Your broad perspective and wit shines in a lot of your posts. It seems you've managed to survey a fair number of faith traditions! By some estimates there are upwards of 6000 religions across the world. Seems the biggies have managed the religious version of media consolidation. If that is you behind that Santa suit you look good in red with a wide belt. Best of luck in the future with your Substack.
As far as favorite Xmas songs, I'm putting in a word for the Bob Rivers "Twisted Christmas" albums (two of them.) Of course, that's just little ole subversive me...
There could be a whole other riff on Asian restaurants on Christmas day
Clemenza in front of a credenza!!! Love it. A wonderful piece. Thanks again, Cary. May 2024 be a great year for you and the family. Lots of love always!
Great post, CL! Like you, I grew up with many faiths, and closely followed Sanatana Dharma. I still love visiting old Gothic churches in Europe and especially monasteries--last one we visited was last Thanksgiving outside Athens. I am fascinated by Jewish history and still have not come around to writing about my Jewish tours of Rome and Mumbai earlier this year! I am really drawn to God being within, a teaching from our Vedanta traditions--that’s my bedrock principle--but love to learn other religions
if only to realize the many commonalities and the absurdity of violence in the name of religion! Yup, I am an optimist but strangely working harder to see
the glass half full these days. Some mental calibration much needed this new year! Keep up your lovely posts in 2024 and best wishes for a wonderful 2024! Lovely photos too:)
You are brave:) Have you been to the temple lately? There’s so much security and they hurry you like no one’s business:) I do have a small Siddhi Vinayak’s idol in the house. Growing up, mom, myself, and another neighborhood aunt used to visit the temple *every* Tuesday morning leaving home promptly at 4 am to take Bus #171 to the temple and return home by 7:30 am! No metal detectors, security and such those days! But plenty of women flashing king cobras at us standing in the long long line hoping to get a few “paisas” from us in return!
This year, sadly, the most gorgeous of the synagogues in Mumbai, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, was closed due to security reasons:( We managed to visit 4 others across Mumbai and security was (sadly) tight!
great piece but funny..you don't look Druish.
Love your Christmas card!!!🥰💓
Can you catch Diwali on the Internet?💓🙏
Your broad perspective and wit shines in a lot of your posts. It seems you've managed to survey a fair number of faith traditions! By some estimates there are upwards of 6000 religions across the world. Seems the biggies have managed the religious version of media consolidation. If that is you behind that Santa suit you look good in red with a wide belt. Best of luck in the future with your Substack.
Love knowing your eclectic background. Merry Everything. 😉
As far as favorite Xmas songs, I'm putting in a word for the Bob Rivers "Twisted Christmas" albums (two of them.) Of course, that's just little ole subversive me...
There could be a whole other riff on Asian restaurants on Christmas day
Funny albums! Haven't had Chinese food on Christmas Eve since I married a shiksa
After hearing it on the radio yesterday, I realized that perhaps my favorite song of the season is John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)"
It couldn't be more timely right now.
Excellent choice!
Clemenza in front of a credenza!!! Love it. A wonderful piece. Thanks again, Cary. May 2024 be a great year for you and the family. Lots of love always!
Great post, CL! Like you, I grew up with many faiths, and closely followed Sanatana Dharma. I still love visiting old Gothic churches in Europe and especially monasteries--last one we visited was last Thanksgiving outside Athens. I am fascinated by Jewish history and still have not come around to writing about my Jewish tours of Rome and Mumbai earlier this year! I am really drawn to God being within, a teaching from our Vedanta traditions--that’s my bedrock principle--but love to learn other religions
if only to realize the many commonalities and the absurdity of violence in the name of religion! Yup, I am an optimist but strangely working harder to see
the glass half full these days. Some mental calibration much needed this new year! Keep up your lovely posts in 2024 and best wishes for a wonderful 2024! Lovely photos too:)
I love that, in Mumbai, you visit a synagogue while I enjoy the Siddhivinayak temple!
You are brave:) Have you been to the temple lately? There’s so much security and they hurry you like no one’s business:) I do have a small Siddhi Vinayak’s idol in the house. Growing up, mom, myself, and another neighborhood aunt used to visit the temple *every* Tuesday morning leaving home promptly at 4 am to take Bus #171 to the temple and return home by 7:30 am! No metal detectors, security and such those days! But plenty of women flashing king cobras at us standing in the long long line hoping to get a few “paisas” from us in return!
This year, sadly, the most gorgeous of the synagogues in Mumbai, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, was closed due to security reasons:( We managed to visit 4 others across Mumbai and security was (sadly) tight!
Haven’t been there since 2007, but it was like that even then. Still, the energy of that little red Ganesh was palpable even in line outside!
Really enjoyed this piece. Thanks! Happy Holidays (albeit a bit late) to you and yours!