Na Mo’olelo | Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i: Parts 1 and 2

December 1, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i’s story is one of hope and betrayal, of deception and revolution, of surfing and painting and dancing, and of incredible tenacity and bravery.

In this first installment, we meet her parents, Archibald Scott Cleghorn and Princess Likelike of Hawai‘i. We see little Ka‘iulani grow up with full confidence in the role she was born to play – a future sovereign of her country. And we see her face the first devastating tragedy of her young life.

But to set up what’s about to happen to her, we have to take a step back in time and find out why Hawai‘i’s political situation was so tense during the reign of her uncle, King Kalākaua.

Because once you understand how we got here, Ka‘iulani’s story is even more poignant. Yes, this is the story of a little girl with a pony who asked her uncle for a diamond ring. But it’s also the story of a country struggling to keep its culture and its independence. Of a country fighting enemies seen and unseen – including death, disease, and infertility.

The stakes? Nothing less than the land and the soul of a nation.

A princess in training, a surfing legend, Dr. Jekyll, and Sherlock Holmes. Bet you didn’t expect those last two …

This is the second installment in the story of Princess Ka‘iulani of Hawai‘i. In this episode, we see what happens when the white planters challenged Ka‘iulani’s uncle, King Kalākaua…and won. With a kingdom changing before their eyes, Kalākaua and her father Archie sent Ka‘iulani to England for her education.

When the king gave her permission to leave the country, he specified that she was to come home in 1890. But that’s not what happened. Not by a long shot. By the time she set foot on Hawaiian soil again, she was a worldwide celebrity…and a player in the fight for her country’s survival.

But how do you learn to be a queen? And what do you do when your destiny seems out of reach…over 7,000 miles away? And what the heck does Sherlock Holmes have to do with this? Maybe nothing…but we should ask Ka‘iulani’s father to be sure. Check out the chapter “Father Knows Best” for that little tidbit. 😉

Stay tuned for part 3, where we see the second of her mother Likelike’s deathbed predictions come true.

Party Pu-Pu’s | Crab Rangoons

November 25, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

** Servings: ** 24-25

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Description: Crispy wontons filled with a creamy crab meat and cream cheese mixture, baked or fried to golden perfection.

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 oz fancy crab meat (drained and crumbled)
2 green onions, finely chopped
1.5 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 package Wonton wrappers (12 oz)
1 egg, whisked with a splash of water
Canola oil for frying (optional)

Instructions:

Combine filling ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, crab meat, green onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sugar until well combined.
Prepare wonton wrappers: Place wonton wrappers aside and whisk the egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash.
Assemble wontons: Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each wonton. Moisten the edges with the egg wash, fold in a triangle, and press to seal, removing air from the inside.
Fold and seal: Take the left and right sides of the triangle and pull them up, attaching them to the existing seal on the top. Press along the edges to close any areas where the filling could be exposed to air.
Bake or fry: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the wontons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Alternatively, heat about 1 quart of canola oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the wontons in batches until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
Serve: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as sweet chili sauce or plum sauce.

Tips:

Use high-quality crab meat for the best flavor.
Don’t overfill the wontons, as this can cause them to burst open during cooking.
If frying, be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and affect the texture of the wontons.
You can make these ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them until ready to bake or fry.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 76
Fat: 4g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 6g

Enjoy your delicious homemade Crab Rangoons!

Theosophy | THE REBIRTH OF HUMANITY- II

November 6, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

In order to gather together the afflicted, the Divine Cowherd summons all awakened souls, wherever and however disguised, through the sounding of the mighty conch. Independent of all modes of external communication, and relying upon the oldest mode of communication known to the Ancient of Days – controlled transference of benevolent thought and ineffable sound – the call is heard by scattered volunteers “in the fierce strife between the living and the dead.” As with Jacob’s ladder in his dream, heaven and earth are reunited, even if momentarily. In this manner, over the coming years the world will move through the darkness, yet mysteriously, step by step, faltering and failing yet persisting, it will move towards that moment when Anno Domini has ceased to be, and a new era will dawn with a new name. There will then be no U.S.A. but a new Republic of Conscience which will take its place in the community of mankind which would have come of age and declared itself as one family.

