Websites from the ISKCON Universe
Harinama Nectar Bliss in Kiwi Beach, New Zeland (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28)
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February 1. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: We are Especially Following Srila Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada exposed material life as a defeat. People think they will obtain happiness by sense gratification, but in the end, they are only frustrated. Prabhupada taught this repeatedly because the struggle for happiness is so pervasive among the people of the world. Although most people concentrate on money-making as their goal, Prabhupada instructs them, “No, that cannot make you happy.” He also tells us not to seek liberation from material life. One might ask, “Neither sense gratification nor renunciation – what’s left?” Srila Prabhupada teaches that the goal of life is service to Krishna, bhakti yoga. This is the message of the six Gosvamis, Lord Caitanya, and Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita. Prabhupada preached it and we are following him. Often, our appreciation of Prabhupada is based on appreciation of the Vedic truths. One may say that Prabhupada’s teachings are just those of a typical Vaisnava sannyasi. By glorifying Prabhupada, all we are doing is appreciating Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gita. Srila Prabhupada would appreciate that estimation of himself. In fact, that’s how he wanted us to appreciate him – as one who delivered Krishna’s message unchanged.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=5
The God Delusion Debate – Sivarama Swami and Dr Chetna Kang
We are Especially Following Prabhupada
Question: Why do you think so many spiritual traditions (and most religions) have ‘rules’ for practitioners to follow? I want to know why rules are used as a technology in spiritual traditions. Why are “do and don’t lists” so important?
My Reply:
I think it’s simple. If you want to get from point A to point B, but have no idea how to do it, you need directions. Directions are a list of do’s and Don’t’s: “Turn right, don’t turn left.”
Rules and regulations are particularly important for the neophyte who has no idea how to go forward. The more experience we get with navigation (often as a result of observing those rules and regulations) the more we develop our own compass. With our own compass, we follow the directions (the rules and regulations) without really feeling like we are. We start to naturally know the right way to proceed, and the rules and regulations point in the same direction.
The post Daily Darshan : February 1st, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast
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The post Gita 09.09 – Krishna is concerned but not sentimental appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 June 2014, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.13.17)
Some people say that the greatest enjoyment in the material world is sex. Well, we can also say that greater than that is to be free from such desires. If you do not have the desire, then it saves a lot of trouble! You know, then you do not have to worry about Saturday nights. You do not have to buy flowers. You do not have to spend a lot of money in bars and all these things. There are so many things you do not have to do if you do not have sex desire. You do not have to spend a fortune on all kinds of clothes and things like that. Think about it, the consequences of sex desire are quite far-reaching!
The other day, I was writing about this and I was comparing it to being addicted to cigarettes (to smoking). Airports are now all smoke-free zones, so then you have this glass box and people smoke in the glass box. It looks kind of foolish to have all these people in the glass box. They just sit in there, trying to feel at ease but meanwhile it is embarrassing to go sit in a glass box and smoke. For someone who is not a smoker, they think it to be foolish.
The same we can apply to sex also. We are addicted, but when we take up serving Krsna, and then gradually our interest changes from enjoying the body to enjoying serving. Instead of taking – enjoying the body means taking for our senses – instead of taking for our senses, we now become very active in satisfying the senses of Krsna.
Srila Prabhupada wrote a letter where he explains to Kirtananda, ‘You please worship the deity and when you make the deity very beautiful, then you will forget everything about the beauty of the material world.’
The beauty of the material world cannot satisfy the heart. So, we are not proposing a life of giving up. We are not proposing a life of giving up mundane pleasure; that is not our focus. We are proposing a life of embracing spiritual pleasure.
The article " Higher taste " was published on KKSBlog.
As I prepare to share more about my trip to Mexico and California, which I have dubbed, "My Magical Mystery Tour," I have understood that my whole life has been a magical mystery tour because the various events in my life, both desirable or challenging, and wonderful and enlivening, have all added a shade or color of who I am today. Is our childhood or any other period of our life sad, or happy, or whatever label we may give it? Our opinion is very subjective and depends what measuring stick we use and general attitude we have.
I have shared that my story growing up seemingly was a sad story, as many of us also have personal experience,and yet, with my current "optimystic" eyes, it was the perfect situation to help me grow as a person and be sufficiently frustrated to foster an existential crisis to propel me on a search for a higher meaning of life, or a spiritual one. There is something to be said to have the child like eyes of curiosity, though mixed with a maturity that comes from material experience and a reawakened urgency for spiritual practice and obtainment. My current life is a testimony to that. How much this may be true is relative, but to me, it is a profound time in my life. With this in mind I wrote this free verse poem as an introduction to my latest trip West.
MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL—TO KEEP ME ON TRACK
My Magical Mystery Tour,
when it truly began
I can’t fully comprehend
yet I know for sure
they’re multi-purpose plans
set in motion eons ago
By Sri Nandanandana das This is a step by step process for affecting the villages of India to become a part of the spiritual revolution that could be developed across the country. Why worry about the villages? The 2001 census showed that India’s population has gone past the 1 billion mark. Nearly three-quarters of its population, 72.2 percent, live in its more than 500,000 villages, which are primarily dependent on agriculture. Its urban population of 285 million, 27.8 percent, is almost the equivalent of the total population of the United States. But we can see that a good majority of the Indian population lives in the villages. The villagers are also very simple people, pious, and also the most vulnerable to the conversion tactics that are brought in by outside religions. This is also why Christian missionaries are increasingly preaching and working to build churches in the villages. And this is also why we should focus more on fulfilling the spiritual needs of villagers. Continue reading "Creating a Spiritual Revolution in India
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Always! (5 min HD video)
Balaram Briant: I have always wanted to make a short film from a poem. We have music videos; why not poem videos? I wrote this poem and made the film using footage from the few years that I had the good fortune of studying in Gurukul in India. I was inspired to write this poem about some of the things I’ve been going through in my life, but I believe it’s really about the experience that we all have in this material world.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/dkcJ47
Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast
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The post Gita 09.08 – We are helpless before material natures inexorable cyclicity appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.
Initiation ceremony at ISKCON New Govardhana - Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari 31 January 2016 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: For a transcendental blissful life, chant the Hare Krishna mantra, come worship the holy place of Vrindavana, and always engage in the service of the Lord, of the spiritual master and of the Vaishnavas. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.23.7 Purport)
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The post This is where we will be in the upcoming days appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
The post Budapest Gaura-Nitai’s 23rd aniversary festival kirtana appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Ekachakra Temple Inauguration.
