HOUSTON’S BEST KEPT SECRETS: BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

I am rediscovering my beloved hometown, Houston Texas. If you know anyone from Houston, you know we are absolutely IN LOVE with our city. I plan to go to all of Houston’s best-kept secrets. All of our wonderful restaurants, bars, museums, clubs, concerts, parks, events, basically wherever the universe takes me. I’m not a photographer and probably never will be, so please bare with me. Number one on the list of Houston’s “Best Kept Secrets” is BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR. This is the first Hindu Mandir of its kind in The United States of America. I am not Hindu. I am a strong spiritual Christian,  who believes that everyone has a right to believe in what they want. I believe We should worry less about division and focus on what truly matters. I love studying other cultures and religions, to gain knowledge and insight. Remember, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Every sacred text is trying to tell us the same thing, to be a good moralistic human being. To be a human being that believes and has hope for better days. They may have a different story line, sacred text, god, or ritual but still get this beautiful message across. I want to quickly share what I gained from this experience, other than being able to see something so beautiful. 

1) Hindu temples are not about religion, they are about spirituality. A man there told me he was Christian and does believe in God but goes there for serenity, peace, reflection, and meditation sometimes. 

2) NO PHONES IN TEMPLES, I almost got in trouble for that one trying to get a cute picture for the gram. ( yikes )

3) I actually heard someone use the term “Namaste”. The people who are in the temple for “worship” put their hands in a prayer pose and bow their head saying “Namaste”, every time you pass them. It is basically a greeting and respect thing. You don’t conduct full blown conversations in the temple because it is a time for yourself and your thoughts. Simply say “Namaste” and keep it moving.   

4) Keep an open mind and an open heart.

5) It's almost impossible to have pride and peace. They just do not go together. I’ll explain this later.

By Pennie Anassi 

“A Pennie For Your Thoughts”