This is a grand prospect for which there can be inherently no empirical or merely rational proof. Yet it may be tested by any intuitive individual who is courageous enough to pour his or her deepest unspoken feelings, unarticulated dreams and unexpressed inner agony into the alchemical crucible of spiritual striving on behalf of others. It is a tryst that such souls make with destiny, but also with the grandchildren of persons yet unborn. It is a tryst with the humanity of the future, and with the full promise of the Aquarian Age which dawned on the nineteenth of June, 1902, ninety-three years ago, with mathematical precision. This has an exact relationship to that moment five thousand and ninety-seven years ago, in 3102 B.C., when Krishna, having witnessed the outcome of the Mahabharatan war between the greedy Kauravas and the foolish Pandavas, was able to end his seeming life on earth and withdraw from the terrestrial scene. Thus standing apart from this universe, into which he never really enters, he creates therein his mayavi rupas through the mighty magic of prakriti, the seminal potency of mystic thought in the eternal life of self-ideation. Again and again, under different names, it is the same being behind every divine incarnation, whether past or future.

As Dakshinamurti, the Initiator of Initiates, he is seated immovable above Mount Kailaś, in mystic meditation since over eighteen million years ago from the time when there was no Mount Kailaś and no Himalayas as presently understood. Coming down through all the subsequent recorded and unrecorded eras, he carries forth in unbroken continuity the onward spiritual current which is the irresistible, unconquerable, ineluctable forward march of humanity. He is Shiva-Mahadeva, reborn as the four Kumaras in the successive races of humanity, and that still more mysterious and solitary Being alluded to in the secret teachings.

The inner man of the first * * * only changes his body from time to time; he is ever the same, knowing neither rest nor Nirvana, spurning Devachan and remaining constantly on Earth for the salvation of mankind.

The Secret Doctrine, ii p. 281

Attuned to the rhythms of the cosmic ocean of Divine Thought, he is the still motionless centre in its depths around which revolve, like myriad mathematical points in spinning circles, the scattered hosts of humanity. Amidst the larger and larger circles of ripples upon ripples, waves upon waves, all souls are citizens of that universe which is much vaster than the disordered kingdom which, as earthlings, they may seem to inherit but to which they have no claim except as members of a single family.

This mystic vision can only be fleetingly glimpsed and partially understood by beginning to ask sincere if faulty, searching if somewhat confused, questions. Herein lies the starting-point of the dialectical method taught by Krishna in the fourth chapter of the Gita. The sacred teaching of the kingly science was originally given by Krishna to Vivasvat, who in turn imparted it to Manu. Then Vaivaswat Manu taught it to Ikshvaku, who stands for all the regal Initiates of forgotten antiquity in the golden ages of myth and fable. Thus the vigilant preservers and magnanimous rulers of this world, without abdicating from their essential state of Mahatmic wisdom, assumed the guise of visible corporeality to descend on earth and reign upon it as King-Hierophants and Divine Instructors of the humanity then incarnated upon the globe. It is this self-same eternal wisdom that Krishna gives unto Arjuna, an unhappy warrior, not for his own sake, especially when he was not entirely ready to assimilate the Teaching, but for the sake of his work in the world and his help in concluding the Mahabharatan war.

In the great summation of the eighteenth chapter of the Gita, Krishna reveals secrets upon secrets, wrapped in each other in seemingly unending layers, like a Chinese treasure. Every time a secret is revealed, there is more and yet more, because in the end one is speaking of that which is part of the secret of every human soul in its repeated strivings and recurrent lives upon earth. Amidst the chaos and obscuration of misplayed roles, faded memories and fragmented consciousness, coupled with the fatigue of mental confusion, there is also the power of persistence, the sutratmanand its conatus which enables every person to breathe from day to day and through each night. In deep sleep, as in profound meditation and the intervals between incarnations, the immortal soul enters into the orbit of the midnight sun and emerges out of the muddle of mundane life and mangled dreams. There it discerns the melody of the flute of Krishna, the music of the spheres, and the hidden magic of the ages which, when heard self-consciously, frees the soul from the fatuous burden of self-imposed delusions. It is the priceless prerogative of every Arjuna in our time to seek once more the pristine wisdom, the sovereign purifier, through unremitting search, through fearless questions, through grateful devotion and selfless service.

