ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/28/2014
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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 09/28/2014

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECO-V Board of Directors: Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam and Ranaka.

Advisors: Jaya Krsna

Recording secretary: Jordanna Rock-Garden

1. Bahulaban Barn Dedication

The board agreed that the renovated building be rededicated in honor of Madhava Gosh and Vidya, for the more than 40 years of service they’ve performed for the cows and gardens in New Vrindaban. It will be renamed the “Madhava Gosh-ala” with a small dedication ceremony. A plaque will be displayed on the barn and another will be presented to Madhava Gosh and Vidya.

2. ECO-V logo update

Chaitanya Mangala shared some of the proposed logo designs with the board. The board members agreed that they like certain aspects of the new logos, but decided that they also like the modern look of the current logo. They would like a new design that integrates a modern aesthetic with traditional images that represent cows, gardens, Krishna and Prabhupada.

3. Bahulaban Barn Renovation

Ranaka reported that the project is progressing well. One side of the barn has been removed and cleared away and now the crew is working on another side.

4. INV Bahulaban Utility Building Roof & Window Repair

Vyasasana will seek a quote from an Amish crew. If he cannot get a timely response, he will pursue other options.

5. ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) Palace Fence

This project has been completed.

6. INV Temple and Lodge Foundation Garden Beds

This project has been completed.

7. INV “Reduce/Reuse” – Water Filling Stations

The new fill station will be installed over the Winter or in the Spring. INV will combine it with the external lodge bathroom renovations.

8. Gopal’s Garden School Grant 2014-2015

Next meeting, the board will vote on the grant. Also, the board would like to know when the next newsletter is coming out.

9. INV/ECO-V Garden of 7 Gates (G7G) 3 High Tunnel Greenhouses Grant

These are currently being built.

10. INV/ECO-V G7G 2 Pole Barn Grant

Currently, the design is being developed. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring.

11. INV/ECO-V G7G 200 sq ft Prototype Housing

Ranaka & Jaya Krsna report that Tom is finishing up the project. The Board is prepared to pay for any materials he needs out of the existing allocation.

12. Ox Program Grant

Jaya Krsna proposed sending Daivata to an ox training seminar in Michigan. He will look into the details and speak to Daivata about this prospect. The board agreed to cover the costs of this program using some of the already approved allocation.

13. INV Bulk Grain Purchasing

A purchase has been made by INV. ECO-V will lend funds to INV for the order and INV will reimburse ECO-V on a quarterly basis over a year.

14. Cow Trailer

A trailer was purchased for $4,500.

15. Onsite Meeting

Will be held on November 1 and 2.

That is the difference!
→ Servant of the Servant

In movies you have many songs especially in Indian movies and most of the songs run about 5 to 6 mins. You can only listen to these songs for that long, any longer it would become sour. Be it Hollywood or Bollywood, music and songs can only run for few minutes or at the most an hour or two in musical films but beyond that one cannot listen to the music, in other words, one will get bored no matter how nice the music may be!

But only the Hare Krishna Mahamantra kirtan is sung as 24 hour kirtan and still have the audience in a tizzy at the end of it all. Despite the fact that the mantra contains only three distinct words, it can be sung for 24 hours and people dancing along with it, it never gets old instead the mantra grows on you.

That is the difference between the sound of Krishna's Holy names and mundane music!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare!
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare!!

Hare Krishna

Why do we counter-push against lower modes and not against goodness?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Sushant Kulkarni P

When our modes of nature (our body, mind) impel us to fulfill sensual desires, we try to counter-push the modes. But, when the same modes impel us to act in a, say, brahminical way we don't counter-push the modes to try to act in some other way, say, ksatriya's way. So, why is it that in one case we suppress the modes's instincts and in the other case we go along with the modes?

Answer Podcast

I Have No Time to Chant
→ Japa Group

If I am finding it difficult to finish my rounds because of a lack of time, I am ultimately the one who chose to do all the activities that are getting in the way of my chanting. Even when I can't really avoid all the work and responsibilities, still I am the one who is organizing those activities in a way that chanting often takes a back seat to the other things I do.

Damodar-lila, October 23, Houston
Giriraj Swami

Damodar1Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.9, on Mother Yasoda’s binding Lord Krishna, which took place on the Dipavali day.

“Our goal is to bind Krishna within our minds and in our hearts. When we chant japa we know how hard it is to bind Krishna—He keeps running away, like Krishna was running away from Mother Yasoda. Of course, He is not really running away—our minds are running away. But we have to maintain our effort. That is the difference between offensive chanting—nama aparadha—and the clearing stage of chanting. In the clearing stage one makes the effort to bring the mind back to Krishna when the mind goes elsewhere. So, that is our effort, and it can be very demanding, even excruciating. From our side we have to make our best effort, and then Krishna from His side will bestow His mercy. And He does. He may not do it immediately, but He will do it enough to encourage us by showing that He is aware of our hard labor and our sincere desire and He is reciprocating.”

Binding Lord Krishna

Honouring Srila Prabhupada – Monday, October 27
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

The Hare Krishna Temple warmly invites one and all to join us for a reflective evening as we observe Srila Prabhupada's Disappearance Day on Monday, October 27th, from 6pm to 9pm. On this day, we reflect on the remarkable life of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on the anniversary of his passing (known as the Disappearance Day).

ISKCON is now a worldwide movement and is comprised of more than 350 centres, 60 rural communities, 50 schools and 60 restaurants around the globe. This day will provide a great chance to meditate on what Srila Prabhupada means to us.

Please join us for the festivities that will start at 6:00pm with arati and will continue until approximately 9:00pm. Please join us as we glorify Srila Prabhupada on this very important day.

Govardhana Puja at ISKCON New Govardhana – Sri Sri Radha Govardhanadhari, Australia (Album 177 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

One should not wait to purify himself before chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Whatever our condition may be, we should begin chanting immediately. By the power of the Hare Krishna mantra, we will gradually be relieved from all material contamination and will get shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna, the ultimate goal of life. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, 25.199 Purport) Read more ›

Govardhan Puja at the Radha Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavan (Album 118 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Because our parikrama party consists mainly of Russian and Ukraine devotees we observed Govardhan Puja at the Radha Gokulananda Temple in Vrindavan, so we could translate each of the English lectures and talks into Russian. Everyone was excited because on the main alter of the temple is the Govardhan-sila that Lord Caitanya gave Raghunatha das Goswami. Thus the kirtan, katha and prasadam were truely, "out of this world." Jai Giriraja Govardhana! Read more ›