Author Archives: Chaitanya Charan das

Getting our emotions to work for, us, not against us
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[Youth meeting at Bahrain]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/01-18%20classes/Getting%20our%20emotions%20to%20work%20for%2C%20us%2C%20not%20against%20us.mp3

 
Podcast Summary
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From Fear to Surrender 4 – FEAR acronym – 4 steps for overcoming fear
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/01-18%20classes/From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%204%20-%20FEAR%20acronym%20-%204%20steps%20for%20overcoming%20fear.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/01-18%20classes/Summary%20-%20From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%204%20-%20FEAR%20acronym%20-%204%20steps%20for%20overcoming.mp3

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 4 – FEAR acronym – 4 steps for overcoming fear appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

QA session at ISKCON Bahrain
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[Program at ISKCON, Bahrain]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/01-18%20classes/QA%20session%20at%20ISKCON%20Bahrain.mp3

Video:

The post QA session at ISKCON Bahrain appeared first on The Spirit…

If we can do a service well and see others doing that service poorly, should we stay uninvolved to avoid becoming proud or critical?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/If%20we%20can%20do%20a%20service%20well%20and%20see%20others%20doing%20that%20service%20poorly%2C%20should%20we%20stay%20uninvolved%20to%20avoid%20becoming%20proud%…

I get dreams to act violently against Muslims – what should I do?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/I%20get%20dreams%20to%20act%20violently%20against%20Muslims%20-%20what%20should%20I%20do.mp3

The post I get dreams to act violently against Muslims – what should I do? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Fear to Surrender 3 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear 2 – Attachment and Redirection
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%203%20-%20%20FEAR%20acronym%20for%20analyzing%20fear%202%20-%20Attachment%20and%20Redirection.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%203%20-%20%20FEAR%20acronym%20for%20analyzing%20fear%202%20-%20Attachment%20and%20Redirection.mp3

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 3 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear 2 – Attachment and Redirection appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Fear to Surrender 2 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear part 1 – Faith and Education
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%202%20-%20%20FEAR%20acronym%20for%20analyzing%20fear%20part%201%20-%20Faith%20and%20Education.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%202%20-%20%20FEAR%20acronym%20for%20analyzing%20fear%20part%201%20-%20Faith%20and%20Education.mp3

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 2 – FEAR acronym for analyzing fear part 1 – Faith and Education appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From Fear to Surrender 1 – Understanding how our fears originate
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[Seminar at ISKCON, Bahrain]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%201%20-%20%20Understanding%20how%20our%20fears%20originate.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20From%20Fear%20to%20Surrender%201%20-%20%20Understanding%20how%20our%20fears%20originate.mp3

Video:

The post From Fear to Surrender 1 – Understanding how our fears originate appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When our acharyas wanted an institution, how can we deal with people’s aversion to religious institutions?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/When%20our%20acharyas%20wanted%20an%20institution%2C%20how%20can%20we%20deal%20with%20people%27s%20aversion%20to%20religious%20institutions.mp3

The post When our acharyas wanted an institution, how can we deal with people’s aversion to religious institutions? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Why do devotees sometimes die in ghastly accidents?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/Why%20do%20devotees%20sometimes%20die%20in%20ghastly%20accidents.mp3

The post Why do devotees sometimes die in ghastly accidents? appeared first on The Spiritual S…

Why don’t we make the Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?
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Transcription :

Transcribed by: Keshavgopal Das

Question: Why don’t we make Bhagavad-gita compulsory in schools in India?

Answer: This is a question we should be asking from the Government of India. Let me try to answer it based on how I see it.

We live today in a multi-cultural world, where people are opposed to the idea of imposing any one faith on them. People believe that faith is a personal matter which should be chosen by an individual. These days, Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book; a book of Hindus. As long as Bhagavad-gita is seen as a religious book, it will be difficult for the government to make it mandatory. May be in future, if we have a government which rules by different principles then it is possible. However, it does not mean that nothing can be done to popularize Gita. What need to present Bhagavad-gita not as a religious book but as a book of wisdom. When it will be viewed as a book of wisdom in the Indian tradition that will make people more open.

Few years ago, a big attempt was made to make Bhagavad-gita as national book of India. It led to a lot of violent opposition from people saying that it will make India a theocracy or a radical Hindu country. In today’s world, religious pressure will not work. Bhagavad-gita needs to be repositioned as a book of wisdom. There are devotee scholars who are working in mainstream academia for this purpose. Beyond that, we, at our individual level, can do our part in sharing Gita’s message. However, we should be careful that we do not present Gita’s message as mandatory. When we present things as mandatory, people do it as ritual and they do not take it very seriously. For example, I sometimes do a class on Bhagavad-gita in colleges in India, where the authorities make it mandatory to attend. Such an arrangement can lead to five hundred or thousand students coming to the class. The number of students attending the class can appear impressive, but to such a crowd even if we give the best class, we find that the students are just not interested. The students are chatting on their phones, looking here and there. When we make things mandatory, people just switch-off. It is much better to share the message at an individual level. Change at a grass-root level is much more sustainable compared to when brought in a top-down fashion. In a top-down approach, we can have a lot of resources, but that will not necessary mean acceptance from others. In today’s ethos that will only lead to resistance.

