Greatest benediction!
→ Servant of the Servant

How is the Krishna Consciousness Movement the greatest benediction in human society?

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 the human society.

- Srimad Bhagavatam, 9.7.7 purport

Chant for purification
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, October 2014, Mayapur, India, Siksastakam Seminar: Verses 1&2, Part 1)

kingsday_2014Currently, our chanting may not be so complete, in the sense that it is free from any form of anartha or aparadha, and done in a full transcendental knowledge. But all chanting will help in purifying the dust from the heart to different degrees. Ceto-darpana-marjanam (Siksastakam 1).  We begin our chanting as a process of purification. Therefore, our first motive in chanting is for purification and this should be our approach: we do everything for purification.

Someone said to me, ‘I have no taste for chanting, so I gave up chanting. I cannot do it anymore – I have done it for years and I just had no taste for it and therefore I just can’t do it anymore!’  So what do you say to someone like that, especially after they have chanted for many, many years? I was thinking of what to say and after some thinking I said, ‘Look, for you it is too late, as you have chanted for too long! You are a devotee and there is nothing you can do about it; whether you chant or not, you are going to be a devotee. But there are two options for you: either you are going to be a happy devotee or you are going to be an unhappy devotee. And if you don’t chant you are going to be an unhappy devotee. But if you chant you can be a happy devotee!’

So we chant for purification; it is not about, ‘I have no taste!’  So much talk is there about taste, a higher taste, and that is good because we want to get there, to chant with a higher taste, but at the same time, chanting with a higher taste is quite high. Maybe sometimes we are chanting with some higher taste but to chant with a higher taste all the time is high. Therefore, for most of us, we go back to that platform of looking for purification, again and again, that should be there – looking for mercy and purification. Look for more purification and if anything more comes – some moments of higher taste – that is a bonus, that is extra, but that is not what should drive us, ‘Oh, I am chanting and still no higher taste!’

Maybe not, maybe not in this life, maybe the next life! Maybe not in the next life, but maybe the life after that, or maybe after a hundred lives, the higher taste will come. So, chant for purification because the mercy is so great, the gift that comes is so great, that is worthy of all efforts.

 

Texas Faith 136: A cup of coffee and other holy rituals
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

Every faith has its rituals. Hopefully these help put us in the mind of being with God and make us more present in our prayer.
Our lives have their little rituals too.
In a recent article,Rabbi Patrick “Aleph” Beaulier wrote about the ritual of a morning cup of coffee.
The coffee is a pleasure certainly, but it is also a moment set aside, at best, for a little peace, perhaps silence and reflection. These moments apart are important to our lives as people of faith, as people who are trying to draw ourselves nearer to God. We have our rituals in our religious ceremonies too, often freighted or filled with symbolism and intended, in their own way, to draw us away from the run of our thoughts and into the peace we hope faith will bring.
How can our little daily rituals bring us closer to God? How can we make sure that, in everyday moments, we are building our path to the divine?
 












NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

In the Bhagavad Gita Śrī Krishna states in the ninth chapter that the art of doing everything for His sake is the perfection of yoga. In fact this is the perfection of life. To be 24 hours a day engaged in consciousness of Krishna, God. Our daily habits play a huge role to cultivate this consciousness. Upon waking a bhakta first chants the Lord’s holy names and bows with his head down before even leaving the bed. Followed by an early morning shower to not only keep the body clean but to refresh one’s consciousness. Kirtan and prayers begin at the temple at 4:30 am followed by a 2 hour session of meditation. Then again there is kirtan at 7 am followed by a class on the ancient Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. The bhakta follows a similar program in the evening as well, creating a sandwich of transcendental experiences.

 
Speaking of sandwiches this brings up another related topic. Everyone has to eat but food is not simply something for the belly, food is often a practical means to express love. Who better to love than the supreme loveable, Krishna? God is the root of everything, by watering the root all the leaves can be satisfied. Therefore the bhakta does not eat any food that cannot be first offered to God with love. Thus they abstain from eating animals. So not the act of eating can be a spiritual engagement but even the shopping, the cooking, and prep work as well. This is the art of Bhakti, to learn the ancient and blissful science of doing everything in the service of God.
 





To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.


Texas Faith 135: When is a city ban on feeding the poor an infringement on religious liberty?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,

Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.

