Planet ISKCON

By Giriraj Swami

Much has been said about the power of positive thinking, that the secret to success is to think positively about what you want to achieve and that such thoughts will attract positive results–practically without limit. Such claims may foster a sense of optimism about the possibilities for material success, but how realistic are these claims, and how beneficial are these approaches and techniques?

I have always been impressed by Srila Prabhupada’s bold, frank realism and find it a refreshing relief from so much naive, sentimental optimism. After all, we are in the material world, and we stand to benefit if we consider all possibilities, even “negative” ones.

Speaking on Bhagavad-gita 1.6, Srila Prabhupada said, “Duryodhana first of all pointed out the military strength of the opposite side. This is intelligence. One should take calculation of the opposing elements, or the enemy’s side. In fighting, the first thing is to take estimation of the enemy’s side, how much they are strong, how they have arranged. Then one should calculate how to counteract, how to fight with them. This is intelligence. Without taking calculation of the other side, if you are not prepared, how can you become victorious?

“An intelligent man thinks not only of the bright side of this business, or this fight–so many things we have to deal with. There is a darker side also. We should always think, ‘If there is some thief, if there is some rogue, they may try to cheat us, so what precaution will I take?’ This is intelligence. If I simply calculate, ‘In this business I will make so much profit,’ and in the meantime somebody comes and cheats me and goes away . . . Therefore the darker side also should be thought of. That is intelligence.”

Although Srila Prabhupada’s view is balanced, one may think that he is being dark, or pessimistic, and that one who follows him will become “negative” about life. The fact is, however, that often one cannot obtain a greater gain unless he is prepared to give up a lesser one. Unless one is pessimistic about limited material possibilities, he may miss the unlimited spiritual possibilities that exist with God.

So, transcendentalists, devotees, are not pessimistic–or, they are both pessimistic and optimistic. As Srila Prabhupada succinctly expressed it, “The devotee is always pessimistic about the material world, but he is very optimistic about the spiritual life.”

samasrita ye pada-pallava-plavam mahat-padam punya-yaso murareh bhavambudhir vatsa-padam param padam padam padam yad vipadam na tesam

“For those who have accepted the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord, who is the shelter of the cosmic manifestation and is famous as Murari, the enemy of the Mura demon, the ocean of the material world is like the water contained in a calf’s hoof-print. Their goal is param padam, Vaikuntha, the place where there are no material miseries, not the place where there is danger at every step.” (SB 10.14.58)

Hare Krsna

As soon as I am desiring something, immediately my body is formed. Immediately a particular type of body begins to form, and as soon as I am mature to change, my next body I get according to my desire. Therefore we should always desire Krishna. Then from this life, the Krishna-approaching body or the spiritual body will be formed. The more you become sincere servant of Krishna, the more your body becomes Krishnaized, electrified. Therefore advanced Krishna conscious person is considered to have a spiritual body. The same example, as I have given several times: just like iron rod. You put into the fire, it becomes warmer, warmer. The more it is connected with fire, it becomes warm, warm, warm. And at last it becomes red hot, so that at that time, if that iron is touched to any other thing, it burns. It does not act as iron; it acts as fire. Similarly, by this Krishna consciousness, continuous chanting, you will make your body spiritualized. At that time, wherever you go, wherever you touch, he’ll be spiritualized. Similarly, the iron: Without being spiritualized, without being red hot, if you touch, it will not act. Continue reading "The Krsna-approaching Body
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At this point another question raises its hood, especially in the minds of the cynical. “So, after all,” they say, “all you want is your own happiness. You are not really as selfless as you want us to believe. You are serving God because it gives you happiness; that’s not really selfless.” We acknowledge the astute intelligence behind this question. And the answer to this question is what actually touches the heart of all sincere devotees of God. We inform those who are seeking happiness away from God that unlimited happiness is found only in serving God. By rendering some service to God, even selfishly, the dormant love for God begins to revive. Soon the person starts serving God with selfless love. It is the nature of the soul to love and serve God, and once reinstated in that original consciousness, the soul just wants to serve God out of love. For a pure devotee of God, there is no consideration of whether he himself is happy or not, all he is concerned about is how he can serve His Lord and please Him. The Lord, who is all loving, is moved by the love of such a devotee and reciprocates in such a way that the devotee’s happiness knows no bounds., The pure devotee, however, does not act motivated by Krsna’s reciprocation, but out of love only. The pure devotee never seeks happiness, he is always seeking service indeed, this is the very definition of pure love for Krsna and is the essence of the existence of the soul. Continue reading "The Eternally Limitless and Me
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Tel Aviv Israel - Hare Krishna devotees at the beach! Harinama and book distribution (Album with photos)
“Hear, Sanatana! Kindness to all living beings, taste for the holy name, and service to Vaisnavas - apart from these there is no other dharma.” (attributed to Lord Caitanya, often quoted or alluded to by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, e.g. in Caitanya Bhagavata Adi Khanda 1.1 purport)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/lXrB0x