Surveying the wreckage of this century in bewilderment and dismay, many have sought an understanding of events in the oft-quoted, though little understood, remarks of H.P. Blavatsky concerning the role of the New World in the evolution of the races of humanity. Too many have submitted to the delusion, to the strange idea, that spiritual evolution is possible only for a few. The idea that any single people out of the globe’s teeming millions, selected at random and fed on the fat of the land, weighted down by the gifts of blind fortune, should be preferred by Krishna must be firmly repudiated. No instrument of the real work of the Lodge of Mahatmas can ever be permitted to become the refuge of the few, the chosen avenue for the exclusive salvation or cloistered comfort of any élite. Now, thanks to many benefactors and blessings in disguise, Americans are being made to slow down to the point where they may hear some of the echoes of what the pilgrim fathers heard when they landed in Plymouth over three centuries ago. In a way which could not have been known clearly to them, their setting out upon a long and difficult sea voyage was reminiscent of far more ancient voyages of seed-pilgrims across the waters of floods guided by Manu. These pilgrims to the New World had set out after having formed a compact with each other, which was a pure act of faith in themselves and in the future and in whatever their God had to offer them. This was one of many precious moments in the long and unwritten history of this mighty continent, whose vastness extends from the Arctic Circle to the Straits of Magellan, encompassing great rivers, the Grand Canyon, and awesome ranges of mountains girdling a third of the globe.

There is much more in the civilizations and peoples of pre-Columbian history than can ever be garnered through perfunctory reading of post-Columbian events. The brief journey of Columbus from Spain to the Caribbean, in search of India, but resulting in the rediscovery of America, could foretell little of the future birth in these lands of old Hindus from the India of a million years ago. It could convey few hints of the far-flung variety of spiritual strivings that would occur on the American continent, or of the enormous blasphemy, pride and temerity of inscribing the Third Eye upon the dollar bill. Yet somewhere, past all the humbug of petty educators, pompous bureaucrats and self-serving politicians, an impartial witness can only feel a genuine empathy with the series of lonely men carrying a strenuous burden of leadership in the emerging American republics.

Raghavan Iyer
The Gupta Vidya III

Winter Eats | Beef Barley Soup

November 3, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Ingredients:

1 lb beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 cup barley (pearl or hull-less)
6 cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Brown the Beef: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef stew meat and brown on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Combine Ingredients: Return the beef to the pot. Add the barley, beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the barley is cooked.
Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

30 Popular Questions and Answers

Can I use other types of meat?
- Yes, you can substitute beef with lamb or turkey if you prefer.
Can I use quick-cooking barley?
- Yes, just adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.
Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?
- Absolutely! Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables first, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Can I freeze the soup?
- Yes, it freezes well. Just store in airtight containers and reheat when ready to serve.
How long can I store the soup in the fridge?
- It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
What can I substitute for beef broth?
- You can use vegetable broth or chicken broth for a lighter flavor.
Can I add other vegetables?
- Yes, feel free to add peas, green beans, or potatoes for extra nutrition.
How do I thicken the soup?
- You can add more barley or a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) to thicken.
What can I serve with this soup?
- Crusty bread, a side salad, or sandwiches pair well with this hearty soup.
How can I make it spicier?
- Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for some heat.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
- Yes, it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
What type of barley should I use?
- Pearl barley is most common, but you can also use hull-less barley for a nuttier flavor.
Is this soup gluten-free?
- If you use gluten-free barley or a different grain like quinoa, it can be gluten-free.
Can I add herbs?
- Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or rosemary can add more flavor to the soup.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
- A heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven works best for even cooking.
Do I have to brown the beef?
- Browning adds flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
- Yes, just omit the meat and use vegetable broth and additional vegetables.
How do I store leftovers?
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How do I reheat the soup?
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
What’s the nutritional value of this soup?
- It’s high in protein and fiber, making it a hearty meal option.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
- Yes, frozen vegetables can be used; just add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
What if my soup is too salty?
- Add a bit of water or more vegetables to dilute the saltiness.
Can I use canned beans instead of barley?
- Yes, canned beans can add a different texture and flavor.
Is it possible to add a splash of wine?
- Yes, a splash of red wine can enhance the flavor; just let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol.
What’s the best way to chop vegetables quickly?
- Use a food processor for a quick and even chop.
Can I double the recipe?
- Yes, just make sure your pot is large enough to accommodate all the ingredients.
How do I make this soup heartier?
- Add more meat, beans, or vegetables for a heartier soup.
Can I add cheese?
- Yes, grated Parmesan or cheddar can be sprinkled on top before serving.
What’s the best way to clean my pot afterward?
- Soak it with warm, soapy water to loosen any stuck bits, then scrub gently.
How can I make this recipe more kid-friendly?
- Make it less spicy and serve with crackers or bread for dipping.

