Impurely Imitation, But Eventually Waking Up
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Karnamrita Das

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[Originally posted on October 10, 2012] By participating in regular spiritual practice we learn to see through the scriptures and to think spiritually beyond the material duality of good or bad, happy or sad, etc. What might seem to others like an ordinary life of work, school, and/or family, is for a devotee of Krishna, full of meaning, with lessons everywhere—if we are willing to look. Our ability to look for the seeds of instructions and mercy depends to a large extent on our positive absorption in Krishna thought and remembrance, or we could say our attitude toward life—what we look for or give energy to. On the one hand we see everywhere the shortcomings of matter in a life with no spirituality (or even how material attachments and desires in ourselves slow our spiritual progress). On the other, we also see the arrangement of Krishna, and how we are being guided and helped.

Though there are perhaps unlimited perceptions of a life, in general we could say that there is a negative material perspective, and a positive spiritual one. By this I don’t mean to imply that difficult challenges or seemingly “bad” things don’t happen to a devotee, but that an advanced devotee always knows that behind the problematic situation is an important lesson which may lead to more dependence on Krishna. Depending on Krishna means a less stressful life and a life lived in increasing happiness and devotional advancement. Everyone on the path of bhakti knows that the goal of Krishna prema (love for Krishna) is the highest ideal. To the extent that we realize and act on this, to that extent we will experience deeper joy, and even ecstatic moods in our spiritual practices. If our spiritual life seems stagnant or stuck, we can take note of what we are doing that doesn’t foster our spiritual life, and increase or begin those recommended practices for being Krishna conscious. Our life can seem complex, and yet the solution to our problems is simple, requiring that we believe in the possible by the power of grace as we focus on the holy name and devotional service.

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Bali Nama Hatta
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In Bali there are at least 5 or 6 home programs going on in any week of the year. The devotee community is mainly grhastha and they live all over the island.

Yudhamanyu das and Sundari devi dasi are both professionals but still find the time to invite devotees to their home. Yudhamanyu is the architect who designed the Jagannatha Gauranga temple.
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Will Bring Back The Mood
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I received another message from one of our group subscribers today:

Association will bring back the mood that I am chanting because I really want to serve Radha and Krishna - that desire should be higher than my any other material tendency to search for material pleasures.

Regards,

Freejo

Artistic Holidays at Prabhupada Desh – Italy 13-19 July 2015…
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Artistic Holidays at Prabhupada Desh – Italy 13-19 July 2015 Transcendental Art Seminar
For spreading Krsna conscious art and for the pleasure of those who are fond of art, we propose a seminar of painting. The intensive seminar will be conducted by two excellent and famous artists, direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada: Ram Dasa Abhirama and his wife Dhrti Devi Dasi. They will accompany the students in a complete experience of art by teaching them the traditional classic techniques to produce a painting and they will also bring their students in an intense meditation on the form of Lord Krishna.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16638

New Vrindaban Members Appreciate Each Other in Moving Ceremony
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New Vrindaban Members Appreciate Each Other in Moving Ceremony

By Madhava Smullen

 March 15th saw the second installment of a new tradition for New Vrindaban – holding “service appreciation ceremonies” in honor of devotees who have contributed their valuable time and effort in the development of the community.

During the first, at the ISKCON New Vrindaban and Eco-Vrindaban Board Meetings in November last year, long-time residents Madhava Gosh Dasa and his wife Vidya Dasi were honored for their more than forty years of service to the cows and gardens.

At the conclusion of this year’s spring Board Meetings, seven more devotees received attractive cherrywood plaques thanking them for their valued service.

Beginning the ceremony, ECO-V Board Chairman Bhima Dasa honored outgoing garden manager Kacey Orr for her exceptional work towards the development of local food production.

 

Former Garden Manager Kacey Orr

Former Garden Manager Kacey Orr

Several devotees then expressed how Kacey, an experienced local farmer, had brought the community gardens through a difficult transitional phase, and in just one year attracted many volunteers, produced large quantities of vegetables used in the Deity, devotee and restaurant kitchens, and laid the groundwork to make moving forward easier.

Kacey is now going on to work with an organization that provides organic food to low income families; but she has clearly left her mark on New Vrindaban, judging by the outpouring of affection and gratitude from residents.

