Planet ISKCON

This blog is a continuation of the last two about undercurrents in groups and for each of us, personally. In a sense the fruit of dealing with our personal undercurrent, or unresolved life issues, is discovering and sharing our gifts, and the joy and fulfillment that ensue.

Many of us feel that being a soul in a physical embodiment is a strange combination. So strange in fact that some people, even without any spiritual awareness, have the experience of feeling they don't fit into the world, or are depressed for no apparent reason. A few of us have taken this angst as an impetus to search for the meaning of life beyond the status quo, finding the spiritual quest as the solution. I understand though, that being on the spiritual journey doesn't mean to deny the physical, or to just live our life waiting to transcend—as I did for many years as a single monastic (brahmacari). Awakening to our spiritual nature requires being fully present in the world and understanding our unique contribution to the family of the Earth while focusing on our Source through spiritual practice.

There are many dimensions to life. My feeling of emptiness and depression with the world led me to begin my spiritual quest. This search inspired me to regularly visit and live in the redwood forest, observe Nature, and read spiritual books. That led me to Krishna and I lived a spiritually focused life in various temples around the world for 12 years or so. That was good for me and gave me standing in, and a taste for, bhakti. Then I came to another dissatisfaction, or inner prompting, which led me to the journey of interfacing with the world and understanding that I was out of balance with my material self; I had to attend to what I would come to understand as my life lessons and "karmic mission."

Both our spiritual practice and understanding what we need to do in the world are essential. It is better to live in the world hankering for our spiritual ideal (Krishna Consciousness), then to live in a temple community, hankering for material facilities and wondering what is wrong.

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Vegan Panettone recipe (Album 11 photos)
4 + 1/2 c bread flour
1 + 1/2 c sugar
1 packet rapid rise yeast
A pinch of yellow food color (or tumeric, or saffron)
1/2 c earth balance (vegan butter)
1+1/2 c of hot water (hot that can be touched)
1 tsp orange extract
1/2 c of raisins
1/4 c candied, diced orange peel (optional)
Directions here: http://goo.gl/05y1AW

Beautiful Vrindavana (Album 30 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: At every step there is danger. Therefore, because the Krishna consciousness movement provides the opportunity for the human being to get out of this material world simply by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, this movement is the greatest benediction in human society. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.7.7 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/YHyPGB

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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On the Backroads of Ancient Orissa (Album 96 photos)
A research road trip on the 20th to the 22nd of December 2014 visiting Jajpur, Bhadrak, Remuna, Kanupur, Gopivallabhapur, and Baripada.
See them here: http://goo.gl/5AXhn2

Shower of mercy at Tel-Aviv central station (Album 142 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by taking prasada and taking part in chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, ordinary persons are being considerably elevated. Saubhari Muni regrets that he had bad association even in the deepest part of the water. Because of the bad association of the sexually engaged fish, he fell down. A secluded place is also not secure unless there is good association. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.6.51 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/gdutxk

Harinama in Krasnogorsk, a city and the administrative center of Krasnogorsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia (Album 34 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The Hare Krishna chant is called the maha-mantra, the great, exalted mantra above all other Vedic mantras, because simply chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra brings so many beneficial effects. (Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.1.17 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/PbVrvv

Here is the most recent version of the BBT Style Guide (formerly the BBT Style Sheet).

You can have it either of two ways:

• The BBT Style Guide (December 2014) (Word file) (423 KB)
• The BBT Style Guide (December 2014) (PDF file) (825 KB)

The style guide offers the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust’s latest standards on such matters as spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and word choice.

This is a routine update.

You can always find the latest version of the style guide on the permanent page of BBT editorial resources.

The post Updated BBT style guide (December 2014) appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

http://youtu.be/31nTlQ1IPwA

The post A peek into Radha Syama’s newly arrived furniture, renovated pujari room and their alter backdrop appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

http://on.fb.me/1CAiOYw

The post A peek into Radha Syama’s newly arrived furniture, renovated pujari room and their alter backdrop appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Sivarama Maharaja’s report about the constructions on site (12 min video)
Srila Prabhupada: “There may be discrepancies in pronouncing the mantras and observing the regulative principles, and, moreover, there may be discrepancies in regard to time, place, person and paraphernalia. But when your Lordship’s holy name is chanted, everything becomes faultless.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 8.23.16).
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/hHoVNs

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Initiation Ceremony at Osijek,Republic of Croatia, by HG Kratu Prabhu (Album 55 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Although Sukracarya was a strict brahmana addicted to ritualistic activities, he also admitted, nischidram anusankirtanam tava: “My Lord, constant chanting of the holy name of Your Lordship makes everything perfect.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 8.23.16 Purport).
See them here: http://goo.gl/mbrIK5

Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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I think we should turn to the correct form of Krishna for the specific need or interaction we desire.

There are primarily two forms of Krishna we can access directly: the name “Krishna” and the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. There are also three other important forms within our reach: Krishna’s deity, Krishna’s devotee, and Krishna’s dhāma.