30 Helpful Tips to Make It Even More Delightful

Use Quality Meat: Choose well-marbled beef for better flavor and tenderness.
Brown the Meat Well: This adds depth and richness to the soup.
Sauté the Veggies: Don’t skip the sauté step; it enhances the flavors.
Season as You Go: Taste and adjust seasoning throughout the cooking process.
Use Homemade Broth: If possible, use homemade beef broth for maximum flavor.
Let It Simmer: Allow the soup to simmer longer for more developed flavors.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme or parsley can elevate the soup’s flavor.
Add a Bay Leaf: Don’t forget to remove it before serving for added depth.
Incorporate Different Grains: Try adding different grains like quinoa for variety.
Add Acid: A splash of vinegar or lemon juice can brighten the flavors.
Experiment with Spices: Try adding cumin or smoked paprika for an extra kick.
Serve with Fresh Bread: Crusty bread or biscuits make great accompaniments.
Garnish Thoughtfully: Fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese can enhance presentation.
Adjust Consistency: If too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach desired consistency.
Make it Ahead: The flavors deepen when made a day ahead.
Use Leftover Roast Beef: Use leftovers to cut down on prep time.
Try Different Vegetables: Add seasonal vegetables for freshness.
Create a Flavor Base: Always start with onion, garlic, and carrots for the best base.
Cook in a Dutch Oven: They distribute heat evenly for perfect cooking.
Serve with a Salad: A fresh side salad adds balance to the meal.
Opt for Whole Barley: For more nutrition and texture, consider whole barley.
Use Canned Tomatoes: They can add acidity and sweetness to the soup.
Add Frozen Veggies: They can save time without sacrificing flavor.
Refrigerate Before Serving: Cooling it allows flavors to meld even more.
Mix and Match Beans: Consider adding different types of beans for variety.
Store Properly: Use airtight containers to keep leftovers fresh.
Reheat Gently: When reheating, do it slowly to prevent overcooking.
Experiment with Sweetness: A touch of brown sugar can balance acidity.
Adjust for Heat: If the soup is too spicy, add more cream or milk.
Involve the Family: Let family members customize their bowls with toppings!

Here are 30 secrets to achieving the perfect Beef and Barley Soup:

1. Use Quality Meat

Opt for well-marbled beef stew meat for richer flavor and tenderness.

2. Sear the Meat

Searing the beef before adding it to the soup enhances the flavor through caramelization.

3. Don’t Skimp on Vegetables

Add extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrition.

4. Use Fresh Herbs

Fresh thyme, rosemary, or parsley can elevate the flavor profile significantly.

5. Deglaze the Pot

After searing the meat, deglaze the pot with a bit of wine or broth to capture all the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.

6. Let It Simmer

A longer simmer time allows the flavors to meld and the beef to become tender.

7. Choose the Right Barley

Pearl barley cooks faster and gives a creamier texture, while hulled barley takes longer but has more nutrients.

8. Adjust the Liquid

Add more broth if the soup thickens too much during cooking.

9. Balance the Flavors

Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar to enhance the soup’s depth.

10. Include Tomato Paste

A tablespoon of tomato paste can add a subtle richness and umami flavor.

11. Use Low-Sodium Broth

This allows you to control the saltiness of your soup better.

12. Pre-soak the Barley

Soaking the barley for a few hours can reduce cooking time and help it maintain its texture.

13. Add Barley Last

Add the barley halfway through cooking to avoid overcooking and mushiness.

14. Incorporate a Bay Leaf

A bay leaf adds a subtle, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.

15. Stir Occasionally

Stir the soup occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

16. Cool and Store Properly

Let the soup cool completely before storing it in the fridge to preserve freshness.

17. Reheat Gently

Reheat over low heat to prevent the barley from becoming too soft.

18. Consider Adding Beans

Adding a can of drained beans can boost protein and add texture.

19. Experiment with Spices

Try adding spices like paprika or cayenne for a bit of heat.

20. Serve with Fresh Bread

Pairing the soup with a crusty loaf enhances the dining experience.

21. Finish with a Drizzle of Olive Oil

A drizzle of good olive oil just before serving adds richness.

22. Add Greens

Stir in some fresh spinach or kale for added color and nutrition.

23. Use a Slow Cooker

For an even deeper flavor, consider making the soup in a slow cooker.

24. Make It Ahead

Soups often taste better the next day, allowing flavors to meld.

25. Use a Food Processor

Quickly chop vegetables with a food processor to save time.

26. Incorporate Beer

A splash of beer can add depth and complexity to the flavor.

27. Taste as You Go

Regularly taste the soup throughout the cooking process to adjust seasoning as needed.

28. Finish with Fresh Parsley

A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds brightness and color when serving.

29. Store in Portions

Store leftovers in portion-sized containers for easy meals later.

30. Get Creative

Don’t be afraid to experiment with ingredients based on what you have on hand!