Join us for the 16th annual Festival of Inspiration this Mother’s Day weekend Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8, 2016. Spend this exciting and uplifting spring weekend with H.H. Jayapataka Swami in New Vrindaban, West Virginia, and experience three exciting days of:

Enlightening & engaging presentations by ISKCON’s best speakers (Jayapataka Swami, Bhakti Marg Swami, Varsana Swami, Chandra Sekhara Swami, Vaisesika dasa, Sally and Gopal Agarwal, Yogesvara dasa, Malati devi, Urmila devi and others)

Top-quality entertainment, from dramas to stand-up comedy
(Bhakti Marg Swami and his team, Ekendara dasa and others)

Rip-roaring kirtans and bhajans with world-class singers
(Sacidevi dasi, Havi dasa and others)

Accommodations are limited & filling up quickly, register today by calling at 304-843-1600 ext. 111 or emailing nvfestivals@gmail.com. For more information, please visit – www.festivalofinspiration.net

We look forward to serving you! Hare Krishna.

* Please note that although Jayapataka Maharaja has confirmed his attendance at this year’s festival, his availability is entirely dependent on his health condition being stable. He is currently doing well and we hope that Krishna willing, it continues this way and we can have him with us at the Festival.

Kirtan event in Devon, England (video)
Nearly 100 people danced in a kirtan event held at an eco farm community in Devon, England.
Adi-Guru das & friends travelled down to Devon countryside to lead newcomers in their first taste of kirtan and were pleasantly surprised at their openness…Devon is on the map of the kirtan yajna! devotees can’t wait to go again!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ZeYxt4

Lovely street dance with the Hare Krishna devotees in Leicester Square (4 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/8hGrLd

Written by Nandan

Sunday, 24 April

The rolling hills and winding valleys of the Belgian Ardennes are always a pleasant sight. Like last year, it certainly creates a great sense of anticipation for the events that would unfold over the next few days. But the weather this year coming into Radhadesh was truly bizarre. There was no welcoming sunshine this year! Instead, it was distinctly chilly and strangely, the fields, trees and roofs of all the village houses were covered with a sparse layer of snow; at the end of April!

Nonetheless devotees weren’t fazed by the elements. Connecting with vaishnava philosophy makes one only too aware of the imperfections of this world we live in. Despite the diabolical climate, driving up the meandering road and catching first sight of the Radhadesh Chateau is always such a stately view.

What to speak of the inside! Gigantic and exquisite chandeliers, gold painted motifs on ornate ceilings, a majestic marble type staircase and of course, the generous display of Krsna lila paintings adorning the walls. The overall effect is stunning and we are still only in the reception.

Soon we find ourselves taking darshan of their gorgeous Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha; Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev, Subadhra; and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai! Philosophically speaking, we don’t actually take darshan of them. It is said that we are there to be seen by them. After all, what can we see with our mundane eyes? (I speak for myself here). And yet, when glancing upon the astonishing sight of the deities with their beauty, dazzling splendour and cuteness; one cannot help but feel moved by the sight. There is definitely something in viewing the deities that goes beyond the censorship of reason and logic. Even for a neophyte like myself.

