Bhaktimarga Swami: Never Seen Such a Group before! (Delaware…
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Bhaktimarga Swami: Never Seen Such a Group before!
(Delaware State Park, Pennsylvania-Saturday, October 3rd, 2015)
A constant rain fell upon us for a four hour hike within hilly Pennsylvania before the drive to today’s destination at Old Forge. The occasion was the opening of a yoga studio situated in an old renovated railway station. A cargo train still goes by on a daily basis. The station’s interior itself is smartly done up to accommodate the spiritually enhanced. Father Bill, who frequented Iskcon’s Laguna Beach center years ago, is teaching yoga in the premises along with other persons who conduct presentations on meditation, yoga, and prayer. Father Bill embraces Christian liberalism. He asked that I speak on a topic that would cover the concept of bhakti, devotion, and how it is a form of yoga that entails a relationship with God. He also asked that I express the nature of God as Radha and Krishna, the Divine Female and Male. I did as he asked, along with expressing the superior or essential element of yoga and that it is not just a physical exercise - ultimately it involves a profound love for the Supreme.
Kirtan (chanting) was the most important component of the presentation and ended up being an inclusive exercise. For everyone, that experience probably topped the joy of eating prasadam which was so kindly provided by devotees who prepared and delivered the outstanding feast from Iskcon Philadelphia.
I can say with full honesty that I have never seen a group of such gracious, smiling, and appreciative people in an American setting. I felt, along with team players Vivasvan and Tre’von, that we were not in a physical place or even at a train station. We were transported to another realm primarily because everyone approached and engaged in kirtan in a surrendered mood. It was a thrill to see a nun in full regalia, that is, in the traditional nun’s habit chanting and dancing in our circle.

Lower the Mask
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- Shel Silverstein

I used to lose my voice a lot. I would lose it especially when I wanted to express myself the most. I have been on nine traveling youth bus tours and on eight of those tours inevitably I would lose my voice. At times my throat hurt to even hold a conversation, I had to whisper. Something I loved to do - participate in and also be asked to lead kirtan - quickly became out of the question.

Today I have been meditating on a quality that I have been meditating on for almost ten years: vulnerability. Vulnerability means being stronger than I ever thought humanly possible. Vulnerability means opening the heart - again, and again, and again - because without living a vulnerable life I am living a shell of a life.

Vulnerability means honesty. It means sharing the heart with clarity, for all of its messy and beautiful glory.

Vulnerability means owning my own messy, beautiful glory. No one else is responsible for the state of my heart.

Vulnerability means opening up the heart, knowing it could be smashed. Or worse, it could be ignored.

Vulnerability is the only way to live because it means getting in touch with the truest part of my soul and living that. It's easy to hide behind a mask of "fineness" because if people criticize or hurt the mask, hey, it's just the mask.

But if people hurt or criticize me - with no mask - then that's, well, ME.

Living life without a mask is damn scary.

And it is the only way to be seen for the real me. No other way of living will satisfy the spirit. How satisfying could it be to be loved for my mask, no matter how beautiful that mask is? Some movie stars go through this quite literally - plastic surgery.

I don't have enough money for plastic surgery or expensive wardrobes or fancy cars. So I put up my own plastic surgery of shutting down and an ingenuine smile. The cost is not money. The cost is living a life half-lived.

When I open my heart to live from a vulnerable place, a truly deep place, then love goes deep into my heart. To be hated and loved for who I am is infinitely more satisfying than to be hated and loved for who I charade to be.

I have lost my voice many times, although less and less over the years. Nevertheless, the journey is everyday, the process of lowering the mask and letting myself speak from the heart. Sing from the heart.

This life ain't no masquerade ball. Lower the masks, lower the masks! and let our eyes open and our voices fly free.

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God Proposes, Man Accepts
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(A condensed version of this article was published earlier here. This article has been expanded at the request of readers who had wanted to read more on this theme.)

“Man proposes, God disposes” is a familiar wry comment. It is a saying by which we try to philosophize when factors beyond our control foil our best plans. Despite the adage, we do feel immensely frustrated when we have to watch helplessly as providence wrecks our cherished plans one after another. When we either can’t get what we want or must accept what we don’t want, we become miserable. And because such situations come quite frequently in our life, misery is our unavoidable companion.