“Everyone who worked closely with Kacey was infected by her incredible enthusiasm – she can make anyone smile, and you could feel that her soul was really in her service,” said President Jaya Krishna Dasa. “We will keep you in our hearts, Kacey, and I hope we cross paths again.”

Next the newest Board Member of ISKCON New Vrindaban, Ananga Manjari Dasi, presented a plaque to Jamuna Dasi, who has been on the board for twenty years since 1985 and a community member since 1980.

Yamuna dasi receives plaque from Ananga Manjari dasi

Jamuna dasi receives plaque from Ananga Manjari dasi

Everyone then shared their appreciation of Jamuna, especially her kindness, gentleness, approachability and wisdom. Board members like Anuttama Dasa were particularly grateful for her balancing the sometimes “over-abundance of testosterone” in the boardroom with her well-thought out perspectives that always put people at the forefront.

Gopalasyapriya Dasi then gave a personal example of how caring Jamuna was. Telling a story about how Jamuna had looked after her in just the way she needed when she was overstressed in her service, Gopa moved herself and many others in the room to tears. “I’m just so thankful to know her,” she said.

Incoming ECO-V Board Chair Bhima Dasa then led the group in honoring his predecessor Navin Shyam Dasa and his wife Krishna-Priya Dasi, who were unable to be there that day.

Now a U.S. attorney living in Dallas, Texas with Krishna-Priya and their two children, Navin helped the organization GEETA when it began the process of becoming ECO-V in 2010. He also helped set up the legal mechanisms by which the ECO-V board now runs, and served as its chair from 2012 to January 2015.

Appreciating Navin, devotees spoke about how he was always the calm and meticulous voice during turbulent times, making sure everything was done right and keeping everyone on course.

Navin Shyama enjoying some NV prasadam.

Navin Shyama enjoying some NV prasadam.

They pointed out how he also applied his sharp legal mind to thoroughly studying all Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on cow protection, and working to make sure New Vrindaban’s cow care would be sustainable into the future. And all this while caring for a young family, going through law school at Temple University full time, and graduating as valedictorian in his class!

Next, current co-GBC Anuttama Dasa thanked Malati Dasi – who was in hospital with pneumonia – for her work as co-GBC for 15 years. He noted her “unbelievable energy and enthusiasm,” her pivotal role in developing and managing Festival of Inspiration for 13 years, her global contribution as the first Vaishnavi on the GBC body, and her role on the Prabhupada’s Palace Restoration Committee.

“She has also helped the New Vrindaban community tremendously by being a great source for what Prabhupada would do or say in any given situation,” he said, while others expressed gratitude for her association and her constant stream of rare Srila Prabhupada anecdotes.

Some also spoke of her big heart. There was strong emotion in Thakura Dasa’s voice as he recounted how he had been “on the fringe” for 20 years, and no one was more important in bringing him back than Malati. “She’s one of the greatest gifts in my devotional life in a very, very long time,” he said.

Community and board members alike are praying for Malati’s health, and hope that she will continue to play an important role, giving her guidance and sharing her energy.

Malati Prabhu

Malati Prabhu

Finally, Chaitanya Mangala Dasa, a joint board member who grew up in New Vrindaban, presented Kripamaya Dasa and Krsna Bhava Dasi with a special lifetime appreciation plaque for their nearly forty years of service in the community.

Telling the story of their life of service with an accompanying slideshow, Chaitanya Mangala recounted how they both joined ISKCON in 1971, and were initiated by Srila Prabhupada in 1972. They were then married in 1974 in Buffalo, New York.

After doing various services such as book distribution and fundraising, they moved to New Vrindaban in 1979 with their two children Krishna Balarama and Krishnapriya.

In the 1980s, they took care of life membership, raised their children and put on some of ISKCON’s best plays with the Brijbasi Players. In the 1990s, they managed the Palace Lodge, coordinated festivals, and ran bhakta programs.

In the 2000s, Kripamaya and Krsna Bhava worked with the cow protection and congregational departments.

Today, Kripamaya is a charter member of the board of ECO-V, which he helped start in 1998. His music classes and his wife’s art classes are treasured by children attending the Gopal’s Garden School. And together, they run the gift shop at Srila Prabhupada’s Palace, where they have also organized regular sangas in Prabhupada’s gorgeous temple room for the past two years. These sangas have brought New Vrindaban residents together to share memories and appreciations before Prabhupada’s murti, inspiring them and revitalizing relationships.

