28 Oct 2015 – Fourth Month of Caturmasya Begins
October 26, 2015
→ ISKCON News
Srila Prabhupada received a reply to his letter to Tirtha Maharaj in Calcutta. Prabhupada explained his hopes and plans for staying in America, but he stressed that his Godbrothers would have to give him their vote of confidence as well as some tangible support.
Bhaktivedanta Hospital
→ Ramai Swami
The Bhaktivedanta Hospital is a tribute to Srila Prabhupada, inspired by HH Radhanath Swami. it essentially functions as a “not-for-profit” institution with the motto of “Serving in Devotion.”
What started as a dream to provide quality healthcare at an affordable cost by a few devotee medical graduates, transformed into the present-day state-of-the-art 150-bed multi-speciality hospital.
While at the Govardhana Eco Village, I needed some dental work, so Radhanath Swami organised I got that done at the Bhaktivedanta Hospital.
HH Bhakti Sundar Goswami – Bg 18.61 / Sunday feast
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
Capturing Krsna in the month of Kartik
→ KKSBlog
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 October 2009, Durban, South Africa, Lecture)
We cannot be on automatic pilot; we must capture Krsna by making a special sacrifice! Then, when we have captured Krsna, we see that one cannot keep Krsna also. Mother Yasoda captured Krsna and Krsna was not only bound by Mother Yasoda’s ropes but Krsna was bound by Mother Yasoda’s love.
When Krsna was eleven years old, then Akrura came and Akrura took Krsna away from Vrndavana. From that day on, the residents lived in separation. From that day on, all the residents of Vrndavana, no matter what they did, they could not capture Krsna because it is not automatic.
Krsna was driving them mad… Mad in separation! Mad in their attachment to him! So, one has to earn Krsna’s favour again and again. This is an important point! Therefore, again and again, we are trying. But still, Krsna is such that whatever service is rendered to him, he will never forget. So, if we render this service in the month of Kartik, Krsna will not forget…
Hare Krishna! Choosing to Fall Down
Mahatma Das: The reality is…
→ Dandavats.com
Hare Krishna! Choosing to Fall Down
Mahatma Das: The reality is that if we don’t become enthusiastic about improving ourselves, we are going to have trouble moving forward. We can lament and feel remorseful about our fallen condition, yet we can be enthusiastic for bhakti at the same time. We see this mood in many of the prayers of our acaryas. On one hand they are lamenting their fallen nature and on the other hand they are expressing a strong hankering to achieve Krsna’s lotus feet. These “negative emotions” can be the very impetus to move us forward. How? They can make us disgusted with being fallen. Like the saying goes, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” When we become ill we don’t think, “Well, I am sick and weak, so what’s the use of taking care of myself? Rather, we take better care of ourselves. So if we fall down in our spiritual practices doesn’t it make sense to do the same thing – to take more care of our spiritual life?
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=4069
My Good Fortune
→ travelingmonk.com
Yesterday in my travels it was my good fortune to arrive in Udupi on the appearance day of Sri Madhavacarya. I took the opportunity to seek his blessings and those of his beloved deity, Udupi Krishna.
HG Sridhar Shyam Prabhu / CC Ādi 4.103-116
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Ford City, Pennsylvania
Credit Goes to the Media
The Leader Times and the Butler Eagle came through with good articles
about the walk celebrating and honouring 50 years since our guru,
Srila Prabhupada, came to the area. During that time, he spoke at St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. Now it is a school for boys. The
three of us walked by it before the sun peaked over the horizon. Once
the sun revealed who the three people were, especially the
saffron-robed one, the honking and stopping of motorists began.
Home-owners and restauranteers came out to greet us because of the
attention brought on by the media. A staff of a dozen or so people
from a popular Italian eating villa stood in line to offer
congratulations. I was touched. And of course, everyone wants to get
in on a photograph with a monk - that’s a rarity.
A family from Florida drove all the way up to join us for a three-day
experience on an American pilgrimage. The only thing was that our one
mile venture at the end of my day’s trek turned out to be a happy but
dragged-out stretch due to the minute or two of ‘connecting’ that
people wanted.
Off the feet and into the vehicle, we zipped for an evening happening
at an art gallery in Pittsburgh. In this former
steeltown-now-gone-soft-
kirtan and I talked from 5.18 of the Gita. It was day number 2 for
evening chanting in Pittsburgh. These were perfect endings to perfect
days.
I recall one gentleman who, during the day, had taken his Great Dane
Rotweiller for a walk down a quiet trail, saw me, and stopped to talk.
Later, he was well-informed on what I was doing through the media. He
mentioned that next to his home there once was a monastery. It
appears the monastic order may be on the decline in America, being
that it was the second time for this kind of story in one day.
The man’s dog demanded attention so he received my petting under the
snout. After the chat, the man admitted that we both had to part from
each other, so he turned to his dog and said, “Okay, the man has to go
to work now.” When I heard that, it struck me that this is my job.
At the same time I realized I enjoy very much my work (pilgrimage). I
would rather consider it play.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Ford City, Pennsylvania
Credit Goes to the Media
The Leader Times and the Butler Eagle came through with good articles
about the walk celebrating and honouring 50 years since our guru,
Srila Prabhupada, came to the area. During that time, he spoke at St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. Now it is a school for boys. The
three of us walked by it before the sun peaked over the horizon. Once
the sun revealed who the three people were, especially the
saffron-robed one, the honking and stopping of motorists began.
Home-owners and restauranteers came out to greet us because of the
attention brought on by the media. A staff of a dozen or so people
from a popular Italian eating villa stood in line to offer
congratulations. I was touched. And of course, everyone wants to get
in on a photograph with a monk - that’s a rarity.
