I am back in mountain air, dry and clean. While my greeters / drivers, couple Manu das and Satarupa dasi, drove me from the city of Kamloops to Venables Valley, we stopped for motor oil. Their young 8 year old, Nikunja Bihari, and I, took the road for a short stretch. Why wait for the purchase? Let me stretch. I have gone through three airports before I met this family, just sitting around. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity.
Nikunja and I extended our little game, I spy with my little eye, something that is...RED. This was engaging as much as the walk. What I admired about today was the light sprinkle of snow cast over the barren mountains. Yes, I spy with my little eye, the beauty of nature. Once reaching the valley, and the village of Saranagati, Manu and I added a trek towards his new work-in-progress home, built solidly of Douglas fir. This area of greater green is graced with mostly coniferous trees. I was happy to hear the pine beetle was less of an issue. They appear to operate in cycles. Their ravaging of pine and spruce has drastically decreased. Then, at a dear friends, Kripanidhi’s home, the community converged for a Krishna Conscious group’s usual, some chanting, followed by a discussion on the Gita’s verse; param drstva nivartate, about the higher taste in sound.
Sudama Gopa is one of the two local pujaris at the Radha Govinda Cultural Centre, and he was kind enough to drive me at opening hours, 5:30 am to the rec centre. I learned later that is was the same time as the morning arati, the ceremony to honor Krishna. We both missed that event but, as usual, my walking, this time again at an indoor track, would prove to be spiritual nevertheless.
As long as chanting or divine contemplation takes place as legs move forward, you have got a spiritual program. Moving at a good clip, Sudama stuck right next to me, then he slowly ended up following behind. Then he just disappeared. Eventually he reappeared. Adventure got the better of him (or perhaps my pacing was too high gear). He made his way to one of the numerous gadgets you can use to “workout”. Anyways, all was done in an effort to trim down and reshape flesh. In the evening we had a session to fine-tune our approach to precious kirtan. The effort here is in tweaking the ancient practice of devotional music. It was really just a warm-up to a future more evolved presentation that I will make. What I find here in Edmonton is that our community is wanting and willing to know how to improve their lives through improving kirtan.
Please keep Nassasira Prabhu in your prayers.Timeline PhotosToday my Gurumaharaja sent me a message to say that my dear Godbrother Nasasira Livingstone from Mbarara in Uganda, a blissful gausevak who had started a project to protect the Ankole cattle i... Continue reading →
Kirtan at Klyde Warren Park- Dallas Tx (Album 24 photos)
Klyde Warren Park, one of the most popular gathering places in Dallas, advertises our bi-monthly kirtans on their event filled website.
Srila Prabhupada: “What to speak of others, even Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, personally descends to taste the nectar of love of Godhead in the form of the chanting of Hare Krishna.” (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.265 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/PUcU0v
A visit to Live Earth farm of Iskcon Silicon Valley (Album 39 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Pure devotees chant the Hare Krishna mantra, and simply by hearing this chanting from a purified transcendental person, one is purified of all sinful activities, no matter how lowborn or fallen one may be. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.126 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/pq51iT
Preaching program at ISKCON Punjabi Bagh (Album 30 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: There may be so many impediments for a person who is chanting Hare Krishna. Nonetheless, tolerating all these impediments, one should continue to chant so that at the end of one’s life one can have the full benefit of Krishna consciousness. Bhagavad-Gita 8.5 Purport.
See them here: http://goo.gl/HNUCzQ
Beautifil Darshans @ ISKCON Punjabi Bagh (Album 10 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The easiest way to control the mind, as suggested by Lord Caitanya, is chanting “Hare Krishna,” the great mantra for deliverance, in all humility. Bhagavad-Gita, 6.34 Purport.
See them here: http://goo.gl/uymTyC
"O Supreme Personality of Godhead, when someone desires to chant Your holy name, sins tremble in fear, the glory of material illusion faints unconscious, Yamaraja's scribe Citragupta becomes happy and gazes at the chanter's toenails with awe and reverence...."
Memories of Srila Prabhupada series 57 and 58 now available.
