understanding, asking questions and the science to make informed choices that work for you. Follow Dr. Swathi on Instagram Follow Me on Instagram  Find all of my favorites in my shop

Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, Pharm.D., known to audiences as Dr. Swathi is an award-winning healthcare professional recognized for her trailblazing work at the forefront of personalized medicine and healthcare innovation. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and became the first pharmacist in the U.S. to complete a postdoctoral residency in integrative medicine and preventive health. Following this achievement, she co-founded the Integrative Health Pharmacy Residency Program. Her credentials also include a postdoctoral fellowship in biotech and nutrition from Cornell University. With experience spanning patient care, biotech, clinical research, academia, and consumer product goods, Dr. Swathi is a scientific and medical advisor and consultant with many innovative companies, including MYOS MD. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, and she has served as a faculty and guest lecturer at numerous academic institutions. In 2023, I was honored as one of 50 Most Influential Leaders in Pharmacy.

I'm being totally transparent by saying that 2024 has been a LOT for me, both in my life and with what's going on in the world. Because of those things, I'm taking some time off from the podcast. My primary reason for this decision is to spend more time with my dad, who is terminally ill. In addition, I feel a shift coming in the way I do my business, so I need to take a step back and gain a fresh perspective on future steps. Getting back to the basics of astrology and taking care of myself during this hiatus will help me in many ways. I will be back, even if things look different because I'm passionate and committed to my podcast platform. So, this episode is just a “goodbye for now” message from me to my listeners. Show Highlights:Trusting the process and exploring possible pivotsMy two containers for 2025: Cosmic Business Bootcamp and the Heal Your Money Karma program (Learn more about these programs on my website.)Wishing you all the best, Happy Holidays, and my hope to be back with you in the near future!Resources:The main program I'm offering in 2025 is the Cosmic Business Bootcamp. Build a magnetic offer, market with ease, and create a repeatable system to add $100k to your annual income–all aligning with your purpose. Click the link to sign up now and take advantage of early bird discounts, which end after today. Only 30 spots are available!Book a call to see if it's a fit to work together one-on-one for 3 or 6 months. There are only three spots still open. Book your discovery call today!Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Now available! Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi. Find info here.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Help us with research so that we can create the tools to help you build giving into your business (this is also research for a book I'm writing!) Thank you. Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 12th of December and here are the headlines.In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that civil courts cannot hear cases challenging the ownership and title of places of worship. This includes major disputes like the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. The court clarified that no new suits can be filed, and no interim or final orders, including surveys, will be allowed until further hearings. Several similar suits are pending in different locations across India.On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved two crucial bills related to holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. One bill proposes a constitutional amendment, while the other seeks to align assembly elections in Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. These bills are expected to be introduced in the current Parliament session. This development follows months of discussions after the Kovind-led committee's recommendations on simultaneous elections.Thursday saw chaos in both Houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised allegations about Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's alleged ties to billionaire George Soros. Opposition MPs protested fiercely, even climbing the Speaker's dais. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after a disruption over a motion by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury, leading to further tension in the parliamentary proceedings for the day.Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Mahila Samman Rashi Scheme will increase the monthly allowance for women to Rs 2,100, up from Rs 1,000, if AAP is re-elected. The scheme, approved by Chief Minister Atishi's Cabinet, is aimed at supporting women's financial empowerment. The announcement is seen as part of the AAP's strategy to secure women's votes in the upcoming elections.In a clash between security forces and alleged Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, seven Maoists were killed early Thursday. The encounter, which lasted over seven hours, took place in the dense jungles of Abujhmad, a heavily forested and un-surveyed area. The police are continuing search operations to confirm the number of casualties and recover weapons. The region has long been a hotspot for Maoist insurgents, making security operations challenging.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Nothing is more important than holding close to the people we love the most. I'm grateful to share this conversation with my esteemed mentor and great friend, Dr. Robert Svoboda, who has graciously made many past appearances on the podcast. In this episode, we are diving into a powerful conversation about friendship, an important topic integral to our spiritual path. Join us!Show Highlights:A look at friendship from a spiritual point of viewThe benefit of “not knowing” what's going on with other peopleDr. Svoboda's helpful hack for remembering details of friends' livesImportant words in the language of friendship from a Vedic perspectiveDealing with difficult people with a sense of calm instead of irritabilityEvents in our lives are manifestations of karma and karmic debt.Evaluate your friendships: which ones are working and which ones are NOT working?The truth about making ourselves available to others who might not reciprocate our effort, emotions, and energyDr. Svoboda's key takeaways about friendship, cultivating reliable friends, and being a reliable friendResources:Connect with Dr. Robert Svoboda: WebsiteThe only program I'm offering in 2025 is the Cosmic Business Bootcamp. Build a magnetic offer, market with ease, and create a repeatable system to add $100k to your annual income–all aligning with your purpose. Click the link to sign up now and take advantage of early bird discounts, available until December 16. Only 30 spots are available!Book a call to see if it's a fit to work together one-on-one for 3 or 6 months. There are only three spots still open. Book your discovery call today!Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Now available! Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi. Find info here.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up here.Help us with research so that we can create the tools to help you build giving into your business (this is also research for a book I'm writing!) Thank you. Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram @weaveyourbliss for astrological insights, marketing tips, and...

In Episode 47 of The Hindu Parenting Podcast, we talk about the Panchatantra with Dr. M. V. Vishwanath, Sanskrit scholar and renowned speaker.The tales of the Panchatantra have always been of special interest to children, but did you know that its actual purpose and message is deeply embedded within the tales? The Panchatantra has travelled far and wide from the place of its origin, Bharat (India). It has unfortunately been relegated to the genre of kiddie literature in modern India, but the Panchatantra is actually profound and visionary in its scope. Listen to the podcast to find out the true meaning behind the text!Dr. Viswanath is a reputed scholar with three M.A. degrees and a PhD in Sanskrit from Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi. His research areas include Sanskrit literature, Arthashastra and Sankhya philosophy.He also delivers various sessions on Bhagavadgita, Vedanta, Yoga and Upanishads for many Yoga schools both online and offline.Note: Please follow us on Twitter (X), Instagram or any social media platform of your choice. Our podcasts (The Hindu Parenting Podcast) can be heard on Spotify, YouTube, Apple and Google Podcasts too. Please support us by signing up for our newsletters on Substack and if possible, upgrading to a paid subscription.General Information:We are on most social media platforms with the handle “hinduparenting”. We have a Whatsapp and Telegram channel. Our website is hinduparenting.orgFor comments and podcast suggestions, please use the comments tab or write to us at contact@hinduparenting.orgThe opinions expressed by guests on The Hindu Parenting Podcast are their personal opinions and Hindu Parenting does not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of anything shared on our platform by them.Copyright belongs to Hindu Parenting. Get full access to Hindu Parenting at hinduparenting.substack.com/subscribe