A family from Florida drove all the way up to join us for a three-day
experience on an American pilgrimage. The only thing was that our one
mile venture at the end of my day’s trek turned out to be a happy but
dragged-out stretch due to the minute or two of ‘connecting’ that
people wanted.
Off the feet and into the vehicle, we zipped for an evening happening
at an art gallery in Pittsburgh. In this former
steeltown-now-gone-soft-
kirtan and I talked from 5.18 of the Gita. It was day number 2 for
evening chanting in Pittsburgh. These were perfect endings to perfect
days.
I recall one gentleman who, during the day, had taken his Great Dane
Rotweiller for a walk down a quiet trail, saw me, and stopped to talk.
Later, he was well-informed on what I was doing through the media. He
mentioned that next to his home there once was a monastery. It
appears the monastic order may be on the decline in America, being
that it was the second time for this kind of story in one day.
The man’s dog demanded attention so he received my petting under the
snout. After the chat, the man admitted that we both had to part from
each other, so he turned to his dog and said, “Okay, the man has to go
to work now.” When I heard that, it struck me that this is my job.
At the same time I realized I enjoy very much my work (pilgrimage). I
would rather consider it play.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
Butler, Pennsylvania
What’s so Special About Butler?
My very competent support person, Vivasvan, navigated a route that
would avoid busy traffic. A connected series of quiet gravel and
paved roads was the perfect lead into Butler, Pennsylvania – a true
milestone for this pilgrimage.
Karuna Sindhu joined Tre’von and I for a stretch. Yes, our party is
growing happily. It seems that some young men are attracted to the
program. Another one joins us on Saturday.
Now, back to Butler and the significance this tiny city has for our
spiritual order (known in theological terms as the Gaudiya Vaishnava
tradition) which has roots in India. The Vaishnava culture dates back
thousands of years. One of the major teachers in this lineage from
the medieval period in India is Sri Chaitanya, himself, a well-known
walker, who promoted adoration for the Divine in the form of Krishna.
The most recent exponent of this form of spiritualism is, in lengthy
honorific terms, known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – or
Prabhupada for short.
It was he, Prabhupada, who came to Butler in 1965 – 50 years ago. He
took accommodation at the then YMCA, now the Boys’ Cubs Hall on McKean
St. Prabhupada spoke at the Y as well as the Lions Club and St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. It was here in Butler, at the
mature age of 70, that he planted seeds of bhakti (a form of
devotional yoga) before he moved on to New York City where a following
finally took hold.
When I entered Butler today and made my way to the old YMCA, I met a
rep from the Butler County Eagle Paper and a local radio rep. The
news was later announced that the Walking Monk had come to honour his
teacher, Prabhupada. My emotions did arise.
I shall attempt to make a list of Prabhupada’s accomplishments after
my own humble deliberation:
1) Forerunner of kirtan culture, or introducing chanting to the West.
2) Introduced bhakti-yoga, an ancient devotional lifestyle to the West.
3) Wrote, presented, and published a scholarly line of Vedic
philosophical texts (including a translation of the Bhagavad-gita)
forming a veritable library on Eastern thought. Established the
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to print these books.
4) Introduced a new line of vegetarian cooking. Perhaps the first
teacher of Vedic cooking in the West. Taught how to consecrate that
food as prasadam (where, in Judaism, such food is known as Kosher and
in Islam as Halal).
5) Forerunner of animal rights, ie. Cow and bull protection
6) Introduced to the West the ancient technique of seva puja,
honouring the Divine as a sacred image.
7) Forerunner of the science of reincarnation. Spoke boldly of the
soul’s transmigration (sourced through his books).
8) Reinforced agrarian life, ‘Back-to-the-land’ living as an
ecologically-friendly alternative, ie. ‘Gita Nagari’ in Port Royal, PA
& ‘New Vrindavan’ in Wheeling, West Virginia.
9) Reinforced that God is a person, hence, he challenged atheism and Darwinism.
10) Promoted anti-racism through provocative, profound statements like
‘We are not these bodies, we are spirits.’ All-inclusive policies
towards men, women, and people of all races.
11) Spoke strongly against drug intake, alcohol intake, and gambling –
hence saving lives.
12) Established a world-wide mission called ISKCON, commonly known as
‘Hare Krishna.’
These and other contributions can be considered as benevolent for
improving and adjusting life-styles in the West. We are grateful to
the founder of Iskcon, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Butler, Pennsylvania
What’s so Special About Butler?
My very competent support person, Vivasvan, navigated a route that
would avoid busy traffic. A connected series of quiet gravel and
paved roads was the perfect lead into Butler, Pennsylvania – a true
milestone for this pilgrimage.
Karuna Sindhu joined Tre’von and I for a stretch. Yes, our party is
growing happily. It seems that some young men are attracted to the
program. Another one joins us on Saturday.
Now, back to Butler and the significance this tiny city has for our
spiritual order (known in theological terms as the Gaudiya Vaishnava
tradition) which has roots in India. The Vaishnava culture dates back
thousands of years. One of the major teachers in this lineage from
the medieval period in India is Sri Chaitanya, himself, a well-known
walker, who promoted adoration for the Divine in the form of Krishna.
The most recent exponent of this form of spiritualism is, in lengthy
honorific terms, known as Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – or
Prabhupada for short.
It was he, Prabhupada, who came to Butler in 1965 – 50 years ago. He
took accommodation at the then YMCA, now the Boys’ Cubs Hall on McKean
St. Prabhupada spoke at the Y as well as the Lions Club and St.
