Planet ISKCON

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia



Now that the longhouses breed superstition
You force us to send our toddlers away
To your schools where they're taught to despise their traditions.
Forbid them their languages, then further say
That American history really began
When Columbus set sail out of Europe, then stress
That the nation of leeches that conquered this land
Are the biggest and bravest and boldest and best.
And yet where in your history books is the tale
Of the genocide basic to this country's birth,
Of the preachers who lied, how the Bill of Rights failed,
How a nation of patriots returned to their earth?
And where will it tell of the Liberty Bell
As it rang with a thud on a tinsel of mud
And of brave Uncle Sam in Alaskathis year?

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying

Hear how the bargain was made for the West:
With her shivering children in zero degrees,
Blankets for your land, so the treaties attest,
Oh well, blankets for land is a bargain indeed,
And the blankets were those Uncle Sam had collected
From smallpox-diseased dying soldiers that day.
And the tribes were wiped out and the history books censored,
A hundred years of your statesmen have felt it's better this way.
And yet a few of the conquered have somehow survived,
Their blood runs the redder though genes have paled.
From the Grand Canyon's caverns to craven sad hills
The wounded, the losers, the robbed sing their tale.
From Los Angeles Countyto upstate New York
The white nation fattens while others grow lean;
Oh the tricked and evicted they know what I mean.

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

The past it just crumbled, the future just threatens;
Our life blood shut up in your chemical tanks.
And now here you come, bill of sale in your hands
And surprise in your eyes that we're lacking in thanks
For the blessings of civilization you've brought us,
The lessons you've taught us, the ruin you've wrought us
Oh see what our trust in America's brought us.

My country 'tis of thy people you're dying.

This stuff written and sung by Ms Ste-Marie should be thought about.

Hare Krishna! Popcorn
Srutakirti dasa: One evening, Srila Prabhupada spoke at the University of California in Berkeley, the heart of the hippie capital. The San Francisco devotees enthusiastically received him and relished his lecture. They prepared barrels of popcorn and distributed it following Srila Prabhupada’s lecture. “What is that?” His Divine Grace asked. “Popcorn, Srila Prabhupada,” Jayananda explained. “Would you like some?” “Yes, give me some,” Srila Prabhupada said. The devotees gave him popcorn which was being distributed in little bags printed with the Hare Krsna mantra. Srila Prabhupada ate the fluffy, spiced kernels with great relish. “Oh, this is nice,” Srila Prabhupada told them. All the devotees, especially those who had cooked and distributed the prasadam, felt so much pleasure. Now they were certain their offering had been accepted and their lives were successful.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18944

“In the early hours of the morning, we have come to worship You and praise Your golden, lotus-like feet. Born are we in the cowherd caste. You should not decline our service and homage. O Govinda! Not only today do we seek the drum, but for ever more, seven times seven births, that we would [...]

A Nice Bird Is Saying Hare Krishna (2 min video)
A bird does not surely know the meaning of life yet it is saying “Hare Krishna” so nicely!
Watch it here: https://goo.gl/zgYhKh

ISKCON Kolkata
Ramai Swami: It’s been quite a few years since I last visited Radha Govinda Mandir, Kolkata. The temple has developed quite a lot since then. There are 73 brahmacaris and more than half of them are university graduates. Govindas restaurant has been renovated and business is booming. The guest house out the back is always full. Sri Sri Radha Govinda, as always, are divinely exquisite.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/YcxAqf

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The post When cities were present in scriptural times too, why does ISKCON criticize urbanization? appeared first on The Spiritual Scientist.

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Hare Krishna! “Plain Living and High Thinking”: An English Lesson with Srila Prabhupada
Ravindra Svarupa dasa: Any student of Srila Prabhupada will at once recognize the phrase “plain living and high thinking.” It occurred frequently and memorably in his discourse. It functioned as kind of motto or slogan to epitomize Prabhupada’s vision of a natural spiritual culture, an alternative to our modern, “soul-killing” industrial civilization. Prabhupada had made use of the phrase even before he journeyed to America in 1965. In an essay (published much later by the BBT as the second chapter of the booklet Message of Godhead),
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18940

Travel Adventures of a Krishna Monk
Chanting at a London Rally, Stonehenge, Paris Ratha-yatra and More
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/v736hM

