Volume 1| Issue 3|October 2015

A Hindu Cultural Center of Albany Hindu Temple Society’s Newsletter devoted to the Capital District’s Indian-American community particularly its seniors grandparents. Theres is then a honor the anchors of our families Editorial: A NewsLetter for realization that, like their own and recognize the immeasurable Our Community grandparents who continue to live ways they enrich our lives.” By Ram Chugh, Ph.D. through them, they will continue to The Hindu Cultural Center plans to

live in the minds of their organize its own “Grandparents Day” Namaste! grandchildren as well. That is the celebration on Sunday, September Grandparents reality of life. 13, 2015. The details of the program constitute an anchor To express gratitude and love to and activities for that day are for our families. They grandparents and what they mean currently being worked out. These will connect us with our to us, the United States observes a be shared with our community when near past and give National Grandparents Day on the finalized. us hope and first Sunday in September following Let us take time to honor our inspiration for our future. They pass on the Labor Day every year. This year grandparents on September to us religious, cultural, moral, and the Grandparents Day falls on 13th. Please see the REQUEST on page social values they learned from their th Sunday, September 13 . Six. own grandparents. In particular, they In his 2014 National Grandparents form special bonds with their This issue contains two pieces written Day Proclamation message, President grandchildren. They share stories of by famous Indians, Tagore and Swami Obama said: “Each year, we pause their lives with them, play games, Vivekananda, and three short essays to salute the grandmothers and read books, laugh and even cry with by young students from our Heritage grandfathers who strengthen our them. While playing, grandparents class, Somida Oruganti, Bhargvy families and shape our Nation. again become children themselves. Ramathan, Shashank Salgam. Other Through decades of hard work, they In the process, they enrich their own contributors include Amar Chandel, have broken down barriers and lives and those of their grandchildren. Jagdish Doshi, Richa Kaushik, Kajal blazed pathways for the generations Lahiri, Jai Misr, and Kishan Putta. They become distant observers of the that followed, and they continue to changing life cycle and the passage provide inspiration and support to We thank them immensely for their of time. They think of their own their children and grandchildren. On contributions to Reflections. childhood and of their own National Grandparents Day, we

Vedic Science boosts Modern treatment of depression, anxiety, and disease and Inbetter this overallIssue health. In post traumatic stress disorder which contrast, ‘negative’ emotions like Medical Science will increase wellbeing and quality of anger,Editorial fear, and sadness adversely---- 1 By Ronnie Newman Ed.M., C.A.S life rapidly. It shows that its beneficial affectTagore’s these Poem systems leading---- to 1 effects reach all the way down to the poorer overall health. As a research Time for second opinion ---- 2 scientist in the field molecular level to a person’s DNA. Yet, neither in school nor in the health Aging Gracefully ---- 2 of mind/body How is this possible? The cutting edge care system have tools been offered medicine, I realize medical field of PNI (psycho-neuro- toHinduism handle the in the mind Caribbean and emotions -- 3 that some of the immunology) provides some clues. It systematically.Jainism The Yogic Science---- of3 most effective and explains how people’s health and Breath can fill this need because Indian History ---- 4 easy to adopt health promotion even the very length of their lives emotions and breath are practices derive from the ancient become profoundly affected by their interconnected.Timekeeping People can---- see that4 Vedic tradition. This article focuses mental and emotional states. everyMy Grandparents emotion creates a specific---- 4 the Yogic Science of Breath (YSB), a Chemical messengers called rhythm in breath. When fearful, the 5000 plus year old precise science of neuropeptides are released with breathKids becomes rapid and---- shallow; 5 health promotion which has been every emotion. Generally, ‘positive’ whenVivekananda feeling love, it becomes---- long5 shown in independent research to emotions like joy and enthusiasm andAssocns smooth.. of Thus,Capital rather Region than-- 6 enhance brain, immune, hormone, produce neuropeptides that allowing the emotions to alter the and cardiovascular functioning. influence the brain, endocrine, and breath through skilled use of the Sometimes, it can be superior to immune systems in positive ways, breath, individuals can transform their standard drug therapy in the leading to improved resistance to emotional states and impact whether Reflections Volume 1 | Issue 3| October 2015

life supporting or life damaging to take action regarding their chemical messengers are released. behavior in life. Because the present

