ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/31/2014
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ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 08/31/2014

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 ECOV Board of Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Navin Shyam and Ranaka.

Recording secretary: Jordanna Rock-Garden

1. Follow up on Bahulaban Barn/Ox Program Project

Currently the rubble from the site is being cleaned up and Vyasasana will serve as the project manager for Bahulaban barn renovations. This is an ongoing project that will require monthly reporting.

2. Follow Up on ECOV Documentary

In June, ECOV allocated $600 to Sabrina Jones, a college student majoring in cinematography at West Liberty University, to help her purchase a camera. In exchange, she agreed to shoot some footage of the garden for an ECOV film project being overseen by Kripamaya. She reported to Kripamaya that she is not able to complete the project and will return the funds.

3.  Proposal to designate Sankirtan Prabhu as New Vrindaban Folklorist

Chaitanya Mangala has proposed that ISKCON New Vrindaban (and ECO-Vrindaban) needs to develop an overall story that brings together key elements of the past – told in a cohesive way – that is relevant to our present and will help guide us towards a future we want manifest.

Sankirtan has expressed an interest in filling this position and others have recommended him for this role. He is a professional storyteller and has trained many people, including the students of the gurukula, devotee adults, non-devotee adults, and students in schools outside NV in storytelling and the importance of story both on a personal level and a community level. He also has a website or blog with a lot of NV’s history through stories.

Navin Shyam will speak with Sankirtan about this.

4. ECOV logo, brochure & posters

WHEREAS: The ECOV Board wishes to update its logo to better reflect its connection with ISKCON New Vrindaban, the New Vrindaban Community in general, its name change and the recent refinement of its mission statement.

RESOLVED: The Board authorizes up to $500 for Raghu Consbruck to design a new logo and other related graphics.

Room Without A Roof
→ Seed of Devotion

Images from yesterday's wedding play through my mind in snippets of magic.

The mysticism of the ceremony,
the tears of those present,
Jai's sober expression as he vowed to protect Syama,
the grins of pure joy of everyone (yes, everyone) dancing in kirtan,
Syama's effulgent smile and flaring skirt as she twirled,
the rooftop bedecked with white tents
and white globes
and golden lights,
the undulating skyscape of New York City glittering below us,
toasts,
laughing so hard I can't breathe,
the couple's first dance,
everyone dancing slow,
then fast, to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough,"
the delicious lemon poppyseed and chocolate cakes,
helping clean up,
dancing to "Happy."

Although it's popular, I heard the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams for the first time last night. The lyrics sent chills down my spine.

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

It was a reminder that the soul's nature is to be happy. There's no hard work to it. It's just about being alive, feeling like a "room without a roof." All day, I felt as though that day was about being happy. Let the couple be happy, let the guests be happy, let God be happy.

Let go.

Let happiness in.

It's so easy.

Just BE.

That's the truth.

When I danced to the song "Happy" at the end of the night, the part of the song that kept coming, "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof," was so perfect, as I and everyone else was on the rooftop of the Bhakti Center and only a thin tent separated us from a limitless sky.
(to view the video below on YouTube, click or copy and paste this link: http://youtu.be/2MJj2A1Kx20 )

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We Are Committed To This Prayer
→ Japa Group

"We are committed to this prayer on a daily basis. We refuse to go without it. May Krishna always bless us with taste and determination to chant our japa faithfully, day in and day out, and may He give us the attentiveness to make a decent performance.
May we not cheat ourselves with inattentive chanting but do our part according to the free will given us to hear the holy names with attention."

