Monthly Archives: April 2014

Human form of life not to work hard like asses, swine and dogs
→ The Spiritual Scientist

We are given this human form of life not to work hard like asses, swine and dogs but to attain the highest perfection of life. If we do not care for self-realization, the laws of nature force us to work very hard, even though we may not want to do so. Human beings in this […]

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Massive Kings Day Harinam (Album 74 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Over 300 devotees from all over the world took part and spread Lord Chaitanya’s mercy to the huge crowds. We began by loading the Festivals, UK van at the Manor in the pouring rain. Sound equipment, large Gaura Nitai Deities and a heavy duty rikshaw that was to be Their chariot. Then eight of us squeezed into the remaining room with our belongings. Then off to Dover to catch the 1AM ferry to Calais in France. We arrived in Amsterdam just in time to bath and start setting up the Deity and sound cart. Kadamba Karana maharaja arrived with 200 devotees from Radhadesh and off we went on probably the most memorable Harinam I’ve ever been part of. I konked out after 4 hours but it went on for another two. Great kirtans and the association of so many wonderful Vaisnava’s. Thank you, Srila Prabhupada. Read more ›

Kirtana and Dancing from South Africa to Radhadesh, Belgium (4 min video and pics)
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Bhakti-sandarbha (273) we find the following statement:

Even if, in Kali-yuga, there is some other form of devotion ordained as duty, that duty should be performed along with the limb of bhakti known as kirtana.

No kind of bhakti – such as residence in Mathura, association with holy saints, service to sri murti or hearing the message of Srimad-Bhagavatam – is complete without sri Krsna nama-kirtana. Only one who gives importance to sri Krsna nama-kirtana above everything else has access to the fruit it bears. Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s first Pittsburgh FOC – “Good day, good vibes, good people”
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

The first Pittsburgh Festival of Colors on Sat. April 19, 2014 was fabulous! This family-friendly event was a big hit in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh. It was the first time that the Festival of Colors had come to Pittsburgh, and we heard from many that Pittsburgh wants to do it again next year! Pittsburgh is a […]

The Empowered Leaders of the United Kingdom: Please donate five acres of land in Regent’s Park in Central London in order to build a Temple for Sri Sri Radha-Londonisvara
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Dear Friends and Well Wishers,

You have no doubt heard about our campaign to collect 10,000 names to assist in requesting land in Regents Park for a new temple for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Following the launch of the campaign at our 44th Anniversary Event in November 2013, so far we have approximately 2,500 signatures. Although the collection of signatures has not been happening as fast as anticipated, we are working hard to encourage all friends and well wishers of ISKCON to take part. We humbly request you to please continue to inform all your family and friends about the campaign and encourage them to sign up. This can be done using the following link: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-empowered-leaders-of-the-united-kingdom-please-donate-five-acres-of-land-in-regent-s-park-in-central-london-in-order-to-build-a-temple-for-sri-sri-radha-londonisvara
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Hare Krishna monks travel to Colorado State University to promote meditation
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Joining the weekend crowd, Denver residents Bryan Bolen and Adam Copeland chant Kirtan, an ancient form of Indian music meant to glorify the lord on Saturday Jan. 25, 2014. Bolen and Copeland are founders of Musical Meditations Club at CSU, a club that meets once a week to play music and discuss philosophy. Photo by Natasha Leadem. Read more ›

Harinam at Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur (Album 72 photos)
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Sri Jagannatha Mandir organized harinam at Kampung Pandan on 26/04/14. This was the second harinam for the month. Once again the Holy name was spread to a new place where it was never heard before. Residents were very receptive and enthusiastic to know more about the “Hare krishnas”. 45 small books and 42 chanting beads were distributed to those eager souls. 200 full meal prasadam was served in the area.
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New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ April 26, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

When, by continually wandering through the land of Vrindavana, by loudly calling out in ecstasy, by dancing and singing impelled by feelings of transcendental love, by rolling about on the ground, the hairs of my body standing up in bliss, and by cutting the knots of material attachment and becoming expert in the transcendental nectar […]

Don’t divorce human kindness from spiritual devotion
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Those who think that devotion to God and kindness to the jivas [souls] are mutually different  from each other, and perform accordingly in their life, such persons will not be able to follow the devotional culture. Their performances are only a semblance of devotion. Therefore, all the types of beneficence to others, like kindness, friendliness, […]

