The post TOVP Seva Office Inauguration Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Before leaving Sridham Mayapura I visited the Bhaktivedanta Academy, one of several schools in our ISKCON community there. It functions as a traditional Vedic gurukula with education for both boys and girls. The day I visited the boy’s school they were receiving one of their teacher’s, Bhaktividya Purna Maharaja, who was returning from a trip [...]

Harinama at Melbourne Central. Postive Vibrations.(2 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “In Dvapara-yuga one could satisfy Krishna or Visnu only by worshiping Him gorgeously according to the pancaratriki system, but in the Age of Kali one can satisfy and worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari simply by chanting the holy name.” (Narayana-samhita)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/QrK8iy

'Long Lost' explores the anxieties, the hope, the questions that arise within us all including, 'what is love? - as in, REAL love?' This film is attempts to encourage others to also delve deep within. Watch Long Lost and share Tim's ordinary night out and the extraordinary (re) connection. A film by Shaktyavesa Avatara Das.

Kirtan Mela in Moscow (Album 62 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare-these sixteen names composed of thirty-two syllables are the only means to counteract the evil effects of Kali-yuga. In all the Vedas it is seen that to cross the ocean of nescience there is no alternative to the chanting of the holy name.” (Kali-santarana Upanisad)
See them here: http://goo.gl/tBUrzp

Hare Krishna! My Yatra Diary: Hare Krishna ISKCON Temple, Pune
By chanting Krishna’s holy name, One cleanses all the dust, From the mirror of one’s consciousness. ~ Srila Prabhupada. Strains of melodious Kirtan (holy hymns) and gregarious chants pierced through the air as I hurriedly paced across the corridor through the modestly set courtyard of the Sri Radha Kunjbihari ISKCON Temple in the camp area of Pune.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15377

Nityanada Triyodashi Celeberation at ISKCON Ghaziabad (Album 41 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: “The essence of all Vedic knowledge-comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity, the Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the demigods-is included in the eight syllables Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. This is the reality of all Vedanta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.” (Narada-pancharatra)
See them here: http://goo.gl/yYj8hq

Hare Krishna! Nityananda’s Paduka (Shoes) Bless the Grand Opening of TOVP Seva office in Mayapur
On February 1st, 2015 the TOVP Seva Office in Mayapur officially opened with a grand celebration consisting of Lord Nityananda’s Paduka (shoes) leaving the altar for the first time to bless the occasion. It was really an amazing experience for all the devotees & specially for the TOVP team as a whole. The Lord’s divine shoes are also scheduled to go on an extensive three month tour to North America starting in March, 2015 to bless and give all the devotees His darshan.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15374

On February 1, 2015 the TOVP Seva Office in Mayapur officially opened with a grand celebration consisting of Lord Nityananda's Paduka (shoes) leaving the altar for the first time to bless the occasion. The Lord's divine shoes are also scheduled to go on an extensive three month tour to North America starting in March, 2015 to bless and give all the devotees His darshan.

Stephen Fry, for those of you who don’t know him, is a spectacular comedian, charismatic actor and a national treasure. Recently, he was asked by Gay Byrne, an Irish TV presenter, what he would say to God if he died and had to confront him.

Preaching in Turkey and devotees calling each other by nicknames.

The post Bhakta Mike, Silpa-karini and Prana-vallabha ask about how the 4 characteristics of humans drive economic development appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

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The post February 4th, 2015 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Lord Ramchandra Illustrious Pastimes Day 01
Bhakti Caru Swami

At the February 15th Kīrtan Party, I will try to explain that India has a few different philosophies. Philosophies of “0″, “1”, “2”, and “1&2.”

— Intro —

Buddha created the philosophy of “0.”
Śaṅkara created the philosophy of “1.”
Madhva created the philosophy of “2.”
Caitanya created the philosophy of “1&2”

— Zero and One —

Buddha’s philosophy of “0”: He realized that everything causes pain and suffering, so his solution was to become nothing, 0.

Śankara’s philosophy of “1”: He realized that everything is made of the same stuff: Brahman. So everything is 1.

The problem with both of these is that they are unrealistic. They don’t describe the world that we actually live in. We live in a world that is certainly not 0, and also isn’t 1. We live in a world were there are infinite different people, places and things.