From Bhajan Kutir #90
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Say a couple of mantras for me, okay?
→ Dandavats.com

It was Robin Williams, a leading American actor and comedian. To get his attention creatively, I fanned out the books I had in my hand and waved them near his face as he walked toward me. Startled, he smiled at me. “Quickly,” I said, “tell me what you see.” “Books—but that’s not what you’re going to say, right?” “True. What I am showing you is the key to the past, present, and future. And with this key, you can dissolve all anxiety.” “You have good improvisational skills. You should be an evangelist.” Read more ›

Why do the original Vedas give so little knowledge about the ultimate goal of bhakti?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Karuneshwari Mataji

Based on the presentation of the Vedic literatures, it seems that the original 4 Vedas, the shruti,  contain only karma kanda and jnana kanda, and that bhakti is presented only in the smriti -for example,  in Srimad Bhagavatam,  and also in Bhagavad Gita.  I understand that Srila Vyasadeva compiled SB after being instructed by Narada, as he was feeling dissatisfied after compiling the Vedas, due to not having presented the glories of Lord Krishna.  I am wondering why the original Vedas give so little knowledge of the ultimate goal? Although the majority of people are interested in karma kanda, and then jnana kanda, surely there were always those interested in the Absolute Truth also?

Answer Podcast

When the guru is mostly inaccessible to disciples, isn’t initiation just a rubber-stamp?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

It's very difficult to get an appointment with the guru as he is so busy. And I have also heard that if we don't take guidance, what is the use of taking initiation. Also, I don't feel that associating with the guru's disciples is the same as associating with guru - I don't become attached to guru by that.

Answer Podcast

Choosing our Focus in The World of Duality—Is it Terrible or Wonderful, Horrible or Beautiful?
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so if you don't want to listen, mute your speakers.)
photo 3256865_orig_zpsdfc63561.jpg
As my wife and I were preparing for a couple’s retreat we helped facilitate in Gita-nagari, Pennsylvania, last weekend, events conspired on our street to graphically demonstrate to me the importance of what we were teaching. I find that the power of focus often attracts lessons to demonstrate what we are thinking about, especially if we are teaching it. One important point in this blog is that what we focus on increases in power—like attracts like—whether we’re looking for the good or bad in the world, or in other people. Although I don’t share here exactly what we taught in our workshop, I speak in general about the importance of personal growth work—or the importance of self-examination and seeing our life issues clearly in order to spiritually advance and be the best person we can.

There are problems in the outer world and problems in our inner world. Both are important to deal with, though of the two, improving and purifying our inner landscape is most important, as it will help us in whatever work or service we do externally. The world reflects the consciousness of the people in it. We change the world one person at a time, and it always begins with ourselves. Thus if we improve the world, or our neighborhood, but don’t improve ourselves, our work is incomplete. Many persons and groups understand and teach this. The personal growth people who appear focused on material prosperity have taught me that it isn’t what one accomplishes, or how much money one accumulates, that is most important, but who we become in the process. Another way to say this is that in the pursuit of our life work or favorite cause, are we becoming more loving, kind, compassionate, and wise? What we keep in our heart, is what defines us, who we are, and who we become. Or, as the Bible teaches, “What profiteth a man if he gains the whole world yet suffers the loss of his eternal soul?”

read more

Jammu and Kashmir floods – What went wrong? A Krisha conscious solution
→ Dandavats.com

It may sound childish or perhaps insensitive if one asks why such natural disasters take place and who is responsible. The replies could range from a quick laughter to a strong criticism, from environmental analysis to geographical calculations, and from global warming to political wrangling. They will go on arguing and spending billions on preventing natural disasters but the bitter truth is, none of their attempts can stop such harsh actions of the nature. The reason is simple- disobedience of God’s laws. People are trying to be happy without following universal laws, which are strictly implemented under the direction of the Supreme Lord. Not possible. Read more ›

Ladies Sanga (at Radha Krishna Soho St Temple) (3 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

For ladies looking to strenghen their spiritual search & practice in the welcoming company of other ladies, the Ladies Sanga program is held fortnightly in the seminar room of Radha Krishna Soho St Temple acting as an informal introduction to Krishna Consciusness for beginners or as a bonding session for those who are already walking steadily the path of devotional service. Song featured in this video: -Vrindavan Ramya Sthana by Bir Krishna Goswami Read more ›

