Monthly Archives: March 2014

Thursday, March 20th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Shoe Guru
I’m not a shopper, but sometimes you have to…  In my possession I have summer Crocs and winter snow boots.  There is nothing that is appropriate for the seasons in between, so I decide I have to secure something for the feet.
 
It’s spring today, officially, but not in reality.  Colossal snow sculptures, remnants from the recent Voyagers Festival, still adorn some of the medians at city boulevards.  They are impressive.  Still, it’s winter.
 
To address my need the generous Daruka, my benevolent support person throughout this recent cross-country walk, drove me to Canadian Footwear Limited on Adelaide Street.  Billy was the name of the clerk dealing with us.  He was terrific and did a super job.  He sold me a pair of Gortex hiking shoes.  I did joke with him,” I was initially thinking along the lines of getting flippers,” considering the pools of water being formed outside, a result of the snow’s thaw.  He was inquisitive about the order I belong to.  My robes usually hit people’s curiosity button.  His presumption was that I was Buddhist. 

“Krishna!”  I said, “Hare Krishna!  Origins – India.”
Pleasantly he asked, “What brought you to this?” 
And I responded by explaining my thirst for simplicity of life.  He asked about my fourth time walking the country, and I explained, “To promote pilgrimage.”  But more so, I remained attentive to getting the shoes I needed and to achieving the best buy for the best product.   Billy was also focused on the sale and the product.  I continued the conversation.  “In my youthful days of quest, I listened to the Beatles.  They went to India, they went spiritual.”
“Oh yeah, the sitar and all that,” Billy recalled.  Billy was smooth as ice.  A super sales person.  He’s like a shoe guru. 
Now, for the test on my shoes.  Doug, a friend also with us, who put in half towards the purchase, took a stroll with me through the business district of town.  What a slush world it is.  My new booties held out, and I thank Krishna for seeing to it that I had provisions for my tootsies.  Hare Krishna.
May the Source be with you.
5 KM
 Billy at Canadian Footwear in Winnipeg helps the Walking Monks buy a new pair of shoes
 Snow Sculptures in Winnipeg
Snow Sculptures in Winnipeg

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Up-Cycling
It sounds a little bit like celebrating reincarnation.  The term ‘up-cycling’ is used when rejected matter is turned into something practical.  We are talking about scrap items, old building material, broken down furniture, parquet floor pieces and such.  It is all reinvented in a useful way as stunning art forms.  So, matter that would normally be destined for the landfill, now has value. 
I was a fortunate one to be there for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a shop called “The Scrap Came Back” located on Saint Anne’s Road where on shelf display and for sale there were unique one of a kind art pieces made of various what would be rejected materials.  Fred Penner, the renowned children’s entertainer, who became popular for his song, “The Cat Came Back”, was there to snip with scissors, the ribbon, marking the opening of some real nifty art work ranging from ornamental pieces to birdhouses, all assembled by disabled citizens. 
It was a pleasure to meet some of the artists as well as Karen Fonseth Schlossburg, representing DASCH, which stands for Direct Action in Support of Community Homes, the legal entity behind the project.  The sale of items goes to support these worthy folks of disability.  Thus far, DASCH has built 55 home to accommodate such folks. 
I also met Carol, who recently returned from Pune, India, for a yoga upgrade.  And me, being a bhakti yoga instructor, allowed for us to share a lot in common.  But believe me, I was the only monk at the party, and was happy to be wedged into an art crowd and their supporters. 
In practice and in spirit, this art community lives by the slogan, “Re-purposed, re-imagined, recycled, and fair trade”.  Sounds much like the transmigration of the soul. 
To live up to my claim as a bhakti yoga instructor, I put this into practice in the evening, but at another location.  Leading kirtan, discussions in devotion, and carob flavoured goodies embellished our night. 
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
 Fred Penner cuts ribbon at The Scrap Came Back Store in Winnipeg
Bhaktimarga Swami at ribbon cutting ceremony

Searching for signs
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 28 December 2013, Mayapur, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.10.24) One journalist came to Srila Prabhupada. He had done some homework. He said to Srila Prabhupada that he heard that the pure devotee always represents Krsna and acts according to Krsna’s will. So he asked, ”How does the pure devotee know Krsna’s will?” Then Rameshwar, […]

Join us for Sunday Feast — 11.00am-2.00pm
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON

Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday, March 23rd
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
 Bhagavad-gita As It Is 9.34
 

man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi yuktvaivam
atmanam mat-parayanah
TRANSLATION

Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.
Program Schedule: 
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 – 11.30     Guru Puja                                            
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 – 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic Discourse 
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
 

COMING UP AHEAD
Papamocani Ekadasi
Fasting on Wed March 26th,2014
Dvadasi/Breakfasti on Thu March 27th,2014 b/w 7.08-11.18(am)
every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.
Youth Program
On April 5th,2014 @ 12.00pm
Brampton’s youth program is back. Everyone is welcomed to come and participate.This program is being fcilitated by Bhaktin Samita Sarkar.The main focus of this program is Harinama Sankirtan and to learn the instruments used for this purpose.


