Monthly Archives: April 2018

TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland
- TOVP.org

Lord Nityananda and Lord Nrsimhadeva in the forms of Their shoes and helmet respectively, continue to guide our tour and perform miracles. Although we were only scheduled to visit the Sri Sri Gaur Nitai temple in Poland, a last minute arrangement was made to also visit the Nava Navadvipa temple. Each temple had about 25-35

The post TOVP Euro Tour Days 4 and 5: Wroclaw, Poland appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Temple Room Walls
- TOVP.org

We have some very good news. We have begun the walls all around the internal areas of the temple. The first area is the temple room. We started 3 walls with white marble and in the next few days we will commence with the red marble decoration. After, we will also start the festival wall

The post Temple Room Walls appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

If peer pressure makes us do materialistic things, what to do?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/If%20peer%20pressure%20makes%20us%20do%20materialistic%20things%2C%20what%20to%20do.mp3

The post If peer pressure makes us do materialistic things, what to do? app…

When the abducted Sita was not the real Sita, why was Rama distressed by her abduction? (Ramayana)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/When%20the%20abducted%20Sita%20was%20not%20the%20real%20Sita%2C%20why%20was%20Rama%20distressed%20by%20her%20abduction.mp3

The post When the abducted Sita was not …

Sun Love Feast – April 22nd, 2018 – Vedic discourse by Her Grace Jayrasheshwari Mataji
→ ISKCON Brampton

Chant: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare And Be Happy!!
ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead.
 ~ Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.17

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
  1.30 – 2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast
COMING UP AHEAD

Mohini Ekadasi
Fasting…………………on Wed Apr 25th,2018
Breakfast…………….  on Thu Apr 26th ,2018 b/w 6.17am – 10.56am
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.By constantly ‘exercising’ our minds through regular japa we can train our senses to push the threshold of contentment.
English audio glorification of all Ekadasis is available here 

Narasimha Caturdasi (Fasting till Dusk)
Celebration on Sat April 28th
The fourth incarnation is Nrisimhadeva. Nrisimhadeva appeared to save Prahlada Maharaja, who was five-years-old boy and he was being tortured by his atheistic father. His only fault was that he was Krishna conscious. He was devotee of Krishna.  Hiranyakasipu took benediction from Brahma that he’ll not be killed by any man or any animal. So the Lord appeared neither man nor animal. Hiranyakasipu was one of the stalwart materialistic and he wanted to live forever to enjoy.
Program details will follow shortly!

ONGOING PROGRAMS
Adult Education At The Temple
ISKCON Brampton offers various courses and Seminars for adults. The courses take a personal approach to learning. It encourages the student not only to study thoroughly the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to clearly understand the philosophy and practically apply it. The course focuses on behaviour and character, nurturing students in appropriate Vaishnava values. Professionally designed and presented, it draws on the principles of Krishna consciousness and the best of progressive education. In this way, it is true to ISKCON’s heritage and at the same time relevant to its mission in contemporary society.

For further information, please contact HG Prema Gaurangi Devi Dasi @ premagaurangi.jps@hotmail.com

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

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. School
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).

Monthly sankirtan Festival(MSF)
“One who has life can preach, and one who preaches gets life.”(Previous Acaryas)
Every member of ISKCON should have the opportunity to make advancement in Krishna consciousness by preaching.We encourage everyone to come out and participate and make Srila Prabhupada happy.

Please contact:
Dharma Dasa- dharandev58@gmail.com-647.892.0739(Mississauga and Brampton regions)

The Mentorship Program
Please note that registration in the Mentorship System is now a mandatory requirement for all initiation requests at ISKCON Brampton.It

1.Facilitates  and nurtures devotees aspiring for first and second Initiation.
2.One-on-One personal follow up on a regular basis.
3.Systematic training to devotees in matters of Philosophy, Sadhna, Vaishnava behavior, etiquette, Lifestyle and attitudes.