Iskcon Delhi Bhakti Vriksha Maha Milan 2014 (Album 21 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Krishna's Lila in Vrndavana is prakata or manifest Lila, and the same is going on eternally in the spiritual realm, which is known as aprakata or nonmanifest. Krishna's planet and Krishna's pastimes are going on eternally, and the same is manifested before the conditioned souls at certain intervals, once in one day of Brahma, exactly as the sun is visible for 12 hours once a 24 hour cycle of and night. When the sun is visible it is called prakata, and when the sun is not visible that is called aprakata or unmanifested.  Nonmanifested therefore does not mean there is no existence, but the terms are used in relation to the visibility or nonvisibility to the limited conditioned souls. Letter to Shyamasundara, May 14, 1970. Read more ›

WHAT CAN GITA COACHING DO FOR YOUR YATRA?
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Morning and evening classes Gita Coaching Courses: "Become A Trusted Guide", "Gita For Your Success", "Life Skills", "Light Of The Bhagavata" Train and support spiritual guides, mentors, and counselors Help establish a Devotee Care and Guidance System Consultations and training with the leadership and management team Help preachers with new ideas and strategies Individual and team coaching

Friday, September 19th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Prove Improve Disprove

Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, would always make the point to prove that you are human.  On the basis of behaviour and belief, it can be ascertained whether one has actually achieved this honoured status.  It has much to do with the ability to go beyond eating, sleeping, mating, defending, and the ability to discern the difference between right and wrong and between matter and spirit.  A human cannot claim superiority, more so it’s responsibility that makes the human. 

To prove the point, you should always improve.  We know that ‘to err is human’, we make mistakes, but we always endeavour to correct them, prove and improve. 

I went on foot on this fine day of sun and temperate degrees to the ‘Brickworks’.  An abandoned quarry which had provided mud for bricks had turned into a haven for people who enjoy urban greenness.  Every time I make my way here, my feet up to my head, reach a happier state.  I see that the grounds are improved each time. 

Recently a switchback path had been introduced which takes you to an elevation point where you can view the valley from above, and the rather stunning cityscape from the distance.  The pathway is lain with tiny stones and not asphalt, thank God.  I congratulate the workers on this and the city that supports them.  They are maintaining, proving, and improving, while disproving that neglect works. 

Few cyclists come to this little nook, few runners.  It’s primarily walkers who escape the city madness while being in the city in this location.  Here’s my challenge, I dare you, you are a human being, prove it!  WALK. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Thursday, September 18th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

In my stroll through a quiet residential area of homes and trees, both glorious in stature, I contemplated verses from the Bhagavad Gita which describes the Absolute in the manifestation of the witness of everything.  They are powerful statements. 

13.13

Brahman, the spirit, beginningless and subordinate to Me, lies beyond the cause and effect of this material world. 
 
13.14
 
Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes, heads and faces, and He has ears everywhere.  In this way the Supersoul exists, pervading everything. 
 
13.15
 
The Supersoul is the original source of all senses, yet He is without senses.  He is unattached, although He’s the maintainer of all living beings.  He transcends the modes of nature and at the same time He is the master of all the modes of material nature. 
 
13.16
 
The Supreme Truth exists outside and inside of all living beings, the moving and the non moving.  Because He is subtle, He is beyond the power of the material senses to see or to know.  Although far, far away, He is also near to all.
 
13.17
 
Although the Supersoul appears to be divided among all beings, He is never divided, situated as one.  Although the maintainer of every living entity, it is to be understood that he devours and develops all.
 
13.18
 
He is the source of light in all luminous objects.  He is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested.  He is the object of knowledge, the goal of knowledge.  He is situated in everyone’s heart.
 
May the Source be with you!

7 KM

This Vibration Of Krsna’s Flute
→ Japa Group


"This vibration of Krsna's flute is represented by the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra. A serious devotee of the Lord who chants and hears this transcendental vibration becomes so accustomed to it that he cannot divert his attention to any subject matter not related to Krsna's blissful characteristics and paraphernalia."

Chaitanya Caritamrta Madhya 21.144 purport