Monday, September 21st, 2015
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Monday, September 21st, 2015
Hopkinton, Massachusetts

A Full Day

Off to a great start. Three of us, Karuna, Pradyumna, and I, walk in the dark, westbound. At 5:25 AM we hit the pavement as our driver, Vivasvan, pulls ahead three miles to park and heads back on foot until we meet. He then continues to move forward with us until we reach the vehicle. That's our system until the passions of the morning come to their zenith.

By 9 AM we all needed some downtime. We chose a park in Hopkinton to lie down on the grass under one of its great trees. Before doing so, we noted a bronze statue of a man with a Hitchcockian physique holding a gun in his right hand above his head. Curious, we decided to read the plaque at its base and lo and behold we discovered that this is the starting point of the famous Boston Marathon Run initiated in 1905. Wow!

I napped, as did Pradyumna, and was poised to continue to trek, when I saw a man and woman setting up chairs by the park's gazebo. Seniors, some with the aid of walkers, moved towards those chairs. I asked one of the boys if we could somehow participate in what they were going to do and Jennifer, the woman, introduced herself to me and said I could help. Rachel, a yoga/dance/stretch instructor then led the group of seniors into easy stretches. When asked what I could offer, the folks were seated. I knew I couldn't ask them to do our usual 'Swami Step' to music so I came up with a sit-down version, the 'Swami Swerve', which requires arms in the air, swaying, and twisting at the waist. We all enjoyed moving to the recording of Willie Nelson's rendition of 'Blue Skies' and Steve Miller's Band doing 'I Could Fly Like An Eagle.' Our crew was also enjoying the stretches to address our stiff limbs. Great fun!

Then Jennifer invited us for lunch at the Golden Pond Assisted Living & Memory Care Facility. It was something we couldn't refuse. "No onions and garlic if you don't mind," I asked. She wanted to know why the restrictions but asked unchallengingly. Also she was curious about our meditation beads and the marking on our forehead. Kelsey, from the Bahamas, was the chef and provided us with a gourmet-standard meal catered to our diet. Emma served. They were both darlings.

Onward we went and discovered the most outstanding wild grapes. The greatest discovery of the day, however, was finding Ganesh at the base of a lake's edge. Our men were parked at Pratt Pond and were looking at a promising swimming spot when they spotted a clay-based colourful object submerged in fresh water - the adorable Ganesh. Voila! What a find!

Karuna pulled him out of the water and I pronounced that he join us for our walk as a passenger in our SUV. This deity is known to remove obstacles on the path of devotion. We seated him in the middle of the second row of seats and he appeared like a prince.

The last of this day's installments of joy was time spent at the Hartford centre for ISKCON. There we honored a day for Radha. As I mentioned to Rachel earlier, "We did a half-day fast in dedication to the Goddess." There it ended. I was united with godbrothers like Niranjan Swami, a fine example of a monk!
 

May the Source be with you!

37 km/23 miles

 

“No scarcity of acarya…”
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SP 9

I have written several times of the need in society for an increased numbers of volunteers to provide good spiritual teaching, pastoral care, encouragement and guidance. Essentially the need for gurus, by whatever nomenclature or sub-category we might wish to call them.

In this clip from 1975, the founder-acarya of the Hare Krishna movement requests his followers to create an organisation of many thousands of such ‘acaryas.’


Radhastami Pearl Festival, September 2, Bhakti Center, New York City
Giriraj Swami

09.22.15_02.NYC“Radha means the embodiment of wanting to please. In various sastras they describe that the essence of Her reality is that she wants to please. She is non-different than Krishna. It’s like if you have a rose with fragrance and color and the various potencies of the rose—Radha is the color, Radha is the fragrance, Radha is the potency. Radha is the potency of God. She is what makes God beautiful—which is happiness and His love. Radha is that expression of love to the highest degree.”

—Dhanudhara Swami

09.22.15_01.NYC09.22.15_04.NYC09.22.15_03.NYC09.22.15_05.NYC—————————–
Dhanudhar Swami Bhakti Centre, NYC
Radhanatha Swami Bhakti Centre, NYC
Giriraj Swami Bhakti Centre, NYC

Sunday, September 20th, 2015
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Sunday, September 20th, 2015
Boston/Natick, Massachusetts

Champions Never Go to Sleep

From 72 Commonwealth in Boston at the ISKCON centre, Vivasvan and I set foot on the pathway of the Boulevard and headed west embarking on the first of many steps to cover about six states. On Facebook our pilgrimage project can be viewed under the heading, 'Walking For Our Teachers.' More broadly, this walk is significant in that we pay homage to the people who help us see and do what we could not before. More personally, we take to the road to recognize our own guru's work as he reached out and touched our hearts so that we can see the world by a different light.

We trekked along Beacon St, bore left to reach Centre St.moving through various communities. When our GPS guided us to Highway 9 it looked a bit gloomy. Although there was a sidewalk, it was crooked and broken up because of under usage. "You mean we are going to walk along a fast highway for days?"

Fortunately, at Wellesley we spotted a parallel road and switched. This was more like it. A gentleman sitting at a park bench with newspaper in hand who was kind and expressed he's deep into Zen recommended the new road that would take us to our final steps - to the Town Hall of Natick.

Vivasvan stuck by me all along up to this point before Vicky came to pick us up. Interaction with people was mostly with a swift, "Hi!" but the most precious remark came from a young chap who was climbing into a car with his two companions after an all-nighter. Being the last to get in, he noticed the two of us, raised his arms and said, "Champions never go to sleep!" It was about 6:30 AM and my thought was that Arjuna, the famed warrior of the epic "Mahabharat", was addressed by Krishnaas Gudakesh (conqueror of sleep). Well, we had our sleep alright. We started early with our trekking because I believe heroes always rise early.

