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Daily Express
08-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Astrological mystery of twins
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Dr T Selva Text Size: IDENTICAL twins are nature's mirror images. Born from the same womb, often just minutes apart, they share a similar genetic makeup that even science remains intrigued by. Advertisement But what happens when we turn to the stars? Do twins born a minute apart share the same destiny according to Indian Vedic astrology, or does that single minute mark the beginning of two distinct karmic journeys? This thought-provoking question sparked lively debate among 200 delegates at the International Astrology, Vasthu and Tantra Conference, recently held in the scenic hill town of Bhedetar, Nepal. Renowned Nepali celebrity astrologer Harihar Adhikari brought the issue to the fore, eager to hear diverse perspectives from the participants at the event organised by the World Astro Federation. In classical Vedic astrology, a birth chart is cast based on the exact time, date, and place of birth. Advertisement When twins are born within a short interval, say one or two minutes, their charts are often nearly identical, especially if no central celestial body changes position in that span. However, veteran astrologers caution against interpreting such charts identically. Why? Because astrology is not just about the static placement of planets, it's also about karma (destiny to be experienced in this life), free will, and the unique unfolding of life's journey. According to Kathmandu-based astrologer Madhav Mangal Joshi, even with nearly identical charts, twins may display different temperaments, pursue other careers, or encounter life's challenges and triumphs at various times. He explained that subtle planetary influences, such as the divisional charts and 'nakshatras' (lunar mansions), can vary slightly even within a minute, offering clues to these differences. The ascendant (lagna), the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth, is one of the most crucial elements in a birth chart. It can shift every two to three minutes. If twins are born on the cusp of this shift, they may have different ascendants, leading to dramatically different readings of personality and life direction. Even when the ascendant remains the same, experienced astrologers may use more refined tools such as divisional charts, moon-sign-based interpretations, and planetary period systems (dasha) to distinguish between the twins' karmic blueprints. From a spiritual perspective, India-based astrologer Acharya Ashok Kumar Mishra said Vedic astrology holds that no two souls are alike, even if born at nearly the exact moment. Each individual carries their own karmic imprint, shaped by past actions and destined experiences. 'Twins may grow up in the same environment,' Mishra added, 'but they interpret and respond to life through the lens of their individual karmas. That's why one twin may become a doctor while the other chooses to be a chef, or one might marry early while the other later. Despite external similarities, their inner landscapes, desires, fears, and aspirations are uniquely theirs. Many veteran astrologers view twins as ideal case studies for how astrology intersects with the soul's free will and environmental conditioning. Some believe that even when planetary positions match, transits (ongoing planetary movements), progressions, and personal choices ultimately lead to different life trajectories. Others argue that subtle energy shifts, even within a minute, can alter destinies in ways not fully captured by traditional charts, calling for a more intuitive or spiritually attuned approach. So, do identical twins born a minute apart share the same fate? According to Vedic astrology, the answer lies somewhere between yes and no. They may be born under the same stars, but they walk their own paths, guided by the invisible threads of karma and choice. In the end, astrology reminds us that even when the heavens align, the soul's journey is singular, shaped by intention, coloured by experience, and lit from within by the light of self-awareness. Some traditions also hold that the younger twin may, in fact, be the elder in a spiritual sense. This subject resonates deeply with me because I have twin sons, born just a minute apart, identical in appearance yet infinitely distinct in spirit, who have shown me that age is far more than a number on a birth certificate. One emerged first, greeted the world with a newborn cry, and claimed his place. And a minute later, the other arrived, softer, quieter, but no less present. For years, people have asked: 'Who's the elder?' And I would reply with the answer the clock gave me. But deep within, I sometimes wonder, was the one who waited the elder soul? I remember what the elders say: the second-born twin often chooses to wait and let the other go first. This is a quiet strength that doesn't need to announce itself. Some traditions say the second-born is actually conceived first, making him spiritually senior, a truth that only the soul remembers. As I watch them grow now as young men walking their paths, I see how both carry different flames from the same fire. One leans into leadership, the other into depth. One speaks his truth, the other feels before speaking with wisdom. Both reflect parts of me, and yet both exceed anything I ever imagined. So, when I hear the old saying that the younger is the elder, I smile because in some unseen realm, it just might be true. Over the years, I've seen them take turns being the elder, not by birth, but by presence. Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at [email protected]. Facebook: Vasthu Sastra * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Where mist meets the soul
Published on: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 25, 2025 By: Dr T Selva Text Size: HIGH in the hills of eastern Nepal, nestled within the Dhankuta District, lies a small yet profoundly stirring place called Bhedetar. To the casual visitor, it might seem just another mist-laden hill station, its charm rooted in cool breezes and shifting clouds. But for the soul seeking peace, healing, and inner stillness, Bhedetar offers far more than scenic views; it provides a sanctuary of harmony. I arrived without expectations, carrying only a quiet longing to unplug from the world's noise. What I found was a landscape seemingly crafted for reflection. Perched at around 1,420 metres above sea level, Bhedetar is known for its mist drifting and merging with clouds that seem to carry a silent message from the skies. Here, nature is not simply beautiful; it is alive with presence. Advertisement Bhedetar's essence, however, goes beyond natural serenity. This tranquil region has also served as a backdrop for peace-building efforts, with non-governmental organisations hosting training sessions on conflict resolution and harmony. I have come here to deliver a talk at the three-day International Astro Vasthu and Tantra Conference, hosted by the World Astro Federation this weekend. I now understand why this place was chosen as the venue for the 200 delegates. There is something in the air. Perhaps the seclusion and silence soften the spirit and open the heart. They encourage healing conversations, not only with others but also within oneself. A short distance from the village lies Namaste Falls, a cascading vision of purity. As I watched the water descend with roaring grace, catching glimpses of the occasional rainbow-like arc, I understood why waterfalls are often seen as symbols of spiritual cleansing. There were no words, no rituals, just the sound of rushing water and the quiet knowing that something within had shifted. The cascading waters of Namaste Falls symbolise cleansing and spiritual purification. The pure, flowing water represents the washing away negativity and impurities, inviting renewal for both body and soul. The name 'Namaste', a respectful greeting meaning 'I bow to the divine in you,' reflects people's deep reverence in the presence of the falls. Many visitors experience this place as a connection point with nature's divine energy. The waterfall's tranquil surroundings and soothing sound create an ideal environment for meditation, prayer, and inner reflection, making it a natural sanctuary for those seeking peace and solace. Part of the local heritage, Namaste Falls is often included in spiritual and cultural journeys through the region, linking visitors to the traditions and beliefs of indigenous communities. Many believe the waterfall radiates positive energy, contributing to physical and emotional healing for those who spend time near its mist and flow. Every step in this land feels like a quiet echo of those who walked before by saints, seekers, and solitary wanderers who came not for spectacle but solace and spiritual refuge. As I prepare to spend the coming week immersed in this sacred landscape, I look forward to deepening my spiritual exploration, guided by the stillness, the silence, and the unseen grace that lingers in the air. Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at [email protected]. Facebook: Vasthu Sastra * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Sacred echoes from ancient Egypt
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 By: Dr T Selva Text Size: WALKING into the 'Discovering Ancient Egypt' exhibition at the Queensland Museum, I felt an unexpected hush settle over me, like I'd stepped into a sacred space. Surrounded by ancient relics, I was drawn into a world where every painted coffin and intricately carved amulet seemed to whisper stories from a long time ago. Advertisement Among the more than 250 artefacts on display, the stone coffin sarcophagi first drew me into meditative stillness. Their surfaces, adorned with hieroglyphs, vivid depictions of gods, and protective spells, held a powerful presence. These inscriptions were spiritual maps, crafted to guide the soul safely through the afterlife and ward off unseen dangers. The sarcophagi were not merely burial vessels, but gateways to