Buddhas philosophy is more unrealistic and illogical that Śankara’s, because there is no way to explain how or why nothing could turn into everything. This weakness is main reason why Śankara’s philosophy almost completely drove Buddhism out of india in the 8th century. Another reason India eventually rejected Buddhism is that its Philosophy of 0 completely contradicts India’s oldest philosophical and religious foundations: the Veda.

Still, Śankara’s philosophy has to try to explain how one thing becomes everything. This is very difficult for him to do, because he tied his philosophy in to the Veda by defining the one thing as Brahman: pure, flawless awareness – consciousness itself, without limitation by form and characteristics.

His followers mainly proposed two solutions: (1) The theory of “division,” (2) the theory of “reflection.” I’ll explain the two theories visually, by using their analogies of a pot dividing the sky, and a lake reflecting the sun. Then I will explain why these analogies are totally unrealistic.

Trying to address this, some followers of the Philosophy of 1 said, “yes, its unrealistic. The Brahman because illusioned by un-real things, and all the things in the world are just unreal illusions.” This is called the “Philosophy of Illusion” (māyā-vāda). However it has its own problems: (1) Its unrealistic to suggest that illusion (māyā) is more powerful than pure, flawless awareness (brahman). (2) It’s not a “Philosophy of 1” anymore, now there are 2 fundamental things: awareness (brahman) and illusion (māyā).

— Philosophy of 2 —

Madhva answered the weaknesses in the Philosophy of 1 by creating the Philosophy of 2, and showing how it is much more faithful to the whole Veda (the Philosophy of 1 only picks quotes from the Veda here and there).

The Philosophy of 2 says that Brahman (awareness) comes from a sentient being (Paramātmā). Illusion (Māyā) can affect little particles of awareness (individual Ātmā), but cannot affect the source of awareness, (Paramātmā). It is called the Philosophy of 2 because there are two real entities, Ātmā and Paramātmā. Both of them have infinite qualities and energies. Brahman is the main energy of both Ārmā and Paramātmā. Māyā is an energy of Paramātmā.

What we learned last month about Vyāsa’s realization does support the philosophy of 2 much more than it supports the philosophy of 1. I’ll explain this.

— Philosophy of 1 & 2 —

Other philosophers pointed out that the “Dualism” of the Veda established by the Philosophy of 2 doesn’t contradict the “Nondualism” (“Oneness”) that the Philosophy of 1 wanted to establish. The Paramātmā is the one root of everything. Everything is made of the same single substance, Brahman. Everything shares the same qualities as the Paramātmā, yet is dependent upon Paramātmā.

The first philosopher to begin pointing this out came before Mādhva, Rāmānuja. Later, Nimbarka pointed it out, and Śrī Caitanya’s follower, Śrī Jīva also made it clear that Śrī Caitanya embraced this same point of view.

So, the philosophies of India have evolved to show that the original foundation of Vedic philosophy is most clearly and reasonably understood from the perspective of the Philosophy of “1&2”, called by several names, like: viśiṣtādvaita, dvaitādvaita, and bhedābheda.

Tagged: Advaita, dualism, eastern philosophy, indian philosophy, nondualism

"In two hours I’ve chanted six teen rounds. I endured the pain and chanted in my mind. I was able to pay attention but was ham­pered by the headache. This chronic condition will not go away, but I don’t let it stop my japa."

From Bhajan Kutir #429
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 December 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.19.25)

Question: You explained about the necessity of stretching ourselves and raising the bar of our devotion. How can we know if we are stretching too much or too little?

We must begin to accept some of the practices of devotional service and fix ourselves. That is the beginning – in fixing ourselves in chanting, in service, in ashram, in brahminical qualities… Once we have been fixed in a particular situation for a while, then we can raise the bar and fix ourselves on that level. So we keep it for a while and then again – raise the bar. Abhyasa yoga means practice, but practice translates to fixing ourselves. However, as you raise the bar, you have to do more to maintain it.

I remember, we used to do some retreats in Drakensberg (South Africa) and we made everyone work quite hard to make really special darshans of the Deities. One year, Indradyumna Maharaj came upon my request and I asked him to introduce his Deities to the devotees. He explained about his Deities and he got so fired up about sharing his Deities with the devotees that the next morning he also shared his puja with the devotees; around three-hundred devotees were all part of his puja!