With great happiness, we are happy to announce the Inauguration Festival of historical temple of Lord Nityananda Prabhu at Ekachakra Dham on 14th Feb. 2016 – a humble offering at the lotus feet of HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, on the golden jubilee year of ISKCON. Though temple construction started way back in 2010, there was a struggle to complete the project due to lack of sufficient funds and other impediments. As an offering for the 50th anniversary of ISKCON inauguration of the TOVP was planned. However, this could not manifest, but it was our sankalpa to offer a temple to Srila Prabhupada in the Golden jubilee of ISKCON. Therefore, we decided to complete the temple at Ekachakra Dham in 2016 and the inauguration date was finalized. In a short notice we started our marathon to complete the construction of the temple since April-May 2015. Another two weeks to go for inauguration, the project is going through a deficit of around 60-70 lacs Indian Rupees (around 100,000 US dollars) to complete this historical temple. To gear up the completion of temple on time, we are soliciting donations from devotees worldwide at this hour of need. The project is going through a deficit of around 60-70 lacs Indian Rupees (around 100,000 US dollars) to complete this historical temple. We sincerely appeal to each of you to take part in this Maha Yajna and receive the blessings of Nitai. This is once in a lifetime limited opportunity to serve Lord Nityananda Prabhu at His birthplace. Levels of sponsorships to enable everyone to participate and you can choose from Vaisnava Sevak for Rs.1500 per sq.ft to Radha Krishna Sevak for Rs.500,000. We shall be happy to offer a tulasi archana on your behalf on the inauguration day praying for your family’s well-being. For details and to submit your offerings, visit here: http://www.mayapur.com/serve-mayapur/ekachakra-dham-project/
Yuki conquers Bhakti.
I walked into a classroom filled with little children all busily working in groups. “Welcome!” said the teacher with a smile. “You’re here for observation, right? To see if you want the job as a part-time teacher? Well, you can take this group here in the library, read to them, engage in discussion,” “Sure, thank you,” I replied wobbily. I had never, ever worked with children so young - five and six years old. In my path to being a teacher, I had always focused on high school. But this was the position that was open - Kindergarten. And I was being warmly persuaded to come on board by practically the entire administration staff of Kahakai Elementary. So I came for observation, to test the waters. The library session was sweet and cute, although I did freeze up a couple times. Overall, nice…
To read the entire article click here: http://goo.gl/xFoQYV
Pushpa Abhishek! Showering of flower petals on the deities of Radha Gopinath at Iskcon Chowpatty (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: All persons in this material world are suffering from material pains, and if one wants to get rid of them, he must associate with saintly persons, pure devotees of the Lord, and chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. That is the only auspicious way for materialistic persons. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.22.15 Purport)
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The Prime Minister of Mauritius’ son meets Iskcon’s Gopal Krishna Goswami accompanied by other ministers. (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Instead of actively taking part in politics, saintly persons should engage in the chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. By the grace of Lord Caitanya, by simply chanting this Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the general populace can derive all benefits without political implications. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.14.12 Purport)
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Temples can celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2016 by following six simple steps
By ISKCON 50 Global Office
The Global Office for the 50th Anniversary of ISKCON has called upon all ISKCON temples around the world to ’50-ise’ their regular festivals in 2016 by following a few simple steps.
“We need to take every opportunity to spread awareness about our 50th anniversary to the general public,” said Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications, and a member of the International Executive Committee for the 50th Anniversary. “Our regular festivals such as Gaura Purnima, Rama Navami, Janmashtami, Ratha Yatra and Diwali offer us a big opportunity to put the 50th anniversary right out there in the public domain. Every temple should follow these steps to ‘50-ise’ their festivals, so that the world becomes aware of ISKCON’s achievements in the last 50 years.”
“There are six simple steps that every temple can follow to ‘50-ise’ their festivals,” explained Romapada Das, International Coordinator for the 50th Anniversary. “And we have created several resources for you to make your job simpler. Please follow these guidelines so that we can engage the maximum number of people around the world in the 50th Anniversary.”
The six steps released by the Global 50 Office for ‘50-ising’ regular ISKCON festivals are:
Download the ISKCON 50 logo from the ISKCON 50 website by clicking here. You should use the logo in all your invitations, posters, letterheads, banners, websites and media releases with our tagline ‘The joy of devotion’ and the legend ‘Celebrating 50 golden years’ prominently displayed
Print the official posters and banners of ISKCON 50 by downloading them from the ISKCON website by clicking here. These posters should be displayed prominently in your temple premises and the venue of your festivals
Distribute the special 50th Anniversary Magazine that will be released shortly, at your festivals. You can gift the magazine to VVIP guests on stage, while commemorating the 50th Anniversary
Screen the special films being produced for the 50th. A short 18-minute film will be ready by mid-February, while the longer one will be released two months later
Download scripts for the special 50th anniversary plays from the ISKCON 50 website by clicking here, and enact them on stage. These plays are about Srila Prabhupada’s historic journey to the West
Print and display the ISKCON 50 Exhibition panels, which are under production and should be available for downloading from our website from March 2016. These panels will chart the achievements of ISKCON in the last 50 years.
ISKCON centres are requested to write to Romapada Das, International Coordinator, 50th anniversary at romapada@iskcon50.org if they need any further information or support about the 50th anniversary.
Please like our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/iskcon50
THINK 50! Act 50!
By Madhava Smullen
The Service Appreciation Ceremony – a semi-annual custom introduced in 2014 that honors those who have contributed years of service to the New Vrindaban village – was held for the third time at ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Community Hall on Sunday December 6th, 2016.
Previous ceremonies honored the late Madhava Gosh and his wife Vidya, Kripamaya and his wife Krsna Bhava, Malati Devi, Navin-Shyam, Jamuna, and Kacey Orr for diverse services from GBC to board member to cow and garden care.
This time, around fifty people gathered to honor ECO-Vrindaban veteran farmhand Ray Kuderski, cook and mother Dharmakala Dasi, performer and author Sankirtan Das, and his wife Ruci, a longtime teacher at New Vrindaban.
Joint board member Chaitanya Mangala Das acted as MC for the event, which for the first time included slideshow presentations on each honoree’s life and achievements.
Each person was also presented with a cherrywood plaque thanking them for their decades of service in the development of the New Vrindaban community, on behalf of Srila Prabhupada, Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra, and the Board of Directors of ISKCON New Vrindaban and ECO-Vrindaban.
Ray Kuderski – whose wife Kelli, son Michael, and sister-in-law Carol were all present – received his plaque from Ranaka Das, his boss and friend during his more than three decades of exceptional work with the cows and farming activities in New Vrindaban.
Born and raised in the Moundsville area, Ray didn’t have prior farm work experience, but learned on the job. He first began working with Ranaka in the Plough Department in 1983, which later merged with the Cow Care Department and eventually evolved into ECO-Vrindaban.
“For decades, it was mostly Ray and Ranaka doing everything,” says Chaitanya Mangala. “During the tougher times at New Vrindaban, when they had to look after 400 cows on a shoestring budget, they often had to put aside their own concerns and comfort to make sure the cows were cared for.”
The crowd laughed with fond familiarity when Chaitanya showed them a photo of Ray on his trusty John Deere tractor, commenting, “This is probably how you all recognize him.”
“Ray is known as a no-nonsense guy who does his work steadily without complaint year in and year out,” explains Chaitanya. “He’s been an amazing part of the fabric of New Vrindaban for so long. The place clearly wouldn’t be the same without him.”
True to form, when Ray was offered the chance to say a few words after his slideshow presentation, he declined with a self-effacing grin. But the crowd wouldn’t stay silent. One after the other, dozens got to their feet, praising Ray for his incredibly dedicated participation.
Next came Dharmakala Dasi, who has served New Vrindaban for more than four decades. After joining ISKCON in Maryland in 1972, Dharmakala was initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1973 in New York, and began cooking for Krishna at the Henry Street temple there.