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From Vraja Bhava Prabhu
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Can I skateboard for Krishna?
Answer: It depends. How can you know? Can you fly a plane for Krishna? Can you have a baby for Krishna? Can you make money for Krishna? Can you bake a pizza for Krishna? All these questions arise from one’s material conditioning, a.k.a., psycho-physical nature. Pure devotional service is not based on material conditioning, but is the purest expression of one’s very self. Srila Rupa Goswami tells us that pure devotional service is unmotivated (you don’t want anything in return), uninterrupted (you don’t do it only when it’s convenient or you feel like it; neither is it impeded by any material cause), and favorable (Krishna has to be pleased by it). The point of being a devotee is to do what is pleasing to Krishna. The only way to really be sure is to consult the spiritual master. If you don’t have one, then you are left with figuring it out on your own, or asking on Facebook. If you get ten different answers here, how will you know which one is right?
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/0ptx5u

Rathayatra Festival in Germany (Album with photos) Srila Prabhupada: “As a result of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one makes such great advancement in spiritual life that simultaneously his material existence terminates and he receives love of Godhead. The holy name of Krishna is so powerful that by chanting even one name, one very easily achieves these transcendental riches.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, 8.28) See them here: https://goo.gl/6AkWZf

It all started in Boston!
Srila Prabhupada first set foot in the West fifty years ago, after a 35 day journey from Calcutta. Steamship Jaladuta reached Boston’s Commonwealth Pier at 5:30 am on September 17, 1965. He reached Boston’s Commonwealth Pier in hopes of fulfilling the order of his spiritual master. It was here in Boston that he wrote “Markine Bhagavata Dharma” – “Teaching Krishna Consciousness in America”. Being a pure devotee of Sri Krishna, Srila Prabhupada prayed, “I wish that You may deliver them. Therefore, if You desire their deliverance, only then will they be able to understand Your message.” Srila Prabhupada has given us an amazing gift, the gift of knowing Krishna and chanting His Holy names. Please join us in celebrating not only his arrival, but his life and teachings as well. This is a great chance for devotees to show their heartfelt gratitude for the love and compassion Srila Prabhupada had for all of us. New Gundicha dham invites you to please join us in celebration and glorification of Srila Prabhupada 50th arrival festival on September 19th and 20th 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/P9nzqt

These are the words of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who also said, “Vrindaban is my home and Bombay is my office”.

The TOVP Team has published a book by the above name with selected excerpts about the spiritual power of this holiest of sacred places and the manifestation of the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

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Hare Krishna! 4th Ratha Yatra in Bhatkot, Uttarakhand
We thank all those devotees who came to attend the program from various parts of the world, including Italy, Spain, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Special thanks to HG Govinda das and his team of sincere and hardworking devotees, unto whom all credits go for the successful Ratha yatra. We pray to Srila Prabhupada that we can hold this festival for years to come for the Lord’s pleasure and thus we may also become instruments in his hands and be engaged in spreading the message of Mahaprabhu’s sankirtan movement.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=18937

Installation of Kalasam for Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple of Devotion and Understanding in Penang
SEBERANG JAYA - The Kalasasthapana pooja where the kalasam is installed, which makes a new temple auspicious, was concluded beautifully with blessings from Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga Rai and Lord Indra who showered blessings of rain at dawn after the completion of the installation today. With the installation of three kalasam on the pinnacle of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple, it is now ready to receive Their Lordships, Radha and Krishna deities on the 29th August this year.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/9vm1J2

Copy of Prerna Festival – “Peace of Mind or Pieces of Mind” – Sudama Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty

BY HARRIENA BHARDWAJ

SEBERANG JAYA - The Kalasasthapana pooja where the kalasam is installed, which makes a new temple auspicious, was concluded beautifully with blessings from Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga Rai and Lord Indra who showered blessings of rain at dawn after the completion of the installation today. With the installation of three kalasam on the pinnacle of the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple, it is now ready to receive Their Lordships, Radha and Krishna deities on the 29th August this year. 

The kalasa puja where demigods are propitiated through fire was performed by ISKCON Ipoh temple president, Parambrahma prabhu along with Anand Dulal prabhu in the presence of Simheswara prabhu, the regional secretary of ISKCON Malaysia,  Damodaran stapati owner, and Kalesha prabhu.

From left: Siva Chaitanya Dasa, KL Sri Jagannatha mandir temple president, Kripa Sindhu Krishna Dasa, Damodaran Stapati Owner, BCC temple president, Kalesha Dasa and temple building committee president and ISKCON Malaysia regional secretary, Simheswara Dasa

It’s been quite a few years since I last visited Radha Govinda Mandir, Kolkata. The temple has developed quite a lot since then.

Someone may object, “First we perceive a blue object, then a yellow one. This shows that consciousness is neither constant nor eternal.”

