Sunday feast program at ISKCON, Perth
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Appreciating Krishna’s love for us
Disproportionate punishment can be atrocious – Ashwattama pastime analysis 2
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Evening program at ISKCON, Perth
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Understanding Krishna’s position and disposition from the Gita and the Mahabharata
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Bhakti Vriksha program at ISKCON, Perth
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Is constantly thinking about death psychologically damaging?
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Bhagavatam class at ISKCON, Perth
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April 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa…
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April 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Burglary in Prabhupada’s Room.
April 1966: Someone broke into Room 307 while Srila Prabhupada was out and stole his typewriter and tape recorder. When Prabhupada returned to the building, the janitor informed him of the theft: an unknown burglar had broken the transom glass, climbed through, taken the valuables and escaped. As Prabhupada listened, he became convinced that the janitor himself was the culprit. Of course he couldn’t prove it, so he accepted the loss with disappointment. Some friends offered replacements for his old typewriter and tape recorder. In a letter to India he described the theft as a loss of more than a thousand rupees ($157.00).
It is understood that such crime as has been committed in my room is very common in New York. This is the way of material nature. American people have everything in ample, and the worker gets about Rs 100 daily wages. And still there are thieves for want of character. The social condition is not very good.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=7
ISKCON 50 Meditations: April 6, 2016
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Burglary in Prabhupada’s Room
Lord Rama’s Appearance Day – Fri, April 15, 2016
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Lord Ramachandra is Krishna's avatar who ruled the earth as the ideal king. He appeared more than two million years ago. Under the order of His father, Lord Ramachandra lived in the forest for fourteen years, along with His wife, Sita Devi, and His younger brother, Lakshmana.
After the powerful demon Ravana kidnapped His wife, Lord Ramachandra rescued her, with the help of His faithful servant Hanuman, and killed Ravana along with Ravana's armies. The history of Lord Ramachandra's pastimes is recounted by the sage Valmiki in his Ramayana. Everyone is welcome to attend this special festival!
Festivities will take place on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Hare Krishna Temple! Below is the schedule for the festival (subject to change):
6:00pm to 6:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
6:30pm to 6:40pm - Welcome & Announcements
6:40pm to 7:15pm - Class by Mahabhagavat das
7:15pm to 7:30pm - Rama Navami Quiz!
7:30pm to 8:00pm - Vegetarian Feast (Prasadam)
8:00pm to 8:30pm - Kirtan (Arati)
Welcoming Rohini Priya Prabhu to Toronto!
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His Grace Rohini Priya Das Prabhu graduated as a doctor of Medicine from Mumbai University but decided to dedicate his life in the service of Lord Krishna. He is a senior brahmachari (monk) at ISKCON's Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir at Chowpatty, Mumbai, India. He is currently serving as the Vice President at ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai.
For the last 19 years he has not only been practicing Krishna Conciousness but has been actively distributing the message of Bhagavad Gita to thousands of engineering, medical students and other professionals all over India.
He also travels widely to USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauricious, Nepal and Canada and delivers various seminars on Krsna Consciousness. He also delivers various seminars in Universities and other ISKCON centers.
Scenes from Dubai
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My Promise To You
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Many years ago, H. H. Tamal Krsna Goswami asked me to accompany him to China, where he had been pioneering Krsna consciousness for some years. I was unable to go at the time so he said, “Promise me you’ll make it there one day.” I agreed. Goswami, this evening I am flying to mainland China [...]
Japathon – April 9th, 2016 – 5:30am to 9:30am
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The March Brijabasi Spirit Newsletter
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What’s Happening in New Vrindaban Dham!
Please Read the Full Newsletter at
http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=caceabd1dd05735f04418222d&id=d860fa9307
Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead
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In Sastra class, the Upper Elementary students have been relishing Krishna’s appearance and childhood feats through their study of the book Krsna: The Supreme Personality of Godhead. Students take turns reading aloud daily, summarizing, sharing reflections, posing thoughtful questions, and answering philosophical inquiries. We have just completed our study of chapter thirty-five, and students are eagerly anticipating the beginning of Krishna’s pastimes in Mathura. We look forward to continuing our study in the months to come!
Tight Knit Group
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Our last stop in New Zealand was Christchurch in the south island. Still recovering from a major earthquake 5 years ago construction is going on everywhere in the city. Our temple, which was destroyed in the earthquake, is being rebuilt now as well. Our devotees have become a tight knit group as a result of [...]
