Winter Solstice

Dec 21 is Winter Solstice

The winter solstice is an astronomical event that occurs annually around December 21st or 22nd in the northern hemisphere and around June 20th or 21st in the southern hemisphere. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.

It occurs when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. In the northern hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted directly away from the sun, resulting in the lowest position of the sun in the sky and shorter daylight hours. Conversely, in the southern hemisphere, the South Pole is tilted directly towards the sun, leading to longer days and shorter nights.

During the winter solstice, the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon, and the length of daylight is at its minimum. This phenomenon occurs because of the Earth's axial tilt, which causes variations in the amount of sunlight received by each hemisphere throughout the year.

The winter solstice tends to be more significant in non-equatorial regions because the changes in day length and sunlight are more noticeable. In these regions, the winter solstice marks the turning point of the seasons, with colder temperatures and shorter days leading up to it. Culturally, this transition has been associated with themes of rebirth, renewal, light, and the hope for the return of warmth and longer days.

Fall Equinox

The Fall equinox (September equinox, autumn equinox,fall equinox) is an astronomical event that occurs annually around September 22nd or 23rd in the northern hemisphere and around March 20th or 21st in the southern hemisphere. It marks the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator; the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the sun. As a result, the sun appears directly over the Earth's equator, and day and night are approximately of equal duration across the globe.

Rituals and celebrations associated with the fall equinox tend and be more significant in regions that are further away from the equator; where the changing of seasons, including the transition from summer to fall, is more noticeable, and the equinoxes have a greater impact on day length and seasonal shifts. However, variations of rituals and celebrations related to the fall equinox can be found across different latitudes and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the significance of this celestial event in various traditions.

• Harvest Festivals: Many cultures celebrate the fall equinox as a harvest festival, giving thanks for the abundance of crops and the bountiful harvest season. Examples include Thanksgiving in North America, Chuseok in Korea, and the Harvest Moon Festival in China.
• Mabon: Mabon is a neopagan festival that is often celebrated around the fall equinox. It is a time to honor the balance between light and dark and to express gratitude for the harvest. Rituals may involve feasting, making offerings to deities, and communing with nature.
• Day of the Dead: In some Latin American countries, including Mexico, the fall equinox coincides with the beginning of the Day of the Dead celebrations. This multi-day festival involves honoring deceased loved ones, creating altars, and participating in processions and ceremonies.
• Mid-Autumn Festival: The Mid-Autumn Festival is widely celebrated in East Asia, including China, Vietnam, and other regions with Chinese cultural influence. It typically falls around the fall equinox and is marked by the lighting of lanterns, family gatherings, moon-viewing, and the consumption of mooncakes.
• Pagan and Druidic Traditions: In certain pagan and druidic traditions, the fall equinox is known as "Mabon" or "Alban Elfed." It is considered a time of balance, with rituals centering on themes of thanksgiving, reflection, and preparing for the coming winter.

Day meets night, in a dance of equinox light

where seasons change in harmonious flight

Melon Stall

Just what you need for the hot summer 

A melon stall during a 2018 India trip

Autistic Traits in the General NT Population

 I'm somewhat conflicted on this research. We have hardly gotten around to understanding and finding solutions for the vast heterogeneity that is autism today. Frankly its one hot mess right now.

Are we adding to the confusion with studies like this which are going about investigating the general NT population to see if they too have "autistic traits." Its almost like trying to prove, everyone has some autistic traits which is all nice for a coffee chit chat, but is distracting us from focus on research based solutions that many of the more impacted autistics desperately need. Because if everyone has autism, then no further action is needed.

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Article 1

Palmer CJ, Paton B, Enticott PG, Hohwy J. 2015. “Subtypes” in the presentation of autistic traits in the general adult population. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 45:1291–301 

Key Takeaways.

