sábado, 5 de noviembre de 2011

Global Village Initiative Committee meets at Mumbai



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"Planet ISKCON" - 46 new articles

  1. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  2. Spiritual Scientist: The Treasure of the Pauper
  3. Haricharana das, Indonesia: Damodar Puja Festival Groups of Devotees from our ISKCON temples...
  4. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Urmila Mataji
  5. Dandavats.com: Tucson's 'Feast for the Beast' Feed the Animals - Don't Eat Them!
  6. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for November 5
  7. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected Writings
  8. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Video: Re-Living Nuit Blanche with the Hare Krishnas!
  9. ISKCON News.com: Personal Reflections on the Sacred Bond of Marriage
  10. Japa Group: Japa Is My Most Seri­ous Med­i­ta­tion
  11. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  12. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  13. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  14. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  15. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  16. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  17. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  18. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  19. Dandavats.com: Global Village Initiative Committee meets at Mumbai
  20. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Seminar Lecture (1) : Lord Krishna's Vrindavana Pastimes
  21. ISKCON Toronto, Canada: Video: Guru-Puja from Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day Celebrations
  22. Dandavats.com: An Interview with Suresvara Dasa on the Prabhupada Seminar
  23. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION STORY
  24. H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami: The desire to go back to Godhead
  25. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Syama, the son of Sankirtana dasa and Medhya dd offered to Radha-Syama
  26. H.H. Sivarama Swami: This year’s theme for our Prabhupada book distribution marathon is “May everyone be happy.”
  27. New Vrndavan, USA: CVPT – Agriculture, Cows and Self Reliance Minutes 10/17/11
  28. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for November 4
  29. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected Writings
  30. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Poem for November 3
  31. H.H. Satsvarupa das Goswami (Ret.): Selected Writings
  32. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.66.7-8
  33. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Vaishnava-Etiquette (2), Mauritius, 25 March 2011.
  34. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Ultimate Goal of life from Vedic Perspective
  35. ISKCON Desire Tree: Vaishnava Calender - Vaishnava Calender - Suddha Ekadasi : Fasting for Utthana Ekadasi,Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji - Disappearance,Bhisma Pancaka
  36. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 3, Chapter 24, The Renunciation Of Kardama Muni, Text 40
  37. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Jaya Radha Madhava with harmonium
  38. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 3, Chapter 32, Entanglement In Fruitive Activities, Text 39-40
  39. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 5.13.19
  40. ISKCON News.com: New Vrindaban Organic Gardening Inspires Local Sustainability
  41. ISKCON News.com: Hare Krishna - A Fun Song Made With Body Sounds
  42. ISKCON News.com: Congregational Development Ministry Offers New E-Books
  43. Gouranga TV: Krishna Prasad Das-Diwali-Oct 26 2011 026.MTS
  44. Mayapur Online: All Glories to mother Cow - Gopastami
  45. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana
  46. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Saturday 5 November 2011--We Can See Krishna--and--Why Spiritual Name is Important?
  47. More Recent Articles
  48. Search Planet ISKCON
  49. Prior Mailing Archive

ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Today's Darsana

06/11/2011


"His deeds are sweet, His conquest is sweet,
His thieving is sweet, His love-sports are sweet, His oblations are sweet, His countenance is sweet..."

(Madhurastakam)

Be it in the form of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Ballabha or Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra Devi, Your darsana remains equally sweet.

 

 
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Spiritual Scientist: The Treasure of the Pauper

Often, only when we are put into circumstances where Krishna is all that we have that we realize Krishna is all that we need. That is why Queen Kunti in her prayers to Lord Krishna in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (1.8.27) addresses him as akinchana-vittaya, the treasure of the pauper: it is only when we lose everything that we consider to be a treasure and are reduced to a pauper that we realize that Krishna is our actual – and only – treasure. Of course, we don't have to become paupers to realize this. By hearing attentively and contemplating prayerfully the messages of Krishna given in the sacred scriptures, we can gain the twin realizations that, even when we possess worldly treasures, we are still paupers for those treasures can neither truly prevent the miseries of life, nor offer substantial satisfaction to our hearts; and therefore our actual treasure is Krishna and Krishna alone. Thus, when we become material paupers at heart, we can relish Krishna as the everlasting treasure of our hearts.

 
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Haricharana das, Indonesia: Damodar Puja Festival Groups of Devotees from our ISKCON temples...





















Damodar Puja Festival

Groups of Devotees from our ISKCON temples in Bali traveling bringing Sri Damodar and Mother Yasoda murti to many friend, relative, colleague and others to give them chance to offer ghee lamp at this auspicious Kartika Month. They happy and love to hear the narration of Damodar lila and asked many good question. 

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Urmila Mataji

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.43Real religion means to know God, our relation with Him and our duties in relation with Him and to know ultimately our destination after leaving this material body.