With these secrets, your Beef and Barley Soup will be rich, flavorful, and sure to impress! Enjoy your cozy dinners

Theosophy | THE REBIRTH OF HUMANITY- I

October 20, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

We are only in the Fourth Round, and it is in the Fifth that the full development of Manas, as a direct ray from the Universal MAHAT – a ray unimpeded by matter – will be finally reached. Nevertheless, as every sub-race and nation have their cycles and stages of developmental evolution repeated on a smaller scale, it must be the more so in the case of a Root-Race. Our race then has, as a Root-race, crossed the equatorial line and is cycling onward on the Spiritual side; but some of our sub-races still find themselves on the shadowy descending arc of their respective national cycles; while others again – the oldest – having crossed their crucial point, which alone decides whether a race, a nation, or a tribe will live or perish, are at the apex of spiritual development as sub-races.

The Secret Doctrine, ii p. 301

Ranging from the minutest circles of daily life to the massive arcs of cosmic evolution, the spiralling progress of spiritual humanity has successive phases and synchronous aspects, marked by critical turns and decisive epochs. There are fateful times of birth and death, of transfiguration and rebirth, for individuals as well as civilizations. The majestic beating of the karmic heart of the cosmos resonates within the breast of every intrepid pilgrim-soul so that none is exempt from the challenge of the hour nor impervious to the clarion call of the Mahabharatan “war between the living and the dead.” Days and hours are marked by moments of going forth (pravritti) and going within (nivritti), whilst decades and centuries have their own coded rhythms of activity and rest. In a universe of inexorable law and ceaseless transformation, no two moments in the life of any being are exactly alike. Similarly, in the lifetimes of races the accumulated karma of the past converges with the archetypal logic of cycles to precipitate climacteric moments.

At the present historical moment there is a rapid descent of Dharmakshetra into Kurukshetra and an awesome re-enactment, before the soul’s eye, of the titanic struggle between Kronos and Zeus. To serve the Mahatmas, and through them all of humanity, is the most meaningful and precious privilege open to any person. The readiness to serve is helped by the fusion of an altruistic motive with skill in timely action. These may be gestated through deep meditation on behalf of the good of all beings and an authentic renunciation of earthly concerns for the sake of the many who are lost. One must lay one’s heart open to the present plight of millions of souls who are wandering adrift and are much afflicted by the psychological terror prophesied in Tibet. Not even affording the visible reference of an external cataclysm, this psychological convulsion is needed for the transformation of the humanity of the past into the humanity of the future.

The ramifications of this crucial transition were anticipated and provided for by the Brotherhood of Bodhisattvas. The Avataric descent of the Seventh Impulsion into the moral chaos consequent upon two World Wars and the world weariness of the present epoch marks the culmination of a seven hundred-year cycle extending back to Tsong-Kha-Pa. Whilst this may be more than can be encompassed in the cribbed and cabined conceptions of mortals, it is scarcely an instant in the eyes of those who ever reside on the plane of Shamballa. Sages are fully aware that the voluntary descent of a spiritual Teacher into Myalba merely provides the outward illusion of passage through various phases of earthly life, using but a small portion of an essentially unmanifest Self. Impervious to containment by form, the true being of the Avatar abides in timeless duration, always honouring the One without a second, Tad ekam, that which as the central Spiritual Sun is the single source of all that lives and breathes throughout the seven kingdoms of nature, and of all that is lit up at any level of reflected intelligence from the tiniest atom to the mightiest star in this vast cosmos which extends far beyond the solar system and this earth. One with the unmanifest Logos, Dakshinamurti remains poised at the threshold of the realm of boundless Light, the mathematical circle dividing infinity from finitude, and reposes as achutya – unfallen. As H.P. Blavatsky declared:

The first lesson taught in Esoteric philosophy is that the incognizable Cause does not put forth evolution, whether consciously or unconsciously, but only exhibits periodically different aspects of itself to the perception of finite Minds.

The Secret Doctrine, ii 487

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna disclosed that he incarnates on earth periodically for the preservation of the just, the destruction of the wicked and the establishment of righteousness. In Hindu iconography Narayana holds the conch shell, symbolizing his ability to rock the earth through sound, the potency of the Logos as Shabdabrahman, the Soundless Sound of the indestructible Akshara behind and beyond and within all the spaces of “the AUM throughout eternal ages”. This clarion call has gone out to heroic souls incarnated in the last half century for the solemn purpose of gathering together those spread out across the globe who readily recognize the immense danger to humanity from itself, the spiritual danger of self-destruction. It is a summons to halt the desecration of the sacred soil of the good earth upon which all human beings must find their common ground, regardless of race, sex, religion, creed, atheistic philosophy, indifferentism, or any set of beliefs and values. Regardless of whatsoever labels and idiosyncracies of form, all human beings are sharers of the Nur of Allah, the Light that lighteth up every soul that cometh into the world, that Light which is beyond Darkness itself. It is the One Light which has been known by diverse names amongst the many forgotten peoples of our globe over millions and millions of years, in civilizations long buried under deserts and mountains or slipped beneath the sea before existing continents emerged. Infinitely resplendent in eternal duration, it is the Light which was transmitted over eighteen million years ago when the Manas of humanity was lit up by divine beings of one lip, one race, one mind, one heart, seers of whom the Vedas speak.

