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News18
02-05-2025
- General
- News18
Adi Shankaracharya: The Resurgent Sun Of Sanatan Dharma
Today, as we commemorate the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, we reflect upon the extraordinary life and profound contributions of a sage who, in a short span, reshaped the spiritual landscape of Bharatvarsha and continues to inspire millions across the globe. Born in a time when the tenets of Sanatan Vaidik Dharma faced challenges, Shankaracharya emerged as a formidable scholar, tireless traveller, and brilliant philosopher whose teachings resonate with unparalleled clarity and depth even today. Born in Kalady, a serene village in present-day Kerala, sometime around 200 BC or the 8th century CE (many scholars date him to the pre-Christian era), the young Shankara's life was steeped in legend from the very beginning. His father, Shivaguru, passed away early, leaving his upbringing to his devout mother, Aryamba. Even as a child, Shankara displayed an exceptional intellect and a deep yearning for spiritual knowledge. Stories abound of his prodigious memory, his ability to grasp complex scriptures with ease, and his unwavering determination to renounce worldly life in pursuit of ultimate truth.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Sacred Mysteries: Why Pope Francis chose his place of burial
Pope Francis was the first pope to take the name of St Francis of Assisi, 'the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation'. A mosaic of St Francis is prominent in the church where he has chosen to be buried, St Mary Major. The mosaic was put up in the apse inside the church by Pope Nicholas IV, the first member of the Franciscan Order elected pope, dying four years later, two days before Easter 1292. That pope appears as a smaller kneeling figure amid the mosaics of saints against gold, signifying heaven. He is buried in St Mary Major as 'A son of St Francis'. This is not, however, why Pope Francis wanted to be buried in the basilica, which he visited dozens of times as pope, always before and after a foreign trip. He came in first place to pray before the ancient icon of the Virgin Mary and Child, entitled Salus Populi Romani. This title, signifying both the health and the salvation of the Roman people, is a pre-Christian idea. The icon, of Byzantine convention, is reputed to have arrived in Rome early in the reign of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604), who sent St Augustine of Canterbury to convert England. Gregory was said to have invoked God by the virtue of the icon to quell a plague in Rome. Most icons of that period in the East were destroyed in outbreaks of iconoclasm. This icon's style is said to be more that of the 9th century or later, but it has been battered and amended over the ages. Restoration that ended in 2022 gave it a more or less satisfactory form. It has been much loved, not least by Pope Francis, who though bang up to date in matters of climate change and liturgy, embraced ancient devotions. This led to the memorable scene in the rain on Friday March 27 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The Pope stood alone in St Peter's Square, with the icon Salus Populi Romani and a large crucifix from the church of St Marcellus (invoked in the early 16th century against plague). Some complained later that rain had damaged the paint on the crucifix, which in the circumstances sounds like complaining that seawater damaged the paintwork of a lifeboat. In the wet the Pope limped to the icon and said a silent prayer, then to the crucifix, the wounded feet of which he kissed. He blessed the city and the world, Urbi et Orbi, with a monstrance displaying the Blessed Sacrament. His flabby Italo-Argentine face reflected his determination. He insisted on appearing outdoors when all Italy was locked down, not because he didn't believe in Covid, but because he did believe in God. It was an anti-Lear effect: instead of raging like the tragic king with the storm, he stood, an envelope of calm in the tempest of the city and the world. He spoke a short meditation on the passage in the Gospel (Mark 35-41) where Jesus is asleep in the boat in the storm. Of Covid he said: 'Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void.' He quoted the appeal of the frightened Apostles in the boat with Jesus, 'Do you not care if we perish?', and his reply after calming the seas: 'Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?' Pope Francis pointed out we were all in the same boat and had better row together. 'I would like this evening to entrust you all to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea.' In a niche marked 'Franciscus' near the entrance to the chapel at St Mary Major where the icon is revered, he is to be buried today.
