In My Hands Today…

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Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI – Yuval Noah Harari

For the last 100,000 years, we Sapiens have accumulated enormous power. But despite allour discoveries, inventions, and conquests, we now find ourselves in an existential crisis. The world is on the verge of ecological collapse. Misinformation abounds. And we are rushing headlong into the age of AI—a new information network that threatens to annihilate us. For all that we have accomplished, why are we so self-destructive?

Nexus looks through the long lens of human history to consider how the flow of information has shaped us, and our world. Taking us from the Stone Age, through the canonization of the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism, and the resurgence of populism today, Yuval Noah Harari asks us to consider the complex relationship between information and truth, bureaucracy and mythology, wisdom and power. He explores how different societies and political systems throughout history have wielded information to achieve their goals, for good and ill. And he addresses the urgent choices we face as non-human intelligence threatens our very existence.

Information is not the raw material of truth; neither is it a mere weapon. Nexus explores the hopeful middle ground between these extremes, and in doing so, rediscovers our shared humanity.

Poem: The Last Train Home

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Late at night, when the world has quieted down and the hum of the tracks becomes a lullaby for the soul, the last train home offers more than just a ride; it provides a passage into memory and comfort. The journey on this solitary carriage is steeped in reflection and nostalgia, as familiar sights and soft city lights remind us of where we come from.

The Last Train Home

In the quiet of midnight, the train pulls away,
A soft exhale of metal and dreams in the grey.
Window reflections flicker like memories in flight,
Familiar scenes whispering in the pale moonlight.

The carriage hums a tune of distant, gentle farewells,
Carrying echoes of laughter, of secret, cherished spells.
Every station a chapter, every stop a familiar name,
In the silent journey home, nothing ever feels the same.

Nostalgia drifts like smoke in the air,
Of old roads travelled, of moments rare.
The rhythmic clatter of wheels on the track
Calls forth a tender longing for what we may not get back.

Yet, in this fleeting ride through the night,
There lies a quiet comfort, a soft, guiding light.
For in the last train’s journey, beneath starlit skies,
We rediscover the places where our true heart lies.

The dark outside cradles our reflective mind,
In the gentle sway of the train, solace we find.
A final embrace before the dawn’s gentle roam—
This journey, so transient, leads us always home.

2025 Week 44 Update

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Sogyal Rinpoche’s quote conveys the essence of meditation as an experience of openness and freedom rather than control or effort. To “be spacious” means to let go of grasping, judgment, and resistance, allowing thoughts, emotions, and sensations to arise and pass naturally. In this space of awareness, the mind becomes vast and clear, like a sky that holds everything without being disturbed by passing clouds. Meditation, in this sense, is not about stopping thoughts but about expanding the inner space in which everything can exist peacefully. 

Sogyal Rinpoche (1947–2019) was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, a widely acclaimed work that introduced Tibetan Buddhist teachings on life, death, and compassion to a global audience. Born in Tibet and educated in both traditional Buddhist and Western settings, he played a major role in bringing Tibetan spiritual practices to the West. His teachings emphasised mindfulness, compassion, and the understanding of the mind as the path to liberation.

This was a pretty quiet week. BB is at home this week resting and relaxing before he starts looking for jobs or internships. GG is busy with school and studying for exams. As for me, things are the same. I have applied for a position which, on paper, seems perfect for me. It checks all the boxes and is in a field I enjoy working in. If I get the position, I will work with old friends and make new friends. And everything came together so beautifully, including references in that field. I was so hyped up about this role that I sent in the application a month before the due date. Since the due date, I have been watching my email like a hawk, hoping that today will be the day the email comes in about an interview. I am disappointed every morning! I am trying to keep a positive attitude and hoping the universe knows what it is doing for me. 

Which segues into today’s motivation. This week, I learned that we should find comfort in the fact that things are unfolding for us exactly as they should. The last leg of the journey is always the most difficult. We should be patient and embrace the beauty that surrounds us. We’ve already overcome many things successfully. There are so many beautiful lessons we have learned from our experiences over the years. We have everything within us to get to where we want to be. Don’t waste energy worrying; don’t doubt the path. This is a time for celebration. We’re about to step into the fullness of our hearts’ greatest desire.

This resonated so much with me, and I am learning to be patient and wait to experience the beauty that will surely unfold in front of us. 

That’s all from me this week. If you are able to, please send positive energies my way so I get the email or call I have been waiting for. Take care, stay safe, and remain positive. Remember, things are exactly where they are supposed to be.

In My Hands Today…

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Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age – Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough

Imagine a Viking, and a certain image springs to a nameless, faceless warrior, leaping ashore from a longboat, and ready to terrorise the hapless local population of a northern European country.

Yet while such characters define the Viking Age today, they were in the minority. This is the history of all the other people – children, enslaved people, seers, artisans, travellers, writers – who inhabited the medieval Nordic world. Encompassing not just Norway, Denmark and Sweden, but also Iceland, Greenland, parts of the British Isles, Continental Europe and Russia, this is a history of a Viking Age filled with real people of different ages, genders and ethnicities, as told through the traces that they left behind, from hairstyles to place names, love-notes to gravestones.

For the first time, you can immerse yourself in the day-to-day lives of extraordinary culture which spanned centuries and spread from the edge of the North American continent to the Russian steppes, from the Arctic wastelands to the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Caliphate.

Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Ashtavinayaka Part 1

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Regular readers of this blog will know that Lord Ganesha is my ishtadev, the one whom I connect to and the first I think of in joy and sadness. He is the first whom I think of when I wake up and the last I call upon before I sleep. It’s only fitting, then, that my next instalment in this series on Hindu temples is the Ashtavinayaka temples. So let’s learn more about this form of the elephant god and this temple circuit.