The mysteries of Heaven and Earth, revealed to the Third Race by their celestial teachers in the days of their purity, became a great focus of light, the rays from which became necessarily weakened as they were diffused and shed upon an uncongenial, because too material soil.

Ibid., ii 281

Truly God is one, but manifold are its names. As the Q’uran teaches, there are as many ways to God as there are children of the breaths of men. Tragically, as mankind became progressively enwrapped in the illusion of material existence, its eyes and ears dimmed, though the light within remained inviolate. Outside the circle of ever vigilant custodians of the Mysteries, the arcane teaching of the universal sound and light of the Logos was obscured, distorted and lost. Today those who call themselves Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists or Zoroastrians, men and women of every sect and nation throughout every continent of the globe, are bereft of the lost Word, Shabdabrahman. Although lost, it has yet been fervently sought by many more millions in our time than ever before in recorded history or even in earlier epochs of antiquity shrouded in myth and mist. The unseen tablets of nature, which are a vast reservoir of enigmatic glyphs and symbols and eternal verities, record the unknown strivings of innumerable human beings, groping in their gloom, sometimes with shame but often with nothing else to support them than the pathos of their search. It is a search to find one’s way back home, out of exile from the kingdom of God, the land of the midnight sun.

Raghavan Iyer
The Gupta Vidya III

Ono Grinds | Jamaican Oxtail Stew

October 19, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

This delicious Jamaican Oxtails recipe is an excellent Caribbean stew for the weekend. amazing flavor and tender oxtail and butter beans that are cooked to perfection. Make it in the Pressure Cooker.

PREP TIME 20 mins
COOK TIME 45 mins
TOTAL TIME 1 hr 5 mins

INGREDIENTS

2.5 lbs oxtails
¼ cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp all-spice
1 tbsp browning
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 yellow onion chopped
4 green onions chopped
1 tbsp garlic chopped
2 carrot chopped
1 scotch bonnet or pepper seeds and membrane removed and chopped
1/16oz can Butter Beans drained drained
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

clean oxtails with water and vinegar and pat dry. Covering oxtails with brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, all-spice, and browning and rub into oxtails.
Set Pressure Cooker on High Sauté and once hot, join vegetable oil. Next, join your bigger oxtail parts to the pot, flat side down about ¼ inch apart, and brown on each side.
Transfer oxtail after browning and put in a pan.
Deglaze your pressure cooker by combining about 2 Tbsp of beef broth to the insert. Take a wooden spoon and deglaze your pan by separating the brown bits at the bottom. Then combine your yellow onions, green onions, carrots, garlic, and scotch bonnet pepper. Mix and sauté for about 6 minutes or till the onions have softened.
Combine dried thyme, oxtails, remaining beef broth, and ketchup to the pressure cooker insert. Press “Cancel” on your Instant Pot. Seal and cook on high for 50 minutes. Once the timer is done, let the pressure cooker naturally release.
Once all pressure has released, open the lid and transfer oxtails and vegetables, leaving the liquid behind. Turn Pressure Cooker on sauté. Once the liquid begins to simmer, create a corn starch slurry by combining corn starch and water in a separate bowl.
Stir into the simmering liquid. Add drained butter beans into the pressure cooker and let to cook for about 6 minutes, till liquid is slightly thickened and butterbeans are warmed join oxtails and vegetables back to the pressure cooker. Serve and enjoy 🙂

NOTES

Notes on Pressure Cooker Oxtails: It’s best if all your oxtails are medium-sized oxtails that are similar in size. If you can’t get them the same size, no worries. It’ll still work. Oxtail that is too fatty will lead to the fatty gravy. You want some fat, just not too much fat. If your oxtail is extremely fatty, use a paring knife to remove some of the excess fat. Scotch Bonnet is typically used for this recipe. If you can’t find a scotch bonnet, a habanero can be substituted. You can also use about 1-2 tsp of this scotch bonnet pepper sauce.

