Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Orlando, Florida
Fill Life With Stories
The story of Dvidvida gorilla is a charmer for young and old and everyone else in between. After that regular trek that I take from Ananta’s house to the Alachua temple, I lead my last kirtan and class in the area before departing for Orlando. When time came for class, the episode of the infamous gorilla came, as in sequence to our morning Bhagavatam discussion.
Dvidvida is both a nuisance and troublemaker. As light as the story sometimes sounds, it can also remind us of the more serious nature of the inner demon that is said to distract us from the path of devotional service. He is horrendous in his habits. He pollutes sacrificial structures with his urine and feces. He carries off with his powerful arms, men and women, concealing them in hidden away caves, and also makes gross approaches towards simple village women. The hairy ape is obnoxious. Finally, he challenges the brother of Krishna, Balaram, when he meets his match and is swiftly done away with.
We may ask for strength and call on Balaram with the hope to subdue the monster within. When we chant, “Rama”, it refers to Balaram in anticipation that agitation within will be replaced by the desire to serve.
Part two of today had us end up at Abhimanyu Arjuna’s home for a sangha. Here, families came with children and certainly, they remained focused on a less culprit story. They became enchanted (and so did their accompanying parents) by the tale of Krishna and Sudhama. As boyhood schoolmates, they shared some good times together. With the passage of time, and years of separation, they reunited in a cordial and endearing recollection of childhood pastimes. It is not a bad idea for all of us to recall our days of innocence, especially after we dwell on some of our own selfish follies. It can be very humbling and therapeutic.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Thursday, June 11th, 2015
Wednesday June 10th, 2015
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Wednesday June 10th, 2015
Alachua, Florida
No Blues Today
Yesterday we enjoyed the fresh water of one of the many springs in Florida. Today, we had a good look and a good bite at blueberries.
At the outskirt of a town, Worthington Springs, I found myself at an organic farm for blue-berries, a pick-your-own farming enterprise. They were not like the low-lying wild blue-berries I’m accustomed to in the Canadian shield, but like small trees and bearing a slight tart taste.
A torrential rainstorm terminated our picking, but I felt, while it lasted, that a community spirit was well in shape. Everyone in the orchard was a devotee of Krishna by some circumstance. yes, this is a popular place for devotees who are known to pick, freeze and pull batches out of the freezer for periodical pie-making or the cooking of semolina halava garnished with the beauts. For one, the experience brought me back to the days of adolescence when picking feverishly at cherries in the month of June in Canada.
Morning also involved a trip to Gainesville, the Krishna House where I conducted a class in the Bhagavatam. Evening was an intriguing challenge. I was asked to conduct a session with kids. What age was coming? I wasn’t sure what age group? Somehow someone had trust in me. So, I walked into the temple in Alachua and there were no less than thirty kids sat, waiting for my entrance and ready for some stimulation.
I did my best. The kirtan at the end somehow came of as less zoo-like considering the incredible age-range from 3 to 12. My dear Lord, thanks for the challenge.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
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Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
Alachua, Florida
The Treasure of Florida
Florida boasts to having over a thousand springs, rivers of cooling clear waters, through the state. Ichetucknee Springs State Park was the destination of a few of us who enjoy tubing, snorkeling or just plain swimming on one of such springs. This particular spring with its limestone bottom, reeds growing from its bed and the home of the turtles, snakes and in some seasons manatees, flows at a comfortable speed. One of the boys has spot wild boars on a previous visit.
It was Aravind that I renounced my orange tube to for the joy of swimming most of the distance. What a treat this was! It was rather a great obstacle course at times dodging fallen trees or holding onto a log that appeared to lost and now gained a purpose. It becomes a perfect anchor for catching a few moments of breath.
My day in its completion felt like a flowing stream with delivering a class from Canto 10 of the Bhagavatam on the subject of the company that shapes you. In the evening I was slotted to facilitate a “Nine Devotions Workshop”. All went well, this workshop included. My analysis on this one, though, is that the participation was on the high side. Beyond the figure 30, it becomes a trite unmanageable.
Its purpose is to bring the members of the group closer to each other, hence creating a more cohesive community overall. There is a tendency amongst us to become a bit too formalized when we step in a spiritual domain such as the temple. The mood can often be one of an institutional mode.
It is always good to remember what are the natural traits of a stripped-down spirit soul. We are eternal. We are cognitive. We are joyful.