Bharatpur Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das:…
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Bharatpur Rathayatra (Album with photos)
Deena Bandhu Das: Rathayatra for the first time in Bharatpur, Rajasthan! On Sunday, Radha Shyamasundara Prabhu arranged for Rathayatra and the people of Bharatpur opened their hearts to the devotees. Every block they arranged to distribute juice, water, and other cold drinks to the dancing devotees. For ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary, another Rathayatra for Srila Prabhupada! Relish the joy through Vittalrukmini’s pics!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/krDvTY
Book Reports are Passé
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Back when I was at school we simply wrote book reports. I’m impressed by and appreciate Mother Syamali’s creative literature projects. As of lately, Upper Elementary students were asked to choose one of the major characters in their independent reading book, and plan a dynamic scrapbook. Using key events and characters from their novels, they made a collection of hand-drawn photos, representing special memories. Each photo was accompanied by a caption of at least three sentences, explaining the image’s connection to the story. Students also included a variety of different artifacts to represent the events and characters, decorating each page to match the theme of their texts. What a genius way of reviewing and representing the main events!
Most recently, students created unique board games to showcase their independent reading. The artwork, content, and overall theme of the board games was inspired by characters, conflicts, and events in their selected novels. Students were given permission to use any combination of hand-drawn and computer generated images and follow a specific list of requirements. The results were remarkable. Students designed and crafted the board and the counters. Some even made their own dice. They deliberated the rules of the game and its strategies. Some also prepared question cards based on the books. And the bonus? After presenting their finished products, students had the opportunity to sit together and put the games to the test! What an original way of reflecting on and expressing an understanding of literature!
Photoset not found
Tuesday, March 8th, 2016
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Tuesday, March 8th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Getting Frail and Strong
My dear friend, Agnidev, fainted at Govinda’s Restaurant last night evening after a successful lead of chanting at the Kirtan Mela. So, the rumour has it. It’s unknown to some of us the cause for this beautiful singer’s collapse. Exhaustion? Dehydration? I hope he’s alright.
One thing is for sure-the body is frail. I had the pleasure to conduct a sanga for senior devotees, some who are under care and are ‘wheel-chaired.’ Where our discussion went to was ails from trails. I told of our blissful encounter with seniors of “Golden Pond” in Massachusetts
The lending with these devotional folks who were listening to the tales and mantras was very real. It was a presentation of a slower nature. Because of age and some impaired hearing, I spoke with volume up, slower and enhanced articulation.
A planned trip across the Jalanghi River Canada and those from Poland
Maha Shringha is the name of the devotee who led us through the modes homesteads. He is so much loved by the rural Bengalis of the area. For twenty years now he has connected with the locals through food, fun and friendship. He knows an astounding number of people, all rather simple and sweet. It is equally impressive that he knows the townsfolk, so many by their individual names.
After zig-zagging through the streets with our mantra, a drum player, and singers on foot, we ended the kirtan at the home of Bhakti Devi who worked a fabulous meal at her home.
Great people! Great hospitality! Great day! Great night!
May the Source be with you!
6 Km
Monday, March 7th, 2016
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Monday, March 7th, 2016
Mayapur , India
He Would Be Pleased
Life in the dham is pure. Not all who contact the dham (holy place) however, benefit. There’s pickpockets and people of greed, and ulterior motives. After all, there’s lots of money to be made at pilgrim sites, where people converge from all around the world.
You hear at announcement time the loss of a passport, a wallet, or someone’s precious chanting beads. Fortunately the beads are easily replaceable. There are some developers in the area that are exploiting tenants but not delivering full expectations. We hear of buildings not up to code, or built in too tight to each other.
This may sound depressing and unspiritual but that may be an aspect of the ‘dark-side’ of Mayapur. There is a lot more reason to sound conches and gongs over the pluses. Pilgrims are not fools. At least they should not be naive. This is the material world and blessed we are to have wonderful areas of retreat and refuge in which to charge the spiritual batteries.
I see happy faces here. People of different shades engaged in the same thing. At the Kirtan Mela there are Chinese, African, as well as South and North American participants. You have Aussies and Europeans enthralled in song. It is as the great luminary Bhaktivinode predicted. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, must be pleased. When you think about it, in a mere 50 years since the inception of this branch of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, So much growth, along with growing pains, has taken place.
May the Source be with you!
5 Km
New U.S. TOVP Office and Foundation
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he U.S. TOVP Team announces the Grand Opening of their new office in Alachua, Florida on the auspicious occasion of Rama-navami. (April 15th)
The U.S. TOVP Team will be opening a new office in Alachua, Florida to manage their fundraising and promotional operations in America. The office is a house donated for this purpose by Ambarisa Prabhu. Along with the office, a newly formed Foundation, TOVP Foundation, Inc. has been set up with Sesa prabhu as its Chairman. Sesa is also the 2016 appointed GBC Chairman, as well as the ISKCON Minister of Education.
