Planet ISKCON

November 14. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
One of my favorite lines from the poems that Prabhupada wrote is, “Make me dance, make me dance, O Lord make me dance as You like.” Prabhupada declared himself a puppet in the hands of Krishna, and he asked Krishna to please fulfill the actual meaning of the name Bhaktivedanta. That poem wasn’t written as the musings of a reclusive scholar, it was written on board the Jaladuta, a freighter with one Indian-style passenger cabin. The one passenger, Bhaktivedanta Swami, had no money, yet he was striking out for America. The poem was written by a preacher, who although fearless, appeared to be momentarily overcome by his first sight of an American city. Even Lord Krishna hesitated when He faced the Aghasura demon. Srila Prabhupada didn’t hesitate in his purpose or waver in his determination, but he realized and admitted his helpless situation to Krishna, his friend.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

The post Daily Darshan – November 14th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

HH Bhakti Vidyapurna Swami at ISKCON Mayapur on 2015-11-08
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 06 16 43

After starting his mission in New York and San Francisco, Srila Prabhupada suffered a stroke, and after all efforts to recover in America had failed, he decided to return to India to recoup his health. Before his departure, he visited the San Francisco temple. No one had expected him, in his condition, to speak, but he asked for the microphone. He spoke about his mission, how under the order of his spiritual master he had brought Lord Caitanya’s movement to America and how Krsna had kindly sent so many sincere souls. He told the devotees, “I have a few children in India from my family days, but you are my real children. Now I am going to India for a little while.” One of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples from San Francisco suddenly entered the room. The devotees knew that he wanted to leave Krsna consciousness, that he hadn’t taken his initiation vows seriously, and that he wanted to move on—he didn’t want a spiritual master any more. The other devotees tried to discourage him, but he had persisted. Now they were incredulous: how could he do such a thing on the night before Swamiji’s departure? Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance Day
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The Hare Krishna devotees in London (3 min video)
We spent a week with a group of modern day samaritans. We wanted to know what they believed in and how they function in modern society. Watch it here: https://goo.gl/rFXpuh

“Make Me Dance”

Many students search for ways to connect with God on campus and the UNF Hare Krishnas do it through sung prayer and meditation. Sura, a club member was singing the Hare Krishna mantra, a 16 word mantra composed of three Sanskrit names of the Supreme Being; “Hare,” “Krishna,” and “Rama.” The mantra is chanted in order to create vibrations which connect the consciousness with God.

Plaque installed in honour of H.g Surabhi Prabhu (Album with photos)
ISKCON Vrindavan Find them here: https://goo.gl/1nJoS3

Sweet Hill Party on Sunday 22 November 2015 from 5pm. Loads of Sweets! + Kirtan music + Wise Words + Amazing food just $5 ($8 after 5:30pm)

The post Sweet Hill Party Sunday 22 Nov appeared first on The Loft Yoga Lounge Auckland.

Giriraj Swami and devotees celebrated a small but beautiful Govardhana-puja in Carpinteria.

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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, August 2016, Goloka-dhama, Germany, Lecture)

Prabhupada was real, Prabhupada was genuine, Prabhupada loved Krsna, Prabhupada saw Krsna and because Prabhupada said God is blue, He is blue! It is as simple as that! Therefore Prabhupada is the living proof of Krsna consciousness, that it all works. Prabhupada is not only our inspiration, not only the source of our faith but Prabhupada is also our anchor. Whenever we have a doubt, Prabhupada is the anchor, our saving grace as we are riding on the waves of our individual nature. He is the safe ground to which we always return. We trust him for the person he was, for his teachings and we know that in his teachings we will find our answers; we find the basis of our Krsna consciousness. This is where we return, to the safe connection with Krsna. We meet him in everything he left – we meet him in his devotees, we meet him in his books, we meet him in his instructions and so on.

So I published my book in August, just a modest run of 500 copies. They’ve almost all gone. Thank you to all those who showed me support and bought one. And congratulations to you if you bought one as a gift for a friend.

Just to stimulate discussion, and to perhaps interest you, dear reader, in buying one before they all go, here are the Contents pages. You’ll see I have not flinched in discussing some controversial topics, chiefly because there’s a readership for those types of subjects. The Guru & Disciple Book is available on Amazon – now at a reduced rate – in both UK and USA.