 
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Dandavats.com: Tucson's 'Feast for the Beast' Feed the Animals - Don't Eat Them!

By Bhakta Geno

Each fall the Zoological Society of Tucson hosts its major fund-raiser and invites one hundred of the best restaurants in the city to give out samples of their cuisine. The event supports the Zoo and the award-winning work they do with the animals

H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami: Driven by self interest



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"Planet ISKCON" - 33 new articles

  1. Spiritual Scientist: Why does Krishna allow material adversities in the lives of his devotees?
  2. H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami: Driven by self interest
  3. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
  4. H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011
  5. ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Urmila Mataji
  6. Bhakta Chris, New York, USA: The Space of Faith
  7. ISKCON News.com: D.C. Devotees Encourage Their Son’s Individuality to Thrive in Homeschool
  8. Dandavats.com: Irish National TV Channel Show “iWitness” hosts Dublin devotees - trailer
  9. Japa Group: Our Hearts Become Soft And Opened
  10. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: TRANSFORMATION - INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?
  11. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: 3 BELIEFS
  12. ISKCON News.com: Report from the Camino: Holy Walk in Spain
  13. Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: What is initiation?
  14. ISKCON News.com: The Enemies of God
  15. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: LETTING GO OF WALL STREET
  16. Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE BEST WAY TO LEARN
  17. H.H. Sivarama Swami: Discussion on Moscow eviction
  18. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  19. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  20. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  21. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  22. Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Hymn” By Carl Phillips
  23. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  24. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  25. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  26. Srila Prabhupada's Letters
  27. New Vrndavan, USA: PRC Minutes Conf Call September 30, 2011
  28. H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Vaishnava-Etiquette (2), Mauritius, 25 March 2011.
  29. Gouranga TV: Candlelight Aarti Kirtan 1 – Houston ISKCON – in HD
  30. Australian News: Kunja’s EP Release – ‘Our State of Existence’
  31. Vrndavana Vinodini dd, Toronto, Canada: Patience and Enthusiasm
  32. Australian News: Urmila Devi Dasi speaks at Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha – Sydney
  33. H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 4 November 2011--Solving the Existential Enigma--and--How to Control My Mind?
  34. More Recent Articles
  35. Search Planet ISKCON
  36. Prior Mailing Archive

 
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H.H. Bhakticharu Swami: Vaishnava-Etiquette (2), Mauritius, 25 March 2011.

THE FOLLOWING LECTURE ON VAISHNAVA-ETIQUETTE, WAS GIVEN BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CARU SWAMI IN ISKCON MAURITIUS ON 25 MARCH 2011. Transcription : Her Grace Rasa-Mandali Dasi Editing : Ramananda Raya Dasa Audio-references : click here (also kirtana) Hare Krishna, So, how was the class yesterday? Did you benefit from it? It was beneficial? Did you [...]

 
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Gouranga TV: Candlelight Aarti Kirtan 1 – Houston ISKCON – in HD

Candlelight Aarti Kirtan 1 – Houston ISKCON – in HD

 
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Australian News: Kunja’s EP Release – ‘Our State of Existence’

So I did say I would release my EP on 11.11.11, but it just feels right to let it out now,it was finished ahead of schedule so its time…. I’m on Bondi FM this Monday doing the official release so stay tune for info on that. Thanks to Giancarlo Pesce for his musicianship and production, thanks to Carmella Baynie for lending her mic’s, thanks to Natali Jocelyne for putting up with my obsessive behavior, thanks to my Mum for giving birth to me and thanks to God for creating this crazy world….

Here it is www.kunja.bandcamp.com

Or

www.facebook.com/kunjamusic

Free download for all my friends and do me a favour download the .wav files, non of this Mp3 Crap…

 Kunja's EP Release - 'Our State of Existence' 
By Kunja  |  View on Facebook
When: Nov 4 1:00pm - Nov 11 11:00pm 

Where: Here & Now 


» View map
So I did say I would release my EP on 11.11.11, but it just feels right to let it out now,it was finished ahead of schedule so its time.... I'm on Bondi FM this Monday doing the official release so stay tune for info on that. Thanks to Giancarlo Pesce for his musicianship and production, thanks to Dennis H McIntyre for the donation of his artwork, thanks to Carmella Baynie for lending her mic's, thanks to Natali Jocelyne for putting up with my obsessive behavior, thanks to my Mum for giving birth to me and thanks to God for creating this crazy world…. 
Go here www.kunja.bandcamp.com or go to Muisc at www.facebook.com/kunjamusic 
Free download for all my friends and do me a favour download the .wav files, non of this Mp3 Crap...
... See full description

Free download for all my friends and do me a favour download the .wav files, non of this Mp3 Crap…

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Vrndavana Vinodini dd, Toronto, Canada: Patience and Enthusiasm

I’ve often been told that I’m extremely enthusiastic. Truth be told, at times I’ve wondered if that was a compliment or a backhanded way of saying something else! 