As the slideshow ended, a cavalcade of love and appreciation for the two burst forth from community members. Some devotees spoke about Krsna Bhava’s positivity, her dedication to chanting sixteen rounds a day, her excellent listening skills and her first-class cooking of bharatas, halava and malpuras for Sri-Sri Radha-Vrindabanchandra’s Tuesday morning offering.

Others talked of Kripamaya’s scholarship, the way he lights up while singing kirtan, his ambition in going back to college in his fifties to study music, and his Ramayana opera.

“They’re both really strict, dedicated devotees, and a fantastic example of the ideal,” said Jamuna, while Sankirtan Dasa called them “wonderful surrendered souls.”

In response, Krsna Bhava said, “We’re feeling very grateful for our experiences in New Vrindaban – there have been both hard times and good times to learn from. It’s always been a blessing to live close to the temple and Krishna and so many wonderful devotees.”

Kripamaya added, “We ask for the blessings of all the assembled Vaishnavas that we have many more years to serve here at New Vrindaban.”

Kripamaya & Krsna Bhava Prabhus

Kripamaya & Krsna Bhava Prabhus

In closing, Chaitanya Mangala, who introduced the idea of the service appreciation ceremony, recited the translation of Verse 4 from Rupa Goswami’s Nectar of Instruction, his favorite book, which discusses the six “symptoms of love shared by one devotee and another.”

He then quoted the purport, where Srila Prabhupada writes: “Even in ordinary social activities, these six types of dealings between two loving friends are absolutely necessary,” and further clarifies, “The International Society for Krishna Consciousness has been established to facilitate these six kinds of loving exchanges between devotees.”

“It’s something I hope we can all start to take to heart,” Chaitanya Mangala commented.

And from the moving and heartwarming evening full of laughter and tears – from a community of devotees who have been through so much but continue to hold such deep love and appreciation for each other – it’s clear that many in New Vrindaban are ready to do just that.

Hare Krishna! “The Pizza Effect” The main course arrived: pizza….
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Hare Krishna! “The Pizza Effect”
The main course arrived: pizza. The devotees were thrilled, since this is a much loved treat in these parts – but only when offered to Krishna, natch! “Hey,” one devotee quipped, “What about pizza? How does this relate to Krishna consciousness?” Luckily, I had been writing about just such a subject in a recent project for a major academic press. I am writing a high school reference book on Hinduism, and in my research I came upon an interesting reference to pizza.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=260

Hare Krishna! The Brahmachari And The Chaste Wife One may ask…
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Hare Krishna! The Brahmachari And The Chaste Wife
One may ask how it was that the brahmacari was obliged to maintain his aged mother? Since he had devoted himself to religious pursuits and was strictly following the vows of brahmacarya, would he not be free from this obligation as per the following injunction of Srimad Bhagavatam 11.5.41? Anyone who has completely given up all worldly relationships and has taken absolute shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, who gives us salvation and who alone is fit to be taken shelter of, is no longer a debtor or servant of anyone, including the demigods, forefathers, sages, other living entities, relatives, and members of human society.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=681

Hare Krishna! Pili Pokhara Pastime By Sivarama Swami One morning…
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Hare Krishna! Pili Pokhara Pastime
By Sivarama Swami
One morning Mother Yasoda resolved to propose the match of Radha and Krsna to the queen of Varsana. While Radhika was preparing to go home, Yasoda held her hand and said, “Radha! You are now of marriageable age. I know no one more suited for You than my son.” Taking Radha’s small hand in hers, Mother Yasoda gazed at the auspicious signs on Radha’s palms. With tears in her eyes, Yasoda reached for a tray of turmeric and gently wiped Sri Radhika’s pinkish palms until they were colored yellow. “Radha! Do you know what this means?”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16631

