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About Young, American, Hindu

Vyasar Ganesan is the contributing writer for Radha Madhav Dham's "Young, American, Hindu" blog, and has been going to the ashram since he was old enough to walk. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and has been published in print and online. In this blog, he aims to document and share his experience as a growing Hindu in the United States, in the hopes of inspiring other young Indians. For more on Vyasar and his writing, please visit vyasarwrites.com.

Posts by Young, American, Hindu

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The Shilpis

They showed up at the ashram without warning a few months ago. Seven men with mustaches, wearing button down cotton shirts and thick pants, came in the morning to see Radha Madhav Dham. Seemingly impervious to the heat, they walked more…

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On Getting Involved

Today’s world is different, far removed from what it was a couple of decades ago. There are so many movements, so many struggles and drives for justice, equality, freedom and health – it can be a bit overwhelming. At Radha more…

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Opportunities at Radha Madhav Dham

In my last post I covered the extensive online resources for devotion, like Kripalu Bhakti Radio and other music apps. Today’s blog entry is about real-world resources unlike any others. Radha Madhav Dham has a lot of opportunities for personal, more…

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Kirtan Online

                                    We live in an age where people can listen to anything. World music, R&B, jazz, classical, Carnatic and thousands of other styles more…

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Ashram Moods

The ashram looks wonderful in wet weather. The tiles shine, the marble glows and the grass filters dewy light over the vast lawn. Rain is not so rare in Texas, but the hotter it gets the more it is appreciated.  more…

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Maha Shivratri

We celebrate Maha Shivratri on the 14th or the 15th night of February (depending on the Hindu lunar calendar). The origins of the celebration seem a little murky to an outsider: are we celebrating Lord Shiva’s favorite day, the anniversary more…

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The Starship and the Canoe

I finished a book last year that made quite an impression on me. It’s called “The Starship and the Canoe,” by Kenneth Brower, an author of various books about nature and the environment. In this book, Brower compares and contrasts more…

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Winter Camp 2014: Looking Forward

The 2014 Radha Madhav Dham Winter Family Camp will be remembered as a turning point in the history of the ashram. Not because any major pronouncements were made, nor any significant visitors or grand tragedies stopped by, but because this more…

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An Anniversary in Gaya

At the beginning of November, I had the privilege of being in Gaya, India to take part in the historical event organized to commemorate the anniversary of our Guru, Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and to offer my heartfelt tribute to Maharaj more…

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Immediacy

  I flew to India last weekend. Between Austin, Houston, Frankfurt and Mumbai, I kept trying to feel excited, to feel I was going on some great adventure. But stomach aches, little water and cramped seats took the wind out more…