• The study examined the presentation of autistic traits in a large adult population sample using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ).
• Cluster analysis was used to identify two subgroups with distinguishable trait profiles related to autism.
• The first subgroup (n = 1,059) reported significantly higher scores on the AQ subscales related to social difficulties (Social Skills and Communication) and significantly lower scores on the Detail Orientation subscale.
• The second subgroup (n = 1,284) reported significantly higher scores on the Detail Orientation subscale and significantly lower scores on the Social Skills subscale.
• The study also found that the AQ had a three-factor solution, with two related social-themed factors (Sociability and Mentalising) and a third non-social factor that varied independently (Detail Orientation).
• These findings suggest that there is significant variability in the presentation of autistic traits in the general adult population, and that different profiles of autistic characteristics tend to occur in nonclinical populations.

Article 2

Austin EJ. 2005. Personality correlates of the broader autism phenotype as assessed by the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Personal. Individ. Differ. 38:451–60

Key Takeaways

• There is evidence to suggest the existence of a broader autism phenotype, with non-autistic relatives of autistic individuals showing similar traits and characteristics.
• The study aimed to characterize the five-factor personality model profile of the broader autism phenotype as assessed by the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) which has shown to be a valid tool for assessing autism traits in the general population. 
• The AQ and personality scale were completed by 201 undergraduates and a second group of 136 adults completed the personality scale and the Asperger screening measure.
• High scores on both 'autism' measures were associated with high neuroticism and low extraversion and agreeableness.
• Three of the five proposed sub-scales of the AQ emerged from the factor analysis.
• Males had higher AQ scores than females, 'hard' science students had higher scores than other students, and students with parent(s) in a scientific occupation had higher scores.
• The AQ and sub-scales had satisfactory or near-satisfactory reliabilities.
• Male participants, science students, and individuals from a scientific family background tend to have higher scores on the AQ, indicating a higher likelihood of autistic traits.

This study explored the broader autism phenotype and its association with personality traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The study found correlations between AQ scores and personality traits, suggesting that the broader autism phenotype is associated with high Neuroticism and possibly Conscientiousness, as well as low Extraversion. The factor structure of the AQ was also examined, and group differences in AQ scores were observed. The study also compared the results from the student group with a screening instrument for Asperger syndrome in an older adult group. Overall, the AQ was found to have good psychometric properties and provided valuable insights into the broader autism phenotype.

Article 3: 

Ruzich E, Allison C, Smith P, Watson P, Auyeung B, et al. 2015. Measuring autistic traits in the general population: a systematic review of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient.  

Key Takeaways:

• The study reports a comprehensive systematic review of the literature to estimate a reliable mean AQ score in individuals without a diagnosis of an autism, in order to establish a reference norm for future studies.
• Mean AQ score for the nonclinical population was 16.94 (95% CI 11.6, 20.0), while mean AQ score for the clinical population with ASC was found to be 35.19 (95% CI 27.6, 41.1).
• In the nonclinical population, a sex difference in autistic traits was found, although no sex difference in AQ score was seen in the clinical ASC population.

Summer Soltice

Sun's longest sojourn

Heat waves dance in the daylight

Melting ice cream dreams.

The summer solstice is an astronomical event that occurs annually around June 20th or 21st in the northern hemisphere and around December 21st or 22nd in the southern hemisphere. It marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.

Astronomically, the summer solstice happens when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun. This means that the North Pole is tilted directly towards the sun, resulting in the sun appearing at its highest position in the sky, and the rays of sunlight falling more directly on the northern hemisphere. Conversely, in the southern hemisphere, the South Pole is tilted away from the sun, leading to shorter days and longer nights.

During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon, and the length of daylight is at its maximum. This phenomenon occurs because the Earth's axis is tilted approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbit around the sun. As the Earth orbits the sun, this tilt causes the amount of sunlight received by each hemisphere to vary throughout the year, leading to the changing seasons.

Many western european cultures celebrate the summer solstice. Some examples. 

• Stonehenge, England:  People gather to witness the sunrise aligned with the ancient stone monument.
• Midsummer's Eve  in Scandinavia (countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway) is celebrated with bonfires, traditional dances around maypoles, and feasts. It is a significant holiday in these cultures, often associated with fertility, love, and the celebration of nature.
• Sankthans (St Johns Eve), Norway: is celebrated on June 23rd in Norway. People gather around bonfires, sing songs, and enjoy traditional food and drinks. It is a time for community bonding and merriment.
• Fête de la Musique (Music Day), France:  musicians of all genres perform in the streets, parks, and public spaces. It is a day of music appreciation and open-air concerts.

