Thoughts for the New Year
Giriraj Swami

We are entering the New Year, 2023, and on such occasions we take stock of what and how we did in the previous year and what we want to do in the next. Studies have shown, and probably many of us have experienced, that most New Year’s resolutions are broken during the first week. Still more are broken in the first month, and almost all are broken within the first three months.

Why does this happen, and what can we do? We are creatures of habit. We have developed certain habits over however many years—perhaps lifetimes—and to change our habits requires sincere desire and determined effort. One study showed that when a person is trying to develop a new habit, he has to consistently, diligently strive to adhere to the new practice for at least thirty days. After thirty days, he is able to follow more easily but can be derailed by stress or changes in his life. After ninety days it becomes just as easy to follow the new habit as not, and after a year it is easier to follow the new habit than not.

So, what new habits do we want to develop in the next year? That depends on our goals. When I visited Pune some years ago, the Malhotra brothers arranged a program for me in the main hall, and at the end of the talk the general in charge of the Southern Command of the Indian Army asked an important question: “What is the aim for which we are born—what is the aim of our life? It certainly could not be to amass some wealth and ultimately die, or to make a building and then die, or to marry and procreate and then die. For our minor activities in life, we have the aims set first, before we get going to achieve them. When we train our people in the army, whatever they have to do, we first tell them what the aim is. And once they are clear what the aim is, then we decide what means to adopt to achieve it. And invariably we don’t go wrong. Now here it is—to my mind, my whole life is going to waste; I am still not very clear what is the aim of my life. Would you kindly enlighten us about the aim of life so that thereafter we can be very, very clear as to what we have to do to achieve that aim?”

Srila Sanatana Gosvami asked the same question of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

“‘ke ami’, ‘kene amaya jare tapa-traya’
iha nahi jani—kemane hita haya

“‘sadhya’-‘sadhana’-tattva puchite na jani
krpa kari’ saba tattva kaha ta’ apani”

“Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do not know this, how can I be benefited? Actually I do not know how to inquire about the goal of life and the process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me, please explain all these truths.” (Cc Madhya 20.102–103) He said, “In ordinary dealings people consider me to be a learned scholar (pandit), but I am so learned I do not even know who I am. So please tell me who I am and what is the goal of life.” And Lord Chaitanya replied, “By constitution you are an eternal servant of Krishna—jivera ‘svarupa’ haya—krsnera ‘nitya-dasa’—and the goal of life is to be reinstated in your constitutional position as His loving servant.”

If someone understands that he is not the body, that he is the soul within the body, and that his real relationship is not with the body or things related to the body but that, as he is a spiritual soul, his real relationship is with the Supreme Soul, then he can adopt the methods that are suitable for reviving his eternal relationship with the Supreme Soul, Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada formed the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give people this knowledge: We are not the body but the soul, part and parcel of the Supreme Soul. Our real relationship is with Him, and our duty and goal in life is to revive our eternal loving relationship with Him, with God, Krishna. The whole process of sadhana-bhakti is to help us to awaken that eternal love for God.

nitya-siddha krsna-prema ‘sadhya’ kabhu naya
sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya

“Pure love for Krsna is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.” (Cc Madhya 22.107) That love is eternally there within the heart, just as fire is within a match. You just have to strike the match and the fire will come out. Similarly, we just have to strike the heart by chanting and hearing about Krishna and that love will come out.

The main process is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. We are in a Hare Krishna temple. We are part of the Hare Krishna movement, and we are known as Hare Krishna people. We are meant to chant Hare Krishna. And by our chanting Hare Krishna, the mirror of our minds can be cleansed (ceto-darpana-marjanam), the blazing fire of material existence extinguished (bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam), and ultimately our dormant love for Krishna awakened. Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam.

But there is also the matter of the quality of the chanting. Queen Kunti prays to Lord Krishna,

janmaisvarya-sruta-sribhir
  edhamana-madah puman
naivarhaty abhidhatum vai
  tvam akincana-gocaram

“Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education, and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.” (SB 1.8.26) People on the path of material advancement want good birth (janma), material opulence (aisvarya), material learning (sruta), and physical beauty (sribhih). They cannot approach the Lord with feeling. And when we chant the holy name, we are trying to approach the Lord. The holy name of Krishna and Krishna Himself are the same.

nama cintamanih krsnas
  caitanya-rasa-vigrahah
purnah suddho nitya-mukto
  ’bhinnatvan nama-naminoh

“The holy name of Krsna is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Krsna Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Krsna’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Krsna Himself. Since Krsna’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with maya. Krsna’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Krsna and Krsna Himself are identical.” (Padma Purana, Cc Madhya 17.133)

Commenting on Kunti’s prayer, Srila Prabhupada cites scripture, that by uttering the holy name of the Lord even once, one can destroy the reactions to more sins than one is able to commit. “Such is the power of uttering the holy name of the Lord. There is not the least exaggeration in this statement. Actually, the Lord’s holy name has such powerful potency.” We are all suffering because of sinful reactions. If we were freed from sinful reactions, we would no longer have to suffer. As Prabhupada explains, however, “there is a quality to such utterances also. It depends on the quality of feeling. A helpless man can feelingly utter the holy name of the Lord, whereas a man who utters the same holy name in great material satisfaction cannot be so sincere.” Lord Krishna is akincana-gocaram, easily approached by those who are akincana, who have no material possessions.

