Planet ISKCON

One of my absolute favorite things about teaching a multi-level classroom is when the themes of the grades come together and the entire class is able to discuss as a group. In Language Arts, the compositions that the 5th and 8th graders had to analyze this week were both about dreams.

I was surprised this summer when I found “Dream Within a Dream”, by Edgar Allen Poe, in the 5th grade text. It seemed quite advanced. However, I decided that with a little help and guidance, they could come to an understanding of the poem. My fifth graders like a challenge, and as a teacher, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing them go from zero to experts in one discussion.

The older boys had the poem “Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes. With Martin Luther King, Jr. day just behind us, and Black History Month around the corner, it seemed appropriate to schedule the poem for this time. We would take a literary trip back to the Harlem Renaissance and learn about the importance of the movement.

Before reading the poems, I had students warm up with some questions on dreams. They had to record the literal definition of “dream” before adding their own personal knowledge of its various connotations. Then they each wrote some of their dreams for the future.

We read the poems and pointed out difficult vocabulary words. After coming to an understanding of the terms, we discussed the content. Both poems were about dreams, but to what kind of “dream” was each poet referring? In Poe’s, we decided that he mostly used the word in the literal sense; the illusions we create in our minds. In Hughes’, he mostly referred to the dreams that we aspire to.

Peeling back yet another layer of this theme, we researched what the Vedas have to say about dreams. Here are two of the verses we came up with:

“Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, unless one is influenced by the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no meaning to the relationship of the pure soul in pure consciousness with the material body. That relationship is just like a dreamer’s seeing his own body working.”
SB 2.9.1

“Therefore this entire universe, which like a dream is by nature unreal, nevertheless appears real, and thus it covers one’s consciousness and assails one with repeated miseries. This universe appears real because it is manifested by the potency of illusion emanating from You, whose unlimited transcendental forms are full of eternal happiness and knowledge.
-SB 10.14.22

We read Srila Prabhupada’s purports, discussing what he meant by the use of the word “dream”. The material world is real in one sense, but it is unreal – like a dream – in the sense that our suffering and enjoyment here are temporary and only related to the body. We compared this waking dream to people crying while watching a sad movie. The movie is real, but the suffering of the audience is not real.

I asked students how we could use this knowledge to preach to Edgar Allen Poe, who was lamenting the loss of a loved one, and to Langston Hughes, who was lamenting an unfulfilled dream. Here were some responses:

“This knowledge can help make people happy. Dreams are just illusions. And by sharing Krsna consciousness to others, they can come out of dreams.”

“You can tell them that you should dream of serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead and not dream of being God.”

“We can preach to people by saying that this is all a dream. Only the Spiritual World isn’t fake, except for when you use the material world for Krsna.”

Another great day in the Gurukula smile emoticon

Very fortunate Bhṛgu got two sons and a daughter from his wife Khyāti. This marriage represents coming to the precipice (bhṛgu) of fame (khyāti).

The daughter of Bhṛgu and Khyāti is named Śrī, because auspicious fortune (śrī) is both the cause and effect of rising (bhṛgu) to fame (khyāti). This daughter was an exalted devotee of the All-Attractive, because the All-Attractive is the natural root and shelter of auspiciousness.

The sons of Khyāti and Bhṛgu are named Dhātā and Vidhātā, because at the precipice of fame it is essential to remain balanced and sober (dhātā) and avoid becoming excessive (vidhātā).

Dhātā gained Meru’s daughter Āyati as his wife, because sobriety allows fame to endure (āyati). Vidhātā married Meru’s other daughter Niyati, because imbalance and excess causes fame to be fleeting (niyati).

Āyati gave a son to Dhātā. They named this body Mṛkaṇḍa because enduring fame breaks (-kaṇḍa) the force of mortality (mṛ-). Mṛkaṇḍa became the father of Mārkaṇḍeya, a very important scholar who plays an important role in the Upaṇiṣads.

Niyati gave a son to Vidhātā. They named him Prāṇa because fleeting fame is extremely exciting and invigorating (prāṇa). Prāṇa became the father of Vedaśirā, another important scholar who became angry with another sage, and was cursed to become the serpent, Kāliya.

Śānti, who is also known as Citti, gave Atharvā a son named Dadhyaṇca, who followed strict vows and is famous for wearing a horses head. Thus when thoughtfulness (citti) is primary (atharvā) we naturally minimalize our external affairs and become “thin” (dadhyaṇca).

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.16.4.

“Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura  says that if one does speak about others while under the influence of devotional impediments, such as envy, pride, hatred, or the desire for position, then one commits an offense at the feet of bhakti-devi. So, for the sake of the institution we may have to point out the defects of even another member of the institution but he warns that if one does so being influenced by these impediments one commits an offense at the feet of bhakti-devi. Now, this warning will make us introspective that. ‘Am I doing this out of envy, pride, hatred, or the desire to increase my own position?’ We may not be sure. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has stated that the weeds may closely resemble the creepers and it may not be easy to distinguish between the two. So, what do we do in such a situation? One course is to consult an expert gardener who can distinguish between weeds and creepers.”

SB 4.16.4, Eco-Village, Wada

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, June 2013, Summer Camp, Czech Republic, Initiation Lecture)

Faith is essential. One must have faith that Krsna will protect me, rakshishyathi vishvaso. One must have faith that if I choose for Krsna then I will not miss out on anything. Not that we regret, “Oh, I took initiation and now, I cannot be like ordinary people anymore. So many things I have given up!”

No, we must know that all our desires will be fulfilled! In material life, our dreams are always greater than reality, therefore it is said that material existence is frustrating because we are never satisfied. But spiritual life is the opposite – in serving Guru and Krsna, we will be satisfied beyond our imagination!

An example is of Dhruva Maharaj. He wanted a kingdom greater than his father and greater than his grandfather, Lord Brahma. But then, when Dhruva Maharaj approached the Supreme Lord for a material purpose – when he actually received the darsana of the Supreme Lord – he had a change of heart! Then, he realized that all these material desires that he desired so much were like broken pieces of glass, and now he had received the most valuable jewels, unexpectedly. So this faith must be strong that actually by taking shelter of the regulative principles of devotional service and by taking shelter of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, all our desires will be fulfilled!

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast

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Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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CC daily Podcast:

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Radhanath Swami Joins International Yoga Festival, Rishikesh.
Radhanath Swami was twice featured in the Spiritual Discourses Series and spoke on the topics ‘Equanimity Amidst Turbulence’ and ‘Yoga of Love’. He gave a third talk on ‘Qualities of a True Yogi’ on one of the evenings. At the end of the discourse he led the participants in the kirtan of the holy names, as everyone danced in ecstasy.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/jmxQdL

Hare Krishna! GBC College for Leadership Development, Day 2
Another session that was thoroughly appreciated was the afternoon presentation by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja. Within the topic of “Being a Srila Prabhupadanuga,” Maharaja launched into a comprehensive historical, philosophically and esoteric description of who really is Srila Prabhupada, of how his appearance and accomplishments fit into the context of Lord Caitanya’s descent and mission. Maharaja explained Srila Prabhupada fulfilled the desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to have a collective management of the institution, and how the vaidhi and raganuga approaches naturally harmonize within Gaudiya Vaisnavism.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16017

Podcast:

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Lecture Summary:

Not compromising doesn’t mean confronting unnecessarily

Eg. Not compromising = doing surgery; confronting unnecessarily = not giving pain-medication, not being aware of patient’s particular complications

Lord Chaitanya’s social sensitivity

Eg. Didn’t insist that Haridas Thakura be allowed entry in Jagannatha temple

Eg. Took prasad only at brahmana’s house

Differentiate eternal spiritual message from medium, which includes language, recollected facts and contextual social message

Acharya’s social stands may not come from shastra, but from acharya’s pratyaksha and anumana eg statements on Hitler

Scripture on rape:

8 kinds of marriages – Forcible intercourse leading to marriage: Pishacha vivaha. Not prescription, but description

Different meanings of rape:

1. “expert at rape” – means aggression within affection to convert a coy woman’s no to yes

2. Ramayana translator – Rape of Sita – means abduction, not violation

3. Other ‘rape’ quotes – means involuntary pleasure due to orgasm during forcible penetration

In no way, shape or form does Prabhupada recommend rape – he doesn’t even recommend consensual sex.

Be intellectually responsible in presenting shastra’s message properly – share clarificatory message, develop ISKCON’s theological positions, and improve ISKCON’s online presence

See this controversy as a shock treatment for spurring self-improvement in our movement

From the last artistic album of Indradyumna Swami.
See all the photos here: http://goo.gl/NRWEiZ

The GBC College for Leadership Development started its first day of its first year of operations today, 8 March 2015, at the Govardhana Ecovillag on the outskirts of Mumbai. The College’s primary focus shall be on contributing to prepare devotees to serve in crucial leadership roles within ISKCON. The hand-picked selection of about 25 devotees traveled from different parts of the world to attend the course.