Contents

Part One: Putting first things first

1. You are Here – Why our home-made map of life may require updating.
2. Five Tales – Classic tales from the Upanishads suggest that a change of perspective may be necessary before spiritual life can begin.
3. Understanding the Vedas – There are two classical ways of gathering knowledge; only one is good enough for spiritual transmission between the guru and the disciple.
4. What are the Vedas? – A look at the numerous components of a vast library of wisdom.
5. The Vedas and other religions – Ultimate reality is one, perceived differently only due to the different consciousness of the seers.
6. Discussing and understanding the Sources – Original texts, commentaries and mystical revelation. How to avoid fuzzy thinking.
7. Postmodern Views – Postmodernism affects everything – even the guru-disciple relationship.
8. The Necessity of accepting a Guru – Why other ways of gaining higher knowledge are incomplete.

Part Two: The ancient culture of learning

9. A is for Acarya – The meaning of the word and the ancient culture of how acaryas lived and taught.
10. Siksha, Diksha, and Semantic Drift – More meanings of words and how they’ve gradually changed.
11. Diksha – The history of giving mantras; what happens at the diksha ceremony; and what has changed in a thousand years.
12. Qualities of the Guru and the Disciple – A classical description from the Nyasa Vimsati, the lifetime experience of the mediaeval Vaishnava saint, Vedanta Deshika.
13. What does a guru teach? – Guru means ‘teacher,’ but what is he supposed to teach you, and how often? How do you know if he is teaching you correctly? How do you know if you are a good student?
14. Teaching techniques of the gurus – Gurus employ a diverse range of time-tested techniques in order to help their disciples on their spiritual journey.
15. The Reprehensible Delusions of Guruship – Four ways the guru should not think about himself – or his disciple. Wisdom from the ancient sage, Pillai Lokacarya.
16. Where can you find a guru? – Lord Krishna told Arjuna to ‘approach’ a guru. But where can you find one? Here is what Krishna said years later, as recorded in the eleventh canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam.
17. Within You, Without You – How God manifests as the guru, both inside and out.
18. Little Ants on a Leaping Lion – Who is more important for the disciple – the physically manifest guru or the historical acarya? The discussion continues after 900 years.
19. The Parampara Family Tree – How the best fruit is gently carried down through the branches of the tree.
20. A Very Different Diksha – Misconceptions and movements. How the grandfathers of contemporary Vaishnavism tackled ‘mission drift.’

Part Three: Creating and sustaining community

21. The Guru spreads his Arms – His ashrams, sanghas, missions and movements.
22. Not Everybody likes Organisations – Why we don’t like ‘organised religion,’ and prefer small groups to big ones.
23. Sustainability and Governance – Why hierarchy and ‘due diligence’ are essential – even in spiritual movements.
24. Are you Church or Chapel? – Religious groups constantly divide and splinter, but by keeping a tradition spiritually dynamic, we can avoid the temptation of separation.

Part Four: Shades of saffron

25. Sannyasa Dharma – Ancient rules for a renunciate and the ten vows he must make.
26. Sannyasa – the Real and the False – Real sannyasa is internal, and goes beyond the wearing of saffron robes. So why was it important for Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Thakur?
27. Undercurrents – The Gaudiya Mission was enormously successful, yet beneath the surface there were already swirling currents.
28. White Skin, Orange Cloth – The many challenges in setting up a western sannyasa order from 1967 to 1977.
29. Saffron Cardinals – An order of renunciates as ecclesiastics, and the phenomenon of ‘clergy burnout.’
30. Reflections and Reforms – Sannyasis who became gurus share their private thoughts.

Part Five: Gurus, scandals and issues

31. Why would anyone be a guru? – Discussing why, and how, the decision is made to accept disciples.
32. Gurus of the Future – Srila Prabhupada speaks clearly on how he wants his disciples to become gurus after him.
33. The July 9^th Letter – In the 1980s certain members of ISKCON raised this one letter to the level of a religious text.
34. So what went wrong? – The turbulent years after the passing of the founder-acarya threatened to wrench his movement apart. What mistakes were made?
35. Stepping into their father’s shoes – Some of the complications of being a young guru in an even younger spiritual movement.
36. Diksha Lite – In a bid to attract followers, some gurus offer initiation without training.
37. Diksha and Drugs – In the name of ‘compassion,’ some gurus try to have disciples without discipline.
38. Guru and Disciple in Therapy – In which we subject the guru-disciple relationship to an hour on the therapist’s couch.
39. When the Wise become Weak – It does happen, sadly, so what should be our response? How can it be avoided?
40. Loyal Disciple…or a mouse? – The guru repeats what he’s heard or loses his power.
41. Leaving a Guru – Can you ever leave? What are the legitimate reasons?

