Do the differences in various religions’ conceptions of God prove his non-existence?
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Answer Podcast:


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CC daily 206 – 7.39-41 – Understand the CV needed to be the Lord’s servant
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Chaitanya Charitamrita daily Podcast:


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CC daily 205 – 7.36-38 – Ensure that the Lord’s service is done, even if we can’t do it ourselves
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Chaitanya Charitamrita daily Podcast:


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Bhagavatam-daily 310 – 11.14.2 – Diversity of paths accommodates variety of desires
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UK, Southall Ratha Yatra – 23 Aug 2015 (Album with photos) Srila…
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UK, Southall Ratha Yatra - 23 Aug 2015 (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Practicing the yoga system of exercise and breath control is very difficult for a person in this age, and therefore Lord Caitanya recommended, kirtaniyah sada harih: one should always chant the holy name of the Supreme Lord, Krishna, because Krishna is the most suitable name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.28.9 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/9ImRkf

Huge Harinama in Madrid, the capital city of Spain (Album with…
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Huge Harinama in Madrid, the capital city of Spain (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: For a devotee, liberation is no problem at all. The impersonalists undergo severe penances and austerities to attain mukti, but the bhakta, simply by engaging himself in the bhakti process, especially in chanting Hare Krishna, immediately develops control over the tongue by engaging it in chanting, and accepting the remnants of foodstuff offered to the Personality of Godhead. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.25.33 Purport)
See them here: https://goo.gl/tHnNTd

Iskcon Mayapur Devotees On Zee Bangla Tv Show (13 min…
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Iskcon Mayapur Devotees On Zee Bangla Tv Show (13 min video)
This video clip is an excerpt from Prarthana Special episode of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa of Zee Bangla TV show. This is the 33rd episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa performed on August 12th, 2015. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa which is Bengal’s best platform for music, rightly put as ‘Sangeet er shera mancha. It is the most popular and respected musical Reality Show of Bengal. In this special prayer episode Tulika Mondal and Gangadhar Mondal sing Krishna Kirtan together with the ISKCON Mayapur Devotees.
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/jrLPiF

Art and Words Duet: Day 1
→ Seed of Devotion

Sometimes art begs for written words. Sometime written words beg for art. My friend Rukmini and I have teamed up for an 8-day challenge: when I write, she will share art. When she shares art, I will write.

For the first four days, Rukmini will first offer art and I will write, and then we'll swap. We are both committed to spontaneity, to write whatever comes, free of judgment. 

Here is today's exploration:


In the morning
I unbind my hair
and gaze out the window
searching 
searching for someone

the smile on my face
is permanent
like a doll

the road in the distance
shows no signs
of dust clouds
of impending horses
So I wait
and wait

I merge with the mountains 
pining for the one
who will embrace me
and allow the pain 
to flow from my heart
in rivers

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Tuesday, August 18th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk


Tuesday, August 18th, 2015
Bracebridge, Ontario

In Muskoka

Summer seems to be approaching its end as far as heat is concerned. It’s usually at these times that I arrange for some outings for our ashramresidents. This time, Bracebridge was our destination for outdoor experiences. This meant some canoeing which we executed down the Muskoka River. Just like for anyone else, it’s important that monks and nuns have some chill-out time to. Someone may argue that our whole monastic life is chill. That’s true, but some diversity is necessary. I personally believe that some recreation must be given` paramount importance.

That being said, we did oar our way for a stretch, compliments of the Patels whose Riverside Inn is situated right at the dock of the cruiser "Lady Muskoka". Swimming, being a Vaishnava sport, became obligation number two for today. And number three was a walk along the Trans Canada Trail near High Falls.

Along with the Patels, we trekked a meagre 5 kilometres, which is nothing for this long network of pathways. When the Trans Canada Trail is completed in 2017, it will likely be the longest walkway in the world at over 23,000 kilometres in length. The millions of needles shed from spruce, pine, and cedar allow for a bouncy, spongy forest bottom. Surprising to me is the discovery of this trail which runs parallel to Highway 11. Had I known this in ’96 on my first cross-Canada trek, I would have likely avoided trekking on the highway.