I'm treating you to another podcast swap today as I'm sharing an episode from Madison Morrigan's Everything Belongs podcast. We appeared on each other's shows earlier this year and had an amazing time together. You'll learn more about my story, money karma, and how this plays out in our businesses. Join us!Show Highlights:Paula's work with clients and their energiesThe karmic dance we all do through lifePaula's journey to find her purpose through overcoming anxiety, going through a divorce, experiencing a “dark night of the soul,” and finding Vedic astrologyPaula's time and impactful learnings in IndiaApproaching business as a spiritual practicePaula's quest to find a farm and live in abundanceKarma, the karmic dance, and how it shows up in our livesExamples of karmic shifts, patterns, and clearings with the influences of Jupiter and SaturnWith Vedic astrology, the important question is, “Now, what?”Passion and purpose in Paula's work with clientsBeing sensitive in marketingTending to ourselves and protecting our energiesA karmic remedy of immediate action to raise $10,000 and more for World Central Kitchen in GazaAligned offers, working with ideal clients, and baked-in values–how Paula stays true to her core valuesHear Paula's answers to rapid-fire questions about the “big three” of Paula's astrology, what grace means, and what Paula wants most out of lifeResources:Connect with Madison Morrigan and her podcast: WebsiteThe only program I'm offering in 2025 is the Cosmic Business Bootcamp. Build a magnetic offer, market with ease, and create a repeatable system to add $100k to your annual income all in alignment with your purpose. Click the link to sign up now and take advantage of early bird discounts until December 16. Only 30 spots are available!Book a call to see if it's a fit to work together one-on-one for 3 or 6 months. There are only three spots still open. Book your discovery call today!Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Now available! Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi. Find info here.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Help us with research so that we can create the tools to help you build giving into your...

"The first thing which struck me about the Cemetery Soundscape recording was the understated subtlety. It gave me a sense of peace as I listened; a peace I often find walking around cemeteries and graveyards in the UK. I thought about how cultural links with death has shaped these places and reflected on my own experiences of the death of family members and friends and feelings of grief and sorrow.  "It got me thinking about rituals of death and cultural ways of saying farewell to loved ones following their passing. I thought of the Zoroastrian tradition of exposing the body to the sun and birds of prey, the Ghats of Varanasi, Ancient Egyptian traditions found within the Book of the Dead or Western rituals of funeral, burial and cremation. The belief that these customs would prepare the soul for the next life and the associated importance of reincarnation and rebirth. "Whilst using the ‘Cemetery Soundscape' recording as a constant backdrop, ‘Rise' focusses on these death rituals and the comfort they offer, along with the hope that the dead find a ‘better' place as they ascend to the heavens." Indonesian cemetery soundscape reimagined by Simon Holmes.

Today's episode is an interview with my client, Monika Vijh. We talk about moving through the dark night of the soul with grace, the creative impulse, and how Monika began writing poetry. We also discuss how you can tap into the energy of the Goddess to support you during difficult times, the energy of Mars, and how to navigate that energy more skillfully. Join us for this fascinating conversation!Monika Vijh is a transformational life coach, Vedic astrologer, yogi, and poet. She reads a few poems for us from her first book of poetry, Devotee of the Void. Show Highlights:Understanding “the dark night of the soul”Monika's path to poetry, including a dysfunctional family, a cancer experience, and major life upheavals“Our imbalance connection with the wholeness of life” and why there is no going back to normalShame, guilt, blame, and depressionBeing guided in the dark worldAligning our ego with our soulTuning in, knowing, connecting with your heart, and surrenderingBalancing our Mars and cultivating a positive relationship with MarsCreating an opening for the creative processMonika's spiritual backgroundMonika shares poetry!Understanding our relationship with the Goddess and the energy of the GoddessThree stages of dharmaLetting ourselves be a fertile void of curiosityHear Monika's answers to rapid-fire questions about helpful advice, morning routine, and what she's reading and recommending right nowResources:Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram @weaveyourbliss for astrological insights, marketing tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at Weave Your Bliss. Paula loves connecting with you there - send her a DM!Will you do us a favor?If you love this episode, I ask you to 1) share it with a spirit-led entrepreneur you think could benefit, and 2) rate and review the podcast on your app of choice. Thank you!You can review it wherever you listen just by clicking here:

IPS officer Rajesh Pandey retired as IG of Bareilly Range in Uttar Pradesh in May 2022. Currently, he is the nodal officer of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), a government agency responsible for development of expressways in the state. He was among the founding members of the elite UP STF (Special Task Force) when it was set up to deal with organised crime in 1998 and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2009 for anti-terror operations. He headed the electronic surveillance during Shriprakash Shukla operation and is credited with putting together the first surveillance unit for police. He has been part of 70 police encounters so far. He has investigated major terrorist attacks in the state of U.P. He has been awarded the Indian Police Medals for Gallantry four times –in 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2016 – for Operation Bazooka, and for successfully interrogating the Faizabad and Varanasi terror attacks. Pandey went to the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Kosovo in 2008 and won the United Nations Medal for Peace Keeping. He has written bestselling book 'वर्चस्व' (Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/bnFanPi) based on crimes and encounter of dreaded gangster Shriprakash Shukla. His latest book 'Badge and the Bullet' is now out (Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/0K5oQkL)