So, what are some of the results of faces all human beings, they can Yogic breathing practices? Nadi apply their free will and shape it. Hinduism says that people must Shod (Alternate nostril breathing) has been found to calm the ‘fight or dedicate themselves to free will, and flight’ response, reducing heart rate by applying free will in the past, they take on the resulting destiny. and blood pressure, and promote a more relaxed state. It is also an ideal preparation for meditation. The Shri Krishna states in the Bhagavad accompanying u Tube link can instruct people in Nadi Shod if they Gita that nature operates in people are not familiar with it, and 5-10 Karma, Destiny, and Free Will in through the three gunas or energies. minutes once or twice per day is Hinduism He says, “All activities are performed by the three gunas of nature. But the ideal. By Jai N. Misir Ph.D person who becomes deluded by the A breathing practice with the most false identification of the body thinks, comprehensive range of benefits is Karma comes from a ‘I am the doer.’ ” One can observe Sudarshan Kriya, which cannot be Sanskrit word which that people do not carry out the A learnedHindu Culturalvia video, Center but only Newsletter from a devoted to the Indian American Community, particularly to its seniors means “action”. The happenings of the world, but nature qualified instructor. It can reduce the rule states that each does it. This complete system consists stress hormone cortisol by 50% from action has the same of nature or energy which makes up the first session and increase the reaction at present or in the future. the three guṇas: goodness (sattva), wellbeing hormone cortisol by 33%. SK Good actions in agreement with passion (rajas), and ignorance practitioners also enjoy significant righteousness will have good (tamas). As bubbles become a part reductions cholesterol and high reactions, and bad actions in of the water, in the same way, the blood pressure with no change in diet agreement with unrighteousness will body becomes a part of nature from and spend 3 times as much of their have bad reactions. Human beings which it is formed. Therefore, energy sleep time in the deepest stage of reap the fruits of their actions in this becomes the doer of everything. sleep. More importantly, SK life or in a future life. This Under whatever circumstances, to practitioners enjoy greater mental development of rebirth becomes the gain more happiness or to lessen focus, quality of life, wellbeing, continuous cycle of death and rebirth unhappiness, people must use their optimism, and serenity. according to the law of action and free will in the present. Indeed, the more science expands its reaction. At death, the self or atman understanding of mind/body is taken by a subtle body into a new medicine the more it validates the physical body which can be a Hinduism gives human beings freedom health benefits of ancient Vedic human or non-human form. The goal to act but lets them know what is good practices. of Hindus is to free themselves from and bad for them. They cannot run this cycle of action and reaction and Ronnie Newman, Ed.M., C.A.S. is a away from their duties by faulting rebirth. Harvard University trained researcher destiny, for destiny becomes their own and published author in the field of creation. Furthermore, they cannot Mind/Body Medicine. She has hold God responsible since he presented on the subject at the United Hinduism associates free will to distributes the results in line with the Nations, The World Bank, and the karma, rebirth, and awareness of the qualities of their actions. National Institutes of Mental Health. She self. Destiny connects to human is Director of Research and Health beings with the results of their past Promotion for the Art of Living actions. People use free will when *Jai N. Misir, Professor Emeritus/Hindu Foundation (North America). they perform action at the present Priest* He taught at Hudson Valley time, and this present action Community College. becomes destiny or past action. For instance, if humans cause others to suffer, then they will experience suffering. If they love others, they will experience love. According to

Hinduism, free will becomes subject Hindu Festival in to the control of samskaras, the mental impressions caused by past By Mohan Thapa karmas. Hence, people create their The Nepali ways may own destiny through thought, not be particularly emotion, and deed. Therefore, free familiar to others. I live will and destiny become one, but in the Albany area they vary in the issue of time. As a where about 250 result, nothing like destiny runs Nepali people reside. Many of them people’s lives, but karma drives them come to the Hindu temple.The Hindu

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traditions and rituals in Nepal are a *Mohan Thapa was born and raised in the accustomed to this surrounding. India way of life for most people like they mid-hills of eastern Nepal. He currently lives Association was formed around 1960s are in India. The development of in Troy NY with his family and he is the to be with our kind of people, to these traditions, rituals, and places of president of a small civil engineering watch Hindi movies and celebrate worship has been a continuous one company (South Col Engineering PC). Mohan Independent and Republican days.

since the beginning of Hinduism itself; has been a part of the Albany Hindu Temple During that time communication with

therefore, the totality of it is very vast. congregation for the last thirty years. our folks in India was very difficult at So, I will tell you about one festival the best. We became homeowners; called or Deepavali known as “US” Indians in the tent of our children started attending public the festival of lights. In most of Nepal, schools which was totally new Tricity Area: Albany, Troy and we call this festival Tihar. We begin experience for parents since we Tihar on the 13th day of the waning Schenectady never had the experience of public moon in the month of Kartik which by Suman S Joshi school education as children in this begins with the new moon in tricity area.