Siddhanta Dasa: It is with great pleasure that we continue the “Memories of Srila Prabhupada” series with the latest contributions from Aditi devi dasi, Nanda devi dasi, Ballavhi devi dasi, Caitanya devi dasi, Yogesvara das and Udayananda das. You will learn what it actually takes to be rejected by the spiritual master and a unique understanding of why we think the daytime dream is more real than the nighttime dream besides many other topics. Close the year out and bring the New Year in with inspirational stories about His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
Read the entire article here: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=14713
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)
The process of glorification of Krsna through his name is actually our means of purification. So we are preparing to chant and the first reason why we chant, is for purification, whether it is in kirtan or japa. In japa, we are exposed because in japa we are alone. When you are in kirtan, you can become so swept up in the kirtan that you think you are almost approaching bhava! Then, when you are chanting japa, you realise you are a total neophyte, you have no taste for the name at all because during japa, you are alone with the name and there is no help from the music, there is no help from all the voices chanting to carry us…
An incredible video that is a "must watch" for anyone that has been to the holy land of Mayapur in West Bengal, India. In fact, if you've never been, this incredible video will transport you instantaneously! The description from the creators of the video is as follows: As the rising moon dispels darkness, spreading its soothing rays in all directions, so too did the Golden Avatar Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appear in this world to bestow infinite light, hope, and love. Day by day, the worldwide bhakti revolution He ignited accelerates, as the background noise of doubt and fear is drowned by the vibration of sacred mantra. Entrance Into Eternity is a multi-part film series tracing this sankirtan movement back to its divine source, the epicenter of devotional ecstasy, the kirtan capital of the universe, Sridham Mayapur. In Mayapur, the sweet melody of kirtan is never far, and hearts are awakened to the sacred flow of mercy. Men and women, boys and girls, from all corners of the world, pierce through divides of caste and color to harmonize their voices and deeds in service to the Supreme. Some say Sri Caitanya was crazy. Some say he's gone. Others who know better still dance in His earthshaking kirtan, bathing in His limitless love and grace. Dedicated to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
Their is always one thing that makes me stop and ponder but also puts me into a little anxiety and that is when asked for advice on spiritual matters especially surrounding japa.
Sometimes the individual wants me to validate their actions I’m not doing my round’s but it’s OK here’s my reasons, so it’s not real advice but a simple coconspirator in inaction rather than action; to those whose circumstances have changed of the flavour has gone from chanting the holy name of Krishna.
As one listens over the years their is one interesting theme that I’ve noted whilst we look to reduce spiritual activity when things get tough depending on the circumstances in a majority of cases the material aspect is not reduced.
Time is a factor to do 16+ good rounds of japa is time consuming some forward planning and regulations are needed and its easy to say I have no time, whilst prioritising the 8 hour working day plus commuting time added with family time and time to chill and wind down. Overtime work deadline and the added insecurity in the workplace means even for devotees like myself some awareness of work based needs is required and also running a house is a costly affair so a loss of work and the reduction of income is a focus so forced by material nature work takes priority.
Sickness is also a factor last year after calapsing at the temple and spending some time in hospital japa was difficult and being honest as to quality well hum needless to say it was very poor indeed. So reduce after all best do 1 good round than 16 poor rounds right prabhu.
Thankfully I’ve avoided the whole marriage children lifestyle but know this brings its unique challenges as consideration for the needs of the other family members is needed, the children demand attention along with the life partner.
Then theirs the new devotee just setting out and let’s face it the learning curve can be steep even after over 10years of practice I’m still learning new things and making mistakes thankfully devotees are very merciful and don’t take offence.
It is however to simply say do your rounds and almost browbeat the individual into doing 16 rounds for not doing so is an epic fail to hell do you go anything under 16 rounds means your in maya.
I’ve found first and for most listening carefully and understanding were the individual is at, that means taking time analysis their day, health both physically and spiritually, then and only then do we prescribed a route to improved japa.
It reminded me that certain medications used in my work, it is not that we start at the best dose but start with a smaller one and as the body gets used to it gradually increase, this reduces sideeffects and also aids compliance.
Japa is the medication needed to free the spirit soul from the delusion of material energy and thus great care has to be given best slow and steady increase or a constant number of rounds daily.
But japa is not the be all and end all it is part of a wider prescription and if we are struggling with japa over the years both personally and listening and advising others the other essentials to a health devotional life is missing or eroding.
Listening to and reading Srila Prabhupada books should be a part of everyone’s daily routine along with some sort of seva.
Ineffective japa and japa reduction usually parallels with a lukewarm approach to reading, listening and association with devotees and in the worst case scenario were their is an overtaking of the mind and simply put fault finding and ill speech about others is taking place.
