To seek love in food is to relapse into emotional babyhood
→ The Spiritual Scientist

When we were infants, food signified not just nutrition but also affection. Our mother’s love came streaming to us through the milk from her breasts as she held us lovingly to her bosom.

We may not remember that experience consciously now, but its effect lingers subconsciously, making us see food as not just sustenance for the body but also comfort for the heart. That’s why when we feel troubled, we sometimes seek food to solace ourselves.

What made our mother’s milk so comforting was not just the milk but the reassurance of her love represented by her milk.

Unfortunately, our craving for comfort through food is exploited by the gigantic food industry. The commercialization of food frequently divorces it from any affectionate relationship with the food-giver. What made our mother’s milk so comforting was not just the milk but the reassurance of her love represented by her milk. When we consume commercially marketed food, its glamorized depiction raises our hopes for comfort, but as it is usually delivered without any affection, all it offers is fleeting titillation. Craving for the missing affection, many people consume more and more food, sometimes ending up among the increasing number of food addicts. The reality and gravity of food addiction is evident in the alarming statistics of obesity globally.

To avoid becoming thus entrapped, we need to match our physical growth with emotional growth. Of course, our emotional capacity has grown – we experience far more emotions than an infant. Yet, we are still prone to relapse into emotional babyhood when we seek love and comfort and relief in food during moments of trouble.

How can we prevent such a relapse?

When we find ourselves in trouble, we just need to seek comfort not in food, but in prayerful remembrance of Krishna.

By expanding our emotions to encompass the spiritual. We are at our core souls, parts of the supreme spiritual reality, God, Krishna. Whatever affection and protection and satisfaction we experienced in our mother’s arms, we can experience all that and much more in Krishna’s shelter. Bhakti-yoga is the time-honored process for realizing and relishing that shelter. Devotional meditation can provide us far greater solace and strength than food or for that matter anything else. When we find ourselves in trouble, we just need to seek comfort not in food, but in prayerful remembrance of Krishna.

Significantly bhakti-yoga doesn’t reject food or its comfort – it helps us see food in connection with its original source. All food comes from nature and nature comes from Krishna, the Lord who loves us far more than anyone else and who expresses that love by providing us food and all our other necessities. If we gratefully offer our food to him as an expression of our love to him, as the Bhagavad-gita (09.26) recommends, the food becomes sanctified by his grace. In relishing such food, we savor not just the taste of the food, but also the shelter of Krishna’s eternal love.

Toowoomba Rathayatra
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_0961085

Toowoomba, about 100 Km west of Brisbane, is known as the garden city. It is also a regional centre for academic study with a couple of universities. Every year the town hosts the Grand Central Floral Parade and there are many floats.

The devotees applied to have Lord Jagannatha’s Rathayatra parade included and the request was approved.
Many devotees from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and New Govardhana attended and Lord Jagannatha graced the streets of Toowoomba, to the applause of thousands of local people.
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Niranjana Swami – kirtan and lecture in Boston, USA – 9/19/2014 (video)
→ Dandavats.com

The mango fruit is different from the name of the mango. One cannot taste the mango fruit simply by chanting, “Mango, mango, mango.” But the devotee who knows that there is no difference between the name and form of the Lord chants Hare Krishna, and realizes that he is always in Krishna’s company. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 10.2.36 Purport). Read more ›

Swami feigns ignorance to help a soul…
→ Dandavats.com

Bhaktimarga Swami: At the street light by Bloor a young fellow, obviously from small-town Ontario, with his two buddies, inquired about directions. “Can you tell us where the strip club is?” Although I knew a location due to it being on my regular walking route, I feigned ignorance. “Listen, we’re monks!” I held up my meditation beads to point out our endeavour towards other-worldliness. The fellow shrugged his shoulders and eagerly pranced ahead of us with his two buddies. Read more ›

Iskcon Gold Coast Bhakti Centre, Toowoomba Festival of Flowers Rathayatra (Album 68 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The devotees from ISKCON Bhakti Centre Gold Coast participated in the 67th "festival of flowers" parade in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The Bhakti Centre Rath Cart built by Janmejaya Prabhu was decorated by HG Dhruva Prabhu and HG Sukla Mataji. HH Ramai Swami led the kirtan and opening ceremonies. Devotees from New Govardhana, the Bhakti Centre and the local area participated in the parade..It was a grand success!! over 65000 people attended the festival. Everyone was spellbound by the beauty of their Lordships and the wonderful flower bedecked Rath Cart. Jai Jaganatha!!! Jai Srila Prabhupada!!! Read more ›

Join us for Special Sunday Feast from11.00am to 2.00pm with our very special guest His Holiness Bhaktimarga Swami for Special Vedic Discourse
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday,Sep 21st,2014
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.20
bile batorukrama-vikramān ye
na śṛṇvataḥ karṇa-puṭe narasya
jihvāsatī dārdurikeva sūta
na copagāyaty urugāya-gāthāḥ
TRANSLATION
"One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or chanted loudly the worthy songs about the Lord is to be considered to possess earholes like that of the snakes and a tongue like that of the frogs."

