Toronto, Ontario
Not Bored
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.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Saturday, December 13th, 2014
Friday, December 12th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
Path of Simplicity
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.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Path of Simplicity
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.
May the Source be with you!
3 KM
Thursday, December 11th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
I Was Driven
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
I Was Driven
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Wednesday, December 10th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
Dancing (Walking) Monk
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.
Dancing (Walking) Monk
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.
Tuesday, December 9th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
Thrilled
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Thrilled
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Monday, December 8th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
I Was Walking
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
I Was Walking
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Harinama in Hare Krishna Melbourne (Album 42 photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
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
Sunday, December 7th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Vancouver, British Columbia
Travel Easier
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.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Travel Easier
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.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Saturday, December 6th, 2016
→ The Walking Monk
Hamilton, Ontario
Coming Together
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:
1. Shravanam – reflecting hearing.
2. Kirtanam – penetrative chanting.
3. Smaranam – positive recalling.
4. Pada Sevanam – sincere serving.
5. Archanam – image honouring.
6. Vandanam – power praying.
7. Dasyam – submissive connecting.
8. Sakhyam – friendship building.
9. Atmani Vedanam – sweet surrendering.
We had a blast connecting.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Coming Together
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:
1. Shravanam – reflecting hearing.
2. Kirtanam – penetrative chanting.
3. Smaranam – positive recalling.
4. Pada Sevanam – sincere serving.
5. Archanam – image honouring.
6. Vandanam – power praying.
7. Dasyam – submissive connecting.
8. Sakhyam – friendship building.
9. Atmani Vedanam – sweet surrendering.
We had a blast connecting.
May the Source be with you!
0 KM
Friday, December 5th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Varaderro/ Toronto
Left Feeling Good
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.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Left Feeling Good
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.
May the Source be with you!
7 KM
Thursday, December 4th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk
Matanzas, Cuba
Staples
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.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
Gita 02.65 – Purification makes external intelligence internal
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
Food For Life In War Torn Eastern Ukraine
Devotees in the…
→ Dandavats.com
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
Was Arjuna aware of the soul’s existence before hearing the Gita?
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Answer Podcast:
Friday Harinama in Kumeu, New Zealand (Album 35 photos)
Srila…
→ Dandavats.com
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
December 19th, 2014 – Darshan
→ Mayapur.com
The post December 19th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.
Harinama in the snow, Russia (Album 93 photos)
Srila Prabhupada:…
→ Dandavats.com
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
A spontaneous donation for Radha-Syama from a great soul
→ SivaramaSwami.com
The post A spontaneous donation for Radha-Syama from a great soul appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Unless we have a desire for detachment and cultivate it, the potency of devotional service will not manifest in full
→ SivaramaSwami.com
Skype conference with Moscow and beyond
→ SivaramaSwami.com
(English/Russian)
The post Skype conference with Moscow and beyond appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.
Youth to Celebrate New Year with Brazil Kirtan Fest
→ ISKCON News
Around 1,000 devotees, including many youth, from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, the U.S., the U.K., and India are expected to celebrate the New Year with the Holy Name during Kirtan Fest at Brazil’s Nova Gokula Dhama from December 31st to January 3rd. It is the biggest Vaishnava festival in Latin America.
Church of England Names Libby Lane as First Female Bishop
→ ISKCON News
This is “a completely new phase of our existence,” the Archbishop of Canterbury said.
Book Distribution with Lord Shiva’s Blessings
→ ISKCON News
Karthiga deepam a festival celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva attracted more than 12 lakh of people at Thiruvanamalai, South India this year. This festival has been attracting millions of pilgrims to this tiny town of for hundreds of years now. In the midst of all this there was one thing that caught a lot of attention, the Bhagavat Gita As it is.
New Meditation App Targeting the Heart
→ ISKCON News
ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor has just made a meditation app available on iTunes and Playstore. It has been designed for an unfamiliar audience and features Sandipani Muni, Ghanashyam Priya and Jahnavi. It's an honest and free app. After beginning with guided generic meditations it introduces our unique contribution in the section named heart.
