Vedic Discourse this Sunday by His Grace Srinath prabhu — November 8th,2015
→ ISKCON Brampton


About His Grace Srinath Prabhu : Srinath prabhu is a disciple of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Maharaj. Prabhu and Mataji are constantly serving in various capacities at ISKCON Brampton. Prabhuji and Mataji are both an inspiration for all of us on how to maintain a Krsna Conscious family. 

 
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                          
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00    Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30     Closing Kirtan
  1.30 _  2.00     Sanctified Free Vegetarian Feast

 
 
Kartik Festival(Oct 28-Nov 25)

Kartik (Damodar) Month is the best, the purest of purifiers, and most glorious of all months. Kartika month is particularly dear to Lord Sri Krishna. Any devotional service, even the smallest, performed in this month will yield immense results. The effect of performing Kartika Vrata lasts for one hundred lifetimes.

 Kartika or the festival of offering lamps to Lord Krishna glorifying Lord Krishna’s pastime of being bound with ropes by Mother Yashoda.

“In Kartika month, after bathing in the morning, one should worship Lord Damodara. At night, one should light brilliant lamps filled with either ghee or sesame-seed oil, and place them in these places – in the Lord’s temple, around the base of tulasi plants, and in the sky. During the month of Kartika, one should eat only vegetarian foodstuffs and the Lords prasad remnants. There should be incessant harinama-kirtana and smarana. The sole activity to be done during the observance of Damodara-vrata is the worship of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara.”   -Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur                                                                                                              
                                                                                                           
If you'd like to host Damodar Arati at your place,please contact below:
Kamala Gopi Mataji(Mississauga ),Nimai Nitai Pr(Etobicoke),Prema Guarangi Mataji(Milton),Vidhyanidhi Pr(Brampton)


Dipavali and Govardhan Puja
Celebration on Thu Nov 12(7pm)

Govardhan Lila:This pastime, proves Krishna’s unlimited love for His devotees. In the Bhagavad-gita (18.66), Krishna assures us that if we abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender to Him, He will protect us in all situations. By lifting Govardhana Hill, Krishna showed how He will go to any extent to protect His loving devotees.
Dipavali:To celebrate this event the residents of Ayodhya used lamps to illuminate the city, which in the Lord’s fourteen-year absence had come to resemble a city haunted by ghosts.When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya the city’s residents regained their life and their distressed hearts lit up with joy. This light became manifest in the form of lighted lamps.

**Details will be posted shortly**

ONGOING EVERY SUNDAY
 

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).


Gift Shop

Our boutique is stocked with an excellent range of products, perfect for gifts or as souvenirs of your visit. It offers textiles, jewellery, incense, devotional articles, musical instruments, books, and CDs inspired by Indian culture.We're open on all Sundays and celebrations marked in our annual calendar.
 

Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a peanut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy

Diwali in the Park
→ Ramai Swami

imageimage

Perth devotees were invited to participate with a South Indian society to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lamps. This was held all day in a beautiful park off the esplanade in Fremantle.

The devotees had their own area and set up tents with deities, kirtan, books, face painting and a van for prasadam. It was a wonderful day and the atmosphere was surcharged with Krsna Consciousness.
imageimage

MAHABHARATA The Condensed Version of the World’s Greatest…
→ Dandavats.com



MAHABHARATA The Condensed Version of the World’s Greatest Epic by Krishna Dharma Hare Krishna, We are happy to announce the release today of a new e-book of the condensed version of the great epic, The Mahabharata by the world renown author Krishna Dharma. Mahabharata: The condensed version of the world’s greatest epic, is now available on Amazon.com. As part of the release promotions, the book is free for 3 days from November 6 - 8 inclusive. Krishna Dharma says, “I have simply tried to make the work easily accessible. I have remained faithful to the original, often presenting the dialogue exactly as it appeared in the Sanskrit manuscripts, but I have endeavored to bring the text to life by the techniques of dramatization and characterization. The Mahabharata is without doubt the greatest spiritual epic of all time, at least in my humble opinion.”
Click here to download the ebook for free: http://goo.gl/38XCpY

Giriraj Swami: Today is Sri Rama-ekadasi. On this date, Srila…
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Giriraj Swami: Today is Sri Rama-ekadasi. On this date, Srila Prabhupada completed his translation of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, at Hare Krishna Land, Juhu, Bombay, in 1974. He finished his work with his “Concluding Words,” a beautiful and profound glorification of his “beloved eternal spiritual master, guide, and friend,” Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. He was in an ecstatic mood and said that we should celebrate with a feast.

