If one has devotion, why does one need to count the names of God?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From: Ganesh :
There is a saying, " Dhyani ko mala karte dekh Premi ne kaha 'Ye to bhagwan ka naam bhi ginkar lete hain or fir kahte hain ki unhe bhagwan se prem hai.' Once I was chanting on my bids. My non devotee sister was sitting nearby me. Than she also quoted the above mentioned saying & laughed at me. What should be our answer to such people? Prabhuji, can you simplify it with an example?

Answer Podcast

The role of logic in spiritual life
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 24 April 2014, Radhadesh, Belgium, Caitanya Caritamrta Lecture)

srimad-bhagavatamWho can say that they understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead? Even Lord Brahma was praying for 60 000 years to the dust of the feet of the gopis, just trying to understand the residents of Vrindavan. So, who can understand Krsna by a dint of intelligence or logic? Still, we need to logically understand Krsna consciousness.

We need to not speculate and try to understand what the truth is but rather, once we know the truth then we have to try to understand it with logic and argument. Srila Prabhupada certainly was one who presented a lot of logic and argument – things like the Big Bang for example. So, logic and intelligence is required but be faithful to the conclusions of the scriptures. We should always be accepting of the limitations of logic and try to understand from the scriptures what the truth is and using logic for understanding how it is true.

 

Focus On One Mantra
→ Japa Group


When I was chanting today. I remember this advice given in many Japa Seminars.
The advice is very sound - just hear the present mantra you are chanting....focus on one mantra at a time and be in the present with it - absorb the sound into yourself and feel the Lord's spiritual energy.

Prasadam distribution, 28.5. Kahrimani, Nemila, Topčić polje and Begov Han by Iskcon Sarajevo (Album 39 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

900 people got prasadam-mercy in the form of cooked warm meal (beans, salad, bread and cookies) or in the form of sandwiches and apples. Devotees traveled for 2 hours, then done their distribution until 5pm. Devotees also visited one new place called Kahrimani, where people from destroyed village Željezno polje are placed now. They are so thankful, that some of them picked flowers from their gardens and offered those to devotees, who will offer those flowers to Krishna :). Exhausting day ended happily in our temple with lunch and later with an amazing and very inspiring lecture given by our dear guest Madhukanta prabhu . Read more ›

Moonshine
→ Servant of the Servant


Man landed on the moon in July 1969. It was a big public relations success for the United States especially during the cold war era. The astronauts who landed found the moon to have dark grey stones and rubble all over. In fact, they bought some back to earth. Anyways, I am not going into the moon landing debate. However what intrigues me is the cause of moonshine?

If you notice especially during the full moon night, the moon shines so brightly that you can see light rays illuminating earth at night. In fact it is so bright you do not need a torch or any artificial light source. The question is if the moon is made of dark grey stones, then how come it can reflect such brilliant light? Modern scientists claim that it bounces off sun's rays back to earth and depending on its rotational orbit, it is bright or less bright. This claim does not seem very convincing to me.

Have you tried focusing light on dark grey stones or even your street pavements? Does it reflect back light brilliantly? What to speak of the reflection travelling long distances? In fact dark dense objects absorb light. Imagine a huge body which is filled with dark grey stones & dust all over, will it be a beautiful reflecting object or a dark dense ugly object at night?

Light can only bounce off a surface only if the surface is shiny and sleek. If it is rough and dark, it will not reflect light. How then such a large celestial body such as the moon which is apparently made of just dust and stones reflect such brilliant light to the point where the moon looks so gorgeous at night? It is so gorgeous that poets and philosophers romanticize the moon. It is one of the most beautiful things to witness in the night sky. People fall in love on a full moon night! This is the effect moon and its shine has on people on earth. Do you think a planet with grey dense rocks can have that effect on people?

It is more like the moon is lit from inside and is emanating light for millions of miles just like the sun except the moon's light is soothing and beautiful. The sun on the other hand has fiery and hot type of light. Both in my mind emanate original source of light and not borrowed light.

I seriously doubt a planet with dust and grey stones can emanate such beautiful light at night especially if it is borrowed light.

