Planet ISKCON

Jaffray, British Columbia

Pulling Over

A man pulled over as I was walking on the Crowsnest Pass.  He just came from his nightshift work and asked, “Can I give you a ride?”

Quite routine, as far as my reply is concerned, but with some heart, I mentioned that I can’t accept a lift because my project doesn’t call for that.  I handed him my card with my name and short bio.  On the reverse side is the fully spelled out maha mantra beginning with “Hare Krishna”.  I qualified my role as a monastic person with a portfolio as a walker, a pilgrim, and how I wanted to see more people take care of their physical and spiritual selves.

The man wanted to know where I stay at night, and I let him know that I tent-it-out with a small support team.  He was compelled to reach into his pocket and pull out a twenty dollar donation.  This, I very much appreciated, and let him know that putting energy into this healing-the-heart while-hurting-the-heels is a worthy project. 

It was a rather brief exchange and wonderful.  This kind soul took the opportunity to be of service to others.

In the afternoon I met another man who pulled over, but it was obvious from his questions and gestures that his intentions were not very sattvic or clean.  I relayed to Michael the story and Michael who had also trekked the country mentioned that he had also met those types while on the journey. 

In a more compassionate moment, I managed to pull out a thought in wishing the man well after the incident, and I hoped that he would seek the opportunity for higher tastes in life, namely, the spiritual component.  I chose to reflect on the image that I saw between the exchanges of the two pulling-over people.  I had watched a herd of elk cross the river in the valley.  That was awesome, God’s mercy.  It left me sleeping with good thoughts.

May the Source be with you!

35 KM

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 29 April 2014, Radhadesh, Belgium, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.4.49-50)

In India, in village life, some people grow up very simple. When you ask them, “How old are you?” they do not know…

Some people do not know their birthday.
“How old are you?”
“25, 26.”
“Are you 25 or are you 26? What is it?”
“25, 26.”
“What do you mean? When is your birthday?”
Silent. No answer. “Date of birth please?”

They do not know. They do not know. They do not know the date, they do not know the year. Can you imagine when you were a child and there was never, “Happy birthday…” (singing)

No “happy birthday” for them. Only Janmastami! (laughing) They never miss Janmastami. We, how many Janmastami’s have we missed but we never miss our own birthday. But they miss their own birthday and not Janmastami. So, they grow up in a totally different way; not so self-centred and not so much ego.

A lot of ego in us and then everything really becomes more important. The more ego you have, the more when somebody sneezes next to you, you go, “Aah, gosh.” It is like this. So we have a lot of ego, especially from the so-called “first world”, then you know, you have a first world passport and it makes the head a little bigger.

 

“I looked at our friend with an expression that asked, ‘What is happening here?’ He looked me straight in the eyes and said, ‘I am a devotee of Krishna, and all my family members are devotees of Krishna. My family has worshiped Lord Krishna for many generations. Actually, I was just testing you. And you did not compromise. So I am very pleased, and I will be honored to become your life member.’

“We went back to his office, I took out the forms, he took out his checkbook, and he paid the whole amount in one installment and became a life member.

“Then I was really confused. I started thinking, ‘Well, maybe I haven’t been doing the wrong thing after all’—but I still wasn’t quite sure.

“When I got back to the room where I was staying, there was a letter from Srila Prabhupada. Receiving a letter from Srila Prabhupada was always a great occasion. When I opened the letter, the words practically jumped out of the page: ‘The fact is that I am the only one in India who is openly criticizing, not only impersonalism and demigod worship, but everything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna.’ Prabhupada’s words continued: ‘My guru maharaja never compromised in his preaching, nor will I, nor should any of my students. We are firmly convinced that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and that all others are His part and parcel servants. This we must declare boldly to the whole world, that they should not foolishly dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender fully to Krishna as Supreme Lord.’

“So I got my answer from Prabhupada.

“That was Srila Prabhupada’s mood—his guru maharaja’s mood and his mood—and that was the mood he wanted us to have. We don’t compromise in our philosophy.”