In our Vaisnava tradition enthusiasm is one of the cornerstones that our bhakti journey should rest upon. I’ve always found it quizzical when the inevitable question comes up “How does one become enthusiastic?” There are several responses I’ve heard over the years but the one that always stands out is “Associate with those who are enthusiastic.” 

Being enthusiastic, however, is not so difficult. One naturally becomes enthusiastic about something that motivates them, inspires them or enlivens them. I would argue that maintaining enthusiasm in our day to day sadhana and services is what is more challenging. It’s easy to feel enthusiastic for a second, an hour, a day or perhaps even a week. But we, in the line of the great Vaisnava acaryas, aspire for more. We aspire for lifetime upon lifetime of consistent and ever increasing enthusiasm to not only serve Krsna but to serve the Vaisnavas. 

In a lecture I was recently listening to, the dual workings of patience and enthusiasm was highlighted and as the proverbial saying goes a light bulb finally went on in my head. I’ve often found it almost contradictory that both of these qualities are extremely important in the cultivation of bhakti. In my experience, being enthusiastic often results in me wanting something right now, whereas patience requires just that- patience which is something that I firmly believe Krsna has on his priority list for me to acquire right along with humility! 

However, as was explained in the lecture, having one without the other can lead to a recipe for disaster. If one is simply patient and waits and waits and waits without investing any action, nothing will come of it. Conversely, if one is extremely enthusiastic and is not patient then if the results of one’s endeavor do not come immediately, one may become disheartened and give up altogether. 

It is often proclaimed “Work as though everything depends upon you and pray knowing everything is dependent upon God (Krsna).” In that one sentence one can find patience and enthusiasm as the underlying seeds which need to be planted in order for the flower of Krsna bhakti to blossom. In fact, it will lead us to the coveted goal we should all aspire towards- steadiness in service, in sadhana and in our consciousness of Krsna at all times. 

So the next time you feel yourself getting extremely enthusiastic or feel as though Krsna may be testing you by making you wait for something, remember that it’s not just patience or just enthusiasm that are required to advance. It’s both.

 
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Australian News: Urmila Devi Dasi speaks at Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha – Sydney

Urmila Matji will give morning class on the 12th & 13th of November (Saturday & Sunday). Krishna Temple North Sydney. 7:45am-9am

Hare Krishna Temple In North Sydney 
180 Falcon St 
North Sydney

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H.G. Sankarshan das Adhikari, USA: Friday 4 November 2011--Solving the Existential Enigma--and--How to Control My Mind?