However, summer solstice festivities tend to be less common or less significant in regions closer to the equator (eg: parts of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia). This is because the equatorial regions experience relatively consistent day lengths and sunlight throughout the year, with only minor variations so the seasons are less pronounced. As a result, the solstices do not bring about significant changes in the length of the day or the angle of the sun, as they do in regions farther from the equator. 

There are however some festivals in these regions that somewhat align and happen around the time of summer solstice. 

• The Massai of East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania): A traditional  warrior dance called Adumu (jumping dance) is performed during special occasions, including the solstices, as a way to celebrate and mark important events in their calendar.
• The Kukuya of Central Africa (Congo): have a solstice ritual called the "Iboundji" ceremony where people gather around a sacred tree and engage in traditional dances and songs to honor the sun and its role in their lives.
• The Dayak of Borneo: The  "Gawai" festival is held around June 1st coincides with the rice planting season and the beginning of the rainy season, and includes various rituals and celebrations that pay homage to the sun, earth, and spirits for a bountiful harvest.
• The T'boli of the Philippines:  During the summer solstice, people perform ceremonies and rituals related to the T'nalak art form (traditional weaving of abaca fibers into intricate patterns), which is believed to have spiritual and cosmic significance. 

Happy Tamil New Year

Puthandu /Tamil New Year is believed to be the day God Brahma, began his creation. It falls on the first day of the Tamil month of Chithirai (~Apr 13-15). Tamil calendar was created during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century CE.

Mango Pachadi, is the speciality food of the day, symbolizing the different flavors of life, including sweetness, sourness, bitterness, and tanginess.

Easter Egg Hunt.

Had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt organized by lab-mate Kimmy. Lots of student turn-out at Fannie Mae Park. The kids taking part sure had fun collecting eggs. 

Happy Pongal

All set for Pongal this morning, complete with Tiruman and Veshti (traditional attire).

Happy Pongal everyone.  

Ready to make some noise with a plate and spoon along with cries of "Pongal O Pongal" when the clay pot of (newly harvested) cooked rice boils over.

Happy Pongal everyone.

A Pongal lunch spread. While farmers celebrate the rice harvest, we celebrate their hardwork by feasting!! Happy Pongal everyone.

Vaikunta Ekadasi.

What are Hindu festivals like all about and why are there so many - almost one a month. In this busy, maddening, materialistic-chasing lives of ours which often is the hallmark of our progress, they serve as a reminder for us to really pause, contemplate and take stock our of spiritual pulse and progress. You could think of them as a mindfulness monthly check in. Images, rituals and the sounds involved are tools that facilitate this mindset. Its multisensory integration and balance for the body. For instance just reciting our Sanskrit slokas generate innumerable beneficial vibrations in the body and activate the significant chakras in the body. Images help with visual focus. The practical advice of regular fasting on the bi-monthly Ekadasi day from ancient times, is rediscovered and now marketed as a healthcare gut-cleanse. 

It's really amazing how Spirituality (the unexplained) of yesterday becomes the Science (the explained) of today. All the answers were always there, we just have to decode and understand them. In the modern era, we formulate explanations using the lens of science and evidence based research. Essentially, we are trying to reconstruct that old deciphering code, by asking the right questions, along with new technology; all of which kind of got lost/mangled over the centuries. Science is the process of "re-discovering" explanations. 

Today is Vaikunta Ekadasi, celebrated on the eleventh day of the waxing moon in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). It is also called Mukkoti Ekadashi. In our Puranas, it's the day the ocean (kshira sagara) was churned by both the devas and asuras for the nectar of immortality (amrit) during the Kurma Avatar era of Lord Vishnu;  the spiritual significance being churning your own heart for goodness and purity and ridding it of falsehood, ego and conceit. 