When is a city ban on feeding the homeless in a public place an infringement on religious freedom?

In Florida, a 90-year-old WWII veteran was arrested for feeding the homeless at a public park. He’s been doing it for over 20 years through a program called Love Thy Neighbor. But a new ordinance in Fort Lauderdale has put a mountain of obstacles in the way, making it virtually impossible for the group to operate as it has.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

On one side are local businesses that fear feeding the homeless in a conspicuous place was bad for business and tourism. On the other side are advocates of Love Thy Neighbor who say the group is within its constitutional rights. The city tried to balance the interests of both sides with rules aimed at moving such homeless programs into houses of worship or private property. But the organization wants to continue feeding the homeless as it has, in a seaside public park.

   The clash between religious rights and the public interest is a common story line. We’ve weighed in on the dustup in Houston in which the city tried to subpoena the sermons of evangelical ministers opposed to a gay-rights ordinance. And every week, it seems, there’s a new report in which the advocates of religious liberty decry a rule or action at a public school.

Religious liberty isn’t absolute. There’s no right to hold a serpent-handling service at Disneyland. Or to shout “fire” in a crowded church because your religion told you to. Or to build a megachurch in a city neighborhood with a parking lot for only 10 cars.

In the case of feeding the homeless in Fort Lauderdale, the name of the organization is from a biblical injunction. Its mission is an act of faith. And if some businesses are inconvenienced or tourists would prefer not having to see the homeless by the beach, whose rights should prevail?

That’s this week’s question: Is a city ban on feeding the homeless in a public place an infringement on religious freedom?

 

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

 

Every body needs a head. So similarly, every society needs saintly intellectuals for guidance. Leadership without such guidance is like a body without a head. Leadership is like the arms of the social body which provides protection and business class is like the belly which facilitates the distribution of goods. All parts of the body are important but the head is the most important for it is the head of body that provides intelligence.

Intelligence means the ability to accommodate and manage two opposing values. It also means the ability to discriminate that which is śreyas, of long term substantial benefit, and preyas, immediate or short term gratification. The short term benefit of commerce is important but it is considered shallow in comparison to charity which can have long lasting or even eternal benefits.

Krishna states that charity, when done properly, even purifies great souls. To completely ban charitable distribution of food in relation to the value of commerce is sign of the lack of saintly intelligent guidance among our leaders.

 

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

Program in Gardens
→ Ramai Swami

P1350096P1350118

The Baywater Council allowed Devaprastha das to cultivate non-residential land near his house into an orchard and vegetable garden. Produce is available free to the local community.

He calls it the Prema Culture Gardens and every Monday night there is a program for people interested in yoga and meditation. Needless to say, part of that program is mantra meditation, especially chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
P1350082P1350254

TEXAS FAITH 134: How should we incorporate faith into a secular political world?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,


Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
The writer Karen Armstrong recently noted that it was through bitter experience the west learned to separate the state from religion and wonders why Muslims have "found it impossible to arrive at this logical solution to their current problems."
"Why do they cling with perverse obstinacy to the obviously bad idea of theocracy? Why, in short, have they been unable to enter the modern world?"
We've all asked these questions so often. If only these extremists would lay down their arms and embrace plural, diverse societies, they would see the benefit.
But as Armstrong so clearly writes, the path to our sort of secular and plural society, where we try to divide politics and religion, has been anything but bloodless.
"If some Muslims today fight shy of secularism, it is not because they have been brainwashed by their faith but because they have often experienced efforts at secularisation in a particularly virulent form. Many regard the west's devotion to the separation of religion and politics as incompatible with admired western ideals such as democracy and freedom."
Acknowledging this past is important, even if it is unlikely to impress fanatics and extremists.
Perhaps more helpful questions for us are these: how do we, as people practicing and preserving our faiths, segregate the political from the spiritual in our own lives? What lessons can we offer those who want theirfaith to infuse all elements of their lives and are skeptical of a society and political system that calls for secularism? Are we fooling ourselves that we can have both? Are we cheating one aspect of our lives, spiritual or civic, to serve the other? - Dallas Morning News
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 
The mature fruit of the concept of separation of church and state is realized when the leadership guides by being God-conscious examples. The original intention of the concept was not to deny or ignore God, but rather to inhibit the government from forcing a particular sectarian religion. However our founder fathers have put forward this propaganda, "In God We Trust." In governmental decisions one is forced to deal with metaphysical subjects, such as rights. A human, an embryo, nor an animal's right to life cannot be established by mere science. It is therefore necessary to approach the such subjects with metaphysical wisdom and mercy from God.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