Now, these statements may give rise to some questions. This word akincana means “without material possessions,” or “without a sense of false proprietorship.” Of course, there should be no duplicity in the matter, but this principle allows us, for example, to have an opulent temple. We may have a beautiful property, but as long as we remember, “This is Krishna’s property. This is Srila Prabhupada’s property. It is not my property; I am here only to serve them and use this property in their service,” we can be free from false proprietorship, false prestige, and false designations. And in that mood we can chant the holy name with feeling, approach Krishna with feeling. Otherwise, there is a subtle rivalry going on between us and Krishna. We come into the material world out of envy of Krishna. In effect, we want to take His position. We want to be the proprietor and controller and enjoyer (isvaro ’ham aham bhogi), which is actually Krishna’s position. While chanting Krishna’s name, we may be thinking, “Why should I be chanting Krishna’s name? People should be chanting my name—‘Giriraj Maharaja ki jaya!’ ” That is our sorry plight. We don’t want Krishna to be the center; we want to be the center. So we chant the holy name with ourselves in the foreground and the holy name in the background. That is our tendency as conditioned souls.

The proper process is to chant with attention. We let go of all those thoughts about ourselves—“I” and “me” and “mine”—and focus on the holy name, on Krishna. Those other thoughts are irrelevant. They may come up, but we don’t pay them heed. We just focus our attention on Krishna, on the sound of Krishna’s holy name. And when we do that, we can actually feel His presence. We can appreciate that the holy name is Krishna Himself reciprocating with our sincere desires to serve Him.

This practice requires effort. We are habituated to think that we are the center of existence and that everything revolves around us. We see everything in terms of ourselves, not in terms of Krishna. But our habits can change. There is a saying that up to the age of twenty, you think that people are looking at you and like you, from the age of twenty to forty that they are looking at you and don’t like you, and then, after the age of forty, that they aren’t even looking at you or thinking of you. So, we have to reform this habit of thinking that we’re the center, always thinking about ourselves and that everyone else is thinking about us, too. We must know that Krishna is the center.

Once, when I was chanting my rounds at the beach in Carpinteria, I was sitting alone, chanting with attention—making a serious effort to be attentive—somehow thinking of different people who were close to me, and feeling how much they were suffering. I was actually feeling their pain. As I continued chanting, that sense of feeling for others expanded to people who weren’t so close to me, and then to the people on the beach, whom I didn’t even know. There weren’t many, but there were a few people surfing. And I was really feeling their suffering. Srila Prabhupada had joked that the surfers were actually “sufferers,” but I was actually feeling their suffering.

Then the feeling went beyond the human beings. There were pelicans at the beach. They fly very high and then suddenly zoom down and crash into the water. I understood that they were hovering high in the sky looking for prey and that when they saw some potential food they came straight down and crashed into the water. Ordinarily I would think, “Oh, how picturesque—flying so high and then diving into the ocean.” But now I was feeling, “They are in anxiety. They are hungry. They need food and are searching: ‘Where is food? Where is food?’ And when they see something and dive straight down and crash into the water, although they are birds, still, coming from that height at that velocity and crashing into the water is bound to be a shock to their system. And they don’t know whether they will actually get that fish or not. And whatever happens, after they come down, they go up and start the same process all over again. They are never satisfied—‘Now we can just relax.’ ” I was thinking, “What a life, full of anxiety, full of pain!”—and feeling it.

And the dolphins and the sandpipers and the seagulls—the same thing. I was feeling so much suffering on all sides. It was as if the illusion of material happiness and charm had been lifted, and this whole beautiful panorama became a horrible scene of intense suffering, which I was feeling. And I was just chanting, chanting, chanting. Then a little lady bug landed on my hand. Growing up, I thought that lady bugs were auspicious and cute. But this time I looked at the lady bug and thought, “This lady bug is suffering”—and, again, feeling it. Looking at the lady bug, I thought, “I don’t think I can take much more of this. I am feeling too much suffering; I am going to have a breakdown.” I wanted to help these creatures. I was feeling their suffering and desiring to help them, but it was getting to be too much.

Then I had the type of breakthrough that one gets when one chants with attention, with the effort to chant with attention. Suddenly I felt as if Krishna were speaking to me, revealing something to me. I got the intuition, or inspiration, in my heart that Krishna loves these creatures more than I do, more than I can even imagine. He loves them so much that He accompanies them as the Supersoul in whatever species of life they enter. And not only does He love them more than I can ever imagine, but He can actually do something to help them. I may feel for them and want to help them, but what is my capacity to help them? I may not even understand what’s troubling them. Parents sometimes experience that their baby is crying and they want to help but don’t know what the baby wants. They may think the baby is hungry, but the baby may be troubled by something completely different. Or even if they do understand what is causing the suffering, they may be unable to relieve it.