She moved to New Vrindaban in 1974, where she received 2nd initiation in 1975 and began cooking for the Deities and devotees, a service she would continue for the next fifteen years.
Her opulent 4pm offering of elaborate cookies and cheese cake became legendary, as did the breadsticks, date nut bars, apple crisp and more she made for the devotees. Often spending eleven-hour days in the kitchen, Dharmakala still found time to raise her five children.
After stopping her work in the temple kitchen, she continued to bake cakes for weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries in New Vrindaban, a service she offers to this day. In 1995, she started her company “World’s Best Cookie,” which has sold over 500,000 handmade cookies.
Speaking about their mother, Dharmakala’s eldest son Suddha-Sattva and daughter Dinataruni appreciated how she had opened her home to their friends. “Our house was always packed with kids, and you’d feed them every day,” Suddha said. “That’s one of the ways you showed your love for devotees in the community.” Dharmakala’s son Vincent and daughter Sarasvati were also present.
In turn, the crowd then showered their love and appreciation on Dharmakala, mostly by enthusiastically yelling out the names of her different legendary preparations. Some reminisced about fighting over her offerings; others thanked her for the cakes she had made for them. ECO-V Board Chair Bhima Walker then presented her with her plaque.
“My friends are the reason I’m still living in New Vrindaban after all these years,” Dharmakala was quoted in an article that was read out. “We all built this place together. We’re like family.”
Finally, Sankirtan and Ruci were honored. The two met in college in 1968, joined the Chicago temple soon after, and were initiated in 1973. They arrived in New Vrindaban on the eve of Gaura Purnima 1976 in the dead of winter, showing them just how austere the place could get. But nothing could deter them from serving there for the next four decades.
As well as her service to Tulasi Devi, Ruci is most known for her nearly forty years of teaching preschool and elementary students at different New Vrindaban schools since 1978.
Today, she continues to teach at the Gopal’s Garden Homeschool Co-Op, established in 2007. There, she provides a balanced blend of standard academic subjects and Krishna conscious ones, including japa, kirtana, and Bhagavad-gita slokas. At the end of each school year, she produces an anthology of the students’ writings and illustrations.
Over the years, Ruci developed bonds with her students that have remained to this day. She often receives mail from early students – now with successful careers and their own families – who tell her what an impact her teaching had on their personal and professional lives.
At the service appreciation ceremony, three generations stood to thank Ruci for everything she had done. Pioneer New Vrindaban residents told her, “You were a shining light throughout New Vrindaban’s history. You never let us down.” Their children, now in their thirties and forties, appreciated all the benefits they had gotten from her classroom. And their children, still currently studying with Ruci, piped up and said, “I love being in Ruci’s class!”
Meanwhile her husband Sankirtan is known for braving austere conditions out at the Bahulaban “Pits” to cook breakfast every day for nearly fifteen years, including the famed “oatwater.”
He’s perhaps most praised, however, for developing the Brijabasi Players and for his hundreds of plays and skits from the late 1970s to this day.
One of his most fondly remembered productions was the sweet Nandulal, in which he played the blind saint Bilvamangala Thakur, who unknowingly encounters Krishna, played by the then 12-year-old Sesa Walker. Sankirtan recalled the play as one of his favorite experiences from over the years, praising the professionalism and commitment of his youthful co-star.
Sankirtan also collaborated for many years with Lokamangala Das, performing transcendental dramas around the U.S. These included the two-man magnum opus Mahabharat, which they toured for four years to colleges, temples and even Off Broadway in New York City.
Sankirtan is also an award-winning storyteller and author, winning the West Virginia Artist Fellowship Award in 2005 for his storytelling at schools and colleges, and a Next Generation Indie Book finalist award in 2014 for his book Mahabharat: The Eternal Quest.
Recently, Sankirtan has been taking his PowerPoint about the 50th Anniversary of Prabhupada’s arrival in the West to colleges. And his project “Holding Srila Prabhupada,” in which he takes photos of pilgrims holding a picture of the ISKCON Founder outside his home – where Prabhupada stayed in June 1976 – has given hundreds a deeper New Vrindaban pilgrimage experience.
After the presentation on Sankirtan’s life, many devotees stood to say how moved they were by his service. Advaitacarya Das recounted how Sankirtan had spent eight hours a day for two weeks helping his son Halavah Sofksy rehearse to try and get an acting scholarship. As a result, Halavah won the scholarship. Present himself, Halavah added, “It shows the level of generosity that you have. And so many others have similar stories to tell about you.”
Sankirtan and Ruci also have two adult children of their own. Their son Josh (Sanjaya) – who was present at the ceremony — is an attorney and helps edit Sankirtan’s writings. Their daughter Visnupriya is a senior product and graphic designer for a consulting firm, and has designed and illustrated Sankirtan’s books.
At the end of the ceremony, Ruci and Sankirtan were presented with their plaque by INV board member Keval Patel.
In his concluding statement, Chaitanya Mangala recited Verse 4 from Rupa Goswami’s Nectar of Instruction, which discusses the six “symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.”
He also quoted the purport, where Srila Prabhupada writes: “Even in ordinary social activities, these six types of dealings between two loving friends are absolutely necessary,” and further clarifies, “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”
“We don’t often just walk up to people we know and tell them our open-hearted thoughts and appreciations,” says Chaitanya. “So it’s important that we create spaces to facilitate this kind of sharing. When people do things to support and appreciate each other, it’s catching. The recipient feels good and then does something nice for someone else, and it causes a ripple effect.”
To finish off the evening, everyone had the chance to mill about and socialize with each other as they tucked into a delectable Ekadasi cake baked by Lakshman Das.
Plans are in place to continue the Service Appreciation Ceremony at New Vrindaban twice a year, well into the future.
24hr Kirtan Mandal_ Vrindavan Prabhu
January 31. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Satsvarupa dasa Goswami: Appreciating His Teachings.
Prabhupada can mediate between Krishna and the individual soul. For example, he explains how we can offer Krishna whatever we eat, and how the main ingredient in our offering is our devotion. Prabhupada comments, “If you offer something to Krishna: ‘Krishna, I have brought a very palatable dish for You to eat’ – no, Krishna will not take it. Nahamprakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah. He is not exposed to everyone.”
There are different levels of understanding Prabhupada’s teachings. A newcomer will be amazed that Krishna will accept offerings of food. Someone who has been hearing and serving Prabhupada for more years will hear with added depth and richness. Such a person is trained to hear and consider more the subtleties of the philosophy. For example, Prabhupada quoted the verse “nahamprakasah” in the context of offering food to Krishna. The nahamprakasah verse tells us that Krishna places a curtain of maya between Himself and foolish persons. To quote that verse immediately after saying that Krishna accepts offerings made in devotion, produces an interesting contrast. Prabhupada’s point is that if we try to give Krishna something materially opulent to impress us, He will not accept it, because nahamprakasah sarvasya– Krishna puts a barrier between Himself and such fools.