May the Source be with you!
7 km walking, 5 km swimming
Sunday June 7th, 2015
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Sunday June 7th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Not a True Square Place
Dundas Square in Toronto’s answer to Times Square. At that very spot, the juncture of Yonge and Dundas, a promo festival to the upcoming Chariot Festival, was held today. I went from stall to stall schmoozing before joining the beautiful kirtan that task place. there was also a mock exotic temple erected for the public to experience. Face-painting, henna, food (prasadam), clothes and other wares were on for sale. There were a lot of curious browsers and eager participants.
One artist there who had this fantastic work in progress, oil on canvas, was a rendering of the face of Krishna collaged with the elements. He rather liked the location for the event. A fairly newcomer to Canada and who hails from Cuba, he was surprised to know about Dundas Square. “Twenty years ago this did not exist,” I explained. “It was a block of buildings for retail. i have a brother-in-law who owned a jewelry store on this block. The city decided some time ago that a public space was needed to break the monotonous feature of the highrises.”
That was a smart decision although in my opinion there could have been some green at the scene. A huge stage is a permanent fixture. There is seating and water-fountains geyser up in the air from time to time. It is a far way from the descriptions you read about regarding the gorgeous city in Dwarka during Krishna’s time but it was an honest effort on the part of the conscientious city council.
I want to congratulate the team of Keshav, Rukmini and others who worked hard to assemble this little Krishna Conscious market-place on behalf of the Ratha Yatra. Job well done!
May the Source be with you!
6 km
Monday, June 8th, 2015
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Monday, June 8th, 2015
Alachua, Florida
God Knows!
God knows that I want to put in a little time on a pedometer every day. Frankly I’m not using one but perhaps I should start. If walking long corridors like I did today in Atlanta’s Airport (a stopover) then a device would show some distance on foot. At this point I’m reluctant to count such steps as adding to collective walking for the day. Generally I like to count what I do outside because it is more the full experience.
Since that is the case I can register no kilometres or miles for that matter. I can only think, or dream, of having put on the distance. Being up in the air twice today in order to to reach Gainesville Airport lends itself to dreaming. You are above the the clouds.
Ananta Sesa and Vaishnavi, my hosts in their home, gave only the best meal starting with a salad of greens and sprouts. It would have been great to have walked it off but in truth I’m not a fan for walking through afternoon blazes, the heat of summer Florida.
Nighttime was a preoccupation of in the home of my stay when godbrothers/sisters, and perhaps two generations below came to chant, eat and talk. We talked of our spiritual brother Brahmananda, who passed away yesterday in India. In the 60’s he was the heart of Iskcon, the Hare Krishna Movement. He was one of the first takers to the mission of our guru, Srila Prabhupada, in New York where it all started fifty years ago. One person in the room described him as a transcendental teddy bear. He was large in his build and was soft in the heart. He will be missed.
May the Source be with you!
0 km
Message Of Encouragement
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Dear Rasa Prabhu,
Thanks for your email the other day (well, all of them for that matter), the one where you shared your reasons for starting the Japa group.
Since December I haven't been chanting sixteen rounds but I'm still in contact with the glories of the holy name because of your daily emails.
I don't know how many people are subscribed to you but I've always been a fan.
Since Monday this week I've been chanting four rounds...certainly thanks to all the contact I have with devotees, which is considerably less than I've had, but still notably as potent as anything spiritual.
I hope and trust you have the strength to keep your service and am thankful for it.
Mangala Arati
→ Clouds.
It is 4 a.m and -7C outside. "Should I wear a jacket? Welllllll its muci, I have to go on the altar, it is just a short distance..... I can brave the cold". Knock on Madhavi's door, make sure she is awake and run out the back door all the way to the temple. Barely entering, I hear the conchshell blow. I run inside....out of breath offer obeisances and ......Swish! The curtains open......
With the darkness outside, the only source of light being Krishna's effulgence from the altar I stand before them mesmerized....the slow karatals start.....
And slowly "samsara dava....nalalidha loka......" Radharani with her simple veil..her simple nosering...simply divine.....
Jagannath ever smiling.....nothing alters his smile.......you are so merciful, you let me hug you everyday on the altar when I dressed you! Where are you?
And oh my nitaicandra and gauracandra.....so merciful your gaze......
Will I ever experience this mangala arati again? When will I get to hug you Jagannath?