A daily broadcast of the Ultimate Self Realization Course Friday 4 November 2011 The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, and His eternal consort, Srimati Radharani are enjoying transcendental pastimes in the topmost planet of the spiritual world, Sri Goloka Vrindavan. They are beckoning us to rejoin them. (Click on photo to see a larger image.) Our Mission: To help everyone awaken their original Krishna consciousness, which is eternal, full of knowledge and full of bliss. Such a global awakening will, in one stroke, solve all the problems of the world society bringing in a new era of unprecedented peace and prosperity for all. May that day, which the world so desperately needs, come very soon. We request you to participate in this mission by reviving your dormant Krishna consciousness and assisting us in spreading this science all over the world. Dedicated with love to ISKCON Founder-Acharya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, our beloved spiritual master, and to you, our dear readers. For Transcendental Association Connect With Other Members of this Course. Join this Conference: http://groups.google.com/group/sda_students Help Popularize Our Message By Liking Today's Thought on Facebook: Today's Thought: Solving the Existential Enigma uploaded from Sri Vrindavan Dhama, India What is the purpose of life? Sometimes it is said that the purpose of life is to ask questions like What is the purpose of life? But unless there is a meaningful answer to this question, life is a pointless quagmire, an existential enigma. The good news is that there is a substantial answer to this question because there is an Absolute Truth, and the purpose of human life is to realize it. The Absolute Truth is the source of all existence. When we know that Absolute Truth and we live in perfect harmony with it, our lives become sweet and perfect in every conceivable and inconceivable way. In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Sri Krishna reveals that He is that Absolute Truth. And we can personally verify His claim through the sublime self realization system known as Krishna consciousness or bhakti yoga. Try it today. You'll be glad you did. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Worshipping the Cow on Gopastami Day--3 Nov 2011 ISKCON Goshalla--Sri Vrindavan Dhama, India (Gopastami is the day that Krishna was promoted from herding the calves to herding the cows. As Krishna worshipped the cows on this day, we also worship the cows on this day.) http://www.backtohome.com/images/2011-Fall/Vrindavan_Cow.JPG Answers by Citing the Vedic Version: Question: How to Control My Mind? When will material thoughts stop disturbing me? They come daily and I just chant. Should I not feel scared? I read that thoughts are from material nature and that they are forced upon us. How to use the intelligence to control my mind when at times my intelligence is not functioning correctly? Pardon me for so many questions, but I do hope that you will take me as your student as I am sincerely following your instructions. S.J. Answer: Cultivate the Desire to Surrender to Krishna As long as you are in this material world it is natural that sometimes disturbing thoughts will come to your mind. Disturbing thoughts means thoughts that are lusty, greedy, angry, or envious. But if you will take shelter of Krishna, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. This is because it is Krishna who is the supplier both of the good thoughts and the bad thoughts in accordance with your desires. So if you will continually cultivate the desire to surrender to Krishna by chanting His holy names with love and devotion every day, that amazingly beautiful Supreme Personality of Godhead will reciprocate with your desire by flooding your mind with beautiful, sublime, divine thoughts that will carry you into higher and higher realms of spiritual bliss for all of eternity. By regularly studying the Bhagavad-gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam you will develop a powerful spiritual intelligence that will enable you to easily keep your mind always fixed on the ecstatic transcendental platform. I am willing to accept any sincere seeker of truth anywhere in the world as my student. So you are certainly most welcome to become my student for mastering the science of Krishna consciousness and escaping the cycle of birth and death. Sankarshan Das Adhikari Transcendental Resources: Receive the Special Blessings of Krishna Now you too can render the greatest service to the suffering humanity and attract the all-auspicious blessings of Lord Sri Krishna upon yourself and your family by assisting our mission. Lectures and Kirtans in Audio and Video: Link to High Definition Videos Link to Over 1,000 Lecture Audios Lecture-Travel Schedule for 2011 http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/schedule Have Questions or Need Further Guidance? Check out the resources at: http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com or write Sankarshan Das Adhikari at: sda@backtohome.com Get your copy today of the world's greatest self-realization guide book, Bhagavad-gita As It Is available at:http://www.ultimateselfrealization.com/store Know someone who could benefit from this? Forward it to them. Searchable archives of all of course material: http://www.sda-archives.com Receive Thought for the Day as an RSS feed: http://www.backtohome.com/rss.htm Unsubscribe or change your email address Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Daily_Thought Thought for the Day on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Ultimate.Self.Realization Copyright 2005-2011 by Ultimate Self Realization.Com Distribution of this material is encouraged. 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Spiritual Scientist: Why does Krishna allow material adversities in the lives of his devotees?

When Maharaja Yudhisthira asked this question to Lord Krishna, the gist of the Lord’s reply in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.88.8) is that material adversities are often the essential, unavoidable means to make his devotees aware of their spiritual prosperity. The eternal, unchangeable reality is that our relationship with Krishna – and our remembrance of Krishna therein – is the basis and essence of our real happiness and actual prosperity. However, we often get distracted from this source of ultimate prosperity to worldly relationships, engagements and infatuations that we mistakenly imagine will bring us prosperity. That’s why Krishna sometimes allows adversities to take away our pseudo-prosperities so that we are left with no alternative except to turn to him for shelter – and thereby realize how his remembrance alone heralds and constitutes our true prosperity. Of course, it is not Krishna, but our own past karma, that causes those adversities. But Krishna orchestrates those adversities so that they also become opportunities for us to realize our actual prosperity. That is why when material adversities strike us, rather than resenting them in godless ignorance, let us pray for god-gifted wisdom to see in them the opportunities to realize our hitherto undiscovered or untapped spiritual riches.

 
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H.H. Kadamba Kanana Swami: Driven by self interest

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2011) 
The desire to enjoy the material world or the need of wanting to get out of this material world, is the same thing…..it’s still considered selfish.

‘Bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī, sakali ‘aśānta.’

The sense enjoyer, the karmi or ‘mukti’ – the one who looks for liberation. ….or the ‘siddhi’ – the yogi who looks for mystic power – They’re all selfish. Still selfish…..still driven by self interest!

So all these kinds of things (that are described in the Srimad Bhagavatam) are meant to make us introspective….are meant to bring us to the point and recognise the selfishness within us! How self centred we are? How much is everything about me? And my personal position? And even in devotional service….my position in devotional service, where I am and from that platform serving Krishna – and this is also tested!

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

A Spacey State 

Columbus, Ohio 

We were moving in a weaving fashion between tree trunks walking light as on air (or clouds), actually leaves, layers upon layers. Madhu, Ram and I drove a short distance from Ram's house to Allum Creek State Park for a fresh air experience. It was Ram's first time to this place. I like to think that wherever I travel I contribute to helping my host explore his/her neighbourhood territory. I insist, "Let's go for a walk and see what you haven't seen in your own backyard." 