Do Not Compromise

Ananda Caitanya Prabhu joined ISKCON in 1979.  From 1984-89, he printed and distributed Srila Prabhupada books underground in Russian language.  He served as the temple president in the first temple in former USSR, Kaunas city.  He also served as the regional secretary for Volga and West Siberia regions, in Russia.  Since 1998, Ananda Caitanya das has actively been involved preaching in Germany, Switzerland , South Africa and in Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia Lithuania..  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] ISKCON Brampton Yoga and Wellness Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.Mother Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga Classes every Sunday from 10am-11am before our Sunday Feast Program at ISKCON Brampton.These classes will be focussed on promoting our physical and mental well being.(Please bring your yoga mat) To Register Email:rashmis.yoga@facebook.com  Facebook page:Yoga and Satvic Nutrition with Rashmi Contacts:416.569.6373 or 905.488.7272 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 New Curriculum is starting on June 8th,2014. To register,contact us Email:sundayschool108@gmail.com Call:647.893.9363 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!

While the Bhakti Center has had a restaurant on and off for the past seven years, Taste of Bhakti is a fresh new start spearheaded by ISKCON’s second generation and other young devotees. Taste of Bhakti’s home, at 25 1^st avenue, is in the midst of Manhattan’s East Village, a hipster spot populated by vegan restaurants and organic juice bars.

As we start developing spiritual taste our heart starts experiencing deep fulfilment.  Things of this world no longer bother us and neither attracts us.

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

by Jai Sita Rani Devi Dasi Gold Gauranga Flexi Sponsorship Plan

The post Why did Uddhava send Vidura to hear from Maitreya Muni (Part 2) appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Radhavallabha Das with Bhaktin Hezell. The wife of King Puraïjana was lying on the ground because she was neglected by her husband. Actually the woman must always be protected by her husband. We always speak of the goddess of fortune as being placed on the chest of Narayana. In other words, the wife must remain embraced by her husband. Thus she becomes beloved and well protected. Just as one saves his money and places it under his own personal protection, one should similarly protect his wife by his own personal supervision. Just as intelligence is always within the heart, so a beloved chaste wife should always have her place on the chest of a good husband. This is the proper relationship between husband and wife. A wife is therefore called ardhangani, or half of the body. One cannot remain with only one leg, one hand or only one side of the body. He must have two sides. Similarly, according to nature's way, husband and wife should live together. Srimad Bhagavatam 4.26.17 Purport Read more ›

In May, Bosnia and Herzegovina had been hit  by the worst floods in its history, forcing  tens of thousands to leave their destroyed homes. During the two-week operation, with the help of the ISKCON community worldwide, especially the Hungarian devotees, the local devotees distributed 6,000 plates of prasadam to the victims. 

With Sivarama Swami Read more ›

The post June 6th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

One hundred devotees from ISKCON Radhadesh in the Belgian Ardennes pack into the community’s small bakery, just a few meters away from the Château de Petite Somme turned Krishna temple. They’re all craning their necks to get a glimpse over the counter at Nadia Bihari Das, his wife Shyamalika Dasi and son Gopinath Das as they bake up a storm in celebration of their family business’s 25^th anniversary.

By Madhava Smullen

Bhakta Josef Lauber clearly loves his service. It comes through in his voice, as the words tumble out in a colorful torrent, filled with emotion.

And why wouldn’t he? As head of ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Congregational Development Department, he is constantly guiding newcomers in Krishna consciousness, watching them learn, seeing their enthusiasm and their love for God build.

Josef reaches out to the 25,000 Westerners and Indian immigrants who visit New Vrindaban every year, giving many of them instructions on how to chant Hare Krishna, and sending them home with japa beads and Srila Prabhupada’s books.

“I love sitting down with visitors who drove six to ten hours from Washington, New York, Chicago, Toronto, and beyond, reading and reciting the Bhagavad-gita with them and seeing them soak it all up,” he says. “And then seeing how they start reading and chanting, taking Bhagavad-gita and Bhakti Sastri courses by phone conference call, and even how some of them eventually get initiated.”