Well, it was interesting because everybody knows that Swami is into his puja for a long, long time and it is of a very high standard. I was checking it all out and I noticed that he was playing a soundtrack where there was a whole sequence of going through guru, going through associates of Lord Caitanya, going through Lord Nityananda and all the mahajans, sort of slowly, slowly bringing it to Vrindavan, step-by-step. It was very interesting! Then I said, ‘Maharaj, that was like two hours! How are you doing that every day?!’

He replied, ‘Well, I got to do something! I got to do something to be Krsna conscious!’  That is the point! You do not get it for nothing. You cannot be Indradyumna Maharaj for nothing! There is a price to pay!

Gaura Purnima, the appearance of Lord Caitanya, is only a month away… But in our preschool class He has already appeared. Mother Krishna Priya has intrigued the students with His pastimes, from Advaita Acarya Prabhu’s calling, through the stealing of the Brahmana’s offerings. The thread and essence of them all is His special gift of the Holy Name and His mercy upon us, the conditioned souls. When Krishna Priya calls out “Haribol!” she sets the students into a lively kirtan, singing and dancing happily. The sound of the gong settles them back into “yogis in meditation”, ready to hear the next part of the story. More pastimes are in store for the next few weeks, such as Jarikanda Forest and the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai. How fortunate we are to have His transcendental pastimes narrated to us, almost as if they unfold before our own eyes.

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Devotees from Gainesville, Alachua, and Tampa chanted at the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa in January 31, 2015, Everyone was in a partying mood and man… Devotees from Gainesville, Alachua, and Tampa chanted at the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa in January 31, 2015, Everyone was in a partying mood and many danced with us. We met people who recognized us from Gainesvile and Jacksonville. Attendance at the Gasparilla parade is said to be 300,000.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xch5zVhDUkM

Hare Krishna! Juhu Rathayatra 2015
The Rathayatra began at the Bhaktivedanta Mission School. A pandal (tent) was erected there, and several senior ISKCON leaders addressed the crowd. They included Nava Yogendra Swami, Atmanivedana Swami, Amiyavilas Swami, Devakinandan Das, Surdas, Mahamantra Das, Basu Ghosh Das, Braja Hari Das, President of ISKCON Juhu, Dadhibaksha Das, and Janardan Das, who is 88 years old.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15371

Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HH Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami
“Serve Krishna and the Vaisnavas as much as possible and constantly chant Hare Krishna mantra and that will be sufficient.” This devotee left Bengal, walked for ten days to Puri, in June, to see Lord Jagannath at Rath Yatra and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And he asked Caitanya Mahaprabhu “How do I recognize a devotee?” So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, “One who likes the chanting of Hare Krishna is the best person in a group.” So that is the lowest denominator of the Vaisnava. This is why we go on Harinama sankirtana and distribute the holy name to everybody.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15368

The Sannyasi, Guru and GBC Sanga in Mayapur. A gathering of the most senior and knowledgeable devotees in ISKCON. It started today and will continue for two more days.

Hare Krishna! From Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir: HH Candrasekhara Swami
Yamaraja specifically advises his servants to bring these persons to him for punishment and not to bring the devotees, who always lick the honey at the lotus feet of the Lord, who are equal to everyone, and who try to preach Krsna consciousness because of sympathy for all living entities. Devotees are not liable to punishment by Yamaraja, but persons who have no information of Krsna consciousness cannot be protected by their material life of so-called family enjoyment.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15366

Romapada Swami, GBC member of over twenty-two years leading ISKCON in New York, New Jersey and the Midwest of the USA, and also a member of the SPN’s Organizational Development Committee, speaks on how strategic planning has helped him in his GBC service and how it can better assist ISKCON’s leadership to respond to what is required of it – to bring the message of Lord Caitanya to the world while ensuring that the devotees’ lives continue to be enriched and invigorated.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRTsa5R5Vck

Bhaktivijnana Swami, a GBC leader and preacher in Russia and Israel, also serves on the SPN’s Succession Committee. Maharaja expresses his appreciation of the strategic planning process, personally witnessing how the culture of strategic planning has dramatically changed the work of the GBC, allowing it to put energy into addressing important issues relevant for the whole Society and its direction for the future, particularly in the area of succession.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6MMX6yVfjk

