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According to BBC reports, India's oldest exponent and teacher of yoga, V Nanammal, has died at her home near Coimbatore, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.  .She was 99 and still teaching a hundred students a day until a few months ago.  Born into an agricultural family, she was taught yoga by her father.   She went on to master more than 50 postures or asanas, and trained more than a million students - hundreds of them now yoga instructors themselves around the world.  Known affectionately as "Yoga Grandma", Nanammal received the Padma Shri - one of India's highest civilian honors.  See photos of
V Nanammal at  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50194850www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50194850

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Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s “SuperSoul Sunday” show this week, and toward the end of their wide-ranging conversation, the topic turned to the allegations of sexual abuse by Shambhala International’s leader Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and other teachers. In the video, she said, “The situation is just horrendous,” calling it a “rug-pulling out experience” and saying that for many students “they’re life is just blown up in the air and that can’t imagine how they’ll go forward with their spiritual practice.” Chödrön seemed to distance herself from Shambhala, saying that while she is still “officially” a senior teacher at Shambhala, she said that she spends her time “more outside Shambhala than inside.”

(source:  tricycle.org)
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"May I see the good traits of others and not their defects."

-  The daily morning prayer of 18th century Hasidic Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk

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When we grasp at the practice, expecting a benefit or result, that is attachment. Attachment is always accompanied by agitation, which is a tendency to distraction, and involves perpetual frustration, preventing absorption in the practice. When we evenly place the mind in —not on— the practice, that is concentration. - Tashi Nyima

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Approach your mind the way a spy approaches his target. Spy on your mind. Get to know everything about it: what it is thinking, planning, acting out; whether it is working for good or causing harm - and carefully work to interfere when the mind is being negative. - Lama Zopa Rinpoche

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One of the most ancient and powerful mantras is Om Namah Shivaya.  It is said that by chanting it, one sends positive energy to the Cosmos, which will echo back to you in stronger forms. Here are six benefits of chanting Om Namah Shivaya:


  1. Generates a sense of calm and peace which then leads to greater clarity;
  2. Develops awareness which produces life happiness and success;
  3. Softens ego which brings stress relief;
  4. Sways away negative energies and binds you with positivity;
  5. Astrologically shifts you away from planetary negativity minimizing their influence;
  6. Helps you to understand yourself and open up your true potential.
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Just for the next 24 hours why not try to see more of your pluses

rather than the minuses; more of your many positives rather than

a few negatives. - Victor M. Parachin

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Indian Railways, India's national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways, has reintroduced the Buddhist Circuit special train service, also known as the Mahaparinirvan Express, building on its successful run last year. The service travels to destinations associated with the life of the historical Buddha in India and Nepal over eight days, beginning and terminating at Safdarjung railway station in South Delhi.

According to The Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC), the service, which this year started running on 19 October, covers key pilgrimage destinations that include: Lumbini in Nepal, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha; Bodh Gaya, the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment; and Sarnath, the location of the Buddha’s first sermon, Kushinagar, the place of the Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. It also takes in other Buddhist destinations, such as Nalanda, Rajgir, and Shravasti. A stop at Agra is also included in the itinerary, allowing passengers to visit the iconic Taj Mahal, an immense mausoleum of white marble commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58) in memory of his wife.

The IRCTC introduced the Mahaparinirvan Express for spiritual tourism using rolling stock from the Rajdhani Express, one of the fastest trains in India, and the service takes its name from the Mahaparinirvana of the historical Buddha.  The Mahaparinirvan Express is fully air conditioned and offers different classes of travel: a first class AC carriages with 96 seats, two-tier AC carriages with 60 seats, and two exclusive dining cars each with a capacity of 64 guests.

(read more: www.buddhistdoor.net)

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Morning Meditation Mantra

It's OK to not feel Okay!
-vmp
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There’s nothing wrong with acquisitions, but there’s something wrong with thinking they’ll bring you happiness. - Alan Wallace



Victor M. Parachin ... 

a Vedic educator, yoga instructor, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of a dozen books. Buy his books at amazon or your local bookstore. Sadly, Victor passed away in August 2025, but his blog continues. Janet Parachin, his partner of 45 years, shares quotes from his books and articles each week. 

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