ISKCON Disciples Course – June 13-17, 2014
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Please mark your dates for the first ever ISKCON Disciples Course in Toronto from Friday, June 13th - Tuesday, June 17th. This course has been developed by the GBC (Governing Body Commission) and shall be a mandatory pre-requisite for all devotees accepting first OR second initiation by an ISKCON guru, effective Janmastami 2015. We encourage all devotees to try their best to attend and also request your help in spreading the word for the course.

This course will cover several important aspects, including:

- The importance of accepting initiation in disciplic succcession
- Srila Prabhupada's special position
- How to select a spiritual master
- Relationships in a multi-guru environment
- Parallel lines of authority and much more...

The course will be facilitated by HG Laxmimoni devi dasi, who is a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada. She has been involved in ISKCON educational projects since 1974. Now, she is a member of the GBC Ministry of Educational Development and a GBC Deputy.

Timings:

Friday, June 13th: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday, June 14th: 10:30am - 6:00pm
Sunday, June 15th: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Monday, June 16th and Tuesday, June 17th: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

To help us better prepare for this very important course, please click here to sign up for the course. We welcome donations to help cover for the costs of the course.



Monday, June 9th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Salmo, British Columbia

Downward

From the summit of the Kootenays, Karuna and I began our descent.  The experience of the downward trend is quite different.  Now, we flowed with the water which is a snow-thawed river called Lost Creek.  We also saw no buildings as on our ascent, because this is apparently Crown Land.  The leg muscles used for reaching the valley at the bottom are also different than the muscles used for the upward climb.  And instead of hitting cool breezes as we gained elevation levels yesterday, today we entered more warmth.  Now, finally we saw at the base of the Kootenay Summit Pass, our first house.  It was a change from seeing trees, mountains and gushing waters for two days with no human habitat. 

Daruka took us back over the summit by car after our reaching the mountain’s base.  It’s actually a bit hard on the engine.  Happy duty called for an engagement at the Creston Yoga Centre where we delivered Tails From Trails, and then mantra meditation.  I love the questions that came forth, addressing the hurdles of ego, temptations and so on.  I believe that these people in the heart aspire to be righteous and to be clean inwardly.  When someone asked in the group if I’m enlightened, I could honestly respond that it’s a work in progress and that it’s a long road. 

Two more beautiful things transpired in Creston.  There was an interview with a local FM station, and most important was meeting Lorne again from ‘The Advance’ paper.  He remembers me from 2006 and interviewed me once again.  Also, something needs to be said about the moose and the bear that were curious about the walking monk and his companion, Karuna.  No interviews came from them, they were just inquisitive.

May the Source be with you!

33 KM

Sunday, June 8th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Kootenay Summit, British Columbia

Reach The Top
 
It was a very gradual climb to the tallest mountain in the Kootenay range.  17,074 metres is what my legs ascended.  Not a big deal.  It was gorgeous at the top with snow all about.  It resembles how I picture Siva’s abode – serene, fresh, clean. 

At that summit, cyclists, motorists, and the very rare walker, were sharing travelling stories.  There, to our surprise, we also met a fellow from Kilarney, Manitoba, whom we had the good fortune to meet last summer when I trekked through.  Small world at the top of the world. 

It was a third time that a gentleman saw me walking and he decided to stop and offer me his award winning cherry juice product.  That was the tastiest nectar you’ll ever have.  He and others took the trouble to stop their vehicle, turn around on this hazardous climbing road, to offer drink and food. 

Speaking of food, restaurateurs, Vijeta and Ariya are running a successful eating place at Baker Street in Nelson.  After reaching the top of the Kootenay Summit, our team of four, including Billie the parrot, drove off to Nelson and the Jagannatha Puri Express restaurant for a tour of the place, followed by a program I conducted at the residence of the couple.  Friends came, and for some of them it was a first in experiencing a “Krishna thing” according to one person.

In my talk I emphasized some universal principles such as, we are not these bodies, we are spirits.  For the spirit there is no beginning and no end.  And finally, as humans, we have the obligation to seek liberation and to terminate bondage. 

To our hosts, Vijeta and Ariya, thank you so much.  Your hospitality reached the top.

May the Source be with you!