Daily Record
24-04-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish whirlpool that nearly killed George Orwell is world's third largest
One of the most powerful natural wonders in the UK lies off the west coast of Scotland and it is as fascinating as it is fearsome. The Corryvreckan Whirlpool, located between the islands of Jura and Scarba, is considered the third largest of its kind in the world. The whirlpool comes with an unsurprisingly deadly reputation. Its swirling vortex is created by fast-moving tides colliding with a colossal 200 metre underwater pinnacle, which forces the water violently upwards. The result is a churning maelstrom so dangerous it has been known to drag in swimmers and even small boats. The whirlpool's roar can be heard up to ten miles away at its most ferocious, according to Argyll Cruising. The legendary phenomenon has even brushed with literary history . Celebrated author George Orwell , who wrote his iconic novel 1984 while living on Jura, is said to have nearly lost his life to the powerful whirlpool during a boating accident, The Express reported The BBC spotlighted the natural marvel in its documentary Scotland's Sacred Islands with Ben Fogle. During the show, the intrepid presenter sailed close to the raging vortex and reflected on the mix of wonder and fear it has long inspired. Fogle said: 'A pre-Christian Celtic myth has it that this powerful maelstrom is where Cailleach Beira 'The Hag of Winter' washes her great cloak in the churning waters. When it emerges white and clean, she drapes it over the land to bring Scotland its first snow.' He also noted that St Columba, the Irish abbot who founded a historic monastery on the nearby island of Iona and helped spread Christianity across Scotland, was well aware of Corryvreckan's peril. Fogle explained that St Columba believed 'that God had created it to make seafarers pray harder', a testament to the awe and dread long associated with the Corryvreckan Whirlpool. Despite its fearsome reputation, tour operators do run trips to view the whirlpool up close. Yet its dangers are very real. Tales of sailors dragged to their deaths have lingered in local folklore for generations, though the exact number of lives claimed by the vortex remains unknown. One of the most famous brushes with Corryvreckan's deadly power came in 1947, involving none other than George Orwell. The celebrated author was living on Jura at the time, working on his final and most famous novel, 1984 . During a break from writing, Orwell and his son Richard were reportedly caught near the whirlpool in a small boat. According to BBC Scotland, they were nearly dragged in, narrowly escaping by scrambling onto a nearby rocky islet. Their luck held, as a passing lobster fisherman spotted the pair and rescued them. It was a dramatic close call that could have robbed the world of one of the greatest dystopian novels ever written. Instead, Orwell lived to finish 1984 , which remains a cornerstone of twentieth century literature.
Local Germany
14-04-2025
- Climate
- Local Germany
Will Germany's Easter bonfires be cancelled this year due to drought?
Europe's hottest March on record , on top of a very dry start to the year, has left German farmlands and forest particularly dry and increased the risk of wildfires. On Saturday, firefighters were busy fighting fires in western regions, such as one southwest of Dortmund that burned around 20 square kilometres. Now Easter bonfires may need to be called off in many parts of the country, unless there are sizable rain showers before then. "Easter fires can be prohibited from warning level 4 in the event of a high risk of forest fires," says the Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz (BUND). When vegetation in forests and grasslands are too dry, there is a high risk that flying sparks from a fire could trigger a larger wildfire. Where could Easter bonfires be cancelled? In many parts of Germany Easter bonfires, or Osterfeuer, are intended to welcome spring and symbolically drive away winter, and have been part of the holiday tradition that dates back to pre-Christian times. For many, the Easter fire is a highlight around this time of year. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold Today, larger fires hosted by various municipalities are registered with the local authorities or specially approved. This year a final decision is still pending in some places. Authorities will make their decision based on whether it rains in the coming days. READ ALSO: What's on over the Easter holidays in Germany in 2025 DPA reported over the weekend that a number of municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia are discussing whether the fires can take place this year. In several districts, such as in the Sauerland, the public order offices are in contact with the fire department. "Unless weather conditions change significantly in the coming week and noticeable rainfall is recorded, the three municipalities of Bad Berleburg, Bad Laasphe and Erndtebrück will have to prohibit the Easter fires from a risk point of view," the city of Bad Berleburg in southeastern Westphalia has announced. Advertisement In the state of Brandenburg, the fire brigade association does not consider a blanket ban to be appropriate - but have warned people to take caution. "No one wants an Easter bonfire to turn into an Easter fire," said Frank Kliem, vice-president of the state's fire brigade association. The Federal Environment Agency estimates that between 10,000 and 20,000 Easter fires are lit each year in Germany. READ ALSO: Drought prompts rethink for ancient trees at Potsdam's Sanssouci palace Showers forecast in the coming days Germany's weather service (DWD) confirms that this past March was one of the driest since records began. So far, April has continued in the same vein, but weather experts predict this could change later this week. Starting from Tuesday or Wednesday, DWD predicts that western Germany will see a spell of wet, rainy weather. Advertisement According to forecasts, there will likely be some regional showers ahead of the holiday weekend. Rain showers certainly increase the likelihood of Easter bonfires going forward, as immediate fire warning levels would go down. However, it would take significantly more rain than has been predicted to put an end to the current drought conditions in the country, which have also affected shipping lanes along the Rhine River. READ ALSO: ' Denial of reality' - Is Germany's future government ignoring the threat of climate change? With reporting by DPA.