Radha Kunda Seva: October 2015 Photos and Updates
→ Dandavats.com

By the Radha Kunda Seva team

It is Srimati Radharani’s special month, the month of Kartika, also known as the month of Damodara. During this holy month, when devotees are converging in Radha Kunda from all over the world, we revel in the fact that we have been given the opportunity to do some small service in this most sacred of places day after day, year after year, 365 days a year. Since our service is here, our thoughts are here also. And what a blessing it is to have our thoughts, like busy bees, buzz from one place to another and one service to another in our Swamini Radhika’s holy land. Our happy news this month is that, finally, after a full year of endeavor, we have an India bank account in the name of Padma Charitable Trust! Now people residing in India can donate straight to PCT. The next step is to obtain the final architectural drawings for the kitchen, office, and a guest house for volunteers and donors so that fundraising can begin in earnest. Again and again we are recognizing the great urgency of having our own land and kitchen.

Hare Krishna! We Are Not The Body, But… Because we think…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! We Are Not The Body, But…
Because we think we are “not the body”, it can lead us to do so many wrong things in the name of Bhakti. It can induce false detachment and renunciation. That is, pushing oneself to be detached without spiritual taste to replace it – it becomes an off-the-body form of mind and body deprivation that does not last, because it is exerted by passion, not natural spiritual progress. An artificial renouncer might think, “I am denying myself of all trappings of sense gratification, so why should others also not share in my renunciation?” Because one is depriving oneself and demands others to do the same, is a reflection of envy. Self-punishment is not the way to get off the bodily platform. It can turn us into impersonalists by our actions and words. This is, because we think I am not the body and everyone else is not the body, we must not attach much importance to the body, meaning it is not important how others feel emotionally to our vigorous application of chastisement, strictness, conformity, and other demands. Bhakti is a voluntary offering of mind, body and words in love.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21238

Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance
→ Dandavats

By Anantacarya dasa

This document is a report of some of the details that occurred during the last five days of Srila Prabhupada's presence with us in Vrndavan, India. It is a diary which was written everyday in Vrndavan at that time. It herewith is delivered as it was written down 38 years ago in l977, with no additions. 11 November l977. I arrive at the Mandir (from California) at about 9:30 A. M. As soon as possible I enter Srila Prabhupada's room. He is lying on his back in his King-Sized bed, being massaged gently by his close associates. There is a kirtan in progress. Srila Prabhupada is incredibly thin, and his hands and feet are swollen. His limbs are supported by pillows. There is a discussion in progress between Srila Prabhupada and his close disciples. Srila Prabhupada has expressed his wish to go on parikram to Govardan Hill. Upon being asked if he will ride in a minibus, his answer is "Bullock Cart". (This discussion is being recorded and is on tape, I believe). Tamal Krishna is writing down on a pad what Srila Prabhupada's desires are. Srila Prabhupada is so weak that the only parts of his body that he is moving are the lower parts of his arms, and then only barely. He at most pushes against a cover slightly or raises a hand as a signal. If he wants to move a leg even slightly, he asks someone to do it for him. It just does not seem possible for a person to be so emaciated, but there He is, our Spiritual Master, in His transcendental body---that looks thinner than people who have been living under near starvation conditions. And in this unbelievably weakened condition he is proposing to go down the road 20 miles in a bullock cart. What to speak of then circumnambulating the hill, staying overnight, and then coming back the next day! Even in this unbelievable bodily condition, He remains our intrepid and enthusiatic devotionally courageous Spiritual Leader. He certainly isn't going to let any kind of bodily condition stop him from going to Govardhan Hill for Govardhan Puja. We, of course, are all worried, but start making plans for the parikram. Continue reading "Srila Prabhupada’s Disappearance
→ Dandavats"

We Are Not The Body, But…
→ Dandavats

Hare KrishnaBy Kesava Krsna Dasa

Because we think we are “not the body”, it can lead us to do so many wrong things in the name of Bhakti. It can induce false detachment and renunciation. That is, pushing oneself to be detached without spiritual taste to replace it – it becomes an off-the-body form of mind and body deprivation that does not last, because it is exerted by passion, not natural spiritual progress. An artificial renouncer might think, “I am denying myself of all trappings of sense gratification, so why should others also not share in my renunciation?” Because one is depriving oneself and demands others to do the same, is a reflection of envy. Self-punishment is not the way to get off the bodily platform. It can turn us into impersonalists by our actions and words. This is, because we think I am not the body and everyone else is not the body, we must not attach much importance to the body, meaning it is not important how others feel emotionally to our vigorous application of chastisement, strictness, conformity, and other demands. Bhakti is a voluntary offering of mind, body and words in love. Continue reading "We Are Not The Body, But…
→ Dandavats"