A second but public and official kick-start to the walking happened after 3 PM today. From the stage at Boston Commons, a send-off kirtan party led myself and others to Commonwealth Pier where the whole Hare Krishna thing unofficially started 50 years ago.
 

May the Source be with you!

27 km/17 miles

 

Saturday, September 19th, 2015
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Saturday, September 19th, 2015
Boston, Massachusetts

It All Began in Boston

Pilgrims from the USA, Canada, Europe, and other destinations who were keen to be present for a unique historic event, converged at Commonwealth Pier where Srila Prabhupada landed at 5:30 AM on September 17th, 50 years ago.

We did not make a walking venture to commemorate his touching American soil for the first time but rather a three-hour cruise on the 900 person Provincetown II boat. The passengers, myself included, transcended (or tried to) the blistering sun beating on our heads as we immersed ourselves in reflecting on the significance of what would be to secular vision, a small brown monk from India landing in the USA in 1965 and what impact he had for those on board. Speakers went on further to say how perhaps he had impacted the world.

I was given the honour to lead the kirtan in what is called the 'Guru Vandanam' (Prayers to the Guru). This was followed by reflections from senior men and women, disciples of Srila Prabhupada. This was precious.

A second gathering of souls took place at historic Faneuil Hall with Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Graham M. Schweig. The guest speakers who spoke ranged from the political sector to the spiritual one. Now, this might all sound like a real formal experience but actually, it was flavoured by the presence of kirtan. Niranjan Swami sang. And it was Ambarish, the great grandson of Henry Ford, who spoke most endearingly about his ancestral past that captured my heart. What sticks out in my mind regarding what he said about his childhood was that at his Sunday school he demanded to know from his spiritual authorities who is God and how does He look? For this he was made to step out. Of his great grandfather, Henry Ford was known to have a Sufi saint come to his home. Plus to those whom he deemed receptive, he would present them with a pamphlet on reincarnation. Henry Ford was also a vegetarian.

 
May the Source be with you!

5 km




 

Friday, September 18th, 2015
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Friday, September 18th, 2015
Toronto/Boston

Long Leap

Yes, it was a long leap from Toronto to Boston by van. It was even a greater challenge for my driver, Vivasvan, who took a four hour drive from Detroit before arriving in Toronto to pick us up. All in all, it was 15 hours in transport for him and a little less for Vicky and I leaving from Toronto.

I enjoyed the company of the two comrades and even more the purpose or intent of our venture. We were off to participate in the 50th anniversary of our guru’s arrival to America. Furthermore, I was about to embark on my first marathon walk in the States beginning on the 20th. It will be a send off from Boston.

There was much anticipation in the air in the capsule of Vivasvan’s van. We drove most of the way with the rooftop open and the side windows at half mast. We were feeling the air alright and it was positive.

My legs were antsy, wanting to be mobile. Maybe one day they’ll make cars with treadmills in them. With no walking put in today due to the drive and adrenaline rushing up and down with great prospects ahead, it added interesting dimensions to the urges of the legs.

Our dialogue covered many things such as upcoming media, the walking route we would take, and so on. But the discussions and tales on the contributions our gurumade to the world and how he personally touched many lives to transformational levels, captivated us the most as we sailed down those highways to Boston.


May the Source be with you!

0 km

Thursday, September 17th, 2015
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Thursday, September 17th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

I Was Walking

I was walking south on Jarvis Streetand came full stop at a street juncture. Also waiting for the lights to change was one other person, a young man, tall, bespectacled, and with a partial beard. I thought, “Let me open my mouth, let me try friendship.”

“The climate this evening is just perfect, isn’t it?”

“Agreed.”

“It doesn’t get better than these last few nights.” There’s a pause. “Are you from the city?” I asked.

“Most of my life I’ve lived here but frankly I moved about 30 times to different locations.”

“What? Were your parents with the Canadian Forces that they were assigned to different posts?”

“Not really,” said the young man, “my parents separated when I was young."

“How did you handle that? It must have been tough?”

“Yes, it was,” he admitted. “I eventually got over it. It took a lot of time.”

“Do you think you’ve learned from the experience? I mean to say, there comes a time when we reach the same juncture like what your parents went through, such as their likely disagreements which arose before they decided to part?”

“In time I learned to be very careful about everything,” he said and then he indicated with a smile that he had to take a right while I continued straight down Jarvis.

I was content to have an easy chat with someone I didn’t know and about something quite personal. “Very careful” is what lingered and in my mind I quite concur with the policy. On further deliberation though, I felt that even with prudence, mistakes, mishaps, and misdemeanors come about. It then becomes necessary to have some anchor in life, something to ground you, or else, you become an emotional wreck.

My simple answer on this subject would be that we must cultivate our love for the Divine, and then we can weather any storm.

 
May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015
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Wednesday, September 16th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Boston! Get Ready!

Praveen is a little jealous (I guess that's the word) when I told him of our one day adventure along the Don River the previous day. Surely he'll take a day off to acquiesce to an adventure such as ours when the opportunity avails itself.

Today I had to submit to going back to a grid. Indeed, Praveen and I did 90 degree turns in order to reach back to our starting point. It was the best loop we could fathom. I made a second installment of the stroll in the evening after some packing and preparation for the trip to Bostonon Friday. I wasn't sure if the Toronto International Film Festival was still underway. I don't keep up with such things. But it did cross my mind, "If I was to bump into one of those movie stars I might toss him/her a mantracard and hope they may catch on to something spiritual instead of themselves." Of course, you can't stereotype such artists. Some are genuine seekers of the truth and lead a fairly sattvic life, I'm sure.