In my childhood, I participated in Gita shloka recitation competition and won a prize. I thought Gita is only meant for memorizing some shlokas and win prizes. I never saw it as a book having practical relevance to me. When a friend came and gave me Bhagavad-gita, he requested me to read it. My first reaction was, I have already […]

How can we increase the quality in our existing devotional commitments?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/How%20can%20we%20increase%20the%20quality%20in%20our%20existing%20devotional%20commitments.mp3

The post How can we increase the quality in our existing devotional …

When neither distress nor taste motivates us consistently in bhakti, how can we become consistent?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/When%20neither%20distress%20nor%20taste%20motivates%20us%20consistently%20in%20bhakti%2C%20how%20can%20we%20become%20consistent.mp3

The post When neither distress …

How can I overcome my attraction to watch every detail of my favorite actress?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/How%20can%20I%20overcome%20my%20attraction%20to%20watch%20every%20detail%20of%20my%20favorite%20actress.mp3

The post How can I overcome my attraction to watch ever…

How can we be materially successful while practicing bhakti?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/How%20can%20we%20be%20materially%20successful%20while%20practicing%20bhakti.mp3

The post How can we be materially successful while practicing bhakti? appeared firs…

Bhagavatam study 70 1.13.51-60 Determination directed towards renunciation brings spiritual elevation
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Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Bhagavatam%20study/Bhagavatam%20study%2070%201.13.51-60%20Determination%20directed%20towards%20renunciation%20brings%20spiritual%20elevation.mp3

 
The post Bhagavat…

Is disorder also a part of Krishna’s plan for creation?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/Is%20disorder%20also%20a%20part%20of%20Krishna%27s%20plan%20for%20creation.mp3

The post Is disorder also a part of Krishna’s plan for creation? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Should we correct others when we don’t have the authority to do so and others aren’t receptive?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/12-17%20QA/Should%20we%20correct%20others%20when%20we%20don%27t%20have%20the%20authority%20to%20do%20so%20and%20others%20aren%27t%20receptive.mp3

The post Should we correct others when we don’t have the authority to do so and others aren’t receptive? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhagavatam study 69 1.13.46-50 When we can’t protect ourselves from kala, karma and guna, how can we protect others?
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Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Bhagavatam%20study/Bhagavatam%20study%2069%201.13.46-50%20When%20we%20can%27t%20protect%20ourselves%20from%20kala%2C%20karma%20and%20guna%2C%20how%20can%20we%20protect%20others.mp3

 

The post Bhagavatam study 69 1.13.46-50 When we can’t protect ourselves from kala, karma and guna, how can we protect others? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Technology, Spirituality and the Seach for a Meaningful life
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[Talk to IIT Students at ISKCON, Mira Road, Mumbai, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Technology%2C%20Spirituality%20and%20the%20Seach%20for%20a%20Meaningful%20life.mp3

&n…

Bhagavatam study 68 1.13.39-45 Know when to exercise control in the service of the supreme controller and when to release control
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Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/Lecture%20series/Bhagavatam%20study/Bhagavatam%20study%2068%201.13.39-45%20Know%20when%20to%20exercise%20control%20in%20the%20service%20of%20the%20supreme%20controller%20and%20when%20to%2…

Be Open-minded, Not Empty-minded
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Contemporary ethos exhorts us to be open-minded and excoriates the follies and perils of close-mindedness. Given that many people with narrow-minded, black-and-white view of things are intolerant and even violent, we do need reminders to be o…

Overcoming fear, desire and anger to take shelter of Krishna
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[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Chowpatty, India]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Overcoming%20fear%2C%20desire%20and%20anger%20to%20take%20shelter%20of%20Krishna.mp3

 
Podc…

Dealing with insecurities – Hindi
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[Brahmachari class at ISKCON, Nasik, India]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Dealing%20with%20insecurities%20-%20Hindi.mp3

The post Dealing with insecurities – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

From fictional enjoyment to spiritual enjoyment through explanations, exponents and experiences – Hindi
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[Gitamritam class at ISKCON, Nasik, India]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/From%20fictional%20enjoyment%20to%20spiritual%20enjoyment%20through%20explanations%2C%20exponents%20and%20experiences%20-%20Hindi.mp3

 
Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20From%20fictional%20enjoyment%20to%20spiritual%20enjoyment%20through%20explanations%2C%20exponents%20and%20experiences%20-%20Hindi.mp3

Video:

The post From fictional enjoyment to spiritual enjoyment through explanations, exponents and experiences – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Understanding various ways Krishna protects – Bhagavatam characters analysis
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[Bhagavatam study circle at Nasik, India]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Understanding%20various%20ways%20Krishna%20protects%20-%20Bhagavatam%20characters%20analysis.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20Understanding%20various%20ways%20Krishna%20protects%20-%20Bhagavatam%20characters%20analysis.mp3