Nitaicandra Das Becomes Eco-Vrindaban’s Ox and Agriculture Manager
→ New Vrindaban

 

By Madhava Smullen

 

Nitaicandra Das has always sought the simple life. It was while living in the forests of Trinidad, remarkably enough, that he received a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s “Science of Self-Realization.”

“Living off the forest wasn’t working out for me,” he says. “And once I read Prabhupada’s book I realized, ‘This is it, it’s all here – this society can fulfill my need to live simply.’”As an ISKCON devotee, Nitaicandra has been growing organic vegetables for around twenty years, including previous stints at New Vrindaban in 1993 and 1999.

For the past four years, he and his wife Sri Tulasi Manjari were caretakers at the ISKCON Escondido farm in California, supplying the San Diego and Laguna Beach temples with flowers, protected cow milk, and thirty different varieties of vegetables.

“At peak time in the summer,” he says, “We were providing the two temples with about 300 pounds of vegetables, 2,000 flowers – mostly marigolds – and 42 gallons of milk per week.”

From his construction and remodeling business, Nitaicandra also feels that he brings a knack for problem-solving – and a lot of experience working with different types of people – to his new role as ECO-Vrindaban’s ox training and local agriculture manager in New Vrindaban.

But perhaps most importantly, he brings a real love for Srila Prabhupada’s first farm project. He’s pumped about the exciting new energy flowing through the community, and glad to get the opportunity to serve in New Vrindaban once again. It is, after all, home to his guru Varsana Swami, who initiated both him and his wife on Nityananda’s Appearance Day in 2014.

Nitaicandra has moved on his own for now, while Sri Tulasi Manjari – who is an advisor to the board of Eco-Vrindaban – stays in California to see their daughter Syama Sundari through her last year of high school and off to college, like her older sister Gaurangi. After that, Sri Tulasi and their fourteen-year-old son Sri Gopa Vallabha (aka Gopa) will move to New Vrindaban next summer.

Meanwhile Nitaicandra – always the hands-on type – started his new service during the second week of September, and is already out working with the ECO-V crew who have been training the oxen.

“It’s a long process,” he says. “It takes a few years to get them into the fields and working.”

He also hopes to collaborate on developing a menu more suited to local and seasonal crops, although he says that this will take some time as it will require a gradual cultural shift.

In the long term, the goal is to provide ISKCON New Vrindaban’s presiding Deities and residents with most of their fresh vegetables throughout the growing season, and to preserve enough by canning, freezing and drying to meet much of their needs during the winter too.

Finally, Nitaicandra will also be overseeing the flower gardens, which are providing more and more of the flowers used to decorate the Deities during the growing seasons.

He is excited about everything that’s ahead of him.

“When I hear about what the pioneer devotees did here, how pleased Srila Prabhupada was with this project, and how much he loves New Vrindaban – that’s what gives me enthusiasm,” he says. “So I’m just really happy to have this opportunity, and I hope that others will also be inspired to come to New Vrindaban, live simply, help with growing our own food and make a go at it.”

Then there’s the local agriculture, which he sees as interconnected and working cohesively with the ox program. Food production, of course, is interdependent with the ISKCON New Vrindaban Deity, devotee, and restaurant kitchens, whose staff Nitaicandra hopes to develop and maintain a close relationship with.

“I’ll be working with them to find out what they need, and will try to supplement the produce they’re using,” he says.  

He also hopes to collaborate on developing a menu more suited to local and seasonal crops, although he says that this will take some time as it will require a gradual cultural shift.

In the long term, the goal is to provide ISKCON New Vrindaban’s presiding Deities and residents with most of their fresh vegetables throughout the growing season, and to preserve enough by canning, freezing and drying to meet much of their needs during the winter too.

Finally, Nitaicandra will also be overseeing the flower gardens, which are providing more and more of the flowers used to decorate the Deities during the growing seasons.

He is excited about everything that’s ahead of him.