To find details please click here

Gift Shop

Are you looking for some amazing gift items which are less expensive and more beautiful for your loved ones for festivals or many other occasions??
Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewelry, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We’re open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.

Gala Premiere Of The Hare Krishna Film In Colombia (3 min video)…
→ Dandavats

Gala Premiere Of The Hare Krishna Film In Colombia (3 min video) Read More…

Lecture – SB 3.13.6-7 We Become Unhappy Because We Break The Laws Of Nature – Video
→ Prahladananda Swami

SB 03.13.06-7 We Become Unhappy Because We Break The Laws Of Nature 2013-05-04 Lecture Srimad Bhagavatam 3.13.6-7 We Become Unhappy Because We Break The Laws Of Nature – Krakow – 2013-05-04

Appearance Festival of Gadadhara Pandit, April 15, San Diego
Giriraj Swami

“In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (147-53) it is stated, “Sri Krsna’s pleasure potency, formerly known as Vrndavanesvari, is now personified in the form of Sri Gadadhara Pandita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami has pointed out that in the shape of Laksmi, the pleasure potency of Krsna, she was formerly very dear […]

Appearance of Sita Devi
→ Ramai Swami

Sita devi, the wife of Lord Rama, was not born in the normal way, but of the Earth Goddess, Bhumi devi herself. In Maharishi Valmiki’s own words, Ramayana is known as the noble story of Sita — “Sita-Ayah Caritam Mahat”. … Continue reading →

Lecture – BG 7.1 Mr. & Mrs. Goloka Vrindavan – Video
→ Prahladananda Swami

BG 07.01 Mr. & Mrs. Goloka Vrindavan 2013-05-05 Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 7.1 Mr. & Mrs. Goloka Vrindavan Krakow AKA  The process of learning about Krishna & No one born sincere  

Worldwide Maha Mantra flash-mob for Love & Peace (3 min…
→ Dandavats

Worldwide Maha Mantra flash-mob for Love & Peace (3 min video)
Golden Age comes again?!
Well, surely at least a beautiful step towards it!

Welwyn Festival, UK – 19th April 2018 (Album of photos) Srila…
→ Dandavats

Welwyn Festival, UK – 19th April 2018 (Album of photos)
Srila Prabhupada: You have asked me for suggestions of what to say to different persons on Sankirtana Party, but there is no specific saying to any person. Whatever we say we say to everyone. It doesn’t matter what is his age. Krishna Consciousness teaching does not depend on the age. It is the eternal platform of the soul. This is the meaning of transcendental; that is is beyond any consideration of material qualifications such as age or intelligence. Just like thunder in the sky does not need any explanation to any old person or to a young child, similarly, the transcendental sound vibration of Hare Krishna and preaching of Bhagavad-gita philosophy will act on everyone, regardless of whether or not they are understanding at first. When preaching you only repeat what you have heard from the disciplic succession and this will act. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Prahladananda – Tittenhurst 5 October, 1969
Find them here: https://goo.gl/grQxGK

Harinama at Burleigh Heads, Australia – 15 April 2018 (Album…
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Harinama at Burleigh Heads, Australia – 15 April 2018 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “My favorite [bhajana],” said Prabhupada, “is Hari hari viphale.” He recited the gist of the prayer in English: “”O Lord Hari, I have spent my life uselessly. Although I have taken this rare human birth, I have not worshiped Radha and Krsna, and so I have knowingly drunk poison.’ There is so much depth of meaning in Narottama dasa Thakura’s prayers.” From Srila Prabhupada-lilamrta
Find them here: https://goo.gl/iggzvk

Harinama in Russia (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: Because…
→ Dandavats