So personally when my own japa is weak it’s time for a complete spiritual health check and when approached by others who are struggling in their own japa I take the same approach so how is the rest of your spiritual life going.
The and only them advice as my deepest desire is not to give the incorrect advice and set the person up to fail but to inspire then to do as much as they can whilst increasing the underlying desire to do more as circumstances or health allows.
So personally I’m less inclined to simply so do your rounds but to enter into a journey with them similar to the journey I enter with my clients and overtime good steady progress in made.
In conclusion if were struggling in japa then this should be a loud warning sign that other areas in our spiritual progress is also in need of some fine tuning
Chant and be Happy
And serve others in such a way they remain inspired to develope and remain Krishna consciousness
Hare Krishna
Worry is a natural human response to life’s uncertainties. Yet what is natural can become unnatural if it becomes our only response, for then worry overwhelms us, reducing us to emotional wrecks.
We may not be able to stop worry from attacking us, but we can stop it from overwhelming us. If we allow the worrisome thought unfiltered entry, it soon expands to fill our consciousness, making us paralyzed or frenzied, incapable of any constructive action. What allows worry entry and space in our consciousness is our thinking about the problem. The more we think about it, the more worry penetrates and pervades.
I hear the protest, “How can I not think about the problem? If I don’t think about it, how will I deal with it? And if I don’t deal with it, it will destroy me.”
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.
Yes, we do need to deal with the problem, but thinking undiscerningly about it may well be the worst way of dealing with it. When we feel threated by a problem, our thinking often becomes undiscerning in the sense that we lose control of our thoughts – they take control of us. Acquiring a life and momentum of their own, they drag us down into feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Through it all, 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.
To prevent such a downslide of our consciousness, we need to provide it an uplifting hold. The best such hold is the highest reality, God. One of his names is Hari, the Lord who steals away impurities including worries. When we meditate on him, praying for strength and guidance, the Bhagavad-gita (18.58) assures that we pass over all obstacles. We feel ourselves emotionally, intellectually and spiritually raised above our circumstances, somewhat akin to a person airlifted from the arena of an exploding volcano. When we view the problem from a distanced and detached perspective, we perceive aspects and conceive solutions that we had missed earlier when the problem was looming above us.
Devotional meditation thus provides tangible relief, but to effectively access its potency, we need an appropriate process and adequate practice.
Mantras comprising the holy names of God are the best airlifting process. And regular meditation on those divine sounds comprises the background practice for averting acute anxiety attacks. During those attacks, our practice will enable us to hold on to the divine and thus rise above the problems.
By thus retraining ourselves to hold on to Hari instead of worry, we can go and grow through problems gracefully.
The offer was on by my host, Yogendra, to try out the track at the new Meadows Rec Centre, located in his neighbourhood. With this agreeable proposal, I took to the 4.25 laps that make 1 kilometre. I completed my desired 6 km for a morning jaunt before my first engagement for the day.
I find it awkward to do the counter clockwise walk. I understand they alternate the direction each day.
I got a charge from the caption I read on the back of one woman’s tshirt, “Live Your Movement”, is what it said. I’m sure that this is a take on how you move your body, but this was a good message which I took as a queue to voice my feelings in regards to the movement that I’ve joined. Sometimes I’m a little concerned regarding some immature dynamics that I find go on even in a spiritual community. In my talk to the community, I mentioned that a person behaves at school, behaves at work (might even behave at home), but when in a devotional environment, it should not be the time to vent or to emote.
“In a spiritual setting it calls for shanti –peace.” To add to the message, I expressed that as long as humans come together, there will eventually be a collision of opinions. A decision needs to be confirmed in order to unlock an apparent stalemate. It is structure, a respected managing team, that carries the responsibility of breaking the dam that hinders the flow.
Now, I joined a movement which sometimes is on pause. I pray to be instrumental as much as possible, in pressing ‘play’ if not, ‘forward’. I pray to ‘live the movement’ and to practice what I preach.
The seductive woman, the boy smoking dope, the ungratified corporate man, the hungry grizzly, the curious kid wanting to know if I could walk on water, the generous donors in the poorest town in Canada – these were the people and entities I talked about from cross-country treks before a group of people. It was the second day to talk to a Russian speaking group. It was inspiring to see their enthusiasm as they listened. Except for the three kids, the 8, 9 and 10 year olds, who admitted to being bored, all else were quite perked up. Believe me, I take no offense to kids and their remarks.
