Dharma: The Antidote to Effective Altruism’s Cold Logic

December 1, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

The philosophy of Effective Altruism has been in the news lately, thanks to the developments in Crypto (SBF) and OpenAI. I decided to look a little deeper into the philosophy and compare it with traditional Hindu thinking. The allure of Effective Altruism (EA) is undeniable. It presents itself as the savior of the modern world, promising to solve complex problems through data-driven solutions and rational decision-making. But beneath the veneer of objectivity lies a dangerous flaw: a reliance on cold... Read more

Written Religions face a Reckoning: A New God in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

December 1, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Religions that rely on scripture alone will face a reckoning in this new age. A new technology will beget a new God. The world stands on the precipice of a new technological revolution that promises to reshape our understanding of language, knowledge, and even divinity. This essay argues that this revolution poses an existential threat to the dominance of “one-book” religions, whose entire belief system hinges on the authority of written scripture. As artificial intelligence (AI) surpasses human language comprehension... Read more

How Not to Lose the World

July 7, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

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We Care For The Self Alone Maitreyi stopped her husband, the fabled Sage Yajnavalkya, as he headed out to the fourth stage of life, having willed his considerable wealth to his two wives equally. She didn’t seek after money– what use is money if everyone dies eventually? She wanted to know what he had learned about immortality. His heart gladdened at the question, and he answered her question carefully. He said, “The husband is dear not for the sake of... Read more

Spiritual But Not Religious- why aren’t these the same?

June 29, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

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Religion is everywhere in India. Growing up, I didn’t think much about the question in the title, “What is ‘spiritual but not religious?'” Myriad Gods with their own stories, sundry festivals with their rituals. Temples, mosques, and churches all around, some old and forgotten and some newly marked on the side of the road, just as an orange blob on a stone with flowers. Religious leaders, the Gurus, the Shankaracharyas, the Fathers, and the Moulavis… were all representatives of some... Read more

Karma Americana

April 10, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

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A few weeks ago, I was returning from Trader Joe’s and noticed a young man at a traffic stop. He was holding a sign, “Karma for a Dollar.” He was asking for money as a payment into the Bank of Karma. In goes US money– Out comes absolution or good fortune. Something seemed odd– the G word was missing. Nature is healing. It used to be common to see people use the name of their religious overlord to ask... Read more

The Land Remembers What People Have Forgotten

March 8, 2023 By Gaurav Rastogi

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It’s International Women’s Day in March, and for many years, the women of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan take out a march for women. In 2023, the organizers published media guidelines with a striking image– a woman with many hands. One holding a book, another cooking utensils, a baby, one in chains and another with a hammer. This was a familiar image. An old memory is returning. These are the Media guidelines for tomorrow#AuratMarch2023 #AuratMarchISB #HalSirfFeminism pic.twitter.com/ivfnlhQRSE —... Read more

The Full Supermoon (Poornamadaha Poornamidam)

November 14, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

In 2016, November 14 is Gurpurab, the full-moon night celebrating the enlightenment of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the first Sikh Guru. It is also a Supermoon, the largest the moon will appear in a generation because it’s closest to the Earth today. My private diaries are filled with doodles on the self, wholeness, and infinity, and today seems the appropriate to get some out; a whole-some part. The Full Moon and Yoga. Of the heavenly bodies that light up our skies,... Read more

From Darkness to True Light

October 28, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

It’s October, and each day is now shorter, and every night longer. As the shadows extend, we reach for the light that guides us. On the first moonless night of this season, we celebrate the darkness and the light within. In the Indian tradition, this night is the festival of lights, Diwali. The western pagan tradition celebrated the time as all-hallows-eve, where prayers, candles and treats welcome the souls of the dead. It’s a time for rebirth. A time to think about... Read more

The Heart is a Mirror (Yoga Class Closing Prayer)

October 19, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

We close our yoga classes with a prayer for universal well being. It’s about a lot more than world peace. Here’s what it means. Sanskrit, Transliteration, Translation ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः । सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत् । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Nir-Aamayaah | Sarve Bhadraanni Pashyantu, Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || may every one be happy, may every one be free from all diseases may every one see goodness... Read more

Opening a Creative Space

October 15, 2016 By Gaurav Rastogi

Yoga classes begin with Shanti (peace) mantras in Sanskrit. Here’s what the most popular opening mantra means. Here’s the verse. Om Saha Nau-Avatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai, Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai, Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih|| ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै । ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥ Literal translation. Aum! May we (both) be protected; may we (both) be nourished; May we work together with great energy, May our knowledge be... Read more