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Harmony at the Ganges: A Diwali Tale of Music and Tradition Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-11-19-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी की गंगा घाट पर पतझड़ का मौसम था।En: It was the autumn season at the Ganga ghats of Varanasi.Hi: हर जगह लोग दीपावली की तैयारियों में जुटे हुए थे।En: Everywhere, people were busy preparing for Diwali.Hi: आर्यन, एक युवा व्यक्ति, गंगा किनारे बैठा था। उसके मन में कई सवाल थे।En: Aryan, a young man, was sitting by the riverbank, pondering many questions.Hi: घर में माँ-पिताजी उसकी संगीत के प्रति रुचि से नाराज़ थे।En: At home, his parents were upset about his interest in music.Hi: वे चाहते थे कि वह परिवार के व्यवसाय में शामिल हो।En: They wanted him to join the family business.Hi: पर आर्यन के मन में संगीत के लिए गहरा प्रेम था।En: But Aryan had a deep love for music.Hi: आर्यन की बहन माया ने उसे समर्थन दिया।En: Aryan's sister Maya supported him.Hi: माया कहती, "आर्यन, तुम्हें वही करना चाहिए जो तुम्हारे दिल में है।"En: Maya would say, "Aryan, you should do what your heart desires."Hi: लेकिन अपने माता-पिता को नाराज़ करने का ख्याल आर्यन को परेशान करता था।En: However, the thought of disappointing his parents troubled Aryan.Hi: तभी उसकी दादी, निशा, ने सलाह दी, "बेटा, गंगा के पास जाओ। शायद वहाँ तुम्हें जवाब मिल जाए।"En: Just then, his grandmother, Nisha, advised, "Son, go to the Ganga. Maybe you'll find answers there."Hi: दीपावली की शाम को आर्यन गंगा के घाट पर पहुँचा।En: On the evening of Diwali, Aryan reached the Ganga ghat.Hi: आकाश रंगीन पटाखों से जगमगा रहा था।En: The sky was sparkling with colorful fireworks.Hi: लोग घाट पर दीये जलाकर अपनी प्रार्थनाएं कर रहे थे।En: People were lighting lamps on the ghats and offering their prayers.Hi: आर्यन ने भी एक दीया जलाया और गंगा में प्रवाहित कर दिया।En: Aryan lit a lamp as well and let it float in the Ganga.Hi: उसने अपनी आँखें बंद कीं और मन में शांति का आह्वान किया।En: He closed his eyes and called for peace in his mind.Hi: जैसे-जैसे शाम आगे बढ़ती गई, घाट का माहौल और भी खूबसूरत होता गया।En: As the evening progressed, the ambiance of the ghat became even more beautiful.Hi: शंख और घंटों की आवाज़ के साथ गंगा आरती का समय आ गया।En: With the sound of conch shells and bells, it was time for the Ganga Aarti.Hi: आर्यन, अदृश्य धारा में अपनी आत्मा की गहराई में खो गया।En: Aryan lost himself in the depths of his spirit within the invisible stream.Hi: उसने महसूस किया कि दीयों की लौ, पारंपरिक रस्में और उसका संगीत, सभी एक समानतान के धागे से जुड़े हुए थे।En: He realized that the flames of the lamps, the traditional rituals, and his music were all connected by a thread of harmony.Hi: उसने देखा कि ये दीये उसकी राह को रोशन कर रहे हैं।En: He saw that these lamps were illuminating his path.Hi: आर्यन को समझ आया कि उसे अपने माता-पिता से बात करनी चाहिए।En: Aryan understood that he needed to talk to his parents.Hi: उसे संगीत और परिवार के बीच संतुलन बनाना होगा।En: He had to find a balance between music and family.Hi: घर लौट कर आर्यन ने अपने परिवार से खुलकर बातचीत की।En: Returning home, Aryan openly talked with his family.Hi: उसने कहा, "मैं संगीत को अपनी ज़िंदगी का हिस्सा बनाना चाहता हूँ, लेकिन मैं परिवार के व्यवसाय को भी आगे बढ़ाऊंगा।"En: He said, "I want to make music a part of my life, but I will also continue the family business."Hi: माता-पिता ने उसकी दृढ़ इच्छा देखी और उसकी बातों को समझा।En: His parents saw his determination and understood his words.Hi: अंततः, आर्यन ने सीख लिया था कि समझ और सहयोग से परंपराएं और सपने दोनों पूरा किए जा सकते हैं।En: Ultimately, Aryan learned that with understanding and support, traditions and dreams can both be fulfilled.Hi: वह पहले से अधिक आत्मविश्वासी और अपनी जड़ों और सपनों के प्रति वफादार बन गया।En: He became more confident and loyal to his roots and dreams.Hi: वाराणसी के घाट ने आर्यन को एक नया दृष्टिकोण और शांति का साधन दिया था।En: The ghats of Varanasi gave Aryan a new perspective and a means of peace.Hi: दीपावली की वह रात उसके जीवन का मार्ग बन गई।En: That Diwali night became the path of his life. Vocabulary Words:pondering: सोच विचार करनाupset: नाराज़desires: इच्छाएँtroubled: परेशानadvised: सलाह दीsparkling: जगमगा रहाfloat: प्रवाहित कर दियाambiance: माहौलconch shells: शंखbells: घंटोंrituals: रस्मेंconnected: जुड़े हुएharmony: समानतानilluminating: रोशन कर रहेdetermination: दृढ़ इच्छाfulfilled: पूरा किएroots: जड़ोंperspective: दृष्टिकोणloyal: वफादारmeans: साधनgrateful: कृतज्ञaflame: लौevening: शामspirit: आत्माthread: धागेbalance: संतुलनpathway: राहreconciliation: मेल-मिलापconfidence: आत्मविश्वासdevotion: समर्पण

I see my clients constantly needing help to get the word out about their businesses to get more sales. Today's guest will help us in the critical area of public relations, which comes down to how we are seen in the media. Join us to learn more!Gloria Chou is an award-winning PR strategist who wants to help you, your products, and your services be seen in the media. Gloria hosts the top-rated Small Business PR Podcast and is known for her untraditional, yet proven, approach to PR, making visibility and media access within reach for anyone. She likes to help BIPOC and female founders get featured organically in top-tier media without needing PR connections or a large following Her strategies have earned small businesses in nearly every industry and niche over a billion organic views and features in outlets like The NY Times, Oprah's Favorite Things, Vogue, and Forbes–all without a “pay to play” component. This former US diplomat-turned-small business advocate has been on over 100 podcasts and was named Pitchwriting Expert of the Year in 2021 as part of The Influential Businesswoman Awards and a Forbes' Next 1000 Honoree. In this episode, you'll learn what PR is, how to pitch yourself, and how to get organic PR. We also discuss pivoting your business and working while “life is life-ing,” along with the role of intuition in business and how to honor and create spaciousness. Show Highlights:Understanding PR as sacred workGloria's PR work (organic and earned) vs. traditional PRWhy Gloria is a unicorn in the PR world as a disruptor with unconventional methodsTips for making a successful pitch to journalistsThe elements of a pitch that gets a response: (CPR) Credibility, Point of View, and RelevanceGloria's path to a PR career after feeling stuck in government bureaucracyGloria's birth chart that shows highlights of being a communicator, disruptor, and entrepreneurPaula's advice to Gloria, based on her chart and what's coming nextMaking a pivot in business and what Gloria's experience showsBuilding a business from a place of serving vs. a “more, more, more!” motivationCreating spaciousness for new opportunitiesFeeling comfortable and confident in making pitches (It all comes down to mindset!)The role of intuition and movement in Gloria's businessRunning a business when “life is life-ing”Tips to pitch yourself and be visibleHear Gloria's answers to rapid-fire questions about helpful advice, her morning routine, and what she's reading and recommending. Resources:Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in...