Prior to the Grand Opening of the new office, Ambarisa and Braja Vilas Prabhus will be visiting a number of U.S. temples, including Dallas, Houston and New Jersey, to assure devotees that the TOVP construction and overall progress is moving full steam ahead. Please contact these temples for the scheduled date of their visit and presentation if you live in that area.
At this time we would like to encourage all devotees to re-affirm their personal and financial commitments to this most dear project of Srila Prabhupada and our predecessor acaryas. Particularly in the U.S. where we had to discontinue bank auto-withdrawals towards large pledges. You can now visit TOVP.org at the following address to start your pledges once again; the online portal will be through PayPal, which has facilities to use bank account, credit and debit cards:
http://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
You can also setup EFT recurring payments directly with your bank by visiting your bank’s online portal and setting up the payments with the following bank details:
Bank Name: Capital City Bank
Address: 15000 NW 140th Street, Alachua, FL 32615
Bank Account Number: 10000100957
Checks can also be immediately sent to the Mailing Address below (not the Physical Address). Please do not contact the office until after April 15th.
TOVP Office Physical Address
TOVP FOUNDATION, INC.
13901 NW 142 Ave.
Alachua, FL 32615
TOVP Office Mailing Address
TOVP FOUNDATION, INC.
PO Box 609
Alachua, FL 32616
We would also like to share two new and inspiring videos with you. One is the latest construction update, and the other is called “For Tomorrow”.
http://tovp.org/news/construction/iskcons-50th-anniversary-tovp-video-update-march-22-2016/
http://tovp.org/news/construction/tovp-iskcon-tomorrow/
Srila Prabhupada – “Mayapur is the spiritual world manifest on earth. Build your sambandha by seva and glorification of the Dhama. As the Dhama manifests so also your seva to it will give you the path back to Godhead.” – Back to Godhead
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur: “Those who are trying their best to keep intact the flow of service to Sri Mayapur will be considered the benefactors of the world of Vaisnavas.” – Sajjana Toshani
Your servants,
The U.S. TOVP Team
Sunday, March 6th, 2016
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Sunday, March 6th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Focus Tradition
Yesterday I had been marvelling at the excellent work of Sesha. It was the last day of our AGM and he wrapped-up our session of discussion with an ability I hadn’t seen before. I happened to be sitting next to him at an angle where I could see his profile. He resembled, with poise, the power and penetration of a hawk. He was focused on the subject matters on the table. Perhaps he is mastering time management skills. Being a lawyer, he is sharp and direct, and gets to conciseness. He would stay on topic and not allow for endless comments to enter the circle. At the same time he made everyone in the room feel that they were sufficiently heard.
There’s a gift in all of this.
Kirtan Mela has begun. It is a festival of the Mantra. By good fortune I had a time slot to lead for half an hour. As was done last year, when the mic was given to me I addressed all the people in the Pancha Tattva Hall.
“We are going to do this in the traditional way.”
So I encouraged all to rise and get up on their feet and “Dance to the music” (Sly and the Family Stone).
The smiles were oceanic. The moves were animated. The sound was loud, and for a few moments of truth to set in, as expressed in the words of Shivaram Swami during the morning class “the name of the Lord is more beautiful than the form of the Lord.”
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Saturday, March 5th, 2016
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Saturday, March 5th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Bhakti Light
Today was ekadasi a day to fast from grains. Most important about it is to enhance your devotional output. I was pleasantly surprised by the grain replacement offered today on the menu- buckwheat dosas. Yes, buckwheat is not considered a grain. That, in dosa format, supposes the flavour of a regular dosa. Ours was served with potato-and-nut filling. A beautiful discovery!
To look at the enhanced devotion I did not have to strain myself thinking of what "extra" I had done. For the last three days I made an appeal on the microphone and over Mayapur TV airwaves for a crowd, an actual good cross-section of different people- African, American, Chinese, Indians, blacks, whites, male, and female- to show up as a chanting party for an upcoming documentary "Acharya."
As requested, people turned up at 4PM. The local young monks, gurukulis, were on their regular slot for singing, and all that was missing at the venue, the Radha Madhava temple, was the group of responders and dancers. The outcome was one displaying the epitome of a bunch of happy Hare Krishnas. This was what film-maker, Yadubar, wanted.
It was neither an austerity to put together, nor was it a chore to be part of the session, in dancing with the crew! Yadubar had asked beforehand that I depict the group. This was not necessary since those who showed up were on automatic pilot.