Harinama in Russia (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Because of his development of transcendental attachment for the Supreme Lord, a surrendered soul feels the presence of his beloved everywhere, and all his senses are engaged in the loving service of the Lord. His eyes are engaged in seeing the beautiful couple Sri Radha and Krsna sitting on a decorated throne beneath a desire tree in the transcendental land of Vrndavana. His nose is engaged in smelling the spiritual aroma of the lotus feet of the Lord. Similarly, his ears are engaged in hearing messages from Vaikuntha, and his hands embrace the lotus feet of the Lord and His associates. Thus the Lord is manifested to a pure devotee from within and without. This is one of the mysteries of the devotional relationship in which a devotee and the Lord are bound by a tie of spontaneous love. To achieve this love should be the goal of life for every living being. >>> Ref. VedaBase => Adi 1.56
Find them here: https://goo.gl/u6kzv2

The premiere of Hare Krishna! The film in Colombia! Amazing to…
→ Dandavats

The premiere of Hare Krishna! The film in Colombia! Amazing to see so many people from all different walks of life and spiritual tr…Read More…

Learning to be kind to ourselves
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Congregation program at Chicago, USA]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/Learning%20to%20be%20kind%20to%20ourselves.mp3

 
Podcast Summary
http://www.thespiritualscientist.co…

The process of deduction concludes that God is a medium sized person
→ SivaramaSwami.com

The description of the universal form is for the faithless The universal form is imaginary as the Lord has no material form The virāt-rūpa helps to achieve a conception of God Association brings understanding God is both great and small The concept of a unified energy shouldn’t degrade to māyāvāda For interaction and relationship there […]

Preaching program in Iskcon Barnaul, Siberia (Album of photos)…
→ Dandavats

Preaching program in Iskcon Barnaul, Siberia (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Our visit to Siberia has been magic. The sweet, enthusiastic, dedicated devotees – the blissful endless kirtans, the katha, the prasadam; everything! Even the biting cold and slogging through the snow could not deter us. We’ll miss this hidden, secret, remote part of the world. And if the Lord grants us His mercy, we’ll be back again next winter.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KmNMRv

Spontaneous devotional service
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 January 2018, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.23-24) Our first Ratha Yatra in Jaipur was a humble attempt. The devotees had just recently opened a small little centre. It was not much but they still wanted to have Ratha Yatra so decide to keep it simple. They had one chariot. A life […]

The article ” Spontaneous devotional service ” was published on KKSBlog.

When the mind wants to change unchangeable circumstances, what to do?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/When%20the%20mind%20wants%20to%20change%20unchangeable%20circumstances%2C%20what%20to%20do.mp3

The post When the mind wants to change unchangeable circumstances, w…

If we are to hate the sin, aren’t we to be averse to sin?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Answer Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/CCD%20QA/2018%20QA/03-18%20QA/If%20we%20are%20to%20hate%20the%20sin%2C%20aren%27t%20we%20to%20be%20averse%20to%20sin.mp3

The post If we are to hate the sin, aren’t we to be averse to sin? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Bhakti in three modes 3 – Bhakti in goodness brings sustainability, purity and harmony
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Chicago, USA]

Podcast

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/Bhakti%20in%20three%20modes%203%20-%20Bhakti%20in%20goodness%20brings%20sustainability%2C%20purity%20and%20harmony.mp3

 

Podcast Summary

http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/Summary%20-%20Bhakti%20in%20three%20modes%203%20-%20Bhakti%20in%20goodness%20brings%20sustainability%2C%20purity%20and%20harmony.mp3

 

Video:

The post Bhakti in three modes 3 – Bhakti in goodness brings sustainability, purity and harmony appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

Making sense of life through karma and reincarnation
→ The Spiritual Scientist

[Talk at Moksha Yoga Studio, Chicago, USA]
Podcast
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/audio/ccd%20classes/desiretree/2018%20classes/04-18%20classes/Making%20sense%20of%20life%20through%20karma%20and%20reincarnation.mp3

 
Podcast Summary
http://…

What Is The Importance Of Spiritual Master (video)
→ Dandavats

What Is The Importance Of Spiritual Master By HH Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami (video)
Read More…(This post has been viewed 503 times so far)