To read the entire article click here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490&page=4
Appreciating His Teachings
The post Daily Darshan : January 31th, 2016 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Vyenkata Bhatta lived at Sri Rangam and had a son named Gopal. When the boy came to offer his obeisances at the lotus feet of Mahaprabhu the Lord picked him up and very affectionately seated him in His lap. Mahaprabhu would call Gopal after He had finished His meal and offer His remnants to the boy. In this way He prepared him for the position of Acarya.
In Nepal, Gopala Bhatta bathed in the famous Kali-Gandaki River. Upon dipping his water-pot in the river, he was surprised to see several Shaligrama Shilas enter his pot. He dropped the shilas back into the river, but the shilas re-entered his pot when he refilled it.
After emptying and refilling his water-pot for the third time, Gopala Bhatta Goswami found twelve Shaligrama shilas sitting there. Thinking this must be the Lords mercy, he kept all the shilas and returned to Vrndavana.
In the evening after offering some bhoga and arotika to his Shalagram shilas, Gopala Bhatta put them to rest, covering them with a wicker basket. Late in the night, Gopala Bhatta took a little rest and then, in the early morning went to take bath in the Yamuna river.
Returning from his bath, he uncovered the Shalagramas in order to render the puja for Them, and saw amongst Them a Deity of Krishna playing the flute. There were now eleven shilas and this Deity. The “Damodara shila”, had manifested as the beautiful three-fold bending form of tri-bhangananda-krishna.
Floating in the ocean of ecstasy, he fell to the ground in order to offer his dandavats and then recited various prayers and hymns. This wonderful event of the appearance day of Radha Raman happened on the day after Sri Nrsimha Chaturdasi, and is celebrated on that day accordingly.
By Madhava Smullen
Village Council Meeting at Vyasasana and Lokadristi’s Home
Possibly the hottest topic at the Fall 2015 ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban Board Meetings, and certainly the one that drew the most interest, was the Community Dialog about a proposed new “Village Association.”
For decades, New Vrindaban residents have felt a need to be heard more by the ISKCON management and to have more influence on how their community is run.
So with a possible solution at hand, they were buzzing as they crowded into the Palace Lodge community hall after lunch on December 5th to learn more about it.
Longtime residents Nityodita Das and Advaitacharya Das guided the session, beginning with a half-hour Power Point presentation on the history and plan for the proposed Village Association.
The idea, they explained, has its roots in Srila Prabhupada’s 1973 statement, “We will establish a local self-governing village.” Varying attempts to make inroads towards this were made over the years, the most recent being the Advocacy Sanga — first launched in 2013.
Then, during the March 2015 board meetings, members of the INV and ECO-V boards themselves, led by Chaitanya Mangala and Jaya Krsna, encouraged the creation of an official Village Council, which would participate in the management of New Vrindaban from a broader “village” perspective.
Chaitanya Mangala Das introducing the New Vrindaban Village Association
To do this, volunteers began the process by first forming a Steering Committee of seven. These included Jaya Krsna and Ananga Manjari (representing INV), Mukunda (representing ECO-V); and Advaitacarya, Nityodita, Devala, and Vyasasana, representing long term residents and broader community interests.
Over the next six months, the Steering Committee conducted many meetings with different interest groups in the village of New Vrindaban to develop their proposal. They then organized three larger gatherings – increasing in attendance each time from 20, to 40, to 60 people — where they continued to tweak the “blueprint.”
The version presented at the December 5th Community Dialog proposed a “New Vrindaban Village Association” made up of residents who would elect their chosen representatives to a “Village Council.”
The Village Council would then regularly meet with the ECO-V and INV boards and interact in a cooperative framework which is provisionally being called the “New Vrindaban Village Board.”
Advaitacharya and Nityodita explained that membership of the Village Association would be very open and inclusive, with the only requirement being that members must reside in the Ohio-Valley area.
Advaitacharya presenting New Vrindaban’s Boards including Eco-V, ISKCON New Vrindaban, and the Village Council.
“If you raise your hand and say, ‘I want to be a member,’ that qualifies you to be a member,” Advaita told the intrigued crowd.
The requirements to be a voting member aren’t much more restrictive: one need only be at least 18 years of age, an Ohio-Valley resident for at least one year, and attend at least one function of the Village Association per year.
In return, the Association aims to create a loving family environment among its members that helps to empower and assist devotees to live happily in and around New Vrindaban.
One priority will be to enhance fellowship and friendships amongst New Vrindaban villagers through regular spiritual and social group activities, such as men’s and women’s groups, youth groups, reading groups etc — a much-needed feature. Another will be to care for members by helping them understand housing options available and the land acquisition process, as well as by encouraging economic development through the establishment of local businesses.
And perhaps the most important facet will be to set up a system where concerns can be expressed, shared and addressed with action. This will help New Vrindaban residents feel cared for, and empower them with their desired participation in governing the village.
The system would likely see residents – soon to be members of the Village Association – address their concerns to their Village Council, who would then either handle the issue themselves or act as the go-between with ISKCON New Vrindaban or ECO-Vrindaban if it fell under the purview of either of those organizations.
The main difference would be a shift in expectations; not all the concerns of the Village would be funneled through ISKCON, allowing the temple – with its limited capacity – to act more as a spiritual center of the Village. This would reflect the fact that while residents and the two main non-profit organizations in New Vrindaban share many common concerns, there are some aspects that can be better handled in simultaneously cooperative and self-determined ways.
Nityodita explains the whole purpose of The Village Council during the Community Dialogue.
“We need to break out of the old mindset of trying to use the legal structure of a religious non-profit in ways it was never meant to be used,” says joint-board member Chaitanya Mangala. “The analogy I use: If I went to the town of Moundsville, and said, ‘We’re now going to funnel all city management decisions through a local Church,’ everybody would look at me with a puzzled face and ask, ‘What are you talking about?’ Clearly, it doesn’t make sense. But that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to do for decades in New Vrindaban.”
After Nityodita and Advaitacharya’s presentation, the floor was opened up to an hour-and-a-half of discussion, beginning with everyone in the room getting the chance to express their feelings about the idea.
Many long-term residents, including Advaita himself, felt somewhat guarded, having seen multiple similar attempts fail in the past. They expressed that they were reserving their full enthusiasm for when and if the idea succeeded.
“Personally, I had never intended to get involved in something like this again – I had been through it too many times,” says Advaita. “But this time it came from the leadership outwards, saying, ‘Yes, we recognize this problem, and we know it really needs to be addressed.’ It’s the first time I’ve ever seen that, and that makes me hopeful.”
Some residents wanted more clarification on how the new structure would work. Board and Steering Committee members explained that this is a new, learning experience for everyone, that every detail has not yet been figured out, and that the mechanics will naturally be established over time with members learning as they go.
Others were concerned that the new Village Council would not really be on an equal footing with the other boards or have enough power to make things happen. In response, Advaita pointed out that the key to successful results is working together with trust and a cooperative spirit – something Srila Prabhupada stressed many, many times.
The qualities of patience, determination, and enthusiasm (utsahan niscayad dhairyat) – which Tamohara Das cited in Saturday morning’s Srimad Bhagavatam class – were also repeated throughout the Community Dialog and the weekend in general, as necessary qualities to practice in order to be successful in such efforts.