Now back to the plan for Boston: it will take approximately forty-five days to make the journey from Bostonto Butler, Pennsylvania, and then to New York City. The send-off to this venture will be at 4 PM Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, September 20th. The theme of the walk is "Honour Our Teachers." After all, they are the ones who open the door to the world for us and to other worlds as well. I hope to remind us all of the debt we owe those who give us knowledge, especially knowledge about ourselves and life's potential.

So, I'm packing now.

 
May the Source be with you!

7km

 

What to do if the mind gets caught in the sector of disagreement between science and scripture?
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How do we differentiate between scriptural principle and detail?
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How to be selective in our association without becoming judgmental?
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Appreciating scripture’s perennial relevance
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Talk to students at Bhaktivedanta Academy, Alachua

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How do we reconcile the mind’s coming from goodness with goodness giving rise to knowledge?
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How can we prevent the mind from obsessing over negative things that shouldn’t happen?
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Following the Salmon

Karuna, one of our resident monks, and I had planned this half-crazed but necessary warm-up trek for the upcoming marathon from Boston this Sunday. Beginning from the mouth of the Don River, Karuna and I embarked on a river adventure in the city.

We began as the sun moved up from hiding at 6:45am and followed the Don River which at first runs like a straight canal. Before long, somewhere close to the Danforth Bridge, the river becomes its own swervy self and eventually an official trail turns off the river. We took to a meandering cement path, where foot trails disappear and at places you walk on the GO train railroad track. Yes, it's slightly dangerous.

The adventure took us through poison ivy patches, thorny brush (indeed one branch tore into my sleeve), and ducked under a fallen old tree which scraped skin off the tip of my bald head. More pleasantly, we napped at a sandy beach along the river. Apple trees were in abundance - wild, organic, and a wide gamut of tastes. That became our only meal over the 7 1/2 hour trek but for a few intensely powerful wild grapes.

I was quite amazed by the awesome number of bicycle commuters on the southern end of the Don. Of course, you would not be surprised to find some element of the homeless. One fellow had his set-up under a solid bridge, at the end of one of those disappearing trails where it turns into mean forest. Yes, we had to surrender to walking some residential areas. The most intriguing aspect of our foot travel along the Don was seeing the salmon splash their way over rocks for their spawning. They go upstream, splatter, make their leap, and then squiggle their way through more water until they reach their next hurdle. It was totally fascinating.

One more item of the day that sticks out as endearing was the Portuguese road construction fellow who, upon seeing two salmon-coloured monks come along, allowed us preferential entrance onto a barricaded bridge when all other pedestrians were detoured. "Thanks fella! Hare Krishna!"


May the Source be with you!

30 km

Monday, September 14th, 2015
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Monday, September 14th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario

Make Time to Walk

Now is not the time for me to make up excuses for lack of walking.  I flew from Houstonin a 2 1/2 hour flight so I can't say that travelling chewed up all my time.  I just have to prioritize and make sure the legs, feet, torso, arms, and head get what they deserve.

How do I use precious time in one of my days? To answer that, I'll say that as an irregular pattern, when I stay grounded for a few days in one location, it can look something like this:

3:30 am     Rise & shower

3:45 am     Chant on japa beads

4:30 am     Chant to guru and Krishna

7:00 am     Greeting of the deity

7:30 am     Teach from Bhagavatam (or be a student)

8:30 am     Plan travel, catch up on e-mails

9:30 am     Catch up on lost rest

10:30 am   Shower & more office work, counselling in person or on the phone

12:00 noon Gayatri mantraand lunch

12:30 pm   More of the above plus cleaning, planning, working on drama scripts & productions, dealing with people, may include public kirtan

6:00 pm     Dinner

6:30 pm     Class or walk for as long as I can, write, read, and sometimes drama practice

11:00 pm   Rest

Now today, I caught Raviwho frequents our temple and I asked him to be my walking partner for next to an hour or so.  What I admire about him is that although his residence is 1 1/2 kilometres from our temple ashram he walks there all the time.  He does not drive and will not buy a car.  Transportation is by city transit or by walking.  He and I took to walking around the Annex area.  It made my day complete.

 
May the Source be with you!
 
5 km

 

Sunday, September 13th, 2015
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Sunday, September 13th, 2015
Houston, Texas

Contributions

Three speakers presented their views on the contribution made by the founder and teacher of the Hare Krishna Movement, 50 years since its seedling stage. From the perspective of one of our senior monks, Romapada Swami, the achievements our teacher, Srila Prabhupada, contributed to the world are:

1) Promoting the loving relation with a personal God

2) Establishing a leadership of brahmins to guide a spiritual community.

Then a woman from the medical profession, Rambhoru, coming from the angle of good health expressed:

3) A preventative formula for the physical and mental welfare of

the world.

To clarify this point she said that people benefit merely from following the formula of the four regulative principles: a) no meat eating, b) no drugs or liquor, c) no gambling, and d) no whimsical or casual sex. She also credited him for;

4) Creating an alternative family, a community, ‘something bigger

than yourself’.

She also briefly added that here is the person who spearheaded:

5) Indian food, particularly prasadam.

and introduced:

6) Indian clothes to the west.

And finally, a Syrian born Krishna monk, Bhakti Sundar Swami, expressed his appreciation for our teacher’s contributions for:

7) Introducing the culture of chanting.

Furthermore, the swami mentioned:

8) The promotion of non-violence or the protection of animals.