Vaikunta Ekadasi is also called Guruvar, the day our beloved Krishna imparted the knowledge of the Bhagawad Gita to Arjuna. The Gita is about inner spiritual practices in the form of the different types of Yogas, that not just help you in physical wellbeing  and spiritual progress personally, but the resultant flow of unselfish thoughts results in service to society. After all, as Krishna tells us, the greatest seva (service) is service to society. 

Vaikunta Ekadasi is a multiple-blessings day.  It's the day the doors of Vaikunta, the abode of Vishnu open; the spiritual significance being an invitation for self-examination in our journey from the untruth to truth. On another note, it is believed that if you die on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi, you bypass the rest of your karmic cycle of death-rebirths and attain Moksha, or liberation at the feet of God.  Kind of like an escape card. Of course we don't get to choose when we die, but I sure hope that when my time comes, it's on Vaikunta Ekadasi day. The essence of Karma is action and equal reaction, cause and equal consequence, which Newton "re-discovered" with a lens of science. Your actions in the present  (positive or negative) will have equal consequences in this lifetime or a future lifetime and our goal in every lifetime should be to cancel out all the negative accumulated karmic debt. Your atma (soul) has a much longer timespan that your mortal body in its journey to liberation. Rebirth makes total sense in modern lingo; we call it recycling now, instead of use-once and dispose off the old which just accumulates in polluting landfills. 

Holiday Giving

In this holiday season of giving, a plug for all autism/disability organizations I've been involved or benefited from growing up with autism. All of them have done impactful work on varying fronts and close to my heart. Consider donating. It takes a village where many different angles need to be acted on. 

• Autistic Self Advocacy Network https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/
• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund https://dredf.org/
• Autism Society of America https://autismsociety.org/
• Communication First https://communicationfirst.org/
• The Brain Foundation https://brainfoundation.org/
• Inclusive World. https://inclusiveworld.org/

A Ganesha Carrot

Ganesha shaped carrot from our garden

In time for Ganesha Chaturti

Happy Thanksgiving

 

"In this time of a global pandemic and untidy political landscape, it is all the more important that we practice gratitude. We can, as Mother Theresa once said, be grateful for what we can give rather than for what we receive." - Hari Srinivasan

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

The importance of Gratitude

As the name suggests, Thanksgiving is a time when our minds turn towards gratitude and giving thanks. But what exactly is gratitude. The 18th century philosopher and economist, Adam Smith, had deemed Gratitude as the Social Glue of economic culture.


In her book, The How of Happiness, American psychologist, Sonja Lyubomirsky lists “Expressing Gratitude” as Happiness Activity No 1. She says most people associate gratitude with saying thanks to someone but gratitude is actually much more - wonder, appreciation, looking at the bright side, fathoming abundance, counting blessings, present-oriented, not taking things for granted, coping and counting blessings.


In an article for the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, Robert Emmons, the world leading researcher on gratitude, explains that there are two components to gratitude. The first is affirmation of goodness. Life is undoubtedly filled with both good and bad moments. “But when we look at life as a whole, gratitude encourages us to identify some amount of goodness in our life.”


The second component of Gratitude according to Emmons is figuring out the source of goodness. It is be a humbling experience as we focus not just on our pride in personal accomplishments but acknowledge the dependence on others, even higher powers, that “gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives”


Emmons goes on to explain that the benefits of gratitude span the physical, psychological and social realms. It magnifies positive emotions, blocks negative emotions, makes you more stress resistant and have a higher sense of self-worth. But what is most striking according to Emmons, are the social “relationship-strengthening” benefits. Various studies have demonstrated that people who practice gratitude are more helpful and compassionate towards others. He also urges us to think outside the box when it comes to what is gratitude. We can as Mother Theresa had once said, be grateful for what we can give rather than for what we receive.


Emmons points out that practicing gratitude is not easy as it can mean we feel we are less in control or that we are giving away credit due to us to others. He suggests two simple activities to get started.

A gratitude journal listing just five things once a week.

Count your blessings on a regular basis, maybe once a day

In a 2015 article by psychologist Juliana Brieines for The Greater Good Science Center adds further practises.

Mental Subtraction of Positive Events, that is, not taking things for granted. Consider the positive events in your life and imagine what your life would have been like without them.