Callous Nurse?
→ simple thoughts

Share

Reading the social media it is always interesting the many different activities devotees get up to including realisation and personal thought’s.
This week it was sad to hear of a devotee who collapsed and had to be airlifted to hospital, thankfully this happened on a Sunday so the observer noted how quickly the doctors immediately moved from devotional to professional resuscitation mode. Bhaktivadanta Manor is blessed by many amazing doctors who care for the devotees and to have three working on you is truly a blessing; and as the devotee was flown to the nearest specialist heart unit the devotees immediately returned to their activities if not more aware of how frail the material body is.
One reader noted that they felt that this was a little callous an interesting choice of words as the Oxford online dictionary definition is:

Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others:
his callous comments about the murder made me shiver

Would we describe nurses and those in the medical profession as callous?
Having worked in the front line and being part of a resuscitation team I can say that in all cases I’ve returned to what I was doing before the crash bleep went off or simply gone to my car and headed home or gone for a meal out. Little thought on the life lost of saved its simply part of the job.
Most students when faced with this reality of nursing either leave the profession as its too much to cope with or learn quickly how to switch off in other words absorbe oneself in the next nursing task or ones own personal life; so I could say if looking from the outside it does appear to be callous.
It reminded me of a devotee who thought that as I work in health care then this gives me an exception insight into the cycle of life and its limitations and shortness; they were a little surprised by my answer “You would think so but in reality NO! I’m too busy working to really give it a thought” they looked startled.
What it has highlighted to me as my knowledge in Krishna Consciousness slowly grows is how cunning Maya is and how quickly we are covered by the reality’s of material life, within a short time of even seeing the human suffering as I change out of the nurse uniform and into my civil clothes Maya has covered me in absorption in my own thoughts and life.
If it wasn’t for this covering I’m sure all our centres would be full of nursing and medical staff looking at and trying to understand why their is so much suffering, but Maya is so good that within a short time forgot.
So in many ways their is indeed a callous part within what is perceived as a very caring mode of goodness profession.
Contrasting this with the devotees yes meetings and the temple programme had to continue Bhaktivadanta Manor especially on Sunday is a busy vibrant place indeed, but those who observed not only personally reflected but alerted those on social media so we can offer prays for this special soul this it true compassion.
It also reminded me of one of my first conversations with my now beloved Guru Maharaja who questioned me on nursing you look after the body but What About The SOUL? True compassion is when whilst caring for the body you also care for the spirit soul so they can return home. Which means that even if it appears that the usual activities of life resumes pray is offered, they remain in our thoughts.
And so the external appearance does not show the internal compassion, it does remind me though how powerful Maya is and how my own personal actions should be absorbed in devotional activities and carrying out my guru maharaja instructions as time in this particular material body is short so best use it in a productive manor.
As for the devotee I believe they are in intensive care so let’s remember them in our prays.

Govardhan Eco Village (7 min video) Govardhan Eco Village (GEV),…
→ Dandavats.com



Govardhan Eco Village (7 min video)
Govardhan Eco Village (GEV), a project inspired by Radhanath Swami, illustrates ‘Simple Living & High Thinking’ — a principle which is so succinct, yet profound, and formed the basis of life in the bygone age of wisdom. Life in the Vedic times was focused on service, and not on exploitation; this was the cardinal rule of living and the very essence of people’s dealings — with each other and that with Mother Nature. With the concepts of eco living being innate, the Vedic lifestyle was truly an eco friendly way of living life as instanced in the timeless Vedic scriptures like Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-Gita.
Watch it here: http://goo.gl/sT6i7A

Hema Malini appeals to ‘save Yamuna’ News is that Bollywood’s…
→ Dandavats.com



Hema Malini appeals to ‘save Yamuna’
News is that Bollywood’s DREAM GIRL and Lok Sabha member from Mathura, veteran actress Hema Malini demanded an immediate release of water into the Yamuna River from the Hathini Kund barrage. This would ensure that pilgrims visiting the land of Lord Krishna are not put to any inconvenience. The veteran actress took up the issue in the Lok Sabha recently where she even urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take appropriate action for it.
Read the entire article here: http://goo.gl/p5gShj

Art of Kīrtan, Part 3 — Rhythm, Tāla, w/ Karatāla
→ The Enquirer

Continued from Part 2

Vraja shows simple ways to express the fundamental kīrtan beats (Tāla) using hand-cymbals (Karatāla). He shows the “3-beat” (8-mātra, 3-tāla) and the “2-beat” (6-mātra, 2-tāla), each in normal, double and half speed variations.