Part Six: Becoming a disciple today

42. Steps towards the Big Step – Spiritual life is a journey of a thousand steps. Where is initiation on that journey, and how do we prepare for it?
43. Are you ready for a guru? – What should you look for within yourself before initiation? What doubts and myths about the guru have to be dissolved first?
44. Serious to find a guru – Srila Prabhupada and his own guru write on how to find one.
45. Testing the guru – No-one should blindly accept a guru. The candidate is first meant to test the guru. But how, exactly, and for how long?
46. The Path to Initiation – How to become initiated in ISKCON today. Stages in the procedure and the support you’ll need to have in place.

As every year this time also ISKCON Ahmedabad celebrated Govardhan Puja in a very fabulous way. All the devotees enterprisingly fabricated the replica of Govardhan in the temple. Govardhan Hill was adorned with various kinds of fruits, dry fruits and many other preparations like different kinds of sabjis, sweet items, rice, etc. Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel also honored this festival and took the blessings of Giriraj. Honorable Chief Minister was welcomed by Temple President H G Jashomatinandan Pr. Along with Chief Minister, Ahmedabad Mayor Smt. Minaxiben Patel also took the blessings of Giriraj. Honorable Chief Minister offered Garland and Aarti to Their Lordship Sri Sri Radha Govindji and Sri Srinathji. H G Jashomatinandan Pr. Offered Srila Prabhupada Books and photo frame of Sri Sri Radha Govindji to Honorable Chief Minister and Mayor.

Launch of Lokanath Swami’s Vraja-mandala Darsana at Govardhan Eco-village.
During the recently held midterm GBC meetings and on the inauguration of the Twelve forests of Vrindavan, HH Radhanath Swami also Lokanath Swami’s Vraja-mandala book with the following: Lokanath Maharaja, Haribol!! Lokanath Swami Maharaja has been going for decades taking hundreds and hundreds and thousands of devotees on Vraja mandala Parikrama and he has compiled this book with all the information that he has researched and all the realisations that he has and all the enthusiasm is incredible and all the devotees had been with him. And now here I, we, have Vraja-mandala Darsana, a thirty days Parikrama series. Haribol!! I don’t have to ask you to purchase a book. I don’t think you could resist. We all thank you Lokanath Swami Maharaja . Thank you for your wonderful encouragement here at Govardhan Eco-village. Then Maharaja gave a tour of the Vrindavan project to the assembled devotees.

The post Manasa parikrama of Giriraja on the eve of Govardhana-puja, Mayapura appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

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The Most Sacred Path! (10 min video)
Indradyumna Swami: The parikrama marg, the path around Vrindavan, has been traversed by pilgrims daily for thousands of years. The 10 kilometer walk takes 3 hours. Unlimited spiritual benefit is incurred by walking around Vrindavan’s thousands of temples, samadhis, sacred cows and people. This is especially true during the month of Kartika, when one’s devotional practices are enhanced a thousand times over.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/ANg533

The post Govardhan Puja Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Biggest Ratha Yatra In Mathura!
In keeping with Srila Prabhupada’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations, ISKCON Vrindavan’s namahatta department is organizing the biggest RathaYyatra in 20 years in Lord Krishna’s birthplace, Mathura.
A host of dignitaries, sadus and international devotees are expected to be pulling the Lord of the universe with His Brother Lord Balarama and Sister Lady Subhadra in to His birthplace.
His Grace Radha Shyamsundar, head of ISKCON Vrindavan Namahatta Department said: “ This is truly a momentous occasion for ISKCON in Vrindavan. We are delighted to say that we had the full cooperation of the authorities concerned. Top class arrangements have been made to welcome Their Lordships to Mathura. The cultural programs will certainly melt the hearts of our guests. Best prasadam arrangements have been made. We invite everyone to come and participate in glorification of our founder-acharya, Srila Prabhupada.
DATE: 16 NOVEMBER 2015
TIME: 09:00AM
ROUTE: KEDARNATH DHAM, MASANI CHAURAHA
Read more: https://goo.gl/y0NTSJ