Fidelis Monastery in nearby Herman. It was here in Butler, at the
mature age of 70, that he planted seeds of bhakti (a form of
devotional yoga) before he moved on to New York City where a following
finally took hold.
When I entered Butler today and made my way to the old YMCA, I met a
rep from the Butler County Eagle Paper and a local radio rep. The
news was later announced that the Walking Monk had come to honour his
teacher, Prabhupada. My emotions did arise.
I shall attempt to make a list of Prabhupada’s accomplishments after
my own humble deliberation:
1) Forerunner of kirtan culture, or introducing chanting to the West.
2) Introduced bhakti-yoga, an ancient devotional lifestyle to the West.
3) Wrote, presented, and published a scholarly line of Vedic
philosophical texts (including a translation of the Bhagavad-gita)
forming a veritable library on Eastern thought. Established the
Bhaktivedanta Book Trust to print these books.
4) Introduced a new line of vegetarian cooking. Perhaps the first
teacher of Vedic cooking in the West. Taught how to consecrate that
food as prasadam (where, in Judaism, such food is known as Kosher and
in Islam as Halal).
5) Forerunner of animal rights, ie. Cow and bull protection
6) Introduced to the West the ancient technique of seva puja,
honouring the Divine as a sacred image.
7) Forerunner of the science of reincarnation. Spoke boldly of the
soul’s transmigration (sourced through his books).
8) Reinforced agrarian life, ‘Back-to-the-land’ living as an
ecologically-friendly alternative, ie. ‘Gita Nagari’ in Port Royal, PA
& ‘New Vrindavan’ in Wheeling, West Virginia.
9) Reinforced that God is a person, hence, he challenged atheism and Darwinism.
10) Promoted anti-racism through provocative, profound statements like
‘We are not these bodies, we are spirits.’ All-inclusive policies
towards men, women, and people of all races.
11) Spoke strongly against drug intake, alcohol intake, and gambling –
hence saving lives.
12) Established a world-wide mission called ISKCON, commonly known as
‘Hare Krishna.’
These and other contributions can be considered as benevolent for
improving and adjusting life-styles in the West. We are grateful to
the founder of Iskcon, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Monday, October 19th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, October 19th, 2015
Rural Valley, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania People
Bill was right on the road to greet me. He shook my hand and I remarked that he’s got farmer’s hands, big and callous-like. It was a compliment of course and he took it that way. “Well, more like coal miners’ hands,” he said in good fun. We talked and I could see he was a very God conscious man. In fact, he asked for a blessing since he’s having kidney issues. He removed his hat, I placed my right palm on his forehead and recited a Sanskrit mantra for protection. He was grateful.
I also came upon two country folks at the side of their yard. Two gentlemen. They had been looking with an eager eye as to what I was all about. Handshakes again. “I’m Bhaktimarga Swami, Swami for short. I’m a monk and I’m walking. I started from Boston.” Surprised, they were. They offered iced tea. We chatted. One of the fellows said, “Only Catholics have monks, right?”
“Actually, there’s a whole history of monastic life within Hinduism and Buddhism, big time.”
I asked them if they were familiar with Hare Krishna and the response was no. I asked if they had heard of Broadway’s production, ‘Hair’.
“Yes!”
And so that was their reference point.
Further down the road I met some teenage Amish girls with dresses and bonnets. They were gathering walnuts on the side of the road. I could see they were shy.
“Hello, how are you? What do you do with them?”
“We make pies with the walnuts and cakes.”
“God bless,” I said.
Not but ten minutes later on in my walk, there was a team of horses, two in number, that were yoked to a wagon standing stationary at the side of the road. Right next to them, in a corn field, was an Amish farmer along with two women who were manually breaking off corn and tossing it into the wagon. I asked if he could toss me one for a souvenir, so he did and suggested that they are good for corn bread.
“Thanks, God bless.”
In Pennsylvania country I see it’s much to do about family, food, work, and God. That’s good.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Rural Valley, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania People
Bill was right on the road to greet me. He shook my hand and I remarked that he’s got farmer’s hands, big and callous-like. It was a compliment of course and he took it that way. “Well, more like coal miners’ hands,” he said in good fun. We talked and I could see he was a very God conscious man. In fact, he asked for a blessing since he’s having kidney issues. He removed his hat, I placed my right palm on his forehead and recited a Sanskrit mantra for protection. He was grateful.
I also came upon two country folks at the side of their yard. Two gentlemen. They had been looking with an eager eye as to what I was all about. Handshakes again. “I’m Bhaktimarga Swami, Swami for short. I’m a monk and I’m walking. I started from Boston.” Surprised, they were. They offered iced tea. We chatted. One of the fellows said, “Only Catholics have monks, right?”
“Actually, there’s a whole history of monastic life within Hinduism and Buddhism, big time.”
I asked them if they were familiar with Hare Krishna and the response was no. I asked if they had heard of Broadway’s production, ‘Hair’.
“Yes!”
And so that was their reference point.
Further down the road I met some teenage Amish girls with dresses and bonnets. They were gathering walnuts on the side of the road. I could see they were shy.
“Hello, how are you? What do you do with them?”
“We make pies with the walnuts and cakes.”
“God bless,” I said.
Not but ten minutes later on in my walk, there was a team of horses, two in number, that were yoked to a wagon standing stationary at the side of the road. Right next to them, in a corn field, was an Amish farmer along with two women who were manually breaking off corn and tossing it into the wagon. I asked if he could toss me one for a souvenir, so he did and suggested that they are good for corn bread.