ISKCON Temples To Be On India’s Tourist Maps On Wednesday, 1st…
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ISKCON Temples To Be On India’s Tourist Maps
On Wednesday, 1st April 2015, Minister of State of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation Dr. Mahesh Sharma (who is also a MP from Gautam Budh Nagar, Nodia, UP, from BJP) visited the Noida ISKCON temple. The objective of the meeting was to seek the minister’s help in linking ISKCON’s spiritual tourism to India’s tourism map and recognising ISKCON’s participation in promoting Indian Vedic culture around the world. The Minister arrived at 11am and after taking darshan of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Dev, then went to the meeting room where Gopal Krishna Goswami gave him a maha garland and some maha prasadam from Vrindavan. Gopal Krishna Goswami presented showed two short videos to the Minister, one about the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) in Mayapur, one about the Krishna-valley Indian Cultural Center and Ecovillage in Hungary as an example of ISKCON’s work in the areas of cow protection, promoting vegetarianism, Indian culture, yoga, spiritual education and in bringing foreign visitors to India.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/jmExzW

Hare Krishna! Muslim girl in Mumbai wins Bhagavat Gita contest…
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Hare Krishna! Muslim girl in Mumbai wins Bhagavat Gita contest by Iskcon, held in Jan 2015
Mumbai: Marryam Siddiqui, a Muslim girl, has won first prize in an inter-school Bhagavad Gita competition which was held in Jan 2015 in Mumbai.
The 12-year-old Class VI student of Cosmopolitan High School won the ‘Gita Champions League’ contest for explaining the teachings of the scripture in the best possible manner. Around 3,000 students participated in the event, which was organised by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) in January 2015.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16625

Hare Krishna! Pure existence Selves are beings that experience,…
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Hare Krishna! Pure existence
Selves are beings that experience, centers of consciousness, subjects. Matter does not experience; it is without subjectivity, it is completely an object. Selves live; matter is lifeless. When the selves enter the alien, material energy, they acquire and animate bodies ma& out of lifeless matter. Driven by a desire to forget Krishna and their relation to Him, they identify themselves with bodies of matter- In this way the self becomes a divided being.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=32

Hare Krishna! Devotees’ strike I was thinking about those…
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Hare Krishna! Devotees’ strike
I was thinking about those devotees in our movement who have stopped to drink milk at all. I have realized it is a form of strike. I use to drink proper milk but I will strike with you. We should get boards, stand before temple on Sunday feast of LOVE as Srila Prabhupada established and demand our spiritual rights. We should have signs like this: “We giving you donations and you buying cars, BUT WE WANT COWS!” “You give to our children poisonous food and milk, instead of liberating us, you are implementing us into ugra karma.”
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16620

Vrindavan clean-up after the storm (Album with…
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Vrindavan clean-up after the storm (Album with photos)
Srutakirti prabhu: Vrindavan hail storm-one day after. So much clean up. The hail was traveling almost sideway as if being shot from a gun with great velocity. At the temple many broken limbs, branches and leaves all over the ground. Animals hurt, peacocks perished. One brahmacari in the temple room this morning with a large bandage on his head. Today is the eclipse and all the temples are closed. Vrindavan is such an intense place and Radha Krsna are in control. Whatever happens here is ultimately for the good of everyone here. The locals are never shaken and take everything in stride. They clean up and life goes on again. Today it is cool and cloudy, not hot and dusty as one would expect. Vrindavan Experience!
See them here: http://goo.gl/KkHrDB

Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha…
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Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha Yatra festival (Album with photos)
Indradyumna Swami: Thousands of people turned up for Durban’s 27th Ratha Yatra festival along the beachfront yesterday. The 5-hour parade captured the attention of both locals and tourists as 3 large chariots rumbled through the streets. The festival continues for 3 more days with attractions in an assortment of tents, large and small, not far from the beach. I was happy to be out and about once again, sharing with the world the wonder of Krsna consciousness though the eye of my camera.
See them here: http://goo.gl/7x4jNO

Tuesday, March, 31st, 2015
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Durban, South Africa
 
Where You Step
 
 
The circular trek around the temple means you meet puddles. In the wee hours of the morning the grounds with grass, shrubs and trees become wetted by censored sprays of water, leaving pools of water in spots.
 
My dear friend Kadamba Karana Swami, whom I met on the temple path simply said, “You have to know where to step,” referring to the puddles.
 
I could take the casual remark as metaphor on life: “You walk and take precautions while on your journey.”  Yes, you won't want to get your socks wet, nor do you want to make bad decisions about directions in life.
 
I had the good fortune to have lunch with this Dutch monk. For a renunciant it is a natural obligation to eat with, talk with and maybe a peer of like-minded. In Sanskrit you call it sanga. Our
guru, Srila Prabhupada, used the term “association”.
 