Hare Krishna

Join us for Sunday Feast from 11.00am-2.00pm with guest speaker Her Grace Prema Manjari Devi Dasi about "The Glories of Ganga Devi"
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast

When?

Sunday,June 1st
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 6.1.15
kecit kevalayā bhaktyā
vāsudeva-parāyaṇāḥ
aghaṁ dhunvanti kārtsnyena
nīhāram iva bhāskaraḥ
TRANSLATION
Only a rare person who has adopted complete, unalloyed devotional service to Kṛṣṇa can uproot the weeds of sinful actions with no possibility that they will revive. He can do this simply by discharging devotional service, just as the sun can immediately dissipate fog by its rays.
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

COMING UP AHEAD
Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi
Fasting..................... on June 9th
                              Breakfast................. on June 10th b/w 5.35am-6.50am

Every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (completely), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.

Bhagavad Gita Classes(New Session)
Starting on June 21st,2014

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]


Canadian Bus Tour
Young men ages 12 – 19 years, who wish to come on the bus tour, it is starting in early July or late June.  It runs for one month and takes it across Canada from Montreal through to Calgary.  This is the opportunity of a lifetime.As you may know its about  chanting, travelling , visiting our temples, helping with the set up of Ratha Yatra, doing plays, doing  kirtan, doing shows for the Ratha Yatra.

If you have any questions about the Canadian Bus Tour regarding timing, cost etc. here is the information you can refer to:

www.summertrip.org, also you can email boysummertrip@gmail.com or call - Dattatreya-352.213.0136  or Ananta - 352.213.6412.

ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
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

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!

Helicopter Test Landing in Mayapur (Album 62 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

We are happy to announce the successful test landing of Mayapur’s helicopter service today at 12.10pm. Captain Malhotra of Pawan Hans, along with Mr. Virendra Singh, Chief of Airport Operations – Durgapur Airport of West Bengal, were received with a warm Vaisnava welcome by the Deputy directors and managers of Mayapur. According to Captain Malhotra the landing was satisfactory, and he was optimistic about the future services of Helicopter to Mayapur. The officials then greeted the deities, and received the blessing of their Lordship. They were then served delicious prasadam in our VIP lounge. They then departed for their onward journey to Durgapur. It was Srila Prabhupada’s divine desire to get Sri Mayapur connected by air. Since March 2013, efforts have been in place to fulfill this desire, but by the blessings of Guru and Gauranga the first step has manifested today. With the blessing and prayer of all the vaishnavas, very soon a regular service between Kolkata and Mayapur will commence. More details of the service will be given once they are finalized. Read more ›

Pride comes before fall
→ Servant of the Servant

I am very pleased that you are doing nicely. But don't be proud. Always remain humble, meek, that "I am nothing. I cannot..." That will be nice. And if you think, "Now I have become liberated. I can chant and dance," no, don't think like that. Just like even Caitanya-caritamrta author, he says, purisera kita haite muni se laghistha: [Cc. Adi 5.205] "I am lower than the worm in the stool." Jagai madhai haite muni se papistha: "I am more sinner than Jagai-Madhai." In this way... That is not artificial. A Vaisnava must think like that, that "I am rotten. I have no value." Don't be proud. Then the things will go on nicely. And as soon as you become proud, then maya.

Srila Prabhupada lecture - Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.50 -- Detroit, August 3, 1975

Sadhu Sanga Retreat: Portraits of saintly devotees in the state of deep transcendence (Album 221 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Another talented photographer, Damodar-rati dasa, provides us with more beautiful photos of last weeks Sadhu Sanga Retreat. The festival has become the 'talk of the town.' The association was stellar, the chanting of the holy names out of this world and the prasadam something to remember. [ All photos from Dennis Sher Photography ] Read more ›

Wednesday, May 28th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Brocket, Alberta
 
The Many I Met
 
"I can't believe I'm talking to you," said Dana over the phone.  I expressed the mutual sentiment.  'Mutual' because we share the same karma of walking long distances.  Dana covered 16,000 kilometres on Canadian soil on the Trans Canada Trail.  Somehow or other he found me and contacted me.  It seemed like talking to a younger brother.  At age 40, I guess he's done what most guys wouldn't dream of.
 