With the darkness outside, the only source of light being Krishna's effulgence from the altar I stand before them mesmerized....the slow karatals start.....
And slowly "samsara dava....nalalidha loka......" Radharani with her simple veil..her simple nosering...simply divine.....
Jagannath ever smiling.....nothing alters his smile.......you are so merciful, you let me hug you everyday on the altar when I dressed you! Where are you?
And oh my nitaicandra and gauracandra.....so merciful your gaze......
Will I ever experience this mangala arati again? When will I get to hug you Jagannath?
Hare Krishna! NASN May 2015 – North American Sankirtan…
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Hare Krishna! NASN May 2015 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of May. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17995
Nonprofit Spotlight: ECO-Vrindaban’s Cow Sanctuary
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Five years ago I became a vegetarian for health and compassion reason. “I want to hug them, not eat them.” is how I feel. But before I go any further, I’m not here to try and convince you to become on or to judge/alienate any carnivore readers out there. (I live with one!)
While in West Virginia, I got to spend some time up-close and personal with these gentle giants, and learn about the local cow sanctuary, ECO-V. I wholeheartedly support animal rights, and I am happy to share some good work being done on behalf of these beautiful creatures.
According to the website, ECOV (Earth Cows Opportunities and Villages) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to cow protection, local production of food, sustainable housing, alternative energy production and energy conservation. Cow protection includes not sending cows to slaughterhouses and letting them live out their lives until a natural death.
Regardless of dietary preference or philosophy, I think we can all agree that factory-farming slaughterhouses are just the worst.The West Virginia location is the first of many small villages ECO-V wants to build around an agrarian, spiritual lifestyle based on the mission of plain living, high thinking, and close connections to Mother Earth in a sustainable way.We took a walking tour of the barns and pastures, and since we had two kids with us, we mainly visited the oldie ‘slowie’ cows. They were just straight up chilling, living out the rest of their days in peace. They were all so gentle! The bulls are kept behind closed gates for everyone’s safety, but the cows have more freedom to roam around.
The idea is really neat, but there is a lot of room for improvement and a lot of work to be done. ECO-V accepts financial donations but the nonprofit also invites folks who want to help spend weekends or vacations helping out, hand-on. That’s the difference-maker, right there. Not just for the organization, but also for those volunteering.
Their work with cows is year-round, but there are numerous other projects in the works from March until December. From planting trees and maintaining them, to building fences, garden spaces and low impact construction projects, there are plenty of nature-related activities for volunteers.
Have you ever gotten your hand dirty with soil?
Helped build or care for something?
It is life-changing.
Visit their website for more information.
You can read the original posting of the article via this link:
Hare Krishna! Free Book Layout And Designing Service For Srila…
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Hare Krishna! Free Book Layout And Designing Service For Srila Prabhupada’s Disciples
To preserve and perpetuate Srila Prabhupada’s legacy, we are offering free layout and designing services to any SP disciple who would like to pen his/her memoirs. This is a selfless service and we seek no reward, not even layout credits. We are trained professionals who are fulltime engaged in ISKCON services and not in any designing business. All you have to do is to unearth those beautiful memories and pen them down. Rest we will take care. You will get a world class book interior and title cover of your choice.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17991
ISKCON-Delhi: 6th Boat Festival : 19-06-2015 (Album with…
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ISKCON-Delhi: 6th Boat Festival : 19-06-2015 (Album with photos)
Simply beautiful!
See them here: https://goo.gl/dn633v
The walking monk becomes a waiting monk but for a good…
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The walking monk becomes a waiting monk but for a good cause!
Bhaktimarga Swami: Alas, there was Nick, inside the boutique, making a $400 sale of BBT books. Someone had taken interest in the complete volume set of our guru’s books. The purchase would surely nurture the soul for the one reading page after page of revelations by Srila Prabhupada to do with the Absolute Truth.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/h69SwR
Sydney Sunday Program (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami : Sunday…
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Sydney Sunday Program (Album with photos)
Ramai Swami : Sunday afternoons at North Sydney temple are always packed out with enthusiastic devotees and guests coming from 5pm right through to 9pm. There is a Sunday school for the kids and prasadam is served continuously. Sometimes there are two lectures – one before arati and one after.