So, I was thinking, “Not only does Krishna love them, but He can actually do something to help them.” And then I came to the bottom of it. The problem was that I was trying to take the position of Krishna. In the Bhagavad-gita (5.29) Lord Krishna says,

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
  sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
  jnatva mam santim rcchati

“A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.”

When one recognizes that Krishna is the enjoyer, Krishna is the proprietor, Krishna is the best friend, he attains peace. I thought of what Srila Prabhupada often said, so simple yet profound—that your best friend is not he or she who poses as your best friend but he or she who tells you that Krishna is your best friend. Suddenly this whole problem of how to help these suffering souls became very easy. I didn’t have to help them personally; I just had to direct them to Krishna, who could really help them. And it was such a relief.

So, this is our mission: to serve Krishna. And serving Krishna means doing what Krishna wants, and Krishna wants that we should bring other souls to Him. As He says at the end of the Bhagavad-gita (18.69), His dearmost servant is he who preaches the message of the Gita. Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah/ bhavita na ca me tasmad anyah priyataro bhuvi: “There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.” Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also said, yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa: “Wherever you go, whomever you meet, just present the message of Krishna.” And that is something any of us can do. It is actually very easy. Any of us can do it.

When devotees, myself among them, first came to Bombay, two of Prabhupada’s early disciples, Shyamasundar and Malati, had a small daughter, Saraswati, who used to approach respectable gentlemen who visited our center. Although only three or four years old, she would approach them and say, “Do you know who is Krishna?” And then she would answer, “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” Srila Prabhupada commented, “That is preaching. She is repeating what she has heard from authorities, and even if she doesn’t have full realization, what she is saying is perfect, because she has heard it from authorities—Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” So, any of us can preach. We can simply repeat what we have heard from authorities—“Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” “Chant Hare Krishna and your life will be sublime.” “Come to the Hare Krishna temple.” And that will please Krishna.

In December now, I could feel the enthusiasm to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books. I thought, “Srila Prabhupada is pleased. They have the spirit to distribute his books.” The books are as potent and effective now as ever. So many people I meet—when I ask them how they came to Krishna consciousness, it goes back to a book. They got a book. The formula that Srila Prabhupada gave us over fifty years ago still works. By giving them Prabhupada’s books, we are giving them Krishna and Prabhupada, the message of Krishna through Prabhupada, and that is enough to awaken their sense of Krishna consciousness and start them on the path. Many of us are here because of Srila Prabhupada’s books.

So, we should try to develop the habit of putting Krishna in the center, putting the holy name in the center, putting Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Srila Prabhupada and their mission in the center, and that will make all the difference. Our spouse can be there, our children can be there, our house can be there, our work can be there—everything can be there—but with Krishna in the center, everything will be beautiful and peaceful. And as long as we persist in habits that may have been with us for many lifetimes—thinking that we are the center, we are the lords, we are the enjoyers, we are the proprietors—there will be so many problems, and in the end whatever we have will be taken away from us anyway.

So, it is most auspicious that we are beginning the New Year in the association of devotees. My request is that we use this coming year, and this valuable human form of life, for their proper purpose, in Krishna consciousness, and that in this endeavor we help and support one another. We can’t do it alone. And I pray that I can always remain in the association of such wonderful devotees, because I am sure that in this association, hearing their instructions, I will be nudged along on the right path, back home, back to Godhead.

Hare Krishna.

[Adapted from a talk by Giriraj Swami, January 2, 2010, Bhaktivedanta Manor, England]

 

Wednesday, December 21, 2022
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Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

Scoring in a Lockdown

Roads have been quiet. Silent night was early. People preferred to stay at home. Snow had accumulated to levels that made it restrictive to travel. Snow plows were doing their best to clear but it takes time. This area isn’t ready for such a dumping dynamic.

The sun shone through.

I had to cancel on delivering the class this morning. My right leg is in too much pain. I attribute it to a seizing of the leg muscles from the cold. The temples furnace broke down and the floor tiles have been rather frigid. My guess is that some spasm has hit me.

Despite the pain we were determined to get the recording completed of The Saffron Path, for the audiobook. Through pacing our times smartly in the studio, we were determined to get 10 chapters done. It was going to be a marathon before popping the cork of our sparkling apple juice. Vishnu, Mukunda Madhava and Nitai Priya saw to the incremental watching of the hours passing by. A breakdown occurred when the Siamese cats had to be fed. One of them is super shy, so it gave us the time to go out and move the limbs a bit. It became rather liberating when we were able to amble along in the isles of a No-Frills grocery store.

It sounds rather crazy, but, due to the weather restrictions, this is my third consecutive day for doing no trekking whatsoever. It’s a curse. On the other hand, we scored on numbers with the audiobook. All 50 chapters now done.

May the Source be with you!