Soon enough, rooms were allocated; luggage laid out, loving pleasantries exchanged with devotees not seen for a while and delicious prasadam honoured. After our motley crew of British devotees settled in, there was only thing on our minds; meet HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj!

Maharaj was staying in the nearby college building. The weather outside was cold and drizzly, but as soon as Nimai (Maharaj’s young German servant) opened the door, it was like walking into a sauna – hot and steamy to the max. Maharaj looked at us with his priceless grin; while we we’re are all beaming from cheek to cheek. ‘We’ meaning Sesa  (cerebral yet childlike), Ganesh (dynamic and always in fifth gear), Gurudas (gregarious, exuberant and ‘larger than life’!) and myself.  We all lumbered in one by one and immediately sat on the soft rug while Maharaj sat on his chair. Maharaj’s desk was covered with various Gaudiya vaishnava literatures. In the middle of it, there was also a huge book on what seemed to be an anthology and history of Western philosophical thought. Some of us mentioned whether the temperature was a bit too hot for Maharaj, but he just gave a nonchalant shrug. Better having it hot then dealing with crazy weather outside.

Inevitably the question of Maharaj’s health came up. As soon as health was mentioned, Maharaj had that expression of, “Here we go again!!” He must have heard this question a million times by now. Nonetheless he graciously explained his situation – a wound resulting from Maharaj’s illness is not fully healed yet, his iron levels are still rather low and there is still some occasional dizziness, suffice to say he still needs to take it easy. He is definitely not out of the woods yet. A lot of devotees may have initially felt a little disappointment knowing Maharaj won’t physically be on the Kingsday parade but considering his state of health, this could only be a good thing. Externally Maharaj seemed rather perky but he still needs plenty of rest. It was good to know that he would be going to stay at an Ayurvedic farm in South India for a few weeks after this short trip to Europe.

After swiftly going through the health stuff, Maharaj then started enquiring about us – how we were, what were we up to and so on. It was obvious Maharaj didn’t want to constantly mull over the health thing. He was more interested in sharing realisations, speaking about Krsna katha and guiding his disciples in their spiritual paths. One devotee mentioned how he was being kept very busy with seva these days. Maharaj remarked that was very good. The more busy one is in devotional service; the less opportunity there is for maya to come in. After all, if one isn’t busy for Krsna then one will be for something else. Maharaj then added, “You know what I mean??”

Talk soon came up of how Ganesh will soon be moving up to the Karuna Bhavan temple in Scotland. Maharaj looked at him and mentioned he is a livewire, and how he needs fresh challenges to keep him going. Everyone in the room nodded in agreement and smiled. Maharaj then explained that ultimately to thrive in Krsna consciousness, you have to be yourself for Krsna and situated in one’s nature, doing things that you like to do. You can be someone else for Krsna only for so long before the whole thing gets lifted. Therefore one has to eventually be oneself completely for Krsna.

As mentioned before, a few devotees expressed their sadness that Maharaj wouldn’t be there for the Kingsday parade. Some even suggested staying back to be with Maharaj but Maharaj wasn’t having any of it. Everyone has to go to Kingsday parade; the show must go on. Maharaj then reassured how it will still be a real belter for everyone, what with the likes of fantastic kirtaneers such as Lokanatha Maharaj and Vraja Krsna Prabhu coming along!!