the eternal. Advertisement The exhibition carefully handles sensitive material, including displaying human and animal remains. In a respectfully curated gallery, five mummified individuals are presented: a woman named Ta(net)kharu (also referred to as Tadis), a young girl, Sensaos, a man named Harerem, and two unidentified individuals, one male and one female. For visitors who prefer to avoid this section, the museum provides an option to bypass it. Now, under the museum's custodianship, these remains are treated with utmost dignity. The museum also engaged in meaningful consultations with First Nations groups and members of the Egyptian-Australian community to ensure a culturally sensitive and ethically responsible presentation. Standing before these mummies invites deep reflection on life, death, and humanity's evolving rituals of remembrance. It is a solemn yet enlightening experience that reminds us of our collective responsibility to preserve and interpret the past with reverence. What struck me most was a profound sense of continuity. The human impulse to honour the dead, to find meaning in mortality, and to leave behind traces of existence transcends time and culture. Each coffin told the story of a soul's journey into the afterlife. To the ancient Egyptians, death was not an end, but a sacred transition. Even the eyes painted on the coffins were not merely decorative; they were meant to let the deceased see into the next world, staying watchful and connected. Every pigment, every carved line, carried sacred meaning. It was as if the divine had been etched into the grain of the wood and the mineral of the paint. Equally moving were the amulets, small but vast in symbolism. Fashioned from carnelian, faience, and gold, they were far more than ornaments. They were tangible prayers. The ankh for life, the scarab for rebirth, and the eye of Horus for protection embodied a spiritual force intended to shield and guide the soul through the perils of the afterlife. I was struck by the spiritual intelligence embedded in these artefacts. In today's material-obsessed world, here was a civilisation that infused the sacred into everyday objects. Their faith extended beyond temples and was woven into life and death. These amulets and coffins remind us that to live well is to die well and to see life not as a race against time, but as a holy variety of experiences. One display in particular captivated me: a collection of amulets crafted for the living and the dead. It resonated with the principles of Vasthu Sastra, which also recognises the protective and symbolic power of sacred objects. Like ancient Egyptians, who used amulets to ensure spiritual safety and harmony, Vasthu Sastra prescribes yantras, sacred geometric symbols, and similar amulets to balance energy, ward off negativity, and enhance well-being. The parallels across cultures and centuries reaffirm a universal human instinct: to seek protection and harmony through sacred symbolism. I returned with a gold Egyptian cartouche pendant. Its elegant hieroglyphics encase the name of a royal figure, and the pendant is believed to bestow protection and good fortune upon the wearer. When I chose it, I felt an unspoken connection to the ancient world, drawn not just by its beauty but also by its timeless hope. I now wear it close to my heart, not merely as a souvenir but as a personal talisman, a reminder of history's sacredness and the enduring human quest for meaning and protection. In a world that often rushes forward, it is grounding to pause and reflect on the ancient wisdom that has guided civilisations for millennia. These symbols, rooted in deep spiritual and cultural traditions, continue to offer us insights. They teach us that even in the modern age, we can draw strength from the past and carry forward its lessons of balance, protection, and the search for deeper significance. The Discovering Ancient Egypt exhibition runs in Brisbane until August. I urge you to walk among these ancient treasures for those yearning for beauty, wisdom, or a deeper connection to humanity's eternal questions. Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at [email protected] / Facebook: Vasthu Sastra * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
11-05-2025
- Daily Express
Remembering fearless Ritchie
Published on: Sunday, May 11, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 11, 2025 By: Dr T Selva Text Size: News of James Alexander Ritchie's passing on May 3rd in Kuching came as a jolt, not just to the media fraternity, but to anyone who ever crossed paths with the man who reported Sarawak's soul with unflinching honesty and heartfelt nuance. At 75, he died following a heart attack, leaving behind not just headlines and bylines but stories that shaped our understanding of an overlooked region. His legacy lies not only in the awards he won but in the silence he broke, the voices he amplified, and the guiding principles he followed in a profession often driven by his courage, compassion, and conviction. He was meant to meet Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar last Monday to discuss the progress of his book about him, but fate had other plans. The governor, who paid his last respects in Kuching, described James as a dear friend and an exceptional individual. For me, James was far more than a colleague; he was both a mentor and a good-natured rival. I first met James when I began writing for the New Straits Times in 1979. At the time, he was already a leading crime reporter in the country. His advice still echoes in my ears: 'If you want to be an outstanding journalist, be on the ground and be first at the scene.' True to his motto of always being early on the scene, James lived up to his reputation. I still vividly remember how he was the first reporter to arrive at the site of the brutal murder of former beauty queen Jean Perera Sinnappa near Subang Airport on April 6, 1979. A case that remains unsolved to this day. Our paths crossed more meaningfully in 1985, when I was posted to Kuching to establish The Star's bureau in Sarawak. James was then the New Straits Times correspondent in Kuching. He was among the first contacts I met, and he had an enviable network and an unmatched grasp of Sarawak's ethnic communities and political landscape. Despite working for a rival newspaper, he welcomed me warmly and helped me navigate the unfamiliar terrain. I remember one of our early field assignments covering the state elections together in Lubok Antu. We travelled deep into the interior for a story, bouncing along muddy roads in a rickety four-wheel drive and swapping stories along the way. While I was still finding my bearings, politically and geographically, James was in his element. He easily spoke with local leaders, sprinkled conversations with humour and even in the Iban dialect, and explained cultural differences with patience and clarity. In those moments, I saw his journalistic skill and strong connection with the people of Sarawak, where he studied, as his father was the former Sarawak police chief. One of his most memorable investigative stories involved Bruno Manser, the Swiss environmental and human rights activist who had entered Sarawak illegally to live among the nomadic Penan people. Manser brought international attention to the destruction of the Borneo rainforest due to logging. James tracked Manser down, secured an exclusive interview, and published a front-page series in the New Straits Times on September 9, 1986. That scoop beat me to a story. I had embarked on a similar trail, spending two weeks trekking into the interior of Long Seridan to locate the elusive Manser. Unfortunately, I could only meet his associates. It was too dangerous to meet him in person because he was evading the police then, and the Special Branch was already tracking me for entering a remote interior area without a permit. (Non-Sarawakians and foreigners must obtain special permission from the authorities before visiting certain remote or indigenous areas in Sarawak.) Manser had helped the Penan organise anti-logging blockades in the late 1980s, actions that drew global media coverage. His mysterious disappearance in May 2000 during a covert return to Sarawak sparked international concern. Despite exhaustive searches, Manser was never found and was declared legally dead in 2005. James narrated this extraordinary saga in his book Bruno Manser: The Inside Story, which resulted from seven years of painstaking research, interviews, and travels. He collected materials from multiple sources and undertook gruelling land, sea, and air trips to spend time with indigenous communities and grasp the complexities of the logging issue. On page 124, the book even references my attempt to reach Manser and how, due to the danger, I ultimately had to turn back. James will be remembered for his spirited journalism and untiring dedication to the Penan community, now numbering around 12,000, with the majority living in permanent settlements. He gave voice to often forgotten people, telling their stories with rare sensitivity and integrity. His distinguished career included stints with The New Straits Times, The Borneo Post, Sarawak Tribune and Eastern Times. James was much more than a journalist; he was a passionate golfer and an enthusiastic participant in rugby, football, hockey, and cricket. Beyond his sporting talents, he was equally captivating as a pianist and singer. Among his many accolades were the National Journalists Day (Hawana) Award and the Kenyalang Journalism Award he received last year. James's passing is a deep loss. But even in mourning, we celebrate a legacy of daring storytelling, standing up for the voiceless, and lifting others, even in a competitive field. He taught me that journalism is not merely about scoops, bylines and headlines. It is about service, truth, and humanity. Award-winning writer Dr T. Selva is the author of the bestsellers Vasthu Sastra Guide and Secrets of Happy Living. To get a copy, WhatsApp 019-2728464. He can be reached at [email protected]. Facebook: Vasthu Sastra * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