November. The first day is called Assim ilation describes the Children bought America from our Kaag Tihar, which is the crow's day as door step to the living area and the the messenger of death to be process of social,cultural and kitchen by bringing and relating with honored with food and prayer. The their American friends. In our tricity second day is called Kukur Tihar political integration A Hindu Cultural Center Newsletter devoted to the Indianinto American a dominant Community, area particularly there are few to examplesits seniors of which honors dogs as 's turning these childhood friendships to gatekeeper. Yama is said to have society and culture. The primary benchmarks are socioeconomic full bloom marriages. Willingly, and been the first mortal who died. The some not so willingly, patents and dogs are offered bread, tika, status, geographic distribution,second language grandparents started feeling more marigold garlands, and special foods. comfortable with a larger community. The third day is Lakshmi puja, upon attainment of the country and inter which we honor cows and worship marriages. Indians coming to this country in Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The We did not come here under recent times already have lot of cows are given marigold garlands, coercion. It was our own choice to information of this county as well as and later in the evening, all migrate in order to grow friends and families. Hindu temple households carry out their own professionally by practicing our was founded in 1976 to meet the Lakshmi puja. Big, bright lights, profession or for furthering education needs of Hindus in Tricity area. prasad, fruits, and sel roti are in areas we already trained in. Many Cultural center opened its door with common. opportunities beckoned us to this part its own building in 2007 which has become the hub for activities of On the fourth day is Goverdan Puja, of the country. We started being visible here by 1960s as physicians, Indian culture for Indian and the and we honor oxen with garland, larger communities which includes Prasad, and food given to oxen and scientists, engineers, professors and students for higher learning. music,dance recitals,discourses on symbols of oxen. Lord Krishna lifting a philosophy,yoga practice as well as Goverdan hill to save people, cows, So let's take the panoramic view of Heritage class and the summer and oxen from floods is also an our lives here from 1960s to 2015, four camps for children. important image and tradition to generations being alive from an honor. Some people may also do self infant to grandparents who are We have moved into the era of puja on this day, honoring one's self facing many changes and sharing our values, culture and and praying for good things in the transformations. About 30 families expertise in a larger community. future. On the fifth day, Bhai tika then, 3000 to 4000 families now, Some areas to be still ventured are allows us to honor our brothers. The adding people in IT and business political arena and mutual sisters complete special puja for their background. understanding of other faith brothers and pray for long life and communities. Many with Indian origin In 1960s we showed up in this area security from Yama. This day is very need help in some crucial areas of without any preparation, social and special and the sisters often prepare living as circumstances are changing. emotional. Our plan was to grow a long time in advance. The puja It is exciting to be present in this era professionally, make money and takes a long time to execute, and the where positive growth and change is return to India after spending 5 to brothers give presents to the sisters for in progress. Salute to all who 10years. We found ourselves in a very their blessings and hard work. The participated and participating in this different culture and felt out of tune sisters give makhamali phool mala, a venture. socially and emotionally, even globe amaranth garland, and the though in sync professionally. Often purple color does not fade - even we felt lonely miserable longing for when dry. BUDDHISM: An Introduction our parents, families,friends and the During this festival, many communities known culture. By Rev. Monshin will have groups who perform special Paul Naamon Raising kids in this society was scary dances and bless households, asking and unthinkable but we stayed on to Tendai-shu New for donations for community work. bring up two generations which call York Betsuin, Nepalis will donate greatly during this themselves Indo- American with great 1525 State Route festival. pride. We became more at ease and 295, East