“When I hear about what the pioneer devotees did here, how pleased Srila Prabhupada was with this project, and how much he loves New Vrindaban – that’s what gives me enthusiasm,” he says. “So I’m just really happy to have this opportunity, and I hope that others will also be inspired to come to New Vrindaban, live simply, help with growing our own food and make a go at it.”

Nitaicandra Das Becomes Eco-Vrindaban’s Ox and Agriculture Manager
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Eco Vrindaban logo

Nitaicandra Das has always sought the simple life. It was while living in the forests of Trinidad, remarkably enough, that he received a copy of Srila Prabhupada’s “Science of Self-Realization.”

“Living off the forest wasn’t working out for me,” he says. “And once I read Prabhupada’s book I realized, ‘This is it, it’s all here – this society can fulfill my need to live simply.’”

As an ISKCON devotee, Nitaicandra has been growing organic vegetables for around twenty years, including previous stints at New Vrindaban in 1993 and 1999.

New Vrindaban Nitaicandra Cows 2015

For the past four years, he and his wife Sri Tulasi Manjari were caretakers at the ISKCON Escondido farm in California, supplying the San Diego and Laguna Beach temples with flowers, protected cow milk, and thirty different varieties of vegetables.

“At peak time in the summer,” he says, “We were providing the two temples with about 300 pounds of vegetables, 2,000 flowers – mostly marigolds – and 42 gallons of milk per week.”

From his construction and remodeling business, Nitaicandra also feels that he brings a knack for problem-solving – and a lot of experience working with different types of people – to his new role as ECO-Vrindaban’s ox training and local agriculture manager in New Vrindaban.

But perhaps most importantly, he brings a real love for Srila Prabhupada’s first farm project. He’s pumped about the exciting new energy flowing through the community, and glad to get the opportunity to serve in New Vrindaban once again. It is, after all, home to his guru Varsana Swami, who initiated both him and his wife on Nityananda’s Appearance Day in 2014.

New Vrindaban Nitaicandra Cows Bahulaban 2015

Nitaicandra has moved on his own for now, while Sri Tulasi Manjari – who is an advisor to the board of Eco-Vrindaban – stays in California to see their daughter Syama Sundari through her last year of high school and off to college, like her older sister Gaurangi. After that, Sri Tulasi and their fourteen-year-old son Sri Gopa Vallabha (aka Gopa) will move to New Vrindaban next summer.

Meanwhile Nitaicandra – always the hands-on type – started his new service during the second week of September, and is already out working with the ECO-V crew who have been training the oxen.

“It’s a long process,” he says. “It takes a few years to get them into the fields and working.”

Then there’s the local agriculture, which he sees as interconnected and working cohesively with the ox program. Food production, of course, is interdependent with the ISKCON New Vrindaban Deity, devotee, and restaurant kitchens, whose staff Nitaicandra hopes to develop and maintain a close relationship with.

“I’ll be working with them to find out what they need, and will try to supplement the produce they’re using,” he says.

New Vrindaban Bahulaban Nitaicandra 2015

He also hopes to collaborate on developing a menu more suited to local and seasonal crops, although he says that this will take some time as it will require a gradual cultural shift.

In the long term, the goal is to provide ISKCON New Vrindaban’s presiding Deities and residents with most of their fresh vegetables throughout the growing season, and to preserve enough by canning, freezing and drying to meet much of their needs during the winter too.

Finally, Nitaicandra will also be overseeing the flower gardens, which are providing more and more of the flowers used to decorate the Deities during the growing seasons.

He is excited about everything that’s ahead of him.

“When I hear about what the pioneer devotees did here, how pleased Srila Prabhupada was with this project, and how much he loves New Vrindaban – that’s what gives me enthusiasm,” he says. “So I’m just really happy to have this opportunity, and I hope that others will also be inspired to come to New Vrindaban, live simply, help with growing our own food and make a go at it.”

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015
Strausstown, Pennsylvania


It Looked Like



It looked like a scene from ‘Gone with the Wind’.  There was a scarlet-red sky on the sunrise as we were walking on the road.  We approached a hill so the intensity of redness was half concealed. Tre’von was the first one to hear the sound of a horse’s gallop on the asphalt.  He, Mandala and I saw, as we ascended the hill, an actual horse, a carriage, and a passenger, an Amish man in a broad sunhat spurting just before us in rapid motion.  The horse reacted swinishly, surprised by our sudden presence.  We observed a magical silhouette with the passenger pulling the reins.  It was like Rhett Butler controlling an excited horse with flames and blaze in the background.  Wow!