29 KM

Goloka-fest, Barnaul, Russia, 2014 (Album 174 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The holy name of Lord Krishna is a reservoir of all transcendental happiness. It destroys the sins of the Kali-yuga. It is the most purifying of all purifying things. It is the saintly person's food as he traverses the path to the spiritual world. It is the pleasure garden where the voices of the greatest saints, philosophers, and poets play. It is the life of the righteous and the seed of the tree of religion. May that holy name of Lord Krishna bring transcendental auspiciousness to you all.—author unknown (Padyavali 3) Read more ›

A Vedic Structure In England?
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Charles Alban: Here's A Remarkable Thing I'd Never Heard Of. It's A Shell Grotto In Margate, A Coastal Town In The County Of Kent. According To Pn Oak, All These Are Sanskrit Words...kent Comes From Cainthi, A Coast, Margate Is Sanskrit. This Is A Very High Level Of Workmanship And Is Pre-christian. Could This Be Vedic Symbolism? May Be A Vishnu Temple? Read more ›

Perform sacrifice and become self-sufficient!
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Dear Devotees, Pamho, AGTSP There is a growing movement against factory farming and the destruction of the environment. It seems that the "materialists or karmis" are waking up and exceeding some of our, efforts, however we cannot discount the powerful subtle effects that Srila Prabhupada and the International Society of Krishna Consciousness has had on the world psyche and that it is creating an incredible paradigm shift. Unfortunately India is choosing to follow the wrong path. Read more ›

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ June 10, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

IMG_7910

Srimati Radharani’s maidservants are very beautiful. The vines of their arms and wrists are charmingly decorated with bracelets and armlets. The bells on their sashes and anklets tinkle melodiously. Their jewelled earrings are lovely. Their glistening braided hair is charming and splendid and the flower buds of their breasts are nicely decorated with necklaces of jewels. They have given all their love to their mistress, Sri Radha. In this way please meditate on the golden-complexioned maidservants of Srimati Radharani.

Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, Sataka-2, Text-59, Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

AFFCAP June – July 2014 Newsletter
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Hare Krishna. The Temple President said NO. You make her strong and keep her here forever. Srila Prabhuapada said "whenever a Cow comes under our protection he or she can never be given up at any cost" Jaya Srila Prabhupada. I was saved. I was saved and living in the Temple. I get Prasad, I hear the holy name and one devotee from AFFCAPcomes over here every day and gives me a good scratch with his brush. He gave me an eartag so that I can never get lost again. I think he is in charge of AFFCAPand I hear of the wonderful work they are doing. Counting cows, to make sure that no one else in an AFFCAPGoshalla gets pushed out the gate or sold to some so called nice farmer. Read more ›

New Vrindaban 24 Hour Kirtan Set to “Tattoo Hearts with the Holy Name”
→ ISKCON News

Today, 24 and 12 hour kirtan festivals seem to be spreading all over the world like wildfire. Devotees are gathering to immerse themselves in the Holy Name every year with events like Kirtan Mela in Mayapur, Germany and Australia; in the UK;  Italy,  Belgium, and several places in the US. But back when the New Vrindaban 24 Hour Kirtan began in West Virginia, it was one of only a small handful of early trendsetters.

Bhagavad Gita As it Is Essay Competition for university Students $10,000 cash prize (Australia)
→ Dandavats.com

The ‘Bhagavad-gita As It Is Essay Competition’ is a non-sectarian initiative to enable students to delve into an ancient eastern philosophy that has answers to today’s problems of the environment, ecology and the human condition. It is open to all tertiary level students (part- or full-time) at Australian universities and TAFEs nationwide. There is an entrance fee of $35 via PayPal. Upon entry, a hard copy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada will be sent to the applicant’s postal address, as well as access to an electronic version of the book and a set of introductory materials to help explain and give context. Read more ›

‘Witness to a Temple’ – New Book from Auckland (Album 106 amazing rare historical photos)
→ Dandavats.com

'Witness to a Temple' by Mādri devī dāsī is an Auckland ISKCON history (1972-2004) filled with memories and stories of the early days in New Zealand including the three visits of Śrīla Prabhupāda to Auckland. In the second half of the book we follow the pioneer devotees as they undergo hardships and austerities in developing a spiritual community at New Varshan while at the same time building a glorious temple for their beloved Deities Śrī Śrī Rādhā Giridhārī. Read more ›

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-06-11 06:24:00 →

1966 June 11: "I am confident to see fulfillment of Lord Caitanya's mission in every corner of the world. His Divine Grace wanted this mission to be fructified during His presence but He was so much disappointed in His last days for many of His follower's indisciplinary activities. I do not know how far I shall be successful in this attempt but I am trying my best as He wanted me to do."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966