It is often difficult to keep secrets, especially about one’s health, so after due consideration (so you don’t hear this second or third hand) I am publically sharing that after preliminary tests, secondary cancer has been discovered in a swollen lymph node in my neck. There is at least one more test in conventional medicine that could be performed—a PET or full body scan—to try to find the primary cancer. Unfortunately, I have found that just mentioning the word cancer freaks everyone out, as if this is a death sentence. However, this is not necessarily so. There are many alternative treatments with a high success rate—much better than the conventional radiation and Chemo. Although many who are reading this don’t know me personally, this could be your story just as easily, or it may already be, since in the USA, cancer strikes 1 in 2 men, and 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. In 2015, there will be an estimated 1,658,370 new cancer cases diagnosed and 589,430 cancer deaths in the US.

I don’t like to give anyone any pain or discomfort by telling them this news, but I bring it up as an educational experience for all of us and to document my travels through what may be a long journey of recovery. There is much to learn about what cancer is, what it means when it grows in the body, and what the best way to treat it is. We have found this the following site very helpful in our both our education about cancer and quest for the best treatment. http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/

At the same time, I do appreciate all the loving I am getting from my friends and families! I get the most amazing hugs and those looks of disbelief like I might disappear at any moment. If only we could all appreciate one another like this all the time!

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The post Daily Darshan – November 13th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.

November 13. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
In 1965, Srila Prabhupada had no Movement to manage. He was relatively free to work on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but he had other things that took up his time. Every morning he had to take a long walk from the yoga studio room on 72nd Street to Dr. Mishra’s apartment on Riverside Drive where he cooked his lunch. He also was involved in trying to buy a building as a temple and writing many thoughtful letters to India seeking support. He also washed his own clothes daily and sometimes spoke to a few young men who would come to his room and had to instruct them in Krishna consciousness. Today’s meditation describes how throughout his career Prabhupada had to sacrifice time in writing his books to execute other activities in his mission.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

Parikrama in Vrindavana (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: A walk around Vrindavan during Kartika reveals the beauty and sanctity of it’s ancient culture.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/8fD13c

Govindaji!

My Mother Made Us Feel Valued and Included (6 min video)
Gopisvari Dasi shares how her mother raised her and her siblings in the most beautiful way. She made each one of them feel included and valued. Because she was always happy even with very little ...

WE CROSS Oxford Street with five mrdanga drums, two loud and deep African drums, karatala cymbals, an accordion, and an electric guitar. Back To Godhead - The Hare Krsna MantraOur chanting party consists of over a hundred members, from so many countries and ethnic backgrounds that the diversity is startling. There are men in dhotis, in suits, and in jeans, women in saris, colorful dresses, and subdued business clothes. We race or dance down the street, singing as fast as we run, churning up waves of spiritual joy. The lead singer wears a wireless microphone on his head, and one member of the group carries a loudspeaker in a backpack. The electric-guitar player has his own speaker. So many devotees respond to the lead singer's chanting that all the words of the great mantra for deliverance Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare distinctly echo through the London streets.

In 1965, Srila Prabhupada had no Movement to manage.  He was relatively free to work on the Srimad-Bhagavatam, but he had other things that took up his time. 

Goverdhan Puja in the temple Courtyard, Shree Shree Krishna Balarama Temple - ISKCON Vrindavan (Album with photos)
Find them here: https://goo.gl/EyNh0D

Here are some pictures of the wonderful Govardhana Puja celebrations taking place right now!

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 17 August 2014, Goloka-dhama, Germany, Janmastami Class, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.41.6-10)

There are ten effects of Cupid mentioned by Srila Visvanath Cakravarti Thakur: first comes attraction expressed through the eyes, then the intense attachment in the mind and heart, followed by determination and loss of sleep! Next, one becomes emaciated, then disinterested in external things – one cannot do anything else anymore as one is becoming totally obsessed. Then comes shamelessness and finally when Cupid really hits, one becomes stunned and then totally mad. And when Cupid hits very, very hard then even death is possible.

However, in relationship with Krsna, it is said, that death does not happen but all these other symptoms do. Krsnadas Kaviraj Gosvami says that among the ten states of Cupid, death is inauspicious in relation with Krsna and it does not usually manifest in Krsna’s premi bhaktas, however they do manifest the other nine symptoms, culminating in becoming stunned in ecstasy.  It is said when Kubja saw Krsna in the city of Mathura, she became totally overwhelmed by Cupid – for her it was love at first sight!

