Planet ISKCON

HH Kadamba Kanana Swami – Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.7.50

Touchstone Media has announced the release of the book Govardhana, the Hill that Fulfils all Desires written by ISKCON spiritual master Bhakti Caitanya Swami. The book is a virtual guide to this most holy place of pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Krishna. This book is the first of its kind that vivd take us around Govardhana Hill even without being physically there.

Back in the 70’s and early 80’s whilst I was frequenting the British education system most exams and discussions in class or even class work was set by the use of a few words which ended with a question mark ?
The use of this question mark normally required a response either verbally (the one knowing the answer put their hand up and gave it) or written to be marked or assessed on how much knowledge or understand on the subject matter you grasped.
Later on whilst doing a counselling course the use of the question mark ? Was explored; especially on how it can be used to open up or close a discussion, draw the individual out or close them off.
Now what I haven’t realised is that in modern society the question mark is no longer seen as a way of opening up dialogue, invigarating a discussion or inviting an opposite point of view to be expressed (yes I hear what your saying but); but a threat that must be counteracted by deadly force.
It’s of note that on the two occasions individuals have felt the need to either raise concerns or report me to management have been when the article or posting has ended with a question mark ? were an answer or a response could be given.
No it wasn’t a rhetorical question as they normally are followed up with the answer.
Some how the art of engaging when we see a question mark ? has been lost in modern social media even though an instant reply or response can be given and in most cases seen on a timeline/comment area. The reply if any will show your mentality in being either open or closed to it.
I will give the most recent controversial wording on my twitter feed that ended in that deadly of endings the question mark
“Leaving Cardiff Rathayatra and I must say it’s the first were no Krishna prasadam has been offered, maybe it’s their late on?”
Every devotee can answer this ending question and I’m sure you all are intelligent enough to even if it’s a one closed answer of “Yes”
Tradition is Tradition and as we know every celebration included an exquisite Krishna feast agreed? (Sorry threatening question mark used)
However tradition well in the UK is after we get to the area were Sri Jagannath has arrived at the celebration field Krishna prasadam is their waiting and tradition is their is always an orderly queue formed.
My date stamp showed the time Sri Jagannath was installed and the time I left and posted the tweet just over one hour had lapsed, however their was an opportunity to reply, and as stated any devotee could.
However anger flowed
His dare you say no Krishna prasadam was served
The question mark allowed a response “yes a little later on and it was amazing” even adding a picture or an emoticon
The interaction of social media and the power of the question mark
Interesting of note my tweet the evening of Rathayatra was not noted or reported
My latest blog posting including a video of today’s: cardiff Rathayatra david.deltaflow.com/?p=3102
I can only conclude it wasn’t note worthy due or percieved as threatening as their was one small admission the question mark ?
Or may be reporting back did you see the video this devotee attending took not the best but wow at least its 10 out of 10 for effort, but maybe that’s not the devotee way? (Sorry threatening question mark used)
So my efforts to praise and share the day in simple video form was lost in translation due to a question mark that even the newest individual in devotee association could answer.
I just also want to share how little or few read my blog/twitter
My blog shows one article had a total of 60 view’s the average is 3 unique views, interestingly that article that got 60 views was posted on behalf of another devotee.
My twitter shows that the most views for one tweet was 15 and that was the picture of the deities at Bhaktivadanta Manor
I couldn’t say if their is a more viewing via planetiskcon or if this shows as 1 view even though more may see it
However to date youtube has logged only 100 views of the minute video taken and dispite being in work quickly edited, uploaded article on blog written on the same day of the rathayatra.
Yes in reality no one is truly interested or takes noted in what I say unless for some reason I end in a question mark which instead of opening up a discussion or giving individuals an opportunity to reply, is views with disdain,contempt and hostility.
Although I guess even if the individual can’t approach or share their thoughts directly with me at least they felt the need to have a good old moan
But I feel well that may be the question mark has died as a way of opening up discussion or allowing one to reply
What’s your thought’s? (Sorry threatening question mark used)
But at least maybe one way or another their will be at least a curt reply

“The people of this world understand preventive systems. They have no idea of the unpreventive positive eternal life."

- Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura

In this spiritual movie that explores the concept of death and the afterlife, Williams' character, Chris Nielson, dies in a car accident four years after losing his two children. In the scene above, Neilson awakens to find himself in the afterlife, which is both beautiful and unexpected. 