Overall it was great to see that Maharaj was in a restful and jolly mood. There were going to be many initiations the next day (25 April) including Ganesh from our group and thus Maharaj remarked that he had many rounds to chant. A subtle hint for us to leave his room. As if on cue, the door knocked and in came some German devotees. We took this opportunity to leave the room, while Maharaj started conversing with them in fluent German. A short but wonderful experience meeting Maharaj again that made us eager for more of his association over the coming days…

Later on that evening Maharaj led a tremendous kirtan in the temple room. The following is recollection of that kirtan experience given by Santanu Prabhu (a young Doctor from England who came for Maharaj’s Vyasa Puja for the first time):

The kirtan started off beautifully – slow and mellow. It felt good, Maharaj wasn’t doing anything elaborate, just keeping it nice and simple but nudging us slowly, slowly to get more into it. Then as the kirtan progressed, it was going deeper and deeper. With the depth, the intensity also started to increase more and more… until it reached its zenith and everybody was up on their feet dancing wildly. By this time, Maharaj was giving it hard-core on the microphone. At that point, I felt like I was in a state of pure chanting. Nothing else was coming into my mind. I was really crying out for the mantra because of Maharaj’s inspiration. Even when Maharaj was bringing down the intensity so it became less upbeat, the chanting just became more meditative. Everyone was just singing from the heart. I found myself chanting with more clarity and focus and this was aiding my ability to call out for more service for Krsna. The funny thing is, after the kirtan finished, I was approached to do some special service in the morning for the Vyasa Puja. So Krsna really reciprocated with my desires thanks to Maharaj’s heart stirring kirtan!!!

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami Maharaj ki Jai!

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April 26. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Moving In With Carl Yeargens
How difficult it was becoming to preach in America among these crazy people! He had written prophetically in his poem the day he had arrived in Boston Harbor, “My dear Lord, I do not know why You have brought me here. Now You can do with me whatever You like. But I guess You have some business here, otherwise why would You bring me to this terrible place?” What about his scheduled classes? What about David – should he go back and try to talk with the boy? This had been David’s first fit of violence, but there had been other tense moments. David had a habit of leaving the soap on the floor of the shower stall and Prabhupada had asked him not to because it was a hazard. But David wouldn’t listen. Prabhupada had continued to remind him, and one day David had gotten angry and shouted at him. But there was no real enmity. Even today’s incident had not been a matter of personal differences – the boy was a victim.
Prabhupada walked quickly. He had free passage on the Scindia Line. He could go home to Vrindavana. But his spiritual master had ordered him to come here. “By the strong desire of Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura,” he had written while crossing the Atlantic, “the holy name of Lord Gauranga will spread throughout the countries of the Western world.” Before nightfall he would have to find some place to stay, a way to keep up the momentum of his preaching. This is what it meant to be working without government sponsorship, without the support of any religious organization, without a patron. It meant being vulnerable and insecure. Prabhupada faced the crisis as a test from Krishna. The instruction of Bhagavad-gita was to depend on Krishna for protection: “In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service be fully conscious of Me … You will pass over all the obstacles of conditional life by My grace.”
He decided to phone Carl Yeargens and ask him to help. Hearing the Swami’s voice on the phone – it was an emergency! – Carl at once agreed that Prabhupada could move in with him and his wife, Eva. Their place was close by, on Centre Street, five blocks west of Bowery near Chinatown. Carl would be right over.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

Moving In With Carl Yeargens

“I had not seen Jayapataka Swami in a preaching situation and did not know what to expect. He entered the packed Laguna Beach temple with the beautiful Panca-Tattva dieties and it felt as if the whole room was being flooded with sublime spiritual energy. The consciousness of everyone was being uplifted. In fact there is a saying that when the tide comes in all the boats rise. It was as if a tide of love for Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was coming out of Maharaja’s heart, filling the temple room, and elevating the consciousness of everyone in the temple.”

