Risen Thoughts

In our increasingly interconnected world, labels often become convenient shortcuts, sometimes at the cost of nuance and accuracy. This is particularly true when discussing the rich tapestry of spiritual and philosophical traditions originating from the Indian subcontinent. The term "Hinduism," while widely used, can be both limiting and, at times, misrepresentative of the profound and timeless wisdom it seeks to encompass: Sanātana Dharma. This article is an invitation to both those outside and within this tradition to look beyond the conventional label and delve into its deeper essence, touching upon its origins, spread, and foundational philosophy as we've explored in our recent conversation. For those who are not followers of Sanātana Dharma, the term "Hinduism" often conjures images of a monolithic religion with a specific founder, a single holy book, and a rigid set of dogmas. This perception, shaped by Abrahamic models of religion, falls short of capturing...

In the heart of Nagigi, Labasa, stands the mysterious Naag Mandir, a Hindu temple known for its cobra-shaped rock formation. Unlike many religious sites where miracles are based on oral tradition, Naag Mandir has actual photographs and physical evidence of the rock’s presence and apparent growth over time. Devotees believe it to be a manifestation of Naag Devta (the snake god), and it has become a site of deep faith and worship. However, closer geological examination suggests the rock might be a natural tufa formation, continuing to evolve even today. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Naag Mandir rock is that when knocked on, it sounds hollow. The sound suggests that the rock is not solid throughout, but rather porous with air pockets inside. This is a well-known characteristic of tufa, a type of limestone that forms through the deposition of calcium carbonate from mineral-rich water. Tufa formations are common near freshwater springs or areas where underground water seeps to t...

 The human quest to understand consciousness and the soul has spanned millennia, giving rise to a rich tapestry of philosophical, spiritual, and scientific perspectives. From the materialist's focus on the brain to the dualist's separation of mind and body, and the mystic's vision of a soul intertwined with the cosmos, we are left with a puzzle that continues to challenge our understanding of existence. This article explores a fascinating thought experiment, born from a conversation about these very mysteries, that delves into distributed consciousness, the subtle body, and the potential for interstellar transcendence. The conventional scientific view, often rooted in materialism, posits that consciousness is an emergent property of the brain. When the brain dies, consciousness ceases. However, this perspective struggles to fully explain the subjective experience of consciousness – the "hard problem" of how physical processes give rise to feeling and awareness....