They say that happiness is the most important emotion in our life. Nothing else feels as beautiful or wonderful as happiness. In fact, the very purpose of life should be the pursuit of happiness! In day-to-day life, happiness is the balance of emotions – experiencing more positive than negative feelings. It is about satisfaction and […]
Tag: Zoroastrian scholar
Remembering Our Near And Dear Ones
According to the Shehenshahi calendar, the Holy Fravardegan or Muktad days will commence on 5th August and end on 14th August, 2024. The Parsi New Year this year will coincide with India’s Independence Day on 15th August, 2024. It will continue to coincide with this date for four years, after which it will move to 14th August, since we do not […]
Zurvanism, Manicheism and Mazdakism
Recently, I was in a discussion with a friend who felt we have so many factions within our miniscule community – there’s Shehenshahi, Kadmi and Fasli Zoroastrians. These mainly differ in terms of the Zoroastrian calendar and in some matters of religious rituals. Besides these three groups, there are observers of the Ilm-e-kshnoom way of […]
Embrace Change Without Compromising Core Values
Over two thousand five hundred years ago, the Greek Philosopher Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” Indeed, everything changes with time, and change is the only constant. The world we live in is fast changing and there is great pressure on the community to move with the times. But, change, especially within an […]
Reverence to Mother Earth
The Holy Month of Aspandarmad has already commenced as per the Shehenshahi Zoroastrian calendar. Interestingly, the Zoroastrian calendar commences with Fravardin as the first month and Aspandarmad as the twelfth and last month. Fravardin is dedicated to Fravahar or the prototype of all creation and Aspandarmad is dedicated to earth, where we see all good […]
Second World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum – Bridging Tradition and Modernity
The second World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum (WZYLF 2.0), which was held from 24th to 2nd June, 2024, at The ASHA Centre in Gloucestershire, UK, brought together 29 young and dynamic participants from across the world including India, Iran, Canada, USA, UK and Dubai. The ASHA Centre, an educational charity nestled in the Forest of […]
Lessons From The Desert Province Of Yazd
For Zoroastrians, the desert province of ‘Yazd’ (meaning God), located between two great deserts – Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, holds tremendous significance. From my very first time visit in 1995 to my recent visit this year, I remain amazed at how such an unforgiving arid desert can exude so much spiritual energy. The narrow […]
Spiritual Might And Myths Of Holy Mountains
Having recently spent two wonderful weeks in Iran, I asked myself what I felt most attracted to, or connected with, in the land of our Zoroastrian ancestors. The answer, clearly, was the majestic mountain ranges, starting with the Alborz in the North and the Zagros in the South. There’s something amazingly vibrant about them – […]
Gratitude To The Wise Creator
As per the Shehenshahi calendar, we are currently observing the holy Dae Mahino. This month is dedicated to the Supreme Divinity (Ahura Mazda), and therefore considered one of the most significant in the Zoroastrian calendar of twelve months. The term Ahura Mazda is translated as Ahura (Lord) and Mazda (Wisdom). More liberally translated, Ahura is ‘Creator’ (and therefore Lord or Master of all creations) […]
Celebrating Motherhood
Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of the month of May and this year, 12th May will be observed as Mother’s Day. Mothers, across almost all species, are known to zealously protect and nourish their offspring. A Mother deserves all the adoration for offering unconditional love to her children, often putting the […]
The Poison of Pessimism
Whenever calamities strike, some prophets of doom start to rejoice: “This was prophesied centuries ago,” they claim with glee, adding, “This must happen so that there will be a new world order and the great redeemer will redeem this earth.” I was discussing the recent conflict between Iran and Israel with a few friends and […]