See them here: http://goo.gl/HBPf92
Rathayatra in Vilnius (Album with photos)
That’s the…
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Rathayatra in Vilnius (Album with photos)
That’s the letter shared Vaishnavi dd Mataji: - My mom accidentally saw Rathayatra in Vilnius and there wrote: “I congratulate you on the holiday of Krishna. Today saw your nice celebrated in the heart of the city. I was like enchantment, an hour watched even wanted dance with them. One girl said that this festival is celebrated every year. it was very beautiful! And then in the park, I even cried, I do not know that I was so fascinated. ”
This is such an unusual festival we had yesterday. Jay Jagannath !!!
See them here: https://goo.gl/KQuanh
Jahnavi sings at last nights program
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Pandava Sena Alumni debate on the existence of god
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Hare Krishna! World Yoga Day: Let’s Go Beyond Political and…
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Hare Krishna! World Yoga Day: Let’s Go Beyond Political and Physical Posturing and Is Yoga Hindu?
Massive preparations are under way in India to celebrate the first International Day of Yoga on Sunday – even as an unsavoury row has broken out over whether practising the ancient discipline makes one a Hindu, writes the BBC’s Geeta Pandey in Delhi. “The numbers are mindboggling, we expect tens of millions to participate,” Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is a huge yoga enthusiast and according to reports practices it daily, will be in attendance
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17987
Hare Krishna! 50th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada Jaladuta…
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Hare Krishna! 50th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada Jaladuta Yatra, KolkataAlready, devotees from around 60 countries have been finalized to come for this program. We are providing them free accommodation and prasadam. Also, conveyances within their stay in Kolkata. Within India we can try for their train tickets. But we will not able to provide their flight tickets. So, we are looking for foreigner devotees who can be available in India during festival period. But, if someone wants to come from their own country, we request them to make their own arrangements.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17984
Pandava Sena Alumni debate on the existence of god
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Morning Lecture at Bhaktivedanta Manor
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Radha Damodara
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Hare Krishna! High Definition Videos of your temple required for…
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Hare Krishna! High Definition Videos of your temple required for Golden Jubilee celebration
On 13th August 2015 we are celebrating Golden Jubilee of Srila Prabhupada’s Voyage to America. On that occasion we are planning to show a video portraying Srila Prabhupada’s achievement . Humbly request all devotees to send a 2 minutes High Definition Video footage (best as per your discretion) of your temple community, Deities, activities, Rathayatra, food for life, farm community (devotees ploughing, milking etc.), devotees children playing, dancing, singing etc.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17981
Hare Krishna! A memorial for Srimad Bhakti Prema Prabhu
We are…
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Hare Krishna! A memorial for Srimad Bhakti Prema Prabhu
We are on the search for any and all of His Grace Bhakti Prema Prabhu’s (Premji Gopal Kerai) lectures. If anyone has any videos, audio or photos of Sriman Bhakti Prema Prabhu it would be greatly appreciated
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17977
An appeal from Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education Shri…
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An appeal from Vrindavan Institute for Higher Education Shri Vrindavan Dham
The VIHE functions as a brahminical entity. Although we do request students to contribute to the administrative cost of running the courses, we depend on well-wishers for most of our expenses. We would like to request your support in taking the VIHE a little forward. It has been a few years now that we have been struggling to operate from our current setup, which has simply become too small. Our activities have been expanding. Last year we were unable to admit all the devotees who applied for the Bhakti Shastri course because they would not have fit in the classroom. For Bhakti Vaibhava has also been steadily increasing; we have plenty of requests for the Hindi Bhakti Shastri, which we are only able to facilitate once every two or three years, and we have recently started a Sanskrit grammar course. Applications for the 2015 semesters have already started to come in and we would like to be able to respond adequately. Besides the shortage of classroom space we are also tight with office and storage space, and the accommodation of teachers is often problematic.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=17974
Mercy In Moldova: “Festival of India” brings…
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Mercy In Moldova: “Festival of India” brings everybody closer to Bhagavan Shri Krishna’s presence (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Thousands of people attended the first day of our festival in Chisinau, Moldova. Held at the prestigious MOLDEXPO grounds near the center of the city the event attracted people of all ages. Our ‘larger than life’ puppet theaters thrilled both parents and children alike and our Bhagavad Gita play brought forth a resounding applause from the audience. All the devotees were happy seeing so many people enjoying Krsna consciousness. Srila Prabhupada, may this festival go on for 100 years and spread your message to the 4 corners of the earth!