Ramanavami[Appearance Day of Lord Ramacandra]
On April 8th,2014 @ 7.00 pm
Fasting till sunset
If you’d like to help with this event,please ask Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi how.
To sponsor/finance this event contact Krsna Smaran Devi Dasi in person or via kavitabalram@yahoo.com.
Details of the program will be posted shortly.  

ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY        
Bhagavad-Gita Classes 
Join Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 9.00am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree. To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]

ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY

Govinda’sNatural Foods Snack Bar
Govinda’s has always been a giver of love and friendliness, food with a home cooked feel, Check out this Sunday your own Govinda’s Snack Bar at ISKCON Brampton for dine in or take out. This snackbar definitely has the best selection of cruelty-free eats with a bang for your buck.
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips
Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 – 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.
Sunday School
The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

 

Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!

Flying Solo
→ Tattva - See inside out

It’s a brave and bold step to strive for purity in a world of degradation, to embrace simplicity amongst rampant materialism, and to cultivate selflessness in an atmosphere surcharged with exploitation. Anyone who cuts against the grain will face temptation, doubt, ridicule and moments of weakness. Without the encouragement, support and good advice of spiritual friends how can one continue? We can’t do it alone.

Yet the Bhagavad-gita repeatedly highlights the transitory nature of life: the body changes, fortunes change, people change, and ultimately, relationships change. Individuals, even spiritualists, come in and out of our lives. Thus, while drawing inspiration from others, we must learn to stand on our own two feet. Camaraderie is essential, but there is a simultaneous need for self-sufficiency – even if everyone disappears, one must have the tenacity to continue. This deep conviction and individual strength is an essential element of spiritual success, which actually allows us to contribute more when we do come together in spiritual circles.

Etymologically, the word ‘guru’ means ‘heavy.’ The great saint Bhaktisiddhanta gives an interesting illumination: spiritual preceptors are so heavy that they cannot be budged from their spiritual resolve. Come what may, hell or high water, challenges and changes, their determination remains steadfast and unaffected. Our individual connection with God must become substantial and meaningful, strong enough to carry us through this turbulent world. Then, the inevitable chaos of life becomes simply background noise in our resolute internal journey towards purity.

With the kind help of the saintly, always feeling grateful for and dependent on their good wishes, we must learn to fly our own plane.

Harinam at Beau Bassin, Mauritius (Album 85 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Our weekly Wednesday evening harinam party started in 1996 and has been going strong since. The party organisers locate the routes so that each year all towns, villages and streets of Mauritius will have had the opportunity to join in the jubilant chanting of Hare Krishna. On the Sunday evening prior to the harinam, a team of devotees goes to the village where the next harinam will be held to invite the inhabitants of the area to the event. They also collect donations for prasadam distribution during the harinam and a feast at the end of the procession. Read more ›

More than one million watch live in the TV the Boat Festival at Iskcon’s Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan Dham!
→ Dandavats.com

The Iskcon Temple of Vrindavana, Krishna Balarama Mandir, has its own live broadcasting facility on their http://vrindavan.tv/ website where they have two channels trasmitting 24/7 in different video qualities to fit everybody’s internet speed connection.

In addition to this their stream from this year’s Boat Festival, occured today, was simultaneously picked and redistributed by the DishaTV cable television which has a vast audience as also by other national networks! This resulted to a fenomenal crowd watching simultaneously that superated the 1.000.000 number according to their facebook page announcement Read more ›

Overview of Gaura Purnima Festivities
→ Mayapur.com

Please view the following galleries: Darshan Abhishek Boat Festival Ganga Puja Ratha Yatra Hati Procession Maha-Abhishek Kirtan Mela This year we had a wonderful Gaura Purnima Festival that was unmatched like any previous years. Each year more and more devotees are coming for the festivities, and we are becoming more prepared. We had our newest guesthouse […]

The post Overview of Gaura Purnima Festivities appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Seeing the Good in Everyone
→ Dandavats.com

Haridasa Thakura Dasa: It’s easy to pick out people’s faults. We subconsciously keep track of all the flaws of all the people in our lives.
Whether someone is vain, self-centered, arrogant, petty, bitter, or obnoxious, we can easily slap a label on every person we meet. We see the faults of politicians, celebrities, and criminals, but we also know the flaws of people in our everyday lives, whether our family members, friends or co-workers…we’ve got them nailed.

It’s our nature to evaluate the person in front of us, to figure out if we can trust them or if we should be on our guard.
We should try to see people as God sees people. God looks at people differently than we do. He sees the entire life history of that person and knows every thought, motive and feeling and how he/she has changed over time. Most importantly, He sees them, heart and soul. Read more ›

To be or not to be… vegan?
→ Dandavats.com

We don’t take their milk, okay… (booming voice), “If everyone becomes vegan and like millions and millions of people in the world don’t drink milk, then the milk industry will feel it and milk consumption will go down and less cows will have to suffer for all this. That reduces the temporary suffering of the cows! Yay! We got some temporary benefit for the suffering of those cows”.

But what if we take the milk and offer it to Krsna? We give those same cows eternal benefit that cannot be destroyed by anything. Let devotees take all the milk, as much as possible, and offer it all to Krsna! In this way, give the cows as much eternal benefit as possible. The rest of the world should become vegan (laughing). We should have lots of milk, lots of it and we give milk sweets to the vegans 🙂 Read more ›