Video:

The post Understanding various ways Krishna protects – Bhagavatam characters analysis appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

The mind is like a madhouse – 4 strategies for managing it – Hindi
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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam on 11.23.46 at ISKCON, Nasik, India]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/The%20mind%20is%20like%20a%20madhouse%20-%204%20strategies%20for%20managing%20it%20-%20Hindi.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/Summary%20-%20The%20mind%20is%20like%20a%20madhouse%20-%204%20strategies%20for%20managing%20it%20-%20Hindi.mp3

Video:

The post The mind is like a madhouse – 4 strategies for managing it – Hindi appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

For meditation, we need the right object and the right conception
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[Bhagavatam class on Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.28.23 at ISKCON, Perth, Australia]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2017%20classes/12-17%20classes/For%20meditation%2C%20we%20need%20the%20right%20object%20and%20the%20…

In the computer metaphor for explaining the self, comparing the soul with the user mixes the inanimate with the animate – isn’t it better to compare consciousness with electricity?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/In%20the%20computer%20metaphor%20for%20explaining%20the%20self%2C%20comparing%20the%20soul%20with%20the%20user%20mixes%20the%20inanimate%20with%20the%20animate%20-%20isn%27t%20it%20better%20to%20compare%20consciousness%20with%20electricity.mp3

The post In the computer metaphor for explaining the self, comparing the soul with the user mixes the inanimate with the animate – isn’t it better to compare consciousness with electricity? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

If the devotional ambience around us is unfavorable because devotees are rude, what should we do?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/If%20the%20devotional%20ambience%20around%20us%20is%20unfavorable%20because%20devotees%20are%20rude%2C%20what%20should%20we%20do.mp3

The post If the devotional amb…

Why do the Vedas give all rights to men and no rights to women, who simply have to obey men?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/Why%20do%20the%20Vedas%20give%20all%20rights%20to%20men%20and%20no%20rights%20to%20women%2C%20who%20simply%20have%20to%20obey%20men.mp3

The post Why do the Vedas g…

When we have to choose between two ways of serving Krishna, what should we do?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/When%20we%20have%20to%20choose%20between%20two%20ways%20of%20serving%20Krishna%2C%20what%20should%20we%20do.mp3

The post When we have to choose between two ways of…

Duryodhana felt no moral compunction while persecuting the Pandavas, but Dhirtrashtra did – why the difference?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/Duryodhana%20felt%20no%20moral%20compunction%20while%20persecuting%20the%20Pandavas%2C%20but%20Dhirtrashtra%20did%20-%20why%20the%20difference.mp3

The post Duryodhana felt no moral compunction while persecuting the Pandavas, but Dhirtrashtra did – why the difference? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

QA transcriptions uploaded on 07-Dec-17
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https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2017/03/can-followers-religions-dont-follow-regulative-principles-go-back-to-krishna/
https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2017/03/did-many-devotees-leave-iskcon-because-they-couldnt-see-suffering-as-krishnas-merc…

The soul has knowledge that is presently covered – does this mean the soul knows exact scriptural verses?
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Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/The%20soul%20has%20knowledge%20that%20is%20presently%20covered%20-%20does%20this%20mean%20the%20soul%20knows%20exact%20scriptural%20verses.mp3

The post The soul has knowledge that is presently covered – does this mean the soul knows exact scriptural verses? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Gita Essence lecture series transcriptons uploaded.
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https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2017/05/gita-essence-1-transformational-power-love-self-knowledge-basis-love/
https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2017/05/gita-essence-2-transformational-power-love-god-knowledge-fuel-love/
https://www.thespiritu…

Prabhupada life-story 16 – Establishing the foundation
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Audio Podcast :

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/Srila%20Prabhupada%20life-story/Prabhupada%20life-story%2016%20-%20Establishing%20the%20foundation%20-%20the%20first%20initiation%20and%20marriage%20ceremonies.mp3

 

Video :

The post Prabhupada life-story 16 – Establishing the foundation appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

When Abhimanyu was killed, how was Arjuna overcome by illusion?
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Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2017%20QA/11-17%20QA/When%20Abhimanyu%20was%20killed%2C%20how%20was%20Arjuna%20overcome%20by%20illusion.mp3

The post When Abhimanyu was killed, how was Arjuna overcome by illusion? app…

Prabhupada life-story 15 – From spiritual shoppers to spiritual seekers
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Audio Podcast :

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/Srila%20Prabhupada%20life-story/Prabhupada%20life-story%2015%20-%20From%20spiritual%20shoppers%20to%20spiritual%20seekers.mp3

 

Video :

The post Prabhupada life-story 15 – From spiritual shoppers to spiritual seekers appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Shikshashtakam series transcriptions uploaded
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https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2016/09/shikshashtakam-1-overview-and-flow-of-the-ashtakam/
https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2016/09/shikshashtakam-2-text-1-the-mind-as-a-window-a-tv-screen-and-a-mirror/
https://www.thespiritualscientist.com…