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Friday, April 25th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Miami, Florida

Give Gita A Chance

It’s not my most favourite time of the year to be in Florida, the weather gets balmy and hot.  I decided to stay in the Miami airport terminal, as I usually do, to take advantage of the AC in anticipation for a pickup or a ride.  That was the reason for missing my ride by Dr. Romue, AKA, Murari Gupta.  In other words, I should have been standing outside.  I took pleasure in a sit down reading from the book, “Chaitanya Bhagavat”, on the life of the renowned mantra master.  Time passed by.  I phoned the doctor, but no response.  Okay, taxi then.  Walking was out of the question for the chance of getting lost.  And also contending with the distance factor while hauling luggage. 

I arrived by taxi at the Coconut Grove ISKCON address.  Happily, I met a group of eager people I’d not seen for months.  There were new people in the mix, people who had since my last visit, discovered the wisdom of the “Bhagavad Gita”, and which resonated with them.  New faces, and joyful ones, enthusiastic to hear and see someone who might be an exemplar of the culture of the Gita.  Personally, I could not fit such shoes.  In any event, “I’ve given some friendship as best as I can,” I thought. 

We all gathered in my accommodated room and basked in the warmth of light heartedness, and not the sun.  I offered words of encouragement, “Life,” I said, “on the outside provides little fulfillment.  We are all looking but we are not receiving.  When you come to the point of stumbling upon Krishna’s divine word, then everything changes.”  The room full of people all admitted that it’s all there – in the Gita, like, “An empire spoke,” as Emerson said.  And as Thoreau had put it, “I bathe my intellect in the stupendous philosophy” of the Gita’s enlightenment.

Humbly, I could not say anything fresh and new, but to point to the text itself which can change the hearts of all.  Give the Gita a chance. 

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Thursday, April 24th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

With His Finger

In our ashram office, a small packet was lying there on the desk.  I was curious.  It had arrived by regular post, I guess.  I opened the package, got to the contents, and saw it to be a complimentary copy of a CD entitled, “Mighty Govinda”, by the artist of the same name.  It’s a dancey piece of music with a touch of reggae, hip hop and classical music.  It’s upbeat.  I think I could walk to this genre of music.  It made me happy, gave me pleasure.  That’s all anybody ever wants anyways, right?  We desire ananda (joy). 

Don’t we all know from experience that where there’s pleasure there also will be some pain.  I have been concerned about my right index finger giving some botheration for a straight month now.  Not quite sure what it is – some minor infection.  It was some coincidence that I read from a calendar of Prabhupada’s meditations, a daily excerpt from his realization.  While listening to the music, I had a hard look at the finger, when I happened to glance at the quote for today. 

“If there is little pain in the finger, I become so much disturbed because I’ve got intimate connection with this finger.  Similarly, we have got intimate connection with Krishna, and we are fallen.  Therefore, Krishna always also feels little pain, and therefore, He comes down.  Krishna is feeling pain, so you become Krishna Conscious, then Krishna will feel pleasure.” – Srila Prabhupada.

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Happily ever after
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Evening Lecture) Freedom! Where is freedom in this world? Somehow we became disconnected from our real self and therefore we always feel trapped in every situation. But this process (Krsna consciousness) can reconnect us with ourselves, where we belong, in a world with an all-attractive […]

With The Destruction Of Dynasty
→ Japa Group

kula-kṣaye praṇaśyanti
kula-dharmāḥ sanātanāḥ
dharme naṣṭe kulaḿ kṛtsnam
adharmo ‘bhibhavaty uta

TRANSLATION
With the destruction of dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion.

PURPORT
In the system of the varṇāśrama institution there are many principles of religious traditions to help members of the family grow properly and attain spiritual values. The elder members are responsible for such purifying processes in the family, beginning from birth to death. But on the death of the elder members, such family traditions of purification may stop, and the remaining younger family members may develop irreligious habits and thereby lose their chance for spiritual salvation. Therefore, for no purpose should the elder members of the family be slain.

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 1.39

Go Deeper Into Chanting
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“Chanting produces best results when we go deeper into chanting. Standing on the shores of the ocean one can’t access the precious gems and jewels on the bed of the ocean; one will be tossed away by the waves. However if we go deeper into the ocean, we can access the pearls. Similarly by chanting superficially or occasionally, we can’t avail the benefits; we’ll be thrown away by the waves of material energy.”

 Radhanatha Swami