“Thanks, God bless.”
In Pennsylvania country I see it’s much to do about family, food, work, and God. That’s good.
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Sunday, October 18th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Sunday, October 18th, 2015
Earnest, Pennsylvania
Kirtan Inside Outside
Bandhur atmatmanas tasya…
I referenced this quote from Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad-Gita for a group of soon to be yoga teachers at Penn State College. We are talking here about the mind and how it can be your best friend or worst enemy. Another verse describes how the mind can either degrade or elevate the consciousness. Therefore, the message is to harness the wild mind and to direct it to a progressive higher consciousness. This chapter has all to do with meditational yoga. I explained “In order to benefit from yoga in full, the Gita recommends an insertion of bhakti, devotion, into the practices.”
I was happy to see and hear everyone take to the process of kirtan, chanting, and lest we forget – dancing.
Vivasvan, Tre’von, and I then rushed to the farm community of Gita Nagari near Port Royal. Arriving in the nick of time, 4 PM, for the Sunday Open House. We were warmly greeted and taken to the temple building where the microphone was placed before me for leading another kirtan and then class. I was keen to keep some continuity in my message. I spoke on Chapter 6, again, entitled ‘Jnana Yoga’, wherein determination, patience, and disregard for mundane things which arise from mental speculation, were topics for discussion.
People at Gita Nagari are more familiar with kirtan than the first group. Nevertheless, it was enjoyed at both sessions all the same.
Whether indoor or outdoor, kirtan, chanting, has its natural attraction. When Tre’von and I took to trekking earlier on in the morning, we came near a barn with a cow sticking her head out curiously to see us. We both broke into another song beginning with the name Govinda, a name for Krishna referring to Him as the tender of the cows. The cow came out of the barn to listen and then a herd followed and remained still as if they were yogis themselves, motionless and serene.
May the Source be with you!
12 miles / 19 km
Earnest, Pennsylvania
Kirtan Inside Outside
Bandhur atmatmanas tasya…
I referenced this quote from Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad-Gita for a group of soon to be yoga teachers at Penn State College. We are talking here about the mind and how it can be your best friend or worst enemy. Another verse describes how the mind can either degrade or elevate the consciousness. Therefore, the message is to harness the wild mind and to direct it to a progressive higher consciousness. This chapter has all to do with meditational yoga. I explained “In order to benefit from yoga in full, the Gita recommends an insertion of bhakti, devotion, into the practices.”
I was happy to see and hear everyone take to the process of kirtan, chanting, and lest we forget – dancing.
Vivasvan, Tre’von, and I then rushed to the farm community of Gita Nagari near Port Royal. Arriving in the nick of time, 4 PM, for the Sunday Open House. We were warmly greeted and taken to the temple building where the microphone was placed before me for leading another kirtan and then class. I was keen to keep some continuity in my message. I spoke on Chapter 6, again, entitled ‘Jnana Yoga’, wherein determination, patience, and disregard for mundane things which arise from mental speculation, were topics for discussion.
People at Gita Nagari are more familiar with kirtan than the first group. Nevertheless, it was enjoyed at both sessions all the same.
Whether indoor or outdoor, kirtan, chanting, has its natural attraction. When Tre’von and I took to trekking earlier on in the morning, we came near a barn with a cow sticking her head out curiously to see us. We both broke into another song beginning with the name Govinda, a name for Krishna referring to Him as the tender of the cows. The cow came out of the barn to listen and then a herd followed and remained still as if they were yogis themselves, motionless and serene.
May the Source be with you!
12 miles / 19 km
Saturday, October 17th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Saturday, October 17th, 2015
Westover, Pennsylvania
A Pull
“Maya, get back here!” shouted the owner of the pitbull. This young female dog named Maya was definitely after me and her master was calling her back. It was necessary for him to come right up to me in order to stave off Maya. She was not listening too well to orders even when the lady of the house yelled "Get over here!" with her raspy voice. I asked the owner if he knew what Maya meant.
“No I don’t,” he said in a confession-like tone.
“It’s a Sanskrit word meaning ‘illusion’.”
"Well, she’s illusion alright,” he retorted, now gaining some control over her barking and threatening.
It was a crazy road to be on. Vivasvan and I were scolded for being on what GPS identified as a walking trail by a teenage boy in fatigues and crossbow in hand who told us it was not. The boy I managed to shake hands with and talk with but the oncoming overbearing dad was different. The stern message was clear, that we were to turn around and get out of there NOW!!!
It was so evident that deer are the actual target these days during hunting season. At the front of one household, a deer’s carcass was hung from a pole and an open bucket was set underneath. In the early hour of the day, the first hour, as I was walking with my safety vest on, a vehicle swerved away from me and wheeled over onto deer road kill. This sent the contents in the air. An explosion of guts, you might say.
I trekked through trails and roads today that were clearly in State Game Lands but like all the other hunters in the vicinity who wear luminescent orange, I’ve got myself fully covered with the colour.
Even though a vegetarian pacifistic monk may feel some discomfort in all of this, I will refrain from judging. I feel the power of the mantra that I’ve been singing, the prana from the clean air, the prana from the crisp organic apples I would chance upon, and just the anticipation that I’m getting closer and closer to the city of Butler where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, first launched the bhakti movement in the west, I feel choked up at times and with tears in the eyes, a pull comes to the heart.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Westover, Pennsylvania
A Pull
“Maya, get back here!” shouted the owner of the pitbull. This young female dog named Maya was definitely after me and her master was calling her back. It was necessary for him to come right up to me in order to stave off Maya. She was not listening too well to orders even when the lady of the house yelled "Get over here!" with her raspy voice. I asked the owner if he knew what Maya meant.