And as I recorded it:

9) Prabhupada’s insertion into the world at large - transcendental

literature. He compiled Vedic wisdom in such volumes as

never seen before. He became the most prolific proponent of

Vedic knowledge in his time.

You could feel that the presentation was well received by all and it enhanced the love and respect for our teacher, Srila Prabhupada. From there on, we all danced and chanted up a storm.

In my notes for the day I wrote from Rambhoru’s talk, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”. The source is poet William Ross Wallace and it means what it says, “The one raising the child, influences the child.” In fact, I put a plug in over the microphone saying that we need to look at the next 50 years and put more attention to strong relations and family values.

 
May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Saturday, September 12th, 2015
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Saturday, September 12th, 2015
Houston, Texas

Days Short and Long

Days are shortening in our northern hemisphere. It can be seen when out in the streets or in the countryside. I’m in the suburbs and the sun peeks out before 7 AM. In the dark, during my walk, I catch the sound of squeaky voices - their source I do not know. Little frogs perhaps? The Rottweiler, who bears a collar, is making his rounds sniffing and searching. I couldn’t understand why he’s roaming about so freely, almost like a stray dog.

A possum was doing much the same, although no collar. This guy is really free. I couldn’t scare him, neither with my footsteps nor even with my towering size. No intimidation from his side whatsoever.

I’m the only one on the street, or sidewalk shall we say, but I can never feel alone. I have this mantra with me. I then enter the temple room. Dozens of pilgrims are chanting with the use of their meditational beads. It is a beautiful devotional mood.

Then, after a great presentation by Romapada Swami, Bhakti Sundara Swami, and Vaisesika, I dove into our drama practice with two more run-throughs before actors donned costumes and makeup. Then came the performance. I announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, ‘Gita: Concise’". The Gauranga Hall was full. The applause and its volume demonstrated eagerness. The show had begun. The lights went on. The character, Ganesh, sticks his elephantine head out of the curtain every which way. The curtain drew open. The magical message of the Gita was conveyed artfully over the next 25 minutes. The applause exploded.

It was all possible to assemble 'Gita: Concise' in 24 hours with the use of recorded voiceover. By the mercy of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, the show became a reality. The day was long.

 
May the Source be with you!

4 km

 

Friday, September 11th, 2015
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Friday, September 11th, 2015
Houston, Texas

U R Greeted

You are greeted by locals and by guests with the use of typical Vaishnava jargon. “Hare Krishna!” is a commonly used salutation. “Haribol!” which literally means “Say the name, Hari (God)!” is also popular. “Krishne Matir Astu” is used by those more familiar with the contents of the Krishnaconscious literature we read (“May Krishna be with you” is a good enough translation for that).

How about in English? Do Hare Krishnas ever use English words to say hello? Well, the word “Hello” or “Hi” is super rare in addressing each other.

Why not try, “How are you?” and you might get something in the form of an answer like, “Fine, now that I’m seeing you.” This is how I was greeted by Vaisesika, one of the honored guests at the event that will be held in Houston this weekend.

The site of the 50th anniversary of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, coming to the west is on 34th Street at Iskcon’s magnificent temple in Houston. People have come here mostly from the US’s Midwest from as far north as Chicago. Presentations have begun today commemorating the historical event of the presence of Hare Krishna on western soil 50 years ago. There will be kirtan,classes, fantastic food, a cultural program held at the the convention centre, and there will be a play – our play, the one I’m bringing to Houston – a play called ‘Gita: Concise’.

My crew is flying in from Florida, Montreal, and Toronto. Some younger generation volunteers will join in, young women from St. Louis and Chicago. As a celibate monk, we generally do not take the company of the opposite sex as habit but from a director’s point of view, the service must get done and everyone busies themselves in such a way that it becomes a team effort with a family feel. Parents have somehow placed trust in me. “For the stage”, I’ve come to resolve, "I can work with everyone".

We only had today to theatrically pull it all together. I asked the actors/dancers to review "Gita: Concise" from Facebook beforehand. This review offered some preparedness for tomorrow’s performance. Yes, we had only 24 hours to put together this epic piece of learning. It will take a miracle, at least some faith.

"Faith", our guru said, "is trust in something sublime".

 

May the Source be with you!

0 km

 

Donor Spotlight: Jaysri Radhe (Dr. Jayshri Chasmawala)
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Even after my dear friend and neighbor, Jaysri Radhe, mentioned her plans to give a donation to TKG Academy on Janmastami, I wasn’t prepared for what was coming. When she handed me the envelope, a big surprise was in store: $2900. And that is not all! She also informed me of her joining our school’s monthly donor program. Her generosity deeply touched my heart and I wanted to share her story.

Jaysri with fatherJaysri Chasmawala’s family is from India. She was born in Boston, and growing up she remembers her father as a devout practitioner of the Ramanuja Sampradaya who provided her first spiritual inspiration. (Later in life, two weeks before leaving his body, he accepted initiation from H.H. Giriraj Swami). As children they often frequented ISKCON temples. Later on, as school demands increased, the visits to the temple became less regular, although Jaysri’s spiritual quest continued. She eventually found her heart’s yearning satisfied back at the Krsna temples she knew from her earlier childhood, and by her senior year in high-school, she and her family renewed their visits.