 

Little Control Means No Control

Most people tackle this dilemma by trying to increase their ability to control things. They think that acquiring wealth, power, knowledge, fame, beauty, and even renunciation will help. But do these really solve the problem? They seem to give us control over our lives and surroundings, but they themselves are beyond our control. For example, a wealthy person imagines that his monetary power gives him control over his life and so wants to increase his wealth unlimitedly (Bhagavad-gita 16.13–15). But he can lose the wealth through events beyond his control, such as a stock market crash. Thus wealth creates an illusion of control. It only increases anxiety by making us more dependent on things beyond our control. And money can’t bribe death, which in a moment strips us of everything (10.34). Hence the Gita (2.8) asserts that material solutions offer no actual relief. Srila Prabhupada succinctly states the futility of mundane attempts to control our lives: “Little control means no control.”

The Bhagavad-gita offers a dramatically different remedy: God proposes, man accepts. All attempts to become happy in the material world are ultimately misdirected. They keep us out of harmony with God. The perfection of our intelligence is to harmonize our will with the divine will (7.19).

All the major religions teach us to faithfully and gracefully accept reversals as the unknowable will of the Lord. The prayer of Jesus the night before he was crucified—“Let Thy will be done, not mine”—is a well-known example. In times of pain and grief, prayerful surrender to the will of the Lord can bring relief. But most people cannot muster the faith needed for offering such a bold prayer.

The Bhagavad-gita holds a unique position among the world’s scriptures in that it offers a solid intellectual springboard and a well-defined spiritual trajectory for this leap of faith. The philosophy of the Gita is so cogent, coherent, and complete that after understanding it Arjuna accepted the Lord’s desire that his relatives be killed. And he went even further. He agreed to help bring about the execution of Krishna’s desire. Karisye vacanam tava: “I will do whatever You say.” (18.73)

 

Insights from the GIta

Here’s a summary of the Gita’s extraordinarily empowering perspective on the reversals of life:

  • We are not gross bodies or subtle minds, but are eternal souls (7.4–5). Therefore the sufferings caused by the mind, the body, and their extensions—relatives, friends, possessions, positions—no matter how devastating, do not deprive us of our essential spiritual identity and purpose in life: to revive our loving relationship with God. We have a changeless, blissful core that no reverses can take away. Knowing that is a source of tremendous solace and strength when everything around us seems to be falling apart (2.13–16).
  • Krishna is our Supreme Father (14.4). He loves all of us, even when we spurn His love or deny His existence. The practical sign of His selfless, causeless love is that He creates and maintains everything we wayward children need to enjoy material happiness. He provides all the universal necessities, such as heat and light (15.12–13). He keeps all our bodily functions, such as digestion, in proper order (15.14). He gives us the inspiration and intelligence to enjoy life according to our desires (15.15). Thus the Lord is our supreme well-wisher and supporter (5.29).
  • The universal laws of action and reaction govern all events in the material world. Reversals come upon us not by cruel chance but by our own past misdeeds, in either this or earlier lives. To accept the law of karma is not fatalistic, creating feelings of helplessness and impotence, as some people say. Nor is it psychologically damaging, creating haunting feelings of guilt, as others allege. Rather, a mature understanding of the impartial law of karma is empowering. It confirms that we do have some control over our lives. By harmonizing with the universal laws of action, as explained in the God-given scriptures, we have the power to create a bright future for ourselves, no matter how bleak the present may seem (3.9).
  • For those steadfastly devoted to the Lord, karmic laws aren’t all that’s involved. The Lord Himself orchestrates the events in the lives of His devotees so that they are most expeditiously elevated to the platform of unlimited, eternal, spiritual happiness (12.6–7). Indeed for the faithful the Lord transforms material adversity into spiritual prosperity. An intelligent transcendentalist is therefore able to see a painful reversal as a spiritual catharsis, as a surgery for the materially infected soul. A surgery, though painful, frees the body from dangerous infection and promotes recovery. Similarly, material adversity, though painful, frees the soul from the shackles of matter and promotes the realization of his blissful spiritual identity.

 

Wisdom in Action

After hearing Krishna’s message, Arjuna realized that Krishna was not urging him to fight the war for petty personal gains. Rather, Krishna was giving him the privileged opportunity to play a crucial role in a divine plan. He could help reestablish order and harmony in human society. He could destroy the anti-social elements who had grabbed power. Hence his fighting was necessary and beneficial service to God and to all living beings as the children of God. He realized that all the assembled warriors, including his loved ones, were eternal souls. They would continue to live after their bodily death. And by dying in the presence of the supremely pure Lord Krishna, they would be purified of their sinful mentality and would attain spiritual freedom.