Yes, blue objects and yellow objects appear and disappear, but the consciousness that perceives them is constant. Objects change, they come and go, but the consciousness that perceives objects does not. The observer “merely experiences” changes in the things it observes. Our bodies, for example, are born, grow from childhood to youth, decay, die, and become replaced. Consciousness merely observes these changes. The observed is distinct from the observer, and thus changes in the observed do not necessitate changes in the observer.

“Individual consciousness experiences many different things through the senses, via the vital-airs. It only appears to be affected by changes experienced by the senses.”

— 11.3.38b – 39a

This indicates that consciousness is not only distinct from the objects it is conscious of; it is also distinct from the tools it uses to perceive those objects.

“When we are deeply asleep our senses shut down, and even our sense of Doership is lost. Yet something unchanging remains, distinct from all these – for when we wake up, we remember everything.”

— 11.3.39b

This illustrates that consciousness is even distinct from the mind, intellect and ahaṁkāra – the sense of Doeship at the root of our assumed identities.

While awake we are aware of external objects. While asleep this awareness disappears, but residual images of it remain in our mind and interact as dreams. While, deeply asleep, however, we have no dreams. In that state, we lose awareness of even the residual mental impressions of external objects, and we forget who we are, because we even lose awareness of the sense of Doership that forges our assumed identities. In deep, deep sleep all that remains is the changeless essence of individual consciousness itself – demonstrating that this changeless essence of self is distinct from all the changeable things that contain it.

If one adores blue and hates yellow, the presence of a blue object changes the emotional filters through which consciousness operates, but does not change consciousness itself.

One may object, “What is the need to suggest that some unchanging entity exists beyond even the sense of Doership?”

“Beacuase, when we wake up, we remember everything.” A constant sense of identity persists even through deep sleep or coma. If some level of consciousness did not remains even in such states, it would be unexpected to resume the same identity, intellectual outlooks, and emotional paradigms ever time we wake up; and it would be impossible to say, “I slept happily for a long time, unaware of anything.” No one can remember something it hasn’t witnessed. We remember being in deep sleep – so we must have witnessed it somehow, even though in that state we have no connection at all with external sense objects, our senses, our emotions, intellect, or sense of identity. In deep sleep we witness only the very essence of our own conscious self.

We must conclude that the self illuminates itself by its own consciousness. It is self-illuminating like the sun.

“In deep sleep he cannot see, yet still he sees! Even when he cannot see any visible object the observer cannot cease from observation.”

— Bṛhadāraṇyaka (4.3.23)

Here again, individual consciousness is essentially the same as the supreme consciousness. There is, however, one important distinction between individual consciousness and the supreme consciousness. Individual consciousness can divorce itself of explicit connection to the supreme consciousness, and in so doing can experience misery. Supreme consciousness, on the other hand, does not experience misery, being the intrinsic subject and object of ever-blissful, joy-awakening divine love.

An excerpt from
BASIC TRUTHS:
AN ENGLISH RENDITION OF ŚRĪ JĪVA GOSWĀMĪ’S TATTVA-SANDARBHA

by Vraja Kishor
VrajaKishor.com

Tagged: Atma, Consciousness, eternal

Chanting one mala (108 beads) of japa is a complete service offered for the pleasure of Radha-Krsna appearing in Their most merciful maha-mantra form. One should not stop in the middle of a round, hang the mala outside the bead bag, or mark it with an alligator clip to save it for later. Finish the round!

From Art of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 December 2012, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 12.6.40)

Eternal love

I was listening to a lecture of Srila Prabhupada and Prabhupada said, “Love is for Krsna.” We think we love so many things but all that love is not going to last. The only love that can last is love for Krsna; no other love can last no matter how deep it may be experienced now.

Just like between parents and children, such a deep love but then how long are the souls together. Bhagavatam looks at it from the bigger picture; from the bigger perspective of time and is pointing out to us that life-after-life, the living being is going through so many births in the material world and for a moment, like two straws floating together on the river of time, just for a moment these two straws are floating together until the waves of time will separate them. So our material love, even for those who are so dear to us, time will separate us!

But that does not mean that once we have assimilated this philosophy that now we must become cold, and that in this world there is no meaning to human relationships and affection and so on… No, we can remain affectionate but we must understand that those feelings of love only become meaningful if we connect them to the Supreme Lord because then the eternal element comes into the relationship. Then, in that relationship of affection, there is eternal spiritual advancement.

If we are not giving Krsna consciousness to our loved ones then there is no love at all! Then it is just illusion. For a moment, “I love you so much!” then it all disappears again. There is no such thing as eternal love in the material world.