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Illuminating the Soul: Aarav's Diwali Discovery on the Ganga Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-11-13-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी के घाटों पर दीपावली की चहल-पहल अपने चरम पर थी।En: The hustle and bustle of Diwali on the Varanasi ghats was at its peak.Hi: गंगा के जल पर सैकड़ों दीये झिलमिला रहे थे।En: Hundreds of lamps were shimmering on the waters of the Ganga.Hi: अगरबत्तियों की सोंधी महक हर ओर फैली थी और भक्ति संगीत की गूंज माहौल को और भी पवित्र बना रही थी।En: The earthy fragrance of incense sticks had spread everywhere, and the echoes of devotional music were making the atmosphere even more sacred.Hi: इसी माहौल में, आरव और प्रिय अपनी आत्मिक यात्रा पर निकले थे।En: In this milieu, Aarav and Priya had embarked on their spiritual journey.Hi: आरव, जो अपने करियर में बहुत सफल था, फिर भी उसके जीवन में कुछ कमी सी महसूस होती थी।En: Aarav, who was very successful in his career, still felt a void in his life.Hi: उसने प्रण किया था कि वाराणसी यात्रा के दौरान उसे अपने जीवन का उद्देश्य खोजना होगा।En: He had vowed that during his Varanasi trip, he would find the purpose of his life.Hi: दूसरी ओर, प्रिय, जो आरव की बचपन की मित्र थी, हमेशा से एक गहरी आध्यात्मिक सोच रखती थी।En: On the other hand, Priya, who was Aarav's childhood friend, always had a deep spiritual mindset.Hi: उसे यकीन था कि स्वयं में झांककर ही सच्ची शांति मिलती है।En: She was convinced that true peace could only be found by introspection.Hi: जैसे ही वे घाट पहुंचे, आरव ने देखा कि वहां कितनी भीड़ और शोर था।En: As they reached the ghats, Aarav noticed how crowded and noisy it was.Hi: आरव के skeptical स्वभाव के लिए यह सब थोड़ा असहज था।En: For Aarav's skeptical nature, all of this was a bit uncomfortable.Hi: वह सोचता रहा कि इस धार्मिकता में क्या खास है जो प्रिय को इतना आकर्षित करती है।En: He kept wondering what was so special about this religiosity that attracted Priya so much.Hi: "आरव, चलो गंगा आरती में शामिल होते हैं," प्रिय ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा।En: "Aarav, let's participate in the Ganga Aarti," Priya said with a smile.Hi: आरव ने संकोच के साथ हामी भर दी।En: Aarav hesitated but agreed.Hi: वह जानता था कि उसे यहीं कुछ जवाब मिल सकते हैं।En: He knew he might find some answers there.Hi: आरती के दौरान, उसने देखा कि प्रिय की आंखें बंद थीं और वह पूरी तरह से इस पल में थी।En: During the Aarti, he noticed that Priya's eyes were closed and she was completely in the moment.Hi: आरव भी धीरे-धीरे खुद को शांत महसूस करने लगा।En: Slowly, Aarav also began to feel calm.Hi: अचानक, आरव को एक अद्भुत क्षण का अहसास हुआ जब उसने महसूस किया कि वह इस भीड़ का हिस्सा बन गया है, और गंगा की लहरों में एक गहरी शांति बह रही है।En: Suddenly, Aarav experienced a wonderful moment when he felt he had become part of the crowd, and a deep peace was flowing in the waves of the Ganga.Hi: उसकी सारी शंकाएं और असंतोष मानो उन लहरों में बह गए हों।En: All his doubts and dissatisfaction seemed to wash away with those waves.Hi: आरती के अंत में, आरव ने प्रिय से कहा, "मुझे लगता है मैंने कुछ महसूस किया, जो अब तक कभी नहीं किया था।En: At the end of the Aarti, Aarav said to Priya, "I think I felt something I never have before.Hi: चिंतन और अनुभव दोनों ही महत्वपूर्ण हैं।En: Both reflection and experience are important.Hi: शायद मैं हमेशा सही नहीं था।En: Perhaps I wasn't always right."Hi: "प्रिय हंसी और बोली, "यात्रा की यही खूबसूरती है आरव, जब हम अनुभव करते हैं, तब हम बढ़ते हैं।En: Priya laughed and said, "That's the beauty of the journey Aarav, when we experience, we grow."Hi: "आखिरकार, आरव ने इस यात्रा से पाया कि जीवन में सिर्फ भौतिक लक्ष्य नहीं, बल्कि अनेक दृष्टिकोणों का मान रखना भी जरूरी है।En: Ultimately, Aarav discovered from this journey that life is not just about material goals, but it's also essential to value multiple perspectives.Hi: उसने अपने मन को खुला रखने का निर्णय किया, और इस यात्रा ने उसे एक नई दिशा दिखाई।En: He decided to keep his mind open, and this journey showed him a new direction.Hi: अब वह पहले से ज्यादा संतुष्ट था, क्योंकि उसने अपने भीतर कुछ उत्तर खोज लिए थे।En: He was now more content than before because he had found some answers within himself.Hi: वाराणसी के दीपों की इस यात्रा ने आरव को जीवन की गूढ़ता से रूबरू कराया, और यह एहसास कराया कि जीवन की सच्ची सुंदरता खुलापन और समझ में ही निहित है।En: This journey of lamps in Varanasi made Aarav aware of the profundity of life and made him realize that the true beauty of life lies in openness and understanding. Vocabulary Words:hustle: चहल-पहलbustle: कार्य-व्यापारfragrance: महकincense: अगरबत्तियांdevotional: भक्तिmilieu: माहौलembarked: निकलेvowed: प्रण कियाvoid: कमीintrospection: स्वयं में झांककरcrowded: भीड़skeptical: संदेहात्मकhesitated: संकोचreflection: चिंतनcontent: संतुष्टprofound: गूढ़perspectives: दृष्टिकोणोंopenness: खुलापनspiritual: आध्यात्मिकpurpose: उद्देश्यatmosphere: माहौलreached: पहुंचेuncomfortable: असहजexperience: अनुभवrealize: एहसासemerge: रूब-रूparticipate: शामिलAarti: आरतीdissatisfaction: असंतोषprofundity: गूढ़ता

Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode. Brad Friedman and Vibhor Kapoor chat about the pitfalls of last-click attribution, and how this leads to botched budget allocations and stagnant growth. Vibhor Kapoor is the President of AdRoll, a marketing and advertising platform for business-to-consumer brands. Vibhor's charter at AdRoll includes driving AdRoll's revenue growth and overseeing product, strategy, sales, operations, and marketing. With almost three decades of industry experience, Vibhor brings business leadership expertise in SaaS and Cloud platforms. Most recently, he was a Senior Director in Adobe's Digital Media Business, leading marketing and GTM efforts to incubate new categories in experience design and developer platforms. Before joining Adobe, Kapoor was a Vice President of Marketing at Box, leading product marketing, evangelism and demand generation for their API platform. He also spent a decade at Microsoft in leadership roles across marketing and product management and was an early member of the team that built Microsoft's Azure business. Earlier in his career, Vibhor spent several years at General Electric and Hewlett-Packard in product management, sales and commercial operations.  Vibhor holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University in Illinois and a Bachelor in Technology from Indian Institute of Technology in Varanasi, India. The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai, up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai.

