Planet ISKCON

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This is a view of the TOVP from Nabadvip Ghat. We can see how wonderful and immense the TOVP looks from a greater distance.

In this photo we have captured a beautiful monsoon cloudy day. Also you can see the fourth ring of the main dome coming up. One can imagine how beautiful the TOVP will look with the main dome fully completed.

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HH Devamrita Swami SB 3.1.26

We hear excited shrieks coming out of the Middle Elementary Classroom today.  A “spotted leopard gecko” has visited the classroom.  His name is “Gil-Phil”.  He’s climbing up the students and has even leapt to the ground!

Gil-Phil was adopted by the Kelley family from Mathuranath Prabhu.  He had almost died, but TKG Academy student, Gopal Chandra, age 8 and his family, rescued him and nurtured him back to life.

Why has he come to visit?  The students have begun the year with a Desert Unit.  They are studying different features of desert animals; behavioral and physical adaptations.  How is it that they survive in such a hostile environment?

Krishna loves each and every living entity, in such a personal way, that he has made every living entity different and unique.  Each of these differences are for a very specific purpose.  These traits protect each animal in this intense environment.

Did you know?  Geckos have sticky feet to help them stay on the sandy ground, during a sand storm.  Elephants have large ears that flap, to keep themselves cool in the desert heat.  Meercats have dark circles around their eyes to cut down the sun’s glare and enable them to see.  Zebra’s have stripes to confuse predators, like lions, when in a group.

Students researched, re-wrote, illustrated and compiled their list of facts about fifteen desert animals.  They created Mini Books.  Take a look!

When Gil-Phil arrived, Gopal lovingly placed the timid lizard in each willing child’s lap.  We saw camouflage, feet, and other physical traits up close and in person.  We chanted Hare Krishna to it and students felt the Unit literally come to life.

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 06 August 2012, Ljubljana, The Balkans, Lecture on the Pastimes of Krsna)

When Krsna walks in Vrindavan as Madhava, carrying his flute tucked in his belt, then the trees which have branches laden with fruits and flowers, are trying to touch Krsna’s feet. The bees are just singing the glories of Krsna. Bhagavatam says that these bees must have been great devotee sages in their last life, to be bees in Vrindavan.

The trees are thinking, ‘We are so unfortunate. It is due to our sinful activities that we have taken birth as trees and therefore we cannot follow Krsna on his pastimes in the forest.’

Of course, Bhagavatam points out that Lord Brahma is praying to become a tree in Vrindavan. So, how can it be that they have committed sinful activities and offenses? Rather, these trees are the most fortunate because, after all, one moment of association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one moment of devotional service to the Supreme Lord, is such great fortune!

Even if Krsna walks past these trees only sometimes, still, they are in the forest of Vrindavan! They may not be able to walk behind him, but they can hear him. It is stated in the Mahabharat that trees have eyes and ears. It is said that trees can see and hear. So these trees are hearing and seeing Krsna! Quite auspicious, actually! They are better off than we are.

Generally, all conditioned souls in the material encagement are influenced by the mode of passion because every one of them is trying to lord it over the material nature to fulfill his individual desire. But in spite of the individual mode of passion, there is always the chance of being influenced by the other modes of nature by association. If one is in good association he can develop the mode of goodness, and if in bad association he may develop the mode of darkness or ignorance. Nothing is stereotyped. One can change his habit by good or bad association, and one has to become intelligent enough to discriminate between good and bad. The best association is the service of the devotees of the Lord, and by that association one can become the highest qualified man by the grace of the Lord’s pure devotees.
SB 2.10.41

Over the past few months my mind has been pondering that of association and how valuable it is in spiritual progression and bhakti, coinciding with this the perception of prasadam in my own short spiritual life.

Initially I was captivated by the eccentricity of the devotee’s not fully appreciating their association, little understanding prasadam other than the fact the food was amazing and I was sent away with more than any individual could hope for.

Over time perceptions changed their association was so sweet a moment away from it was bitter to taste, they encouraged me to offer my foodstuffs to Sri Krishna, encouraged my reading of Srila Prabhupada books whilst making me feel a centre of their small group.

Time moved on the devotees one by one left and all one has is distant memories of the finest association on occasion I hear or read an update and remain inspired by how fixed and determined they remain in spreading Krishna Consciousness.

Slowly but surely being introduced to each festival each overwhelming in their unique way, and an expectation of excitement whilst lining up for prasadam listening to the sweet interactions of the devotee’s around.

Prasadam was indeed the first big attraction indeed Prasadam makes each festival unique and awe inspiring each one unique and shows the loving devotion to detail.

However for me prasadam has changed it gives me:
The opportunity to give association when running programs and to get to really know individuals in a relaxed manor
The opportunity to take association from inspirational devotees, from wiser senior devotees are to sit quietly and listen to the many and varied discussion’s

Recently however I’ve been in places were due to commitments work has required me to leave early the festival, or no prasadam was offered, disappointing? Well NO! For being in a position were I get very little association my appreciation of association of devotees has increased, for this small association keeps me grounded and focused in my own devotional life.

Yes realistically you can’t have one without the other
But for me the association of devotees in more valuable as time passes on.

But as always I end with the same tired and somewhat provocative answer for some what’s your thoughts?

As always I would love to hear and read them.
Humbly
Me