36 religious students visited yesterday the Iskcon Farm in…
→ Dandavats

36 religious students visited yesterday the Iskcon Farm in Sweden (Album with photos)
They were invited to lectures, Indian da…Read More…

Harinama in Paris (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: This is…
→ Dandavats

Harinama in Paris (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: This is Vedic civilization, not to waste a single moment of life for useless attempt. That is Vedic civilization. Every moment should be utilized. Especially for the human being, it’s so valuable. And they are finding out sporting, swimming and surfing — simply all programs of wasting time, especially in the Western countries. How much they have invented, I see only and laugh. The elderly men of your age, of course, maybe my age also, they are swimming and surfing. (Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, November 11, 1975)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/GQgyP7

Golden Age comes again? (3 min video) Well, surely at least a…
→ Dandavats

Golden Age comes again? (3 min video)
Well, surely at least a beautiful step towards it!
Love & Peace maha-mantra flash-mob is now ON!
This special inspirational 2.5 min video features chants by:
HH Radhanath Swami, Bhakti Chaitania Swami, Indradyumna Swami, BB Govinda Swami, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami and many other Maharajas as well as respected Chaitania Chandra Charan, Yadubar, Jayadev, Malati, Mondakini, Mohanasini Prabhus and Matajis.
All that is just to kindly seek your participation in this amazing, utmost auspicious campaign!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/1zurSv

Tosan Krishna das remembers Yamuna devi.
→ Dandavats

“When one is on the bhakti marga everything is personal. Yamuna devi’s abundantly nutritious persona was the direct catalyst making the crucial difference between myself merely looking at the honey inside the jar and my deliberate decisio…

Food for Life program in Glasgow, Scotland
→ Dandavats

Dwaipayana das: We have a wonderful programme of giving out free prasad to students on a Wednesday at Glasgows main university we are having up to and over 60 students lining up for our nutritional vegan meals.Sundays we give out prasad to everyone stu…

Siberia, Novosibirsk: Just Like Vaikuntha! (Album of photos)…
→ Dandavats

Siberia, Novosibirsk: Just Like Vaikuntha! (Album of photos)
Indradyumna Swami: As we continue our journey through Russia at winter’s end we meet devotees everywhere. In the city of Novosibirsk, in Siberia, we chanted and danced with blissful devotees for hours on end in an old hall in the city. It was just like Vaikuntha!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/UJt52Z

Monday, April 16th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
New Monk

A new monk has come to town.  Dwarkanatha, 29, is from Vrndavana, India, and he recently has joined our crew to help in the cooking department.  Apart from being a chef, he also plays a lovely sitar and is quite good at the mrdungadrum.

From the musical side, it is a relief.  When here, I’m the one to play the beats, but now I can enjoy a break and have a realdrummer play away.

When weather improves, I’ll take him to the nearest ravine to experience a taste of urban-green walking.  It will be novel for him, being in a modern Canadian setting.  Even flying overseas is a first for him.

I am left to reflect on my first journey, not by plane, or by boat—when I was 5 my mother took me to Holland by one of those ocean liners—but my first experience in a temple.  It was like a foreign zone, something like church, but more.  I felt so much joy cut off from mundane-ness.

That initial journey was in Montreal, the winter of ’72, when Krishna devotees had rented a spot on the third floor of an apartment building on Park Avenue.  It was actually a former bowling alley.  The markings of the bowling parameters were still there.  In those days no one sang Bol! Or even Haribol!

A friend of mine, Durward, also had his first venture into Krishna culture in Montreal. He tells me that in that old bowling alley a person, a visitor, had set up a tent inside and had his pet iguana with him.  That was novel too.  In those days it was rather more of an open door policy.  Anyways, welcome Dwarkanatha.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


Sunday, April 15th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
April 15thin Toronto

April is very deceptive.  Just when you think spring has burst through, or is about to, then a merciless storm crushes all you want to do.  They have reported over a thousand accidents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).  There are high winds, and piercing-cold pellets of rain coming down, leaving a precarious situation at ground level. Slush!  Mush!  It’s weather that bends things out of shape—your windshield wipers, for instance.