We talked about aging, arthritis, family, food, the world. It's not much different from any other dialogue, coming from any other person, only the insertion of Krishna is always there. Oh! We reminded ourselves, “You have to know where you step”.
 
May the source be with you!
 
6 KM

Monday, March 30th, 2015
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Durban, South Africa
 
No Regrets!
 
 
My first full day in Durban gives the chance for a more regulated schedule. Okay! So I started with circling around the temple, on foot of course. “This might be the safest place in South Africa,” I thought. “What would disturb me, or anyone for that matter, in this peaceful spot in Chatsworth, a Durban suburb?”
 
Mina birds flit from tree to tree. I don't consider that a distraction though, not even the trees, as flowering or as fragrant as they are. They only enhance the meditation that's wanted.
 
I was informed that a group from Canada was arriving at the temple today. Some adolescents were coming for a cultural experience. I asked the temple management if I could meet with them. Request granted!
 
At 11 AM I was asked to break from drama rehearsal to speak to the group, who were surprised to meet a Canuck who's a monk. I briefed them on our weekend festival, the Festival of the Chariots. Naturally I also extolled the glories of pilgrimage, explained my familiarity with the Trans Canadian Highway” which I hope may be renamed the Transcendental Highway one day.” (They laughed.)
 
Also, to visit the temple room where I engaged in practice for the second drama, four young men in white short-sleeved shirts came through the door. Instantaneously, “Mormons!” I thought. For four decades there has been a congenial resolution between the Mormons and the Krishnas, Yes, they were American and from the state of Utah.
 
“On a mission?” I asked.
 
“Yes for two years,” was their answer.
 
“And then you get looked after?”
 
“Yes, we get a wife and so on,” said one of the fellows as they laughed.
 
“Good system!” I remarked and bearing in my own mind that I have no regrets to staying single all this life.
 
May the Source be with You!
 
7 KM

Sunday, March 29th, 2015
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JohannesburgDurban
 
Behind the Chariots? I Don't Know
 
 
I can’t boast about any walking today. It took two flights to get to Durban from Mauritius, hence no time to trek. When we did arrive I was shown the below article in “The Independent” Saturday's addition. I guess you could call it a promotion for the festival we are involved with. “Meet the Man Behind the Chariots” by Arthi Sanpath.
 
As a young student, Canadian, Bhaktimarga Swami, had a yearning for an alternative life, and encouraged by the mysticism of the Beatles, he was drawn to a monastic lifestyle.
 
Swami, from Ontario, Canada, also known as the Walking Monk, is in charge of the productions at the Festival of Chariots, which will be held at the old Durban Drive Inn over the Easter weekend.
 
“Our heroes of the time, the Beatles, were dabbling with the mysticism of the east and so I was attracted to alternative living. I was a fine arts student, trying my hand at painting and sculpting, but I ran into a brick wall, so to speak,” said Swami, formerly known as John Peter Vis.
 
“Like many youths, after the counter-culture of the 1960's I sought a different purpose to life from the routine pointlessness of “live to die”. I aspired to a depth that would promise more.”
 
When a few monks visited his college in northern Ontario, he listened in on the conversation, and he said, “One thing led to another.” While he didn't complete his studies he found his passion for the arts encouraged within the Hare Krishna movement.
 
“I have a new drama called Blue Mystic which features some of the aspects of Krishna's earlier life. We will have a cast of Zulu, Indian and African participants. I am looking forward to it.  Then another play called Sati looks at the interaction between Sati and Shiva. It’s more of a triangle dynamic involving Shiva's-in-law, Daksha. You can expect contempt, loyalty, love. We'll incorporate traces of the east and west and Africa.”
 
Swami has walked across Canada, Mauritius, Ireland, Israel, Trinidad and Guyana. He calls it his “downtime”.
 
“It’s through the walking that you get inspiration. The creative side of an individual becomes enhanced through the treks.  I began my first walk across Canada in 1996, a result of both happy and troubled times the year before. Even a monk is confronted with ‘challenges’.”
 