There were numerous interactions with people since the weather was so conducive.  We met one mild-mannered man by the side of the road who was tending to his crop of white cedar.  We went into conversation.  The first topic was about young trees, then about the walking mission, and then about monks.

“Do monks believe in Jesus?”

“Yes, most definitely”.  (He lived like one).

“Do monks believe he is the son of God?”

“Yes.  God is the father so that makes Jesus the son”.

“But, for salvation, you need Jesus”.

“That principle we accept. You can’t receive salvation on your own. We need help”.

From here I dared not to get into further communication where one can be sure of a one-way scenario.  So it was time to wish this man well with his tree nursery.  I had to move on.

A glorious end to the day was at Gita Nagari Yoga Farm where I presented to the local folks who we met along the way for the last four days.  

This is the fruit of our endeavour.  Humans should come together to hear and discuss something spiritual, to chant, to eat and to leave for home with an enhanced richness and with books and beads in their hands.  

May the Source be with you!

24 miles / 39 km

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015
→ The Walking Monk

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015
Jonestown, Pennsylvania


Teacher on the Road



From Herr Street and 17th Avenue in Harrisburg, I moved to Walnut Street, then to Highway 22, and finally along Jonestown Road to the town under that actual name.  The trip began the way I like it, nice and early at 4.30 am.  I went along some retail streets with stores and plazas and finally reached the countryside.  At one point I was reminded of the power of chanting from a signage in front of a Christian church.  There was a quote from the Book of Romans: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”.

“Ok!” I thought, “I’m walking and chanting and not just walking”.

The sun came on strong and the temperature rose to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, unusual for early November.  I’m not complaining.  The light frost that had occurred on some of the days in October turned the leaves to a maroon hue and left them brittle to the point that the rustling sound was very pronounced when an entity, mainly a creature of fur, moved across them.  No quiet way for sneaking around.

My walking crew joined me eventually.  Vivasvan drove Tre’von and Mandala to the spot from where I walked to Swarata Creek.  I caught a nap there before forging ahead for the last trekking of the day to the east side of Jonestown.  

Tre’von is taking my lessons on Sanskrit songs and so I guess I could say I’m a teacher on the road.

May the Source be with you!

25 miles / 40 km

London Devotees Lift People’s Spirit on Halloween Night
→ ISKCON News

ISKCON deevotees in London have been going out to do public harinamas every day for decades. The biggest party has traditionally been the Saturday night harinamas. The procession starts in front of the Govinda's Restaurant, then goes around in the theater and party district and the famous Chinatown. On Halloween night, Saturday, October 31st, devotees gave the public something to really lift their spirits!

Faithless
→ ISKCON News

Someone recently referred to me as a 'man of faith'. I detected the condescending tone in his speech. It was, I’m pretty sure, a subtle put-down. Faith is often frowned upon in today’s society – savvy people consider it unscientific, sentimental, primitive and a sign of weakness.

Affection based on service
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.8)

spmaverygdpro1One should never think that we possess anything in this world, not even our children. Our children are independent from us. They are living beings with their own destiny who are placed under our care for sometime, that is all. It is not that they are part of us, “Something of me lives in my child.” That is illusion.

Genetically, it can be proven, fine! But genes have nothing to do with our identity, absolutely nothing; they are simply part of our bodies. The soul is not determined by genetic clumps in any way. The soul is completely aloof and therefore, why single out one living entity over another and get very affectionate towards one particular living entity and not affectionate towards another.

Maybe if it is based on devotional service that we feel particularly affectionate towards one living being because that living being is very much eager to serve Krsna then that criteria is right. That is when we are free from illusion otherwise we are bound by all kinds of different affections in this world and we are in illusion, we are in maya!