Finally, Board and Steering Committee members emphasized that differing viewpoints are all right, and in fact expected, as long as everyone maintains an underlying assumption of goodwill, and continues to communicate and cooperate with the shared goal of doing the best they can for the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
Overall, the mood of the Community Dialog was one of optimism, with many comments like, “I’m feeling enthusiastic,” “I’m enlivened to see things get this far,” and “I hope it will be successful.”
The Dialog concluded with the Steering Committee asking who would be open to joining the Village Association, and receiving a near unanimous show of hands.
Next up, the Steering Committee is planning a local event to officially launch the Village Association. Invitiations will include a print-out of the Power Point presented at the Community Dialog, along with membership applications. The event will feature entertainment, kirtan, prasadam, and a chance to sign up to get involved in community interests and concerns.
“I see this as a positive step, to paraphrase Srila Prabhupada, ‘In the gradual development of New Vrindaban as a self-governing village,’” says Chaitanya Mangala. “The previous culture, where every decision had to go through the ISKCON New Vrindaban management structure, disempowered individuals and put a huge burden on a handful of people. Distributing that load and increasing individual empowerment is necessary and will be incredibly beneficial for both local residents and ISKCON management.”
By Madhava Smullen
Nityodita explains the whole purpose of The Village Council during the Community Dialogue.
Possibly the hottest topic at the Fall 2015 ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban Board Meetings, and certainly the one that drew the most interest, was the Community Dialog about a proposed new “Village Association.”
For decades, New Vrindaban residents have felt a need to be heard more by the ISKCON management and to have more influence on how their community is run.
So with a possible solution at hand, they were buzzing as they crowded into the Palace Lodge community hall after lunch on December 5th to learn more about it.
Longtime residents Nityodita Das and Advaitacharya Das guided the session, beginning with a half-hour Power Point presentation on the history and plan for the proposed Village Association.
The idea, they explained, has its roots in Srila Prabhupada’s 1973 statement, “We will establish a local self-governing village.” Varying attempts to make inroads towards this were made over the years, the most recent being the Advocacy Sanga -- first launched in 2013.
Then, during the March 2015 board meetings, members of the INV and ECO-V boards themselves, led by Chaitanya Mangala and Jaya Krsna, encouraged the creation of an official Village Council, which would participate in the management of New Vrindaban from a broader “village” perspective.
To do this, volunteers began the process by first forming a Steering Committee of seven. These included Jaya Krsna and Ananga Manjari (representing INV), Mukunda (representing ECO-V); and Advaitacarya, Nityodita, Devala, and Vyasasana, representing long term residents and broader community interests.
Over the next six months, the Steering Committee conducted many meetings with different interest groups in the village of New Vrindaban to develop their proposal. They then organized three larger gatherings – increasing in attendance each time from 20, to 40, to 60 people -- where they continued to tweak the “blueprint.”
The version presented at the December 5th Community Dialog proposed a “New Vrindaban Village Association” made up of residents who would elect their chosen representatives to a “Village Council.”
The Village Council would then regularly meet with the ECO-V and INV boards and interact in a cooperative framework which is provisionally being called the “New Vrindaban Village Board.”
Advaitacharya and Nityodita explained that membership of the Village Association would be very open and inclusive, with the only requirement being that members must reside in the Ohio-Valley area.
Advaitacharya presenting New Vrindaban's Boards including Eco-V, ISKCON New Vrindaban, and the Village Council.
“If you raise your hand and say, ‘I want to be a member,’ that qualifies you to be a member,” Advaita told the intrigued crowd.
The requirements to be a voting member aren’t much more restrictive: one need only be at least 18 years of age, an Ohio-Valley resident for at least one year, and attend at least one function of the Village Association per year.
In return, the Association aims to create a loving family environment among its members that helps to empower and assist devotees to live happily in and around New Vrindaban.
One priority will be to enhance fellowship and friendships amongst New Vrindaban villagers through regular spiritual and social group activities, such as men’s and women’s groups, youth groups, reading groups etc -- a much-needed feature. Another will be to care for members by helping them understand housing options available and the land acquisition process, as well as by encouraging economic development through the establishment of local businesses.
And perhaps the most important facet will be to set up a system where concerns can be expressed, shared and addressed with action. This will help New Vrindaban residents feel cared for, and empower them with their desired participation in governing the village.
The system would likely see residents – soon to be members of the Village Association – address their concerns to their Village Council, who would then either handle the issue themselves or act as the go-between with ISKCON New Vrindaban or ECO-Vrindaban if it fell under the purview of either of those organizations.
The main difference would be a shift in expectations; not all the concerns of the Village would be funneled through ISKCON, allowing the temple – with its limited capacity – to act more as a spiritual center of the Village. This would reflect the fact that while residents and the two main non-profit organizations in New Vrindaban share many common concerns, there are some aspects that can be better handled in simultaneously cooperative and self-determined ways.
Chaitanya Mangala Das introducing the New Vrindaban Village Association
“We need to break out of the old mindset of trying to use the legal structure of a religious non-profit in ways it was never meant to be used,” says joint-board member Chaitanya Mangala. “The analogy I use: If I went to the town of Moundsville, and said, ‘We’re now going to funnel all city management decisions through a local Church,’ everybody would look at me with a puzzled face and ask, ‘What are you talking about?’ Clearly, it doesn’t make sense. But that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to do for decades in New Vrindaban.”
After Nityodita and Advaitacharya’s presentation, the floor was opened up to an hour-and-a-half of discussion, beginning with everyone in the room getting the chance to express their feelings about the idea.
Many long-term residents, including Advaita himself, felt somewhat guarded, having seen multiple similar attempts fail in the past. They expressed that they were reserving their full enthusiasm for when and if the idea succeeded.
“Personally, I had never intended to get involved in something like this again – I had been through it too many times,” says Advaita. “But this time it came from the leadership outwards, saying, ‘Yes, we recognize this problem, and we know it really needs to be addressed.’ It’s the first time I’ve ever seen that, and that makes me hopeful.”
Some residents wanted more clarification on how the new structure would work. Board and Steering Committee members explained that this is a new, learning experience for everyone, that every detail has not yet been figured out, and that the mechanics will naturally be established over time with members learning as they go.
The Village Association at Vyasasana and Lokadristi’s Home
Others were concerned that the new Village Council would not really be on an equal footing with the other boards or have enough power to make things happen. In response, Advaita pointed out that the key to successful results is working together with trust and a cooperative spirit – something Srila Prabhupada stressed many, many times.
The qualities of patience, determination, and enthusiasm (utsahan niscayad dhairyat) – which Tamohara Das cited in Saturday morning’s Srimad Bhagavatam class – were also repeated throughout the Community Dialog and the weekend in general, as necessary qualities to practice in order to be successful in such efforts.
Finally, Board and Steering Committee members emphasized that differing viewpoints are all right, and in fact expected, as long as everyone maintains an underlying assumption of goodwill, and continues to communicate and cooperate with the shared goal of doing the best they can for the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
Overall, the mood of the Community Dialog was one of optimism, with many comments like, “I’m feeling enthusiastic,” “I’m enlivened to see things get this far,” and “I hope it will be successful.”
