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Happiness is a Choice

Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, Gurudeva, guru of Dandapani

When did we forget that happiness is a choice? It's a choice that each of us have been empowered with. It's a choice that each of us need to make each day, each moment of our lives. And when we forget then we leave ourselves subject to the people and environment around us to dictate how we feel. You can be a slave to them or make the simple decision each moment of your life to be happy. The choice is yours. Choose wisely for what you choose becomes you.

After all, it was my beloved guru that boldly proclaimed, that life is meant to be lived joyously!

Here is a photograph of my guru, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, which was taken during our visit to Oslo, Norway in 2001.

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May 2, 2012
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Sadhus at the Kumbh Mela

Here's the final photo in our 14 day series of images of Sadhus. The biggest gathering of sadhus takes place every 3 years at the Kumbha Mela festival. It comes around again next year but time a little special. Every 12 years the full festival is celebrated and this just happen
May 1, 2012

Day 12 of our Sadhu Image Series

Well, we are coming close to the end of our 14 day series of images of some of Hinduism's renunciates that I have photographed over the years. Sadhus are particularly photogenic I must say and the Kumbha Mela festival is probably the best time to photograph a sadhu if you are a p
May 1, 2012
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Day 13 of our Sadhu Image Series

The markings on a Hindu's forehead quite often shares what sects he belongs to. There are four primary sects within Hinduism namely Saivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism and Smartism. The markings on this sadhu's forehead indicate that he is a Vaishnavite. Members of this sect worship t
Apr 29, 2012
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Monks embracing technology

For Day 11 of our series of images on sadhus I bring you a photo I took about 3 years back at the Kumbha Mela festival in Haridwar of a sadhu. I was focused on a photographing a parade when I noticed someone standing next to me. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and here was
Apr 28, 2012
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Parade of Sadhus at the Kumbha Mela

One of the visually striking things at the Kumbha Mela is the parades that take place mainly on the main bathing day during the festival. Here a sadhu dances jubilantly waving a long sword as he parades down the street with thousands of other monastics headed to the sacred Ganges
Apr 27, 2012

Gallery of Sadhus, Kumbha Mela (Day 8)

Certain sects of monastics within Hinduism, most notably the naga sadhus, often cover their entire body with ash. Ash symbolizes the transient nature of life and things. The application of ash on their body is a constant reminder that their body will be gone one day but the soul