I also accepted lunch at Maha-Shringha's home where I read a segment of "Krishna " book and partook in kirtan with a kirtan band, "The Maya-puris." Food was light because that is what ekadasi is much about; increased services and being easier on the belly.
May the Source be with you!
4 Km
Friday, March 4th, 2016
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Friday, March 4th, 2016
Not Always Rosy
I had met Jaya Vijay at a festival in the Berkley
“When you watch a Padayatra India slideshow everything seems rosy, but in fact it
was very difficult. Walking the highways in Some of the truck drivers are very rough – sometimes they go off the road or hit the
oxen. We got malaria and dysentery. When the devotees get ill, it’s difficult to
recover and keep moving at the same time. They have to stay on the tractor. They
don’t have a private room. Maybe once or twice a month we might get a private
room. Usually we stayed in open schools, where there was no privacy at all. People
watched you when you took your bath or passed stool. Sadhu means “open book” – it
is another definition of a sadhu – there is nothing to hide. You have to learn to sit
down on your mat and be in your own mental world and do your own thing.
Sometimes it’s hard to do it because you’re tired and you have people looking at you,
laughing at you, joking about you. It’s a place to learn tolerance; it is not a joke. I
have seen many devotees blow it or hit each other, not out of contempt but because
they’d just had enough. I have seen lots of sannyasis go crazy with the kids. It is very
difficult. Some devotees got injured. There were broken wrists and ankles, one
devotee was hit by a truck, and another from
tractor in
the roses there are many thorns, and sometimes you get pricked. It’s not a piece of
cake. In the long run it’s very purifying – the most purifying program in our whole
ISKCON society.”
(The Most Purifying Programs, by Jaya Vijaya dasa, Padayatra Newsletter, 2016)
May the Source be with you!
6 Km
Thursday, March 3rd, 2016
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Thursday, March 3rd, 2016
Mayapur , India
Boat on the Ganga
He came riding on an elephant. Kish
I arrived late although invited a year ago. The bride came on a palanquin. I was told it was classy. My excuse for the lateness: I organized a boat kirtan for our devotees from Canada Ganges River
That is exactly as it went. Once embarking on that boat which could accommodate 45 people, we just began singing the mantras. There was no real talking on that boat. We were communicating nevertheless. The mantra makes the heart connection in its magical way. It was Sri Chaitanya who expressed that all spiritual powers are invested in the Hare Krishna mantra. If anyone could get an inkling of these powers, consider yourself very blessed.
The boat ride was a celebration of all that's holy- the water, the mantras, and the people chanting.
The wedding described earlier was a gathering of special people. "They are like demigods", remarked my friend, Yadubar. I couldn't agree more. Photogenic, energetic and hooked up to Krishna , puts them in a special spot. There's a certain dedication the younger folks have captured.
On one occasion our guru, Srila Prabhupada, said that it is noble to be dedicated.
May the Source be with you!
7 Km
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016
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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016
Mayapur , India
7 Km
Bat Blood
Right off the bat the day started off in a most interesting way.
I was just ready to leave for the Samadhi temple as Mandala was taking his shower. I opened the door when a bat helped himself to our premises. I shouted to Mandala that we had an uninvited guest.
"There's a bat in the room!"
I proceeded to open the door with the prospect to have him leave. A second opportunistic bat flew in. Now we had two of them fluttering around. Okay, I kept the doors open hoping a third wouldn't venture in. One of them did make an exit. The fan running at optimum mode may have confused them.
Unfortunately, after hearing a sound of something hitting the fan, I had hoped we didn't injure the remaining fellow. I stepped in and there he was, fallen on the floor. A streak of blood droplets lie near his body which still had signs of life. There was an occasional flap of the wings but I could see his hours if not minutes were numbered. Sad for him. I moved him out into the corridor with the sliding if my shoe.
When I returned from my morning sadhana I found he was gone-- left to providence in some form. God bless his soul.
This evening I received a number of complements on our production of "Krishna Is." It was held in the Samadhi Auditorium. The most common remark was regarding the excellent job done by Balaram Vilchis as "Krishna ." His portrayal is very graceful and masculine at the same time. I think he outdoes Batman.
May the Source be with you!
7 Km
Tuesday March 1st, 2016
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Tuesday March 1st, 2016
Mayapur , India
Worry for Gain
I’m going to wear my theatre cap right now. It is a remarkable challenge in dealing with local Bengalis (all nice people) who have been given technical responsibility to set up the stage arrangements. Is working with them a challenge? Challenge #1 They know no English. Challenge #2 is their old equipment, worked into the ground – so to speak. Challenge #3 is that they may get things done; on their own time (Perhaps that has something to do with hot weather). Challenge #4 is that they are used to doing things in their own way. Our dress rehearsal was disastrous from the technical side.