The Hill
23-03-2025
- The Hill
Greenlanders embrace pre-Christian Inuit traditions as a way to proudly reclaim ancestral roots
NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Sitting on the pelt of a polar bear hunted by her family, Aviaja Rakel Sanimuinaq says she's proud to be part of a movement of Greenlanders reclaiming their Inuit traditions and spirituality. The shaman, who has Inuit facial tattoos, works with spiritual healing practices to help people connect with their ancestors and heal generational trauma. A sign outside her studio in the Greenland capital of Nuuk conveys her role: 'Ancient knowledge in a modern world.' In recent years, Greenlanders like her have been embracing pre-Christian Inuit traditions, including drum dancing and Inuit tattoos. For some, it's a way to proudly reclaim their ancestral roots. It's also a way to reject the legacy of European Christian missionaries who colonized Greenland in the 18th century and suppressed their traditions, labeling them as pagan. 'The sacredness of Christianity is still sacred in my eyes. But so is Buddhism, so is Hinduism, and so is my work,' Sanimuinaq said in her studio, surrounded by skulls of seals, raven feathers and medicinal herbs. They help the 'angakkoq,' or shaman, communicate with 'silam aappaa' or the other world — the spiritual world. 'That's where I stand – that the arising of our culture, and us as a people, is also to get the equality within our culture, to acknowledge that our culture is legit; that it has to have a space here.' The Inuit have survived and thrived for generations in one of the most remote, vast and rugged places on Earth, hunting for seals, whales and polar bears. Their traditional religion is animist. Inuit believe that 'every animal and bird, every stone and every piece of earth, the rain and the snow all have a spirit and a right to be respected,' authors Gill and Alistair Campbell write in their travel book, 'Greenland.' About 90% of the 57,000 Greenlanders identify as Inuit and the vast majority belong to the Lutheran Church. A Danish missionary brought that branch of Christianity to the world's largest island more than 300 years ago. Greenland is now a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, and Greenlanders increasingly favor getting full independence — a crucial issue in a recent parliamentary election. Some say Greenland's independence movement received a boost after U.S. President Donald Trump pushed their Arctic homeland into the spotlight by threatening to take it over. 'We don't have to walk silenced anymore,' Sanimuinaq said. 'That's the change we see — that the voice we get out in the world has been forbidden even within our country. Now that we're opening, we have more freedom.' The spiritual and social value of Tunniit — the traditional Inuit tattoos The suppression of Inuit drums and facial tattoos were part of a broader effort to Christianize and assimilate Inuit into the European way of life, said Asta Mønsted, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. She researches Inuit oral history and its connections to Greenland's archaeology. 'Drum songs and drum duels were central to Inuit spiritual and social life, but the missionaries viewed them as pagan practices and superstitions that needed to be replaced with Christian hymns and prayers,' she said. 'Drums were confiscated or destroyed in order to break the connection to the pre-Christian beliefs.' In some parts of Greenland, though, the drum songs and knowledge of drum-making were preserved without the church's knowledge. 'Tattoos were also linked to Inuit cosmology and rites, but missionaries labeled them as pagan and especially viewed the facial tattoos as a defilement of God's creation,' said Mønsted. 'They promoted the European ideal, where the human body should remain unmarked.' 'Tunniit,' the traditional Inuit tattoos, were etched by poking sod from soapstone lamps onto the skin with a needle or by dragging a sod-covered sinew thread underneath the skin. Women generally got tattoos as they experienced menstruation and childbirth, viewing them as protection against illness and malevolent spirits, Mønsted said. But resistance to Inuit tattoos deterred many Greenlanders across generations from getting them; some who had tattoos hid them, fearing repercussions. Growing up, Therecie Sanimuinaq Pedersen recalled how her grandmother covered her facial tattoos in soot because she didn't want to be alienated from her community. Therecie only got the tattoos that now cover her face — the way she remembered her grandmother's — after her daughter, Aviaja, got them in recent years. 