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Chatham, NY The Noble Eightfold Path is divided community. Rasik Shah, Richa Kaushik, The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha into: Prajna - Wisdom (Right View and and Sastri Sripada provided valuable Gautama (c. 5th to 4th centuries BCE), Right Intention), Silla - Moral Conduct assistance in this effort. Vijay Oruganti was born in Lumbini and grew up in (Right speech, Right Action, and Right helped design and format the Livelihood) and Samadhi - newsletter. I thank them immensely Uttar Pradesh. For six years he studied with several gurus or masters. After a Concentration (Right Effort, Right for their service. Lastly but most period of especially severe ascetic Mindfulness, and Right Meditation. importantly, I wish to express my deep gratitude to Ram Chugh for initiating practice, and rejection of that Like other Dhammic religions, Hindu method, he attained awakening and Jain, there is no single Buddhism. this newsletter and for his tireless under the Bodhi Tree in contemporary Some forms of Buddhism are non- efforts in putting it together. Bodhgaya and became known theist, some include deities, but, all The newsletter is being sent known as the Buddha or “awakened Buddhists accept basic tenets, such electronically using the email lists one”. as the Four Noble Truths, Noble accessible to the HCC. Some of you Eightfold Path, Three Marks of might get duplicate copies because We often start the story of Gautama Buddha’s awakening under the Bodhi Existence, and the Six Paramitas. you may be on several e-mail lists. tree. To be more accurate, However, there are basic philosophic You may delete any duplicates. differences between Theravada Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening Comments and story suggestions on was a result of all the teachings to (found in South Asia), Mahayana and Reflections are welcome and should A whichHindu he Cultural was exposed Center to Newsletterprevious to devotedVajrayana to the (in Indian East and American North Asia). Community, be sentparticularly to Ram Chugh to its at: seniors that experrience. The awakening Theravada hold that their spiritual [email protected] under the Bodhi tree was the ideal requires many lifetimes and only cumulative effect of the search. In Arhats (enlightened ones) attain PROSTATE CANCER: MYTHS & other words his awakening was a Nibbāna (extinction of the self) after FACTS process not a single event. The their death. Mahayana and recognition by Siddhartha that Vajrayana assert that enlightenment By K.Perumal MD.FACS awakening is not found in extremes of is possible within a short time, even a philosophy and practice led him to single lifetime, however the spiritual Prostate cancer preach the Middle Way, avoidance ideal is to become a Bodhisattva is the most of extremes of austerities and sensual (awakened one who returns to the common indulgence. All traditional forms of samsaric world (endless birth and cancer in men Buddhism believe in Karma and death) to work for the benefit of all and the second Rebirth, though many post-modern sentient beings). leading cause of cancer death Buddhist reject these concepts. While the philosophy of the in men. In the US The Three Marks of Existence provide Buddhadharma guides us, practice is yearly, it affects more than a valuable summary of foundational as important, and some would say 200,000 men and claims the lives teachings. These are 1. more important, than the philosophy. of more than 32,000 men. 1out of Anicca (Skt. anitya) - impermanence. Practices include, depending on the 6 American men will be All conditioned things are in a form of Buddhism, meditation, diagnosed with prostate cancer constant state of change, 2. chanting, use of mudra and mantra, in their lifetime. However, there is dukkhā — pain, suffering, visualizations, mandala, a lot of confusion about its discontentedness, 3. Anatta (Skt. circumambulation, creating merit, prevention, detection and anatman) - not self. There is no devotional practices, calligraphy, management. permanent self or soul. etc. The historic Buddha asserted that The frame work of Buddhist one should not accept the teachings based upon authority alone, but put MYTH: No symptoms means no philosophy involves Three Jewels or cancer Refuges: the Buddha (awakening that the teachings to the test of practice. resides within us), Dharma (teachings Shakyamuni Buddha’s philosophy FACT: False-Typically, symptoms of the four Noble Truth and the and practices lead one to liberation in prostate cancer appear once Eightfold Noble Path) and Sangha from dukkha, in this life and lifetimes the cancer is much advanced. (one looks for support, inspiration and to come. Do not assume that the absence guidance from the Buddhist of symptoms means no cancer. community). This is the basis for formally accepting the Buddhist path MYTH: If dad had it, son will and it is the first step toward Nirvana, Message from Dr. Swatantra Mitta, have it too. however one defines it. Chair, HCC Board FACT: True-Having a first degree According to the earliest texts the relative with prostate cancer core of Buddhism is the Four Noble I felt proud and happy while readiing the definitely increases one’s risk of Truths: 1. Dukkha – life is filled with articles written by our community members for developing it, though it is not suffering and discontentedness, 2. this issue of Reflections. I felt especially proud certainty. Samudaya - Causes of Dukkha, 3. reading the short essays written by three Nirhodha - Cessation of Dukkha, and young students from our Heritage class. MYTH: Prostate cancer does not 4. Magga - Liberation from Dukkha by Reflections is a community newsletter, written, run in my family so the odds are I following the Noble Eightfold Path. edited ,and formatted by members of our will not get it.