We see this excursion as a pilgrimage. For our two day stay in Muskoka we had morning and evening sadhana in the Innwhere people came to join us for a chant and a read.

 
May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Monday, August 17th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk


Monday, August 17th, 2015
Toronto/Bracebridge

Grass!

It’s good to know that we can speak about it. Developers seem to consume it with their concrete. Fortunately, there’s some of the green stuff still remaining. Near our ashram we have a space of green just north of us – a park. Trees and grass are also kiddie-corner to our building. Then on the other side to the south of our limestone structure is a much more expansive space of green – another park. When you descend the stairs and cross the street, tucked away there is a little piece of heaven on Earth. It’s a blessing actually, wherever there is green I have the feeling that there is hope.

When I walked Irelandfrom Belfast in the north to the southern city of Cork, I had taken in so much of that colour. It was all pervasive but for areas of grey - the sky in multi-tones. In IrelandI was always reminded of Indra, the rain god, as much as I might contemplate Krishna. Krishna is very favourable to green and to grass. When he was young, he looked to the hill known as Govardhan as the source of grazing material for the calves He was responsible for. He’s known as Gopal, the friend of the cows and bulls. Thoughts of Krishna guiding His herd generates optimism. He must be telling us something like, “To the country we should be going.”

Well, that’s just what we did. One of our congregants by the name of Sai drove four of us ashram residents to Muskoka, north of the city, to the land of lakes, rocks, and green.

This morning when I walked through the grass picking up some dew on my shoes, I was reminded of this wonderful commodity and now that we have come to the northern region of Muskoka, the greenness offered again the most inviting coolness.

 
May the Source be with you!

3 km

 

Sunday, August 16th, 2015
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Sunday, August 16th, 2015
Brampton, Ontario

A Day

I took young Jagannatha to Philosopher’s Walk

A trail that consequently leads to no dock

For to philosophize may never come to an end

Unless you have a particular dynamic friend

One who teaches the way of love,

Of service, being meek and looking above.
 

I sat in the class that spoke of dying

Then received a call of sick man in bed lying

How many days in life can we count

How much karma can a person mount

Before he moves on to the greener field

When his negative attire can be peeled?

 
I was taken to Bramptonto speak about food

And the need to prepare it in a proper mood

The mode of being sensitive within

Curbing violence and reducing the sin

And showing thanks to the One who’s given

So that consciousness will then be devotionally driven.

 

May the Source be with you!

5 km

 

Sri Viraha Astakam
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Srila Prabhupada, I discovered my heart’s true aspiration in your glorification of your own spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saravati, in 1959. Please may your words become one with my heart. May I forever be an instrument in carrying out your will. “The jivas have reshackled themselves with the heavy chains of ignorance and delusion, and [...]

Govinda’s Groceries is the Newest Store to Serve New Vrindaban Village
→ New Vrindaban

By Madhava Smullen

Govinda’s Groceries, recently opened next to Govinda’s Restaurant at the Palace Lodge and run by longtime residents Nityodita and his wife Radha Dasi, is the newest store to contribute to New Vrindaban’s growth as a village.

It joins four others, each with their own specialties: The Palace Gift Shop near the entrance to Prabhupada’s Palace is run by Krsna Bhava and Kripamaya and caters mainly to tourists.

The Temple Gift Shop, located inside the entrance to Radha Vrindabanchandra’s Temple and run by Vani and Rupanuga, serves mainly pilgrims.

The New Vrindaban Artisan Co-op, located along the side of the Palace Lodge and run by Jamuna Dasi, sells locally made gift items to tourists, pilgrims and locals.

And the thrift store Krishna’s Attic, located on the ground floor of the Palace Lodge and run by Ananta and Vilasini, sells donated clothes and household items.

Govinda’s Groceries, meanwhile, will serve as that age-old village staple, the general store.

“We look upon New Vrindaban as a small village,” says shopkeeper Nityodita Das. “And generally a village means you should be able to get everything within it. So the ideal vision is to have a store that caters to the basic needs of the residents.”