Before hearing the Gita, Arjuna had felt hopeless (2.6). If he killed his relatives, he reasoned, he would be committing a heinous sin (1.36). If he chose not to fight, he would have no way to live and would be disgraced for having abandoned the battle like a coward (2.33–36). After hearing the Gita, he recognized that he had no need to fear sin. Krishna taught him that action in line with His will brings purification and elevation, not sin and suffering (18.65–66). Arjuna’s fighting would benefit not only himself but the whole world, including his slain relatives.

Because Krishna’s will always triumphs, Arjuna would not die while fighting. But even if he did, he would attain the highest spiritual realm of everlasting happiness by laying down his perishable body in a holy war. Therefore after hearing the Gita, Arjuna confidently picked up his famed Ga∫∂iva bow, which he had dejectedly cast aside. He emphatically declared his willingness to execute the all-beneficial will of the Lord (18.73). Thus the Gita is a graphic illustration of how action in accordance with spiritual wisdom transforms a disastrous reversal into a glorious triumph.

The Gita’s comprehensive philosophical explanations serve as a map for the aspiring transcendentalist on the spiritual odyssey back to harmony with the Lord (16.24). Yoga, linking one’s consciousness with the Lord, is the means to return to harmony. The Gita states that meditation (dhyana-yoga), speculation (jñana-yoga), detached action (karma-yoga), and devotional service (bhakti-yoga) are means by which a soul can advance on the path back to harmony. Ultimate success, however, comes only by devotional service (11.54–55). Other paths are only steppingstones to the attainment of that devotion (6.47, 7.19, 3.9). The best method of devotional meditation for the current period in the cosmic cycle (Kali-yuga) is mantra meditation (10.25), especially the chanting of the maha-mantra—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—which awakens the soul to his eternal identity.

Abstaining from self-destructive activities of meat-eating, gambling, intoxication, and illicit sex accelerates the return to harmony. Bhakti-yoga progressively leads to the full blossoming of our higher nature and culminates in prema, selfless love for the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. This love includes unconditional surrender to the will of the Lord. The resulting harmony of divine love makes life a joy at every moment even in this life. This divine love is the ultimate achievement of life. It conquers even death, for it continues eternally in the highest abode, the spiritual world, the realm of pure consciousness.

In Gita-mahatmya, Sripad Sankaracarya explains the unique position of the Bhagavad-gita within the vast Vedic library. He compares the Vedic scriptures to a cow, Krishna to a cowherd boy milking the cow, Arjuna to a calf, and the Gita to the milk of the cow. Thus he considers the Gita the essence of all the Vedic literature.

Appreciation for the Gita is not limited to Vedic circles. Many Western scholars, including Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, have found the Gita to be amazingly lucid and relevant. Mahatma Gandhi comments about the transforming potency of the Gita’s wisdom: “When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and meanings from it every day.”

Despite significant scholarly appreciation, the message of the Gita became a beacon light guiding the lives of millions worldwide only through the tireless efforts of Srila Prabhu-pada, the greatest exponent of Vedic wisdom in modern times. Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-gita As It Is continues to be the world’s most widely read version of the Gita, with millions of copies in print in dozens of languages. In his Introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srila Prabhupada succinctly states the pragmatic and profound value of its wisdom: “The purpose of the Gita is to deliver mankind from the nescience of material existence. . . . If one adopts the principles enunciated in Bhagavad-gita, he can make his life perfect and make a permanent solution to all the problems of life.”

Let us therefore equip ourselves with the wisdom of the Gita and confidently traverse the unpredictable journey of life to successfully achieve our eternal home in the kingdom of God.

 

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If God is the explanation for everything, what is the explanation for God?
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How to deal with doubts about God’s existence coming from the study of science?
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Prabhupada – dependent on Krishna yet dynamic in service – 50th anniversary address
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Sunday Feast Class at Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple, Los Angeles, on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in America
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Friday, October 2nd, 2015
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Friday, October 2nd, 2015
Matamoras, Pennsylvania

A Cool Mayor

Monks in our order are allowed to vote but I would not, even if I would be an American citizen. If I WERE to vote, I would cast my vote on November 3rd for Judith L. Kennedy. She is the mayor of Newburghin New York State and with her term coming to an end and the election campaign going on, she has the chance to be re-elected. The reason why I would have put a check to her name had I the opportunity, is because she stands for moral values. I spent an hour talking to her over dinner at Newburgh’s vegetarian restaurant, Nimai’s Bliss Kitchen. Judith and I dialogued over many topics concerning the way our society is. She let me know of a recent shooting of eight people in a college in Oregon. God, I didn’t know. I haven’t been following the news lately although I got interviewed by Mark of the Sentinel Newspaper today. With Judith, we spoke of rampant drug use, the world of Reaganomics, commercialism, and being in deep debt. We spoke of Americaand the world at large being like the Roman Empire, a civilization that fell into decline with the cause coming from within.