'The tattoos I have goes from mother to daughter for thousands of years,' Therecie said in Greenlandic, translated by her daughter. 'I have the same as my grandmother — that's my heritage.' These days, when she's out on Nuuk's streets and encounters others displaying Inuit tattoos, she feels encouraged, especially when she sees them on young Greenlanders. 'When I see them, it's like we have a connection,' she said. 'Without knowing them, and them knowing me, we say hi. Some come, give a hug, and say thank you.' Inuit drum for conflict resolution and restoring pride in ancestral tradition For the Inuit, the 'qilaat' played a crucial role in conflict resolution through drum duels. The drum, Mønsted said, had three main functions: for entertainment and socializing, as a tool for the shaman during their seances, and as part of a pre-colonial juridical system. 'In the drum duels, opponents used songs, insults, and exaggerated body movements to argue their case before the community, which would stand in a circle ar ound them,' Mønsted said. She said the crowd's collective laughter often determined the winner without the need for a formal ruling. While some duels helped ease tensions, others ended in public humiliation, sometimes forcing the losing party to leave the community and become a 'qivittoq' — a person living in nature outside of society. This exile could be tantamount to a death sentence in the frigid Arctic environment. Greenland was a colony under Denmark's crown until 1953, when it became a province in the Scandinavian country. In 1979, the island was granted home rule, and 30 years ago became a self-governing entity. But Denmark retains control over foreign and defense affairs. The former colonial ruler is accused of committing abuses against Greenland's Inuit, including removing children from their families in the 1950s with the excuse of integrating them into Danish society and fitting women with intrauterine contraceptive devices in the 1960s and 1970s — allegedly to limit population growth. Some Greenlanders believe the recent global attention on their mineral-rich country and a unified call for independence from Denmark has allowed them to speak more openly about abuses committed by their former colonial ruler. Some have grown closer to their rich pre-Christian Indigenous culture. 'Our culture is very spiritual … I want to bring that back,' said Naja Parnuuna, an award-winning singer-songwriter. 'I want to be in that wave with my fellow young people… I feel like we've been looked down for so long, and we really haven't had a voice for a long time.' Growing up, she said she felt that it was 'cooler to be a Dane, or to speak Danish, and was ashamed to be Greenlandic and follow Inuit traditions. 'Maybe not embarrassing,' she said, 'but it was taboo or weird to do the drums or be Inuk.' Her father, Markus Olsen, is a former Lutheran pastor who was dismissed from his church position in 2022 after he allowed drum dancing during a National Day service at the Nuuk Cathedral. He knew that was risky but did it because he believes the quilaat, the Inuit traditional drum, needs to be reinstated into its valued position in religious services and other aspects of Greenlandic life. Olsen, who wears a collar with a small qilaat and a crucifix, takes inspiration from the Latin American Liberation Theology movement, which holds that the teachings of Jesus require followers to fight for economic and social justice. He also takes inspiration from the Rastafari legend Bob Marley, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights activist Malcolm X. Parnuuna feels inspired by her father. She began to embrace her roots through her music, which encourages Greenlanders to value their Inuit culture and history. 'The more I practiced my art, singing and writing songs, I began to realize how important it is to accept … my roots, to have more self-respect, to have higher self-esteem and in that way have a healthier way of living and a more positive view of the world,' she said. 'It's important to bring that back, so that we can love ourselves again.'
