Friday, December 23, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

243 Ave. Rd., Toronto

Don’t You Close Down

Schools are closed. Shops are closed. Businesses are closed. Some roads – shut down. It is not the weekend. It is not Christmas yet. Winter solstice, Gita Jayanti and Hanukkah have been celebrated already, or at least have kick started. The reason for the CLOSED signs being put up is because of the bad weather. Simply that.

However, one place that remains open and is on duty is the fire department. We know that because the sirens were sounded and the fire brigade dashed through the streets and headed for our ashram. I knew that something was up because the fire alarm went off in our building. In the most efficient way red fire engines responded.

I was curious, naturally, and made my way downstairs to check it out. Sure enough, one of the fellows in thick fire-protection regalia found the problem before I got to the scene of the problem. “No fire!” said the fire fighter. “This is an old-school issue here”. He explained that the fire alarm pulley was part open and one of our residents or workers swept by and his shirt got stuck in the device. When trying to set himself free, the alarm went off.

Clearly it was a false alarm. Whew!

I believe false alarms go off all the time. For instance, in the case of the general public always going after sense gratification – the dangling carrot – and when it doesn’t actually come to them, they go into a panic mode. It’s as if the world was to come to an end. And when some patience and austerity is called upon, they freak. The frenzy tactic is really a false alarm. Instead of feeling some deprivation over our stimulation, why not enjoy acceptance of a virtue?

May the Source be with you!


 

Thursday, December 22, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Burnaby/Vancouver/Toronto

A Friend In the Air

Every once in a while, I meet a real nice person as a passenger on the plane next to me. The timing on the flight between Vancouver and Toronto couldn’t be better for dodging storms. Vancouver got clobbered and there’s more to come. Predictions indicate that storms will hit Toronto, so there was a break of winter chaos and that happened to be my flight time for Air Canada 108. The stress reliever is always mantra power, so that’s what I resorted to. An additional soothe space was in meeting Mike, 23, whose last name was Greek.

A graduate of McMaster U., he is a smart chap who was fascinated, not by the latest action movie on the screen, but in the fabulous sunset which he photographed. He also indulged me in the topic of another of his passions such as the wonder of Egypt’s pyramids. He showed me some data from his screen on mathematical precisions that would indicate extraordinary accuracy in their engineering.

We talked of aliens. Would artificial intelligence, extra-terrestrials or aliens be somewhat involved in these incredible structures? These were our thoughts. I did tell Mike of such possibilities of demigods and celestials who likely participated in man’s early development on this very planet, according to the Vedas.

Our discussion went the way of spiritual concepts as well. “We are not these bodies. We are spirits that change bodies.”

Mike is a good listener. Naturally we talked about walking marathons. It was great to be able to pass the time quickly through meaningful conversation.

May the Source be with you!


 

In Social Attitudes Towards Misconduct and Accountability, Theology Can Help or Hurt
→ ISKCON News

Image Source: Wylly Suhendra I want to share some reflections on the role of scripture (śāstra) and theology in the context of ISKCON’s ongoing efforts towards accountability and justice related to sexual misconduct. The last few years have brought a new wave of attention to sexual misconduct and accountability in ISKCON. While this has been […]

The post In Social Attitudes Towards Misconduct and Accountability, Theology Can Help or Hurt appeared first on ISKCON News.

Japa
→ Dandavats

From “Japa: Positive Thinking for Neophytes” in Among Friends, Volume 2 #4 (1994): HH Satsvarupa Das Goswami “Japa is everyone’s favorite topic because all of us hope that by discussing our sadhana, we have a chance to improve. Often when I talk to devotees about chanting, I say the first stage of improvement is to
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Japa
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From “Japa: Positive Thinking for Neophytes” in Among Friends, Volume 2 #4 (1994): HH Satsvarupa Das Goswami “Japa is everyone’s favorite topic because all of us hope that by discussing our sadhana, we have a chance to improve. Often when I talk to devotees about chanting, I say the first stage of improvement is to
Read More...

Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: On Kirtana
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Satsvarupa Dasa Goswami: From “On Kirtana” in Among Friends, Volume 2 #1 (1993): “When I heard the question [how to keep the mind from wandering during kirtana], different phrases came to mind. One was: ‘Hear the wonderful chorus and let it uplift you.’ That chorus is a dimension in kirtana that is not available to
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Vaisnava Compassion in Global Crisis
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By Bhaktin Allegra

What is the appropriate response of a Vaisnava or person of faith during a time of national or global crisis? The examples of great souls and of scripture can help us understand what a Vaisnava response can look like. From a certain perspective, we are always in a time of crisis. In the material world, there is danger at every step. Although the material world is the wonderful creation of the Divine, it is not our home, and our material position is never secure. A large part of spiritual practice is meant to help us realize this, and to seek to connect with the Divine and with one another on a spiritual level. Spiritual practice helps us find equanimity during times of unexpected or unwanted change, because we have placed our faith with our Eternal Friend. Continue reading "Vaisnava Compassion in Global Crisis
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Monthly Media – Dec 2022
→ KKSBlog

Book Marathon and Gita Jayanti – December 2022

The book marathon is an annual event, in which everyone is encouraged to distribute the spiritual knowledge of Srila Prabhupada’s books. Running for a month in the winter, the event started with humble beginnings in 1972 upon noticing that shops stayed open later during the festive season, making the streets of towns and cities bustling places to engage with people and share the secrets of Vedic wisdom.