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Discovering Life's Path in the Hidden Temple of Varanasi Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-11-12-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: वाराणसी के अदृश्य मंदिर का रहस्य भोर की शीतल हवाओं में धीरे-धीरे खुलने लगा था।En: The mystery of the invisible temple of Varanasi began to unfold slowly in the cool breezes of the dawn.Hi: अरुण गंगा के किनारे पर खड़ा था, अपने दोनों दोस्तों - प्रिया और राहुल के साथ।En: Arun stood by the banks of the Ganga, with his two friends — Priya and Rahul.Hi: तीनों के चेहरे पर आने वाली दिवाली की खुशी और मंदिर में जाकर पूजा करने का उत्साह झलक रहा था।En: The joy of the upcoming Diwali and the excitement of worshiping at the temple were evident on their faces.Hi: हवा में दीयों की खुशबू और झीनी शंखनाद सुनाई दे रही थी।En: The scent of lamps and the subtle sound of conches filled the air.Hi: यह शरद ऋतु की एक शानदार सुबह थी।En: It was a splendid autumn morning.Hi: मंदिर घनी वनस्पति के बीच छिपा हुआ था, जैसे कि प्रकृति ने उसे अपने आश्रय में छुपा रखा हो।En: The temple was hidden amidst dense vegetation, as if nature had sheltered it.Hi: पत्थरों पर उकेरी गई प्राचीन नक्शियाँ दीयों की रोशनी से झिलमिला रही थीं।En: The ancient carvings on the stones shimmered in the light of the lamps.Hi: अरुण जीवन के अर्थ को लेकर उलझन में था।En: Arun was troubled about the meaning of life.Hi: बावजूद इसके कि उसकी जिंदगी में काफी बाहरी सफलता थी, उसके अंदर एक खालीपन था।En: Despite having considerable external success, there was an emptiness inside him.Hi: प्रिया को उसकी इस दुविधा का पता था।En: Priya was aware of his dilemma.Hi: वे बचपन के दोस्त थे और हमेशा एक-दूसरे का सहारा बने थे।En: They were childhood friends and had always been each other's support.Hi: राहुल से अरुण की मुलाकात यात्रा के दौरान हुई थी।En: Arun had met Rahul during a journey.Hi: राहुल भी जीवन के गहरे सवालों के जवाब खोज रहा था।En: Rahul too was seeking answers to profound questions about life.Hi: अरुण ने प्रिया और राहुल को चलते रहने का इशारा किया।En: Arun signaled Priya and Rahul to keep walking.Hi: वे धीरे-धीरे मंदिर की ओर चल पड़े।En: They slowly headed towards the temple.Hi: मंदिर के प्रांगण में पहुंचकर उन्होंने देखा कि वहाँ पहले से ही कुछ भक्त दीप जलाकर पूजा कर रहे थे।En: Upon reaching the temple courtyard, they saw a few worshipers already lighting lamps and praying.Hi: हर किसी के चेहरे पर शांति और भक्ति का आलोक फैला हुआ था।En: An aura of peace and devotion illuminated everyone's faces.Hi: अरुण ने सोचा कि शायद इस पूजा के दौरान उसे कुछ मार्ग मिलेगा।En: Arun thought that perhaps he would find some path during this worship.Hi: लेकिन जैसे-जैसे पूजा आगे बढ़ती गई, उसने महसूस किया कि उसे कोई संकेत नहीं मिल रहा था।En: But as the prayer progressed, he felt he was not receiving any signs.Hi: उसका मन और भी बेचैन हो उठा।En: His mind grew even more restless.Hi: अचानक, में अरुण ने स्वयं को पूरी तरह वर्तमान में डूब जाने दिया।En: Suddenly, Arun let himself fully immerse in the present.Hi: उसने अपनी आँखें बंद कीं और गाथा के भाव में खो गया।En: He closed his eyes and lost himself in the emotion of the hymn.Hi: उसकी आत्मा में एक नई जागृति का संचार होने लगा।En: A new awakening began to flow through his soul.Hi: उसने महसूस किया कि जवाब खोजना जितना महत्वपूर्ण था, उससे कहीं अधिक महत्वपूर्ण अपने लिए राह बनाना था।En: He realized that finding answers was significant, but creating one's own path was even more important.Hi: पूजा के चरम पर, आरती की लहरें जब गूंज उठीं, अरुण का हृदय भी खुशी और ऊर्जा से भर गया।En: At the climax of the worship, as the waves of the Aarti echoed, Arun's heart filled with happiness and energy.Hi: वह समझ गया की जीवन में जो भी अनिश्चितताएं और संभावनाएं हैं, उन्हें गले लगाना ही असली सौभाग्य है।En: He understood that embracing the uncertainties and possibilities of life is the true fortune.Hi: पूजा समाप्त होने पर, अरुण के चेहरे पर एक शांत मुस्कान थी।En: When the worship concluded, Arun had a serene smile on his face.Hi: उसने प्रिया और राहुल की ओर देखा।En: He looked to Priya and Rahul.Hi: उसकी आँखों में अब अनिश्चय के बजाय दृढ़ निश्चय था।En: His eyes, which were once full of uncertainty, now held firm determination.Hi: मंदिर से निकल कर गंगा की ओर बढ़ते हुए, उसे लगा जैसे उसने अपनी यात्रा में एक नया अर्थ पा लिया है।En: Leaving the temple and moving toward the Ganga, he felt as if he had found new meaning in his journey.Hi: तीनों दोस्तों ने मंदिर की ओर देखा और वापसी की राह पकड़ी।En: The three friends glanced back at the temple and began their return journey.Hi: उनका दिल हल्का था, हवा में दीयों की खुशबू और शंखनाद के साथ जीवन का नया अध्याय आरंभ हो चुका था।En: Their hearts were light, and with the scent of lamps and the sound of conches in the air, a new chapter of life had begun.Hi: अरुण जानता था कि उसकी यात्रा के मूल्य और उसकी खुद की बनाई राह ही उसके असली मार्गदर्शक होंगे।En: Arun knew that the true guides of his journey would be its value and the path he himself carved out. Vocabulary Words:unfold: खुलने लगाbreezes: हवाओंbanks: किनारेevident: झलक रहा थाsubtle: झीनीsplendid: शानदारamidst: बीचsheltered: आश्रय में छुपाcarvings: नक्शियाँshimmered: झिलमिलाconsiderable: काफीexternal: बाहरीemptiness: खालीपनdilemma: दुविधाprofound: गहरेsignaled: इशाराcourtyard: प्रांगणworshipers: भक्तaura: आलोकdevotion: भक्तिrestless: बेचैनimmerse: डूब जानेhymn: गाथाawakening: जागृतिembracing: गले लगानाuncertainties: अनिश्चितताएंfortune: सौभाग्यserene: शांतdetermination: दृढ़ निश्चयglanced: दिखाई

In today's episode, I'm sharing a live post I did on the day following the US election. I think the content is relevant and helpful for many struggling with the election's outcome. My goal is to align ourselves even more with our purpose, encourage us all to rise above, and find connection with our community in a deeper way. Show Highlights:It's okay to feel your feelings, even when they are intense.Rise with a more focused purpose.Take care of yourself in basic ways.Redefine the value of your community.Finding specific inspiration from author Toni MorrisonThe messy, intense birth processAccepting our reality and what karma brings usMy final takeaways: Take time for reflection, eliminate the extemporaneous, get clarity, and prioritize your well-being. Resources:Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram @weaveyourbliss for astrological insights, marketing tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at Weave Your Bliss. Paula loves connecting with you there - send her a DM!Will you do us a favor?If you love this episode, I ask you to 1) share it with a spirit-led entrepreneur you think could benefit, and 2) rate and review the podcast on your app of choice. Thank you!You can review it wherever you listen just by clicking here:RateThisPodcast.com/cosmicbusinessIt will only take 2 minutes!We are so grateful that you take the time to do that so others can easily find us.