She was totally right on with her assessment and that there’s need for change. She came, along with others, to the restaurant not just for a meal but also to hear from The Walking Monk, so I delivered 'Tales From Trails', and to do something that can shake up a troubled world, so we did kirtan. We chanted and danced up a storm, including Judith. She’s totally cool. After a long day trudging through drizzle, tracking back for dinner, and after stepping into a new state, Pennsylvania, it was worth coming to the event.

I expressed to the group how our guru, Srila Prabhupada, came to the West 50 years ago with a message and part of that message was about redefining what we call ‘partying’. His definition, having a good time with kirtan and acknowledging the Source. Judith actually mentioned to me that she uses the word Source quite a lot. Anyways, I hope to see her stay in her mayoral seat for another term.

 
May the Source be with you!

Port Jervis, Milford, Matamoras

19 miles / 31 km

 

 

How to see death of a loved one philosophically without becoming hardhearted
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How are trust and expectation related? Can we love without trust?
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By trusting someone, aren’t we give the key to our happiness to that person?

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Happy Birthday (Vyasa Puja) to Bhaktimarga Swami!
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Today, October 5th, marks the birthday (what we often say as "Appearance Day") of our very own HH Bhaktimarga Swami!  As many of our regular temple-goers know, Bhaktimarga Swami serves as Co-GBC (Governing Body Commissioner) for our Canadian Hare Krishna temples.  This means that he helps guide the spiritual course for our Canadian temples and their respective communities.

Known for his amiable personality, humble disposition and incredibly artistic nature, Maharaj is at the very heart of so many giant projects across our country.  Our Toronto temple's vibrant community, innovative outreach and fledgling congregation are certainly attributable to our dearest Maharaj.

The disciples of Bhaktimarga Swami will be organizing a Vyasa Puja celebration on Monday, October 12th (the long weekend Monday) at 12:00pm at the temple.  In our tradition, it is customary for disciples to honour their guru (spiritual master) on the occasion of his appearance day.  Everyone is welcome to join these celebrations on Monday, October 12th. You don't need to be a disciple to attend, even well-wishers are welcome!

We encourage devotees to share your "birthday / appearance day" wishes to Bhaktimarga Swami by commenting below.  We will share your wishes with Maharaj!  Hare Krsna!

About Bhaktimarga Swami (from his website):
Born in 1952 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Bhaktimarga Swami (formerly John Peter Vis) adopted the monastic lifestyle of the Hare Krishna order in 1973.  Globally known for his “Canwalk” marathons, he achieved the remarkable feat of walking across the entire length of Canada from the west to east coast in 1996 which was detailed in the National Film Board of Canada’s documentary, “The Longest Road”.  Bhaktimarga Swami repeated the feat again in 2003 (this time from east to west), and yet again a third time (west to east) in 2007.

Believe it or not, The Walking Monk recently finished his FOURTH trek across Canada in the summer of 2014 (Canwalk 4) which began in the spring of 2012.  With this "friend-raiser", he is once again promoted pilgrimage and a more car-free, care-free lifestyle.  In addition to Canada he has also walked across the countries of Ireland, Israel, Fiji Islands, Mauritius, Trinidad and Guyana. 

Bhaktimarga Swami is a member of ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) founded by his teacher, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and is the GBC (Governing Body Commissioner) for ISKCON Canada.

In addition to marathon walking and administrative duties, Bhaktimarga Swami is an instructor of Bhakti Yoga (devotion to the Divine) and mantra meditation.  He is also a playwright, producer and director of live avant garde “morality theatre”, whose captivating works based on tales from ancient India are performed regularly across the globe. In his productions, The Walking Monk regularly engages youth from the global communities he visits in this “enter-lightenment” designed to uplift the spirit. 

Our Dear Head Pujaris at Krsna-Balarama Mandir
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Our dear and beloved head pujaris (priests who perform worship services on the altar), Brahma das and Sathvathanu devi dasi are currently traveling in India.  Their travels mark the first time they have left the country in many years; their full focus on the daily care of our beautiful Deities has meant that traveling has been out of the question.  