Jaysri_003Jaysri_005While in College in Austin, TX, the struggle was hard, but devotees continuously reached out to her, inviting her to their programs. After repeated turn-downs and while visiting the family in Fort Worth for a holiday, she finally made it to a program at the Dallas temple. There she – literally – ran into who was to become her spiritual master, Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja. His lecture touched the core of her heart; his talk was relevant and helped solidify her attachment to Krsna. She then read – almost “devoured” – his book Yoga for the 21st Century and felt inspired with a new sense of dedication to her spiritual path. She picked up her chanting and a year later, in the summer of 1996, on Bhima (Nirjala) Ekadasi, she received her first initiation.
Jaysri in clinicWhen she then went onto MED school in Fort Worth, her spiritual master, Srila Tamal Krishna Goswami, offered much encouragement. He especially appreciated her preventative approach to health, which was and still is the focus of her practice. She fondly remembers the many opportunities she got to serve him his meals. On one particular occasion, when she assisted another doctor with preparing and serving a meal, Srila Tamal Krishna Goswamai complained about the quality of the food and jokingly made a statement that “Doctors can’t cook”. When he asked her if she could cook well and she said she couldn’t, he teased: “Become a doctor then!”

She fondly recalls many loving exchanges and funny incidents. He would take the time to personally check on her and show his fatherly affection. His genuine care for her touched her deeply.

Jaysri_001 Jaysri_002

Jaysri ChantingIn 2007, with the goal of being close to the devotee community, Jaysri established her private clinic in the Lakewood neighborhood, just a few minutes’ drive from Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji’s Temple. Eventually, she took the Integrative Holistic Board Exam and decided to further focus her practice on natural methods and started seeing patients at a devotee’s local Yoga Studio. She openly promotes a healthy lifestyle to all she encounter, which includes plant-based diet and meditation. She often encourages her patients to pick up the Hare Krsna mantra chanting as a recommended form of personal meditation.
Jaysri AbhisekJaysri AbhisekaShe received second initiation from His Holiness Giriraj Swami Maharaja in 2011 and immediately began her deity services. She then moved to the immediate temple neighborhood. On several days a week, Jaysri dresses the deities. When asked which she loves the most, she answers with a smile: “I love Them all! I can’t fathom ever giving up my service to any of Them! No matter what else is going on, when I’m on the altar, nothing else matters. It’s so wonderful.”

 

Why did she decide to donate to TKG Academy? “One thing that really stands out to me is that TKG Academy students seem more intelligent and self-confident than other children that I meet.  I attribute that to the emphasis on creativity and arts as much as the academic curriculum.  Since Kirtan is a big part of our philosophy, the children are taught to participate in and lead Kirtans early and often.  Whether it is singing or playing musical instruments, they have a wonderful outlet to engage their creative side.  Studies show that creativity and music increase focus, clarity and positively shape developing minds.  Children are more ready to delve into their studies and have better retention.  While most schools cut back on music and art programs or de-emphasize their importance, TKG Academy highlights those as important as the academics.  This kind of creative outlet also increases self-confidence.
I decided to donate to the school because I think that what TKG Academy is doing is great.  The more individualized curriculums for the students and the small teacher to student ratio are important in shaping the minds of future generations.  I do not plan on having children of my own and donating to this institution is my way of contributing to future Krishna devotees.  And if for some reason I do have a child, well, then I know where I want to send him/her.”

 

 

Jayshri Chasmawala, D.O., is a Board Certified Family Practice and Integrative Holistic Medicine physician with Pure Health Family Practice in the East Dallas community.  She provides excellent quality healthcare in a warm, loving, and compassionate environment. She uses a holistic approach focusing on wellness and prevention while educating patients on health as well as smart lifestyle choices.  She emphasizes the crucial role nutrition plays in health.  Dr. Chasmawala is also the Medical Director at MedPost Urgent Care.  She oversees patient care in an urgent care environment and works there a few days a week.

Dr. Chasmawala’s educational background includes a 2002 Doctor of Osteopathy from the University of North Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.  In 2004 she received her Masters in Public Health from UNT’s School of Public Health where her research focused on eating disorders.  She completed her residency at Houston’s Christus St. Joseph Family Practice Residency Program in 2005. She recently achieved board certification in Integrative Holistic Medicine.   Her dual educational background, continuing medical education endeavors and interest in weight management complement her goal to properly address her patients’ needs of all ages. She is fluent in Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati.

Dr. Chasmawala is from a loving family, which includes her parents, a sister and two brothers.  The family has resided in Fort Worth, Texas since 1986.  She lives in Dallas, enjoys the wealth of activities available, and is still close to her family.  She lives what she “preaches” regarding nutrition and exercise. She is an exercise enthusiast and in the past has participated in several half-marathons and a sprint triathlon among other events.   She follows a vegetarian/ vegan lifestyle with a focus on whole food plant based nutrition.

 

Fight on the strength of love
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 04 April 2010, Durban, South Africa, Lecture)

KKS_Soweto_2015As devotees, we are people with mixed feelings. We have feelings of attraction towards Krsna and we have feelings of attraction towards the material energy. So, every devotee has within himself a dilemma. Therefore, sometimes, spiritual life is described to be a war on maya, in other words, a fight with ourselves. It is not so easy to fight this fight but when you fight this fight on the strength on knowledge, on the strength of deeper understanding of the long-term benefits of following spiritual principles, then this gives some relief but still, it is difficult because on the basis of knowledge, how long can you fight!? Ultimately, we have to fight on the strength of love. We must love our spiritual activities. If we love Krsna consciousness, then we will never be defeated!