The idea is not new to New Vrindaban. Over the years there have been a string of general stores including ISKCON Groceries and Simply Wonderful, managed by Meghamala Dasi in the late 1970s and ‘80s, and Hanuman’s Healthfoods, run by Jamuna Dasi in in the 1990s and 2000s.

As well as providing groceries, snacks, herbal medicines and more, the general store was also a “nerve center” where residents picked up the latest news and found a sympathetic ear.

But when Jamuna’s store closed five years ago, there was a gap until ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krishna Das encouraged devotees to open shops on the ground floor of the Palace Lodge building, alongside Govinda’s Restaurant.

Govinda’s Groceries, marked by a window with frosted lettering advertising its wares, is a warm, welcoming space that customers can drop into through the restaurant via an attractive archway.

The result of a full makeover, it has mango-yellow walls, a ceramic tile wood-look floor, candle chandeliers, ornate shelving, and lots of natural light from its glass door and picture windows.

Open from 1pm to 6pm with a view to extend its hours soon, Govinda’s stock serves two distinct customer bases: pilgrims and resident devotees.

The pilgrims are attracted by its deity dioramas, gift items like bath soaps and jewelry, and especially its homemade New Vrindaban hot-sauce, maha-prasadam, and “Vrindavan” brand ghee, which is cooked and bottled in New Vrindaban.

For residents the stock is more practical. There are Indian spices, chapati flour, dosa mix, and organic couscous and millet. There are natural versions of quick-meal staples like canned beans, frozen vegetables and not-dogs, and breakfast items like cereal and almond milk.

There are also organic snacks like rice cakes, kettle chips and Natural Brews sodas. And there are prasadam items from devotee company Pure Bliss like granola, spicy nuts and health bars.

“Next we really want to develop a line of what I call fast prasadam,” Nityodita says. He’s most excited by this idea. “Homemade sandwiches, spring rolls, cheesecake and more -- prasadam alternatives to temple fare.”

In September, once the tourist season is over, Nityodita plans to survey resident devotees so that he can supply them with more of what they want. He intends to add fresh bread to his shelves, and if there is the demand even a weekly organic vegetable co-op. The idea is that devotees will be able to fulfill their basic grocery shopping needs within the community.

Nityodita feels that Govinda’s Groceries and all the other stores at the Palace Lodge will help bring devotees together.

“Right now we’re all going outside the village to spend our money, which is kind of backwards to the purpose of living in a community,” he says. “Investing in local businesses brings us together to share resources. And, to me, that’s a nicer future.”

 

Govinda’s Groceries is the Newest Store to Serve New Vrindaban Village
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

govindas

By Madhava Smullen

Govinda’s Groceries, recently opened next to Govinda’s Restaurant at the Palace Lodge and run by longtime residents Nityodita and his wife Radha Dasi, is the newest store to contribute to New Vrindaban’s growth as a village.

It joins four others, each with their own specialties: The Palace Gift Shop near the entrance to Prabhupada’s Palace is run by Krsna Bhava and Kripamaya and caters mainly to tourists.

The Temple Gift Shop, located inside the entrance to Radha Vrindabanchandra’s Temple and run by Vani and Rupanuga, serves mainly pilgrims.

The New Vrindaban Artisan Co-op, located along the side of the Palace Lodge and run by Jamuna Dasi, sells locally made gift items to tourists, pilgrims and locals.

And the thrift store Krishna’s Attic, located on the ground floor of the Palace Lodge and run by Ananta and Vilasini, sells donated clothes and household items.

Govindafridge

Govinda’s Groceries, meanwhile, will serve as that age-old village staple, the general store.

“We look upon New Vrindaban as a small village,” says shopkeeper Nityodita Das. “And generally a village means you should be able to get everything within it. So the ideal vision is to have a store that caters to the basic needs of the residents.”