“No I don’t,” he said in a confession-like tone.
“It’s a Sanskrit word meaning ‘illusion’.”
"Well, she’s illusion alright,” he retorted, now gaining some control over her barking and threatening.
It was a crazy road to be on. Vivasvan and I were scolded for being on what GPS identified as a walking trail by a teenage boy in fatigues and crossbow in hand who told us it was not. The boy I managed to shake hands with and talk with but the oncoming overbearing dad was different. The stern message was clear, that we were to turn around and get out of there NOW!!!
It was so evident that deer are the actual target these days during hunting season. At the front of one household, a deer’s carcass was hung from a pole and an open bucket was set underneath. In the early hour of the day, the first hour, as I was walking with my safety vest on, a vehicle swerved away from me and wheeled over onto deer road kill. This sent the contents in the air. An explosion of guts, you might say.
I trekked through trails and roads today that were clearly in State Game Lands but like all the other hunters in the vicinity who wear luminescent orange, I’ve got myself fully covered with the colour.
Even though a vegetarian pacifistic monk may feel some discomfort in all of this, I will refrain from judging. I feel the power of the mantra that I’ve been singing, the prana from the clean air, the prana from the crisp organic apples I would chance upon, and just the anticipation that I’m getting closer and closer to the city of Butler where our guru, Srila Prabhupada, first launched the bhakti movement in the west, I feel choked up at times and with tears in the eyes, a pull comes to the heart.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Friday, October 16th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Friday, October 16th, 2015
Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Shooting Stars
Shooting stars we saw. We viewed with awe. Our walking route also called for a section through the forest. The kicking of leaves, which created a hissing sound, and moving shadows conjured up from our flashlights spooked Tre’von in the darkness of the early morning. We could still see the stars above but they were blinking because of the effect of passing through the trees. Owls were making their sound. These were great sensations.
Paul had made a jovial deal with us the night before, “Come to Mass with me in the morning and I’ll take you to the newspaper place for a story.” Paul, our B&B host, placed this loving condition on us which, to us, was irresistible. We sealed the deal. We like both of the venues and their people. We sat in at the Christian service and then ventured off to the Herald, the local paper, for an interview. This was followed by visiting a new-age shop which was newly opened. We happened to be there just before the ribbon cutting ceremony. There I met briefly with the local senator. I told him of our guru’s benevolent work and how he came to the US fifty years ago from India and launched the Hare Krishna Movement.
I asked him, “How are things?”
“Lots of problems,” he said with a smile.
“I can imagine,” was my response.
From that downtime in Tyrone’s downtown, I proceeded onto the highway going up the mountain and entered into deer hunting country. 1600 acres are allotted for the hunt in this area. At one point, a young fellow, plumber by profession, pulled over and graced us with a donation. He liked what we were doing and then happily received from us our favourite mantra, the Hare Krishna mantra. He wanted to invite us to his home but he remarked, “My wife would think I was crazy.”
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Tyrone, Pennsylvania
Shooting Stars
Shooting stars we saw. We viewed with awe. Our walking route also called for a section through the forest. The kicking of leaves, which created a hissing sound, and moving shadows conjured up from our flashlights spooked Tre’von in the darkness of the early morning. We could still see the stars above but they were blinking because of the effect of passing through the trees. Owls were making their sound. These were great sensations.
Paul had made a jovial deal with us the night before, “Come to Mass with me in the morning and I’ll take you to the newspaper place for a story.” Paul, our B&B host, placed this loving condition on us which, to us, was irresistible. We sealed the deal. We like both of the venues and their people. We sat in at the Christian service and then ventured off to the Herald, the local paper, for an interview. This was followed by visiting a new-age shop which was newly opened. We happened to be there just before the ribbon cutting ceremony. There I met briefly with the local senator. I told him of our guru’s benevolent work and how he came to the US fifty years ago from India and launched the Hare Krishna Movement.
I asked him, “How are things?”
“Lots of problems,” he said with a smile.
“I can imagine,” was my response.
From that downtime in Tyrone’s downtown, I proceeded onto the highway going up the mountain and entered into deer hunting country. 1600 acres are allotted for the hunt in this area. At one point, a young fellow, plumber by profession, pulled over and graced us with a donation. He liked what we were doing and then happily received from us our favourite mantra, the Hare Krishna mantra. He wanted to invite us to his home but he remarked, “My wife would think I was crazy.”
May the Source be with you!
21 miles / 33 km
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
State College, Pennsylvania
Day Is Dung
I was raised on a farm, have visited India in her rural parts multiple times, and so I’m used to dung. My morning walking partner, Tre’von, is a city boy and is not used to the horse caca on the road’s shoulder. I told him, “Just get used to it. Some of the stuff will get trapped in between the treads under your shoes. You have to live with it so you might as well love it.”
We started our trek at 5:45 AM, an hour when the sun has not yet woken. We are somewhat moving through heaps of the stuff due to the Amish horse-driven carts coming through on the sides of the road. Because it’s dark, it’s hard to see when the heaps are coming forward. We just have to accept it.
The area is all about land and animals. A team of mules was pulling a machine for corn harvest. They are natural work animals. Some Holsteins came to greet us until the electric fence opposed further forwardness from both sides. White horses and beef cattle were also curious about us.
But the creatures of the wild, the undomesticated ones, had a hard time with the road. We’re talking about raccoons, possums, deer, skunks, and porcupines. Even the fast fox has no chance against the more rapid formidable machines which we call trucks and cars.