A Savoring Walk once a week by yourself, where you “pay close attention to as many positive sights, sounds, smells, or other sensations as you can.”


This Thanksgiving, let us see what the NeuroNav team is grateful for

Hari: I’m constantly grateful to the various people at different points in my life who have supported me in many ways. I’m grateful to God, for my talents and my intelligence which was not something taught or learned during my many years in special education. I’m grateful to everyone at UC Berkeley for providing a supportive environment that helps me pursue my desire for a college education, an aspiration that cannot be taken for granted for people with significant disabilities like me. I’m grateful to my family for their never give up attitude towards me and especially in this time of covid which has been difficult for me. And I’m grateful that I too am able to contribute back to society in whatever small way I can.

Sabrina - This year I am grateful for my family, including my new husband. They have always been such a huge anchoring force in my life, and they have been that and more in these unpredictable times. And while it’s been hard not to see many of them in person, our weekly Zoom calls have become my favorite weekend activity, and one that I hope we will continue even as things find their way back to “normal.”

Emma - I am most grateful for the health of my family, especially my father who works at a hospital as a physician. I am also grateful for my husky who keeps me smiling :)


Nick - Even though I could not have expected how this year has turned out, I am very grateful for the friends and family I hold near and dear to my heart. They have supported me in the ups and downs of this time and I love them very much.

Rachel - I am grateful for new opportunities and the great people in my life.

Katie - I’m grateful for my friends, family, and my health. In a time that could be very isolating (and has been for many), I’ve been able to stay connected (virtually and socially distanced) to the people who I care most about. I think that has really helped me stay sane (ish!) throughout the pandemic.


Full Article here: https://www.neuronav.org/post/the-importance-of-gratitude

Renaissance Man

https://www.dailycal.org/2020/01/28/renaissance-man/

A Poem on failed New Year's Resolutions

accompanied by an amazing illustration by Daily Cal Art Dept

Stuffed Thanksgiving

Helping stuff tomatoes for our veg Thanksgiving. - Stuffed Tomatoes in Gravy.

Menu includes Fusion Biryani, Pineapple Salsa, Mashed Potatoes. 

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Kedar's Engagement

Kedar used to volunteer with me as a high school senior at Archbishop Mitty School

Holi@Cal

Holi 2019 @ Cal

3/16: Another March Holi at Cal that was a total Blast

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Holi 2018 @ Cal

Holi March 2018 at Cal in the Foothill Parking Lot was loud and crazy.
I loved it.

Here's a video of Holi at Cal from a previous year

Jolly St Nick

Jolly St. Nick comes flying on his reindeer drawn sleigh. He lands on the snow-laden roof, climbs down the chimney and lays out presents under the Christmas Tree, before he sets off again. It’s every child’s fantasy to catch Santa in the act of climbing down the chimney or the sight of him enjoying the milk and cookies laid out for him. Oh to see the lovely reindeer that pulled his magical sleigh! The anticipation of seeing the gifts appear magically under the tree on Xmas morning is almost too much to bear.

As a child I did believe in the existence of Santa Claus. It was a time when one's perception of the word was much more simple - where things were black and white, with no shades of gray. After all, Santa spent all year slogging it away with the elves at the North Pole, making toys. He was this really chubby guy with a jovial face and wore an attractive red suit. And he loved kids - he would grant you any wish you wanted. His address was just so simple - “Santa Claus, North Pole,” and the Post Office knew exactly where to send your wish list.

Ah, the bliss of childhood memories!

I was around 7 or 8 when I started thinking about the physics and economics of this phenomenon. Xmas day like any other day lasts exactly 24 hrs if you take the earth’s spin into account. In 24 hrs, he has to visit every home on earth – look at the exploding global population - currently at 6.7 billion. That’s a LOT of homes to cover in a small amount of time. For each home he has to fly there, land on its roof, climb down the chimney, leave presents under the tree, snack on the milk and cookies, climb up the chimney, and fly off.

Why did Santa need to snack on milk and cookies at every home anyway? No wonder he is so chubby! He probably has to be on a salad diet the rest of the year. Was he just tired from all the climbing, up and down the chimneys? Did the reindeer get snacks too for their hard work? Surely they were tired too!