Hare Krishna! Offer it Up! Ananda Vrindavana Devi Dasi: I…
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Hare Krishna! Offer it Up!
Ananda Vrindavana Devi Dasi: I learned how to offer at a young age. When I didn’t want to carry the freshly ironed clothes upstairs my mother would cheerfully say, “Offer it up!”. There was no choice about having to do it but she was suggesting where I put my mind in the process. She was teaching me to offer this small activity to God. Those three words stayed with me, and when I was later introduced to Krishna consciousness, the same concept from my childhood appeared to me in Krishna’s teachings. What does it mean to offer? With the clothing, it meant that I did something I didn’t want to do for someone else. I turned this unwelcome activity into a gesture of goodwill. I took the time that I’d rather be doing something else, and gave it away or offered it up.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20017

Hare Krishna devotees back to Croome Court for a day (Album with…
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Hare Krishna devotees back to Croome Court for a day (Album with photos)
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness bought Croome Court in 1979 when famous devotee, George Harrison, reputedly released funds for the purchase to use the Grade I listed mansion as their headquarters. After stamping their own unique mark on the house, which can be seen in the Dining Room decoration scheme over the weekend, they chose to relocate in Watford at Bhaktivedanta Manor which was also bought for them by the world-famous Beatles lead guitarist.
Find them here: https://goo.gl/rNRgQJ

Hare Krishna! Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Disappearance Gour Govinda…
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Hare Krishna! Srila Jiva Gosvami’s Disappearance
Gour Govinda Swami: “A Vaisnava does not take birth under the jurisdiction of karmic law. His birth and disappearance are transcendental. The wise have declared that the servants of Visnu are eternally engaged in the liberated service of the Lord and hence are free from the laws of material nature.” (Padma Purana, quoted in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, 10.113) Srila Jiva Gosvami was the youngest but most prolific writer among the Gosvamis. He wrote an astounding half million Sanskrit verses (about 25 books). When Srila Jiva Gosvami left this world many said that no one like him would ever appear on the planet again.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20013

Hare Krishna! Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple: Radhastami…
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Hare Krishna! Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple: Radhastami Celebrations Captivate Devotees’ Hearts!
On Monday, September, 21st the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple celebrated Radhastami which is the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. Radharani is the female counterpart of Lord Krishna, and She is the embodiment of feminity in nature. In a countless number of temples around the globe, devotees gathered to celebrate this auspicious day and wish Radharani a very happy birthday. The Toronto Hare Krishna temple also took part in the celebrations with guests from all over the world, including the US.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=20007

Srila Prabhupada: “Yes, she cooks for me, and all I do is…
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Srila Prabhupada: “Yes, she cooks for me, and all I do is criticize her. But she would slit her throat for me, and I would do the same for her.”
Malati: When we first arrived in Mayapur, it was the days of the huts with the thatched roofs, the water pump, and the mud everywhere. Srila Prabhupada was staying in the brick hut. My husband, Shyamasundar, was his secretary, and I was his cook. I had always wanted to be his cook, and Krishna had rewarded me. But in Mayapur I was faced with not only service of guru, but service of husband, service of daughter, and trying to maintain my sanity in the situation. Materially it was impossible. There was no facility. I was living in a tent. I had two buckets of water to cook with and the servant would come every day and grab one of the buckets before the meal ended to heat water for Prabhupada’s bath. Each day I had to confront the treasurer, whose duty it was to not give money, and I would usually have a royal argument with him concerning funds for Srila Prabhupada’s bhoga. Then, while going to buy the bhoga, I would have an argument concerning money with the riksha-wala, with the boatman, with the vegetable walas, because they all expected ten times the proper amount from a white person. I had to fight with everybody I dealt with. To double my anxiety, which was already at peak level, Prabhupada’s servant would come and take away the stove just before lunch. On top of that, every day I was thinking, “How can I please Srila Prabhupada?” I really wanted to cook perfectly for him. I would think about it all day. Even when I wasn’t cooking, I would be planning for the next day, “How can I do it perfectly?” And it seemed as if every single day he told me something that I was doing imperfectly. One day there was too much salt. The next day there was too little. I started thinking, “What am I doing? I can’t do it right. Everything I do is wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t be cooking. Yeah, someone else should be cooking. I will tell Prabhupada to get someone else, or I will get someone else who can do it better.” I started feeling relieved. All I had to do was tell Prabhupada, and that was it. The next day I went into his room full of this idea. His God-brothers were coming for lunch that day. Another source of my anxiety was that Prabhupada’s God-brothers were criticizing Prabhupada for many things, and one of them was that Prabhupada had a female cook. I was the cook, and therefore I felt badly about that too. Since his God-brothers were coming for lunch I thought, “He certainly won’t have me cook today. I will tell him tomorrow.” But he called me into the room and started telling me what he wanted for lunch. So, I went to make the lunch, and I brought it in. He was sitting at the end of the room like a royal king, and on each side of him were old, stately Vaishnavas with dandas. It was an impressive sight. I felt completely intimidated, but I had to go in. I entirely covered my head and hands with my sari, and I got down on the floor on my hands and knees. I curled in with the plate, put it down, offered obeisances, and started slithering back out. Then I heard Srila Prabhupada say, “Yes, she cooks for me, and all I do is criticize her. But she would slit her throat for me, and I would do the same for her.” When he said that, I completely disintegrated. By the time I got to the other door, my sari was wet with tears. I realized how mundane my consciousness had been and how my anxiety had been based upon a misunderstanding of the relationship between the guru and the disciple. Every day I had been thinking, “How can I do it perfectly? What would he want?” and he was telling me. He wasn’t criticizing me. I was just taking it in a mundane way. But because I wanted to know how it could be more pleasing to him, he told me. I was in illusion as to the position of a disciple and what the relationship of servitude meant. It is not, “You pat me on my back.” That was my misconception. When I heard Srila Prabhupada say that, I realized that it was absolutely true. There was no doubt about it. My mood was that I would have done anything for him. But it had never occurred to me how Prabhupada would also do anything for us. Then I realized that he was already doing everything for us. My insignificance at that point was immense, along with my gratitude and love for him. The potential for love was certainly revealed to me.