 

November 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
→ Dandavats.com



November 6. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada, having obtained an extension on his Visa, stayed on. America seemed so opulent, yet many things were difficult to tolerate. The sirens and bells from fire engines and police seemed like they would crack his heart. Sometimes at night he would hear a person being attacked and crying for help. From his first days in the City, he had noted that the smell of dog stool was everywhere. And although it was such a rich city, he could rarely find a mango to purchase, and if he did, it was very expensive and usually had no taste. From his room he would sometimes hear the horns of ocean liners, and he would dream that some day he would sail around the world with a sankirtana party, preaching in the major cities of the world.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490

Photos from Kartik 2015 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with HR…
→ Dandavats.com



Photos from Kartik 2015 at Bhaktivedanta Manor (Album with HR photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Pure devotees chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and simply by hearing this chanting from a purified transcendental person, one is purified of all sinful activities, no matter how lowborn or fallen one may be. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.126 Purport)
Find them here: http://goo.gl/NtJaaS

The Glories of Sri Radha Kund – by TKG Academy! (4 min…
→ Dandavats.com



The Glories of Sri Radha Kund – by TKG Academy! (4 min video)
Gopi Gita Schomaker: They did it! TKG Academy Middle and Upper Elementary students have memorized the oh-so-very-long and beautiful verses from the Nectar of Instruction, Sri Upadeshamrita. Prayers in glorification of Sri Radha Kund. Happy Radha Kunda’s Appearance Day, everyone!
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21221

Who Knows What a Pediatrician Is?
→ TKG Academy

When you are used to working with children, it shows! Dr. Devika Rao, MD. is a Pediatric Pulmonologist (as well as a mother), and being around young children comes naturally to her.  She came very well prepared for her visit with our Preschool and Lower Elementary classes. She was equipped with an inhaler, an airway clearance “Vest”, a model of the lungs, an otoscope and an ophthalmoscope,  a doctor gown and a young patient’s gown. She introduced herself, explaining why she chose to be a pediatrician and the path she took in obtaining her education and experience. She then taught the students the role and location of the lungs, as well as possible complications and their implications. She demonstrated the use of the various tools she brought and gave out decorated disposable face-masks to each student. She also brought along some relevant books and her important message for staying healthy was: wash your hands thoroughly and frequently! How long? As long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” :)  The visit was concluded with stickers for all the “patients”.

Thank you, Dr. Devika Rao for sharing your knowledge and friendliness!

Faithless
→ Tattva - See inside out

Someone recently referred to me as a 'man of faith'. I detected the condescending tone in his speech. It was, I’m pretty sure, a subtle put-down. Faith is often frowned upon in today’s society – savvy people consider it unscientific, sentimental, primitive and a sign of weakness. Believe in what you see, they say, and take charge of fortune by shaping life on your own abilities and strength. It’s a psychological approach developing from reductionist science, which aims to explain everything in mechanistic, empirical and routine terms. It’s quite apt that the net result of ‘reductionism’ is to severely limit and impair our experience of life.

Faith is, without doubt, the most beautiful, extraordinary and empowering quality in existence! Without it, the world would be dull, dull, dull – life would be restricted to the boundaries of our own logic and rationale. Pretty limited indeed. People say faith doesn’t make sense, but that’s exactly why it makes miracles. Someone believed there was something beyond “the odds.” Someone knew there was a power and inspiration more profound than his own. Someone had the humility and wisdom to tap into a higher source of strength. Time and time again, we see how faith opens doors to the unknown.

This placement of faith is indeed a part of our natural psychology. In cultured societies it actually grows organically. Unfortunately, regular exploitation and abuse of faith has promoted scepticism and suspicion as the orders of the day. To live by your own judgement and discrimination is seen as safe and secure. Yet even that is a farce, since everyone, regardless of their ontological worldview, is impelled to put faith in something lest we're rendered entirely dysfunctional. Thus, the great saint Visvanatha Cakravarti states adau sraddha – “in the beginning there must be faith.” Faith is the foundation of our spiritual life, and the Sanskrit word for it literally means “to put your heart into something.” As we deepen our faith and endeavour with heartfelt conviction, an ordinary life morphs into a transcendental drama of magic and miracles. Gradually, we begin to realise how much we've limited ourselves over the years! It’s actually incredible how one can be so close and yet so far, simply because we couldn’t take a small leap of… faith.

Is Classroom Studying of Srila Prabhupada’s Books the only way?
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Its always interesting to see how word’s are interpreted or understood depending on either the individual’s or societies perspective of the word. And for those who are interested in the history of words will not how the meaning of some words have changed over the years, even in my short 40+ years there is a number of words who’s meaning has drastically changed.

However one word that has been on my mind over the past few months is STUDY and more to the point what does it mean to study?

It’s interesting that Srila Prabhupada spoke about his book’s and how a number should be studied, the interpretation of this is class room academia based study, with assignments and testing; once finished a nice certificate and a credibility above those who haven’t done or completed the course.

Is this real study?