See them here: https://goo.gl/nSnZ7h
Daily Darshan – June 20th, 2015
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24Hours Kirtan – Radha Madhava Das
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24Hours Kirtan – Radha Madhava Das, Vrindavan
Saturday, June 6th, 2015
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Saturday, June 6th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
A Minor Conquest
Whenever I have an issue with my knee or ankle, not terribly serious though, but with some pain, I've found it helpful to walk myself through the problem. Today was that day for that to happen.
Beginning from our ashram, Karuna, Dan, and I set on foot for the bike/pedestrian trail along the Don River. Soaking in sun, sheltering under shade and dodging hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts that shared the path was the initial phase of our sojourn. That then changed. At Taylor Creek Park the trail thins out and even becomes practically impossible for a cyclist. You enter mean forest with a narrow strip of walkway. The ground is soft but uneven in spots. That's what helps an ailing knee or ankle. The mechanics I don't quite understand. What I do know is that certain muscles that are usually lazy from a straight and flat sidewalk now get activated.
We are basically following a trail by the Don. And it was lovely. Here you are in the city but totally aloof - in the green. The Don continued to meander. It was a new discovery - this place and unfortunately our journey was to terminate, not because the river ended. It continues for some distance, yet to be explored for a future date. We actually had a lunch engagement much further up the Don. It was time to come out of the river's ravine and catch a ride to meet our appointment. Otherwise we would anticipate a four hour journey through the up-and-down gorgeousness of the wilderness.
End result of all the exploration was that my agitated knee felt repaired. I like this kind of conquest which was backed-up by the Supreme, the Maker of rivers and the Blesser of trails.
May the Source be with you!
10 km
Thursday, June 4th, 2015
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Thursday, June 4th, 2015
Mayapur, India
A New Book
From Winnipeg I boarded a plane where a brief encounter with Swami Narayana monks involved saying, "Namaste!" and "Hare Krishna." After a lay-over in Toronto and then boarding Air Canada destined for Thunder Bay I sat next to Shawn Campbell. We were next to each other on the flight to Thunder Bay.
What a great conversation! Time was flying as was our plane. So Shawn used to be employed with the pulp and paper industry. We talked about that and I became enlightened as to what wood makes the best pulp and what makes the best newsprint. The dominant trees of the area, nestled in the Boreal forest was spruce, jack pine, some poplar, cedar. "What about the white birch so common around Thunder Bay? What's happening to them? They seem to be deteriorating. On my walks I see them losing their leaves and lustre.
Shawn had the answer. "When the loggers come in for the paper industry they take all the trees out around them and leave them...
I butt in and said, "Alone?!"
"Yes." He went on to explain that like most trees they are inter-dependent. They need the other species to survive. Whether its gases they emit or the breaking of the wind, the birches require that the other species be around them.
"Hmmmmm!" That's like people. We, being social animals, hanker for human interaction, an interdependency," I suggested. Who wants to be alone?
We covered more territory in our chat. We touched on war. Shawn felt that religion was the cause of major wars. I begged to differ. Many wars were fought over land and commodities such as gold, oil, salt, etc. although greed may have been part of the mix.
Shawn is now a Floridian and visits his northern home country. I hope to meet him again.
It was by Boulevard Lake that Lian, her 7 year son, Noah, Milan, Luke, and host Dr Jani - circled the waters' perimeter. There we were in the world of birches (healthy ones), poplar, pine, and spruce. We were on Cloud Nine with the smells and colours. I felt I was in the air once again.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Friday, June 5th, 2015
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Friday, June 5th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Dan Came
Dan is willing enough to admit to struggling with drugs. He wants to put the nasty things behind him. He has come to Krishna to get help and support. He's been chanting, meditating on his japa beads. Reading the Bhagavad-gita and being in the company of devotees is making a difference.
Dan has just arrived from Alberta and is taking to a monk-for-a-weekend retreat at the ashram with us. The rain had come down hard just before he arrived by bus. The air was clean and not long after quite the ride from Ontario's southern tip, Windsor, Dan was quite ready for a trek that Karuna and I had planned.
So through Rosedale neighbourhood we threesome went picking up the fresh smells after a thorough shower from the gods in many ways the walk through this region with its mature growth of well-placed trees was the introduction to Dan's monk-for-a-weekend experience. It was the perfect therapeutic venture for the three of us. After all, who in this world is not sick with some addiction/attachment?