Holiday Treats | Spooky Black Velvet Cake

October 5, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Peut être une image de chiffon cake et texte qui dit ’saRecipes Recipes YOU Spooky Black Velvet Halloween WILL NEED NEEDCake Cake Black cocoa powder (to give it a rich dark color and deep flavor) • All-purpose flour’

The Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake sounds like a fantastic and eerie dessert, perfect for Halloween! Here’s a brief breakdown of the key components that make this cake unique:

Spooky Black Velvet Halloween Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup black cocoa powder (for rich dark color and flavor)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk (for a moist, tender crumb)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Blackberry Compote (Filling):

1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Black Cocoa Buttercream Frosting:

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/2 cup black cocoa powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)

For Decoration:

Fresh blackberries (about 1/2 cup)

Chocolate skulls (optional, for a spooky effect)

Optional: Halloween-themed sprinkles or edible glitter

For Decoration:

Fresh blackberries

Chocolate skulls (for a spooky, dramatic effect)

Optional: Halloween-themed sprinkles or edible glitter

Instructions:

Prepare the Black Velvet Cake:

Preheat the oven and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.

Sift together the black cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add in the oil and vanilla extract, then alternately mix in the dry ingredients with buttermilk.

Divide the batter between the two prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

Make the Blackberry Compote:

Combine fresh blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the mixture thickens into a compote, then set aside to cool.

Prepare the Black Cocoa Buttercream:

Beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and black cocoa powder, then mix in vanilla extract and a bit of milk if needed to achieve the desired consistency.

Assemble the Cake:

Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a layer of blackberry compote over the top.

Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the black cocoa buttercream.

Decorate:

Top the cake with fresh blackberries and chocolate skulls to give it that spooky Halloween flair. Add any additional spooky decorations like Halloween sprinkles or edible glitter.

Serve:

Slice into this rich, spooky black velvet cake with its sweet blackberry filling and luxurious black cocoa buttercream frosting, perfect for your Halloween celebration!

This cake is visually stunning and full of deliciously decadent flavors—perfect for a Halloween treat!

Theosophy | GUPTA VIDYA – I

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 Hālau ʻĀha Hūi LanakilaLeave a comment

Borobudur complex in central Java, Indonesia Early morning in Borobudur temple in Java temple of the universe stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

The universe is even as a great temple. – Claude De St. Martin

The central truths of Gupta Vidya are not derived from any ancient or modern sect but represent the accumulated wisdom of the ages, the unrecorded inheritance of humanity. Its vast scheme of cosmic and human evolution furnishes all true seekers with the symbolic alphabet necessary to interpret their recurrent visions as well as the universal framework and metaphysical vocabulary, drawn from many mystics and seers, which enable them to communicate their own intuitive perceptions. All authentic mystical writings are enriched by the alchemical flavour of theosophical thought. Gupta Vidya is an integrated system of fundamental verities taught by initiates and adepts across millennia. It is the Philosophia Perennis, the philosophy of human perfectibility, the science of spirituality and the religion of responsibility. It is the primeval fount of myriad religious systems as well as the hidden essence and esoteric wisdom of each. Its cosmology is known as Brahma Vidya and its gnoetic psychology is known as Atma Vidya. Man, an immortal monad, has been able to preserve this sacred heritage through the sacrificial efforts of enlightened and compassionate individuals, or Bodhisattvas, who constitute an ancient Brotherhood. They quietly assist in the ethical evolution and spiritual development of the whole of humanity. Gupta Vidya is Divine Wisdom, transmitted and verified over aeons by the sages who belong to this secret Brotherhood.

The supreme presupposition of Gupta Vidya is an eternal substance-principle postulated as the ineffable Ground of all being. It is called a substance-principle because it becomes increasingly substantial and differentiated on the plane of manifestation, while it essentially remains a homogeneous principle in abstract space and eternal duration. The perceived universe is a complex mirroring of this Unknown Source, all finite conceptions of which are necessarily incomplete. It is the Absolute Negation of all that exists. It is Be-ness or Sat, the Secondless Reality, the No-thing of ancient philosophy, the ‘Boundless Lir’, the Unknown Beginning of Celtic cosmogony. Compared with It, all manifestation is no more than an impermanent illusion or maya, a kaleidoscopic medium through which the one Reality shows itself in a series of reflections. Spirit and matter are the two facets of this indivisible principle which only seem to be separate during a vast period of cosmic manifestation. They radiate from this transcendent source, yet are not causally related to It, since neither quality nor mode may properly be ascribed to It. They appear periodically on the objective plane as the opposite poles of this Reality yet they are not inherently separate, but mutually coexist as spirit-matter. In manifestation this substratum differentiates itself into seven planes of increasing density, reaching towards the region of sense data. Everywhere the root essence of homogeneous substance is the same, transforming itself by minute degrees from the most ethereal to the most gross.