0 km


 

 

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
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Nanaimo, British Columbia

Norm

A snowstorm hit Vancouver Island just as it did on the mainland. All night long – isn’t that a song? Anyway, here’s a poem about Norm:

 

I met a man by the name, Norm

At the time of a big snow storm

He is 66 and has no legs

But substitute bionic pegs

He is no scholar like Socrates/Plato

And explained he became a couch potato

He’d been clicking the one-eyed monster

Switching channels, faster and faster

His sedentary roll made him quite fat

With 380 pounds all under his hat

 One day he got electrocuted

A wake-up call that can’t be refuted

Said he had to change his direction

The mishap forced some inner reflection

For a turnaround, he adjusted his diet

An agitated mind became more quiet

Exercise reduced his weight to 200 pounds

Which is remarkable for a full rebound

He’s now involved in helping people

Offering rides and adoring the seagulls

For he lives on the Pacific coast side

And accepts God as his personal guide

Norm has the nature of being so kind

 Active, human, genuine, all combined

 

May the Source be with you!

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Monday, December 19, 2022
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Somenos, British Columbia

Meeting Norm

To get to this lovely town, located on Vancouver Island, you take a ferry from the mainland and sail to Nanaimo, then drive for 30 minutes. The arctic factor appears to have hit the island with snow flurries for the better part of the day and night.

At the home of Gadadhar and Manoharini I met Norm Thompson, 66, who came to our program of “Tales from the Trails.” Due to the imposing storm few people turned up, but it was Norm, who was determined, regardless of the weather, to see me. Recently, he had both legs amputated. During work he was electrocuted at his legs. Five months ago, he obtained bionic limbs. He tells a bit more of his story.

“I was 380 pounds. I became a couch potato, and would sit, clicking channels to watch TV. When I lost my two legs, it was a wake-up call. I decided I had to change my lifestyle. I now weigh 200.”

Norm went on to explain about his dieting and exercise. He is now an active man, and is Mr. Positive, believing in God. He was thrilled to hear about our coming to his hometown, and to hear us and observe what a group of us do in the bhakti yoga realm. He listened to my stories of walking the trail and partook in eating the delicious entrées prepared for the evening. He made a vow to do some trekking on the island to the tune of 300 km, after the snow thaws out. He asked for my advice on the project. I expressed to him, “Have a support person, call the media, arrange for healthy food and good sleeping at night. Do a lot of appreciative prayer when you walk.”

May the Source be with you!

0 km


 

Sunday, December 18, 2022
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Burnaby, British Columbia

Unique

It’s not so usual to be receiving the white stuff we call snow in the Vancouver area. This area is more rain prone. This morning it came down in abundance. It left a blanket of pureness. Pretty for sure. The unique thing is that at approximately 7am thunder sounded and lightning flashed. This was heard and witnessed by several of us in and outside of the temple hall where we were at the time. Most unusual during a snowfall.

After a lively program, including a discussion on Indra, the rain/snow God, I opened the door to the outside only to witness the thirty-foot statue of Chaitanya, dusted with snow. It appears that the divine Chaitanya transcends such cool conditions. He maintains a smile.

Despite the weather conditions, where Vancouverites are not so prepared for such an onslaught, some participation did take place for the open house on Sunday. The driveway was cleared as best as could be for congregates, but it was obvious that one sixth of the usual attendees showed up. Who in their right mind wants to get stuck in snow fatalities? The good aspect of this was it allowed for more dance space inside. We took full advantage of the roomy scenario.

It was a joy to see one of our senior women, Radhika Sevaki, receive her second initiation. Congratulations!

May the Source be with you!

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Saturday, December 17, 2022
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Burnaby, British Columbia

Two Types

The night kicked-in and that was the sign for me to take a walk down by the perfect black and flat soil, where houses and green bushes are in abundance. It was also where a pair of coyotes meandered for food and fun.

I turned the corner from Marine Drive, and entered the quiet of the farmland described above when a thought came. There are two types of people that can walk endlessly – a monk and a criminal. A monk walks about, exercising detachment from the world. A criminal walks about and just keeps going because no one wants him around.

For me, walking spells freedom because I see and encounter something fresh every time. As I was pacing along, I met a middle-aged fellow. Let’s call him Jim. We were at a crossroads and ended up walking in the same direction so naturally we talked. I mentioned to him my thoughts about the two types, but not implying he was a criminal. However, he certainly is not a person who’s renounced. He has a house nearby, but he’s giving himself some moments to ponder in the course of his walk. That makes him somewhat introspective. I believe there to be a shared vocation of walking and that’s what is important. We connected through walking. We finished our chat when I said “My name is Swami,” hoping he’d say his name. “See ya!” Was his response. We came to that corner where you suddenly turn to Marine Drive. The traffic deafened all other sounds.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

Friday, December 16, 2022
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Surrey, British Columbia

Moving Along

Things are moving along with the recording of the audiobook for The Saffron Path. I have completed forty-three chapters and I am well into walking the United States to reach the Elm tree at Tompkins Square, Park, NY. It’s fun going through the book’s content again. It feels like I’m on the road again. Nice to see some people purchasing the book as a Christmas gift.

Being stuck in a tight studio for the recording restricts the opportunity to mobilize the body. And on top of that, there are obligations to visiting my congregants. One of those visitations are from Rupa Raghunatha and Vraja, from Surrey, whose 19-year-old daughter Prem, was killed in an accident by a motorist. It is the one-year anniversary of this mishap, and so a memorial kirtan was held.

