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.)
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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?”

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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?
→ Gita Coaching

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

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

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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 ›