Gauranga Prabhu, an experienced trainer and preacher from ISKCON Chowpatty also serves on a number of SPN committees – Devotee Care, Temple Development/Systems Administration (TDSA), and Organizational Development. Here he speaks on the work being done by the TDSA meant to assist any ISKCON project practically. Gauranga Prabhu explains how Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada went to great lengths to ensure that the Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy was properly documented, how proper documentation is the basis of standardization, and that standardization is one way we can improve the quality of ISKCON projects worldwide. The TDSA offers to ISKCON temples and projects worldwide a systems template by which they can document their project’s activities. To facilitate this, the TDSA created a department called the Systems Assistance Body for Devotee Care and Administration (SABDA). Gauranga Prabhu provides information on how to get your project connected to SABDA and take advantage of the support the SABDA team can offer.
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YDGlOMduZY

Hare Krishna! GBC Strategic Planning Network (SPN) Mayapur 2015
Bhaktivijnana Swami, a GBC leader and preacher in Russia and Israel, also serves on the SPN’s Succession Committee. Maharaja expresses his appreciation of the strategic planning process, personally witnessing how the culture of strategic planning has dramatically changed the work of the GBC, allowing it to put energy into addressing important issues relevant for the whole Society and its direction for the future, particularly in the area of succession.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=15357

The post Nityananda’s Abhishek appeared first on Mayapur.com.

A Russian Evening in Giridhari Mandir (Album 27 photos)
A historic event took place in Bangalore on February 1, 2015. Yes! It was the auspicious appearance day of Lord Sri Nityananda. Around 35 visiting devotees from Russia went on Nagar-sankirtana in the neighboring localities of the ISKCON Sri Narasimha Giridhari Mandir at HBR Layout, Bengaluru and flooded the streets with the nectarine holy names of Krishna. The melodious chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, the sweet sound of cymbals andmridangas, the ecstasy and the deep devotion of the devotees, left onlookers with wonder as to how the culture of Krishna Consciousness can transform anyone and everyone. This is the proof! Lord Nityananda’s mercy knows no bounds. The grand festival concluded with a ceremonial bath to Sri Pancha Tattva—Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Nityananda, Advaita Acharya, Sri Gadadhara and Sri Srivasa—the five personalities who appeared 500 years back to inundate this world with the love of God. The temple hall was packed with devotees, guests and celebrities. As the curtain opened for the Shayana-arati, devotees offered a special song “Nitai Pada Kamala” glorifying Lord Sri Nityananda.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/tXdkkt

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)

(Since I have a new audience, I thought I would continue to repost some of my favorite blogs (this one from 11-11-11) that continue my current themes about personal growth, personal power and a sense of personal mission. In general my mission is to provide encouragement and inspiration to my readers or listeners to be the best person they can in the pursuit of bhakti, or loving devotional thoughts and actions to please God, or Krishna. I point to the power of spiritual positive thinking while depending on Krishna. Real humility comes not artificially, but as a by-product of our spiritual development. With Krishna's help and our faithful thoughts and actions, all things are possible.):

In the face of all our apparent problems, mistakes, and perceived failings and shortcomings, it is absolutely essential to remember our spiritual identity as a soul who is part of Krishna. This spiritual understanding is the solution to all problems and is the success of our life. You aren’t that body—remember? Don’t get so caught up in life as to deny this, or please consider this view if you have never thought of applying it practically. Bodily identification which is created and fostered by false ego—that most insidious and subtle element—encourages us to defend our misconceptions, and thus causes all our conflicts with others and unhappiness. Rather than looking inward, we think we need to add things on to our lives for fulfillment—of course, this is good for the economy!

Many of us suffer from low self-esteem, or a very poor opinion of ourselves, or we may display an inflated grandiose view of ourselves to cover this up (the dirty secret of our unworthiness). Some may not really have faith in the spiritual goal, and so remain with what they think is certain—however miserable or mediocre that may be. We may want to distract ourselves by remaining very busy so we don’t have to spend too much time thinking of our wounded, hurt self—or we may always be blaming others for our problems.

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About the Mumbai Rath Yatra festival by Bhima Prabhu [For more videos of this category, visit - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhtmKWc6vRTCS8PQn9uEHZ… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20VhdnFZnsw