Among the many sacred circuits that devotees undertake, the Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage in Maharashtra holds a unique place. The term Ashtavinayaka translates to “eight Ganeshas,” referring to the eight temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of wisdom. The Ashtavinayaka Yatra is centred around the city of Pune. The eight temples house eight distinct idols of Ganesha, the Hindu deity of unity, prosperity, learning, and the removal of obstacles. Each of these temples has its legend and history, as distinct from each other as the idols in each temple. The form of each murti of Ganesha and his trunk are distinct from one another. To complete the Ashtavinayaka Yatra, one must revisit the first temple after visiting all eight temples.

Unlike other temple circuits, the Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage is distinctive because each of these eight temples enshrines a self-manifested or Swayambhu idol of Lord Ganesha, believed to have emerged naturally rather than being sculpted by human hands. The Ashtavinayaka temples are located in different parts of Maharashtra, primarily in and around Pune, in the Pune and Raigad districts, and visiting them in a specific sequence is considered highly auspicious.

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Out of these eight temples, five are in Pune, two are in Raigad, and one is in Ahmednagar or Ahilyanagar District. The pilgrimage takes 3 days to complete and as per scriptures, must be in this specific prescribed order: Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon, where Lord Ganesha is astride on a peacock and the starting and ending point of the pilgrimage, Siddhivinayak Temple, Siddhatek, a tranquil temple where Lord Vishnu is said to have meditated, Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali, the only Ganesha temple named after a devotee, Ballal, Varadvinayak Temple, Mahad, known for granting boons or varada, Chintamani Temple, Theur, associated with the return of the mythical Chintamani gem, Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri, carved into a mountain, and linked to Goddess Parvati, Vighnahar Temple, Ozar, dedicated to the vanquisher of obstacles, and worshipped by Lord Indra, and the Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon, also known as the Great Ganesha, and connected to Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasura. The pilgrimage concludes by returning to Morgaon, completing the sacred loop.

It is believed that to complete the pilgrimage, a devotee must visit all eight temples in the prescribed order and then return to the first temple to complete the spiritual circuit. This act symbolises the cycle of life and the divine presence of Lord Ganesha in all stages of human existence.

Each of these temples is associated with a unique form of Ganesha and carries its legend that adds to the richness of the pilgrimage. However, what ties them together is their collective significance as sites of divine energy and devotion.

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Several fascinating legends connect the Ashtavinayaka temples, making this pilgrimage more than just a visit to eight separate shrines. Some of the overarching myths associated with the circuit include

The Legend of Sage Gritsamada and Mayureshwar: According to Hindu mythology, Sage Gritsamada was blessed with a divine son, Ganapati, due to his intense devotion. However, a misunderstanding led to the formation of the Ganapatya sect, which exclusively worshipped Lord Ganesha. This sect played a vital role in the establishment of the Ashtavinayaka temples.

Lord Ganesha’s Battle with the Demon Sindhu: A prevalent myth speaks of the demon Sindhu, who had received a boon that he could only be defeated by an incarnation of Shiva and Parvati’s son. To destroy this menace, Ganesha took the form of Mayureshwar and, riding a peacock, vanquished the demon. This legend explains why the Mayureshwar Temple in Morgaon is considered the most important of the eight temples.

The Story of Ballal and the Self-Manifested Idol: At Ballaleshwar Temple in Pali, the legend of a young devotee named Ballal is widely told. A dedicated worshiper of Ganesha, Ballal was punished by his father for excessive devotion. However, moved by his faith, Ganesha himself appeared before Ballal, blessed him, and took residence in Pali, leading to the establishment of the temple.

Ganesha as the Conqueror of Obstacles: The story behind Vighnahar Temple in Ozar speaks of how Ganesha defeated the demon Vighnasura, who caused disruptions in religious practices. Ganesha subdued him but, on the demon’s plea, allowed him to stay, thus earning the title “Vighnahar” (Remover of Obstacles).

The Connection to the Pandavas: The Girijatmaj Temple at Lenyadri, located in a cave, is believed to be where Goddess Parvati meditated to be blessed with a son. It is also said that the Pandavas from the Mahabharata worshipped at this temple during their exile.

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The Ashtavinayaka Yatra is not just a spiritual journey but a process of self-discovery and renewal. The circuit follows a clockwise route, believed to harness cosmic energy. Devotees often complete it within 1–2 days, symbolising detachment from worldly distractions. Devotees follow specific rituals and guidelines while undertaking this pilgrimage. Modak, Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet, is offered at all temples, along with dhurva grass, red hibiscus flowers, and coconut. Devotees continuously chant prayers and the Ganapati Mantra to invoke his blessings. Pilgrims walk around each temple’s inner sanctum, often 3.5 times, echoing the cyclical nature of time. Tying a red thread at Morgaon and removing it at the final temple symbolises the shedding of sins. Many devotees observe fasts or perform special pujas during the pilgrimage and also listen to stories about Ganesha and his leelas, or divine acts, as part of the experience. Pilgrims observe fasting, avoid non-vegetarian food, and practice celibacy during the yatra to purify the mind and body.

The Ashtavinayaka circuit transcends mere temple-hopping; it is a metaphysical journey through Maharashtra’s heartland, blending devotion, mythology, and nature. Each temple’s unique narrative and the collective ritualistic voyage underscore the Hindu ethos of unity in diversity. For centuries, this pilgrimage has drawn kings, saints, and commoners alike, offering solace and strength. As you embark on this article series, each of the eight temples will reveal its distinct history, myths, and grandeur. Together, they form a mosaic of divine grace, making the Ashtavinayaka pilgrimage a truly transformative experience.