After three months of silence from Dana, the trekker who vied for challenging the cross-country trail, I had succeeded in reaching him by phone. Last month he had completed 20,000 kilometres on that trail. He told me he’s in great shape, and has been doing speaking engagements on the glories of walking. He also informed me about his receiving sponsorship from Keen, the shoe company. It will be a great day to meet him in person. We are trying for that. And as I get enthused in hearing what he is doing, he mutually gets inspiration by my efforts. There is a walking bond going on here, even though we’re thousands of miles apart from each other.
As I completed my phone call with him, I was in the airport at the time, waiting for a flight to Edmonton. A fellow by the name Ahmed, asked if he could sit next to me. My robes struck his enthusiasm, or his inquisitiveness, and so he then expressed his wish for spiritual input into his life. Like many people, he is feeling a vacuum. This sparked a fulfilling conversation which continued until it was time to line up for boarding.
Not everyone was bored that I met today. It was more like one long ribbon of exchange with motivated people.
Our local pujari (priest), Swiss born, Hadai Pandit, offered to take me to see a god-sister. Her name is Padyavali, she is a small gal from Newfoundland, and she joined the ranks of Krishna Consciousness back in the early 70’s. At the seniors’ home where she resides, we found her lying down. Her Parkinson’s disallows her from moving with speed. And when it comes to hearing, with her mature years, it means you have to raise your volume a bit.
Hadai, his wife, Mahatma, and I, took Padyavali for a short, slow stroll down the hallway and back. Being rather sedentary today, this little short stroll is something I needed more than she did. She encountered some dizziness from that brief walk, which is a mark that she is not in her best health. We sang a devotional song by her bedside, and she participated. If walking and talking doesn’t help very much in the communication department, then you can always use mantra power, correct?
We will see our dear sister on the next visit to Vancouver.
And you know, those Russian speaking people that I had the honour to see as part of a weekly get together, was also really sweet. Here I gave an option on what I should speak about, “Do you want a verse from the Bhagavad Gita which to dissect, or a reading from the book, “Krishna”, or an abbreviated 9 Devotions Workshop, or a talk, “Tales from Trails”. They opted for the latter, and so we trekked the road together as I recalled crazy but cool experiences of pedestrian pastimes. It was nothing short of leading people on the path of simplicity.
I was driven to Port Coquitlam in one of those new electric cars, a Tesla model. It drives real smooth, still, I wouldn’t trade walking for a fancy car ride anywhere, any day. It was simply practical taking this mode of travel.
What was the attraction to Port Coquitlam? Food, rather, the people who prepared it. Jogender and family invite like routine each time I come to Vancouver. It’s custom to host a sadhu, holy person, to one’s home, bathe the person’s feet in clean water, after his long walk, and then feed that same mendicant. In exchange, the mendicant will offer words of inspiration.
Now, in my case, I was a guest who was not worthy of a soothing foot wash. I didn’t trek to Jogender’s home, I was not a weary or worthy traveller. I wish though, that I could put in more time to trekking.
I did slide a few minutes in with Peter near the Chinese farms in Burnaby. Peter is a gardener and looks after the grounds at the ISKCON temple. As an outdoors type of person, he thrives on physical activity. With the gardening, he earns his keep, and also washes his feet, and all that above those feet after a day’s work.
As bhakti yoga practitioners, cleanliness becomes a part and parcel of habit. One get cleansed with water externally, and with mantra internally.
Back to Jogender’s home and the food. What can I say? Good hosts, great food. Thank you.
Time and rain were two hurdles to a meaningful footwalk session. I did manage to use more body parts than just the feet and legs, however. At a yoga studio, “Yoga on 7th”, I was more or less introduced as the Dancing Monk.
It started off by a group of us sitting down to some mrdanga drum lessons by Vyasa. Then vocalist/harmoniumist by the name of Anand gave voice lessons. Part three of the evening program consisted of my introducing dance steps to the chanting and drumming. We kept the moves ‘folk-like’, clean and for the most part, we moved in a circular fashion and all the while chanted simultaneously.
It was great getting off our butts, so to speak, and engaging in what is generally amiss in many current day kirtans where people tend to just sit. In the words of one of my peers, Lokanath Swami, a monk from India, “To make the kirtan complete, you dance.”
I do hope the kirtan people of the world catch on.