Program Schedule
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                            
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic discourse
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
 
About HH Bhaktimarga Swami
 To ISKCON devotees everywhere, the name Bhaktimarga Swami conjures up images of powerful, out-of-the-box stage productions; and of energetic kirtans, full of stomping dance moves and jubilant smiles.With a background in fine arts, Swami also developed a passion for the performing arts even in the course of his duties as a monk.Casting, scripting, and directing morality theatre takes him annually to venues from North America to India and Africa.Swami is a consistent feature in “The Longest Road”, a recent National Film Board documentary detailing the history of the people who shaped or were shaped by the Trans Canada Highway, the world’s longest continuous maintained road.he went the way of a pilgrim and walked on foot across country from west to east and then back for a return journey for atleast four times.
 
COMING UP AHEAD
Indira Ekadasi
Fasting.....................on Sep 19th,2014
Breakfast................. on Sep 20th,2014 b/w 7.02am-11.07am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.

Govardhana Puja(Celebration)
Celebration on Oct 24th,2014 @ 7.00pm

**Details of the program will be posted shortly**

ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY
Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session)
Started on Sep 6th,2014

Course fees: $125.00 per Student and  $75.00 for family members of Student(Prasadam and study material included).Mone is payable to ISKCON Brampton....tax receipts will be provided.
Join our new session of  Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 8.45am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree.The course duration is approximately 10 weeks.To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]


ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness

Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.Mother Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga Classes every Sunday from 10am-11am before our Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Brampton.These classes will be focussed on promoting our physical and mental well being.(Please bring your yoga mat)
Please Register here:
Email:rashmis.yoga@facebook.com 
Facebook page:Yoga and Satvic Nutrition with Rashmi
Contacts:416.569.6373 or 905.488.7272
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips

Mother Rashmi Ahuja is offering free one to one consultations and development of Individualized Nutrition Plans on Sundays between 1:30 - 3pm. Please contact (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272 to book an appointment.

Sunday School

To register,contact us
Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com
Call:647.893.9363

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).
 
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
 
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!

MOMS continues with its activities in the nearby Mayapur villages
→ Dandavats.com

MOMS continues with its activities in the nearby Mayapur villages. As always, the recipients are so happy and excited to received whatever we distribute. And it is our great pleasure to distribute to them. MOMS is a charity set up with the specific aims of distributing prasadam in the Mayapur villages and also helping with educational projects Read more ›

Kartika Promotion Announcement
- TOVP.org

Dear Devotees,

Greetings from Sri Dhama Mayapur. The auspicious Kartika month is soon approaching, a favorite month of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas when we are always trying to do extra seva to make advancement and receive the mercy of the Lord. During this month devotional service is enhanced a thousand-fold and brings the devotee immense spiritual benefits.

The TOVP team is providing an opportunity to offer a lamp in your name to Sri Sri Radha Madhava in Mayapur for the entire month of Kartika. All devotees who donate a minimum of one Golden Brick for the TOVP project will have a Kartika lamp offered in their name in Sri Dhama Mayapur. Please take advantage of this extra seva opportunity during Kartika and come forward to help develop Srila Prabhupada’s most ambitious project and the world headquarters of ISKCON. Devotees who have already donated a Golden Brick will also have a lamp offered in their name.

Watch the TOVP Kartika video presentation here: http://youtu.be/GrP80Ypycu4

To donate a Golden Brick please go to http://tovp.org/donate/seva-opportunities/
In Canada contact: *protected email*

Your humble servants,
The TOVP Team

Information about Kartika (Damodara) Vrata:

Performing vrata in the month of Kartika (Damodara) is glorified profusely in the Puranas. Since this month is very dear to Lord Krsna by performing austerities, or restraining one’s sense gratification and performing activities to please the senses of the Lord, one becomes very dear to the Lord. As Satya yuga is the best of yugas, as the Vedas are the best of scriptures, as Ganga is the best of rivers, so Kartika is the best of months, the most dear to Lord Krsna. The vrata may begin on the ekadasi of the waxing moon of Asvina, on the Purnima, or (samkranti) when the sun enters the house of Libra.

Five activities are glorified: staying awake, early morning bath, worship of Tulasi, offering lamps and performing austerities.
One should practice brahmacarya, give charity, and perform homa and japa.

One should increase ones devotional service by performing more deity worship, hearing and speaking about the Lord, by extra japa of the Lord’s name, worshiping Tulasi, staying awake at night chanting, visiting holy tirthas and offering lamps to the Lord.

One should worship Radha Damodara and recite the Damodarastaka daily.

The Glories of Kartika Vrata from Hari Bhakti Vilasa

The following are selected scriptural quotes from the Kartika Mahatmya by Srila Sanatana Goswami

“Especially in the month of Karttika a Vaisnava should regularly bathe in the morning, worship Lord Damodara, give charity, follow vows, and perform other spiritual activities.”

“The pious result obtained by bathing in all holy places and giving all charities is not equal to one ten-millionth part of the result obtained by following the vow of Karttika.”

“Other vows bring the results of a lifetime of pious deeds. The vow of Karttika brings the result of a hundred lifetimes of pious deeds.”

“A person who never performs yajnas or offers sraddha to the ancestors, but who does follow the vow of Karttika, will go to the abode of Lord Visnu.”

“He attains a great result who even very slightly follows the very sacred Karttika vow, which is served by the demigods, sages, and pitas.”

“Charity, yajna, japa, and austerity performed in the month of Karttika bring a result, O best of brahmanas, that will never be destroyed.”

“O tiger of sages, a person who during the month of Karttika eagerly hears the topics of Lord Krsna delivers a hundred generations of his family.”

“Please hear the glories of offering a lamp during the month of Karttika, an offering that is very pleasing to Lord Kesava. O king of brahmanas, a person who offers a lamp in this way will not take birth again in this world.”

“By offering a lamp during the month of Karttika one attains a pious result ten million times greater than the result obtained by bathing at Kuruksetra during a solar a eclipse or by bathing in the river Narmada during a lunar eclipse.”

“Even if there are no mantras, no pious deeds, and no purity, everything becomes perfect when a person offers a lamp during the month of Karttika.”

“By offering a lamp during the month of Karttika one burns away a collection of sins as big as Mount Meru or Mount Mandara. Of this there is no doubt.”

“O Narada, no sin exists anywhere in the three worlds that will not be purified by offering a lamp to Lord Kesava during Karttika.”

“A person who offers a lamp to Lord Krsna during Karttika attains the eternal spiritual world where there is no suffering.”

“All holy places, yajnas, daksinas, residence in Puskar, Kuruksetra, and the Himalayas, and all giving in charity a pile of gold like Mount Meru, reside in Karttika, Lord Krsna’s favorite month.”

“The service one does to Lord Visnu in the month of Karttika is all eternal. O Narada, I tell you the truth.”

“Karttika is the best of months, the most pious of pious deeds, the most purifying of all that purify.”

“No month is like Karttika. No yuga is like Satya-yuga. No scripture is like the Vedas. No holy river is like the Ganga.”

“Karttika is the best of months. Karttika is always dear to the Vaisnavas. O great sage, a Vaisnava who with devotion serves Karttika delivers his ancestors from hell.”

“Of the twelve months, Karttika is the most dear to Lord Krsna. To anyone who even slightly worships Lord Visnu during its time, the month of Karttika gives residence in Lord Visnu’s transcendental abode.”

“Even though its lasts for only a brief moment, the human form of life is very rare and valuable. In the same way the brief month of Karttika is also very rare and valuable.”

“Lord Krsna is pleased by the offering of a single lamp during the month of Karttika. Lord Krsna glorifies anyone who lights a lamp for someone else to offer.”

The post Kartika Promotion Announcement appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

How to Get “Realization”
→ The Enquirer

How to Get “Realization”

The Upaniṣads explain how to get realization. “A thing will be realized (draṣṭavya) when we have been educated about it (śrotavya), examined it carefully (mantavya) and made the efforts to purify ourselves so that we can realize it (nididhyāsitavya).”

From śabda-pramāṇa we get education (śrotavya). So, śabda (śāstra) is the foundation of all realization.

Once we hear an idea from śāstra, we must cross-examine it (mantavya), cross-referencing what we have heard with what we can observe and logically understand with our senses and mind (cross-referencing the śabda-pramāṇa with pratyakṣa- and anumāna-pramāṇa). This cross-referencing will impel us to fine-tune our observation and inference until it comes into sync with what we heard from śāstra (i.e. we will reconsider our observations — pratakṣa — and logics — anumāna — until they resolve any contradiction or controversy in our understanding of what we have heard from śāstra — śabda).

Once we very clearly understand what we have heard from śastra, we apply that knowledge to our practical life. By this practice (nididhyāsitavya) the education we received as mere words heard from śāstra become a living reality that we can tangibly see and feel (draṣṭavya).

This is the path of “realization.”