These hurdles caused a bit of rough sleep last night. I was anxious, to say the least, right up to the last moment before show-time.
It becomes an impetus to develop your faith in the Sublime. You convince yourself that you did the best you could. So what happened is the technical crew actually felt our sense of urgency, and that we were going to settle for nothing less than pakha (perfect) arrangements.
The lights went up for the stage. The lights were lowered for the green rooms. My hands-on technical personnel, Nick and Mandala, were moving things along. Actors for the play, ‘Krishna Is’ were ready. Manoram, the magician opened the show and all went as pakha as it could possibly be.
The crowd of one-thousand-plus was very pleased. The worry paid off. I say that because the opposite extreme – over-confidence – never helps you win the game.
Trust in Krishna does!
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Monday Feb 29th, 2016
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Monday Feb 29th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Love Trails
“Every path hath its own personality,” I mentioned to Abhay as we reached a juncture, turned a corner, and allowed our feet to feel all the different stones. Our eyes were excited by the blackness of those stones.
“Unique from the rest of the trails,” I added.
“They are going to put tar on the surface,” said Abhay.
“Don’t tell me!”
“That’s the plan,” said Abhay, a resident of Mayapur.
“To accommodate hardware,” I thought; hardware (meaning cars and scooters) and less software (meaning feet).
I wish I could love Krishna as much as people love their vehicles.
On one of the trails nearby the local elephants do tread. They, the two females, Visnupriya and Laksmipriya, have their daily strolls just like us. They have their personalities too. Vishnupriya, the slightly smaller, is feisty. News got around that one time, while walking by, a woman (a pilgrim I suppose) just got too close to the giant mammal. Vishnupriya picked her up at the waist with her powerful nose and tossed the lady in the ditch. She ‘ditched’ her.
My sympathies go out to the woman who was thrown. I am not aware of any serious injuries. May the presiding deities of Krishna , in the name of Radha Madhava, give protection to all, as well as to the trails that connect people to each other, and to opportunities. Each trail is unique and it carries with it the weight of trucks, people, and elephants.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Sunday, February 28th, 2016
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Sunday, February 28th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Fate is Hard
He wasn't a puppy, exactly, but still too young to call him an adolescent. He was by his own, perhaps disowned by his mother. He may never have had and may never will have a master. He is too sickly to be wanted. Like many of his type you might call him a ‘mutt.’ He is a stray dog; like so many in India
We were walking a trail eastbound and there he lies part cuddled, part up. He was flee-infected and was working with his snout to his leg, addressing the disease of itch. He was patchy-- bald in places-- and we felt sorry for him.
After the evening's fresh rainfall he had made the moist path his residence for the night. Now that traffic picked up, like us trekkers, he would most likely move on, forever miserable in his existence. He was ugly, and being that he was so young I personally wondered what chance he had for any kind of real life.
If he should live to puberty he may look for a mate. Food will certainly be a priority. He'll get sleep. I assume he'll have some fights but hopefully the packs of jackals will be leaving him unnoticed.
Again, I felt for him. I or we left him with a mantra as we passed by him on this quiet and sometimes harsh trail. Fate is hard.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Saturday, February 27th, 2016
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Saturday, February 27th, 2016
Mayapur , India
A Change
It was a nice change. I had been sitting in seminars and sinking in my chair during
administrative meetings. The seminars were stimulating. Lokanath Swami and Hari Bhakti led one on proper Sanskrit pronunciation and traditional melodies. I had dreamt that such an arrangement would materialize.Well it has!
Also, my friend from the UK
What really made me feel that I was a bit off-the-grid, of hearing and listening at seminars and meetings, was giving a presentation myself. At the courtyard of a condo block I was invited by Noam from Israel
For openers we chanted and then read theatrically from the book, 'Krishna .' The evening was stirring with winds picking up as we sat in the courtyard. It simply added to the dramatic effects.
After so many hours of hearing you feel rather driven to deliver, hence we have the program of shravanam (hearing) and then kirtanam (delivery).
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Friday, Feb 26th 2016
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Friday, Feb 26th 2016
Mayapur , India
Human Need
Jananivas is a dedicated priest in Mayapur. When a samskar, or a ritual, needs to be executed he’ll be only too happy to deploy himself. Now when I say dedicated it is no joke. He and his identical twin joined Iskcon many years ago and have lived in Mayapur for forty years.