The idea is not new to New Vrindaban. Over the years there have been a string of general stores including ISKCON Groceries and Simply Wonderful, managed by Meghamala Dasi in the late 1970s and ‘80s, and Hanuman’s Healthfoods, run by Jamuna Dasi in in the 1990s and 2000s.

As well as providing groceries, snacks, herbal medicines and more, the general store was also a “nerve center” where residents picked up the latest news and found a sympathetic ear.

But when Jamuna’s store closed five years ago, there was a gap until ISKCON New Vrindaban president Jaya Krishna Das encouraged devotees to open shops on the ground floor of the Palace Lodge building, alongside Govinda’s Restaurant.

statuegovidas

Govinda’s Groceries, marked by a window with frosted lettering advertising its wares, is a warm, welcoming space that customers can drop into through the restaurant via an attractive archway.

The result of a full makeover, it has mango-yellow walls, a ceramic tile wood-look floor, candle chandeliers, ornate shelving, and lots of natural light from its glass door and picture windows.

Open from 1pm to 6pm with a view to extend its hours soon, Govinda’s stock serves two distinct customer bases: pilgrims and resident devotees.

The pilgrims are attracted by its deity dioramas, gift items like bath soaps and jewelry, and especially its homemade New Vrindaban hot-sauce, maha-prasadam, and “Vrindavan” brand ghee, which is cooked and bottled in New Vrindaban.

For residents the stock is more practical. There are Indian spices, chapati flour, dosa mix, and organic couscous and millet. There are natural versions of quick-meal staples like canned beans, frozen vegetables and not-dogs, and breakfast items like cereal and almond milk.

There are also organic snacks like rice cakes, kettle chips and Natural Brews sodas. And there are prasadam items from devotee company Pure Bliss like granola, spicy nuts and health bars.

Govindas11

“Next we really want to develop a line of what I call fast prasadam,” Nityodita says. He’s most excited by this idea. “Homemade sandwiches, spring rolls, cheesecake and more — prasadam alternatives to temple fare.”

In September, once the tourist season is over, Nityodita plans to survey resident devotees so that he can supply them with more of what they want. He intends to add fresh bread to his shelves, and if there is the demand even a weekly organic vegetable co-op. The idea is that devotees will be able to fulfill their basic grocery shopping needs within the community.

Nityodita feels that Govinda’s Groceries and all the other stores at the Palace Lodge will help bring devotees together.

“Right now we’re all going outside the village to spend our money, which is kind of backwards to the purpose of living in a community,” he says. “Investing in local businesses brings us together to share resources. And, to me, that’s a nicer future.”

Hare Krishna! UK temples come together for first ever ISKCON…
→ Dandavats.com



Hare Krishna! UK temples come together for first ever ISKCON National Convention
Devotees from across the UK came together today in Leicester for the first ever ISKCON UK National Convention, organised as part of the celebrations for ISKCON’s 50th anniversary. Taking place in ISKCON Leicester’s magnificent Grade II listed building in the city centre, hundreds of devotees took part in a day of collaboration and learning, and celebrated the successes and new developments taking place in the UK today. This was the first time in the history of ISKCON UK that a maha sanga was organised on this scale. Inspiring presentations were delivered by many senior devotees, including HH Bhakti Charu Swami, who spoke about unity in diversity in ISKCON. In addition, devotees heard from GBC HG Praghosa Das, who spoke about HDG Srila Prabhupada and celebrating the successes of ISKCON UK, and from GBC Minister for Communications HG Anuttama Das, who delivered a talk on ISKCON being 50 years young and roaring on.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19279