Rohith Varanasi grew up in Jersey and had a chill childhood, playing videos games and sports from a young age. He wanted to learn how to build a video game, and upon googling it, decided he should build a website first. At that point.. he was hooked on coding. He got into jailbreaking the playstation and writing real code to mod games. Eventually, he got into hackathons and ended up building a web browser based on SMS called Cosmos - which went viral. Outside of tech, he is into paddle, loves going to the gym, and hanging with his girlfriend and their 1 year old cat.Ro and his co-founder have been building a bunch of different consumer products. The latest product they built allows people to earn in game rewards by walking, and do so in a non-deterministic way. Under the hood, they are using generative AI to create endless outcomes, and optimal replay-ability.This is the creation story of Block Party.SponsorsSpeakeasyQA WolfSnapTradeLinkshttps://pursuit.fm/https://www.linkedin.com/in/brohith/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/code-story/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Illuminating Traditions: A Family's Diwali Healing Ritual Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2024-11-07-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: शाम का समय था।En: It was evening.Hi: वाराणसी घाट की रौनक देख दिल खुश हो जाता था।En: Seeing the vibrancy of the Varanasi ghats filled the heart with joy.Hi: इंसान और प्रकृति जैसे त्योहार का जश्न मना रहे थे।En: It was as if humans and nature were celebrating a festival together.Hi: हवा में धूप के सुगंध और मंत्रों की गूंज थी।En: The air was filled with the fragrance of incense and the echoes of chants.Hi: गंगा का पानी दीपों की रोशनी में चमक रहा था।En: The waters of the Ganga gleamed in the light of lamps.Hi: दीपावली की खुशी और रंगत चारों ओर बिखरी हुई थी।En: The joy and colors of Diwali were scattered all around.Hi: राघव, अनुषा और किरण घाट पर खड़े थे।En: Raghav, Anusha, and Kiran were standing on the ghat.Hi: उनके चेहरे पर गंभीरता थी।En: Their faces bore a seriousness.Hi: उनका एक प्रियजन उन्हें छोड़ गया था।En: A loved one had left them.Hi: आज वे उसे श्राद्ध अर्पण करने के लिए यहाँ एकत्र हुए थे।En: Today, they had gathered there to offer shraddh.Hi: राघव परिवार का सबसे बड़ा बेटा था।En: Raghav was the eldest son of the family.Hi: वह जिम्मेदारी का बोझ अपने कंधों पर महसूस कर रहा था।En: He was feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.Hi: उसे परिवार की परंपराओं का पालन करना था, पर वह चाहता था कि इस आयोजन का मतलब किरण के लिए भी हो।En: He had to follow family traditions, but he wanted this ceremony to also mean something to Kiran.Hi: अनुषा, हमेशा की तरह, बीच का रास्ता पकड़ने की कोशिश कर रही थी।En: Anusha, as always, was trying to find a middle path.Hi: वह जानती थी कि राघव परंपरा को लेकर संवेदनशील है और किरण इस सबमें थोड़ी खोई हुई है।En: She knew that Raghav was sensitive about traditions and Kiran was a bit lost in all this.Hi: किरण सबसे छोटी थी।En: Kiran was the youngest.Hi: वह बिछड़े हुए अपने प्रियजन की याद में डूबी थी और खुद को इस परिस्थिति से जोड़ नहीं पा रही थी।En: She was immersed in the memory of their departed loved one and couldn't connect with the situation.Hi: जैसे-जैसे रात्रि आगे बढ़ी, राघव ने एक निर्णय लिया।En: As the night advanced, Raghav made a decision.Hi: घाट पर आरती के बीच, किरण ने राघव से यूं कहा, "भैया, मुझे तुम्हारी ये रस्में समझ नहीं आतीं।En: Amidst the aarti at the ghat, Kiran said to Raghav, "Bhaiya, I don't understand your rituals.Hi: क्या ये सच में हमें उनकी याद में करीब लाती हैं?En: Do they really bring us closer in remembrance of them?"Hi: "यह सुनकर राघव थोड़ा रुक गया।En: Hearing this, Raghav paused a bit.Hi: परंतु उसने फिर कहा, "किरण, मैं समझता हूँ।En: But then he said, "Kiran, I understand.Hi: इसलिए मैंने इस समारोह में कुछ नया जोड़ा है।En: That's why I have added something new to this ceremony."Hi: " राघव ने एक पतली सी किताब निकाली जिसमें उनके प्रियजन की तस्वीरें और यादें थी।En: Raghav pulled out a thin book containing pictures and memories of their loved one.Hi: "इसमें हमारी वो यादें हैं, जो शायद ये रस्में नहीं बता पाती," उसने कहा।En: "These are our memories, which perhaps these rituals can't convey," he said.Hi: किरण ने धीरे से किताब ली और उसे खोली।En: Kiran gently took the book and opened it.Hi: तस्वीरों और किस्सों ने उसे उसके प्रियजन की उपस्थिति का अहसास दिलाया।En: The photos and stories gave her a sense of her loved one's presence.Hi: वह तस्वीरें, मुस्कान और किस्से जो केवल परिवार के बीच ही साझा होते हैं।En: Those pictures, smiles, and stories that are shared only within the family.Hi: उसकी आँखों में आँसू थे, परंतु इस बार वे आँसू सुकून के थे।En: Tears filled her eyes, but this time they were tears of solace.Hi: समारोह खत्म होते-होते, किरण ने महसूस किया कि इस बार यह केवल रस्म नहीं, बल्कि एक ऐसा पल था जो उसके दिल को छू गया था।En: By the end of the ceremony, Kiran realized that this time it was not just a ritual, but a moment that touched her heart.Hi: उसने राघव को गले लगाया, "थैंक यू, भैया।En: She hugged Raghav, "Thank you, Bhaiya.Hi: अब मुझे यह सब समझ आता है।En: Now I understand it all."Hi: "राघव ने भी सीखा कि परंपराओं को बनाए रखते हुए, व्यक्तिगत भावनाओं को महत्व देना कितना जरूरी है।En: Raghav also learned how important it is to value personal emotions while maintaining traditions.Hi: इस तरह उस रात, दीप जलते रहे और गंगा किनारे परिवार ने न केवल परंपराओं का पालन किया, बल्कि अपने दिलों को भी जोड़ लिया।En: That night, as the lamps continued to burn, the family not only adhered to traditions but also bonded their hearts.Hi: दीपावली की वो रात उनके लिए एक नई रोशनी लेकर आई थी।En: That Diwali night brought a new light into their lives. Vocabulary Words:vibrancy: रौनकghats: घाटfragrance: सुगंधincense: धूपgleamed: चमक रहा थाseriousness: गंभीरताdeparted: बिछड़ेshraddh: श्राद्धeldest: सबसे बड़ाresponsibility: जिम्मेदारीceremony: आयोजनimmersed: डूबीreminiscence: यादrituals: रस्मेंremembrance: याद मेंpaused: रुक गयाphotographs: तस्वीरेंgently: धीरे सेsolace: सुकूनadhered: पालन कियाbonded: जोड़maintaining: बनाए रखते हुएechoes: गूंजconvey: बतातीemotions: भावनाओंdeparted: बिछड़ेadapted: अपनाएthemselves: खुद कोakin: समानamidst: बीच

