Every day, I witness South Asian women weighed down by cultural expectations—pressured to conform, stay small, and stay silent.
Yet the Hindu faith we come from tells a different story.
Hinduism reveres amazing, fascinating, divine women.
Our goddesses are warriors, creators, leaders.
As a Hindu woman born and raised in the U.S., I have to ask:
Where did our courage go?
Where did our divine feminine strength—our lady balls—disappear to?
"Love—true, soul-deep love—is not just a human emotion, but a divine force."
"The Western phrase 'the birds and the bees,' used to describe love and sexuality, traces its origins back to Hinduism."
"Our ancestors—Hindu and Muslim alike—knew what we’ve forgotten: that longing and love are not sins. They are sacred paths to the Divine."
Sex, sensuality, desire, have all been erased or labeled as forbidden in modern times.
Why are Hindu-Muslim romances still taboo in the U.S., when our histories—and hearts—are so deeply intertwined?Why is it acceptable for South Asians in America to marry white partners with no shared cultural roots—but controversial when two brown people from different faiths (Hinduism & Islam) fall in love?
Read More"To love fully is to abandon control. To love is to surrender your heart to the Divine—who is love."
In Hinduism, racism finds no place, as the rich descriptions of deities' diverse skin tones and facial features illustrate emphasizes “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit language)”
“The world is one family!”.
From the fair-skinned Goddess Saraswati to dark-complexioned Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva's dreaded locks, Goddess Meenakshi’s “fish eyes”, Lord Muruga’s curly black hair, Goddess Lakshmi’s golden complexion etc. We even have major deities like Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha, who do not possess human-like features, emphasizing our reverence and affection for all creation, recognizing that everything is an extension of the divine. Hinduism embraces the beauty of diversity.
Read MoreI adore that Indian Classical Music is a form of worship, the interconnectedness between Hinduism and Islam, the beautiful melodies and various ragas, has to power to transform and unite, but most of all it’s the way to reach the divine, who is LOVE!
Read MoreA mantram can be repetitive (but doesn’t have to be) and is used for meditation, prayer, and maybe even to set your intentions/goals. For me, Alam Khan’s album Mantram is a true spiritual/religious experience. I LOVE every single track and I am in tears by the end of it, but happy tears because I’ve seen my beloved Lord. It reminds us that no matter how much crap and emotional turmoil we’ve all gone through in life, HOPE & LOVE is what wins at the end.
Read MoreAs a lifelong practicing Hindu who adheres to the principle of Ahimsa, which means “nonviolence” meaning not to harm any living creature with your words, thoughts, or physically.
it boggles my mind that the 3 great Abrahamic faiths of the world Christianity, Judaism, and Islam lived in relative peace and unity, and gave the world beautiful art, architecture, and an interconnected culture before someone drank CUCKOO juice, and decided to fill their minds/hearts/brains/souls with hatred and expelled Jews and Muslims, which led to the bloody Spanish inquisition of 1492!
These are my reflections of the interconnectedness, unity, inspiration, and beauty, I saw through religion, faith, culture, and art.
Read MoreSince when did the word “RELIGION” or “RELIGIOUS” start to freak people out? It boggles my mind.
If a Muslim says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Terrorist”, If a Christian says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Bible-thumping, right-wing, Trump lover”
If a Hindu says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Cow piss drinking, right-wing, Modi lover”
Becoming Chaplain was the first time I ever spoke up about “Being Hindu”. It was never an identifying mark for me, not something I went around proclaiming, I’ve always lived my faith, I just WAS, Gym, Puja, Design, every single day!
Read MoreThe world says “to define my customer base” Well I find that really difficult for me! My customers that day included Japanese Grandmas, Latino Boys, Young African American Gay Men, Hipsters, Hindu folks, Muslim folks, Arab families, Turkish families, and many more! My work appeals to a wide range of races, nationalities, ages, demographics, etc. I believe that art and design are the way to bring together diverse communities.
Read MoreFor hundreds of years Tamil poets have composed devotional poems adopting the voice of a mother, addressing praises to an extraordinary child. Called pillaittamil ( "Tamil for a child”), major genre of Tamil literature.” Muslim poets used the genre, to praise the Prophet (PBUH), members of his family, and various walis (“friends of God”) who’s tombs are revered in Tamil Nadu.
My design incorporates Tamil script, Tanjore (Traditional Classical style of South Indian (Tamil) painting), traditional Islamic patterns in the background/cradle, & cradle (the poem states “so I can place you in the cradle, and rock you happily, come joyously. Muhammad, who has the truth, come joyously, come”)
Read MoreEVERYBODY LOVES GANESHA! I have many Muslim/non Hindu friends who love Ganesha. Musicians who travel with a small statue, Arabs girls who find him adorable, Yoga practitioners etc. His image is found across the world (Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, archeological evidence even shows ancient South America!) 🌏
His image is on Indonesian currency (a predominately Muslim nation) ☪️
Read MoreAll FAITHS (symbols of every major faith). ONE WORLD. WE Together stand against racism!
Read MoreGod Sees all, even if you can't see him, he sees you!
Read MoreRama in Sanskrit means "one who gives joy to others/divinely blissful / the noble one"
Karim in Arabic means "generous/noble, one of the 99 names of Allah"
All Indian Classical Music and Dance traditions are rooted in worship and are ways to connect to the divine. The father of Hindustani music was a Muslim, the 13th C Sufi poet/musician/scholar Amir Khusrow. The father of Carnatic music was a Hindu, the 16th C saint/poet Purandara Dasa.
Read MoreHindus & Muslims
ARE NOT THAT DIFFERENT!
I discovered/fell in love with the Amazigh people, culture, language (Tamazight). Please don’t call them Berbers!
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