To my own surprise, Ohio has lots of great woodsy escapes. And talk about it being a spacey place, well, astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong come from Ohio. And there's also the Wright Brothers who claimed Ohio as their home. Wilbur Bright wrote: "Let in the autumn of 1878, our father came into the house one evening with some object partly concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room 'til it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered awhile, and finally sank to the floor... a toy so delicate lasted only a short time in the hands of small boys, but its memory was abiding." 

It appears that fascination for flying really took off for the two boys. In 1903 they built the first aircraft. 

The Krishna community in Columbus this evening showed a fascination for my pilgrim pastimes. Students from U of Columbus wanted to hear and so that's what I delivered. In speaking about trekking for the soul you should never assume that it's only a topic about moving on the ground. In any of these talks I let people know that there is a big sky up above where a whole world exists beyond what you could imagine - a world not dependent "on sunlight or moonlight or electricity", a world of lightness where life carries no exertion of weight. 

I like to explain that in long distance walking you travel very light and you might keep in mind a hero like Narada, the sage, who does interplanetary travel between both the material and anti-material worlds. 

Ah Ha! There ya go. There is this monk who is an actual astronaut who moves continuously into outerspace. 

8 KM

 
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H.H. Bhaktimarg Swami: Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Getting to Know 

Cleveland, Ohio, USA 

Tiffany and Kaustubha got married. It happened in the summer. They did it the way they wanted, they were determined. The young couple wanted a Krishna Conscious style marriage. Their pundit, or priest, was Dayal Nitai, AKA, Don Foose, who is a hardcore rocker. Could a priest be both a man who solemnizes marriages and at the same time rocks the punk crowd with over amplified music muddled on high decibel music? 

If you meet Don, or Dayal as he's known by his Sanskrit name, you'll understand. He's a sensitive man who has embraced the philosophy of Indian sage, Vyasa. He loves Mantras as much as he does his personal lyriced Rock. He's a fabulous vegetarian cook to boot and he also does construction work for his livelihood, when he's not tattooed torsoed at his concerts. Imagine that, he's all that, all wrapped in one. 

Kaustubha, the happily married man, is much like Dayal, whom he assists at concerts. Kaustubha is creative, does hairdressing, builds and renovates, in addition to serving the devotional gathering that takes place at Dayal's every Wednesday night. He's a multitasker. 'Kaustubha', in Sanskrit, is a particular precious stone, and this Ohio kid of the same name, is a gem of a soul. 

As far as Tiffany is concerned, the lovely bride of August last, well, I'm just getting to know her more, and that was possible shortly after arriving from Canada via bus to Cleveland. I have been cooped up in the Greyhound all day and needed to unleash the legs, so Tiffany suggested for us to take the trails at Metro Parks. She had the right idea. Together, the couple and I and dear friend, Akhila, trod down the oak and maple trail near Rocky River. It was a creative, active and devotional group that blazed the path of bhakti, getting to know each other more before departing for the gathering, where we all get to know more of Krishna. 

6 KM

 
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ISKCON Melbourne, AU: Daily Class - Urmila Mataji

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.42 - One can always remember Krsna by dedicating all activities to Krsna.

 
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Bhakta Chris, New York, USA: The Space of Faith



In the style of Mertonian homage, a simple meditation on thoughts, ideas, and realizations from our discussion of "Thoughts in Solitude" by Thomas Merton at our recent meeting of the Bhakti Center Book Club 

We find a great, if unhealthy, solace in simply remaining in the role of the observer, yet the practical demands of this world, and the practical orders of the great teachers who carry us forward, demand that we transcend the restraints of the observer.  They demand we come down from the clouds of our head-space into the ground of our heart-space. 

In this ground of our heart, we come to understand the deeper truth of solitude, found in the acceptance, understanding, and communion with everyone else's solitude.  We cannot accept how alone we are, how much pain we feel, how much joy we are capable of, and the presence of the Divine in our own heart until we can gradually see all these things in the heart of everyone else.  The feeling of liberation we receive upon this revelation transcends all the fear and hesitation that ruins our ability to fully communicate with each other. 

Having this revelation, we fully understand the meaning of solitude and silence in our own being, because the reality of who we are becomes incredibly clear, reflected with such illumination from the hearts of everyone else. 

The pillars of greed, lust, envy, and all the other fantasies of the selfish heart has made our civilization barren practically to its core.  Yet this is all a projection and reflection of the more imposing desert we face within our own heart, which is the source of all the anxiety we face in our individual and collective lives. This imposition from within has created the tangle of contradictions which we rage against, or which we die quietly but so painfully from. 

The first instinct upon facing our contradictions is to run away as fast as we can, to dive into the spirits of our comforts.  The experience of our actual consciousness is so painful, so nauseating, so disorienting, that most of us (myself especially) are still stuck in the energy of that initial instinct to flee, unable to go any further on the walk through the desert of the heart. 