At one person’s driveway, two huge black pigs were milling around. They were held in check by three Doberman pinchers. The dogs appear to be the fence for the pigs, otherwise, those oinky creatures would be venturing into the traffic. The dogs became a bit distracted from their work when I was walking by their property but then a stocky woman, I assume the owner, called the dogs off from going after me. I guess she was their fence, thank God. Cyclists drove by and there were also two motorists who stopped to offer a ride on different occasions. In most cases, such persons are more curious than anything because most people have this notion that someone in robes is most likely on a mission, a walking mission, a pilgrimage of sorts.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
State College, Pennsylvania
Day Is Dung
I was raised on a farm, have visited India in her rural parts multiple times, and so I’m used to dung. My morning walking partner, Tre’von, is a city boy and is not used to the horse caca on the road’s shoulder. I told him, “Just get used to it. Some of the stuff will get trapped in between the treads under your shoes. You have to live with it so you might as well love it.”
We started our trek at 5:45 AM, an hour when the sun has not yet woken. We are somewhat moving through heaps of the stuff due to the Amish horse-driven carts coming through on the sides of the road. Because it’s dark, it’s hard to see when the heaps are coming forward. We just have to accept it.
The area is all about land and animals. A team of mules was pulling a machine for corn harvest. They are natural work animals. Some Holsteins came to greet us until the electric fence opposed further forwardness from both sides. White horses and beef cattle were also curious about us.
But the creatures of the wild, the undomesticated ones, had a hard time with the road. We’re talking about raccoons, possums, deer, skunks, and porcupines. Even the fast fox has no chance against the more rapid formidable machines which we call trucks and cars.
At one person’s driveway, two huge black pigs were milling around. They were held in check by three Doberman pinchers. The dogs appear to be the fence for the pigs, otherwise, those oinky creatures would be venturing into the traffic. The dogs became a bit distracted from their work when I was walking by their property but then a stocky woman, I assume the owner, called the dogs off from going after me. I guess she was their fence, thank God. Cyclists drove by and there were also two motorists who stopped to offer a ride on different occasions. In most cases, such persons are more curious than anything because most people have this notion that someone in robes is most likely on a mission, a walking mission, a pilgrimage of sorts.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Thursday, October 15th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Thursday, October 15th, 2015
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania
On Top of the Hill
While walking down cool downtown State College, one café was playing the local radio station broadcasting through the speakers. It just so happened that the chorus of My Sweet Lord was playing as I passed the café. Yes indeed, the sound of George Harrison’s voice came through on the chorus of that beautiful musical piece at that moment. What are the chances of that happening? I took it as a good omen. What else about State College? It's where you find Pennsylvania’s largest university. Two young female students working on a film project spontaneously had me in a queue for questions about pumpkin picking. The camera started rolling:
“Have you ever picked pumpkins?” was the first question.
“As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve harvested about everything, except for pumpkins.”
The interview started off light but it became more grave as we moved along and started to discuss about my purpose for walking. The notion of pilgrimage was discussed. The interview was done and personally I believe that the girls were charmed by having a guy answering questions in pumpkin-coloured attire.
Our evening in Tyrone, a town of 5,000 plus, was something to remember. We took a chance to stay at a bed and breakfast called ‘Stoney Point’, a sort of old mansion on top of a hill. We found out later on that this place was rated as the number one B&B in the state, number 3 in America, and number 14 in the world. It’s no wonder because Paul, the host, is a real human with a big heart. This place had charm. The ambiance was great and it’s not what the three of us in our team are usually used to although we’ve been very lucky to stay at temples and people’s homes and on occasion, a motel.
It was great to pull out our dolak drum and to chant in the living room with Paul and other tenants in the house. It was as if the wood of the fireplace got lit up by the stroke of a chant. The place became so cozy and warm.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Pennsylvania Furnace, Pennsylvania
On Top of the Hill
While walking down cool downtown State College, one café was playing the local radio station broadcasting through the speakers. It just so happened that the chorus of My Sweet Lord was playing as I passed the café. Yes indeed, the sound of George Harrison’s voice came through on the chorus of that beautiful musical piece at that moment. What are the chances of that happening? I took it as a good omen. What else about State College? It's where you find Pennsylvania’s largest university. Two young female students working on a film project spontaneously had me in a queue for questions about pumpkin picking. The camera started rolling:
“Have you ever picked pumpkins?” was the first question.
“As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve harvested about everything, except for pumpkins.”
The interview started off light but it became more grave as we moved along and started to discuss about my purpose for walking. The notion of pilgrimage was discussed. The interview was done and personally I believe that the girls were charmed by having a guy answering questions in pumpkin-coloured attire.
Our evening in Tyrone, a town of 5,000 plus, was something to remember. We took a chance to stay at a bed and breakfast called ‘Stoney Point’, a sort of old mansion on top of a hill. We found out later on that this place was rated as the number one B&B in the state, number 3 in America, and number 14 in the world. It’s no wonder because Paul, the host, is a real human with a big heart. This place had charm. The ambiance was great and it’s not what the three of us in our team are usually used to although we’ve been very lucky to stay at temples and people’s homes and on occasion, a motel.
It was great to pull out our dolak drum and to chant in the living room with Paul and other tenants in the house. It was as if the wood of the fireplace got lit up by the stroke of a chant. The place became so cozy and warm.
May the Source be with you!
20 miles / 32 km
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Woodward, Pennsylvania
Back Again
So many people have written upbeat songs about being on the road again. What comes to mind is my dear friend, cross-country walker Michael Oesch, who likes Willie Nelson’s rendition. Well here I am, once again, at one of the places I like to be - the road, the trail.