He next plans to walk from Boston to New York, and plans to walk a route in Africa, should he be up to it. “Let’s see how the legs hold out, I am going on 63.”
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM

Saturday, March 28th, 2015
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Bon  Acceuil  
 
My Entrance
 
 
Now, when I reached customs at the airport the other day I went through an exercise in claimed territory. It was quite amusing to me. To the officer I dealt with, what can I say, I ascertained he did not have a good day.
 
I offered him my passport. He asked for a document with my travel itinerary. I reached in my right pocket the schedule and handed it to him. Along with that document accidentally had come a string of saffron cloth from my monk's shirt. It was about 1 12 inch long and kind of curled up. He handed it back to me saying with a straight face, “this is yours!”
 
I took it as a joke but he, as I said, didn't have the best day, so I speculated. He asked where I was staying and I couldn’t provide an address. “They, my community from Bon Acceuil, just pick me up every year.” That annoyed him. Mauritians are cool folks. They don't easily flair up. This customs officer also didn't lose steam on me but I thank him internally for giving a lesson on paying attention to details as to your address as a visitor and also in letting me know about ownership- a thread from your clothes is yours.
 
I'd be walking daily since here, only three to be precise. To a glorious first a group of forty-five of us trekked from the mountain at Black River Gorge National Park. In areas it was a tumble-down and rocky switch-back trail with wild guava trees everywhere. We spotted green parrots and the almost extinct pink pigeon. The river's water was invigorating to swim in.
 
Day two and fewer came, due to exhaustion from the day before but our reward was a dip in the ocean at Belle Mare beach.
 
Finally today, a group just circumambulated the temple at Bon Acceuil on the celebration of Ramnaumi Day. To document the three on for diksha (initiation). Khervind was given the name Krishna Katha. His wife, Hema was given the name Hari Katha. And finally Keshave Sharma was given the name Kirtan. Congratulations.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
6 KM

Friday, March 27th, 2015
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Belle Mare, Mauritius
 
Part 3 - Final part of “Krishna and Kids”
 
Krishna is often profiled as the tender of the cows, a recreationist, a lover, an administrator, a philosopher... He relishes wrestling with His buddies, but with demons, it's an all out fight to the finish. After the kill, He offers a huge blessing in the form of moksha, liberation of the soul from the body. How cool! He puts them totally out of their misery. Krishna is ultimately soft, even to the hard hearted. Lord have mercy! He's so benevolent.
 
When the adorable blue-toned cowherd king, Krishna, grew up a bit more, He would start making these trips outside of Vrindavan. Everyone in the village would miss Him. It was suggested through a messenger by the name of Uddhava, that everyone deal with their feeling of separation by perceiving His yogic expansion as Paramatma, to explore His mystical presence in everyone's heart. However, the suggestion fell flat on the ears of the emotional gopis, whose attitude was, “Give us a break, please.” All they want is to see Him as they know Him, the attractive young country boy.
 
With all that we have addressed here about Krishna's childhood affairs, His kaumara stage, we appreciate His accessibility and how He locks Himself into meaningful relationships with His youthful confidantes. Krishna is so relatable. Yet, there is still much more to his profile that contributes to His profile that contributes to His fullness. He is much more than a human being. We have merely touched the tip of the iceberg regarding His attributes which have no trace of true mundaneness, but only of transcendence so far as eternity, cognition and pleasure are concerned.
 
Musician, George Harrison, writes in the forward of another good read, “Krishna: the Supreme Personality of Godhead” (also written by Prabhupada), “You can actually see God and hear Him, play with Him. It might sound crazy, but He is actually there, actually with you.”
 
It becomes relatively easy to gain a perception of God when we look at the world with childlike wonder, when we minimize our egocentric existence, and explore the true inner child.
 
My address to young people is, “Be charmed by Him. You may end up with Him as His chum, and befriend His animals as playmates-, the cows, the calves, the deer, and maybe even kids (baby goats ) .” A word of caution: everything begins with the “I am the servant of the Supreme” attitude. Otherwise, you don't have a chance to be in Krishna's dance.
 
End of “Kids and Krishna” article.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
7 KM

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
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Black River, Mauritius
 
Part 2 of “Kids and Krishna”
 
 
At the dawn of adulthood, I was fortunate to stumble upon devotees of Krishna who happen to always carry with them books that expound on the personal concept of God. “God”, I was told by one of the monk by the current name, Bhakti Bringha Govinda Swami, “is forever youthful.”  In fact, out of his kindness, he read to me of the episode of God whom I discovered has a name “Krishna” playing an instrument – the flute - and with that He attracts His friends, family, cows and calves.
 