Josef has also revived the Govardhana parikrama that Varshana Swami created to scale according to Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. And every Sunday morning, he takes guests on a two-hour tour of replicas of the sacred hill and the lakes Kusum Sarovara, Manasi Ganga, Lalita Kunda, and Radha Kunda, while narrating Krishna’s pastimes.

“After two hours of singing the Holy Name, hearing Krishna Katha, breathing the fresh air, and seeing the untouched beauty of nature in New Vrindaban, you can see how they revive their spiritual selves, and become happy,” he says.

Another of Josef’s favorite activities is his outreach program, in which he and other members of the Congregational Development Department visit friends of New Vrindaban, invite them for a return visit, give them books and encourage them in their Krishna consciousness.

“Sometimes we’ll do a house-warming ceremony, or try to accommodate whatever else is happening in their lives,” he says. “Going to their homes, and seeing their devotion — how they center their lives around their home Deities and chant on their beads every morning, despite the struggles of everyday life — really touches my heart.”

Another element of Josef’s service is raising the large amount of funds needed to keep New Vrindaban running every year. With three years of experience as a fundraiser for Greenpeace, and ten running his own fundraising consulting company for non-profit organizations, he’s an expert, inspiring many to donate towards the community’s cow protection and other needs.

While it’s predominantly Indian congregation members who donate and participate in the above programs due to their natural attraction to Krishna consciousness, Josef is also involved in a number of efforts specifically targeted at reaching out to a Western audience.

Chief of these is his service as promoter for Srila Prabhupada’s Palace, known as The Palace of Gold to tourists. Rated one of “8 Religious Wonders to See in The US” by CNN Travel as recently as 2012, the Palace is still New Vrindaban’s ace, and Josef knows it.

Through local TV and newspaper ads, flyers in nearby hotels, and collaborations with local tourist agencies, he has already significantly increased the number of non-Indian visitors since last year. And he attracted major interest from Lenzner, one of the biggest bus tour operators in the US, when 25 of the company’s managers visited New Vrindaban in late April.

“The Palace of Gold is an asset that has potential to revive New Vrindaban as a place of pilgrimage, just like Srila Prabhupada wanted,” he says.

Josef is also a firm believer in the Festival of Colors, introduced in 2012, as a major way to attract Westerners to Krishna consciousness. Last year, over three-and-a-half thousand people, mostly young students from nearby universities, attended the event at New Vrindaban, with nearly twice as many expected this year.

And the first Pittsburgh Festival of Colors, put on by New Vrindaban devotees on April 19^th this year, drew between five and six thousand students from three universities.

To achieve success in all these projects, it’s essential for the New Vrindaban Congregational Development Department to work as a team, one of the most important things that Josef has brought to it.

“I’m trying to cultivate a Vaishnava-like atmosphere of helping each other and an enlivening team spirit where everybody feels welcome and accommodated,” he says.

Josef has many more improvements he hopes to implement in the future. He hopes to grow his team from three active preachers to six or seven, further refine his database of contacts, build a solid base of monthly donations, and upgrade Radha-Vrindabanchandra’s swan boat.

 

With New Vrindaban’s Palace Lodge already beautifully refurbished, he hopes to repeat the process with the cabins by the lake for more quality accommodation, and to renovate the Palace of Gold, a ten-year, multi-million-dollar project.

Meanwhile on the spiritual side, he hopes in the future to see a more systematized way of preaching in the form of an academy where the congregation can study the scriptures and receive Bhakti Sastri diplomas.

Report by Antardvip Das and Bhaktin Klara

From Modra (Slovakia), Kadamba Kanana Swami travelled to Czech on Tuesday (20 May). The first stop was at the village Nove Sady or New Nandagram which is a devotee community currently consisting of eight families. In the presence of Their Lordships Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra, a yajna took place to celebrate the ‘first grains’ ceremony of little Dauji, the son of Gauravani Devi Dasi and Parama Karuna Prabhu.

