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When you open this newest issue of Hinduism Today, get ready for some seriously good reading. Those editors in Hawaii have teamed up to create yet another how-do-they-keep-this-up magazine, full of savvy reporting, lucid writing and wowy photographs. Two features provide the tofu and potatoes main course. The first is our Hindu history lesson. Our academic associates tell us that this is tough stuff to research and write, and tougher still to get right. In 16 pages the lesson explores India's history between 1100 and 1850, a time of vicious Muslim attacks and greed-driven British conquest. In response, Hindus embraced heart-transforming bhakti. Talk about reacting to tragedy in the highest possible way. Most historians gloss over the massive slaughters, the brutal reign of outsiders who had no love of Hinduism. Our lesson does the impossible: tells the true story fairly, without demeaning the aggressors. Plus, it focuses on the armed resistance and spiritual resolve that made it possible for India to survive such dark days into modern times, while virtually every other ancient society succumbed to similar forces and disappeared. Turn to the Insight Section and you'll discover the masterful work and personal account of Dr. Stephen Huyler who visited countless villages to bring us an insider's tale of rural life, religious practice and family in his "Honoring the Spirit of Community." Ever seen the giant guardians outside of Indian villages or the popular tree shrines and wondered just what they represent? It's all here: how villagers live in communion with the spiritual world, how their gramadevatas protect them (and, in fact, are thought to be the very spirit of the village), complete with Stephen's real-life stories that take you there. This is storytelling at its best. And, yes, Stephen's stunning photography brings this earthy village mysticism all to life. You'd think that would be enough for one issue, but you'd be wrong! Publisher Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswam
Read this work at the World Public Library (library card needed).