I was naturally getting excited knowing that God (now Krishna) is tightly bound into all kinds of relationships with boys and girls His age. How He values such relationships becomes evident when we reference the book, “Nectar of Devotion”, authored by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
 
“What a far out aspect of God!” I thought. He has all these amigos whom He sports with. As far as baseball is concerned, Krishna has His own take on it. There as these round-shape green fruits called bael that get tossed back and forth between His friends and Himself. If you close your eyes and meditate on this scene you just might hear the sound of the boys laughing and happily shouting.
These friends of His are understood to be liberated souls, who on the strength of their devotion, rose up to become intimate associates as He shares with them the beautiful rural setting of Vrindavan.
 
Though the name for the boys are gopas and the girls are known as gopis, implying their affection with the culture of raising go (bulls and cows) and having everything to do with delicious dairy preparations. Indeed mouth watering milk sweets such as ladhu, rasagula, sandesh, kheer, and more, were worth dashing for.
 
Krishna catches Himself in antics with the gopas in sneaking out at night with His slightly elder brother, Balarama, in search of butter that is stashed in neighbours homes. This routine practice becomes a relatively “hushed” party with which includes monkeys who always want a piece of the action. If you ask any “kids”, excuse me, children, what they think of a frivolous God like this, they are delighted. Night parties! Monkeys! Butter! Making a mess! Wow! What a blast!
 
In addition to this there are daytime pastimes that carry on where the boys imitate the various animals in their onomatopoetic sounds. They mock peacocks, dogs, frogs and also engage in a type 
of bullfight where two boys portray bulls, charging and locking heads together. When fatigued from play, there is a restful lying on each other's lap that might include a massage.
 
With the gopis there is His transcendental tease playing, most notably when He snatchers their clothes while they are bathing at the Yamuna River. A slight annoyance that would be for the proprietors of the fabric.
 
But here is what stirs the passion in “kids” oops, les enfants, the most. Krishna has an awesome time with terrorists. These ultimate demons were dispatched by tyrant Kamsa at practically every day of Krishna's childhood life. They would come to harass the innocent villagers of Vrindavan. At every encounter, Krishna, although small in size, takes down the largest of them, and even after teaching them a thing or two, He does something ironic that demonstrates true heroism.
(To be continued...)
 
May the Source be with you!
 
8 KM

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015
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Flacq, Mauritius
 
Kids & Krishna
 
 
I have very little to say about walking since most of my time was spent in the air. Yet once I landed I was handed the recent copy of a glossy annual periodical from our Bon Acceuil community. I was asked to write an article, “Kids and Krishna”, in a two or three day series. I wanted to share it:
 
 “Kids and Krishna”
 
When I was a kid, my elementary school teacher detested the term “kid” explaining that the word, by definition, refers to the offspring of goats. She insisted that the word not be used out of context. She was not kidding around.
 
So I'll start again. When I was a child, I used to question God’s age. Not only was I inquisitive about “How old?” but “What is He like?” “Where does He reside?” “What does He do?”.
In our catechism (the Catholic version of Sunday school) we were told in one way or the another that God has always been around, that He's kind, but sometimes gets angry over the ridiculous things we do. He also creates and then destroys. He's compassionate and loving. Over all He's the coolest dude.
 
The deepest impression of God's age, I found, was documented by way of pictures from Michelangelo's massive depiction of God creating man in the form of Adam. On the ceiling of the world’s most famous room, the Sistine Chapel, God is portrayed as this muscular, yet greying, but full and wavy-haired elderly man. As an adolescent I was so much moved by art masters such as Michelangelo that I started to dabble with painting. Eventually, I assumed that “The creation of Adam” was merely an artist conception and perhaps I don't need to accept the subject so literally.
 
To be continued...
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM

Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
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Dubai/Mauritius
 
Largest Walking Event
 
 
I stumbled upon an article in the “Padayatra Worldwide Newsletter,” a piece written by Ekacakragram. The article is entitled, “Participating in the Largest Walking Event in the World”. While reading I reminisced like anything.
 