After being picked up at the Pittsburgh Airport, where they were playing classical music over the speaker, which I liked, Vivasvan and Tre’von came to drive us to College State where we slept for the night. We then drove to the spot where I left off from four days before at Buffalo Valley Trail, a parallel route to Highway 45.
The trek started with a drizzle, though rain never became a big issue. At one point the sun blazed through before overcast sky hit us again. Tre’von stayed loyal to my every step for 18 miles. Then, I finished solo with an extra four miles under the feet. It was at this point that a police officer came to see what was up. It was another one of those things where someone called in, being suspicious of a guy in orange, the colour that prisoner’s wear in jumpsuits. This simply became an opportunity for me to talk and make a friend with the officer. He resembled strongly the features of fellow monk, Sridhar Swami.
A real milestone for our team today was to hear Tre’von master his memory of mantras. I had been teaching him while trekking the two mantras in honour of guru. He took the bold step to ask to learn the mantra for Pancha Tattva. This he learned, with a breeze.
I observed that he likes to rap and at times breaks into a dance step while we travel along. Traffic is not anything that hinders his spontaneous mood and frankly, I don’t get embarrassed despite the conservative Amish countryside we find ourselves in. At one point, he played from his phone James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ which ended up being an ideal pacey piece of music for walking.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Woodward, Pennsylvania
Back Again
So many people have written upbeat songs about being on the road again. What comes to mind is my dear friend, cross-country walker Michael Oesch, who likes Willie Nelson’s rendition. Well here I am, once again, at one of the places I like to be - the road, the trail.
After being picked up at the Pittsburgh Airport, where they were playing classical music over the speaker, which I liked, Vivasvan and Tre’von came to drive us to College State where we slept for the night. We then drove to the spot where I left off from four days before at Buffalo Valley Trail, a parallel route to Highway 45.
The trek started with a drizzle, though rain never became a big issue. At one point the sun blazed through before overcast sky hit us again. Tre’von stayed loyal to my every step for 18 miles. Then, I finished solo with an extra four miles under the feet. It was at this point that a police officer came to see what was up. It was another one of those things where someone called in, being suspicious of a guy in orange, the colour that prisoner’s wear in jumpsuits. This simply became an opportunity for me to talk and make a friend with the officer. He resembled strongly the features of fellow monk, Sridhar Swami.
A real milestone for our team today was to hear Tre’von master his memory of mantras. I had been teaching him while trekking the two mantras in honour of guru. He took the bold step to ask to learn the mantra for Pancha Tattva. This he learned, with a breeze.
I observed that he likes to rap and at times breaks into a dance step while we travel along. Traffic is not anything that hinders his spontaneous mood and frankly, I don’t get embarrassed despite the conservative Amish countryside we find ourselves in. At one point, he played from his phone James Brown’s ‘I Feel Good’ which ended up being an ideal pacey piece of music for walking.
May the Source be with you!
22 miles / 35 km
Monday, October 12th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Monday, October 12th, 2015
Mississauga, Ontario
Sorting Out The Trails
“Since the Supreme is the origin of all facets of life, including ourselves, where does hate come into the picture?” asked Raj as we stepped through the trees on a trail near his home.
Raj had been questioning this for years, wondering how hate or contempt could be a component of God’s personality. As we were walking, he and I discussed how Krishna, in His pastimes, eliminated demonic forces. Yet, it appears that hate or malice was not necessarily found in the character of Krishna during the time of His subduing such nasty forces. Raj insisted, “He doesn’t show hate but where does this hate come from since whatever is within us can be traced back to the Source?”
While I was looking deeply within for the best way to respond to Raj’s wonder, we had to make choices as to which path to tread. All trails were laden with autumn leaves but some were broad in width while some were less defined, obscured, and less travelled. We chose to tackle them all. We found other people from the same neighbourhood doing the same type of exploration. Searching for answers through adventurous avenues might be a very good thing.
Here is the gist of my contribution to Raj’s query. The Absolute (God, the Divine, whatever is your preferred terminology) is definitely the root or the seed behind all things good and bad. Yes, even when Krishna does some of His dissolution work, He invokes some anger but with a charm that moves the emotions. It is executed in the spirit of detachment. Now, why is our hate so strong and so vindictive at times? In other words, why are we so extreme? What comes to mind is something that our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and his guru explained. It goes as such:
All things in the material world are perverted reflections of the spiritual world. Here’s one example to illustrate our malicious intentions. When a rod is placed in a pool of water, the image in the water is refracted or distorted. Similarly, whatever we do in this world tends to get twisted and our attitude becomes extreme and this happens by choice. Choice is another trait we have inherited from the Supreme. Our obligation is to just get clean, to go for a purging.
May the Source be with you!
1.9 miles / 3 km
Mississauga, Ontario
Sorting Out The Trails
“Since the Supreme is the origin of all facets of life, including ourselves, where does hate come into the picture?” asked Raj as we stepped through the trees on a trail near his home.
Raj had been questioning this for years, wondering how hate or contempt could be a component of God’s personality. As we were walking, he and I discussed how Krishna, in His pastimes, eliminated demonic forces. Yet, it appears that hate or malice was not necessarily found in the character of Krishna during the time of His subduing such nasty forces. Raj insisted, “He doesn’t show hate but where does this hate come from since whatever is within us can be traced back to the Source?”
