Shree Lohana Association Birmingham

SLAB Girl Mingles with the Best of Bollywood !

Birmingham's very own Roopa Suchak (formerly Roopa Rajani) is currently in Sri Lanka providing media coverage for the Indian IFA awards for the BBC World News service.

You can follow Roopa's journalism at the following links:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10221672.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10231430.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment_and_arts/10247320.stm

Summer BBQ 2009

The plans and preparations for the barbeque had been meticulously planned for many months. Much effort had been put in to ensure that the day and evening would be an enjoyable event for everyone. The only thing the organisers could not control was the weather and so there were many crossed fingers (and toes!) that we would have clear skies...

Read the article presented by Indira Cunnington by selecting the Read More link below and see the photos in our Photo Gallery now!

Power of the Pranayam (Author not known)

The nose has a left and a right side; we use both to inhale and exhale. Actually they are different; you would be able to feel the difference. The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon.

During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe. In about 5 mins, your headache will go?

If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel your mind is refreshed.

Right side belongs to 'hot', so it gets heated up easily, left side belongs to 'cold'. Most females breathe with their left noses, so they get "cooled off" faster. Most of the guys breathe with their right noses, they get worked up.

Do you notice the moment we wake up, which side breathes faster? Left or right? ? If left is faster, you will feel tired. So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing, you will get refreshed quickly. This can be taught to kids, but it is more effective when practiced by adults.

My friend used to have bad headaches and was always visiting the doctor. There was this period when he suffered headache literally every night, unable to study. He took painkillers, did not work. He decided to try out the breathing therapy here: closed his right nose and breathed through his left nose.

In less than a week, his headaches were gone! He continued the exercise for one month. This alternative natural therapy without medication is something that he has experienced.

So, why not give it a try. (Author unknown).

Ten Questions People Ask About Hindusim

Hinduism is a diverse and fascinating religion with a deep philosophical essence. Whilst the teachings guide a Hindu through life and practise, it is not a doctrine and does not demand strict procedures and methods for spiritual well being.

Hinduism embodies ritual, philosophy, spirituality, physical well-being, mental agility, discipline and many more factors in a holistic way of living. In the modern age, the Bhagvad Gita has played a pivotal role in helping organisations define and develop their corporate strategy.

The complexity of Hinduism has taken scholars a lifetime to understand it's essence and many of our younger generation are regularly faced with direct questions that they often find difficult to answer. Questions such as:

1. Why does Hinduism have so many Gods?
2. Do Hindus believe in reincarnation?
3. What is karma?
4. Why Do Hindus worship the cow?
5. Are Hindus idol worshipers?
6. Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat?
7. Do Hindus have a Bible?
8. Why do many Hindus wear a dot near the middle of their forehead?
9. Are the Gods of Hinduism really married?
10. What about caste and untouchability?

The answers to these questions and more are now presented in a simple article by the Himalayan Academy. Download the article now by clicking here.

Narayan Seva Sanstha (Trust) - Helping Polio Victims in India

Whilst India vows to eradicate Polio with the largest ever immunisation campaign in history (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/pr8/en/index.html), the unfortunate victims of the disease remain to receive treatment, medical care and assistance in daily life.

Saturday 30^th. May and Sunday 31^st. May, Birmingham was honoured to have the prescence of Dr. Kailash 'Manav' at the Shree Durga Bhawan, Smethwick. Founder of the Narayan Seva Sanstha (Trust), since 1985 Dr. Kailash 'Manav' has devoted his life to helping those in need, particularly those affected by Polio. I had the pleasure of listening to the sermon and personally discussing his projects with the Swami.

In 1995 the organisation's first Polio Hospital was founded and since that day, it is has been rendering services in various activities, also other than polio. Through the unity of various states of India and abroad, there are presently 409 branches in India and 89 abroad with thousands of Sadhak working with might & man for the organisation. This institution (Organisation) has changed the fate of 78,000 polio affected people.

There are four buildings for rendering services to polio people: Manav Mandir, Jayaswal Seva Hospital, Deedwania Seva Sadan, International Hospital for disabled, and the polio patient Research Center. The main aim of the organisation is to serve and provide surgery and medical services to polio affected people. There are approx. 80 lakhs physically handicapped and crawling affected patients in India. Out of these 50 lakhs are polio and mentally retarded patients (C.P.) who can easily live a normal life in society through treatment and assistance.