Hare Krishna! Taking care of Krishna’s devotees
It is about the implementation of the Counselor System as introduced by His Holiness Radhanath Maharaja at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir in Chowpatti, Mumbai. Using quotes from Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura, Srila Prabhupada, and parts of lectures and presentations, including letters and istha-gosthis with devotees in and around Russia, it highlights the importance of the Counselor System to developing vibrant and caring communities.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16012

ISKCON has been active in Finland for more than 30 years but there has never been a fixed location to serve as a temple. In 2012 the devotees had to vacate the previous temple due to the termination of the lease. Devotees have been working since then to find a temple for Srila Prabhupada and a suitable base for the Vaishnava community in Finland.

Food For Life in Poland - 09.03.2015 (Album 22 photos)
Prasadam distribution and Harinama.
See them here: http://goo.gl/ogq3gp

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Hare Krishna! Gaura punima celebrations in Nanda gram temple, Nigeria
This year gaura punima was celebrated in grand style as devotees gathered early in the morning, chanting, fasting and singing devotional lyrics. it was later followed by fire sacrifice, abhiseke and prasadam in the night. It was repeated on Sunday in a bigger way for the India community and workers who could not meet up during the week. It was all fun as devotees took turn to chant, children performances, Bhajan, fire sacrifice, abhiseke, varieties of prasadam for guests and devotees.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=16009

The post Since March 8th was International Women’s day… appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Hare Krishna! All The Way from Galway
Here are two short video clips. The first is only 9 seconds long and overflows with genuine enthusiasm for Harinam Samkirtan, expressed by Mother Maharani. Maharani Dasi was in London with her husband for a brief visit from Galway, on the West coast of the Ireland. They came in order to experience directly the nectar of The London Saturday Night Harinam Party.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15999

Answer Podcast:

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Answer Podcast:

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Lecture Podcast:

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Lecture Summary:

People mold their life according to their culture’s definition of success

Eg. Indian youth “Engineer or doctor”

Eg. Kings would build magnificent temples

Purification means changing our definition of success, otherwise we check and choke our spiritual progress because what we desire internally undermines what we do externally

Krishna in Vrindavana transcends prevailing definition of success and simply demonstrates reciprocation of love, whereas outside Vrindavana he demonstrates prevailing definition of success by being a peerless kshatriya

The purpose of spiritual life is to make spiritual life the purpose of our life, not to use it as a shock-absorber for our material life

Sports can be integrated into skills useful for one’s life duties

Eg. Cricket hasn’t got anything with one’s main life

But kshatriya skill exhibition such as svayamvara demonstrates their competence in skills valuable for their duties

Krishna exists in different times at the same time

Time is not just the fourth dimension in space-time continuum, but is a manifestation of Krishna that predates space

“I can’t know” is different from “I don’t know”

Contradiction is a cause of confusion, but of celebration

Purpose of Pandavas’ Rajasuya-yajna – SB: to glorify Krishna; MB – to elevate Pandu to Svarga from Yama’s abode (not Yamaloka – difference betw prison and prison warden’s home)

Lord Chaitanya demonstrates and transcends prevailing definition of success

As brahmana-grihastha – Topmost pandita – gave it up for bhakti

As sannyasi – Advaita sannyasi to bhakti

SP translates CC’s definition of success to our level – share KC with the whole world

SP told George Harrison “Use your intelligence”

SP “My devotees are perfect gentlemen”

Preaching means to be intelligible to people – focus where the devotional definition of success intersects with the prevailing definition of success

Success in bhakti – not just drop out of the world and join the temple, but also penetrate into the world and be exemplary

Hare Krishna! “I do not have to pay?”
Kadamba Kanana Swami: Even when I joined, at that time, the Sunday feast was still fifteen incredible preparations. I mean absolutely incredible. Every single one of them was like, “Whew!” You know, I mean the rice was loaded up with cashews and paneer balls and what not. Oh! What to speak of the other preparations. Everything was ecstasy. There was abundance and nobody paid. It was all for free. The guests would just come and would eat to the max.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15995

Seberang Jaya, PENANG, Malaysia - Temple Construction Update 9/3/2015
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/ZgO3W6

Harinama in Venice, Italy (2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: By chanting the Hare Krishna mantra one immediately concentrates on the sound vibration and thinks of the lotus feet of the Lord, and very quickly one is elevated to the position of samadhi, or trance.
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.44 Purport)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/hGe3tq

BY SIMHESWARA DASA

KUALA LUMPUR - We have now started a small weekly Sunday morning farm produce and fresh harvests table at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur which includes guavas, star fruit, chillies, sugar cane juice and others.