Food For Life In War Torn Eastern Ukraine
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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. To find out more: fund.niranjanaswami.org
Jayadvaita Swami Speaks at South Africa’s Constitutional Court
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The 10th of December 2014 marked the 18th Anniversary of the signing of the South African Constitution. This day was also the commemoration of the disappearance of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. These two seemingly arbitrary events in history converged in the shape of a lecture entitled The Law Meets The Vedas delivered by Jayadvaita Swami at the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
Ukrainian Devotees Distribute Krishna’s Message in War Torn Region
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In a country torn apart by war and suffering a plunging economy, Ukranian devotees are braving sub zero winter temperatures to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books this December. And they’re being rewarded by a receptive public. “People are very grateful,” says ISKCON Ukraine Regional Secretary Acyuta Priya Das.
New Year’s Retreat
→ New Vrindaban
New Year’s Bhakti Retreat in New Vrindaban Dham
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit
Everyone is invited!
We would be honored to have your association at New Vrindaban’s New Year’s Bhakti Retreat starting the evening of Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 through Sun. Jan. 3, 2015.
Spend this New Year’s Eve along with your whole family in the scenic, rolling hills of West Virginia, getting spiritually re-charged. Associate with experienced Prabhupada disciples and listen to their enlivening Krsna Katha and Prabhupada Katha. Feel the purification of the New Year’s Eve Maha Yajna, and greet the new year in a most auspicious atmosphere. Attend enlightening devotional workshops, soothing bhajans and ecstatic kirtans. Enjoy sumptuous, healthy prasad. Does life get any better than this?
Some of the highlights are (times subject to change):
Wed. Dec. 31,2014 – 8:30 to midnight – Kirtan
Thurs. Jan. 1, 2015- 8:00 to 9:00 AM – Special Srimad Bhagavatam Class
10:30 AM -New Year’s Fire Yajna for Auspiciousness
Special Afternoon Classes & Workshops
Afternoon to Evening – Kirtan
Fri. Jan. 2, 2015 – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Special Presentation in Anticipation of the 2015 50th Anniversary of Prabhupada’s Arrival in America by HG Sankirtan das
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM – HG Gopal Hari das speaks
Evening Kirtan
Sat. Jan. 3, 2015 – 8:00 to 9:00 AM – Srimad Bhagavatam Class by H G Gopal Hari das
11:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Her Grace Malati dasi speaks Prabhupada Katha
Gita 14.05 – See the modes-induced feelings as alien, not our own
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 04:48:00 →
1968 December 19 : "All of the nonsense Bhagavad-gitas that deny Krishna are simply bluffs. If one is intelligent he is sure to get some inkling of the authorized nature of our Krishna Conscious philosophy. "
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 04:26:00 →
1970 December 19 : "If our books are printed to this standard, that will be very, very good. I do not aspire to any more efficiency in printing, but simply the printing must go on regularly."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
HG Mother Sucarya / The Krishna Book
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
HG Visvambhara Prabhu / SB 10.74.7-15
→ Kalachandji's Audio Archive
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 04:20:00 →
1970 December 19 : "This printing must go on. The plan to print 10,000 copies of the new, enlarged edition of Bhagavad-gita is approved by me. Please do it. Offer my blessings to all the workers of ISKCON Press because that is my life."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 04:10:00 →
1972 December 19 : "If there is shortage, we must recruit some first-class men to help us. If this is attempted sincerely, Krishna will provide men, you may know it for certain."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972:
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972:
Gita 02.64 – Material regulation is the launching pad for spiritual liberation
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Gita verse-by-verse study Podcast:
Gita 18.36 – Practice provides pleasure
→ The Spiritual Scientist
Holy Name Meditation Podcast:
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 02:24:00 →
1972 December 19 : "Krishna does not like to see His sincere devotee suffer. He has got some plan for you, always think in that way, and very soon Krishna will provide everything to your heart's desire."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972:
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972:
Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-12-19 02:21:00 →
1972 December 19 : "It is not the result of the work we want. Never mind big, big programmes, just one person, if we sincerely preach to such one person in a day, that is sufficient."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972:
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972: