Planet ISKCON

Howard Wheeler Meets Swamiji

Today, how shall we give
and whom shall we love?
Count the ways to be thankful.
First, decide to be happy.
Think of the reasons why not,
remembering that happiness
is a moment by moment choice
just as sadness is a question of focus.

Why give more reasons
to be unhappy than happy?
Why wait to be happy
till achieving some goal,
or lament what you don’t have
when you can happily achieve
or even fail temporarily
learning valuable lessons?
Tomorrow we get to try again!

The above reflection is for anyone,
but if you are a bhakti practitioner
we can add to the mix, the goal of Krishna.

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Gopal’s restaurant in Melbourne was renovated at the end of last year when the owners of the building put in a new elevator.

Unfortunately, it had to be closed for a couple of months while work was going on but since reopening business has increased by 20%.

It seems customers like the new decor and slightly revamped menu.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 22 June 2014, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London, Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-Lila 8.63-66)

It is mentioned in the Hari Bhakti Vilasa that if one accepts the worship of a deity then, not only should one worship that deity very nicely during his lifetime, but one is also responsible to make sure that the seva puja goes on after one’s lifetime! So we see that it is a major responsibility to worship a deity.

Krsna is very kind when he manifests himself in his deity form. Krsna descends from the spiritual world in that particular form and manifests himself here. When Krsna manifests himself in the deity form, the spiritual world is also manifest. Therefore in a way, one can say that our temples are non-different from Vrindavan because wherever Krsna is, the entire spiritual world is also manifest! That is the nature of Krsna.

In this way, we can appreciate the mercy that is manifest through the deity of the Lord. Just like here at the Bhaktivedanta Manor, it would have no meaning without the deity. It is a beautiful Manor but the deity is the centre of the entire property. Srila Prabhupada, as the principle servant, is leading all of us in service to the deity. Everything is going on very nicely. Whatever is here is an asset of the deity and whatever we develop, is offered to the deity. In that way, wherever the deity is manifest, automatically life begins to centre around Krsna. Therefore, deity worship is a very important and powerful element of the bhakti process.

There is a strange term which has often puzzled me we speak about devotee’s then the term congregational member; do we actually have congregational members?

It appears to be more divisive than it initially appears, however I have found that those labeled congregational members are actually inspirational devotee’s in disguise.

Given that I’ve been going to the same temple for over seven years you would have thought may be not going since the beginning of the year someone would notice, may be those who have come into Wales either for the annual retreat or visiting would swing by.

Indeed over the past seven years I’ve had to learn about the retreats close to my home after the event and every year the same reply, ow next year but next year never comes; to senior devotees who say they need to talk to me then are within 10 minutes from my home but no visit.

Now can I make a small humble contrast with those ladled congregational members Interestingly they not only noticed my absence but contacted to make sure everything was alright, sent inspirational quotes and links to amazing videos.

The same congregational members have taken the time to travel just to assist with a community Diwali celebration and even participated and made some amazing cakes.

And I remain humbled by their concern and assistance during a hospital stay making sure I had all my needs both spiritually and materially; even offering to make sure myself and my vehicle returned safely to Wales.

And over the years I’ve seen a deep and amazing love and appreciation of Sri Krishna and Srila Prabhupada, and how they extol this in how they demonstrate this in their lives, not by words but by their actions.

For me it’s not in the label we place on individual’s or that we use a term that appears incompatible with the teaching and spoken word from Srila Prabhupada who simply looked on everyone as spirit soul and those who have taken up the spiritual path of bhakti (devotee)

When you speak to those who not only met but spent time with Srila Prabhupada noted that he had great concern and was less concerned about forms, exams, courses but on the individual how to inspire them and angage in devotional service; most describe it as a pure love.

For love is the inspiration.

Love means we care.

And what I’ve noticed is that those who have ladled congregational member show the greatest love and this inspires one to remain in devotional circles, and inspire one to do more seva.

Love is all you need

And the mistake we make is ladling some congregational member when their deep love demonstrates that they are indeed devotee

So could I humbly suggest we stop using this label and describe everyone as devotee

HARE KRISHNA

In the Vedanta-sutra it is said that sabda liberates us. When we say Hare Krishna, all the potency of Godhead is there. It is like being in the presence of the Lord, like reading all the Vedas, like seeing the spiritual world, like hearing all of Krishna’s pastimes, like understanding the philosophy if you know how to connect with the sound. That is the challenge: connecting with the sabda. because with any kind of relationship there has to be more than transmission; there has to be reception. If the other person isn’t receiving, then the relationship is not working. If the receiver is no good, you don’t get the message. All our modern media communication is based on information coming from one side and being received on the other. If the receiver is faulty, the whole thing fails. When someone sends a kirtana to your computer, the file appears as a bunch of squiggles if you don’t have the right program to receive it. Similarly, the effects of spiritual sound will be impeded if we’re not tuned in. Continue reading "The Seven Wonders of the Word
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The post Initiation lecture appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

One day Charles suffered a great deal and was afraid. Visnupriya gave him a Back to Godhead magazine, and he was pleased to recognize the picture of Nagaraja Dasa, whom he had met. "Oh, I know him!" Charles said, "I think I'll read this magazine." Reading Back to Godhead helped calm him down. Godruma and Visnupriya read to him as much as they could from the Bhagvad-gita and Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Charles listened to the reading intensely. "I don't understand everything you read," he told them, "but please continue. I love to listen." In September the nurses said they saw a difference in Charles. He seemed peaceful, even though his physical deterioration continued unabated. One evening Visnupriya was sitting at his side when she noticed he was smiling. "There's someone standing at the foot of my bed," he told her. "Who is it, Dad?" she asked. Charles pointed to the picture of Srila Prabhupada near his bed. "It's him." Incredulous, Visnupriya grabbed Charles's hand. "Are you sure?" "Yes." Charles smiled. "Dad, you're going to be O.K.," Visnupriya said in wonder. "You have the shelter of Srila Prabhupada." When this happened several more times, Visnupriya let go of her own fear and worry. Obviously, her father-in-law was under much greater care than her own. Continue reading "Family Fortune
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Bhakti Vriksha- 10 roles in a Bhakti Vriksha group (3 min video)
Train your Bhakti Vriksha Members in becoming future Bhakti Vriksha Leaders using this easy process.
Advaita Chandra Das and Kalasudha Devi Dasi are Bhakti Vriksha Program Directors from ISKCON Houston.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/3BFIZW

By Kevala Bhakti das

On Friday, May 20, 2016, Toronto’s Hare Krishna Community celebrated the appearance day of Lord Narasimhadeva – Lord Krishna’s half-man, half-lion incarnation.

Lord Narasimhadeva descended to protect his young devotee Sri Prahlada Maharaja from his torturous father, King Hiranyakashipu. There are many prayers to Lord Narasimha that invoke powerful mantras for protection, appealing to the Lord’s half-lion incarnation and His weapons. These are for protection from such things as malevolent spirits and material desires, as well as increased devotion and a peaceful world.

The festival kicked off with a lively kirtan and was followed by an enthralling class by Vaisesika Prabhu. The class focused on this most munificent form of the Lord and devotees were hanging off every word of our guest speaker.

Following the class, Lord Narasimha made a divine appearance, much to the delight of the crowd (and likely to the terror of some children… sorry!). As Lord Narasimha exited stage left, a beautiful abhisheka (bathing ceremony) took place wherein a small form of Lord Narasimha was bathed with various items. This was done amidst thumping kirtan!

After an exuberant kirtan, a delightful vegetarian feast (prasadam) was served to one and all!
Festival Pictures: Mathuraprasada das

The post Daily Darshan : May 28th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Iskcon Youth Bus Tour (13 min video)
We are SO excited to finally unveil our 2016 Australian Bus Tour video, on the same day that our US Kirtan Tour begins :). It’s wonderful to know that the bus tour revolution is still growing globally!
We hope you get just as inspired after watching this film, and please like, comment and share with others. And we hope you get inspired enough to join us on our upcoming second annual Australian Bus Tour!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/9EORLy

The Bonds of Love.
My name is Nadia. I am 13yrs old, live in Zurich, Switzerland, and love cows!
My earliest and happiest memories are of coming to Kurma Rupa Prabhu’s Care for Cows with my mother Mahapuri dasi when we visited Vrindavan and the Krsna Balaram Temple, usually twice a year.
Once in the month of Kartik 2009, along with my mother and some friends, I was at Care for Cows with Kurma Rupa prabhu. We were petting the sick and injured cows, when a poor elderly lady walked into the ghosala carrying a tiny calf. She asked if he could take her calf as she was poor and unable to look after her. Kurma Rupa prabhu agreed. One of our friends decided to adopt her and named her Champaka Lata. Since that time we have taken over her sponsorship.
When I first saw Champaka Lata I felt such love and just wanted to hold and cuddle this sweet little calf. Every day I would beg my mother to bring me to the Care for Cows to spend hours embracing Champi (my name for her). She would lay her head on my chest while I petted and brushed her. Years passed and our bond grew and grew.
In September, 2012 Champi gave birth to a beautiful calf, Sarika. Upon our arrival back in Vrindavan we caught a rickshaw over to Care for Cows, Kiki Nagla. Champi ran to my mother and started pushing and licking her. Champi placed her head on my mother’s lap when she sat down and tears were flowing from Champi’s eyes. Soon all of us including, Keshi Nisudan and our friends were crying tears of affection. Keshi prabhu said she was crying with the joy at becoming a mother. Now she is a mother of a second child, a bull called Kurma Rupa.
Champi gives me so much warmth and love that every second spent with her is filled with great happiness and strength. When I grow up I want to be a Veterinarian and serve the holy cows of Vrindavan. I know I have to study very hard.
Thank you to all the staff of Care For Cows for always making us so welcome and for taking such good care of Champi and all her friends.

Govindas street kirtana in Sydney, Australia (Album with photos)
Kalasamvara Das: As part of the 50th year incorporation of Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON celebration Govindas street kirtana is taking part in the world famous vivid light spectacular for the next 3 weeks which is transforming Sydney into a wonderland of light art and sculptures, like the famous Sydney opera house, the Sydney harbour bridge and other iconic landmark buildings.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/B4gVJb

In Memoriam 2016 - new video by Siddhanta prabhu about the departed sons and daughters of His Divine Grace. (20 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: You have asked if it is true that the Spiritual Master remains in the material universe until all of His disciples are transferred to the Spiritual Sky. The answer is yes, this is the rule. Therefore, every student should be very much careful not to commit any offense that will be detrimental to this promotion to the Spiritual Kingdom, and thereby the Spiritual Master has to incarnate again to deliver him. This sort of mentality will be a kind of offense to the Spiritual Master. Anyone who defies and therefore disconnects the relationship with the Spiritual Master can hardly expect the assistance of the Spiritual Master life after life. Letter to Jayapataka, July 11, 1969.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/tw9ID7

It’s On! (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: The Sadhu Sanga Retreat 2016, in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, is on! Just under 2,000 devotees from around the USA have registered and are settling in for a special weekend of kirtan, kirtan and more kirtan. We held the first program this evening.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/KQdXdG

May 28. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Even a Paragraph, A Sentence, A Word.
We want to remember what Prabhupada has written and repeat it to audiences wherever we go. His teachings are memorable truths. Other writers may dazzle us with their presentations, but we don’t want to memorize them. Their so-called truths are not worth repeating. Srila Prabhupada’s writing is powerful truth, and because it is powerful, he can utter it with calmness, restraint, and simplicity. Srila Prabhupada himself is a modest person, but he carries the mantle of the pure devotee of Krishna.
Even one paragraph of Srila Prabhupada’s writing is worth studying and restudying. Often just a small section of a paragraph will expose the complicated waste and misuse of energy that the non-devotees engage in. His writing cannot be read with complacency if one wants to get the full effect of his preaching. Srila Prabhupada is too dynamic a writer to read him in a casual way:
The material scientists – the quasi-priests who invoke such material activities – invent many objects to gratify the material senses, including the eye, ear, nose, skin, tongue, and ultimately the mind, and in this way the scientists create a field of unnecessary competition for enhancement of material happiness, which leads the whole world into the whirlpool of uncalled-for clashes. The net result is scarcity all over the world, so much so that even the bare necessities of life, namely, food, shelter and clothing, become objects of contention and control. And so there arise all sorts of obstacles to the traditional, God-given life of plain living and high thinking.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=8

Gita verse-by-verse podcast

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The post ​Gita 10.17 – Recollection and participation are reconciled by understanding God’s immanence appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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Even a Paragraph, A Sentence, A Word

Giriraj read and spoke from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 8.

Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya were embracing in ecstasy, the Lord restrained His transcendental emotions upon seeing the outsider brahmanas. (Cc Madhya 8 purport)

“In this verse the word ‘vijitiya’ appears which means ‘outsider’. And, opposed to that is ‘sajitiya‘. Because the brahmanas were vijitiya or outsiders—in other words they were not pure devotees who could understand the loving exchanges between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramanada Raya—Lord Caitanya restrained His emotions so that they would not be bewildered and commit offences.

One of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples, named Gargamuni, told Srila Prabhupada that he felt like crying in kirtan. Srila Prabhupada replied. ‘It is alright when you are with other devotees because they will understand. Otherwise you should not cry in public.'”

Cc Madhya 8, Houston

The mind is a sort of mirror by which consciousness reflects its light into the dim world of external objects. This mirror is the first function of the mind, which is called citta (“heart”).

The mind has three other functions too. 

The next function is to create an image of oneself (“ego” / ahamkara). Consciousness reflecting on a mirror, sees an image of itself. The image is not exactly the self, but resembles it, depending on the quality of the mirror. This image inspires a general sense of ambition: “I see myself on this mirror, I exist! So let’s do something!”

The next function of the mind (manas) is called “emotions and desires” or just takes the name “mind” since it is the main function of the whole internal aparatus (antah-karana). The mind develops very specific ambitions, called desires. For example, If the self revealed on the mirror of the ego appears to be a monkey, the mind will then develop desires that go along with that monkey ego. “I want bananas.”

The final function is to recognize objects and other patterns of data. This is called “Intelligence” (buddhi). All the perceptual senses feed their data into the intellect, which sorts it out and makes sense of it. So, for example, when some yellow light comes into the eyes, the intellect sorts it out – recognizing it as belonging to either a lemon or a banana.

The intellect feeds these recognized patterns to the mind. “Hey look we have a lemon here.” The mind then reacts with an emotion. “Boo! I don’t want lemons I want bananas.” Or if the intellect reports a banana the mind reacts with a happy emotion “Yay, bananas!”

The mind then presents its desire to the intellect “I want them.”

The intellect will assess how and if it is possible to get them. This produces more emotions in the mind. If the intellect informs the mind, “they are far up in a tree, guarded by pythons.” Then the mind experiences sadness. If the intellect figures out a way to distract the pythons and climb the tree, the mind experiences elation. 

So all the emotions, desires, ambitions, and self concepts are not in the field-knower (us, consciousness itself), they are in the field – and we vicariously identity with our field by looking at it intently, projecting our consciousness into it via the first function of the mind (citta), the mirror.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskAwRrhQ

The post Photos of new school building opening appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

History of one photo.
Denis, hello. My life has changed dramatically over the last fifteen months. It now makes sense and fullness. My son and husband are happy, our lives normal. I live for the first time. I live with a sense of integrity and involvement to everything around. It all began with a short, but the most important meeting of my life. Denis, thanks to you I have come to Krishna consciousness, it happened six months after it has been made this picture, but for the last six months I read the Bhagavad Gita and had the yatra has already consciously. I have no words to express the sense of gratitude that overwhelms me. It is because you have changed my mentality, attitude towards life and people. Thank you for what you have done to me, for your preaching and for the boundless happiness you gifted me with which I now enjoy. I would be immensely happy to see you again, and personally express you my gratitude.
Answer: Hello, dear Nastya! I am very pleased that my efforts have paid off. In fact, we need to thank Srila Prabhupada, that he saves us. I’m just the postman. I am very glad that your life has changed for the better, it inspired me to continue to distribute the book. Now I live in Omsk, and will stay here until the spring, but when I come back I will be glad to talk with you. I wish you happiness!