Please always meditate on beautiful Vrndavana! Bhurijana dasa:…
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Please always meditate on beautiful Vrndavana!
Bhurijana dasa: Sri Prabhodananada Sarasvati offers us wise words: I offer my respectful obeisances to the wonderful effulgent, transcendental land of Vrndavana, which is splendid with glistening gold, sapphires, rubies, red-coral, lapis lazuli, and candrakanta jewels. I eternally meditate on the land of Vrndavana, which is glorious above everything, an island of sweetness in the shoreless ocean of nectar, wonderful with the bliss of transcendental pastimes, blinded by the nectar of love for Radha-Krsna, its limbs rolling about on the ground in ecstasy, and a wonderful treasure of transcendental beauty and good fortune. Without ever becoming tired, please always meditate on beautiful Vrndavana, which is glorious with numberless charming forests of parijata and other splendid trees, worshipped by demigods full of love for Lord Hari’s lotus feet, plunged into an ocean of the light of millions of moons, and unapproachable even by the host of Upanisads. Brother, are you trapped in the jungle of repeated birth and death? Can you find not even a moment’s relief from the three-fold sufferings? The words of the scriptures don’t tell you how to escape? Simply meditate in your heart on the trees of Vrndavana, which are so dear to Lord Krsna.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/ZmLKN0

Hare Krishna! Advancement, Anyone? The topic of Sadhu-ninda is…
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Hare Krishna! Advancement, Anyone?
The topic of Sadhu-ninda is given such importance because one can be desensitized to its effects. Persistent exposure to hearing criticism of vaisnavas can cause this, which is so insidious as to be unnoticeable by many. When one realizes his taste for chanting is waning, it is of concern. Advanced devotees just cannot, will not and do not offend vaisnavas. Can one be said to be thinking of Krsna while doing so? Highly unlikely. As BG.18.58. says, ‘if however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost ‘. Lost where? Perhaps in the misunderstood banyan tree.BG.15.3-4. Even though the taste has gone, if one continues to practice devotional service without making palpable advancement it may just drag on as in –niyamagrahah – performing regulations just for the sake of it.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=953

Hare Krishna! On Rising Early Sivarama Swami: “So, you must…
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Hare Krishna! On Rising Early
Sivarama Swami: “So, you must practice how to love Krishna. First you have to rise early in the morning. You don’t like to, but you think, ‘I will rise early to satisfy Krishna.’ This is the beginning.” If we do not think we need to do it, or think we are advanced, then we will fall down… “We must rise early in the morning, bathe, attend mangala-arati, worship the Deities, chant the Hare Krishna mantra, study the Vedic literatures and follow all the rules prescribed by the acaryas and the spiritual master. If we deviate from this process, we may fall down, even though we may be very highly advanced.… Even if one is in the renounced order, he should never give up the regulative principles.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=995

Hare Krishna! Looking for the Dearest Friend Ranchor dasa: This…
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Hare Krishna! Looking for the Dearest Friend
Ranchor dasa: This paper was the ISKCON keynote address at an Inter-faith conference hosted by our communications group in the UK and devotees in Bhaktivedanta Manor. Twenty Christians and twenty ISKCON members took part in the exchange, which was described by Rev. Michael Barnes SJ as, “one of those rare occasions when head and heart seemed somehow to be united…. I was left wondering why it is that Catholics and Vaishnava Hindus get on so well together.” Ranchor’s paper was very well received and the sincere realisation and gift of presentation it displays can serve us as well in our efforts in dialogue with other faith communities.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=19269

Looking back
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 27 June 2015, New York, USA, Bhagavad-gita 9.33)

kksWhen I was a kid, I was quite wild. One of my favourite games was to take a ball, throw it onto the roof of the house then climb up the drainpipe, grab the ball, come back down and throw it onto the roof again and climb up again… and I could do this for hours. I mean as a kid, you have too much energy and you do not know what to do with it all, so I found a way. Then, at that time, we had a maid and well, she did not like the game so much. So one day, she grabbed me and she grabbed by my ear and she squeezed it really hard between two fingers and turned it around at the same time, and I still remember it very well! Somehow or other, I pulled out of her grip and when I was free, I stood before her very calm and I said, “You wait until I grow up,” and she got it. I was serious, I thought, “Okay, you wait till I grow up,”  and I was ready to grow up.

But when I grew up, I saw everything from a different perspective. I could appreciate that I was actually doing a dangerous thing and that she was concerned that I would fall from the roof which is fair enough. Of course, still it was a bit mean, rather than twist my ear that way, she could have sat me down and explained it to me nicely; that might have worked better. She could have given some descriptions of squashed tomatoes and kids that have sort of fallen off roofs and being taken away in an ambulance and so on… that might have impressed me! So I was still not in favour of her tactics but then again, I look it now in a different way and I now, I see that her intentions were actually benevolent.