So it was with great excitement that we heard (and then came across pictures) of Brahma prabhu performing an arati ceremony in the world-famous Krsna-Balarama Mandir in Vrndavana!  Check out the pictures below and be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post expressing your appreciation for our two wonderful head pujaris as they spend time in the holy and sacred land of Vrndavana!  We will try to forward your messages to them.












Thursday, October 1st, 2015
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Thursday, October 1st, 2015
Montgomery, New York

Walk or Drive But Move

The temperature has dropped to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s still fine and the weather is not severely austere. Yesterday, rain and drizzle came periodically and whether accompanied by umbrella, plastic poncho or not, constant walking provides warmth. In looking at the bright side of things, the rain of yesterday and the coolness of today provides a transition of texture and colour to the vegetation and foliage all around. Hence, the awesomeness of autumn begins to show its usual splendor.

By 1:30 PM I had completed my targeted 20 miles. That was done to make room for a drive to Schenectedy, a historic city in New York State. There we conducted a sangha, a devotional gathering with the Guyanese community. Sabrina was our host. With children all the way to seniors in the group, the mild challenge is to keep everyone perked up and attentive. Any presentation should inspire. For me, before attempting such a task, an internal mindfulness of prayer, as brief as it may be certainly helps in the endeavour.

I spoke from 9.29 of the Bhagavad Gita and explored the fairness of God. We read through the purport of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, by the way of charades. That’s always a winning approach for the kids.

Kirtan (chanting) and blessed food known as prasad finished off a great evening before the long drive back to our rendezvous in Newburgh. When choosing whether to be a passenger in a van or walking on the road, I prefer the latter. However, it’s always good to be in that vehicle to maximize time in the company of my team players, Vivasvan and Tre’von. Incidentally, Tre’von is completing a good amount of mantrameditation on his beads. It’s day number two of accomplishing 16 revolutions on the beads.

 
May the Source be with you!

20 miles / 32 km

IDEA – 4 insights for facing adversities
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Talk to students of California State University, Channel Islands
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How can I write a book?
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I have been sharing bhakti wisdom for many years and have many ideas that I wish to put together as a book. How can I go about doing this?

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Is thinking that we may not attain Krishna in one life being realistic or being lethargic?
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How can we avoid losing enthusiasm as we keep practicing bhakti over the years?
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How do our relationships in this world relate with our relationship with Krishna?
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Overcome discouragement through spiritual wisdom
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Gita class at ISKCON, Laguna Beach
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When prasad is so purifying, why don’t those who take prasad regularly get fully purified?
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“Man is the architect of his own fortune, so you make your…
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“Man is the architect of his own fortune, so you make your fortune now.”
Dhruvanath: I’d come back from India as a hippie in 1969 or ‘70, and I was attempting to write a book based on the hallucinogenic drug experiences I’d had there. At that time the devotees had a big hit record, The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, and I thought it would be a great idea to have a chapter of interviews with the devotees.
When I finally found the temple, I met Kulashekar prabhu, and he said, “Our spiritual master is upstairs, why don’t you talk to him?” I said, “Great, why not?” We went to Prabhupada’s room on the first floor in Bury Place.
Before we entered, Kulashekar told me that Prabhupada was a great personality and we should offer our respects to him. I said, “Fair enough.”
Prabhupada was sitting on a cushion behind a low desk on the far side of the room with his back to the window. He was writing something and had his glasses down his nose. He peered up and said, “Hare Krishna,” and somehow I felt overwhelmed to be in his presence.
I automatically fell to the floor like a stick as I had seen devotees do in the temple downstairs. I simply lay there frozen, thinking: “What do I do now? When do I get up?” A few moments passed and Kulashekar motioned, “Okay, you can get up now.”
I had preconceived questions I was going to ask, because at that time LSD was my method for achieving self-realization. But when I sat there directly facing Srila Prabhupada, I went blank. I was speechless.
Somehow or other I had read The Nectar of Devotion, and I remembered that the pure devotees’ eyes are anointed with the salve of love.
Looking at Prabhupada’s eyes I could see this, and I could see that he was unlike anyone I had ever met in my life. After we had exchanged pleasantries, some moments passed, and then Prabhupada broke the ice by saying something that showed he knew what I was thinking.
He said, “How unfortunate it is that the youth of today are trying to become self-realized through the use of hallucinogenic drugs.” I was totally taken aback because this was exactly what I was going to challenge Prabhupada on. All my thoughts of writing a book went out the window.
After that I plucked up some courage and asked a question, “What are the characteristics of a pure devotee?” Prabhupada expounded for about twenty minutes just on that question.
I was with Prabhupada for about an hour, and Kulashekar was the only other devotee in the room at the time. Before I left, Prabhupada looked at me straight in the eyes and said, “Man is the architect of his own fortune, so you make your fortune now. Whatever is done is done. Now start a new chapter in your life, and in the next life go back home, back to Godhead.”
Those words are still ringing in my ears to this day.