Tomorrow is Election Day here in the US. No matter what the outcome is, we have to ask ourselves how we want to proceed. We have taken so much for granted that it's time to stop making assumptions. Far beyond who the next US president is, the truth remains that how we do things matters. Let's talk about this concept. Show Highlights:Getting to the end we want through force and violence is NOT the answer. (Dr. Robert Svoboda brings the truth forward in his Aghora Trilogy that “The ends don't justify the means–the ends ARE the means.”)Think about how you want to achieve your goals.Negative qualities bring negative karma.Relate this to your business and the outcome you want.Lead your work from a place of ease and spaciousness that honors your body and mind.Our only option is to be MORE intentional.A new way is emerging around self-care, energy, and trusting yourself.Can you treat your life like an altar?Finding personal inspiration from a dear friendGetting to the next level requires change.My advice around taking a pause, listening to your intuition, and infusing more intention and care into what you're doingThe question: What can you do to bring more intention and awareness into how you are doing things?Resources:Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Get the 2025 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram @weaveyourbliss for astrological insights, marketing tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at Weave Your Bliss. Paula loves connecting with you there - send her a DM!Will you do us a favor?If you love this episode, I ask you to 1) share it with a spirit-led entrepreneur you think could benefit, and 2) rate and review the podcast on your app of choice. Thank you!You can review it wherever you listen just by clicking here:RateThisPodcast.com/cosmicbusinessIt will only take 2 minutes!We are so grateful that you take the time to do that so others can easily find us.

Some helpful linksMeter - https://www.meter.com/Meter command - https://command.meter.com/Link to Tyler's book on culture - https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Commercial-Culture-Tyler-Cowen/dp/0674001885Sam Hinkie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Hinkie0:00 - Intro3:48 - Anil's early years and background5:23 - Unconventional parenting9:35 - Anil's journey to entrepreneurship12:30 - Sleeping in factories in China15:22 - China VS U.S.18:30 - Why Networks are so important21:35 - Why networking is still an unsolved problem24:10 - Is hardware too hard?26:11 - What does Meter do?37:17 - How does Meter work?41:08 - Future of enterprise software44:00 - Human interaction with AI models46:30 - Why Meter is building AI models50:50 - Spotting young talent54:00 - Anil's framework to find good talent57:30 - How Anil helped Dwarkesh Patel start his podcast1:02:00 - The “X factor” in Anil's investments1:02:00 - Raising the ambition bar1:06:55 - Escaping the competitive Indian dynamics1:08:38 - How cinema influences entrepreneurship1:17:25 - Why don't we know how planes fly1:19:20 - Lessons from Sam Hinkie1:21:04 - Kindness as an operating principle1:22:10 - Why hasn't Anil had a more public brand?1:24:03 - US Immigration1:28:00 - Aarthi, Sriram and Anil show?1:30:44 - Best Indian restaurant in London1:32:50 - Has sneaker culture peaked?1:34:25 - Why don't wealthy people build monuments anymore?1:38:04 - London's rich history1:40:30 - Why does Sriram have sriramk.eth?1:42:00 - Should all startups go direct on comms?1:47:07 - Are Aarthi and Sriram “too online”?1:49:10 - Sriram's Silicon Valley groupchats1:49:46 - Will Aarthi and Sriram move back to India?1:48:12 - Aarthi and Sriram's failures in tech1:53:55 - Netflix's 3D and streaming software1:58:18 - Popfly1:59:55 - Microsoft success under Satya2:02:00 - On tech execs2:03:10 - Nonfiction book that Aarthi and Sriram would write2:06:27 - Aarthi and Sriram's favorite Indian movie before 20002:09:48 - The End Follow Sriram:https://www.instagram.com/sriramk/https://twitter.com/sriramkFollow Aarthi:https://www.instagram.com/aarthir/https://twitter.com/aarthirFollow the podcast:https://www.instagram.com/aarthiandsriramshow/https://twitter.com/aarthisrirampod

What can we expect in 2025? Today's episode covers many details to help you think about and plan for the year ahead. Want to know more? Get your copy of the 2025 Astrology Guidebook by visiting our website. Show Highlights:The biggest astrological news of 2025: Saturn moves into Pisces in March and what this means2025 is a Piscean year with characteristics of endings, loss, opening to new spiritual realms, research, philanthropy, and exploration (and Saturn constricts all of these)An omen of instabilityIt's time to cultivate your in-person, local support system and take care of yourself and your loved ones.Bright spots in 2025 around grace, material well-being, and social interactionsEclipses across the Ancestor Fortnight (again) will bring things to the surface to be purged.Auspicious dates for launches in 2025My advice for 2025: “Look at your inner world, double down on practices, deepen your trust in the karmic unfolding, care for yourself, strengthen your intuition, stay in deep alignment with your path and purpose, and trust your inner knowing.”Resources:Connect with PaulaJoin the Cosmic Business Lab, my year-long container to help you build a business that adds $10,000/month to your income working 4 days a week, all in alignment with your values. Sign up here.Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Get the 2024 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Help us with research so that we can create the tools to help you build giving into your business (this is also research for a book I'm writing!) Thank you. Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram @weaveyourbliss for astrological insights, marketing tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at Weave Your Bliss. Paula loves connecting with you there - send her a DM!Will you...

#127 - What happens when you leave your 9-5 job behind and embark on an eight-month journey across 17 countries? Join us as we chat with Peter Cordova, affectionately known as Petey, who did just that. Growing up in the heavily polluted mining town of La Oroya, Peru, Petey transitioned to a career in IT sales in Denver, Colorado, and found his true passion in videography and travel. In this episode, Petey recounts his remarkable sabbatical, sharing vivid stories from scuba diving in Honduras to hiking the trails of Patagonia, and summiting Kilimanjaro. His experiences are not just about the destinations but about the life-changing connections and the challenges faced along the way.Petey's journey isn't just any travel tale; it's a testament to the transformative power of cultural immersion. Hear how he navigated the bustling streets of Varanasi, bonded with strangers-turned-friends in hostels, and used apps like Couchsurfing to truly engage with local cultures. Inspired by Anthony Bourdain, Petey discovered that firsthand experiences vastly outweigh media portrayals, finding common ground with people from diverse backgrounds. Each encounter provided a new perspective, from the spiritual aura of the Ganga River to the serene landscapes of Switzerland, reshaping his views on global unity.But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Listen as Petey recounts the unexpected hurdles—including a frantic hunt for a yellow fever vaccine in Lisbon and accidentally joining the wrong tour group at Kilimanjaro. Despite these challenges, each twist added a unique chapter to his adventure, culminating in a moving ascent to Kilimanjaro's summit with newfound friends. This episode promises exhilarating stories, reflections on overcoming personal limits, and a peek into Petey's future aspirations, including a potential trek to Everest base camp and a quest to visit all seven world wonders. Join us for an inspiring conversation that might just ignite your own wanderlust.Be sure and give Petey a follow on Instagram @peter.junior_ and on YouTube @peter.junior_.  I also invite you to follow me on Instagram @journeywithjakepodcast.Visit LandPirate.com to get your gear that has you, the adventurer, in mind. Use the code "Journey with Jake" to get an additional 15% off at check out. Visit geneticinsights.co and use the code "DISCOVER25" to enjoy a sweet 25% off your first purchase.