Now, there was one other beautiful element to the day which had less to do with dance. Sitting before senior residents of the Earl Haig Residence, I spoke of my walking escapades before dance lessons at “Yoga on 7th”. These mature people in their grand 70’s, 80’s and maybe 90’s took to chairs in the rec room to hear of my pilgrimages. They had questions. I answered.
What a bunch of sweetie-pies they are!
May the Source be with you!
Maybe 2 -3 KM worth of footwork in the form of dance.
I was thrilled that the chap sharing the quarters with me at the Burnaby temple was enthusiastic to take the lead in the kirtan culture on behalf of our guru in the city of his residence, Victoria. As a musically inclined person, Adhosha Darshi, by name, volunteered to take up this responsibility and embrace the project. He seems the perfect fit.
And Victoria, being what it is, is a gorgeous town with a populace that is open and eager for such kirtan. It needs to be said that chanting already has a foothold in this capital city of British Columbia. I don’t think that it would be a speculation to say that Krishna monks pioneered the ancient practice here in the late sixties. I am a product of someone who met chanting monks in the summer of ’72 right on the street in downtown Victoria.
At that time I was walking (when I wasn’t I) near Beacon Hill Park with my bro, Jerry, and friend, Rob, when we were met by a group of shaven-headed, robed monks. Years have passed and there isn’t a permanent presence for chanting by our members in Victoria.
Somehow I felt that today’s the day that blessing came our way in the form of a great life-long monk, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati. This happens to be his day as we remember him on the anniversary of his departure in the twenties. It was his urgings that compelled his student, our guru, Srila Prabhupada, to come to the U.S. in ’65 to initiate the chanting movement in the west.
Now, I feel, that by his blessing of kirtan by one of our men, Adhosha, will take hold in Victoria on Vancouver Island. As Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on.” And so , if chanting be the fuel of Absolute love, then do indeed play on.
I was walking in darkness, at night, a meagre mile with a young fellow from the island. Everything was obscure because of lack of light. Whatever dim light did exist, for instance, oncoming headlights from a car, casted an illusion. What might look like a puddle of water was actually an upraised patch of dark asphalt. And that which appeared to be a dip in a road, might turn out to be an elevation.
Some people live in darkness (by choice usually) and this poses a problem for perceptions on life. That which is perceived as beneficial could actually be detrimental and vice versa.
Walking partner, Adhosha, by name, got wet in the process like I did. The rain that descended limited our vision a tad bit more. This only meant that we had to be extra sharp with our steps, and carefully avoiding to get socks soaked. Wet footwear doesn’t matter, but when socks are drenched, it’s a little unpleasant. When it does happen, then it’s time to take shelter of tolerance.
I had a full day of meeting people. Now with the wrap up of the day, I, or we, are meeting the elements. It brought about some introspection.
Harinama in Hare Krishna Melbourne (Album 42 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: The liberated sage Kardama Muni could see Garuda carrying the Lord on the way to Vaikuntha and hear the flapping of his wings vibrating the sound of Hare Krsna, the essence of the Sama Veda. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.34 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/zBsBA9
The urge to walk is especially enhanced when failing miserably the day before to doing any trekking. I tried making it up today and managed to jaunt by taking my usual route – an ultra flat district in profitable delta rich agricultural plots of land.
There, and in my walking, in those two installments, companions and I had sweet talks in touching the three phases of time – past, present, and future. I imagine most conversations anyone ever had embody actions that have already been executed, aspirations for the future, and also being very alive and present.
I had said something about life in a depressing commercialized Christmas atmosphere before I devoted my life to monasticism. I also asked other about personal projects coming ahead. And for the here and now, well, “How are you doing with your sadhana?” becomes a natural question. In other words, are vows to a veggie lifestyle faring well, how is your japa (mantra meditation) doing lately? Is regulation in these and other departments doing well?
With the two groups of people I had trekked with, taking substances is not even an issue. At least I give the benefit of the doubt, so I need not inquire about that. Everyone naturally has their own life to live, and such subject matter is really just their own business. Still, as someone senior in years to the others walking with me, and me being the more monk/guru figure, I may ask out of genuine concern. How safe are we leading our life? Principles and promises are generally for our protection. To follow the path of dharma we’re going to obey and observe the signs that make our travel in this life easier.