From this location, my trusty driver, extraordinaire, Jaya Govinda, dropped me off at the home of Satyabhama, who always cooks up a storm. It is a Fijian/Mauritian crowd. One of the teens there, Arjuna, recently received his drivers license, and already has secured a Mustang for getting around. He is a bit of a jester, and just can’t be serious. He does love Krishna though, and that is a saving grace for a young lad.

I read to the group, “The Oldest Song,” a poetic abbreviated version of the Gita. My day ended on that note – the Gita, and with its message of sweet surrender.

May the Source be with you!

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Thursday, December 15, 2022.
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Port Coquitlan, British Columbia.

Days of Death and Life

When I joined the Hare Krishna movement, I was 20. I was young and full of anticipation for an improved life. Well, that has happened. I am blessed. Now looking at fifty years later, my intentions are the same. I continue to work on self improvement, although externals have changed.

Other young persons had joined when I did. For instance, two of the decent people I got to know were a couple, Vallabha Chaitanya and Lila Sukha. Last week, Vallabha passed away at Saranagati where I just visited. Lila Sukha has resided at our West Virginia community, and her fate is similar. She’s in the hospital and this very morning her life-support has been removed by the doctor, which means she has hours to live. She was a good human being and a devotee, mother, wife, etc.

I called her son, Narottama, to ask for a favor. “You say she’s not responsive. Can you put your phone to her ear. I would like to say some final words of optimism, and say the mantra.” So, Narottama did just that, and I’m sure many small contributions will help towards a better closure.

While driving back to Vancouver, I spoke to my friend, Daruka, my cross Canada walking support person. His step dad, Alex, a good man, is at the hospital, soon to leave this world. Daruka put his phone to Alex’s ear so I could communicate. He heard me and responded. And tomorrow I’ll attend a memorial for a young girl who died a year ago by an automobile accident. Lots of death. Life is in the spirit.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


 

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
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Venables Valley, British Columbia

Where Snow is Liberating

It is no exaggeration when I say that it is liberating when you take a trip to the farm. To be more specific, current and personal, I had the pleasure to hit Highway-1 with Jay Govinda, Hari Nishta, and Bhakta Vishnu for a drive to our rural community; four hours northeast from Vancouver.

The drive is scenic and super pleasant. I was quite shocked, however, to see the extremely low level of water in both the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. At certain sections the water of the Thompson was like a creek, but otherwise it would be a fast white-water river. Climate change is for real.

It was hard to convince B. Vishnu that winter is wonderful. Once we entered Venables Valley Road and to the Saranagati Village I think the sparkling white snow began to enchant him somewhat. He is from hot India.

We first arrived at the school, and after lunch, at the request of the school master, Kar, I lead a theatrical art workshop. If this doesn’t loosen up the students, I don’t know what will. A second gathering with many of the valley residents shaped into an energetic kirtan. It was charming to see seniors, middle agers, and youngsters all participate in song and dance.

Indeed, it was time to catch up with friends in this post pandemic period. A walk in the snow around a big block was just a thing to convince a timid south Indian B. Vishnu that winter isn’t so bad after all.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022.
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Port Coquitlan, British Columbia

Cool/Warm

It gets fairly interesting when the boiler breaks down and you sit in a frigid space. I’m talking about our temple hall in Burnaby, where I’m staying. In sacred places like Vrindavan, India, you just don’t have central heating, therefore a pilgrim will naturally feel a chill. As pilgrims do at these times of year, they wrap themselves in coats, scarves, mits, and chauddars (shawls). It’s the norm to bundle up in the winter.

What compensates for the chill in the air is chanting and reciting the Bhagavatam. To get the most out of the book is to act as a facilitator – open up with the verse of the day by reciting it in Sanskrit, then explore the transliteration of each word, read the purport, establish a theme to speak on, then finally allow others to engage in the discussion. This is where the real warmth comes in. We are bundled together to discuss what’s really important in life. In Burnaby, I find the community participates well in Bhagavatam discussions. At least it makes my day.

A good chunk of this afternoon was spent doing reading work; the making of an audio version of the book The Saffron Path. I’ve done recordings before in studios. They sometimes are below comfort, temperature-wise. Sometimes I find them a trite stuffy and hot. In one sense it doesn’t matter. The absorption in the subject matter is what counts. The subject is Krishna.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

Monday, December 12, 2022
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Toronto/Vancouver

Another Set of Beads

Enroute to Vancouver, and I’m waiting at the Toronto Airport, Gate 34 for Air Canada Flight 111. A Middle-Eastern fellow came to sit across from where I was sitting. The first thing he did after settling down, was whip out a set of beads for his meditation. He began a soft utterance while fingering on his beads. Our eyes met. We nodded. Then I revealed my beads as I was also meditating on my japabeads.

“Is he a devotee?” I queried in my mind.

His phone rang, and he answered. It’s not Hindi. He hung up. So, then I gathered enough courage to ask, “How many beads are on your string?”

“One hundred and one,” he answered.

“Oh! We’re close. I have one hundred and eight. What are you praying?”

“For the world,” he said abruptly.

“It’s messed up!”

He agreed. Our conversation continued.

“Where are you from?” I asked.

“Iran. You?”