On Wednesday, Maharaj travelled to Prague and participated in a spectacular maha harinam which included brahmacaris from the Sri Harinam Mandir Traveling Temple of Estonia. The weather was really summer-like and not only did Maharaj make devotees dance but also lots of tourists as well. After the harinam, devotees went to Govinda’s restaurant where they continued glorifying the Lord. Maharaj then gave a public lecture and answered several interesting questions. During the lecture, he again showed his great sense of humour and many times he made all attendees laugh heartily.

Thursday was a day for resting and Maharaj had only a morning lecture on his schedule. However, after lunch, he decided to go out for a walk to a village called Svaty Jan pod Skalou, with a few devotees. Although climbing up to the top of hills was challenging for all who were wearing either Birk’s or Crocs shoes, it was definitely worth it. The reward followed in the form of sweet kirtan on the summit and an even sweeter evening lecture that was inspired by singing on the hill. In this lecture, Maharaj took devotees on a very vivid and fascinating walk through Uchagaon (a village in Varsana), the place of Lalita Devi’s pastimes.
On Friday morning, Maharaj again gave the Srimad Bhagavatam lecture and in the afternoon another maha harinam was planned. It started almost one hour late because of rain and during the harinam, it was still lightly raining but this yuga dharma is very ecstatic and for the major part of it, devotees were followed by locals and visitors to Czech, who were enthusiastically dancing and singing.

Saturday’s morning lecture took place on the farm Krishna’s Court, where Maharaj stayed until the afternoon. He gave a group darshan to disciples, he rendered sweet kirtan to the deities Nitai-Gauranga and then he returned to Prague, this time to the Harinam Mandir. There he led a long, tumultuous kirtan and the temple room, which is considered by devotees to be big enough for such events, was full to bursting. Slowing down of the heart rate was possible only during the lecture which ended with Maharaj announcing wonderful news – he will return to Czech for Janmastami and stay for a few days!

On Sunday morning (25 May), came the time for bidding farewell. After the Srimad Bhagavatam lecture at the temple, Maharaj departed for Leipzig in Germany where in the afternoon he participated in a program in one of the local parks.

These past few days, the Czech devotees were floating on waves of ecstasy after the very personal and kind association of a pure devotee! Already, everyone cannot wait his next visit. His Holiness Kadamba Kanana Swami ki jay!

 

Photos

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Audio

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HG Vatsala Dasa- CC Madhya 17.99-103 – 31.05.2014

The unfortunate position of science is that  it tries  to know  truths which  are beyond is scope.   Though  it  has   no   qualification  for   spiritual  matters,  it  tries   recklessly to understand, and  ends  up  with  worthless conclusions and  a depraved mentality.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

The waterproofing is being taken to the next level, the rainwater pipes are now being installed.

They function to allow the surplus liquid from the dome to pour off and prevent water damage. The building is being protected against water seepage on any level and it will be perfectly sealed against moisture. These pipes will be spread across the dome in many locations for maximum efficiency. The HDPE pipes being used are of the highest quality to ensure that they will last at least 100 years.

The post Update: Waterproofing appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

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This talk is a part of the "Fascinating Mahabharata Characters" series. To know more about this course, please visit: bhakticourses.com

1966 June 6:
"Tritiya. In the evening there was meeting. About more than 16 men & women attended. The meeting was very interesting one gentleman has taken a set of book. Altogether five sets distributed out of 16."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1967 June 6: "Inform Jayananda I have received his letter and the difficulties of life may come as seasonal changes but we should not be disturbed. Our process is to chant and that process will gradually clear everything. Go on with your work with enthusiasm and everything will be solved. We are on the sound footing of Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1967 June 6: "The basic principle of Krishna Consciousness is to receive one and all as our Master, and serve them with prasadam as diet and Krishna Kirtana as medicine for getting free from materially diseased condition. So we shall follow this principle and Krishna will help us on our onward march."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1969 June 6: "The devotees there are very sincere, and upon your joining them, they will be very much encouraged. So please read my books very carefully, and as soon as there is some question you can ask me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 June 6: "I am enclosing a letter which I have received today so you can see the great possibility of propagating this chanting amongst the boys and girls of the Western World. Pradyumna, I am anxious to know about the machines."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969