He also mentions the need to select karatāla carefully, being sure they are tuned to themselves and to one another.


Radha Syama’s alter and pujari room renovation
→ SivaramaSwami.com

Dear Devotees

Please accept my blessings or obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada

I am humbly writing if you would consider assisting in the X-mas season fundraiser for Radha Syama’s alter and pujari room renovation. As you know it is the season that people give gifts and are inclined to be kind hearted. Somehow it also effects devotees in that way. This year we received wonderful Hungarian and international support and while two thirds of our goal has been reached another $150,000 is still outstanding, and that will have to be paid out by the end of March. That is the scheduling of the project, and we seem to be right on schedule–believe it or not.

I have given my life to Radha Syama. Or rather they have robbed me of it. And as a result I have found that there is another world beyond my own false ego, a wonderful and joyous world. I want to try to facilitate bringing that world to the eyes of devotees and guests, so that they too will lose their hearts and make a beeline for Vraja. Calo mana sri vrndavana. For that reason we are doing the renovations. And because I can’t stand for Radha Syama to have to settle for second best.

How can you assist? That you know best. I am thinking that in your interaction with many devotees and perhaps those who have heard of New Vraja-dhama or even visited you can communicate to them via Facebook, podcast, website, telephone or face-to-face.

What material do we have to assist you? Connect people to our Facebook link at www.facebook.com/temple.renovation and you will daily see in both Hungarian and English new videos from me, videos about renovation features and videos from the team–artist, carvers, marble workers and builders.

If there is something special you need to know, write in to this site and title your inquiry ‘Radha Syama renovation”. I will get your message the same day.

Thank you. Jaya Radha Syama!

Your servant
Sivarama Swami

PS Here is the all important information you may want to keep under your pillow at night. This is where the donations should be sent:

PayPal: srsbookspp@gmail.com

Bank Transfer:

Account Holder (Beneficiary account): MKTHK

Address of the Account Holder: Lehel utca 15-17.
Town: Budapest
Postcode: 1039
Country: Hungary
IBAN: HU52 1040 0951 4957 4954 4855 1110
Swift Code: OKHBHUHB
Name of the Bank: Kereskedelmi es Hitelbank
Address of the Bank: Vigado ter 1
Town: Budapest
Postcode: 1051
Country: Hungary

The post Radha Syama’s alter and pujari room renovation appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Gaura Purnima Sponsorships
→ Mayapur.com

Over 500 years ago, in the sacred land of Navadvipa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Taking on the golden hue of Srimati Radharani, He descended to distribute the yuga-dharma of sankirtan—congregational chanting of the holy names. His life exemplified devotion, compassion, and the unifying power of kirtan, transforming […]

Krishna Consciousness Grows in South Korea
→ ISKCON News

Krishna consciousness continues to spread in one of the last frontiers, South Korea, with Patanjali Muni Das and Prayojana Das recently returning from their third tour of the East Asian country. Former Korean army officer Patanjali Muni spent three years living and teaching Krishna consciousness in his native country in the mid 2000s, and has translated both the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and the Sri Isopanisad for the Korean audience.

Jayadev’s Virtual Mantra Choir presents “Giri Govardhan”
→ ISKCON News

To celebrate his108th Mantra Choir Jayadev with the help of music producer Gareth Rhys Jones has put together this wonderful VIRTUAL Mantra Choir with vocal and instrumental offerings from people from all around the globe, many of whom have no previous musical experience. The video includes special guest appearances from Boy George, Tim Wheater, Gaurangi Dasi (Pia Richarson) and Mark Haley performing "Giri Govardhan" a mantra piece written especially for this project by Jayadev John Richardson. Stay tuned, a new mantra choir project is coming up soon. Read the ISKCON News report about the topic: http://iskconnews.org/virtual-mantra-choir-to-feature-hundreds-of-webcam-singers,4590/