 

Eternal relationships

Sometimes, some souls stay together for a number of lifetimes in different relationships. It depends; they may not always be husband and wife. They may change roles – the husband may become the wife and the wife becomes the husband, or one may become a child. So many varieties of karmic relationships may be there, changes may be there but some souls may be connected for a while, then time will separate them. But between vaisnavas, eternal relationships can be established. They exist when vaisnavas engage together in glorification of the Supreme Lord. Then everything becomes eternal… relationships become eternal and continue in the spiritual world. That is even possible for devotees to continue their eternal relationships in the eternal realm.

Also, the relationship between Guru and disciple is described to be eternal. But the question may be raised, does that mean that the relationship was already there before!? Eternal means ever after but also ever before! This is a topic that has been debated many times and there are opinions… and it is not so (clear)… we don’t have so much clear indication. Some have said yes, eternal means ever after and ever before! Others have said, eternal means from now on forever. That if a relationship develops here in this world that it continues forever. Whatever may be, the most important focus for us is that it is forever…

Yesterday the first printed copies of the Hebrew edition of my book Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective were received from the printer in Israel.

Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs of the Global Jewish Advocacy and International President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace—a renowned figure in Judaism and peace initiatives on many continents—wrote a review:

“Giriraja Swami’s impressive book deals with the challenges that arise from the finality of life in this material word, and offers a deep understanding of eternal existence beyond death. The universal wisdom in this book is inspired by the tradition and insights of Bhakti Yoga, and, as emphasizes by Maimonides in his introduction to Masechet Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), we must aspire to accept wisdom from any source in the world. Within the Vedic knowledge that this book presents, basic values which are known to us from the Semitic religions and particularly Judaism, are highlighted. Indeed, this book illustrates that which is common to all religions and is beyond what separates. Without a doubt, the insights in this book can be of great aid to any person who is dealing with death directly or indirectly, and can strengthen one’s understanding, as stated by our sages, that death is but ‘a night between two days.’ ”

Special thanks go to Rohini-nandana dasa and Tulasi-devi dasi for translating the book and overseeing all aspects of the production.

May Srila Prabhupada and the Supreme Personality of Godhead bless all who are involved with this work—those who distribute the knowledge, those who receive the knowledge, and those who apply the knowledge in preparation for life’s final exam.

Yours in service,
Giriraj Swami

Madrid/Toronto

Spain Wrap Up

It was a blessing to once again move through the windy, swervy streets of Madrid in the morning. Now I could actually see much more. What a plus it is to have pedestrian cobblestone streets without the botheration of machines whizzing by every few seconds. I consider it a second blessing for receiving a gift, a pair of sandals, that have the perfect fit. This is something I didn't ask for but something I needed. The former pair of shoes, I now leave behind, was also a gift. Not to be ungrateful but the purchase of footwear to the right size is critical, otherwise the shoes have a negative effect on your physiological self. It's a special pleasure to be on the right trail with the right fitting gear.

At one square that we came to, vehicles restricted, one of our boys wanted to sit and question me on his ashram status. Okay! So he opened up and wanted some advice on whether it was wise to go the full-on brahmacari (monk) way or wait it out. He had been living with a woman some time back.

"Am I ready?" he asked.

Such a question is personal and individual, of course. I generally encourage every young male, or female, to tread the waters of celibacy but more important is bhakti, devotion. Celibacy is a good experience and it prepares one for responsibility on the next level, should one choose to partner-up with someone. I also would like to add a message which I recall I read on a billboard when I walked through Manitobacountry three summers ago. The line, a message for teens especially, was, "Save Sex For Marriage." To me it's an old school value but one that works when applied.

During my flight back to CanadaI had some quality time reading "Love, Medicine and Music, the flip-side of the Sixties - Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll" by Roger Siegel aka Gurudas. I'm lovin' it. Yes, life in the 60s before our guru (Srila Prabhupada) came was very experimental.


May the Source be with you!

5 km

Madrid, Spain

Being in Madrid

Tenerife, Spain

Preparation: Parade

To prepare for any event, for any endeavour, practitioners of bhakti-yoga engage in some sadhana. Essential to seeing that sadhana is done, they look to the earlier morning hours to connect to the Divine What this entails is some mantra meditation, some reflection on guru and God, and some contemplation of words of wisdom.

Our small group of bhaktas (devotees) achieved these sadhana components at the beach for the last full day of our stay in Tenerife. The big event for tonight was the Chariot Fest and the sadhana exists for being psychological prepared. The public would come. And they did, including the mayor and other staff members of the city council at Playa de las Americas.