I think Krishna’s name is the form to turn to for giving ourselves, giving our heart, in utter purity and simplicity. Chanting Hare Krishna with real attention means offering our whole being to Krishna without any strings attached and with no ulterior motive. So I think the name is the form of Krishna that purifies the sādhaka by accepting his or her heart in sacrifice. Its the “fire” in which we “offer” our core being, in “sacrifice.” We turn to the name out of feeling the need to give ourselves entirely and wholly to Krishna — “svāha.”

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the form of Krishna with which we converse! I don’t think we should primarily turn to the name or the deity for conversation with Krishna. We should turn to Śrīmad Bhāgavatam for that. Krishna’s conversations constitute Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. If we dive deeply into reading it, those conversations include us and speak vividly and directly to and with us.

Krishna’s deity is a form that allows us to see the name, which otherwise is mainly heard. But I think the deity’s special function is to provide a focal point for the practice of personal service to Krishna. So, we turn to the deity out of need to practice rendering some personal favors or services to Śrī Krishna.

The other two forms of Krishna that even we sādhaka (by liberal application of the term) can access are: Krishna’s devotee and Krishna’s dhāma. These are devotional expansions of Krishna which support his rāsa. I think we turn to Krishna’s devotees for to gain empathy and sympathy and inspiration towards the Bhāgavatam, Deity, and Name. I think we turn to Krishna’s Dhāma (which is the platform that supports the name, deity, bhāgavatam and devotee) as we would turn to our mother – seeking affectionate support and nourishment.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 01 December 2014, Mayapur, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.50) 

It may be true that some people carry a little more spiritual strength from a previous life than others. But, whatever we have got with us in terms of a stock, is not going to last. It is like money; some may have a little more money in the wallet than others, but if you do not make sure that new money comes into the wallet then even if you have a fat wallet, soon it will be empty. Somehow or other, it goes anyway. So, the point is that in this life, we need spiritual strength so that we can have the conviction to actually take up the challenges in spiritual life. That strength is not just coming from what we got from birth. That strength is what we need to build up and that is the main point; one must collect daivī sampad or spiritual wealth.

Just like someone in the world who is always looking for opportunities to make some money, this way or that way to make money. Materialists are always looking for opportunities. In a same way, a devotee is always looking for opportunities to collect some spiritual wealth because it is that spiritual wealth that is the source of strength. Srila Prabhupada gives that example of placing iron in fire and then the iron will act like fire. So the more spiritual wealth we collect, the more that the result will be that we will be more spiritually strong.

Bhagavatam-daily Podcast:

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Holy Name Meditation Podcast:

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Gita Verse-by-verse Study Podcast:

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Sivarama Swami receives a “substantial” donation for the altar renovation by Jayapataka Swami (3 min video)
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/fv0vqm

Gorgeous Wallpaper of Sri Panchatatva and much more
Srila Prabhupada: Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. (Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.12)
See them here: http://goo.gl/5U83yL

Famous US actor Matt Damon meets Gauramani prabhu on Sankirtan In Budapest and gets some good association!

Krishna conscious program for deaf children (6 min video)
Sri Bhakti Das, from Chile: We are trying to share Krishna Counsciousness in Chile through music, prasad, and book distribution. The name of our band is “Krishna Sambandha”.
I would like to share with you a short video of deaf children teaching us how to chant Hare Krishna in sign Lenguage.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/xC5bfW

Preaching programs in Italy (Album 149 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Krishna, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Krishna.
(Sri-Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 20.11)
See them here: http://goo.gl/v4vabd

Rasa Parayana Prabhu ACBSP left his body
As I was ending the diary here, I received a call from Adya Prabhu again. I sensed the call, and I was right, “HG Rasa Parayana Prabhu has left his body.” Said Adya Prabhu. He left his body at 4.20am (California, USA time) during the brahma muhurta hours. My breathing became thicker and heavier. Adya prabhu continued,” RPP was so cheerful after the conversation with Jayapataka Swami this morning, especially after listening to the pastime, and he left the body in KC way, with so much spiritual vibration, without going through any pain.” I informed Jayapataka Swami about RPP’s glorious passing while he was just wheeling out from his room to give his evening Katha. Before beginning Srila Prabhupada Katha for tonight, Jayapataka Swami spoke about RPP and made a group prayers for his safe journey back home back to godhead.
Photo below- Jayapataka Swami and HG Rasa Parayana Prabhu on the boat, giving out Kitchidi Prasadam to the villagers during the 70’s flood relief program.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=14768

Pope Francis held nothing back in addressing the ills of the Catholic Church in a critique of what ails the church’s central bureaucracy.

We industriously hold on to the worrisome problem, thinking that we are tackling it, but actually we are being tackled by it – tackled to the ground and even below it.

A Conservation International film.

The best way to tackle world poverty and indeed all other material problems is to simply abide by the divine instructions given by God, depending on him for our needs while engaging in spiritual practise to keep our desires and demands in check.

A conference with Radhanath in Torino, Italy. A video by Inci Mutlu Milano.