The Dialog concluded with the Steering Committee asking who would be open to joining the Village Association, and receiving a near unanimous show of hands.
Next up, the Steering Committee is planning a local event to officially launch the Village Association. Invitiations will include a print-out of the Power Point presented at the Community Dialog, along with membership applications. The event will feature entertainment, kirtan, prasadam, and a chance to sign up to get involved in community interests and concerns.
“I see this as a positive step, to paraphrase Srila Prabhupada, ‘In the gradual development of New Vrindaban as a self-governing village,’” says Chaitanya Mangala. “The previous culture, where every decision had to go through the ISKCON New Vrindaban management structure, disempowered individuals and put a huge burden on a handful of people. Distributing that load and increasing individual empowerment is necessary and will be incredibly beneficial for both local residents and ISKCON management.”
By Madhava Smullen
Nityodita explains the whole purpose of The Village Council during the Community Dialogue.
Possibly the hottest topic at the Fall 2015 ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban Board Meetings, and certainly the one that drew the most interest, was the Community Dialog about a proposed new “Village Association.”
For decades, New Vrindaban residents have felt a need to be heard more by the ISKCON management and to have more influence on how their community is run.
So with a possible solution at hand, they were buzzing as they crowded into the Palace Lodge community hall after lunch on December 5th to learn more about it.
Longtime residents Nityodita Das and Advaitacharya Das guided the session, beginning with a half-hour Power Point presentation on the history and plan for the proposed Village Association.
The idea, they explained, has its roots in Srila Prabhupada’s 1973 statement, “We will establish a local self-governing village.” Varying attempts to make inroads towards this were made over the years, the most recent being the Advocacy Sanga -- first launched in 2013.
Then, during the March 2015 board meetings, members of the INV and ECO-V boards themselves, led by Chaitanya Mangala and Jaya Krsna, encouraged the creation of an official Village Council, which would participate in the management of New Vrindaban from a broader “village” perspective.
To do this, volunteers began the process by first forming a Steering Committee of seven. These included Jaya Krsna and Ananga Manjari (representing INV), Mukunda (representing ECO-V); and Advaitacarya, Nityodita, Devala, and Vyasasana, representing long term residents and broader community interests.
Over the next six months, the Steering Committee conducted many meetings with different interest groups in the village of New Vrindaban to develop their proposal. They then organized three larger gatherings – increasing in attendance each time from 20, to 40, to 60 people -- where they continued to tweak the “blueprint.”
The version presented at the December 5th Community Dialog proposed a “New Vrindaban Village Association” made up of residents who would elect their chosen representatives to a “Village Council.”
The Village Council would then regularly meet with the ECO-V and INV boards and interact in a cooperative framework which is provisionally being called the “New Vrindaban Village Board.”
Advaitacharya and Nityodita explained that membership of the Village Association would be very open and inclusive, with the only requirement being that members must reside in the Ohio-Valley area.
Advaitacharya presenting New Vrindaban's Boards including Eco-V, ISKCON New Vrindaban, and the Village Council.
“If you raise your hand and say, ‘I want to be a member,’ that qualifies you to be a member,” Advaita told the intrigued crowd.
The requirements to be a voting member aren’t much more restrictive: one need only be at least 18 years of age, an Ohio-Valley resident for at least one year, and attend at least one function of the Village Association per year.
In return, the Association aims to create a loving family environment among its members that helps to empower and assist devotees to live happily in and around New Vrindaban.
One priority will be to enhance fellowship and friendships amongst New Vrindaban villagers through regular spiritual and social group activities, such as men’s and women’s groups, youth groups, reading groups etc -- a much-needed feature. Another will be to care for members by helping them understand housing options available and the land acquisition process, as well as by encouraging economic development through the establishment of local businesses.
And perhaps the most important facet will be to set up a system where concerns can be expressed, shared and addressed with action. This will help New Vrindaban residents feel cared for, and empower them with their desired participation in governing the village.
The system would likely see residents – soon to be members of the Village Association – address their concerns to their Village Council, who would then either handle the issue themselves or act as the go-between with ISKCON New Vrindaban or ECO-Vrindaban if it fell under the purview of either of those organizations.
The main difference would be a shift in expectations; not all the concerns of the Village would be funneled through ISKCON, allowing the temple – with its limited capacity – to act more as a spiritual center of the Village. This would reflect the fact that while residents and the two main non-profit organizations in New Vrindaban share many common concerns, there are some aspects that can be better handled in simultaneously cooperative and self-determined ways.
Chaitanya Mangala Das introducing the New Vrindaban Village Association
“We need to break out of the old mindset of trying to use the legal structure of a religious non-profit in ways it was never meant to be used,” says joint-board member Chaitanya Mangala. “The analogy I use: If I went to the town of Moundsville, and said, ‘We’re now going to funnel all city management decisions through a local Church,’ everybody would look at me with a puzzled face and ask, ‘What are you talking about?’ Clearly, it doesn’t make sense. But that’s exactly what we’ve been trying to do for decades in New Vrindaban.”
After Nityodita and Advaitacharya’s presentation, the floor was opened up to an hour-and-a-half of discussion, beginning with everyone in the room getting the chance to express their feelings about the idea.
Many long-term residents, including Advaita himself, felt somewhat guarded, having seen multiple similar attempts fail in the past. They expressed that they were reserving their full enthusiasm for when and if the idea succeeded.
“Personally, I had never intended to get involved in something like this again – I had been through it too many times,” says Advaita. “But this time it came from the leadership outwards, saying, ‘Yes, we recognize this problem, and we know it really needs to be addressed.’ It’s the first time I’ve ever seen that, and that makes me hopeful.”
Some residents wanted more clarification on how the new structure would work. Board and Steering Committee members explained that this is a new, learning experience for everyone, that every detail has not yet been figured out, and that the mechanics will naturally be established over time with members learning as they go.
The Village Association at Vyasasana and Lokadristi’s Home
Others were concerned that the new Village Council would not really be on an equal footing with the other boards or have enough power to make things happen. In response, Advaita pointed out that the key to successful results is working together with trust and a cooperative spirit – something Srila Prabhupada stressed many, many times.
The qualities of patience, determination, and enthusiasm (utsahan niscayad dhairyat) – which Tamohara Das cited in Saturday morning’s Srimad Bhagavatam class – were also repeated throughout the Community Dialog and the weekend in general, as necessary qualities to practice in order to be successful in such efforts.
Finally, Board and Steering Committee members emphasized that differing viewpoints are all right, and in fact expected, as long as everyone maintains an underlying assumption of goodwill, and continues to communicate and cooperate with the shared goal of doing the best they can for the devotees, Srila Prabhupada and Krishna.
Overall, the mood of the Community Dialog was one of optimism, with many comments like, “I’m feeling enthusiastic,” “I’m enlivened to see things get this far,” and “I hope it will be successful.”
The Dialog concluded with the Steering Committee asking who would be open to joining the Village Association, and receiving a near unanimous show of hands.
Next up, the Steering Committee is planning a local event to officially launch the Village Association. Invitiations will include a print-out of the Power Point presented at the Community Dialog, along with membership applications. The event will feature entertainment, kirtan, prasadam, and a chance to sign up to get involved in community interests and concerns.