Billie and I trudged through the mess.  Its newly-formed mountain ranges and rivers, we attempted to navigate through to get to our destination—the Convention Centre and to the ever-popular Yoga Show.

Most attendees are downtowners who braved the weather.  They are not discouraged.  They are here to see people bend, but not out of shape,rather in shape.  There was a session of ecstatic dance.  It only needed a mantra to make it complete and qualify it as kirtan.  Someone by the name of Sandeep gave a free head massage.  Oh, and I met friends I hadn’t seen in years.  It was a stupendous event lasting for three days. I like the yogis as much as they like our food (prasadam).  Many yogis also like kirtan.

Billie went around with mantra cards promoting kirtanand the monthly “Evening of Bhakti.”  Thank you Billie.  Thank you Demi, for co-ordinating the food section.  Many heroes emerged from the kitchen department of Krishna food distribution.  Thousands were fed.

May the Source be with you!

2 km


Saturday, April 14th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
At the Yoga Show

We had to cancel our spring Farmer’s Conference, which was to be held in Brighton, Ontario, due to sleet and icy rain.  It is postponed until next Saturday, April 21st.  By default, I then redirected myself to the attention of the Toronto Yoga Show held at the Convention Centre.  To my delight, the attendance was great, despite the occurring weather.  Where do all these people come from? I had to ask myself.

Although the numbers of people were phenomenal and the draw to the event has much to do with wellness, simply stretching limbs in tight clothes has its limitations.  Of course there are some great products for sale by exhibitors and there is also the food court, with Govinda’s being one terrific food outlet.  The line-up is long.  Apparently people like the prasadam(blessed food).

What really made me feel complete about the event was the presence of kirtanconducted by the Gaura Shakti group.  The set-up took a while for their hour-long allotted time, but once the band began their songs, the massive hall at the convention centre, the entire place, transformed in sound.  People sang and got up to dance.

I was also pleasantly surprised by meeting Adrien, a massage therapist.  Why so?  I met him on the Trans-Canada Highway in 2012 when I was in stride, walking, and he was in a van supporting a cyclist’s club who were travelling across Canada, raising money for a charity.

“Are you The Walking Monk?” he inquired, when he met me near the food court.  From that question was triggered a recollection of the instance on the highway.  “And you had that guy with the parrot?”

“Yes, Billie, the parrot.”

May the Source be with you!

2 km


Friday, April 13th, 2018
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario
On This Day

I never in my life held any superstitious attitudes toward Friday the 13th. However, in a Vedic context, when it is said by some astrological authority that one is under the influence of the dark planets, Rahu and Ketu, I take it a little more seriously.  I personally survived a period of my life, said to be a Rahu period.  It wasn’t nice and I won’t go into minute detail.  What is important was how I approached this negative period.  I started a long walk to the distance of 8,000-plus kilometres on Canadian soil.

That was in 1996.  I also took to a lot of chanting.  Many days, it was 64 rounds on the japabeads.  The combination of walking, chanting and some speaking opportunities/engagements kept me going.

It was this afternoon that I took a mini-walk with Dave, not to counteract any ill omens of bad fortune Friday the 13thmight bring—I already explained my position on this.  Dave and I strolled along some of the laneways of the posh shops of Yorkville, just for a break from what we were both doing.  Trying to bond a bit might be what we were trying to do.

Dave serves food at Govinda’s and does some of the dishes when needed.  I was administratively engaged.  So we walked and talked.  No chanting was done, but that’s okay.  The friendship building is what was important.

It was Dave’s idea to go for this first walk.  “I’ll take up your offer on it,” he told me.

“Really, when did I ask for the walk?” I hadn’t remembered I had done so.

“You wrote the invite to walk, on a card, and I’ve been keeping that card.”

“When did I leave you the card?” I asked.

“About five years ago,” he responded.

May the Source be with you!

3 km