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Archive: Anju Bhargava
Bringing Dharma, Seva, Shakti and Yoga at the Political forefront
What if we all, those of eastern tradition and those inspired by it infused politics with the values, the dharma values that matter to all of us, help bring the practices of inclusivity, pluralism, valuing the divinity within all beings, compassionate action, non-violence, collaboration and unity to our country's highly partisan politics?
By Anju Bhargava | October 16, 2012; 01:08 PM ET | Comments (0)
Remembering other 9/11s: Landmarks of History
So, let me, with folded hands, just say Namaste and honor the divine in each of us. Let us respectfully remember all impacted by the 9/11 tragedy. As we move forward let us remember the multi-historical facets of 9/11. Let us fill our consciousness with the positive and collectively, bridging all divides, become proactive problem solvers, innovators and job creators, for our country. Om, shanti, shanti, shantih!!! Let there be peace, peace and everlasting peace, only.
By Anju Bhargava | September 8, 2011; 07:48 AM ET | Comments (0)
The Consequences Of Shattering A Faith Glass Ceiling
As a Hindu American when I read this, the question that comes to my mind is: So what is the Hindu American community doing about it? Having just co-hosted the first Dharmic Hindu Seva Conference at the White House, I see some of us are acting proactively. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "What affects one, affects all". The shattering of the glass is echoing around the world. We hope not only the ceiling but many windows and doors will open wide. The sounds, the voices of our homegrown Hindu-Americans, needs to be exponentially amplified at home and abroad. We hope those who witnessed history in the making July 29-31 will work to make the inclusion a reality.
By Anju Bhargava | August 11, 2011; 08:29 AM ET | Comments (0)
Hindu American Reflection on the 2011 Federal Budget
as both the President and members of Congress look for savings within the budget, Hindu American Seva Charities, along with many other faiths, such as Catholic Charities and members of Interreligious Working Group on Domestic Human Needs, believes the impact of future reductions to the most vulnerable should be minimized.....With great challenges comes the opportunity for reinvention....now is the time to work together to create a new national approach to service delivery models that is market driven, results oriented and locally controlled
By Anju Bhargava | February 18, 2011; 11:45 PM ET | Comments (0)
Weapons of Destruction or an Armour of Peace: Words...words..words...
The political rhetoric and more importantly its acceptance is a reflection of the state of our collective minds; of the nation. Each one of us has the power to change. We can make a difference. We can tune out that which is not healthy for us, for our family, for our neighborhoods and for our country. We do have choices.
By Anju Bhargava | January 14, 2011; 01:53 PM ET | Comments (0)
For three Indian Americans in Washington D.C., Honoring Veterans Day Signifies Service, Patriotism
This article is a guest blog: by Lt. Colonol Ravi Chaudhary; an Air Force officer who works as strategic planner at the Pentagon. Veterans Day is a solemn day in America. It is a day where we take time to...
By Anju Bhargava | November 11, 2010; 04:32 PM ET | Comments (0)
Diwali: Strengthening the Inner Light through Service
Deepavali celebrates the awareness and eventual strengthening of the Inner Light. This Inner Light, though not seen outside, outshines all darkness (dispels all ignorance and removes all obstacles), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not in the physical, but as the unchanging, infinite, and transcendent reality; the Sat (Truth), Chit (Consciousness) and Ananda (Inner Joy). here is inner strength to face what obstacles may come. A strength that our country needs to turn itself around, harness that creative American spirit and put itself on a path of progress where every American can realize his or her dreams.
By Anju Bhargava | November 5, 2010; 02:04 PM ET | Comments (3)
A Hindu American Air Force officer: 'Shakti' in the trenches
"I am aware that there are many out there in the Hindu community that may not understand completely what I and my fellow service members do and why, because it is not considered a very "traditional" path for members of our culture to pursue."
By Anju Bhargava | October 14, 2010; 06:51 PM ET | Comments (6)
Invoking Ahimsa (non-violence) and Shanti (peace) globally
Today, the Mid East issues have become the problems primarily of the Abrahamic faiths. As a Hindu, I have often wondered if including the views of the Dharmic (eastern) traditions would help or hinder the process? What if the Dalai Lama was included in the dialogues? What if the Hindu spiritual leaders were consulted? What would they say about peace and its practice at the ground level? Ahimsa, non-violence in all aspects, is the first value of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. Could these Yogic values of the Hindu and eastern Dharmic faiths (Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh) beneficially augment the attempt to forge peace between the Jewish state and the Palestinians?
By Anju Bhargava | September 16, 2010; 09:18 PM ET | Comments (21)
Pluralistic diversity matters
In all this rhetoric the focus seems to be on the religious identity rather than the governance actions that President Obama or for that matter any leader is actually taking.....It is in the country's best interest to leverage this talent and creatively develop solutions to strengthen America. We can learn a lesson from some segments of Corporate America which are able to encourage diverse thinking, are able to harness diverse workforce exceedingly well, resulting in higher productivity through improved work environments.
By Anju Bhargava | September 5, 2010; 01:59 AM ET | Comments (3)
A metaphorical journey... of transformation
Taking a spiritual journey is part of our everyday vocabulary - whether done metaphorically or in reality. What is a spiritual journey? As a Hindu it is letting go, dropping all thoughts, it is to see the unvarnished reality - the Truth - As Is, unfiltered without the prism of our internal programming, a Yoga (union of the finite with the infinite). It is to bring a transformational change within one self, to discover the joy and peace of divinity.
By Anju Bhargava | August 17, 2010; 12:46 AM ET | Comments (1)
Depends..... on the lens you are wearing
Both are right. And both are wrong. It just depends on the lens you are wearing. And, it depends on how you define God, religion and religious identity which is often influenced by the history, the philosophy and the practice of its people.
By Anju Bhargava | July 16, 2010; 01:56 AM ET | Comments (2)
Memorial Day Reflections
As I reflect on Memorial Day today my heart is full of gratitude for America's diverse men and women who made this country strong, and for the many who have died in its service. Some immigrants and many the progeny of immigrants.......My life has been touched in many ways by the people who served and are serving in the armed forced and by the annual Memorial Day Parade we celebrate in our town, Livingston, N.J.
By Anju Bhargava | May 31, 2010; 12:49 PM ET | Comments (0)
Choice and Karma
In the context of abortion, what is important to me is the intent, the motivation, behind the decision. The Hindu scriptures do not take an explicit position on abortion. Our ancient texts show considerable liberalism for women. Constraint, over the centuries, came primarily from the society.
By Anju Bhargava | May 19, 2010; 12:13 AM ET | Comments (5)
Hindu American community building
At over 2.2 million, Hindus in America now form the fifth largest religious group, after Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. However Hindus are often mischaracterized in textbooks and academia and are not well understood by the majority.
By Anju Bhargava | May 2, 2010; 11:23 PM ET | Comments (1)