 

Lively Harinama in Madrid, Spain (2 min video) Srila Prabhupada:…
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Lively Harinama in Madrid, Spain (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/T1c4cT

Harinama at Barrikadnaya (a station on the…
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Harinama at Barrikadnaya (a station on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line of the Moscow Metro.) (Album with photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
See them here: https://goo.gl/Gv185H

Harinama in Genova, Italy (2 min video) Srila Prabhupada: In the…
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Harinama in Genova, Italy (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: In the material world, everything is full of anxiety (kuntha), whereas in the spiritual world (Vaikuntha) everything is free from anxiety. Therefore those who are afflicted by a combination of anxieties cannot understand the Hare Krishna mantra, which is free from all anxiety. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 7.74 Purport)
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/G1EMSa

Bhagavatam-daily 309 – 11.14.1 – See the diversity of paths neither fanatically nor uncritically
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Bhagavtam-daily Podcast:


Download by “right-click and save content”

The post Bhagavatam-daily 309 – 11.14.1 – See the diversity of paths neither fanatically nor uncritically appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

How Do You Know What God Wants???
→ The Enquirer

When I decided to join the Hare Krishna’s my parents, of course, tried to dissuade me. One of the more memorable arguments my dad offered went something like this, “You say you want to dedicate yourself to serving God, but how do you know what God wants from you? Maybe God wants you to finish college, not join the Hare Krishna’s. There are so many people who did horrible things, from the terrorists in the Middle East to the Crusaders and the Spanish Inquisition, and all of them were completely convinced that they were doing what God wanted.”

I’m not exactly sure how I replied at the time, but I am sure my reply must have scared the crap out of him. I seem to remember saying something like, “Krishna explains what he wants to very spiritually advanced people, and then those people explain it to others, and those people explain it to others. It’s a system called paramparā and it’s how an ordinary person like you or me can learn what God wants from us.”

The problems inherent in this system were not missed by my dad, who immediately replied, “So, you are relying on some other person to tell you what God wants??? Come on, Vic! All you’ll find out is what that person thinks God wants! And what if that person is not as pure and ‘spiritually advanced’ as you think? What if they use the idea that ‘God wants’ something as a way to get what they want?”

I probably replied that spiritual advancement is not something I would accept on faith. It is something demonstrable through tangible character traits, qualities, and behaviors – for example: renouncing positions of power and wealth. In reply, my father probably pointed out that the leaders and gurus of ISKCON hardly seemed to have “renounced positions of power and wealth.”

And so the whole argument just wound up a mess.

My Answer Today…

These days, my answer to the question, “How do you know what God wants?” is markedly different. I have this answer because I was able to learn śāstra under the guidance of paramparā – but the answer itself does not rely on a “chain of command.”

Before we can make sense of what “God wants” we have to make sense of what “God is.”

janmādy asya yathā 

God is the source of all reality. And what is “reality”?

vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattva-yaj jñānam-advayam

Those who know what reality is, say it is “infinite consciousness.”

“Consciousness is the ultimate singular root of all things.” — 12.13.12

All of reality is contained within consciousness, and “God” is the origin of all consciousness – the original fount of consciousness – the original consciousness.

brahmaṇo hi pratiṣṭhāham

Now that we know what God is, we can figure out what God wants.

God is consciousness. What does consciousness want? You and I can answer this question confidently because you and I are also consciousness, just like God. We just need to introspect. What does consciousness want?

Consciousness wants something worth being conscious of!

What is worth being conscious of? Happiness.

Where does happiness come from? Many places, but the origin of all of them is the real or imitation perception of being loved. Love, then, is the ultimate happiness, and thus the ultimate thing that consciousness (“God”) wants.

Love is soul of happiness, and thus the thing our consciousness wants most.