According to chapter 18, verse 5 of the Bhagavad Gita, a person in the renounced order of life (that’s me), encourages the sacrifice of the vivaha-yagna, marriage. The purport by our guru, Srila Prabhupada, makes a point of this as a wholesome principle. Let’s face it, most people will end up being in a relationship. To solemnize it, a spiritual person is asked to get involved.
It was in Brampton that I had the honour to be there for this “blessing” while speaking a few words on the opportunity for a couple to truly develop communication skills and exercise patience through a God-centric partnership. We wish well the matched two people in this regard.
In Hamilton, a group of seekers I guess you could say, showed up for one of those Nine Devotions Workshops that we conduct from time to time. What a fabulous group they are. Each individual, of which I know little regarding marital status, all who came were of marriageable age, but here, matrimony was not our topic. Connecting with the divine was through these often familiar processes identified as healing exercises:
Farewell to Cuba! Off to home! Left feeling good knowing that bhakti yoga is easily taken by people on this special island. To celebrate this year’s trip would be natural, since a small plot of land is now secured for devotional purposes, details of which will be revealed in future blog entries. Sorry to sound mysterious about this acquisition, but it is all in keeping with plans to add to the quality of life, again, in this special place.
While leaving on the Sunwing flight along with past week companions, both monastic and lay members, I had the chance to project ahead and contemplate the day forward. An anticipated visit to the Shanti Yoga Centre in Hamilton tomorrow will be an opportunity to walk the group through a Nine Devotions Workshop.
One of the outstanding features of the workshop is often the item called vandanam, power praying. A much loved prayer comes to mind, one well known is, Reinhold Niebuhr’s. In an abbreviated form it goes like this:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
In our Vedic tradition, prayer is highly recognized by one contemporary of Sri Krishna. His name is Akrura, and he offered not just a petition to God, but full appreciation of the Creator’s accomplishments.
Hayagriva and I stayed at a very decent bed and breakfast. We woke up to get our usual regimen of chanting japa. At the first opportunity we took a stroll down "Boulevard" where no vehicles come through. At dawn people are found at bakeries, much like the convergence of people at a Tim Horton's coffee place in Canada. There are enough bakeries that line-ups for the daily bread rations are not too long. Bread seems to be the staple in Cuba if not rice and black beans.
We were happy to break bread along with cut papaya and guava fruit at our bed and breakfast where Sahil, Brhat and Frederic joined us. Then off we went to Varadero and then enroute to Matanzas. Everywhere we travel on the island of Cuba I see people are quite prone to the outdoors. Young men are out playing in the soccer fields. Cubans are the most "in shape" people I've seen.
At one stage of our journey one of our monks needed to tend to the bladder room so we did stop at a corner gas station. I told the cab driver I would proceed ahead walking. "Por favor, pick me up down the road." Fifteen minutes later the car pulls up and the man is enwrapped in laughter. He didn't realize that in that short amount of time you can span the edge of several driveways and several blocks of streets, in this case passing by a factory and several fields. It floored him, really.
The last event in Cuba was another one of those electrifying chanting sessions, a talk from 15.5 of the Gita, a minor snack, and then, goodbyes. Just to demonstrate her love for those of us who came from Canada, middle aged Chaitanya Priya, handed me packets of salt and pepper to address the blandish food we sometimes contend with in Cuba.
It was hugs and kisses amongst all, and then we parted for the last sleep at Riu Resort.
Food For Life In War Torn Eastern Ukraine
Devotees in the war-torn Donetsk region have mobilized themselves into a “Food for Life” team which has gained government recognition and very substantial support. They are known by the new government as the “Hare Krishna devotees”. Not only have they found a means for themselves to survive, but these devotees have taken the initiative to work cooperatively with the local government, to raise funds from within Russia, and to find the means to get large supplies of produce and grain for distribution.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/YT1YGN
Friday Harinama in Kumeu, New Zealand (Album 35 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: If one repeats monotonous material words, he will feel exhausted, but if he chants Hare Krishna twenty-four hours a day, he will never feel exhausted; rather, he will feel encouraged to continue chanting more and more. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.21.22 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/9unxWu
Harinama in the snow, Russia (Album 93 photos)
Srila Prabhupada: Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended five items of devotional service, namely to serve the devotees of the Lord, to chant Hare Krishna, to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam, to worship the Deity of the Lord and to live in a place of pilgramage. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3.19.38 Purport)
See them here: http://goo.gl/RkZTXM