Under various activities of the organisation Narayan Seva Sanstha (Trust) have distributed 20,12,432 articles of Clothes to tribals, provided treatment to 5,16,835 patients, served food to 5,70,200, patients and distributed 7000 Ration Cards. Post the opening of 20 Bal Sanskar Kendra, 30 Sewing Centers and Day Care Centers for Senior Citizens have been created. In the physically handicapped (Disability) sector, they have distributed 1,28,126 Callipers, 1,79,992, Baisakhiya, and 94,115 tricycles free of cost to disabled person to provide them with independence and mobility. Furthermore, marriages have been organsied for about 223 such handicapped couples totally free of cost.

In the year 2000 the organisation received a National award from the Honourable President Shri. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for excellent services in the field of welfare for persons with disabilities. In the year 2003 the Honourable Vice President Bheron Singh ji Shekhawat visited the organisation. He further praised the efforts for the work done for polio affected people and awarded the Red & White Bravery National award to Kailash 'Manav' for his excellent service towards human welfare and society. Dr. Kailash 'Manav' was recently awarded the Padam Shree Award in Social Services by the Honorable President Smt. Pratibha Patil on 5^th May 2008, one of the most prestigious awards anyone can receive.

In the future the organisation is planing to start the following services in diffrent sectors:

International Hospital for supra physiotherapy and Disability Research Centre. Children who have the ambition to do something in life and want to become self supported will be given free treatment & diagnosis. Hospital which is under construction has 251 beds, two wards for orphan disabled and six wards for handicapped, 8 Wards for patients and ten wards for the disabled poor sufferers.

Global Hospital:

The construction work of Global Hospital is in progress covering an area of about 2500 Sq.ft, providing Sadhak residence and equipment storage facilities

Deha Devalya:

Learned Rishis and Maharishi have said that the human body is in itself a living temple. In this temple God is present in the form of a "Soul". Saints have said that 68 pilgrims reside in this body. Deha Devalaya, constructed over 2000 Sq. ft will bring to life this human temple, providing education in the functions of each and every part of the body from the heart, heart beats, your ear, nose and your internal structure, to your Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Brain - illustrating how they work even to how blood circulates in the body, and so forth.

International Polio Hospital:

An international Polio Hosptial and Research Centre is being constructed in Badi 13 km from Udaipur.

To find out more , please visit their website at http://www.narayanseva.org.

To make a donation, in the first instance contact fellow Lohanas Ashokbhai Kotecha / Bachubhai Kotecha (Maruti Trust) on 0116 2220073 or Rashmi Mavani (Bharat Welfare Trust) on 0116 266 7050.

Article present by Jitesh H. Samani

The �Japa Mala� and number 108 (Hindu Voice, February 2009)

Controlling ones mind, repetition of mantras (sacred words) and meditation requires focus. To help focus our minds, the ancient Hindu Rishis found that external aids can be very useful, the “japa mala” being one such example. A traditional Hindu japa mala always contains 108 beads

So how does the mala help? There are two main advantages of the mala. Firstly the use of the mala means that one does not have to keep an eye on the time. It is ideal for everyone to spend some time each day meditating and chanting a mantra. How long one does this is up to the individual, and through practice, he/she will be able to extend the length of time. Without the mala and the 108 beads, we would have a tendency to look at the time or hourglass. This would be a constant distraction and could spoil the piety of the exercise. Of course many people find that chanting with their eyes closed enables greater concentration, and avoids distractions.

The second advantage with the use of a mala is that we do not have to keep count of mantras. The solution by our rishi’s was to make the 108th bead larger than the others, or by placing a string between the first and last bead. This raises the question as to why there are 108 beads. There are many variations, and one of the most important is that the number 9 is considered divine. Hence 1+0+8 = 9.

Our forefathers also stated that one stands for God, zero symbolises God un-manifest, and eight represents creation through eight natures (namely earth, water, speed, space, air, ego, mind and wisdom). Our shastras also state that there are 12 birth signs and 9 solar planets. Thus 12 x 9 = 108, which represents the sum total of the fate of the world. Our astronomy sages charted 27 constellations with each going through 4 phases in a year. Hence 27 x 4 = 108, this represents the figure for the cosmos.

Other interesting facts about the number 108:

* Distance between earth and sun = 108 times sun-diameter,

* Distance between earth and moon = 108 times moon-diameter, and most remarkably,

* Diameter of the sun = 108 times the earth diameter.

Certain numbers and ratios seem to repeat themselves in the world’s geometry. They form patterns in the cosmos. 108 is one such number. Because the aim of meditation is to achieve oneness with the cosmos, 108 was considered a particularly auspicious number to chant. It should be noted however that the number of times a person chants is of secondary importance compared with the devotion and purity of mind that underlies the practice of chanting.