Srila Prabhupada’s books are the basis for self realization, and although guidance is needed is this emphasis on academia making it a bit like a university/college degree; we learn enough to qualify and then mostly forgotten after hanging the picture of our achievement’s on the wall.

Now I can be perfectly frank here in my blog, as it’s a personal space not a definitive insight into ISKCON but I’ve learnt more not by attending classes or doing some online course, indeed personally speaking this is the best way to get me to permanently leave RUN AWAY.

No what has been most effective is when I’ve done personal study, when I read all of Srila Prabhupada’s purport’s on initiation and guru/disciple relationship; when I’ve been asked a question that has got me searching for an answer, and most importantly when giving class no matter what the setting is [schools, community groups or at the temple].

For me it allows time to really explore the subject, look at it from many angles and then see how best to present the amazing wealth of knowledge. Most importantly it has also been more personal when faced with personal problems and the exploration of Srila Prabhupada’s words to gain insight and the answer.

It’s also been of benefit to speak to devotee’s with years of practice in bhakti for further insight, this has also proved more valuable; were would I be without these amazing soul’s who know me enough to give the best advice and direction.

For me personally it’s not about if this or that course is completed.

For me it’s has it made a change, has it moved from head knowledge to heart knowledge, this for me personally is more important.

To study Srila Prabhupada’s books it’s not about ticking a box or filling out a questionnaire, ow I see they have understood; anyone who have done a university/college course learns quickly the art of studying and pleasing the tutor. But real study comes when the individual is totally inspired by the subject matter.

It reminded me of a television show MasterMind, the contestant’s are initially quizzed on a subject matter they have chosen, it’s a subject close to the person’s heart; their knowledge is not empirical class learnt but motivated by a love of the subject. I found this always fascinating. The second was a general knowledge section.

The motivation was love, love of the subject.
For me study of Srila Prabhupada’s books is not empirical class room, question answer assignment, but a study of personal exploration learning how each question and situation faced by myself and others is simply answered; this makes it more heart than head knowledge.

Like a university/college course most of the knowledge is lost, as it was simply head knowledge to complete the course and get a good score.

But upon leaving the student learns the most as they enter into the field.

Srila Prabhupada’s books can only be understood through service, so all courses should be service based; the individual finding their place in bhakti devotional service. Then the greatest learning is their.

But modern day interpretation of study is just based on mind knowledge, as long as the form is filled out nicely then that’s all that matters.

My fear is this; emphasis on academia above all else will eventually lead to the end of the diversity of individual’s we see in ISKCON, our strength has been the diversity of people; and not everyone are classroom/IT study based academics but moved by Srila Prabhupada’s words are amazing devotees. But not having a qualification may mean as we have seen in many fields these individual’s will be sidelined of devalued becoming second rate.

Their is more than one way to study, so why make it one way, remains the question in my mind.

Karttika in Vrindavana (video) Lokanath Swami Leading…
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Karttika in Vrindavana (video)
Lokanath Swami Leading Damodarastakam at Iskcon Vrindavan
To the supreme controller, who possesses an eternal form of blissful knowledge, whose glistening earrings swing to and fro, who manifested Himself in Gokula, who stole the butter that the gopis kept hanging from the rafters of their storerooms and who then quickly jumped up and ran in retreat in fear of Mother Yasoda but was ultimately caught - to that Supreme Lord, Sri Damodara, I offer my humble obeisances.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/kOHTqr

Govardhana Puja Festival – November 12, 2015
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

On Thursday, November 12, 2015 Toronto's Hare Krishna Temple will be celebrating Govardhan Puja!

Also referred to as Annakuta, Govardhana Puja is a special festival which marks the time when the inhabitants of Vrindavan (Lord Krishna’s abode on Earth) held a harvest festival in honour of King Indra, the demigod who provided the rains essential for the harvest. One day, however, Lord Krishna wanted to teach Indra a lesson. He convinced the inhabitants of Vrindavan to honour Govardhana Hill instead, whose fertile soil provided the grass upon which the cows and bulls grazed, and to honour the cows and bulls who provided milk and ploughed the lands.

Outraged, Indra retaliated with terrifying thunderstorms. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, calmly lifted Govardhana Hill with the little finger of his left hand. For seven days and seven nights the Lord held up Govardhana Hill, providing a giant umbrella to shelter the inhabitants of Vrindavan from the torrential rain.