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FACT: False- While a positive MYTH: Vasectomy causes (inflammation/ infection of the family history doubles a man's prostate cancer prostate) or even a vigorous odds of being diagnosed, a FACT: False- Numerous studies rectal examination or riding a negative family history does not have shown no increased risk of bike. ensure not developing the prostate cancer in men who have cancer. undergone vasectomy. MYTH: If your PSA is low, then you do not have prostate cancer. MYTH: Sexual activity increases MYTH: Only old men get the risk of developing prostate FACT: Maybe-A low PSA does prostate cancer. cancer. not completely rule out the FACT: False -Though more presence of prostate cancer. FACT: False-There is no common in older men, younger evidence that sexual frequency men can get it too. Screening MYTH: If your PSA is low then is related to risk for prostate should begin at 50 or at 40 for men you do not need a DRE (Digital cancer. at high risk for the disease. Risk Rectal examination) factors include- race, family MYTH: New scans make FACT: False- DRE is the only way history, physical health and life biopsies obsolete. for your doctor to physically style, and even geographic FACT: False- For now, biopsy examine the prostate and is an location. remain the only way to diagnose important test to be coupled A Hindu Cultural Center Newsletter devotedprostate to the cancer.Indian American Community, particularlywith the PSA test. to Findingits seniors a nodule MYTH: Supplements can or irregularity of the prostate gland during a DRE is often the prevent prostate cancer MYTH: Treating prostate cancer first step towards diagnosing FACT: False- Recent research has will end your sex life and cause prostate cancer. not shown any such benefit from urine leakage. supplements like vitamin E and FACT: Maybe-While erectile MYTH: Prostate cancer is a slow Selenium. A healthy diet with high dysfunction and urinary growing cancer. I don't need to fiber and low fat is certainly useful incontinence are possible worry about it now. in general. following surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer, all men FACT: Maybe- The urologist uses MYTH: Pomegranate juice do not experience these the pathologist’s data to decreases prostate cancer risk. complications. Many men recover characterize the aggressiveness of the cancer and make FACT: False-Though in vitro erectile function following surgery recommendation for treatment studies supported this, it did with nerve sparing technique. based on factors, including a not pass muster in vivo studies. patient's age and overall health If you are at high risk for the MYTH: You can pass your status. New tests will be available disease you could try it but cancer to others. to better stratify the risk of a without a false sense of FACT: False- Prostate cancer is patient diagnosed with prostate expectation. not infectious or cancer. communicable. MYTH: Eating tomato or MYTH: High testosterone Take home- tomato based products levels increase the risk of Know the facts-eliminate confusion. prevent prostate cancer. prostate cancer. Studies support that life style FACT: False- Recent studies have FACT: False-Testosterone levels decisions like a healthy diet (low fat, not confirmed preventive effect of have no association with high fiber) and regular exercise lycopene, a nutrient in foods like prostate cancer. Long term (walking 30 minutes daily) may play a tomato, watermelon, Guava, Pink testosterone replacement pivotal role in reducing the risk of grape fruit, Papaya and apricots. treatment for patients with low getting prostate cancer, and However these foods are certainly a testosterone (low T) does not surviving it if you get the disease. Talk part of a well-balanced healthy diet increase the risk of prostate to your family and friends about and are helpful in maintaining good cancer and having a low T prostate cancer and, if you are over health. level does not protect against 40, talk to your physician to develop the risk of prostate cancer. a prostate health and screening plan MYTH: Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty that is right for you. acids) decreases prostate MYTH: A high PSA means cancer risk. that you have prostate cancer. FACT: False- While Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be FACT: Maybe-An elevated PSA FINANCIAL ADEQUACY IN beneficial in many ways; they do not (Prostate specific antigen) can decrease the risk of developing be due to other causes like BPH RETIREMENT prostate cancer. (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia- By Gopal Dorai, Ph.D* non cancerous enlargement of prostate) or Prostatitis