Gita Jayanti is the auspicious day of the advent of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita. This is the day on which Lord Krishna imparted the essence of Vedic knowledge to Arjuna over 5000 years ago and enlightened him about the ultimate goal of life. If one properly follows the instructions of Bhagavad-Gita, one can be freed from all miseries and anxieties in this life, and one’s next life will be spiritual. Bhagavat-Gita literally means the song of the Supreme Lord, Krishna. It is the most widely known Vedic literature in the world.

Kadamba Kanana Swami was still in Vrindavan in December. Please see the link to his programmes and weekly zoom meetings.

3rd December – Pavan Sarovar, India

https://youtu.be/m1jrbLcYmE0

7th December – Srimad Bhaghavatam 10.27.20 at Krishna Balarama temple, Vrindavan

https://youtu.be/KiUWZUdWcU0

19th December – Seshayasi, India

https://youtu.be/RuA5g21OMww

25th December – Program at Balaram Hall, Vrindavan

https://youtu.be/CeXwcli9Gws

Weekly Zoom Meetings

3rd December

https://youtu.be/ZJBEQuUNOTs

10th December

17th December

https://youtu.be/ma5z75POXUw

24th December

https://youtu.be/MvDhIqK5Aag

31st December

Please stay tuned in and follow Kadamba Kanana Swami’s adventures.

The article " Monthly Media – Dec 2022 " was published on KKSBlog.

Preaching in Hell
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Parasuram das “In this age of Kali the propensity for mercy is almost nil. Consequently there is always fighting and wars between men and nations. Men do not understand that because they unrestrictedly kill so many animals, they also must be slaughtered like animals in big wars. This is very much evident in the Western
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TOVP “WE RUN, YOU WIN” Marathon Medallions
- TOVP.org

The TOVP 2024 Marathon is underway to open Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in October, 2023 and thereafter the TOVP during a three-month-long festival from December, 2024 until Gaura Purnima, March, 2025. One unique sponsorship opportunity are three specially designed Medallions as part of our ‘WE RUN, YOU WIN’ Marathon.

Designed after the Olympics medallion, these beautiful medals celebrate the opening of the Nrsimhadeva Wing and TOVP. Each Medallion represents one of the three foundational principles upon which Prabhupada organized ISKCON.

The next two years are so important and crucial to the opening of the TOVP. Please consider sponsoring one of these unique medallions. It will become an heirloom in your family to show your participation in winning this great, transcendental TOVP Marathon.

Harinama Seva Medallion (Bronze)

Bhagavatam Seva Medallion (Silver)

Archa Vigraha Seva Medallion (Gold)

 

 

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WSN November 2022 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Vijaya Das

I hope and pray that everyone has a Krsna conscious new year. In November, in the Large Temple category, Mayapur was way ahead of every temple worldwide, with 173,779 book points, a 43% increase. Our ISKCON world headquarters is leading the way in Lord Caitanya's sankirtan movement. In the Medium Temple category, Mexico City had the highest increase, 455%, with 5,715 book points. I distribute a good number of books to Mexicans, as I stay in San Diego, in southern California. They're very nice people, so I can see why the temple Mexico City is doing well. Continue reading "WSN November 2022 – World Sankirtan Newsletter
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NASN November 2022 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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By Mayapur Sasi dasa

For the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada this report contains the following North American results of book distribution for the month of November 2022. North American Totals, Monthly Temples, Monthly Weekend Warriors. Monthly Top 100 Individuals, Monthly Top 5, Cumulative Countries, Cumulative Temples, Cumulative Top 100 Individuals, Cumulative Top 5 Continue reading "NASN November 2022 – North American Sankirtan Newsletter
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With Resolute Determination … By Suvarna Radha Devi Dasi
→ Dandavats

Instant success is easily sold to us in today’s media via marketing and commercials. Regrettably, the truth is rather different. Success and proficiency cost practice, a lot of effort, and determination. Commitment, determination, and consistency are the keys to success. Excellence in human endeavors can only be achieved by practicing with a determination to succeed.
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SABHA’s Open Letter to the GBC on Child Abuse
→ ISKCON News

Dear respected GBC Members, Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! In light of the recent shocking report by the ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection (ICOCP), the SABHA would like to share our thoughts. As we now know from the report, Anirdesya Vapu dasa (AVD), formerly Bhaktividya Purna Swami, for many […]

The post SABHA’s Open Letter to the GBC on Child Abuse appeared first on ISKCON News.