Govardhan Puja celebrations at the Hare Krishna temple have always been popular and this year's festival will once again feature a grand "Govardhana Hill" made entirely of sweets in the middle of the temple room! Please join us for festivities from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, November 12, 2015 to celebrate this wonderful festival!

We hope to see you and your family at the Hare Krishna temple for this spectacular festival!

Update on Mukunda Goswami’s Health
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Update on Mukunda Goswami's Recovery
(from ISKCON News)

November 4, 2015 - Mukunda Goswami is making a slow but steady recovery from the surgeries.

While in ICU he was looked after 24/7 by a team of doctors and nurses to make sure that his vital functions were properly restored. Their particular concern was Maharaja’s lungs (risk of a pneumonia) from extended confinement to bed due to the hip fracture as well as possible clotting. Therefore the day after the hip surgery physiotherapists started gently but forcefully encouraging Maharaja to sit up and then to put weight on his legs and walk with the support of a frame. This was (and still is) very painful and difficult for Maharaja, but is paramount for his recovery.

On November 2 Mukunda Maharaja was shifted from ICU to back to a single room in the (Acute) Coronary Care Unit (CCU), where his operating cardio surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon and medical team daily check on him. Mukunda Maharaja’s medical condition is improving, although he still is in a lot of pain, aggravated by the need to sit up in a chair for his lungs rather than lie down in bed. He sticks to his regimen of regular deep breathing, arm, chest and leg exercises. Today's examination revealed less crepitation in his lungs as compared to Monday. As a doctor joked, “you have to dance for us before we can let you go”, and Mukunda Goswami, assisted by his servants, is determined to dance.

Maharaja has increased his food and liquid intake, much to the relief of the doctors and devotees, as another concern with Maharaja’s post-operative condition was his undernourishment, low Hb, low protein and anaemia. Krsna-kirtana Das, his wife Malini Dasi (who both have a lot of hospital experience) and a few other devotees prepare prasadam according to Maharaja’s dietary needs & taste, which Krsna-kirtana personally serves (or sometimes lovingly administers) to Maharaja every morning and noon. This includes hot milk, fruit, high-protein whey drinks, homemade nut & wholegrain bread, as well as mung-dhal soup for lunch. On several occasions Mukunda Maharaja remarked to the nurses that “Hare Krishna food is much better than the hospital food”, to which they cannot help but agree.

Whenever he can, Mukunda Maharaja is chanting japa on his clicker and listens to Srimad Bhagavatam read out to him by attending devotees and we also read The New Govardhana ‘Conch Newsletter’ cover to cover for him. He also showed keen interest in Shyamasundara Prabhu’s newly published book “Chasing Rhinos with the Swami”, remarking in jest that this might not be the most politically correct title for the environment-conscious Australians.

If he maintains the same recovery pace, in a few days or so Mukunda Maharaja will be shifted to a rehabilitation facility at Murwillumbah Hospital near New Govardhan farm and, if his rehabilitation is successful, he will discharged and home in a couple of weeks after that.

In the meantime, devotees are preparing his rooms at the farm for his special needs. Yesterday the tiled floor in his bedroom, bathroom and study, on which the fateful slip almost two weeks ago occurred, was treated by floor grip specialists to make it safer to walk on. Plans are to construct a ramp to the bedroom for Maharaja's easier access, arrange for a medical bed and chair, hand rails, replace all his socks with non-slip ones with rubberized soles, and install an alarm system which would allow Maharaja to call for assistance around the clock. Mukunda Goswami’s disciples express their deepest gratitude to the devotees around the world who offered their financial assistance for making these necessary arrangements for Maharaja’s residence.

Hare Krishna! Thinking Big Pays Off! Mukunda Goswami: In 1981…
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Hare Krishna! Thinking Big Pays Off!
Mukunda Goswami: In 1981 devotees posed for a photograph that appeared in a publication called The Wonderful World of Hare Krishna in Australia. A sankirtana party of approximately 40 devotees clearly showed the Sydney Opera House in the background. The Opera House has become a worldwide symbol for what Donald Horne in his 1964 book called The Lucky Country. On Saturday, 20 August 2016 devotees of ISKCON will perform sankirtana inside this iconic structure. Srila Prabhupada’s singular fault, according to Srila Prabhupada himself, was that he couldn’t “think small”. Staging a Hare Krishna event inside the Sydney Opera House is an example of “thinking big”, and the credit goes to Damodara Pandit dasa of the New Govardhana community of Australia, who for nearly three months negotiated with Opera House personnel to obtain this venue.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=21201