04.17.16, JPS Vyasa-puja, LA

Krishna Sambandha at Corporación Cultural de Las Condes, 15-04-2016 (5 min video)
Concert at the auspicious day of Rama Navami.
Sri Bhakti Das: Sitar-Surbahar
Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: Moorsing, Gatam, Mrdanga.
Yamuna Priya Radha: Voice, Harmonium
Paola Josefina Morales: Voice
Juan Elgueda: Pakhawaj, Tabla, Santoor, Hansa Veena
Ekatma Dasi: Tambura
Abhimanyu Das: Kartals.
Invited friends:
Denis Kolobov: Fiddle
Fernando Farias: Double bass
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/xewtwH

By Prem Sindhu Gauranga Das

The chanting of the Holy Names of Lord Krishna is the supreme panacea for the age of Kali. Those who chant attentively with a sincere feeling will carry the purity and the ability to influence and create a lasting change in their own lives as well as that of others in the misguided civilization of this dark age. Small wonder that devotees are constantly encouraged to participate in programmes like the Holy Name retreats to help them with their chanting and thus lead their lives closer to Krishna.

From 11^th to 13^th April, an enthusiastic and energetic group of 60 devotees arrived in the Holy Dhama of Govardhana for a Holy name retreat under the guidance of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and H.G. Srivasa Prabhu from Africa. The devotees in attendance were from several countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius, Malaysia, Brazil and India.

They came to the shelter of Haridasavarya Govardhana, the greatest of the devotees of Lord Krishna, to receive spiritual impartations, to be touched by the Holy presence of H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami and to get motivated for spreading the Holy names in their nations. The retreat offered the participants a dynamic mix of spiritual enlightenment and exciting spiritual visits to various holy places in Govardhana.

The first day of retreat began with a talk by H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara Swami. Maharaja taught the devotees the spiritual technology of chanting attentive japa. He emphasized that we should never chant japa alone. Before chanting, we should invite our Spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada, the Acharyas, the Six Goswamis and Srila Haridasa Thakura to help us in our japa. The session ended in the note that Harinama Prabhu is our only shelter and is like our armor without which we should never step out in the battlefield of material existence.

The next day started with an early morning chanting session. The morning program was followed by a wonderful discourse by Maharaja at Govinda Kunda, the site where Lord Krishna came to deliver milk to Srila Madhvendra Puri as he was chanting the pure names. Sitting in the shade of the Kadamba and Tamalatrees, full of chirping parrots, devotees heard from Maharaja that we cannot chant with feeling if we are comfortable with material life and to be able toimprove the quality of our chanting, we should trychantingsome extra rounds free from the pressure of completing them, after we have duly done our 16 rounds.

All through the retreat, a wonderful spread of delicious prasada was served by the loving and caring devotees of the ISKCON Govardhana ashrama. Devotees paid obeisances at the Pushpa Samadhi of H.H. Tamala Krishna Maharaja and thanked him for securing such a wonderful place for the devotee community in the close association of Shri Giriraja. Later in the afternoon the devotees from Africa performed tumultuous kirtans which made all devotees to dance joyfully. Thereafter, H.G. Srivasa prabhu beautifully spoke about an analogy from the seventh canto which says that the soul is like an arrow which is shot toward its target, Krishna, by the bow of the Holy names of the Lord. Prabhu also delineated some principles like, praying to the Panca-Tattva, pronouncing syllables clearly, seeking the association of sincere chanters, eliminating external disturbances and constantly reminding ourselves that we might leave this body at any moment.

On the next morning after another enlightening session by Maharaja, devotees headed toward the Uddhava Kunda. It is said that if someone performs sankirtana in this sacred place with love then Shri Uddhava, Krishna’s dear most friend in Dwarka appears there. Staying true to this prophecy, H.H. Bhakti Dhira Damodara maharaja led dancing kirtans for an hour and a half which he called as the “soul shake-down party”. He further explained that Harinama is the best spiritual technology for controlling envy and when we don’t serve Harinama properly, we become complicated devotees. Some more spiritual technologies like, repenting for our past misdeeds, crying for forgiveness, fasting on Ekadashi tithis, praying incessantly and chanting in the presence of advanced devotees like Tulasi Devi and Srila Prabhupada were explored. In the evening session, devotees shared very positive testimonies on the impact that the retreat had made in their lives.