What a boost it was connecting with someone who knows what you're talking about on the topic of trail ecstasy.
 
More boosts came from people.  Ronda came to join me on the road.  It happened at a rain and rainbow segment of the morning.  God, did a lot of responses come from others!  A courier, land surveyors, a rancher, a grandma, and more people came with curiosity and congratulations.  Sarah and Paula, members of the Blackfoot native community were really thrilled to meet me.  "What are you anyway?"  So I clarified and we had a great few minutes chatting with these young ladies.  Now, someone might ask what's a monk doing with a couple of young women?  Answer:  "I'm on the road.  It's public and I'm merely being neighbourly by saying something about the virtues of walking in parallel to doing something for the soul."
 
The day wound up by offering thanks to our Patel Motel owner, Kiran, in his office.  He shared with us his love for Gandhi's contemporary, another Patel, who changed the course of India's history.  And what of India's history?  Well, I tell people I meet that for millennia sages in India have roamed on foot for the sake of self-improvement and giving the wisdom they've gathered.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
36 KM

Helicopter Service to Sri Mayapur
→ Mayapur.com

Please view the full gallery: Helicopter Test Landing We are happy to announce the successful test landing of Mayapur’s helicopter service today at 12.10pm. Captain Malhotra of Pawan Hans, along with Mr. Virendra Singh, Chief of Airport Operations – Durgapur Airport of West Bengal, were received with a warm Vaisnava welcome by the Deputy directors […]

The post Helicopter Service to Sri Mayapur appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ISKCON Houston Grand Opening Draws 11,000
→ ISKCON News

An incredible 11,000 people from the US and around the world attended the grand opening of ISKCON Houston’s brand new Vedic temple from May 16th to 18th this spring. The Hon. Consul General of India, Mr Parvathaneni Harish, also attended with his wife Nandita and warmly appreciated the devotees of ISKCON for their sincerity and commitment to the path of Bhakti.

Market Fluctuations
→ ISKCON News

Swami Prabhupada explained how an expert businessman can thrive in any economic climate. When the market booms he sells commodities and makes a healthy profit. When the market is down, he buys abundantly, remaining alert to sell when the demand rebuilds

New Helicopter Service to Mayapur
→ ISKCON News

Exciting news lands in Mayapur. A service whereby helicopters transport pilgrims and devotees and guests from Kolkata to Mayapur is moving forward. May 30th marked the first time the journey was made and several people greeted the arrival with enthusiasm.

Helicopter Service
- TOVP.org

Exciting news lands in Mayapur. A service whereby helicopters transport pilgrims and devotees from Kolkata to Mayapur is moving forward.

Today marked the first time the journey was made and several people greeted the arrival with enthusiasm. The next step is negotiating the fee which will be charged to interested parties using this quick transportation.

TOVP Managing Director, Sadbhuja Das, was among those invited to welcome the pilots. Several options for facilitating access to Mayapur are being explored, especially since the new temple is expected to attract millions!

The post Helicopter Service appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

New Devotee Joins TOVP
- TOVP.org

The TOVP welcomes its newest member, Sudhakar Das. An experienced devotee, he is sure to be an asset to the team.

Having joined ISKCON in Mayapur, Sudhakara prabhu has been here since 1994. He immediately began doing seva in the community by first working for the guesthouse. After two years he became the supervisor of maintenance for the gurukula, followed by six years with the Land Department and five years with the workshop where he was involved in the construction of several guesthouses.

Sudhakara prabhu has been with the TOVP since the first of May. His current position is supervising the construction of the Utility Building and he will move to the main construction site upon its completion. He brings his breadth of knowledge and eagerness to serve and we’re happy to have him with us.

The post New Devotee Joins TOVP appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Drive-thru at Church
→ ISKCON News

In an age when convenience is king and religion is often ridiculed, some churches looking to widen their outreach efforts are embracing what community banks have utilized for decades: the drive-through.