While I was looking deeply within for the best way to respond to Raj’s wonder, we had to make choices as to which path to tread. All trails were laden with autumn leaves but some were broad in width while some were less defined, obscured, and less travelled. We chose to tackle them all. We found other people from the same neighbourhood doing the same type of exploration. Searching for answers through adventurous avenues might be a very good thing.
Here is the gist of my contribution to Raj’s query. The Absolute (God, the Divine, whatever is your preferred terminology) is definitely the root or the seed behind all things good and bad. Yes, even when Krishna does some of His dissolution work, He invokes some anger but with a charm that moves the emotions. It is executed in the spirit of detachment. Now, why is our hate so strong and so vindictive at times? In other words, why are we so extreme? What comes to mind is something that our guru, Srila Prabhupada, and his guru explained. It goes as such:
All things in the material world are perverted reflections of the spiritual world. Here’s one example to illustrate our malicious intentions. When a rod is placed in a pool of water, the image in the water is refracted or distorted. Similarly, whatever we do in this world tends to get twisted and our attitude becomes extreme and this happens by choice. Choice is another trait we have inherited from the Supreme. Our obligation is to just get clean, to go for a purging.
May the Source be with you!
1.9 miles / 3 km
Hare Krishna! Glorification of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam by…
→ Dandavats.com
Hare Krishna! Glorification of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam by dance ballet
On the auspicious occasion of Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja goswami’s disappearance day today we wish to present the devotees all over the world the dance ballet performed last month in the glory of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam. This dance ballet was performed on the occasion of Radhastami Adhivas at ISKCON, Mira Road (Mumbai, India) on 20th September 2015, which coincided with inauguration of weeklong festivals to mark the grand opening of Sri Sri RadhaGiridhari temple at Mira Road that is poised to become the crest jewel for the western suburbs of Mumbai. Please relish viewing the video
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20677
Vishaka Devi Dasi asks
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Is it wrong to kill mosquitos even though they are trying to hurt us?
The post Vishaka Devi Dasi asks appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Ratha yatra in Milan 2015 (Album with photos)
Find them here:…
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Mukunda Goswami’s Srimad Bhagavatam class (30 min…
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Mukunda Goswami’s Srimad Bhagavatam class (30 min video)
Lecture given on New Govardhana Hare Krishna Farm (Australia).
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/mn1zjR
Mukunda Goswami’s health update.
H.H. Mukunda Goswami has…
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Mukunda Goswami’s health update.
H.H. Mukunda Goswami has suffered a heart attack after he slipped and broken his hip two days ago. He is in the hospital, in good spirits, chanting and reading, but the doctors could not operate him due to his heart condition.
Maharaj was one of the first members of ISKCON and has spent the last 50 years in service to Srila Prabhupada. Please pray for Maharaja’s full recovery.
HH BB Govinda Swami Rocks Hong Kong! (3 min video)
Recording on…
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HH BB Govinda Swami Rocks Hong Kong! (3 min video)
Recording on a kirtan at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong. People are all happily dancing and chanting with maharaja! The mrdanga (Vrindavan Kirtan) and the harmonium (Akincana Krishna) were carrying them to the highest ecstasy. Jaya!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/JOATun
Daily Darshan – October 25th, 2015 – Mangal Arati
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The post Daily Darshan – October 25th, 2015 – Mangal Arati appeared first on Mayapur.com.
The Joy of Devotion music festival 2015 – Live with HG Atmaram…
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The Joy of Devotion music festival 2015 - Live with HG Atmaram Das (6 min video)
Recorded at the music concert organised by Study of Indian Culture Limited and co-organised by ISKCON (Hong Kong) on 22 October 2015.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/WEZZlB
October 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily…
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October 25. ISKCON 50 – S.Prabhupada Daily Meditations.
Prabhupada had always done much preaching by letter writing. When he was alone as a householder in India he had written many letters to influential leaders, including a prophetic letter to Mahatma Gandhi asking him to quit politics and study Bhagavad-gita or die an inglorious death. He had written to big businessmen and top politicians. They were not mere formal letters asking for funds, but deeply personal, sincere appeals and filled with philosophical explanations of the need to take up the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita to solve all the social, political and economic problems of the present day. Prabhupada did not get much favorable response from these letters, but he was undaunted in attempting them. He was like a voice crying in the wilderness. Now alone in New York City, penniless and practically homeless, he appealed directly for funds to purchase a building for a temple.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20490/#25
Daily Darshan – October 25th, 2015
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The post Daily Darshan – October 25th, 2015 appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Shayan Darshan Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;19th october 2015
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Shayan Darshan Of Sri Sri Radha Gopinath;19th october 2015
27 Oct 2015 – Sri Krsna Saradiya Rasayatra
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27 Oct 2015 – Disappearance Day of Sri Murari Gupta
→ ISKCON Desire Tree
27 Oct 2015 – Laksmi Puja
→ ISKCON Desire Tree
October 25, 2015
→ ISKCON News
Let Me Taste Some Pleasure
→ Japa Group
From Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami
Sensitively transforming others’ hearts – Analysis of Lord Chaitanya’s delivering Sarvabhauma
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Lecture Podcast:
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When Buddha and Kalki appear in Kali-yuga, why is Vishnu called Tri-yugi?
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Answer Podcast:
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When Sarvabhauma was an impersonalist how could he appreciate symptoms of love of God in Lord Chaitanya?
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Answer Podcast:
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If I don’t have enough sattva to study sabda constantly, should I not become a brahmachari?
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Answer Podcast:
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When staying silent amidst injustice is wrong, why did Yudhishthira passively accept the Kauravas’ atrocities?
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Is dissatisfaction because of not being able to read scripture regularly good?
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Answer Podcast:
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