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From Vaishakh P

It seems to me that a way out of this will be to first understand ourselves to be eternal souls in which case our existence is a necessity. Then, its indeed fascinating that the world around us is moulded in a way that we can exist. From there on, the design argument seems to make perfect sense.

So could you kindly clarify if there is a way that the design argument can stand on its own without the idea of accepting ourselves to be eternal souls or is this idea so fundamental within spirituality that we don't mention it explicitly?

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From Vaishakh P

Some of the atheistic forums is the question of design itself. Their claim is that there's no intelligent design. Now, one may say that there's order that's visible to us, such as the beautiful mountains and how the environment is 'just right' for life to exist.

But their idea is that our existence is insignificant. So out of all the possible configurations that the universe could be in, our current universe is no different from the other possible configurations (which can't sustain life) in terms of design. That we simply feel our configuration to be special because it has enabled our existence. In fact the whole "Anthropic Principle" idea is based on this.

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From: Gopalacarya Das

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01_-_BCS_Seminars_-_Śikṣāṣṭakam_Verse_01_-_2011-08-02_Radhadesh Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare. Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare. So today we are having class on Śikṣāṣṭakam. Mahārāja will be speaking for one hour which will be followed by prasādam. So you know his compassion. Let’s welcome him with three loud Haribols. Devotees: Haribol Haribol Haribol His(...)

From Vijay Gopi Keshava P

In the man in well example you mention that even using the foot holds one can rise but it is extremely difficult. But doesn't this suggest that one can get out of material life (although extremely difficult) even without a rope (an authorized process). But there can be no way out without a valid process. How to understand this?

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In the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, near Durbuy, lies the fairytale castle of Petite Somme. The castle has a long history which now houses the spiritual community, Radhadesh Ardennes. The new residents have thoroughly restored the castle and transformed it into a true spiritual oasis where you can explore the colorful culture of the Indian traditions. The castle is now one of the main attractions of the Ardennes and is open to visitors every day. Read more ›

It’s about the importance of Srila Prabhupada’s position as founder-acarya of ISKCON.

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The prospect of inaugurating the 2014 art exhibits at MOSA with such outstanding, accomplished artists as Shobha Broota, Raghupati Bhat, and Poosapati Parameshwar Raju fills me with profound joy. MOSA’s goal is to bridge the cultural divide between India and Europe and between material and spiritual life. Art is a perfect medium to do so, and we hope that many Europeans will discover the excellent Indian artists who try to convey a spiritual message. We are convinced that MOSA’s visitors will come to appreciate and enjoy the currently exhibited work of all three artists. Read more ›

If you have gradually made progress in chanting a fixed number of rounds each day, studied Srila Prabhupada’s books and given up your unwanted habits, there’s a good chance that you managed to do it with help from other devotees. Perhaps you have some good friends who have always encouraged you; maybe you belong to a group that meets regularly for kirtana and discussion, or perhaps you have the help of a senior devotee who guides you. Whoever helped you this far in your spiritual life is going to be even more important to you after you become initiated. At the time of initiation you will be making lifetime vows that you will be expected to keep. You’ll also be promising to continue to make spiritual advancement just as seriously as you’ve been doing up until now. In order to be successful, you will need various types of help. Firstly, you will need solid, supportive friendships with other devotees who can offer you moral and sometimes practical help. They should be sympathetic to your efforts in spiritual life, and ready to discuss the philosophy and how it applies to their own life. Preferably they should be open and honest and ready to offer you constructive criticism if they feel you need to hear it. Read more ›

1966 May 31:
"Dwadasi: In the afternoon Mr. Robert Nelson came to see me. I requested him to become a member. He agreed and paid $20.00 for the month of June 1966. This is deposited in the Bank."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1968 May 31: "I am going to Montreal and Krishna willing I may be staying for some time to organize the Temple. I have in mind to start two or three branches there, one in Vancouver."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 May 31: "Even Lord Caitanya, His relatives thought of Him as crazy. Hiranyakasipu understood Prahlada as crazy, and he tried to put him in so many forms of Bellevue Hospitals. Therefore I wrote, 'Who Is Crazy?'"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 May 31: "Try to keep nice peace with the police. Our method is to be tolerant. We don't mind for so-called prestige. If keeping peaceful we can execute our Krishna Consciousness duties, that is all we want."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

Sometimes some nasty images come in our mind and make us feel appalled at ourselves: “What kind of devotee am I to be thinking such things? Is there any point to my practice of bhakti?” Yes, there is – the point is that our bhakti practice has enabled us to recognize the images as an unwelcome impurity, not as a welcome opportunity for a free show in our mental studio. The mind is like a software program that records and replays especially those things that have excited some emotion within us. So, in response to our default search for pleasure, the mind periodically replays the impressions of the things we enjoyed in our pre-devotional life. Read more ›

1972 May 31: "Krsna has given you the opportunity to make advancement by becoming very responsible. So take this responsibility to heart and be always jolly and determined. You must be the perfect example for others to follow."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1972 May 31: "Now push on with full enthusiasm to save the fallen humanity. This Krsna Consciousness Movement is the only thing that will save them. You yourself become very convinced of this and be very bold in preaching Krsna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

1974 May 31: "We may get permission for our men to enter Jagannatha Puri temple. It will be an important achievement for our society. Take these statements from Swami and the Endowment Minister. Try for it in earnest and Krsna will help you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 May 31: "Regarding your sarod playing, I shall hear you play when I come next. Continue doing nice plays for the public. This can be very attractive if it is done very nicely."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

The May 26th grand swearing-in ceremony of India’s new Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, in the capital city of New Delhi, turned out to be a high-profile event with several head of states, leading businessmen, scholars, spiritual leaders, movie stars and sports players participating in it. ISKCON was also specially invited to this carefully tailored event and was represented by its Indian Communications Director, Vrajendranandan Dasa.

Krishna Katha Day 05 by H H Bhakti Rasamrita Swami 13 Sept 2012

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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

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?

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

Who 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.

 

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.

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYvzkU4

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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 ›

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

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!

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 ›

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

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 ›