“I see this as a positive step, to paraphrase Srila Prabhupada, ‘In the gradual development of New Vrindaban as a self-governing village,’” says Chaitanya Mangala. “The previous culture, where every decision had to go through the ISKCON New Vrindaban management structure, disempowered individuals and put a huge burden on a handful of people. Distributing that load and increasing individual empowerment is necessary and will be incredibly beneficial for both local residents and ISKCON management.”
For most devotees the name Vaiyasaki Das, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is synonymous with ecstatic kirtans and bhajans along with his Kirtan Explosion Band. He travels the world year after year with his devoted wife Kishori Devi Dasi doing kirtan events and presenting bhakti yoga in various favorable venues including Yoga centers and ISKCON festivals.
Little do they know that he is also a recognized Bestselling author on Amazon. His Blockbuster book, Cosmology On Trial: Cracking The Cosmic Code, became the #1 bestseller in its category several times over the past year. Now his newest addition to the “On Trial” series, Stephen Hawking On Trial: Confronting The Big Bang, has reached the same luminary status becoming the #1 bestseller in the Physics category on Amazon.
When Vaiyasaki prabhu surrendered his life to Srila Prabhupada he focused on spreading kirtan wordwide. Not long ago, he decided to serve the desire of Srila Prabhupada to expose the false claims of the Big Bang origin of the universe. His goal was to open the eyes of the general public who have accepted these claims as gospel truth.
Although not a trained physicist, he undertook the challenge of putting into writing arguments against these false claims, depending only on Krishna. He decided to use a legal trial format with judge and jury to put scientific concepts to the test beyond a reasonable doubt. He wanted readers to be on the ‘jury’ and judge for themselves from the evidence whether the Big Bang theory is based on genuine data or is simply ‘modern mythology’ based on mathematics. His books have met with unprecedented success beyond his wildest imagination.
Devotees would also do well to seriously read these books. As the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium rises and ISKCON reaches greater levels of public attention, it will be necessary for devotees to explain where science is right and where it is wrong. Sadaputa Dasa (Dr. Richard L. Thompson PhD), the architect of the planetarium design for the TOVP (www.youtube.com/SadaputaChannel) used to stress this point regularly that it’s not enough to just say that the Vedas are right and science is wrong. Srila Prabhupada also wanted devotees to understand the importance and power of seeing through the veil of illusion created by modern science through which it has presented itself as the authority on the universe.
Below are links to both of Vaiyasaki’s books and some Reviews. As a service to all, BOTH books are now on sale at the special price of .99c (U.S.) for a limited time only. For more information or to communicate with Vaiyasaki he can be contacted at:
Email: cosmologycrisis@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PierreStClairBooks
Click the links below each book to order
Stephen Hawking on Trial Cosmology on Trial
REVIEWS
Stephen Hawking On Trial: Confronting The Big Bang
“Hawking and a few others are doing a disservice to science by exaggerating what we know and therein confusing the public. This book sets the record straight. It is well written, captivating and easily understandable by the general public.”
Daniel Friedmann, author The Genesis One Code: Demonstrates a clear alignment between the times of key events described in the Genesis with those derived from scientific observation. (Inspired Studies Book 1)
“This is the best Science book that I’ve read in quite a while…..For those people who want to know what Hawking said in his Larry King interview and the 'Grand Design' book I recommend a new book 'Stephen Hawking on Trial, Confronting the Big Bang by Pierre St. Claire.”
Howard Lipman, pen name PanOrpheus, author of the ‘Delphic Oracles’ Alternate History/Fantasy books, ‘Songs and Stories from Tesla’s Tower’, and The Mage and The Source Science Fiction books
“I stayed up reading the book until I started falling asleep in my chair. St. Clair did a great job of making his points impartial. I enjoyed it immensely because it was well-written and informative. The links to the experiments were delightful, fun, informative little detours). "Dr. Quantum: Wave particle duality and the observer!" really got my curiosity stirred up. I have heard of many of the theories in this book but have never taken the time to study them, so the simple, short descriptions are very helpful.”
“Great format. Very logical and consistent. Sure to create a great debate. However I think the high priest of so-called science, Stephen Hawking, will stick to his opinion and blast these arguments with big fancy words meant to re-establish his so called authority rather than to answer the charges made in this book with true logic.”
Amazon Customer
Cosmology On Trial: Cracking The Cosmic Code
“The writer got it right, and I hope the readers will also have the sense to comprehend what he is saying. This book is NOT about "science is wrong" or "the bible is right" or anything like that. This book simply makes the very strong point that (A) our cosmology of yesteryear was not based on solid evidence, and (B) our cosmology of today isn't either.”
Vic DiCara
“A well-researched, amusing to read book, yet a profound eye-opener of some fallacies taught in our school system as “science.”Previous to reading Cosmology on Trial my knowledge of the subject of creation was a blind belief in the Big Bang theory. After reading this book I’m able to say I received a true education that reveals inconsistencies of the “scientific version” presented as fact.”
Christiane Carrillo
“This is a review of current Cosmology, presented as if at a trial. The author gives us details of the trial, as if he was a court reporter. He writes plainly and clearly…..It's the kind of book you can read again and again, especially if, like me, you're not a master of this subject…..This is a great introduction to this subject. I would recommend it not only to people like myself, who are new to the subject, but others more knowledgeable of science but new to this take on accepted university science.”
John Edwin Blastow
“Scientific progress and complacency go ill together, and St Clair has done a superb job in actually advancing the cause of real science.”
M. Lyons
“I highly recommend Pierre St Clair's “Cosmology on Trial.” The penetrating questions raised by St Clair are part of the growing revolution in cosmology that threatens to overturn the prevailing materialistic conception.”
Amazon Customer
Timesoar Bhagavatam class.
The post How service to devotees empowers Krsna appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Editor’s note: There are some points made in this below article that are not supported by our vaisnava siddhanta, so it is just as well that that was not the reason for us posting it!
Rather, our purpose was to show, not only division among the scientific / psychiatric world, but to show the strong challenge there is to the outright atheistic view as represented by the likes of Hawkins, Freud and Dawkins etc. It would have been truly remarkable if all points made in this article were in line with our siddhanta. So we request readers to focus on the positive in this piece, seeing the glass as half full as opposed to half empty.
By Tamohara dasa The spiritual or eternal self is not the sensations which the soul experiences within and from the body. "yantra rudrani mayaya". What we directly experience is not actually the external hard physical material world, but a REPRESENTATION built by the mind, within the networks of the body's brain, nervous and glandular systems, life air, etc., but primarily the brain, of the occupied body, exactly like a person experiencing the holo-deck from Star Trek fame. Subject, also, to defects. When we meditate, if we are inclined to remember, we may wish to occasionally remember that we are the ability to sense, not exactly the sensations themselves, which are but the mere elements of the representative holodeck of the human brain. Continue reading "The Brain As Holodeck
→ Dandavats"
Sacinandana Swami’s Health Update.