An extraordinary monk!
I had an obligation to fulfill and I needed Jananivas’ help. A friend from Canada Ganges River
Jananivas made use of kusha as an ingredient, along with honey, panchagavya (five substances from the cow), and some grains. The ashes were placed in a clump of Ganges silt along with the ingredients. The clump was shaped to accommodate those ingredients and then more mud was placed over top to cover everything.
This procedure was also repeated by two other participants. A father of 55, Arjuna, placed his 21 year old son’s ashes in the same way. This was the son who tried to stop thieves from entering their home when he was shot to death. Tragic! Giri-Gopal from Guyana
The mantras used were a final send-off and a communication with Vishnu while all three sets of ashes were made to float until merging. Jananivas directed us to take a full bath in the sacred river. I moved on more to the current of the water to meet another monk and friend, Jayadwaita Swami. The three of us participants then returned to our schedules.
A closure was put to a human need.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Thursday Feb 25th, 2016
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Thursday Feb 25th, 2016
Mayapur , India
France
India
Heavy Rains
Heavy rains had come the night before leaving pools, puddles, and minor flooding. You had to watch where to walk. An outdoor shopping mall with devotional paraphernalia could not be accessed. It was one big mud river, so it seemed. The mall was set up as a tempting maze. It was the route to the food.
The food - oh yes - the food. It comes across as delicious each time. During the ABM an extra 1300 people need to be fed. The prasadam (sanctified food) draws the crowds twice a day. I get the chance to walk from table to table and connect with the South Americans, Chinese, Africans, Europeans, Indians, and even the Americans.
I enjoyed the seminars on rural living and how to get there, as well as a seminar on
guru/discipleship. I also received, from the maze I was talking about, a copy of the annual Padayatra news. From a booth, Gaurangi, from Overseeing this publication is Lokanath Swami, a monk from India
conducting padayatras (walking festivals) in It was Lokanath who told me of the Padayatra journal featuring this humble servant on the cover. Actually he told me, “You are left, right, and centre.” The main story is the feature of my walk in the north-east of the USA
What an honour this is!
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016
Mayapur , India
We All Suffer
Albert Schweitzer had once indicated that the happiest times are when you are in good health and in bad memory. He was quoted by Tamohar, my dear friend from Florida
First of all, he began to explain, that some people enter a spiritual domain with unrealistic
expectations. Suffering continues for people as a residual effect from karma in the past. As we sometimes hear Christians say, 'Accept Jesus and all your sins will go away.' Now that may happen but it may take some time.It cannot be assumed that you go, 'Abra Kadabra' and, poof, all that's negative has disappear. Krishna states it very clearly that the physical world in which we live is wrought with dualities-- extremes. What we need to consider is that the spiritual process that we have adopted offers us the tools whereby we can learn to maturely accept difficulties. We learn how to cope. And when we exercise COPE there will be HOPE and we'll never have to say NOPE.
You will never have to refuse a challenge, which may come in many shapes or forms. The mature way to receive a challenge, or oncoming suffering, is to say, 'Here is a test that the Universe (God) is giving me, and for all the wrongs I've done I deserve much worse.' This is a healthy attitude.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
Mayapur , India
Coming Together
The local dentist, Keshava, who resides for some time with us in Canada , arranged a get-together for bhakti-yogis from Canada
We know that the ultimate end our true identity is one of being a spirit soul. 'I am not this body.' I ultimately have no ties with race, gender, creed, or nationality. Still at the same time while we roam through this world, in this body, there is an identity related to the land in which we are born.
It is hoped that every individual contributes to the land in which we live. There is an expectation to fulfill some obligation; whether one is a spiritual seeker or not. The relative practical reality is that we have a body which is conditioned in some way.
So here we are, a few people who came together-- people who are karmically linked-- to do some spiritual things in union. We ate prasadam together. We chanted together. We chatted. We had a good time.
The Russians do it, the Bengalis do it. The Chinese do it, etc. Why shouldn't those from the land of the maple leaf come together?
We all look for reinforcements in life. Even those on the spiritual path require
encouragement. You do not advance on just your own strength.When walking this morning I was considering the mechanics of my body, especially the legs, and how that part of my anatomy has so many components, each component assisting another. Even my eyes have to be somewhat watching what's ahead. If there's a depression or a pothole on the way, when I see it coming I will connect with the brain and hence make adjustments in the mechanical operation of things. These are all helpers.
Comradery is essential in achieving a surge of inspiration. Assistants or helpers are there for us to take advantage of.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Monday, February 22nd, 2016
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Monday, February 22nd, 2016
Mayapur , India
Some Items
A whole group of tourists from Australia
"How do you like this place?"