Iskcon Alachua: Door left open for Krishna elderly housing.
The decision came after hearing presentations from county staff and representatives of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness’ Alachua County location, which is off State Road 235, northeast of the city of Alachua.
Arvind Singh, a member of ISKCON, is proposing to develop his 12-acre parcel next to the religious facility in the hopes of providing a “congregate living facility” where elderly members of the congregation would live. Being close to temple would make attending 4:15 a.m. prayer easier and also help maintain their vegetarian dietary restrictions, according to Singh.
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/fmzU4B

Kumbha Mela 2016 report.
Deena Bandhu Das: This is what one month in Kumbha Mela looks like! We distributed 20,000 Bhagavad Gita As It Is, 20,000 Btgs, about a thousand Kumbha Mela books, and many others. We did Harinam everyday for 2 hours, and distributed very nice full prasadam plates to thousands and thousands of pilgrims! Hundreds of pilgrims chanted their first round on our Japa Parikrama. Festival of Preaching! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!!

Amaravati: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) is constructing 108 mini temples (mandirams) at the upcoming Golden temple premises at Changheeskhanpet near Kondaveedu in Guntur district. These mini temples will depict various phases in the life of Lord Krishna like ‘Kali Mardanam’, ‘Godavardhanagiri’, ‘Geethopadesam’ and others.

The mini temples will depict various phases of the life of Lord Krishna
First phase of construction to be completed in two years
Two audio-visual theatres being set up to disseminate Vedic knowledge
A show using robots is being mooted to drive home the impact of good and bad deeds

The Iskcon started construction of Golden temple with a cost of Rs 200 crore. The phase one works which began few months ago are expected to complete within two years. It is said that the temple will be a cynosure of all eyes after the completion of construction and will attract tourists from far and wide.

The authorities are keen to use state-of-the-art technology to propagate Vedic knowledge and are constructing two audio-visual theaters in the temple complex. Apart from this, plans are afoot for a yagasala and a koneru (temple pond), which would be used to conduct ‘Teppotsavam’. A musical fountain is also set to adorn the temple complex.

Foundation works for the main temple have been completed and authorities said that they would start main construction work within a couple of weeks. The main temple will be in the shape of Swan (a mythological bird) and the presiding deity is Venna Krishna.

Speaking to The Hans India, Satya Gopinath Das chairman – south India of Iskcon said that for the first time in the country they are setting up state-of-the-art audio-visual theaters in the temple complex to disseminate Vedic knowledge. “We are also planning a robot show to explain impact of good deeds and bad deeds in the life. The entire temple would be constructed with pink stone, which is imported from Rajasthan,” he added.

Source: http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-05-27/108-mini-temples-coming-up/230700

The significance of rathayatra reached the far corners of the globe now and especially where ISKCON temples are located ever since Srila Prabhupada organised the first rathayatra in San Francisco in 1967 as briefed below. The rathayatra was scheduled on a Sunday the 9th July. On Saturday, 8th July, Jagannatha Deities were brought from Stinson Beach and draped in cloth. Although some rathayatra posters were the only official announcements, everyone in the Haight-Ashbury was talking about the festival. A Krishna parade to the beach! A love feast! Bring flowers, wear bells, paint up, chant, and get high! Celebrate Sri Jagannatha, Lord of the universe! Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada spreads Rathayatra world-wide
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The post Daily Darshan : May 27th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

"Artha" refers to not just wealth but also meaning. To pursue artha means to pursue both wealth and meaning, that is, to pursue wealth in a meaningful way that creates value.

All you ever wanted to know about how to chant japa …improperly :-) (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.16)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/PMrWrF