His sleigh has to land on snowy, possibly icy roofs. How do the reindeer manage to not slip off the roof? The sleigh must have some terrific traction technology. And what happens where there are no slanting roofs - like in apartments blocks. There are no fireplaces in warmer countries either – how does he enter.  Was Santa just limited to snow bound parts of the world? And what happened to the kids with no X-mas trees - were they denied toys?

How did he manage with that suit of his? It’s warm and great for the Artic skies, but what did he do in the countries south of the Equator- in the midst of their summer at Xmas time? And how did the sleigh work in the desert and the plains?

To top it all, how on earth did he manage to fit all the toys (which took all year to make) into one red sack?

How did the lean figure of the Christian saint, Bishop Nicholas transform into the roly-poly red jolly figure we know today. The transformation started in the 1820s with an anonymous poem titled “Sante Claus.” Soon after, Santa Claus became an American phenomenon, with the publication of the poem “The Night before Christmas.” The image of the red figure with flying reindeer and elves was permanently sealed in our psyche.

There are however lots of $$$ at stake when Santa season is on. Malls are crowded and guys in red Santa suits are found everywhere. You pay for the privilege of sitting on his lap or even taking a photo with Santa. Kids make wish-lists for Santa and parents pay – a price to uphold notions of Santa’s existence. But can all parents necessarily afford to pay this price. Santa has unfortunately become the epitome of our society’s consumerism – pushing everything from coca colas to every other product at the malls and stores.

It was so much easier when memories of Santa were of the Jolly Red Guy, with a snowy beard, who just truly loved kids, with no other strings.

Cheers Santa!

Tranquility

What better way to end the week than with a glorious evening of music and song?

Pandit Habib Khan, who is also my teacher, gave a fundraiser concert along with Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri last night at the McAfee Center for Performing Arts in Saratoga.

Pt. Habit Khan started the evening with Raga Marwa on his Sitar. The swara set for this raag is SrGmPDN and a has a lot of dominance on r and D which in consonance brings about a delightful melodic effect. The pancham is skipped for this lovely evening raag. Panditji began with an aalap which is the introductory piece, oft improvised, but within the constructs of the raaga. His voice was a little hoarse, as he was a little ill, but he more than made up for it with his skill on the Sitar.

Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri then joined in on the tabla. What a treat it was to see this jugalbandhi between two such accomplished musicians and the playful banter they exhibited through their instruments. Their fingers just danced on the sitar and tabla and the result was an exquisite 1.5 hours.

Our plan was to leave during the 7pm break. Sitting for long periods and controlling this easily excitable body are an ongoing challenge for me. Then we found out that a number of students from the Saraswati Gurukul, which is Pt. Habit Khan's school, were performing after the break. I was introduced to some of them as well by Sanjanaji and Rubyji. Well this was something not to be missed - I really did want to see this portion too and decided to try to stay for the 2nd half. After a quick dash home for dinner, we were back.

The performance by the Shivaranjani Orchestra did not fail to live upto its promise. 24 in all - 12 vocalists, 6 on sitar, 4 on tabla, 2 on sax, 1 on flute. And Pt. Habit Khan of course conducting and sometimes playing a little tabla too. It was his composition, starting with raaga Shivaranjani, leading to Raaga Bhopali and Raaga Bhairavi.

A Sarva-Dharma treat it was for sure - Gayatri Mantra and Ganapati Bapa in the same breath as Buddha, Allah and Guru Nanak. Lyrics from a few old melodic Hindi songs, the Sufi Mast Kalandar and Meera and Radha's longing for Krishna all combined to make it lively performance. Interspersed into the composition were of course individual performances. All my teachers were there - Rekhaji, Sanjanaji, Rubyji and Davidji. Davidji skillfully alternated between both his sitar and tabla. He usually uses a tabla in class so it was interesting to see him play a totally different instrument.

I was on a music high by the 2nd half. Then a strong smell of smoke in the auditorium during the last half hour started, adding a total discordant note and had a not so positive effect on my senses. I may have been somewhat noisy there for a bit.

Overall a delightful evening.