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Now let me turn to the folks who have have helped me stay in touch with already retired. my Indian heritage. Staying true to Depending on your current age, you my ancestry gives me a strong base, can do a few things to stretch and where I can always branch off from strength your retirement income. Here easily. Knowing about my culture also One of the major is the strategy. gives me an identity, and makes me concerns for persons contemplating proud of my customs. I think that if retirement, or those who may have (1) Defer taking social security, until someone is given the opportunity to recently retired, is whether their age 70. This will provide the maximum learn about where they come from, possible social security benefit financial resources will last as long as they gain a lot of confidence in they live. This is especially true of payments. Suppose you are 65, and themselves. those who, for one reason or another, can wait until 70 to take SS$: for every Every Sunday, I attend have not put away ‘sufficient funds’ year you delay withdrawing, your Heritage Class at the Albany Hindu for their golden years. monthly payment will grow by 8%! This is a fantastic rate of return. Temple. Going to Heritage Class is There are many ways to deal with this really fun; we sing bhajans, and learn issue fruitfully. To do so, I will divide (2) Enroll in Medicare as soon as you about various important things about potential retirees into 2 distinct are 65, even if you are NOT taking SS$ the Vedic tradition. For example, at groups: First, those who are still now. Heritage Class, I have learned a lot employed, and plan to quit the labor about some epics (the A Hindu Cultural Center Newsletter devoted(3) Try to to thedivide Indian your RetirementAmerican KittyCommunity, particularly to its seniors force within the next 5-10 years; into 2 parts: (A) will provide a fixed and Ramayana), about values, and second, those who have already payment of x$ to meet monthly “fixed about religious culture. Also, going to retired. expenditures”; (B) will generate this class every Sunday gives me a If you belong to the first group, you variable payments for discretionary chance to wear Indian clothes, and still have considerable control over spending –travel, vacation, gifts, go to the temple. So even if I have a your future financial life. Here are charitable contributions, etc. To busy week, I can always come to the some steps you can take now, to accomplish this, you may shift funds temple on Sunday, and just pray to ease into eventual retirement: to an “Immediate Annuity”= (A) God, sing bhajans, and learn about which will provide guaranteed our culture.

monthly income as long as you live. Besides Heritage Class, I also (1) Create a preliminary “retirement Consult ‘Immediate Annuities.com’ or participated in ’Children at the Well’ budget”. Experts usually suggest 75- Vanguard Funds—which provide this past year. ’Children at the Well’ is 80% of your current expenses as a excellent value for the money. Pick a a group where people from all starting point. This will show how much reputable Annuity provider; also different religious faiths come money you will need for 20+ years, consult: AM Best for additional together to tell stories from their with an inflation adjustment. information. respective faiths. For my year there, I (2) Determine how much your (4) The Variable Portion of your chose to recite the story of Prahlad. I accumulated funds will grow to, by Retirement Funds (B) can be invested knew this story because my parents the time you are ready to retire: in a low-cost ETF (exchange traded and grandparents had told it to me (there are many excellent financial fund)—such as SDY—which many times, and I had liked it, but I calculators to help you do this, such periodically increases dividend never really learned it’s meaning as those available on Rowe payments. Or, again, go to the completely. That’s why I chose it, so I Price/Vanguard web sites; or talk to Vanguard website to pick a suitable could learn more about. I had a lot of your Human Resources/Retirement ETF that fits your needs. fun telling this story. Using my hands funds Custodian). and eyes to tell the story along with (5) Those who are in a position to my voice took some time to learn, but (3) Increase your pre-tax retirement utilize their human capital— paid off in the end, because some contributions to the maximum knowledge, knowhow, experience, people came up to me after the possible limit—(cut your current problem-solving abilities—can also performance saying that they could spending, as needed, to accomplish supplement their incomes by finding understand the wonderful story of this). Build up your funds, by delaying rewarding part time work. retirement, as long as possible. Prahlad very well when I told it. My Motto: “Helping People Make Sound sister told the story of Dhruv, and my (4) Shift a part of your investments to Financial Decisions” cousin told the story of Eklavya, so I asset-classes which have good also got to learn about these stories potential to grow (rather than stick to along my journey. I really liked sharing very conservative, slow-growth my own tradition and culture with investments). This will undoubtedly other people, but I realized that I, involve some ‘risk taking; but will Kids: My Indian Heritage myself, had to understand my provide that extra growth which will By Aarya Kaushik* tradition before sharing it. produce the income you need later). My Indian heritage is * Aarya is 13 years old and is a (5) Planning is the key: you can shape very important to me. freshman at Shaker High School. your financial future the way you Even though I am want—within limits—all you need is born and raised in discipline and commitment. Time is America, my parents on your side!