The retreat wrapped up the next morning with all the devotees doing the Govardhana parikrama with the vow of chanting good japa, more japa.

In these few days, the participants made great new friends, forming lifelong friendships, and also ventured into some unforgettable experiences. They had opportunities to learn in depth about the all-attractive and all-merciful, Sri Nama Prabhu, the true most friend of all living entities. The devotees parted with the most rewarding, uplifting and life-changing moments that had transformational effects upon their chanting. Certainly, as they all expressed, the holy name retreat would remain a memorable event of their lives and they would return again, in the future, to retreat and make better their japa.

Dear Assembled Devotees and Wellwisher’s,
Please accept my humble obeisances,
All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Have you ever had the experience of desiring to spread this knowledge of the soul, far and wide but you did not have the funds?

Yeh! Me too.

Our congregation is made up of poor people, many are homeless people. So we turned to Rock and Roll, the Devil’s music, and gave that a try,and somehow it works. (I am not recommending anybody else to try this.)

Our band is called ‘Mantra’, it was set up to get more devotees into big festivals like Glastonbury.

Your servant
Parasuram Das

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The post Does worshiping different forms of God for different purposes not limit God? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

TOVP updates: New, modern equipment, finally installed. (Album with photos)
Sadbhuja Das: Exciting news…Our new “State-of-the-Art Machinery” has arrived!!
This 5-AXIS, CNC router worktable measures 2m x 4m, with a rotary indexing head at one end that will do 900mm x 1.2mm designs.
It will be used mainly for pattern making for GRC, as well as for the decorative ceilings, and woodcarving for the doors and frames.
It has been specifically made for us.
With this State-of-the-Art machine, we’ve replaced the Chinese stepper motors with Italian ones.
We’ve also replaced the Chinese cutter head with a superior Italian one, which makes it better in all respects.
It is a major purchase for the finishing work!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/SF5Nq7

​Sunday feast class at ISKCON, Chowpatty

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Second Sannyasa Ministry newsletter.
Prahladananda Swami: I am happy to introduce the second Sannyasa Ministry newsletter. In this newsletter there is an article by Kripamoya prabhu about Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura’s revival of the sannyasa ashrama in our disciplic succession. You will also find some words of appreciation for Gaura Krishna dasa Goswami, a relatively new sannyasi who unexpectedly departed from this world last year. In this newsletter you read about the visit to Nigeria with Bhakti Ananda Tirtha Swami, who went there last year as a sannyasa candidate. Of the many sannyasa candidates, I’d like to especially express my appreciation to five of them who were accepted to take sannyasa this year.
Your servant,
Prahladananda Swami Minister of Sannyasa Services.
To download the pdf document click here: http://dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads5/2016_April_June2.pdf

Boat Festival at Govardhan Ecovillage (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: In the Adi Purana Krishna tells Arjuna: “Anyone who is engaged in chanting My transcendental name must be considered to be always associating with Me. And I may tell you frankly that for such a devotee I become easily purchased.” (Nectar of Devotion, 12)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/34zyGy

The post Daily Darshan: April 25th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Harinama at Burleigh Heads - 24 April 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/7v6Dxd

From Csikó Gergely, Isvara Krsna Dasa, Balarama, Movva vhp, Gopala-raya Dasa and István és Arundhati.

The post A slew of questions – some answered, some referred appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

3rd Anniversary of the appearance day of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Behari and Sri Sri Radha Ban Behari @ Govardhan Ecovillage (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/w4UuHE

By Navakishori Devi Dasi

The Bhakti Women Team embarked on the project “ Bhakti Women Shakti: Portraits of Strength and Wisdom” during the Sadhu Sanga and Gita Nagari Retreats ( May 2015).

It is a living project with over forty short videos of wisdom from women who have been practicing Bhakti.

While we have presented the example of women from scriptures like Gandhari, Rukmini Devi, Sita, Kunti Devi, Devahuti, Vindhyawalli and others through our website we felt it was imperative to also present the wisdom of contemporary women living out Bhakti in their lives. Personal stories of wisdom and strength can be very inspiring to others in similar situations.