 A tsudy examines how children need to look beyond their first-hand experience in order to learn about the world.

"I am sorry for the struggles of Robin Williams in his life, but I am grateful for his the piercing portrayal of the healing capacity of compassionate connection."

Social media interpretation or misinterpretation?
Theirs two ways to read and understand social media but even the smallest posting can lead to conflict.
For me however given that all my social media accounts give the right to reply I often scratch my head when someone is upset because they heard via 3 party individuals that I had said such and such.
Well did you not think to question or contact me for clarification?
Don’t get upset stew over it speak, you could even e-mail me directly most blog replays remain posted unless offensive towards devotees.
Today I received an email the individual was upset but also a little misinformed regarding my view of Cardiff Rathayatra.
I want to stress that all devotees should make the effort to travel to the Welsh capital and join this sweet Rathayatra as both of my articles shared on Dandavats and here on my blog stressed. Their was one personal incident I missed out although it was tweeted (the tweet was reported) as it was unimportant to share on articles used to encourage others to travel to Wales and join in.
The Rathayatra had arrived in Coopers Fields at 2pm as logged on the video I took as Sri Jagannath entered and was taken into the tent, I had sadly to leave at 3pm and sadly as I left their had been no Krishna Prasadam served and yes sadly disappointed given leaving for a 12 hour shift stupidly I had not made contingency plans for prasadam.
So I tweeted my sadness at leaving without tasting the wonderful prasadam noting if I could have stayed it would have been given and indeed it did 30 minutes after but sadly too late for me to enjoy.
The tweet was accurate I had been in the field for 1 hour but health and safety had to be cleared and we know how problematic that is.
However social media and twitter allows a reply and I received non only a curt e-mail today from one upset devotee who is not on my twitter feed, interesting.
I wondered why their was no “haribol prasadam arrived 3-30 amazing prasadam” may be a picture “a little late but amazing prasadam as always” allowing me a chance to retweet as social media allows.
After all the festival was scheduled to continue till 5 I left at 3 and sadly it was my loss that’s the way it goes, I’ve asked if their is any pictures of the prasadam and devotees serving so I can share that’s social media for you so if anyone has any please forward them to me (it will be great fully received and shared on Twitter)
However again I feel the need to again remind people that the blog, twitter are my social space and should be read with this in mind, these will include disappointment like missing out on a plate of prasadam.
And that you have the right to reply and question either in the comment’s, e-mail or in person
However I do acknowledged that to hear someone left a festival without enjoying Krishna prasadam is well embarrassing this was not the intention disappointed yes and who wouldn’t be given how awesome the local prasadam is.
I hope this clarification helps
Cardiff Rathayatra is amazing and next year make sure your their you will have the best visit to cardiff anyone can have, just make sure you keep your calendar free to remain for the full event and not leave early like me
And that’s why I missed out I left
Now that’s a lesson learnt
Don’t leave
Hare Krishna

The post August 14th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Several ISKCON leaders participated in the Hindu Forum of Europe’s General Assembly meetings in Savona, Italy on July 3^rd and 4^th this summer. “We’re trying to make sure that Hinduism is considered an official religion in EU countries, not an obscure sect,” says HFE President Radj Bhondoe. “So far it’s only officially recognized in three EU countries: the Netherlands, the UK and recently Italy. So there’s a lot of work to do.”

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk1d1a1M

The post Pictures of the marble workshop appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

http://youtu.be/6lSL1_0WNns

The post What are the renovations for Radha-Syama about anyway? appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Special Day Meditation Podcast

Answer Podcast

Hare Krishna Kirtan by H G Amiya Ras Das on 04 August 2014 at ISKCON Juhu

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/14/14.

Similar to last week, since the people in the photo are not easily recognizable we’ll ask a broader question.

This week’s challenge: How many devotees can you name who were part of the New Vrindaban construction crew around the time of this photo?

Extra credit: When and where was this photo taken? (hint: same as last week!)

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit Website.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

“You want to make big plans for centralization of management. I do not at all approve of such a plan. Do not centralize anything. … The movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments and action not for making  bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility…”
(Letter to Karandhar in ‘72)

- Srila Prabhupada