Hare Krishna! The Cow Incarnation Of Lord Vishnu O Shri Hari,…
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Hare Krishna! The Cow Incarnation Of Lord Vishnu
O Shri Hari, Krishna, You are the Remover of all that is evil in the form of materialistic desires that have chained us conditioned souls to the vicious cycle of birth and death. I eternally bow again and again in the dust of the hoof prints of the cows that follow You in Vrindavana. Again and again let us take the dust of the hooves of the cows of Vrindavana upon our heads as we fall down like a stick before the dust of the herd of Vraja. By the grace of Mother Cow alone we see imprinted here and there in the pasturelands wetted by milk from the joyous herd numbering crores, the footprints of Lord Krishna and His cowherd boy friends running here and there. Veritably Shri Krishna, the Source of all Incarnations, is none other than Vraja Gopala, Govinda, Gopinatha and Gopijanavallabha in His Original Form.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20223

Curiosity kills the cat
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 August 2015, Stockholm, Sweden, Srimad Bhagavatam 3.6.6)

Krsna_and_gopakumar

The living beings originate in the spiritual world and then come to a state where they enter into tatashta – tatha, it means the edge – the marginal state where they are neither in the spiritual world nor in the material world. It is the state where the living being enters into contemplation upon his nature, as it is within his nature to not only be the servant of Krsna but also to be isvara, or the controller and enjoyer.

Once that contemplation is there, that is when the living entity enters into a neutral state. So it is not that in the spiritual world, in the midst of loving Krsna, suddenly envy develops, ‘Why do I have to serve Krsna?!’ That is not the case. It is simply that upon eternity, the living entity discovers an aspect of his own nature and when he dwells on it then for that moment, he is in tatashta, in marginal state where he is not absorbed in service.

Then from that state he can immediately return, ‘What is this?! I am not involved now in the nectarian service of the Lord! Let me immediately reassume that service!’  Or one can become curious – as they say in English, ‘Curiosity kills the cat.’  It is curiosity that can bring the living entity to the point where he decides, ‘Yes, maybe I want to try out that material realm!’  Then the living entity comes into the material energy – anadi mahirmukha – meaning that they are in the material world since the time immemorial…

Only the Best Marble for the TOVP – Part 2
- TOVP.org

This is a continuation of the previous article in which TOVP Managing Director, Sadbhuja das, went to Europe to see and purchase some of the world’s most unique marble, the best of the best.

Pictured in photo 1 and 2 is the Royal Blue marble from Bolivia that will be used on the Altars.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

In photos 3, 4 and 5 we can see Sadbhuja standing next to some samples of white marble from Vietnam; a mock up what it will look like right next to blue marble mixed together on the steps.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

And finally a pink marble from Turkey is shown in the photo 6.

[See image gallery at tovp.org]

The post Only the Best Marble for the TOVP – Part 2 appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Glastonbury Rathayatra (Album with photos) This Sunday was…
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Glastonbury Rathayatra (Album with photos)
This Sunday was Glastonbury Rathayatra, the last Rathayatra of the year! It was a blissful street procession as the devotees chanted and danced their way through Glastonbury town. The festival was carried on later in the Assembly Rooms with a stage programme of Bhajans, poems, songs, Parasuram’s famous magic show, a final kirtan and of course a delicious feast at the end. A really wonderful end to the Rathayatra season. Jai Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra! Jai Srila Prabhupada!
Find them here: https://goo.gl/12Vuyz

New video: Only devotees can know Krsna With the analogy of bee…
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New video: Only devotees can know Krsna
With the analogy of bee licking on the bottle of honey, Srila Prabhupada explains that Mayavadis do not have access to the real knowledge about Krsna as they do not dive deep into the ocean of devotion. Please watch this video to know some more philosophical points about how only devotees can know Krsna.
Watch it here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20212