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the rest of my life. I really enjoyed It is just a fleeting thought, staying there. Because there are many experiences To sum it all up, my trip was that I treasure and would not like to nothing like what I thought it would part with, be. I did a lot more things than I expected and I expect to do more No I do not want to wipe everything, Kids: My vacation trip to during my next trip. I had a great time Just only the bad days of anger, grief, seeing my family members whom I ingratitude and false pride. India haven’t seen in a while and life there By Vikram is better than I thought. I look forward It would be good to blot out every failure, Oruganti* to going again in the hopefully near future. Every hasty and wrong decision, every row and pain, I ever caused, I recently *Vikram is 14 years old and a traveled to India sophomore at Shaker High School. And reassemble and recreate my life, with all the goodness, a cheerful on summer vacation with my family. My trip to honest life and a grateful heart. and India was wonderful. This experience MEDITATION without faults, and flaws, and pains was one which made me rethink my By Eknath Easwaran* Life would not be deep and full, of A thoughtsHindu Cultural on the trip Center before Newsletter I went. I devoted to the Indian American Community, particularly to its seniors course, did things which I’ve rarely done in I know I cannot go back the past, with a few of those being As butter lies hidden within milk, first time experiences. I also met some The Self is hidden in the hearts of all. And change my life completely, relatives whom I’ve never met until Churn the mind through meditation Yet I pray to my Lord, the trip. India was really pleasant. on it; That my short comings and failures My first destination was the city Light your fire through meditation on of Vizag, where my aunt, cousin, and Be not only forgiven but erased it: grandma live. When my father told As if they had never happened; me that we were going to Vizag, I felt The Self, all whole, all peace, all better, certitude. disappointed. I soon realized how I, be completely renewed, wrong I was because I had a great Amritabindu Upnishad time there. My aunt lives in the heart That YOU alone can do, my lord, Meditation enables us to understand of the city. In about a five mile radius, Even though I may stumble and the teachings of the scriptures and there are four malls, two movie sometimes offend others, apply them in our daily life. It is theaters, a wonderful beach, and meditation that reveals the inner self YOUR LOVE still showers on me. several popular restaurants. I went to the mall many times and there is a dwelling in all things. S, Lord, once again help me with movie theater inside. I saw seven But the practice of meditation is like a YOUR LOVE movies on my trip. long journey: some days we make And forgive my every fault, wonderful progress, and others we My second stay was at Help me to refashion my life and cast seem barely able to go one step. Like Gopalapatnam, where my grandma it a veteran traveler who knows the and more cousins live. This place is a road, when we gain a little In YOUR IMAGE that suburb. Here I got the chance to experience of the benefits, we’all meet new people. In the evenings I I may share my love with my look forward to our meditation used to go outside with one of my fellowmen’ period. We’all sit down for meditation cousins and play badminton. We also with eagerness and enthusiasm each And serve them in every manner used to go to the store nearby and get some food for ourselves. We also day. Seeing you in everyone. went to the beach, which was an From” Words to Live By (2005) by enjoyable experience. There, I got to Eknath Easwaran (Author Unknown) go in the water and we stopped at a nearby hotel for dinner. My third destination was TIME FOR REFLECTION AND Simhachalam, which is a rural area. It’s a place which is away from all the RENEWAL noise and distraction of the city. My grandfather lives here. There is a Often I wish large garden at his house and a large I could wipe the slate clean territory next to it. I talked with my grandpa a lot, and he’s a very wise And start again a new life CORRECTION person. He told me some good habits Have a new personality and routines which I should follow for Free from hurt and anguish.

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Associations within the Indian

Community of Capital District Given below is the listing (alphabetically) of the associations within the Albany

SUGGESTIONS REQUEST Comments and story suggestions on the newsletter, Reflections, are welcome and be sent to Ram Chugh at: [email protected]

Hindu Cultural Center of A Hindu Cultural Center Newsletter devoted to the Indian American Community, particularly to its seniors Hindu Temple Society 450 Albany Shaker Road Loudonville, NY 12211

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