In the description of the appearance of Cupid it is explained that suddenly Brahma found that a form had expanded from himself. Brahma looked at the form and he had no idea who the form was, so he asked the form, ‘Who are you?’ and the form replied, ‘I am Kamadev, Cupid, and I am shooting arrows in the hearts of all living beings!’  Brahma said, ‘Really?!’  Then Cupid began to shoot his arrows in all directions and all the demigods became totally overwhelmed and started developing all the various symptoms we just mentioned – they began to perspire and they became beyond themselves. Brahma also became affected and in this way once Cupid manifested in the universe, he turned out to be the most powerful in the entire creation. Brahma could not resist him and even Siva was getting agitated by the effect of Cupid. There was no living entity who was not affected by the arrows of Cupid and who did show symptoms in the body and in the mind. Therefore it is said that the Cupid is the most powerful of all.

But of course, we know that Krsna is Madan-Mohan, the one who can bewilder even Cupid and still greater than Krsna is that devotee of Krsna who can capture Krsna and that is Srimati Radharani, known as Madan-Mohan-Mohini. Madan-Mohan can steal away our mind from the affliction of Cupid which is very strong and we know that even devotees can be affected by his arrows to go astray. But it is Madan-Mohan that can take away the influence of Cupid which the demigods and even Lord Brahma, have not escaped. No living entity has ever escaped it, definitely not us! We know it, we know what it is like to be hit by the Cupid, we know the symptoms that are described but Madan-Mohan can save us!

We celebrate Govardhana-puja. “When the cowherd men of Vrndavana, under instruction of Krsna, stopped offering sacrifice to the heavenly king, Indra, the whole tract of land known as Vraja was threatened with being washed away by constant heavy rains for seven days. Lord Krsna, out of His
causeless mercy upon the inhabitants of Vraja, held up the hill known as Govardhana with one hand only, although He was only seven years old. He did this to protect the animals from the onslaught of water.” (SB 2.7.32)

And Srila Rupa Gosvami kindly blesses us: “May the left arm of Sri Krsna, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower, always protect you. With His left arm He raised Govardhana Hill as if it were a toy.” (Brs 2.1.62, Cc M 18.38)

Hare Krsna.

The following is an archival recording from a Govardhana Retreat in 2013 entitled ‘Learning form Govardhana Hill’

12.03.13 Learning from Govardhana Hill

On the eleventh of July, 1966, in New York, Srila Prabhupada incorporated the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. By then, Prabhupada had already discovered an audience for his exposition of Srimad Bhagavatam, an expositon he characterised as 'a cultural presentation for the respiritualisation of the entire human society' (Bhag. Canto 1, Preface). In a further step toward the culture of 'respiritualisation', he established ISKCON. ISKCON was to be an exemplary society, within which the culture of Srimad-Bhagavatam would be realised and by which it would be spread to the rest of the world. One needs to become acquainted with two contrasting social ideals, or models, transmitted to us by Srila Prabhupada. The first is that of a society of Vaisnavas, of transcendental, liberated devotees who conduct themselves spontaneously in accord with the principles called sanatana-dharma. The second is that of a society of materially conditioned human beings who strictly conduct themselves in obedience to the injunctions of the Vedas under the system called varnasrama-dharma.

Management is a headache. It can be a very big headache. But I’ll tell you why I’ve taken up such a responsibility for so many years. It’s because I see it in relationship to serving Srila Prabhupada’s mission; because, I’m one hundred percent convinced that Srila Prabhupada wanted an institution. Institution means headaches. There’s just no way around it. I saw Prabhupada take those headaches. And I saw many other leaders, under Srila Prabhupada, taking those headaches. And, although it’s more than twenty-five years after Srila Prabhupada’s departure, I still see many of my godbrothers who take those headaches for one reason only—it’s a burden of love. That’s the only thing. It’s a burden of love for the spiritual master. Managers have to deal with some unpleasant things like problems and financial crisis or whatever, and then if they get more in to spiritual life, they are generally losing inspiration for dealing with these things. Why is it happening? Continue reading "Why is it so difficult to find people who will take responsibility?
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