Portraits of Strength and Wisdom

It has been a great learning journey for our team as we did those video interviews. It was very special to see how all the women we interviewed were so unique and so inspiring in how they expressed Bhakti through their lives. Some of the women we interviewed were practitioners of Bhakti for over 40 years of their life and are direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada. It was wonderful to get their perspectives on different aspects of Bhakti and on Bhakti infused femininity.

Some others we interviewed had grown up in a Bhakti filled atmosphere and were now living out lives full of Bhakti through their motherhood, wifehood and through their professions as nurses, research scientists, teachers, school directors among others. These women also shared how they were influenced by the powerful Bhakti of their mothers as they raised them.

Some others were new to Bhakti but it was very powerful to capture how they held on to the principles through various challenges in their life be it during their pregnancy or marriage or illness in the family.

It was beautiful to see how each heart was so uniquely seeking Krishna’s shelter and deeply attempting to offer themselves in service at His Lotus Feet even when they felt that they were far from a finished picture of devotee-hood or womanhood.

We invite you to view these videos on our website through this link. You can go through the different pages through the page navigation bar at the bottom of each page. We pray that men and women from all ages and seasons of life will find these interviews helpful in their journey in Bhakti.

A Living Project

We invite similar contributions of videos, audios or articles that women from around the world would like to share. We are happy to receive your contributions to serve the wider ISKCON community. Also if you would like to interview other women from your community and share the depth of their inspiring Bhakti with others please send us an email at contact@bhaktiwomen.org. Personal stories of wisdom and strength are always very inspiring.

Gratitude

We are sincerely grateful encouragement of HG Harivilas Prabhu(ACBSP) for this project. We are also grateful to the management at ISKCON Seattle that sponsored, supported and encouraged this project. We are grateful for the encouragement we received from HG Kaisori Prabhu and HG Visakha Prabhu (ACBSP). We are also very grateful to the following women who were so open to sharing their wisdom and their stories of strength during difficulty.

Ananga Sakhi Dasi

Aruddha Devi Dasi

Campak Lata Dasi

Gopi Gita Dasi

Gopisvari Devi Dasi

Krishna Nandini Das (ACBSP)

Krishna Bhava Dasi (ACBSP) and her daughter Krishna Priya Dasi

Madhurya Lila Dasi

Mangal Gopi Dasi

Mohini Sundari Dasi

Radha Padavi Devi Dasi

Sudha Venkat

Syama Kumari Dasi

Visakha Dasi( ACBSP)

We look forward to receiving contributions for the “Bhakti Women Shakti: Portraits of Strength and Wisdom” Project from many more women on contact@bhaktiwomen.org

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Hand Sewing Tutorial

One hears so much about renunciation in our movement and many times as grihasthas (householders) we become confused as to what is actual renunciation for us and how can we practically apply it in our daily life. I searched on this topic and found some gems which I am sharing below. We should be aware that as long as we remain attached to material enjoyment we will not be able to remain properly fixed in the process of bhakti yoga. As householders our goal should be progressive renunciation of material enjoyment and not the dry renunciation from family life as practiced by jnanis or yogis, that is not our path. It was Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, a great disciple of Lord Caitanya, who said that Caitanya Mahaprabhu descended to teach detachment from whatever does not foster devotional service to Krishna. Continue reading "Devotees can renounce renunciation!
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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 03/20/2016

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes simple living, cow protection, engaging oxen, local agriculture, and above all, loving Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Directors: Anuttama, Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Kripamaya, Ranaka and Sri Tulasi Manjari.

Participating Advisors: Jaya Krsna, Radha-Krishna, Vraja

Participating Managers: Mukunda, Nitaicandra

Recording Secretary: Jamuna Jivani

1. Exploring ECO-V’s Future Role

Kripamaya raised some general questions regarding the future role of ECO-V in the continued evolution of the New Vrindaban village. After an initial discussion, the Board members concluded it would be best to discuss these broad range of topics in person and to include more people in the discussion.