Repetitive chanting is a powerful spiritual tool. It has been proven scientifically to have a soothing effect on the mind. Any repetitive act gives the mind a relief from our ever changing thought pattern, and this acts as a stabiliser of the mind, helping us to focus on an unchanging reality that underlies this ever changing world. This unchanging reality is God.

There are four kinds of chanting (or japa). The first is Vaikhari which is chanting a mantra loudly and clearly. The second is Upanshu, in which the individual tones down to just a mumble. The third is Pashayati where the chant is done mentally, but the lips may move but no sound is made. The final kind is Para, this is when the chant is repeated mentally without any physical manifestation, but both the body and mind participate. Even the breathing is saturated with the mantra.

After a period the mood and mind become stable and focussed. One is then able to get in contact with the inner self beyond the physical and mental distractions. It is beyond this where the individual can try and get in contact with the aatma (soul), the consciousness, and ultimately the divine.

Children's Christmas 2009 - Another Success Story !!

Nearly 30 children and 90 adults, 33 entries in the pool tournament cards, bowling food and Father Christmas. A wonderful start to our Christmas !!

Shree Lohana Association Birmingham's Rupin Vadera summarises our Christmas Party and Pool Tournament. Find out more by clicking the Read More link below.

Laxmi Narayan Yagna

The New Approach To Hindu Wedding Ceremonies

SLAB's Pradip Chandarana introduces a new insight on the development of our culture and the emerging generations' views on Hindu wedding ceremonies. This article is copyright to Rajubhai Pandya (Hindupriest.org.uk).

Are our Gujarati weddings heading towards a new approach?
Gujarati wedding have now taken a new approach. Young people want their marriages to be performed in complete silence with a proper explanation in English from the priest, during the ceremony.
Young couples who get married according to the Gujarati ceremony with their partners of Hindu origin or of another denomination wish to understand their wedding ceremony. They feel that if they are asked to participate in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony they deserve a full English explanation. Sometimes even their parents are not able to offer a reasonable explanation on the ceremony.

Do we attend the wedding ceremony for socializing?
Most of our Gujarati marriages are an event where 700 – 1000 people walk about talking and socializing with loud Bollywood music heard while the wedding is taking place. No one is taking any notice about what is happening in the mandap during the ceremony, and to be honest, they don't care. It is like a cattle market type atmosphere. It is no wonder our youngsters don't go to Gujarati weddings as there is little for them to learn about our culture and traditions.

At Gujarati weddings the Maharaj begins by asking everyone to remain silent during the wedding. Within the first 10 minutes of the wedding around 7% of the guests will go to the bar or go outside if it is a sunny day and have a cigarette. They will talk about the advice they would like to give George Bush if he was to ring them on resolving the Middle East issue.

The couple spend around £40 to £85 per person at their wedding, is it worth having these guests on your wedding list, even if they are your friends and family?
Other cultures have their wedding ceremonies carried out in silence and with discipline. If our Gujarati people go to these weddings they will be at their best behavior. When it comes to our Gujarati weddings they will run a mock.

Do we invite people for the wedding ceremony or are we in a race with the last wedding we attended and blowing the valuable funds which could be spent wisely for the better future of our children? Do we parents need to change or bring the change?
Some of our middle aged members of the community are finding this difficult to accept as they think by not sending the invitation to a friend or a relative may bring an end to the relation. They want to meet friends and socialize and have the variety of food.
Are we in a race of exhibiting of showing the highest numbers of invitees by stretching our selves’ financially? Do the parents have the time to meet and greet all the invitees during the ceremony?

Can these unnecessary spending spent in a better way? May be to support our children and their partners to build up their better future? Is it now the right time to think!!!!!!
What do our today’s youngsters want?
Youngsters have now set their minds on a new tradition where the ceremony will be conducted in silence and the priest will explain in English to the couple and the guests exactly what is taking place and why.

Our culture is in the hands of the young people, they will be taking it forward into the
next generation when we are not around. I say let them dictate how they want their wedding to be carried out as it is one of the most important days of their lives.
My support is completely with the young couples, if you want a beautiful wedding that people will remember, get a priest who will explain in Gujarati & English after all it’s important to understand the vows and commitments you are undertaking. We are simply asking our guests for approx 75mins of their time to remain silent and witness the ceremony.

Costly venues are making it difficult to have weddings of thousands of people. So, a small list of 200 friends and family who appreciate the wishes of the young couple by remaining silent during the wedding are invited to the wedding and the rest will have to settle for an invitation to the reception, if they are lucky.

Guests who are finding it difficult to accept and ignore the wishes of the young people will find their names missing from the wedding list. The wedding lists for the guests and relatives are getting shorter