We are stuck once again on the observation deck, attempting to re-strategize for the next assault, but we are missing one great tool, one great weapon, which is found in the silence of our own heart.  It is the space of our faith, where we understand that God is always carrying us and always protecting us, especially in the greatest tribulations and purification.  In this space, feeling the warm embrace of our Beloved holding us close, we gain the proper perspective. 

The great sage of solitude, Thomas Merton, explains this perspective: 

"Contradictions have always existed in the soul of man.  But it is only when we prefer analysis to silence that they become a constant and insolvable problem.  We are not meant to resolve all contradictions, but to live with them and rise above them and see them in the light of exterior and objective values which make them trivial by comparison"
Thoughts in Solitude

The closest space in our heart, closer still even than the spaces of our stored bitterness, is this silent space where God lives with us, and where we can communicate with Him in prayer, meditation, study, and also properly and divinely guided action.  In this space, the heart becomes big and the mind becomes clear.  Love and truth begin to come together, for love is what the heart wants and truth is what the mind wants. We move closer to no longer being a victim to the pendulum swings between our contradictions.

Humility is the essential cloth we must wear to enter into this space of faith. Beginning with the fundamental level of our language, we must learn to speak to each other in a tone which renounces the aggressive and competitive spirit ingrained into our conditioning, turning instead towards a tone which offers a substance and meaning based on our common values of divinity.

This is a task which requires a great deal of attention and sacrifice, for our natural humility in all of its expressions is buried under the layers of our disconnection from each other, from God, and from ourselves. One of the reasons for this is that humility itself brings its own paradoxes into our consciousness.  For example, humility is something we know that we need, and we desperately desire its presence, but when we know we have it in our grasp, it is that very recognition which causes us to lose it. 

Humility is not necessarily we are meant to enjoy, yet there is a certain and sure pleasure which comes in the genuinely humble moment.  It is when we turn the simple glory of that moment into an inauthentic construct of pride that we lose control of what has been given to us.  To be vigilant in our humility actually means to be vigilant against the pride within us.

Another paradox of the humble cloth is that it is best represented in the most obvious action, rather than a passive tolerance or non-violence.  By the most obvious action I mean, in the spiritual context, the most selfless and most needed action to be done, considering the time, place, and circumstance. This action remains clothed in humility when it does not reinforce our "hero construct", or the self-obsession of our prideful mind.   

This action, even if done with force, with tough love, with power and confidence, can only help and never harm, because it is centered on the true balance between the mind and the heart, between Love and Truth.

If we can absorb these concepts through our intelligence into our heart, and if we pray for courage and guidance from our teachers and friends, our spiritual life truly opens into the solitary spaces of our inner life, into our space of faith, with the silence of our embrace with God against the raging of our mind/body and of our society's endless noise brigades. 

We finally receive what we have always wanted, an embrace that will always stay with us and not be like the empty gestures which has left our heart crusted with grief.  We will be alone, but united. Silent, but dancing to the ecstatic rhythms of the Lord's steps, and our struggle will be renewed and strengthened.
 
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ISKCON News.com: D.C. Devotees Encourage Their Son’s Individuality to Thrive in Homeschool

By Madhava Smullen for ISKCON News on 4 Nov 2011

When they encouraged their son Nimai to pursue his own interests while homeschooling, Washington D.C. husband and wife couple Vidarbha Suta Dasi and Lokadhyaksha Dasa saw his personality grow and his individual skills thrive exponentially.


 
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Dandavats.com: Irish National TV Channel Show “iWitness” hosts Dublin devotees - trailer

iWitness: Spiritual documentary series portraying stories of belief, prayer, passion and meaningful experiences

 
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Japa Group: Our Hearts Become Soft And Opened

Hare Krsna my dear devotees, its nice to be here with you again. I am writing this article and receiving the darshan of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Deities - they are here blessing the whole house, giving me strength to chant better and engaging me more in service. 
It's very peaceful to worship the Deities and chant japa, our hearts become soft and opened to receive the names....when we are more opened we can concentrate more and feel the effects of japa. 

Proper association of devotees also gives us enthusiasm and determination to improve in spiritual life....sometimes we look at the vaisnavas and there is always someone we admire more - we would like to be and is our inspiration....when we are eager to serve and chant we remember that vaisnavas who is the one we aim to be like....following the footsteps and observing the qualities this person has achieved and that we would like to as well. 

I can say that we tend to limit our advancement....actually I think this is the minds job, always put us down saying we can't chant properly or we are not advanced enough to feel the effects of chanting....that we don't live in the temple so we can't follow spiritual life or that if we can't chant with a high standartd we'd rather stop chanting. 