2. ECO-V Brochure

Kripamaya expressed an interest in reviving the ECO-V brochure project in time for the 2016 festival season. Some Board members felt that the project should wait until the organization has put more substantial work into its current projects before doing so. Also, to reduce potential confusion with pilgrims to New Vrindaban, INV previously requested ECO-V to hold off promoting itself with a separate brochure. As an interim step, Jaya Krsna proposed including information about ECO-V in a new INV brochure that would highlight some of ECO-V’s activities. Meeting participants appreciated his suggestion and requested Jaya Krsna to move forward with this.

3. New Vrindaban Folklorist

Kripamaya, Radha-Krishna, Jaya Krsna and Chaitanya Mangala formed an ECO-V sub-committee to begin exploring options for this project and will present recommendations when ready.

4. Mukunda’s Monthly Report

Mukunda is currently in Florida finishing up a construction project this week and plans on being back in New Vrindaban by the end of March.

5. Nitaicandra’s Monthly Report

Nitaicandra reported on the previous month’s projects:

• Recently arrived back in New Vrindaban.
• Purchased approximately 20,000 heirloom seeds and 1,200 lbs of seed potatoes.
• No fruit trees will be planted this year in anticipation of the 17 year cicadas.
• Two calves were born.
• Moved tractor implements to Nandagram.
• Vidya hired Kacey to run the Teaching Garden & grow flowers.

6. ISKCON Ministry Grant Request

The ISKCON GBC Minister for Agriculture and Cow Protection, Kalakantha dasa, requested funding for the four upcoming continental farm conferences held in 2016 by the ISKCON Global Ministry and the Sustainable Vaisnava Communities Committee.

WHEREAS: The ECO-V Board wishes to support and encourage self-sufficiency and cow protection throughout ISKCON.

RESOLVED: The Board approves a grant up to $4,620 as follows:

1. $3,000 for the Minister’s travel expenses to participate in the four conferences, and,

2. $1,620 to sponsor the $108 registration fee for 15 attendees at the North American ISKCON Farm Conference to be held at Gita Nagari in August 2016.

For regular updates, visit the ECO-V Facebook page.

Sweet Kirtan in Kazakhstan (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: We are spending a week with BB Govinda Maharaja at his Sri Vrindavan Dhama community just outside of Almaty, Kazakhstan. Springtime has revealed the natural beauty of the property and Maharaja’s sweet kirtans bring out the spiritual beauty of the Kazakhstan devotees!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/tcVFya

April 24. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: David Allen Goes Crazy on LSD,
At first David and the Swami lived together peacefully in the large hall, the Swami working concentratedly on his side of the partition and David ranging throughout the large open space. David, however, continued taking marijuana, LSD and amphetamines. Prabhupada had no choice but to tolerate it. Several times he told David that drugs and hallucinogens would not help him in his spiritual life, but David would look distracted. He was becoming estranged from the Swami.
But Prabhupada had a plan to use the loft as a temple – to transform it into New York’s first temple of Radha-Krishna – and he wanted David’s cooperation. Although the neighborhood was one of the most miserable in the world, Prabhupada talked of bringing deities from Jaipur or Vrindavana and starting temple worship, even on the Bowery. He thought David might help. After all, they were roommates, so there could be no question of David’s not cooperating, but he would have to give up his bad habits.
Prabhupada was trying to help David, but David was too disturbed. He was headed for disaster and so were Prabhupada’s plans for the loft. Sometimes, even when not under the influence of a drug, David would pace around the loft. Other times, he appeared to be deep in thought. One day, on a dose of LSD, he went completely crazy. As Carl Yeargens put it, “He just flipped out and the Swami had to deal with a crazy man.” Things had been leading to this – “he was a crazy kid who always took too much” – but the real madness happened suddenly.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7

David Allen Goes Crazy on LSD