We all are!
What comes to mind is a verse of hope from the Bhagavad-gita 6.45:
"And when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavour in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal."
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015
Calgary, Alberta
Observing Nature Gave Substance To My Talk
Craig Ginn brought his students from Mount Royal College. A great walk on Calgary's Greenway, then brunch at Yogendra's over fiddle-heads on buns - these two engagements got me pumped up for meeting students who wanted to know everything from the soul's transmigration to destiny at death.
If it wasn't for the walk through nature in the morning my philosophical presentation to these students would appear theoretical, even shallow. Because I took that stroll and with two good souls, Gaurachandra and Vani, I witnessed life in the form of magpies in flight, ravens perched and other fowl in anticipation of conquest, of death of food, of sex, I could speak with a greater conviction, fullness, and support behind me.
I detected some shyness in the group of students and some reluctance to sing, dance, and even ask questions in the beginning. It took time for the students to get comfortable but they got there and to the point where they really appreciated the interactiveness. They were great! They were served veggie burgers. Irresistible!
Now, my host in Calgary, had his birthday today. Radha Madhava turned forty-seven, looks like thirty-one. I think its all that vegetarianism in the form of prasadam that keeps him young.
Every time I visit Calgary Radha Madhava calls everyone to his home for a sanga. He manages to pack his place. The formula to success on his sanga programs is feed everyone at 6:30 pm. Satisfy the palate. Then roll on the kirtan and then the discussion. Program finished by 9:30 pm at the latest.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Wednesday, June 3th, 2015
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Wednesday, June 3th, 2015
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Meeting His Words Again
Doug, Daruka, and I took cautious steps on unofficial trails along the Assiniboine River within the city limits of Winnipeg. The river had taken its natural course of the spring season. Water levels are fairly high but not too high for us to traverse. I would imagine there are some of the oldest trees in the province where we roamed - chunky and tall, often bent a bit.
Here we were with water (the river); with silt, hard and soft (earth) under our feet; with our giants, the trees representing fire; with the river breeze blowing over (air) and with a space for comfort (ether).
Nice setup, Nature!
By evening a sanga took place at 108 Chestnut Street. Vrinda, our facilitator, and Malini were early. Others came like Visvambhara and wife Daniel. Farida too. She gave me a card quoting St Francis of Assisi - a well-known piece worth sharing:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master
Grant that I may not so much
Seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
May the Source be with you!
7 km
Monday, June 1st, 2015
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Monday, June 1st, 2015
Calgary, Alberta
Calm Through Conflict
Most people enter a period of conflict in their life when governed by dark influence, even dark planets. The Vedas of India identify two such planets - Rahu and Ketu. It is a time when self-reflection is of optimum importance and comes in handy when entering a storm in consciousness. We get emotional and defensive.
It reminds me of Arjuna going through his emotional intensity. And then Krishna offers him a sense of balance.
I've found that during internal storms I would be compelled to self-reflect. In a recent article in "The Globe and Mail" newspaper article by Harvey Schachter, a quoted Cinnie Noble says, "reflection moves our brains from the emotional part, the amygdala, to the thinking part, the prefrontal cortex."
This technique of shifting from emotion to logic and reasoning is the technique used by Sri Krishna in steering Arjuna to a more grounded position. Arjuna had been puzzled upon seeing to the difficult task of fighting kinsmen and friends. Arjuna found himself confused, grieving, trembling, crying - being emotional.
Krishna put some loving pressure on Arjuna and addressed him saying that his reaction was one of "petty weakness of heart." Arjuna's head and heart were at war.
Somehow - because the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna was valued between the two persons - Krishna's pressure and Arjuna's letting up was able to transpire, and Arjuna was able to come to some resolve. He weathered the storm and became peaceful within. He listened then to Krishna's logic and was able to transcend.
May the Source be with you!
9 km
Sunday, May 31st, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Sunday, May 31st, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
Ford Connection
“Small world,” is what we concluded.
Alfred Brush Ford, the great grandson of motor vehicle inventor, Henry Ford, came to town on a fundraiser for a huge temple construction in Mayapura, India. I had crossed paths with him a few times in spiritual circles, mostly in India. Also known as Ambarisa (his Sanskrit name), he graced us with his presence, and the divine company of his wife, Svaha.
This time around upon meeting him I had to ask him a question which would confirm some karmic connection between him and I in this life.