“In July 2001 a group of devotees, all dressed with dhotis, kurtas or saris, participated for the first time in the biggest walking event in the world: a four-day walk in the area of Nijmeghan in Holland. The event, organized by the Holland National Walking Federation, had been taking place for the past forty years. Depending on their age and gender, participants can choose walking three distances: 30 km, 40 km or 50 km. Of course one can do less, but they will not get an official medal from the Queen. Devotees went with harinama and prasadam, and danced and chanted for the entire 30 km, but it was a little too intense for the devotees and a little too much for the public.
 
So the next year we just did one hour of kirtan and chanted japa during the walk. We got many opportunities to talk with people during the walk, as there was nothing else to do besides walking. People got an opportunity to ask the questions they had wanted to ask for many years. There were about forty devotees and congregation members coming and going during the four days. Fifteen devotees walked the entire four days, including Bhaktimarga Swami. I took the opportunity to introduce him as a famous walker in Canada… Over the four days a total of 45,000 people participated in the three categories of walks. Everybody had to wake up at 2:30 am and assemble in the middle of the city at 3:30 am. It was a very special atmosphere to see many people ready to walk together early in the morning. It was such a nice experience having a mangala-arati and walking with many people, talking all day about Krishna. We have become well-known in the camping ground. It was a kind of holiday, exhausting physically but mentally very refreshing.”
 
May the Source be with you!
 
0 KM

Monday, March 23rd, 2015
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Toronto, Ontario
 
Really Reaching Out
 
“Where attention goes, energy flows,” is the common phrase I hear from my dear friend Vaisesika. This “mantra”, if you will, he uses in reference to the personal commitment, thought and compassion he directs to those who struggle and are pushed to the edge of society. He gives attention to meeting people and sharing the wisdom of the Gita. People respond. Results are achieved.
 
In this connection I was thinking as of late about my dear God brothers and sisters that I shared time with in the early days of our spiritual endeavors. I was hankering more and more to see them, especially since the sudden departure of one American friend, Jnanagamya. At yesterday’s trip to Owen Sound I shared some time with Drupada and Garuda, both early birds in Krishna Consciousness in Toronto. Because I put attention to seeking companionship, through the ether a little miracle evolved. I had in the evening poised myself to give the Gita class by applying my last bit of tilak (devotional markings) to the body, when I received a call from sister Bhakta-vasya from Vancouver Island. I hadn’t seen her for years. Then out of the blue… this call.
 
It was 4:10 this morning and I received a call from our friend Premarnava from West Virginia. Again I hadn’t heard from him in years. At 5:20, Devata from northern Ontario called expressing his thanks for whatever in the past. Really what I experienced with this sudden flood of communication within this twelve-hour period was the intervention of some Divine force.
 
You know what? I’m going to try to give more attention to the right spots and then see what happens.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
3 KM

Sunday, March 22nd, 2015
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Owen Sound, Ontario
 
From Snow to Food
 
 
To Harrison Falls we went. Located on the environmentally sensitive Niagara Escarpment near its northern stretch in Ontario, this is an example of nature’s boast. The waters are of the Syndenham River System. It’s gorgeous. Before interaction with humans (even though scheduled to be with fellow bhakti-yogis), I felt it necessary on a daily basis to make a touchdown with Bhumi, the earth. I would declare myself a psychological disaster if I did not have a break from people. Down-time is a must.
 
Crunching along with footsteps over cracking snow and ice along a nearby trail were my Michigan associates, one benevolent soul from Brampton, and myself. From out-of-shade areas the sun gave instant warmth to our backs and its light reflection on the white surface below provided only optimism—Krishna’s mercy.
 
Our walking was terminated for our stop-over at a weekly Sunday feast held at the Hanna family’s. I was asked to speak of my pilgrimage to India but the highlight after the chanting was indeed the food. Sanctified as prasadam, it was contentment to the palate. The veggies and especially pakoras (veggie fritters) were lightly spiced with hing.
 
I was also able to make it back in time for the feast at the big city, Toronto. Here “gourmet-like” was the food which was fine. Bless the cooks they did their very best. It’s hard to cook for four-hundred people. Before the crowd and before eating I actually feasted through my ears. Yes I found hearing myself read was relishable. Don’t get me wrong! It’s less of an ego thing. It was the content that counted. I was reading of the boat adventure of our guru when he first came to America 50 years ago. Astounding to hear.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
4 KM