1. Sikyong Penpa Tsering Attends Screening of “Wisdom of Happiness” at Zurich Film Festival 2. New Election Commissioner and Public Service Commission Member Sworn In 3. Tibetan Leaders Meet U.S. Embassy Delegation 4. Jawalakhel Samdupling Tibetan Settlement Marks His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday with Aid for Nepal Flood Victims 5. DIIR concludes two week of Tibet Awareness talks series and Tibet Museum travelling exhibition in Varanasi and Gujarat

We are diving into the topic of karma and politics with my guest, Dr. Robert Svoboda. You've heard him on the podcast numerous times, as we have covered many fascinating topics with him in the past, taking advantage of learning from his wisdom and expertise. We are taking a big-picture view of this political moment in time, along with the karma of being involved in a political system and the dilemma of why or why not to vote. You'll hear our personal thoughts on current political threads as if you're a fly on the wall in our conversation. This episode is an overview of how to stay sane in a time when Rahu is on the scene, and we'll explain what that means. The biggest takeaway from this conversation is that we are in a time of unpredictability and ungrounding energy, and our responsibility is to navigate this season with grace, skill, and overriding respect as helpful spiritual practitioners. Join us to learn more!Show Highlights:Being in a period of Rahu: What does that mean? What are the basics we need to understand?Characteristics of people (including political candidates) who are manifesting RahuRemedies to stay calm, grounded, and steady in the middle of chaos and disruptionThe importance of voting as a civic responsibility–and a karmaBeing part of a political system, whether you like it or notThe collective and shared karma of the population getting the ruler we “deserve”Dr. Svoboda's historical perspective of communities, governance, and democracyUnpacking “the ends” and “the means” relating to cause and effect concerning Israel and GazaReforming, rebuilding, and restructuring our political system must begin locally. Our responsibility to reduce harm and negativity within the political realm“Religion combined with politics creates a huge karmic mess.”What we can do to calm our nervous systems and care for ourselves during this timeUsing our knowledge of history to help us make good decisionsResources:Connect with PaulaJoin the Cosmic Business Lab, my year-long container to help you build a business that adds $10,000/month to your income working 4 days a week, all in alignment with your values. Sign up here.Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Get the 2024 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Perfectionism shows up in your business, affecting much of what you do and don't do. Most of these sneaky effects of perfectionism come in forms you probably don't even realize. Let's jump into this topic and discuss what you can do about pesky perfectionism. Show Highlights:Perfectionism: It's insidious, and we've been indoctrinated!Flawlessness is an impossible standard.Saturn's role in showing us where perfectionism stops our progress through doubt and dissatisfactionSaturn represents oppression, and the antidote is taking back your power to be of service in the world.13 ways you may be getting stuck in perfectionism:Taking too much time to create contentTrying to stuff too many ideas into your contentComparing yourself to others with self-criticismNot taking breaks or taking care of your bodyLacking or avoiding strategy by “throwing spaghetti at the wall”Not being real about your numbers or treating your business like a businessNot delegating or asking for helpNot experimenting Not collaboratingScarcity thinkingTrying to solve ALL of your client's problemsProcrastinatingStaying in “the waiting room” too longTake time to reflect on these characteristics of perfectionism and journal how they apply to you and how you can move forward from perfectionism.Resources:Connect with PaulaJoin the Cosmic Business Lab, my year-long container to help you build a business that adds $10,000/month to your income working 4 days a week, all in alignment with your values. Sign up here.Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility, and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots are available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Get the 2024 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.Help us with research so that we can create the tools to help you build giving into your business (this is also research for a book I'm writing!) Thank you. Join the newsletter for my weekly Resonance Love Letters. Get these exclusive Friday emails with tips on your business, astrology explained, and behind-the-scenes of running a multi-six-figure business! Sign up here.Follow Paula on Instagram

I'm back after a summer hiatus, and I have much to share with you about how I spent these two months, mostly focused on writing my book. I've had the chance to connect more fully with our farm, harvesting, preserving, and canning food. I even experimented with making pickles, drying herbs, and creating herb blends. Many great guests and conversations are coming up for you on the podcast, and I can't wait to share them with you!We are in the middle of huge astrological events! The ancestor fortnight and eclipse tomorrow are monumental in the way they align. I want to talk about their impact and what you can do during this time. Join me to learn more!Show Highlights:Two powerful cosmic phenomena are combining to make this fall a very intense and transformative moment:Details about the first eclipse: tomorrow, Sept. 17 at 10:34 pm EasternThere are signs of ending and loss, and this is a bad time to make aesthetic decisions. We should focus more on spiritual practices.Details about the second eclipse: Oct. 2 at 2:48 pm EasternThere are signs of working with your hands, manipulation and making things happen. This is THE single most inauspicious day of the year, which makes it a lay-low day. This is a good time to honor our ancestors. For your business, steer clear of important conversations and doing business; stay behind the scenes and work on systems and processes. A recap of important dos and don'ts for now through Sept. 18 and Sept. 17-Oct. 2This is a great time for extra self-care, less screen time, eating easily digestible foods, and getting extra rest.This is a great time for reflection on “what has been” in honoring the ancestors and performing rituals to call them forward.How I use the ritual of offering incense and sweets to a body of water on behalf of my ancestors to reduce karmic friction and disturbancesFocusing on our personal well-being can benefit our businesses by putting us in the best shape possible to be in a good flow to move forward!Resources:Connect with PaulaJoin the Cosmic Business Lab, my year-long container to help you build a business that adds $10,000/month to your income working 4 days a week, all in alignment with your values. Sign up here.Get 1:1 astrological support to align with your purpose, assess compatibility and find auspicious timing for launches and sales in a day-long. Can potentially be in person. Only 5 spots available in the fall. More info here.Get your free Heal Your Money Karma checklist & training here.Ask me anything! I'll be sharing another special episode to answer your questions. Email them to paula@weaveyourbliss.com with the subject line “AMA.”Get the 2024 Astrology Guidebook and receive all my hand-picked lay-low and auspicious days for the year, plus major transits and auspicious dates from the Indian calendar that you can drop right into your Google calendar. We have added exciting, new features in the latest version of the Guidebook! 100% of the profits go to a school for underprivileged kids in Varanasi.Sign the 2K for Change Pledge, committing as a spirit-led entrepreneur to give $2000 to causes in 2024 in cash and/or services. Learn more and sign up HERE.

In this episode of "Tales of Recovery," host Gris reflects on her transformative journey to India and the profound lessons learned about accepting the natural flow of life. She shares her experiences in Varanasi, witnessing the Indian approach to death and how it contrasts with Western resistance to the inevitable. Through personal anecdotes and cultural observations, Gris explores the importance of embracing life's challenges and uncertainties, from dealing with illness to accepting aging. Join her as she discusses the power of letting go, trusting intuition, and finding beauty in life's impermanence. Gris also delves into the impact of societal programming on our perceptions of health and safety, urging listeners to reconnect with their bodies and intuition. She emphasizes the value of community, self-healing, and the liberation that comes from breaking free from limiting beliefs. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to live fully, appreciate the present, and honor the natural rhythms of life. You can join her in her upcoming retreat ‘Sacred Self Love’ in the beautiful Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California. Check out the details at www.grisalves.com/events Thank you for existing, for listening and sharing along with me on this adventure of LIFE.