"Very interesting! It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be," remarked one of the folks.
"It's still growing.”
“And where are you from?"
"Canada
“Oh yeah, we went to the Falls (Niagara )".
From a social perspective they were keen to learn but the spiritual component did not seem to concern them so much, so I wasn't about to push it. It was great that they came.
Meetings for our AGM have begun and the greatest relief after the meeting was to get over to Uttam's place, which is a fruit vendor spot. There I get my dose of cold freshly squeezed banana-pineapple juice.
The air was less musty today. When the sky is clear then the date-ras drink is also clean, with the least amount of fermentation. That drink also fuels you.
The brightest spot in the day appears to be the moments when Tulasi puja takes place. Tulasi is the holy plant that Krishna devotees revere. I'm often asked to lead the chant in her honour. I do believe that by this worship we are making the ultimate green statement. The other most important feature is to connect with each other. Most people require the human/devotional factor.
Not to be neglected!
May the source be with you!
8Km
Sunday, February 21st, 2016
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Sunday, February 21st, 2016
Mayapur , India
Suds in the Ganges
A small contingent of us from Canada
Every year a person is losing their life to the Ganges ; her water are swift. Eddies swirl in any direction. The incredible silty mud underneath can pull you in and cause you to sink into its depths, leaving you unable to pull away.
Fortunately there is a designated "safe" area. Other bathers were there. My good friend, Ghosh Thakur, from British Columbia Brazil , Argentina , Europe, America , Russia , Australia
"No soap! No soap!" I cautioned two middle-age men who lathered up from waist to head. "Big aparadha!" Aparadha means offence. I pointed to the Brazilians who had smeared themselves with mud as they were standing by the shore. "This is the way. No chemicals. Ganga Mata doesn't want."
To manufacturers of smelly formulas for a so-called cleanse, all I can say is "look what you've done. You’ve convinced simple people that this is a standard. When will you become environmentally responsible?"
May the Source be with you!
7Km
Saturday, February 20th, 2016
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Saturday, February 20th, 2016
Mayapur , India
News from Mayapur
Nityananda, long-time associate of Chaitanaya, was born in the late 15th century in the village of Ekachakra
Amongst a host of credits, Nityananda was a great teacher of Hari-Nama, the chanting of the name of the Divine. On this half-day fast, a gathering of the majority of the town of Mayapur
Now, that didn't seem right to me. "Sitting down during a chanting session?” was my personal query, 'on the day of Nityananda, the explosive dancer? What are we coming to?" Some hours later I heard that three swamis (monks) in our order were all recovering from surgery-- from cancer or some other ailment. Their names are Jayapataka, Gunagrahi and Kadambha Kanana Swamis-- all dear friends. To hear especially about my Dutch friend Kadambha was news.
One more piece of information that was new to me was hearing of the population of Mayapur. From a mere almost zero population about 50 years ago to the present there's a blossoming of 5,000 people.
May the source be with you!
10 Km
Friday, February 19th, 2016
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Friday, February 19th, 2016
Mayapur , India
Deliberate
I had a set plan for walking once we arrived at the Mayapur retreat, an annual retreat which includes pilgrim trips to the regional area, kirtan sessions, drama presentations, and AGM meetings. The walk got cancelled in place of an emergency - meeting-something which occurs from time to time. The call of duty comes first.
Once freed from dutiful tasks one gravitates to one's love. In my case it's assembling young folks and engaging them in theatrical practice. The samadhi auditorium, where we practice, practically becomes a gym. We were engaged in stretching and loosening up limbs all in preparation for an action-filled, high-energy performance.
But before all this physical stuff was set in motion I did spend my time in brahminical moments. It was Vaisesika, friend and motivational speaker (no less a devotional one), who gained a captive audience in the outdoor grounds of the householders' district. There he spoke about key words that have everything to do with a person's spiritual advancement.
For instance both the noun and the verb "deliberate" have substantial relevance to a devotee's life. To be “deliberate" in our intentions is to have strong conviction. To "deliberate" is to be analytical and to be introspective, a rather necessary probing into oneself. Both words appear to have some co-relation.
After deliberating on a matter you should become deliberate in what needs doing. And what needs doing is to get serious about our Krishna Consciousness.
May the Source be with you!