“Canada. Southern Ontario.”

I asked him his name, which I forgot. He explained covid killed his business, which involved Persian rugs. It just so happens that his shop was located at Bay and Cumberland and that I’ve seen him more than once in the shop while I was on a japa walk. Small world. A little more about his beads – well, he explained that he is a Zoroastrian, who worships God Ahura. This faith emphasizes a never-ending battle between good and evil. It’s nice to look at other approaches to the Divine.

May the Source be with you!

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Sunday, December 11, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Hamilton, Ontario

Shall We Dance?

I fail to understand why some folks just don’t dance when the drums are beating. I know it can be early for some at 4:30 am when we, the temple residents, attend the chanting session for what we call mangal-arati. This translates as the “auspicious service.” This “service” entails a ritual of viewing plus a chanting session to accompaniment of musical instruments. The drum is a major feature, and how someone playing or listening to good beats does not dance, simply puzzles me.

Personally, I like to be present, where I can see a sway of the legs, torso, and arms; maybe even the head.

A small group of us made our way to Hamilton, when tolerance was tested due to jammed up traffic. We eventually arrived at the Sookham Restaurant for happy chanting. The group of locals that came demonstrated happy feet. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. To make the traditional kirtan complete, dance is necessary. Hamilton scored high in this area.

Then it was time to depart for Toronto, which these days has 90% youth attending. I was asked to lead the singing. I had four powerful mrdunga drum players around me. They were good, however, apart from sound, movement was lacking so I encouraged each one of them to step up with dance. I don’t expect anyone to be Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly or Michael Jackson but at least “cut the rug” by making some energetic effort. By the latest arti, at 8 pm, the swaying and gyrating were in full swing.

May the Source be with you!

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Saturday, December 10, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Yorkville, Toronto

The People of Today

Tom Brown came to visit today with Julie. “It’s about time, Tom. You’re finally settling down. Congratulations!” He admitted that he’s been too much of a nomad, so this is good for him. It always gives me satisfaction when I hear of two people coming together, and especially when they have expressed interest in spirituality.

Tom and Julie passed my door when they were headed for taking a peek at our sacred Tulsi plant in her greenhouse. Julie is the type that loves plants and he’s getting acquainted with this member of the basil family. I’ve known tom for thirty years plus, and he appears to be sharing what he knows about Krishna with Julie.

Meeting this couple, with their sharing plans, was gratifying but I was also blessed today to speak to my spiritual peers. I gave three of them a call, asking if they would pitch in for the Gita sponsorship this month. In the course of these telephone conversations, we actually asked how each of us were doing; physically, spiritually, on all levels. The reports, if you will, were good.

We also chatted about other peers who have recently gone through surgery and all have succeeded in the healing process. The warning signs are out there that our age group (averaging at 70) are needing to intensify the surrendering process.

After my evening walk, I had a sit down with our top monk (brahmacari) who’s in the thick of the book marathon. Prana Gauranga is his name and he has a real love for serving in Prabhupada’s mission. The Bhagavad-Gita, and the Science of Self Realizationare his favorites to distribute.

May the Source be with you!

4 km


 

Friday, December 9, 2022
→ The Walking Monk

Mississauga, Ontario

The Time for the Gita

Mahadeva, Annapurna and I took to the sidewalk to make our way to the commuter train; also known as the subway. We thought that the Bloor-Yonge station, being major, would have an attendant or officer that would take our coins or cash for the fare to get on. But no, everything today appears to be highly automated. The three of us had to surrender to a machine over man and insert coins or cash to obtain a pass in the form of a card. Really, you would think that we could spare the trees.

Anyway, the subway ride is super convenient. No traffic jams. There’s never even a raccoon that crosses the track down there, forcing traffic to slow down.

Our pick-up person for a sangha, gathering, was Dharma, at whose home we had supper and the association of six families. They are a serious bunch who converge every other Friday for a Gitastudy. They are committed and especially sincere, not officially, but in practice and tradition.

This iconic text is especially sacred in the month of December. Not only the study aspect takes priority, but its distribution to the public becomes the joy of the season. For the pagans, and the Christians, December means the winter solstice or birth of Jesus, but for followers of bhakti-yoga, this month is hailed as the time of serious communication, in this case between Krishna, the ultimate yogi, and Arjuna, the ultimate martial artist.

May the Source be with you!

3 km


 

Niranjana Swami’s Letter to North American Leaders and Congregation
→ ISKCON News

Date: December 13, 2022 To: North American Leaders and Congregation From: Niranjana Swami   Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. I visited Ukraine twice this year, in August and October. My first visit was for Janmastami and Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja. Since I was the first to visit Ukraine since the […]

The post Niranjana Swami’s Letter to North American Leaders and Congregation appeared first on ISKCON News.

A Meditation on the Importance of True Humility
→ Dandavats

By Guru Dasa

The shastras instruct us about the importance of humility; so why is achieving true humility so challenging? True humility does not mean self-hatred. It’s an acknowledgment of our own limitations, and that is all. As I have heard some wise friends say, one who is humble does not think less of himself, but thinks of himself less. We should seek that humility which does not diminish our sense of self-worth but abhors narcissism and self-promotion. Continue reading "A Meditation on the Importance of True Humility
→ Dandavats"

GBC Establishes Formal Inquiry to Investigate Lapses in Child Protection in Mayapur and Vrindavana
→ ISKCON News

This GBC resolution has yet to be reviewed by the SABHA. However, the GBC felt this resolution is of such importance that at least the administrative processes outlined below should begin as soon as possible, and can be modified pending the review of the SABHA.   On December 28, 2022, in response to recent revelations […]

The post GBC Establishes Formal Inquiry to Investigate Lapses in Child Protection in Mayapur and Vrindavana appeared first on ISKCON News.

Putrada Ekadasi and the TOVP, 2023
- TOVP.org

Putrada Ekadasi falls on the 11th lunar day of the fortnight of the waxing moon in the Vedic month of Pausha (December/January). This day is also known as Pausha Putrada Ekadashi, to differentiate it from the other Putrada Ekadashi in the month of Shravana (July/August), which is also called Shravana Putrada Ekadasi.

This is the first Ekadasi of the year 2023. It is an auspicious start for the rest of the year, and we encourage devotees reading this to kindly consider doneating on this day to help complete Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Wing in the TOVP, scheduled to open October, 2023. Please go to th Give To Nrsimha 2023 Fundraiser page on the TOVP website and select one of several new and unique seva opportunity options.

  NOTE: Putrada Ekadasi is observed on Monday, January 2 worldwide. Please refer to your local calendar through www.gopal.home.sk/gcal.

  View, download and share the TOVP 2023 Calendar​.

 

The Glories of Putrada Ekadasi

From the Bhavishya Purana

The pious and saintly Yudhisthira Maharaj said to Lord Krishna, “Oh Lord, You have so nicely explained to us the wonderful glories of the Saphala Ekadasi which occurs during the dark fortnight (Krishna paksha) of the month of Pausha (December – January). Now please be merciful to me and explain the details of the Ekadasi that occurs in the light fortnight (Shukla or Gaura paksha) of this month. What is its name, and what Deity is to be worshiped on that sacred day? Oh Purushottama, Oh Hrishikesha, please also tell me how You can be pleased on this day?

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh saintly king, for the benefit of all humanity I shall now tell you how to observe fasting on the Pausha-shukla Ekadasi. As previously explained, everyone should observe the rules and regulations of the Ekadasi vrata, to the very best of their ability. This injunction also applies to the Ekadasi named Putrada, which destroys all sins and elevates one to the spiritual abode. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Narayana, the original personality, is the worshipable Deity of the Ekadasi, and for His faithful devotees He happily fulfills all desires and awards full perfection. Thus among all the animate and inanimate beings in the three worlds, there is no better personality than Lord Narayana.

“Oh King, now I shall narrate to you the history of Putrada Ekadasi, which removes all kinds of sins and makes one famous and learned. There was once a kingdom named Bhadravati, which was ruled by King Suketuman. His queen was the famous Shaibya. Because he had no son, he spent a long time in anxiety, thinking, ‘If I have no son, who will carry on my dynasty?’ In this way the king meditated in a religious attitude for a very long time, thinking, ‘Where should I go? What should I do? How can I get a pious son (putra)?

“In this way King Suketuman could find no happiness anywhere in his kingdom, even in his own palace, and soon he was spending more and more time inside his wife’s palace, gloomily thinking only of how he could get a son. Thus both King Suketuman and Queen Shaibya were in great distress. Even when they offered tarpana (oblations of water to their forefathers), their mutual misery made them think that it was as undrinkable as boiling water. They thus thought they would have no descendants to offer tarpana to them when they died and would become lost souls (ghosts).

“The king and queen were especially upset to learn that their forefathers were worried that soon there would be no one to offer them tarpana also. After learning of their forefather’s unhappiness, the king and queen became more and more miserable, and neither ministers, nor friends, nor even loved ones could cheer them up. To the king, his elephants and horses and infantry were no solace, and at last he became practically inert and helpless.

“The king thought to himself, ‘It is said that without a son, marriage is wasted. Indeed, for a family man with no son, both his heart and his splendid house remain vacant and miserable. Bereft of a son, a man cannot liquidate the debts that he owes his forefathers, the demigods (devas) and to other human beings. Therefore every married man should endeavor to beget a son; thus he will become famous within this world and at last attain the auspicious celestial realms. A son is proof of the pious activities a man performed in his past one hundred lifetimes, and such a person achieves a long duration of life in this world, along with good health and great wealth. Possessing sons and grandsons in this lifetime proves that one has worshiped Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the past. The great blessing of sons, wealth, and sharp intelligence can be achieved only by worshiping the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna. That is my opinion.’

“Thinking thus, the king had no peace. He remained in anxiety day and night, from morning to evening, and from the time he lay down to sleep at night until the sun rose in the morning, his dreams were equally full of great anxiety. Suffering such constant anxiety and apprehension, King Suketuman decided to end his misery by committing suicide. But he realized that suicide throws a person into hellish conditions of rebirth, and so he abandoned that idea. Seeing that he was gradually destroying himself by his all-consuming anxiety over the lack of a son, the king at last mounted his horse and left for the dense forest alone. No one, not even the priests and brahmins of the palace, knew where he had gone.

“In that forest, which was filled with deer and birds and other animals, King Suketuman wandered aimlessly, noting all the different kinds of trees and shrubs, such as the fig, bel fruit, date palm, jackfruit, bakula, saptaparna, tinduka, and tilaka, as well as the shala, tala, tamala, sarala, hingota, arjuna, labhera, baheda, sallaki, karonda, patala, khaira, shaka and palasha trees. All were beautifully decorated with fruits and flowers. He saw deer, tigers, wild boar, lions, monkeys, snakes, huge bull elephants, cow elephants with their calves, and four-tusked elephants with their mates close by. There were cows, jackals, rabbits, leopards, and hippopotamuses. Beholding all these animals accompanied by their mates and offspring, the king remembered his own menagerie, especially his palace elephants, and became so sad that he absent mindedly wandered into their very midst.

“Suddenly the king heard a jackal howl in the distance. Startled, he began wandering about, looking around in all directions. Soon it was midday, and the king started to tire. He was tormented by hunger and thirst also. He thought, ‘What sinful deed could I possibly have done so that I am now forced to suffer like this, with my throat parched and burning, and my stomach empty and rumbling? I have pleased the devas (demigods) with numerous fire sacrifices and abundant devotional worship. I have given many gifts and delicious sweets in charity to all the worthy brahmins too. And I have taken care of my subjects as though they were my very own children. Why then am I suffering so? What unknown sins have come to bear fruit and torment me in this dreadful way?’

“Absorbed in these thoughts, King Suketuman struggled forward, and eventually, due to his pious credits, he came upon a beautiful lotus bearing pond that resembled the famous Lake Manasarova. It was filled with aquatics, including crocodiles and many varieties of fish, and graced with varieties of lilies and lotuses. The beautiful lotuses had opened to the Sun, and swans, cranes and ducks swam happily in its waters. Nearby were many attractive ashramas where there resided many saints and sages who could fulfill the desires of anyone. Indeed, they wished everyone well. When the king saw all this, his right arm and right eye began to quiver, a sakuna sign (for a male) that something auspicious was about to happen.

“As the king dismounted his horse and stood before the sages, who sat on the shore of the pond, he saw that they were chanting the holy names of God on japa beads. The king paid his obeisances and, joining his palms, addressed them with glorified praises. Observing the respect the king offered them, the sages said, ‘We are very pleased with you, Oh king. Kindly tell us why you have come here. What is on your mind? Please inform us what is your heart’s desire.’

“The king replied, ‘Oh great sages, who are you? What are your names, surely your presence reveals that you are auspicious saints? Why have you come to this beautiful place? Please tell me everything.’ “The sages replied, ‘Oh king, we are known as the ten Vishvadevas (the sons of Vishva: Vasu, Satya, Kratu, Daksha, Kala, Kama, Dhriti, Pururava, Madrava and Kuru). We have come here to this very lively pond to bathe. The month of Magha (Madhava mas) will soon be here in five days (from the Magh nakshatra), and today is the famous Putrada Ekadasi. One who desires a son should strictly observe this particular Ekadasi.’

“The king said, ‘I have tried so hard to have son. If you great sages are pleased with me, kindly grant me the boon of having a good son.’ ‘The very meaning of Putrada,’ the sages replied, ‘is “giver of a putra, pious son.” So please observe a complete fast on this Ekadasi day. If you do so, then by our blessing and by the mercy of Lord Sri Keshava invested in us – surely you will obtain a son.’

“On the advice of the Vishvadevas, the king observed the auspicious fast day of Putrada Ekadasi according to the established rules and regulations, and on the Dvadasi, after breaking his fast, he paid obeisances again and again to all of them.

“Soon after Suketuman returned to his palace and united with his queen. Queen Shaibya immediately became pregnant, and exactly as the Vishvadevas had predicted, a bright-faced, beautiful son was born to them. In due course of time, he became famous as a heroic prince, and the king gladly pleased his noble son by making him his successor. The son of Suketuman took care of his subjects very conscientiously, just as if they were his own children.

“In conclusion, Oh Yudhisthira, one who wishes to fulfill his desires should strictly observe Putrada Ekadasi. While on this planet, one who strictly observes this Ekadasi will surely obtain a son, and after death he will achieve liberation. Anyone who even reads or hears the glories of Putrada Ekadasi obtains the merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice. It is to benefit all humanity that I have explained all this to you.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Pausha-shukla Ekadasi, or Putrada Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya Purana of Veda Vyasadeva.

This article has been used courtesy of ISKCON Desire Tree

 

 

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ISKCON Manila’s Holiday Harinam
→ ISKCON News

December 23, 2022 Devotees took to the streets of Manila on Christmas day to perform harinam, a traditional form of devotional chanting and singing. This event, which is organized by ISKCON Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandir- Manila Philippines, drew a large crowd of both participants and spectators, as devotees sang and danced their way through […]

The post ISKCON Manila’s Holiday Harinam appeared first on ISKCON News.