By Krishna’s mercy I was discharged from hospital two days ago. This morning, I visited a local surgeon who changed my bandages and who checked if everything was alright. He had only good things to say about my condition and recommended that I take things easy and have ample rest. The body is still under shock, the cleansing organs need to eliminate all the toxins after the unusually long narcosis and many other medication. As expected I need to take pain-killers. Somehow I feel like an embryo who needs to build up all its organs. I am told that all this is perfectly normal and I am in good spirits. There is a little voice within me that even says: “Finally you have the time you always wanted for reading, reflecting and chanting.”
To read the entire article click here: https://goo.gl/KZqCSu
By Urmila Devi Dasi
Our life depends on air, and when we recognize it as one of the energies of Krsna, it can remind us of Him.
Sweat gathers on my lower back, and my clothes stick to my skin. Then the leaves of nearby trees shiver to announce the coming relief of a breeze. I consider how the air I’m perceiving outside me also moves within me, and I think of how air carries smells, fills our lungs, nourishes our cells, flies our kites and airplanes, and presses with strong but unperceived force on our skin.
Thinking about air can easily remind us of Krsna, the Supreme Lord. Air is one of the Lord’s energies, as listed in scriptures such as the Bhagavad-gita and Brahma-samhita. When Arjuna sees Krsna’s universal form, he says, “You are air, fire, and water!” Krsna eternally exists as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, separate from His energies, but those energies, Vaisnava philosophers explain, should be considered identical with Krsna Himself. Any of His energies, therefore, can be an impetus for bhakti-yoga uniting with Him through devotional service.
The qualities of air can remind us of the Lord’s personal qualities. Some philosophers conclude that God is without qualities a formless, merely existent energy. Since God is complete, however, He must have a personality with qualities. Since He is the source of everything, everything must exist in Him in some way. Since we, God’s creation, have attributes, it is reasonable to conclude that our source also has qualities.
One of the most obvious qualities of the air is its subtlety. Although air is all around us, pushing on our body with a pressure of fifteen pounds per square inch (one kilogram per square centimeter), we are practically oblivious of it. We usually breathe unconsciously too, so subtle is the air moving in and out of our lungs. We see air only through its effects, such as when it moves branches and straw or carries smoke and water vapor.
Krsna too is almost imperceptible to a materially conditioned soul, visible only by His effects. We see His handiwork in a flower’s beauty or the predictability of the planets’ movements, but we do not see Him. The natural laws on which we base our math and science imply a lawmaker. But much of the nature of that lawmaker stays unknown.
Subtle air can move things that to our senses are far more substantial than air. Violent air in tornados and other storms can throw buildings afar and push wood splinters into metal. Similarly, with only the indiscernible movement of His will, Krsna can move, shape, change, and scatter everything we can perceive.
On the spiritual plane, the gentle gust of a whisper of His name, heard or spoken with merely a shadow of affection for Him, can move Him to dismantle a steel-framed heart, turning anger and lust into spiritual love.
Krsna and Air Everywhere
In our experience, air is everywhere, as is Krsna. And just as air carries other substances without mixing with them, so Krsna stays aloof and unaffected even though He is in the heart of every living being and within every atom. Air carries heavenly fragrances from flower gardens and putrid smells from rubbish heaps, but the air is neutral. Similarly, Krsna responds to our desires and actions yet remains unattached. If we act in violent and rancid ways, He carries us to lower planets. If we act in pious and fragrant ways, He carries us to heaven.
Air is the element we can do without for the shortest period. Our other bodily needs water, food, shelter, warmth have no value if we have no air. We certainly cannot think of meeting our social, mental, emotional, and intellectual needs without a constant supply of air.
Similarly, our relationship with Krsna is our primary need. Without a conscious, deliberate, and loving relationship with the Lord, nothing else gives us full satisfaction. How can we enjoy a delicious meal in the company of loving friends if we’re suffocating? Persons who entirely neglect their relationship with God, or put that relationship as anything but a top priority, find that the good and pleasurable things in their lives fail to give them the satisfaction they expect. While such people often try to adjust what and how they enjoy, they rarely consider that the real solution is as basic as breathing.
Furthermore, because Krsna is complete, making one’s relationship with Him the top priority brings automatic satisfaction of all other needs. One can then deal with the world from a position of inner peace and joy. A person in such a position has complete freedom, not dependent on anyone or anything for satisfaction.
Air provides oxygen for our digestion, bringing nourishment and health to our cells. Krsna says in the Gita that He joins with the outgoing and incoming air of life to digest our food. For souls who have fully given themselves to Him with love, He delivers all they need while maintaining what they have. He supplies the necessities for all others too, giving food and shelter even to lowly and poisonous creatures.
The movement of air seems to make plants and trees dance and forms attractive patterns in water and sand. Blowing air sculpts rock into works of art. We are reminded that Krsna’s movements are as graceful as a dance and that He likes to dress as if He is a dancing actor about to go on stage. His dancing with His pure devotees in the spiritual world is perfectly choreographed more graceful, soothing, complex, exciting, and intricate than the swirling waves of a stream whipped by the wind.
Air in Krsna’s Activities
In His form as Visnu, Krsna rides through the air standing on the back of the giant eagle Garuda. From there, He sometimes fights battles with demons, such as those in the great cosmic fight for a jug of nectar.
To create the material world, Krsna expands Himself into the gigantic form of Maha-Visnu, resting on the causal ocean. As the Lord breathes out, universes come from Him and gradually expand. When He breathes in, the universes gradually reenter His transcendent form. We are presently living in one of those universes, riding on the Lord’s breath.
When increasing materialism periodically covers spiritual knowledge, Krsna comes in various incarnations to set things right. One incarnation, Hayagriva, is a golden humanlike form with the head of a horse. The air He breathes from His divine nostrils is the sweet sounds of Vedic wisdom, given to Brahma, the first created being in the universe. Because any of Krsna’s senses can perform the action of any other sense, He can sing sweetly with puffs of air from His nose.
At the beginning of the universe, Brahma searched for knowledge of himself, his duty, and the nature of the cosmos. After meditating for thousands of years, he heard Krsna breathe in his heart. Krsna’s breath had flowed through His flute and transformed into the Gayatri mantra, which then came out of Brahma’s mouth as Vedic knowledge.
Everything in the spiritual world is conscious, including Lord Krsna’s flute, His constant companion and intimate devotee. Krsna blows on His flute to herd His cows. The music bewilders even expert musicians on heavenly planets and induces a contrary nature rivers flow backward, rocks melt, while animals and people become stunned in ecstasy. The great devotee Bhaktivinoda Êhakura, the father of Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, wrote in Gitavali that Krsna abducts the mind of His devotees with the enchanting songs of His flute as well by His sweet bodily fragrance, which are both blowing in relentless waves upon the wind.
Many people ask how they can absorb their minds and hearts in the Supreme Lord, Krsna, while being busy in the world. Family, work, studies all seem to distract from the spiritual. But spiritual life can be as close as our every breath of air.
Harinama in Auckland, New Zealand (6 min video)
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of dancers, appear splendidly in your heart. He appears like a sandalwood tree from the Malayan Hills. His smile is pure, and the edge of His garment is decorated in red. He is the full incarnation of Godhead, and He has descended to this world to perform jubilant transcendental pastimes as the greatest of devotees.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/N33AOX