Anda #11 - January 6, 2023

Rumi, food, music, science fiction, trees, DNA, clothing, and . . . the usual wildly eclectic mix! Anda means "egg" in Sanskrit: a vibrant zone of creativity.

But first, a story

Hello and welcome to all the new subscribers to K108. You might be wondering what the heck is going on with K108.

K108 is my creative playground. It’s where I get to share literally anything and everything with you. Also, the eclecticism of K108 demonstrates in a concrete way that we don’t have to reject any aspect of life if we are being “spiritual.” Everything belongs.

Right now, you’ve stumbled into an Anda post. “Anda” means “egg” in Sanskrit. In my tradition, Trika Shaivism, all of manifest life is said to be composed of Andas, or zones of creative production. Andas are where I post links to anything that has intrigued, moved, amazed, or inspired me lately.

I talk more about why and how K108 came to be here. Lots of love, and enjoy!

And now, on to the Anda!

1. Published in 2022, this transcendent new translation of Rumi is definitely the new Gold standard. Unlike Coleman Barks, who just kind of riffs on other translations of Rumi, Gafori is of Persian descent and translates from the original Farsi. She’s also a poet in her own right. Her renderings are magical. Get the book.

2. Looking for a bansuri flute or tanpura? These custom-made instruments from the Miraj, India workshop of Jason Kalidas are beyond great. Get started here. And listen to this recording of the tanpura that Javid, a 3rd generation tanpura and sitar maker, created for me recently. I’m waiting for the shipment to arrive as I write! Jason is also a bansuri concert musician. He has performed Indian classical and fusion music all over the west and India. Check out his website.

3. Continuing on with more music opps, thrill to the artistry of Indian mandolinist U. Srinivas. Suggested by K108 reader Vidhra Jackiw.

4. Did you know that an olive tree can live to be 5,000 years old? Here are some pictures of old olive trees, because beauty and wonder.

   

   

5. If you like playful vintage clothing from the 60s, 70s, and 80s with a hint of 40s, Better Call Sri is for you! Assemblist and purveyor Sri Louise was one of my first yoga teachers back in early San Francisco days. She’s also a dancer and sister activist. Check out her Etsy and get dressed!

   

6. Science fiction recommendation: If you haven’t yet gotten into the Apple TV production For All Mankind, you should. It’s an alternate history of the space race. Beautifully scripted, acted, and directed. Now in its fourth season, so you have some luxurious catching up to do. Pro tip: there are many ways you can get Apple TV+ for free.

7. The perfect mid-apocalypse time out: Cooking for Levi. Have I already mentioned this Instagram dad chef who cooks gourmet food for his two-year-old son? Seriously, if this doesn’t melt your heart and make you smile, well, I’m out of my lane.

8. What does from the river to the sea really mean? Find out from Jewish Currents.

9. Do you know about the Buy Nothing Movement? It’s a neighborhood-based get and give free stuff jam. You can offer anything you want to get rid of: clothing, household items, kids stuff, food, pets, lawn tools, decorations, furniture, and really anything. You can also get the same. Everything is free only.

   The Buy Nothing groups are all on Facebook. Just type in “Buy Nothing” and find your neighborhood and join in. There is also a Buy Nothing app, but I’ve never used it so can’t comment. Buy Nothing is a wonderful way that neighbors support and get to know each other.

   

10. Have you ever found yourself in need of a Star Trek-style scrolling intro video with custom text? I have more times than I care to admit. Luckily, there is the Star Wars Intro Creator. A 720p custom video is $10. Slightly more for higher resolution formats. Usually ready in a half hour.

11. Calling in people of European, British, Irish, and African ancestry. My Living DNA is a relatively new DNA analysis outfit that does it all, but also specializes in certain areas of the world. For instance, if your ancestors come from the British Isles, Living DNA might be able to pinpoint a specific neighborhood where your forefolks lived. They gave me much more information than Ancestry and bill their service as “the most detailed ancestry test in the world.”

12. Finally, don’t forget to protest! Resistbot is an easy way to send letters to your elected officials via their website, your text app, Whatsapp, or Facebook Messenger.

Not quite ready to fire up a paid subscription, but want to show your appreciation?

Please join Shambhavi and the Jaya Kula community for satsang & kirtan every Sunday at 3:00pm Pacific. Come in person to 1215 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR, or join Jaya Kula’s newsletter on Substack to get the Zoom link for satsang. You can also listen to my podcast—Satsang with Shambhavi—wherever podcasts are found.