This is everything the mind keep on preaching to us, every single day but we as vaisnavas seeing the example of our founder acharya we know that for spiritual life and to achieve Krsna prema we just need to follow his instructions - if we look at our spiritual master or other vaisnavas we admire we will see that they achieved their goals or they were inspired by someone and became advanced because they served and associated with the devotees who were merciful and gave them Krsna. 

There will always be someone...a devotee that will tell you to carry on and that in the beginning the process may sound difficult and hard, but as we are getting in contact with the holy names we are cleansing the heart and we start understanding and feeling the bliss....so we compare our lives with and without chanting and we see that chanting does have an effect and can change us as the sun changes the whole world shining and making every place visible. The same way Krsna appears to us, starts coming in the form of His holy names and then speaks in our hearts, leading our lives and taking care of our thoughts. 

These are the effects that heart chanting can produce so I beg that I may be able to one day chant purely and open my heart to the Lord and feel him through the sound vibration, making my life brighter and shining. 
May your japa be focused and heart deep, may you feel Krsna talking to you through the heart. 

your servant, 

Aruna devi
 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: TRANSFORMATION - INSIDE OUT OR OUTSIDE IN?

 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: 3 BELIEFS

Three key beliefs that drive my passion — personally, and with colleagues and clients:

1. Everything you need to know to be great at sales is learnable — you just have to be willing.
2. The amount you can learn and the degree to which you can improve is infinite.
3. What you learn to be great at sales contributes immensely to who you want to be as a human being.

Mahan Khalsa
www.nf5.com
 
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ISKCON News.com: Report from the Camino: Holy Walk in Spain

By Deva Sekharah Das for ISKCON News on 4 Nov 2011

Everything started eight years ago when Dharma Raja Das set out on an adventure with ISKCON youth groups of that time. The group walked 220 kilometers through the north of Spain, and was thoroughly inspired.


 
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Ananda Subramanian, Iowa, USA: What is initiation?

In question time, a young devotee inquired about the importance of accepting formal initiation. Such initiation, Prabhupada explained, meant to officially agree to abide by the orders of Krsna and His representative. 

"Officially accept: 'Yes, sir, I shall accept. I shall do whatever you say.' This is initiation, official acceptance of the job. That's all. Now you formally accept and if you do not do the duties, then where is the question of another function? There is no question. Initiation means this is the beginning of accepting the orders of Krsna and His representative. This is the beginning. This is initiation. Just like if you enter an office establishment, so you accept the terms of service. That is initiation. Then you go on serving. You become promoted. You get salary increase. You become recognised. You become officer. You become big officer, like that. That very word initiation suggests 'This is the beginning'. 

- Srila Prabhupada - From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

 
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ISKCON News.com: The Enemies of God

By Shaunaka Rishi Das for ISKCON News on 4 Nov 2011

Shaunaka Rishi Das, the Director of Oxford Center for Hindu Studies offered six prayers that had been broadcast on UK`s BBC Radio 4 on Diwali week. The programme slot attracts 4 million listeners.


 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: LETTING GO OF WALL STREET

An ISKCON devotee Rasanath dasa, in and out of a top business arena, featured in the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204394804577008271679360612.html

Rasanath dasa speaking to professionals at the TEDx Talks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjnZd80MY88&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL3D36395906509099
 
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Akrura das, Gita Coaching: THE BEST WAY TO LEARN

According to the William Glasser institute, the best way to learn something is to teach it.

Their research shows that we learn:

10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss
80% of what we experience
95% of what we teach


If this is true, then we may find something we want to learn and start teaching it.
It will benefit us and others too.
 
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H.H. Sivarama Swami: Discussion on Moscow eviction

Bhagavad-gita court case, reprint of Venu Gita and prayers for sankirtana. (Conference with Russian speaking devotees, English)

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 November 4: "Although Krishna is no longer present physically from the materialistic viewpoint, still Bhagavad-gita continues. So the best way to associate with the Spiritual Master is to follow his instructions. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but vani exists eternally."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 4: "Our actions are all meant for pleasing Krishna. If we act always in this consciousness automatically everyone will be attracted to devotional service, and this is the secret of our preaching work."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 November 4: "You are doing solid work, even alone, and I am very pleased. This is the test for a sincere devotee. Simply by carrying out the order of the Spiritual Master, ones success in spiritual life is guaranteed. I thank you for your endeavor."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1975 November 4: "Now I am getting old, so if you can do things without me, that will be a great pleasure for me. Still if I get the chance, I will come for the Ratha Yatra festival."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

 
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Madhava Ghosh dasa, New Vrndavan, USA: “Hymn” By Carl Phillips

Less the shadow 
than you a stag, sudden, through it. 
Less the stag breaking cover than

the antlers, with which 
crowned. 
Less the antlers as trees leafless,

to either side of the stag’s head, than— 
between them—the vision that must 
mean, surely, rescue.

Less the rescue. 
More, always, the ache 
toward it.