“So, you were raised in Detroit?”
“Yes,” he said.
“You’re a Motown boy?”
“You could say that.”
“Did you ever come up to Canada when you were young, particularly in Ontario?”
“Yes, I used to go to see Shakespeare plays in Stratford, Ontario.”
“Okay, but did your family have property about an hour’s drive from Detroit in Ontario?”
“Yes, the family had a lodge in the marshy areas.” “Near Tilbury?”
“I believe that was it, but it was a lodge where guys used to go and hunt ducks. My dad tried to show me how to use a gun, and I accidentally almost blew his head off.” (Laughter)
“Were there pictures of scantily clad ladies on the walls of the lodge? And did the place always have a cigarette smell?”
“Yes.”
“That’s it!” I said, “My dad did the maintenance there. He used to put out the duck decoys, spread corn out in the marsh in hip boots in order to attract ducks, and he used to clean the lodge. On my last walk I trekked through that area, and my sister, Roseanne, who accompanied me for a bit, mentioned that the Ford family owned the lodge.”
Ambarisa found it thoroughly interesting that I used to hang out there as he did, but we never met then. He told me of the time when he was a hippy, and with a friend got on board a motor boat and then got caught in an electric storm when they were tripping, and how a duck in flight lead the motor boat to the lodge after being lost in the marsh and canals.
“Isn’t that something, Ambarisa? My brother and I had gone fishing there, and we used to help our dad. We caught fish but we couldn’t stand eating them. What a small world it is.”
May the Source be with you!
0 km
Friday, May 29th, 2015
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Friday, May 29th, 2015
Edmonton, Alberta
Out There
William Hawrelak Park was our chosen walking spot which included trails trekking along the North Saskatchewan River. Bala Krishna, our temple coordinator said of the walk, "The wild rose, Alberta's official provincial flower, is such pretty plant, a perennial that survives hard winters. It teaches us how to persevere obstacles.
Raja Gopal said this, "I was in awe to see the expanse of the river from the viewpoint of the middle of the walking bridge. Nature was giving us a wide welcome."
Madhavi, Raja's wife, who runs our Sunday School, really liked when we sat on the grass and when we took some moment to chant japa together. She expressed to me that after the sit that I was a botany professor as much as I was a chanter because I had educated them in some of the local plants, and also suggested to her that we make a lilac tea from the bush in bloom near by.
Raju expressed that the breeze was perfect, "I'm always in an office and it was such a relief being out in the elements."
Sandiya said, "I got a charge out of harvesting dandelion flowers for tomorrow's pakoras. You see, today is an optional full day fast, including water. I can't wait to try them out as a snack, but I'll have to wait til tomorrow."
Sudeep came from the office and joined us for the trek, but couldn't get away from talking on his cell phone. But, like myself, I'm sure he just couldn't ignore the powerful scent of wildflowers.
It's good to hear from others for a change. Congratulations to Ria who took diksa (initiation). Her new name is Saranagati. And Rajesh happily accepted the name Raja Gopal.
May the Source be with you!
5 km
Saturday, May 30th, 2015
→ The Walking Monk
Saturday, May 30th, 2015
Edmonton, Alberta
Bear and Embrace
The community was excited. New deities were installed. The murtis, or deities of Chaitanya and Nityananda graced the shrine. For the instalment of the deities, there was the use of ghee, milk, flowers, grain, yogurt, juices, and other substances. This is called snan, a bathing process. It is a procedure that is common in the bhakti tradition, and it was enjoyed by all.
Part of the procedure required my standing. I've come to some realization that I'm not a stander. I like to sit (not always in the lotus position, but by chair). And, of course, walking is just fine. Standing is not my forte. I took today's ordeal of standing while pouring substances as a sacrifice, which is not bad for a monk to execute. The ceremony was beautiful, it extended for what seemed like hours.
The Evening
All of White Mud Drive was an exit the group took via vehicle. We parked, then entered along a trail by Fort Edmonton along that vibrant river way, the North Saskatchewan.