What is love?

anyābhilāṣitā śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy anāvṛttam
anukūlyeṇa kṛṣṇānu-śīlanaṁ bhaktir-uttamam

Love is an unobscured and un-motivated expression of our desire to please someone.

What does God want from me? Today, my answer is very simple:

God wants the same thing everyone wants: love.

I think, at some point in our increasingly frequent debates, I must have said something like this to my dad, because I remember him asking, “How can we love God? He is not here, at least not in the same way you or I am.”

To answer this, we should first understand the essence of how we love anyone. Then perhaps we can really answer how that same essence could be applied to God – an entity currently outside our direct sensorial range.

The essence of love is desire – specifically, the desire to please (anukūlyatā). What is desire? It is an inherent condition of consciousness. Desire is consciousness experiencing its inherent want/need for a positive connection to something worth being conscious of. So, the essence of love is really the desire to focus my attention on someone – to focus my consciousness upon another consciousness in the effort to learn what pleases the other and to then strive to deliver it.

The funny, amazing, beautiful thing, is that what pleases consciousness most is this focus itself!

Diamond rings are a classical example of how a man expresses romantic love to a woman. But rich women who have ten diamond rings yet get very little attention from their rich man do not experience much happiness, indeed they become very depressed and complicated. Toys are a classical example of how a parent expresses love for a child, yet children with storehouses of the finest toys but little genuine attention from mom and dad are not happy children, and grow up to become troubled individuals.

In love, the attention paid to the beloved is more important than the expression symbolizing it!

Consciousness wants happiness, happiness comes from love, and the concentrated essence of love is the focus and attention we give to the object of love. Thus, what people really want, what consciousness really wants, is to become an object that some other consciousness finds worthy of being conscious of!!!

So, what does God want?

God wants the same thing everyone wants: to become an object of love; to become something worthy of attention and dedication; to become something another consciousness finds worthy of being conscious of, something that makes another consciousness happy!

How can we give God what he wants? How can we focus our attention and consciousness on him?

Should we do it by following paramparā? Yes, but rather than stressing the chain of command, let us stress the chain’s command!!! For if the chain produces no worthy command, it is no chain at all.

What is the command from the chain of Gauḍīya Paramparā?

The command is to give God what he wants.

What does God want?

Love!

How can we love God?

By focusing our attention on him.

How?

The easiest, simplest, best way to do what God wants (to love him, by focusing attention on him) is to focus our consciousness on his NAMES!

Isn’t this simple, natural, and downright beautiful? Finally it is clear how it has nothing to do with Spanish Inquisitions, Crusaders, or “Islamic States.”

Frankly God doesn’t give a flying discus whether we do this or that or the other thing in our hallucinations and ignorance-induced dream-life. He doesn’t give a damn if America, Russia, Iran or any other secular or religious group is dominant. He doesn’t care if this branch of some religion gains more followers and capital than that other branch! That is all an outcome of the karma momentum generated by our own independent actions and choices. God doesn’t really concern himself with whether we turn left or right at the light – for neither turn is particularly un/important.

What God really wants is simply what everyone wants: love, attention. And how can we give him this love and attention? Te same we give anyone love, by paying attention to them! How can we pay attention to God? A very effective, easy way is to concentrate on his names.

Therefore Śrī Krishna Caitanya descended into our modern age several hundred years ago to make a point about the importance of nāma-mantra, nāma-japa, nāma-bhajan, nāma-saṁkīrtan.

sarvātmā snapanam param-vijayate śrī kṛṣṇa-saṁkīrtanam!

If we sincerely want to do “what God wants;” if we sincerely want to love God, then nothing is more important the depth, purity and focus we give to our meditation of God’s names – which we are extremely fortune to have in an extremely primal and intimate form, in the kṛṣṇa-nāma mahāmantra:

hare krishna, hare krishna, krishna krishna, hare hare
hare rāma, hare rāma, rāma rāma, hare hare

–  By Vraja Kishor das (VrajaKishor.com)


Tagged: cult, hare krishna mahamantra, Japa, Love, Meditation, serve god, terrorist