The seven planes of manifestation may be seen as condensations of rarefied matter and also as living streams of intelligences – primordial rays proceeding from an invisible Spiritual Sun. All modes of activity in the Universe are internally guided by powers and potencies arrayed in an almost endless series of hierarchies, each with its exact function and precise scope of action. They are called Dhyan Chohans in Tibetan cosmogony and bear many other titles in the rich panoply of religious traditions – Angels, Devas, Dhyani Buddhas, Gods, Elohim, etc. All these are transmitting agents of cosmic Law (̣ṛta) which guides the evolution of each atom on every plane in space, the hierarchies varying enormously in their respective degrees of creative consciousness and monadic intelligence. As an aggregate, this immense host of forces forms the manifesting Verbum of an unmanifest Presence, constituting simultaneously the active Mind of the cosmos and its immutable Law. The idea of myriad hierarchies of intelligences animating visible Nature is a vital key to understanding all true mysticism. Many flashes of intuitive perception reveal multitudes of radiant beings elaborating the interior architecture of matter. Great mystics show a reverential recognition of the Logos or Verbum, the Army of the Voice, operating behind the screen of surface events as the noumenal cause of natural phenomena. This involves deciphering the signs of these intelligent forces by following the traces of their effects. The natural world bears the signatures of a divine archetypal world. With proper keys to archaic symbolism, the true seeker can read these signatures and recover the lost knowledge which would restore a primeval state of gnosis equivalent to that of the Gods. The letters composing the Sanskrit language are the phenomenal expressions of these finer forces, and by understanding them one could discover the root vibration, the ineffable Word, reverberating throughout the sentient world of visible Nature.

The arcane teaching concerning the Great Chain of Being in the supernatural realm continually reappears in human history as the inexhaustible fountain-head of aesthetic expression, heroic action and mystic illumination. The diverse expressions of creativity in the arts, religion and philosophy stem from this common unseen source, and the search for its origin is the hallowed mission of many a mystic and artist. The problem of tracing particulars to universals is as crucial to art as to psychology. The sevenfold classification of man’s inner constitution corresponds to seven cosmic planes of being. Man is truly a microcosm and miniature copy of the macrocosm. Like the macrocosm, the individual is divine in essence, a direct radiation from the central Spiritual Sun. As pure spirit, every human being needs the vestures through which life may be experienced on differentiated planes of existence, so that one can become fully conscious of individual immortality and one’s indissoluble identity with the whole. Every person is a complete reflection of the universe, revealing oneself to oneself by means of seven differentiations. In one’s deepest self, the individual is Atman, the universal spirit which is mirrored in the luminous soul or Buddhi. The light of Buddhi is focussed through Manas or impersonal intellect, the source of human individuation. These three together constitute the imperishable fire in man, the immortal Triad that undertakes an immense pilgrimage through successive incarnations to emerge as an effortlessly self-conscious agent of the divine will, the Light of the Logos, Brahma Vach.

Below this overbrooding Triad is the volatile quaternary of principles drawn from the lower planes of cosmic matter: they are kama, the force of blind passion and chaotic desire shared by man with animal life; prana, the life-current energizing the whirling atoms on the objective plane of existence; the astral paradigmatic body (linga sharira), the original form around which the physical molecules shape themselves, and hence the model for the physical frame (sthula sharira). This quaternary of principles is evanescent and changeable, established for man’s use at the time of incarnation and dissolved at death into its primary constituents on their corresponding planes. The real man, the higher Triad, recedes from the physical plane to await the next incarnation. The function of each of these sheaths differs from one individual to another according to the level of spiritual development of the incarnated soul. The astral body of the Adept is of a much higher degree of resilience and purity than that of the average man. In visionaries and mystics, the sheaths intervening between the spiritual man and the brain-mind are sufficiently transparent so that they can receive communications from the overbrooding Triad in a relatively lucid manner. Man is a compound being simultaneously experiencing two worlds, inner and outer. Each person’s present life experience is but a minute portion of what was witnessed by the immortal individuality in previous incarnations. Thus if men and women assiduously search within themselves, they can recover a vast heritage of knowledge spanning aeons. These memories are locked in mansions of the soul which only ardent desire and strong discipline can penetrate.

Raghavan Iyer
The Gupta Vidya II