0 Km
Thursday, February 18th, 2016
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Thursday, February 18th, 2016
Dubai
Destined for India
Destined for India Pakistan
Actually I was the one praying. I dozed off at times, as did he. I relished going over chapters 17 and 18 of the Gita and managed to slip in watching Robert Redford in "A Walk In The Woods," based on the novel of a retired man and his companion taking to the Appalachian Trail, starting from Georgia
Mohammed's mom and sister were sitting behind us. I found the great opportunity to render him some service. He made me feel like a granddad. At one point he had a nose-bleed so I fetched him some tissue. When he went to sleep I adjusted his chair to recline more and covered him with a blanket.
It was indeed nice to know Mohammed. He really didn't ask me any questions. He was just being himself, rather a fidgety nine year old. I just saw a young Krishna in him. When it was time to disembark we parted while giving each other a unique form of Props (fists gently smacking together).
Some hours were lost due to time zone change, but a friendship was gained.
May the Source be with you!
0 Km
Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
Toronto , Ontario
Surya is From Siberia
Surya is from Siberia and he totally understands winter dynamics. So I took him along down to the ravine where trudging through snow is a fun reality. Your pace is slowed down somewhat and the calves of your legs strain a bit more than usual. It's all okay because the snow is bright and today brighter still, from the sun's powerful presence.
Surya and I did minimal talking, but lips did move as we made our daily commitment to chanting with the aid of our beads. It is a personal and perhaps private engagement with the sacred power that exists within and without us. Shastra, the sacred Vedic texts, reveal to us that there is a holy presence of Krishna as paramatma in the heart, while another aspect of His divinity is present in the elements.
I do not find it difficult to perceive the sacredness in this environment, where the crisp and the clean of all the naturalness on the trail cannot conceal itself, even if it tried. This place, where we tread, is a real escape from urban madness. Both Surya and I felt at peace.
The only annoyance was the cell phone in my pocket, as it would vibrate and light up at times. It's understandable. In a matter of minutes I'll leave for India Kolkata Airport
May the Source be with you!
7 Km
Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2016
Toronto , Ontario
It doesn’t matter to me,
Chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near,
I’ve got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh.
I’m looking at myself, reflections of my mind
It’s just the kind of day leave myself behind,
So gently swaying thru the fairly-land of love,
If you’ll just come with me and see the beauty of
Tuesday in Three Parts
I recall as a kid growing up when Dad or Mom would put the coffee on. I never cared for the smell in the air, but it was kind of fun hearing and seeing the substance percolate.
Life at the temple/ashram is like a coffee percolator. It gets really lively. There is a buzz. It sometimes comes in spurts depending on the time of the day. When you plug in things start happening.
Steve Davies brought his students over. This is an ongoing visit from the boy’s school from Cresant High up the road. These are quality students and they give life. They showed up in the morning.
The evening blossomed also with a visit from cross-Canada walker, Michael Oesch, and his partner Saskis. He’s working on a documentary about what you learn from foot travel. He also showed me a new book “Born to Walk: The Transformative Power of a Pedestrian Act” by Dan Rubinstein.
Michael always brings on enthusiasm to an atmosphere. He’s a spiritual person, so whatever already is considered enthusing in the atmosphere of the temple becomes further ignited.
Now, about Tuesday afternoon. I couldn’t help recalling the lyrics from the Moody blues on the song
“The Afternoon/Forever Afternoon” Tuesday, afternoon,
I’m just beginning to see,It doesn’t matter to me,
Chasing the clouds away.
Something, calls to me,
The trees are drawing me near,
I’ve got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear
Explain it all with a sigh.
I’m looking at myself, reflections of my mind
It’s just the kind of day leave myself behind,
So gently swaying thru the fairly-land of love,
If you’ll just come with me and see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday afternoon.May the Source be with you!
3 Km
Monday, February 15th, 2016
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Monday, February 15th, 2016
Scarborough , Ontairo
“Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than the silence.”
The Yays and Nays
I like trains. At least modern trains offer leg room space. There’s no traffic jams. You are close to the ground. The scenery is Tops.
My train ride on VIA from Montreal
“Silence,” I thought, “while walking is sacred.” As much as I like trains I also like silence at times. And here are some quotes:
“We will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”
- Martin Luther King “A True Friend’s Silence hurts more than an Enemy’s Rough Words.”
“Open your mouth only if what you are going to say is more beautiful than the silence.”
“Silence is the most powerful scream.”
“SPEAK only when you feel that your words are better than your SILENCE.”
“To hear, one must be silent.”
- Ursula K. LeGuim
“Silence speaks WHEN words can’t.”
“Your silence doesn’t mean that you quit. It simply means that you don’t want argue with people who just don’t want to understand.”
“Having the maturity to know sometimes silence is more powerful than having the last word.”
- Thema Davis
May the Source be with you!