When I think of death, the gleam of 
the world darkening, dark, gathering me 
now in, it is lately

as one more of many other nights 
figured with the inevitably 
black car, again the stranger’s

strange room entered not for prayer 
but for striking 
prayer’s attitude, the body

kneeling, bending, until it finds 
the muscled patterns that 
predictably, given strain and

release, flesh assumes. 
When I think of desire, 
it is in the same way that I do

God: as parable, any steep 
and blue water, things that are always 
there, they only wait

to be sounded. 
And I a stone that, a little bit, perhaps 
should ask pardon.

My fears—when I have fears— 
are of how long I shall be, falling, 
and in my at last resting how

indistinguishable, inasmuch as they 
are countless, sire, 
all the unglittering other dropped stones.


Filed under: Poetry        
 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1970 November 4: "It is for your daring and active nature that I have chosen you. So just open two nice centers immediately and that will link-up our world wide chain of centers. Please report to me fortnightly and always distribute my books wherever possible."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1967 November 4: "Every minute I think of you and and as you have asked me to go to San Francisco while returning from India, I am trying to fulfill my promise."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 November 4: "It is very encouraging to hear that my Sannyasis are traveling and preaching. Visit existing temples and this will enliven the devotees tremendously. We must keep our centers strong. This will be the greatest preaching program."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

 
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Srila Prabhupada's Letters

1971 November 4: "So far the paintings you have sent, they are bona fide but for the ordinary man they appear sensual. So better not to display such paintings, not even in our temples."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1971

 
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New Vrndavan, USA: PRC Minutes Conf Call September 30, 2011

Palace Restoration Committee

Minutes Conference Call September 30, 2011

Present: Gopisa, Malati, Tripad, Jaya Krsna

Absent: Gaura Shakti, Ramesvara

  1. Minutes last conf call ratified
  2. Main roof – patches
    1. Companies who did the current rubber on the roof and the dome, have been contacted by Gopisa. Both companies proposed the product to be used for the patches.

A bucket of the needed product for the flat roof was brought by Gopisa to the Palace.  The product for the dome will be delivered next week.

The work needs a dry roof. Tripad plans to apply the material next week.

It is the intention to cover a good part of the flat roof with the new material; the necessary additional material will be available on request.

    1. Areas of the flat roof where we have soft spots could be covered with the necessary material.  Additional devotees are available if needed.
  1. Intermediate gift shop
    1. Krsna Bhava Prabhu has accepted the proposal for the intermediate gift shop in the ghee factory after discussing with Gopisa and Jaya Krsna in separate meetings.
    2. Gus visited the Palace this morning, present with him Gopisa and Tripad.
  1. i.      Stairs: both masons will come out next week and present quotes after the site visit.
  2. ii.      Gift shop:

We will do the clean up ourselves (roof, wall). Gopisa has informed Gus about the investment he thinks is needed for the gift shop – $50.000. Included in the plan are two wheel chair accessible toilets.

Gus will meet with Krsna Bhava to see her current shelving in order to use them in the intermediate gift shop.

  1. iii.      There would be two single bathrooms, one for ladies and one for men. We would have to build additional bath rooms once the current bathrooms will be closed down based on construction going on.
  2. iv.      Timeline for the gift shop: beginning of March 2012.
  3. v.      Total budget: $75.000 including the patches, the stairs and the gift shop, $37.500 for INMV and ECOV.
  4. vi.      INMV has to find out how to fund the investment, as only $10.00 is currently part of the investment budget.
  5. vii.      Gopisa discussed with Gus the reconstruction of the back part of the Palace building. Gus will think about options and inform us about his thoughts.
  1. How to move forward on the overall restoration?
    1. Address the restoration of the domes and the roof.
    2. Get clarity on the back part of the Palace building.
    3. Go back to Gus and ask him for additional work on the domes.
  1. Activity list
    1. Structure of the dome – Gus sees that structure can take another cover (except major concrete cover). The activity is closed.
    2. Story board – feedback on the second version expected for next meeting
  1. Next call within one week – October 7, 2011, 4pm. Calls will be planned for 9am in the future.
  1. Parampara Prabhu is proposed to be an additional member of the Palace Restoration Committee. The decision will be taken by email as not all members of the Palace Restoration committee participate in today’s call.

 

AllFeedback on the storyboard, to be adapted by JKd – 75.000 visitors a yearOctober 7, 2011
 

Tripad

Contact Charu Prabhu to get input for the exibitsSeptember 15, 2011
Gaura ShaktiContact BhkatiCharu Swami, Rameswara, Kripamaya, Sankirtana for input for the exhibitionSeptember 15, 2011
Gaura ShaktiArticle on dandavatsSeptember 15, 2011
Gaura ShaktiWrite regular articlesongoing
TripadApply the materials delivered on the flat roof & domesBased on the weather, October 7, 2011

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