25 Sep 2015 – Srila Jiva Goswami – Appearance
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Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa and Sri Vallabha were three brothers, all employed in the service of the Badsa Hussain Shah. Amongst the three, there was only one descendent, Sri Jiva. Having been rewarded richly by the Badsa for their sevices, their household life was very opulent. There was nothing lacking in whatever was necessary for the upbringing of the only son. The house was illuminated by the effulgence of the child's golden complexion; his eyes were like the expanded petals of the lotus; every part of his body was graced with a lusterous, radiant splendor.

When Sri Gaurasundara came to Ramakeli, Sri Jiva was blessed by having darshana of His worshipable lord, though he was just a baby at the time. Placing the dust of His lotus feet on the child's head, Mahaprabhu indicated him to be the future sovereign preceptor of the Gaudiya sampradaya. Though he was only a child, Sri Jiva kept the form of the Lord, which fascinates all the world, within his heart. As he grew up, while eating, lying down, in his dreams, while he was awake, at all times, he would meditate on that form.

Later on, when his father and uncles renounced their family life in order to be with Mahaprabhu, the only child, Sri Jiva, was left with his mother in the family palace at Fateyabad. Lying in her lap, which was wet with tears of separation, he gradually began to grow as the waxing moon. Seeing that the mother and the child's face were always wet with tears, their friends also fell under the shadow of sadness and only with great difficulty managed to assuage their grief. Whenever Sri Jiva would remember his father and uncles, or the lotus feet of Sri Gaura Hari, he would lose consiousness and fall to the ground.

As he got a little older, Sri Jiva took up the worship of the Deities of Sri-Sri Rama-Krsna. He would carefully decorate Them and offer bhoga and arati, serving Them with his full attention. Even in his play, whatever games he played were connected with Sri krsna's pastimes.
While studying under the local panditas he became proficent in grammar, poetry and rhetoric. Noting his great intellect, his teachers commented, "Such brilliance is not often found in a child so young as this. No doubt he will be a very high-souled, saintly person."

Even while engaged in his studies Jiva always thought of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. Once he saw in a dream that Sri Rama-Krsna had taken the forms of Nitai-Gauranga and were dancing. [B.R.1.732] Giving him the dust of Their lotus feet, the Two Lords then disappeared. Having seen such a wonderful dream, Sri Jiva was consoled somewhat. Then he began to think, "When will I be able to crawl out of this well of family life and devote my full time and energy, my very self, to serving these two most magnanimous Lords?" But he was the only son of the family. Only in his company could his mother forget somewhat the pangs of separation in her heart. When Sri Jiva learned that his father had given up his life on the banks of the Ganga, he was compeletely unsettled. After that his eyes were never dry. The family members and friends tried to console him but to little avail. Family life had become the source of his utter sadness.

Someone suggested to Jiva to go to Navadwipa and bathe himself in the coolness emanating from the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu so that his mind and body, burning with with grief, could be refreshed. Thus Sri Jiva set our for Navadwipa with a group of pilgrims. [B.R.1/741]

Nityananda Prabhu, the omniscient Lord, could understand that Sri Jiva was on his way to Navadwipa. Therefore He also left for there from Khardaha. After a few days, Jiva arrived at Navadwipa. Seeing the beauty of that place he was charmed. Falling down on the ground, he offered his dandavats to Mother Ganges. Inquiring from the villagers the directions to Mayapura, he learned that Nityananda Prabhu was residing at Srivasa Pandita's house. At last arriving there, he fell down at the door to offer his dandavats. Nityananda Prabhu came out with Srivasa Pandita and picked him up and embraced him, asking, "Are you the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana?"

As an answer, Jiva again fell down on the ground at the lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu. This time Nityananda Prabhu brought him in the house and began to inquire after the welfare of his family at Fateyabad. Then Sri Jiva was introduced to the devotees present in Navadwipa; he offered his salutations at their lotusfeet. Everyone was very happy to meet the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sanatana. That day Sri Jiva received the remnants of Nityananda prabhu's prasadam.

The next day, the two of them came to Saci Mata'a house. Seeing the birthplace of Sri Gaurasundara, which was filled with such splendor, Sri Jiva was greatly pacified and fell down on the ground to roll in the dust. In the large courtyard the devotees were singing songs praising the glories of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Seeing Nityananda Prabhu, everyone stood up and then fell down, offering their dandavats at His lotus feet. Then Jiva saw Saci Mata sitting on the veranda.

Dressed in white with silk chadder around her shoulders she looked radiant, the white of her hair blending with her white sari. Though her body trembled with old age and was very thin, still the courtyard was illuminated by her divine effulgence. Forgetting herself in rememberance of Sri Gaursundara, she was sitting with her eyes closed. Becoming aware that Nityananda Prabhu had arrived, she covered her head with her sari and called her servant. "Isana! Srpada has arrived. Please wash His feet."

After this was done, Nityananda offered namaskar to the mother of the Supreme Lord and took His seat. He then introduced Sri Jiva to her. Saci Mata placed her hand on his head to bless him, and Sri Jiva floated in the ocean of happiness. Saci Mata then requested the two of them to honor the Lord's prasada. "Take prasada here at your mother's house today, my child. I offered there preparations in secret to Sri Gaurcandra."