I would say most emphatically, that it is highly necessary for every human being to make nature connections every day of your life. Whether you are a corporate person locked in a concrete jungle, or a man of the cloth, meaning a priest orpujari, do connect with nature because it is the spirit of God that you contact. It offers a balance. Make the day complete with some work, some ritual, and some recreation. It is what I consider holistic, or, whole-istic, living. It is there for all of us to take advantage of. Drop the phobia for rain, cold, heat, and wind. Bear it and embrace it.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Thursday, May 28th, 2015
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Thursday, May 28th, 2015
Toronto, Ontario
It Can Be Great To Wait
Praveen and I were rather proud of ourselves after we made the commitment to a one hour of walking during our japa meditation period. Our arrival at the ashram was right on the button, smack on the second of a 60 minute trek. It couldn’t have been more accurate, more exacting to the second. Personally, I feel great when things are done timely like this. Praveen was beaming as was I.
I felt a bit less elated, though, in the afternoon, when our slotted time, 2 PM, for a dash to our communal van was delayed. The clock ticked from 2 to 2:10, to 2:20, and finally, 2:30, and we were still not loaded up with all monks possible, and drums. It was mainly Nick, whom I often address as ‘Slick Nick’, who was the culprit and the cause of challenging time. The rest of us, four residential monks, were growing impatient. I decided to avoid storming him (impatience externally in check), and to leave the van for the ashram to explore and ask, “Why the hold up, Nick?” No, I wasn’t going to use my kick, or a stick on Nick. My affection for Nick is too strong. Nevertheless, I was curious as hell to know what happened to the last of the chanters as we anticipated our journey for Kensington Market, an enclave of shops and people of an open kind.
Alas, there was Nick, inside the boutique, making a $400 sale of BBT books. Someone had taken interest in the complete volume set of our guru’s books. The purchase would surely nurture the soul for the one reading page after page of revelations by Srila Prabhupada to do with the Absolute Truth.
Those of us waiting were now relieved. The extra wait bore marvelous fruit. With our spirits up and Nick now ready to go, we ventured off to Kensington and then Chinatown. We started drumming and chanting, all was auspicious. We even stumbled upon various acquaintances, and also made new friends along the way.
All’s well that ends well.
May the Source be with you!
8 km
Killing Time
→ ISKCON – The Hare Krishna Movement
Modern man is preoccupied with time. Big time. We race against it. We want to “kill” it. We create unlimited gadgets to save it. In 1965 Srila Prabhupada wrote an article entitled, “No Time Is a Chronic Disease of the...
This Sunday hear and associate with His Grace Vaishnava Dasa
→ ISKCON Brampton
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Kirtan with Hladini Kirtan Band at your home
Padmini
Sunday School
Gift ShopDo the Vedas Evolve over Time?
→ The Enquirer
In modern academic scholarship, almost every interpretation of anything relating to the classical and ancient history of India is based on the assumption that the culture – encapsulated in their sacred text, the Veda – has evolved over time. The Veda themselves, in the form we currently have them, also admit their chronological origin, but there is an important difference between the academic concept and the Vedic concept of this evolution.
The academic concept, following the concept prevalent in all applications of the “evolution” principle, posits that Vedic evolution began from scratch, from zero – and gradually worked itself into the condition we have it today.
The Vedic concept posits that its evolution began from completeness, then gradually devolved to almost zero, and then is rebuilt, gradually. So the vedic concept of its evolution is like a sine wave, which begins from an apex. At the beginning of this sine wave, Viṣṇu delivered the seeds of all Veda in completeness to Brahmā, thus making Brahmā capable of being “Brahmā” and creating all the structures and systems that form the universe as we know it today.
From there, the Veda undergoes a constant, recurring cycle of devolution and evolution – in sync with the cosmic yugas. At the height of satya yuga, Brahmā’s veda is fully manifest. From there to the heart of Dvapara yuga that veda gradually becomes confusing, scattered lost, and misunderstood till almost nothing of its original essence remains. At that point someone takes the role of editor (“Vyāsa” means editor. Someone takes the role of Vyāsa in every Dvapara Yuga), and begins the task of restoring the essential meaning of the Veda. This task, according to the Veda itself (see. Bhāgavata Purāṇa 1.4), takes many centuries of work done by many different people. Thus restoring some lingering comprehension of the actual essence of the Veda.
One out of one thousand kali-yugas is very special, because Śrī Krishna himself appears as an avatāra. When this rare kali yuga occurs, Viṣṇu himself becomes Vyāsa and makes the final part of the Vedic restoration particularly special and suited to support Krishna’s avatar. This special evolution is the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
– Vraja Kishor dās
Tagged: Evolution, Veda