Sri Jiva spent some days with Nityananda Prabhu, touring the nine islands of Navadwipa, in order to have darsana of the holy places of the Lord's pastimes there. Then, as ordered by Nitya­nanda Prabhu, he set out for Kasi (Varanasi) . At Kasi he studied Vedanta under Sri Madhusudana Vacaspati, a disciple of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. The conclusions of Vedanta contained in Srimad-Bhagavatam that were expounded by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in Puri had been in turn taught by the Bhattacarya to Madhusudana Vacaspati, who established a toll at Kasi. From him, Sri Jiva mastered the same conclusions.

From here Sri Jiva set out for Sri Vrindavana where he received shelter at the lotus feet of his two uncles. Sri Rupa and Sanatana. They were very pleased to see him and received from him all the news. Jiva stayed with Sri Rupa, who began to teach him Srimad Bhagavatam. After initiating him with the divine mantra, Rupa engaged him in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara. According to Sadhana dipika, this Deity of Damodara was fashioned by Rupa Gosvami's own hand for his dear disciple Sri Jiva. Sri Sri Radha-Damodara are presently being worshipped in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Seeing that Jiva had quickly become conversant with the conclusion of the Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Rupa engaged him in proof-reading his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. At this time Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu called Durgama sangamani. In the year 1476 (Sakabda) Sri Sanatana Gosvami compiled Sri Vaisnava tosani, a commentary on the tenth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which he gave to Sri Jiva for proof reading. Under the order of Sri Sanatana, Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on that named Laghu Vaisnava tosani in the year 1500 (Sakabda). His writings, along with those of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, Sri Gopal Bhatta, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Raghunath das, Sri Krsna das, Sri Kasisvar Pandit, and Sri Madhu Pandit, completely captivated the learned men of that time. It was the beginning of a golden age at Sri Vraja dhama.

Sri Jiva regurlarly brought water for Sri Rupa and Sanatana's bath. He massaged their heads with oil, cleaned their ashram, worship the Deity, cooked and corrected manuscripts.

After the disappearance of Sri Rupa and Sanatana, Sri Jiva continued the tradition that they had inaugerated. Once Sri Jiva travelled to Agra to debate with the Rajputs concerning the glories of Jamuna and Ganga rivers. He established that the Jamuna is more glorious than the Ganga as the Ganga emanates from Krsna's lotus feet whereas the Jamuna is His own consort. At this the Moghul emperor was very much satisfied and wanted to present him something. Sri Jiva replied that he would accept some blank papers. So the emperor presented Jiva some stained paper. (At that time paper was very rare and most manuscripts were usually composed on leaves.)

There is also a legend that once, when a moghul emperor (possibly Akbar) wanted to confer something on the Goswamis of Vrindavana, they requested a farman (emperor's order) that no living beings would be killed within Vraja. As a result of this no king would come to hunt there anymore.

The disciple of Lokanatha Gosvami, Narottama dasa Thakura Maha­saya, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami's disciple Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu, and the disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu, Sri Syamananda Prabhu, were greatly favored by Srila Jiva Goswami. Under his tutelage they studied all the literatures of the Gosvamis. Later he sent them to preach this knowledge in Bengal.

Srila Jiva Gosvami composed many literatures, amongst them:

Harinamamrta-vyakarana
Sutra-malika
Rasamrta-sesa
Gopala-virudavali
Sri-Madhava-mahotsava
Sri-Sankalpa-kalpavrksa
Brahma-Samhita-tika
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-tika (Durgama-sangamani)
Ujjvala-nilamani-tika (Locana-rocani)
Gopala-campu
Sat-sandharbha (Tattva-sandarbha, Bhagavata-sandarbha, Paramatma sandarbha, Krsna-sandarbha, Bhakti-sandharbha, Priti-sandarbha)
Srimad-Bhagavata-tika (Krama-sandarbha)
Laghu-vaisnava-tosani (Tenth Canto Bhagavatam commentary)
Sarva-sambadina (commentary on Sat-sandarbha)
Gopala-tapani-tika (Sri-Suhkha-bodhini)
Padma-puranastha-yogasara-stotra-tika
Gayatri-vyakhya-vivrti (A commentary on the Gayatri mantra as described in the Agni Purana, chapters 216-217)
Radha-Krsnarcana-candrika
Dhatu-sangraha
Bhavartha-sucaka-campu

Birth: 1533 (Christian calendar), 1455 (Sakabdha), 12th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra.
Disappearance : 1540 (Sakabdha), 3rd day of bright fortnight, Pausa
Age: 85 years

Seminar @ ISKCON Brampton – Strong KC Families
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We are pleased to announce that our beautiful sister temple, ISKCON Brampton, will be hosting a seminar on "Building Strong Krishna Conscious Families". This seminar is designed to help you take your relationship to a higher level. This is a three-day seminar and devotees are encouraged to mark their calendars for the following dates at ISKCON Brampton:

  • Friday October 16th,  6:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Saturday October 17th,  9:30am - 4:30pm
  • Sunday October 18th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

This seminar will be facilitated by members of the Grihasta Vision Team - His Grace Partha Das and Her Grace Uttama Dasi (disciples of Srila Prabhupada). They have been successfully conducting such retreats and seminars for many years all around the world.  The seminar will cover various wonderful topics, including:

  • Strengthening the Bonds that Free us -It deals with many aspects of grhastha life.
  • Communication and overcoming challenges
  • Exercises for couples
  • Parenting lessons

Couples are encouraged to attend, however, everyone is welcome, even if the spouse cannot attend or if not yet married. Devotees can indicate their availability for the course by filling up a preliminary registration form here.

HAPPY MARRIAGES. HAPPY FAMILIES. STRONG ISKCON.