8 Bhakti Yoga Graduates from the New Govardhana Bhakti Yoga Course, Australia
→ Dandavats.com

TESTIMONIALS: "After 10 years of study at school, I finally studied the real thing at the Bhakti Yoga Course." - Jue "The Bhakti Yoga Course provided a solid foundation for my new start i n devotional life. The knowledge I gained I can take with me wherever I go." - Teiana "There is so much knowledge to be gained by participating in the Bhakti Yoga Course. Easy to understand for newcomers and still full of nectar for those who have been practising for a long time." - Kera "Every class I attended in the Course encouraged me to go the right way and gave me positive energy to keep going." - Yumin "This Course has given me inspiration for attentive chanting and attending the morning program. It has taught me to regulate my activities and change my consciousness towards Krishna." - Parama Purusha Nitai dasa "They say that as a gurukuli one can take advantage of Krishna consciousness, and I think I am taking advantage in a good way. I've realised that materialistic people are looking for happiness in so many ways, but I don't need to look elsewhere because I have found real happiness." - Tulasi "I learned a lot from the Course as a beginner. I found that it has given me a good foundation. There is a lot more to learn and realise, but the Bhakti Yoga Course provides a kick start. All the basic principles are covered and it is well structured and well presented." - Yogita Read more ›

Go-Veg Hare Krishna Cycle Team, New South Wales, Australia
→ Dandavats.com

It has been seven years since the Go-Veg team started as the first Hare Krishna cycling team here in the Northern Rivers. Since then, they have participated in many events, both local and interstate, and are currently competing in the A Division. The members are Phalguna Krishna dasa, Narottama dasa and Sridhama dasa, who, through discipline and constant training, are able to hold their ground with the other riders. This shows the rest of the cycling community that being a vegetarian is no hindrance to performance. In the beginning, some wondered how the Go-Veg team would be able to keep up with the others, but now some of their fellow competitors have actually adopted a veg-based diet; some even eliminating meat altogether. Read more ›

Do not delay the practice of devotion
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Most  people think  that    they    can  enjoy  the  world now  and    worship the  Lord  in  old  age.   That, however, is unacceptable, for time  is a   precious thing  .  We should begin   to practice from the very day that we see its urgency.  Man's  life is indeed a  rare   achievement, but it is also insecure, as we cannot  say when we will die.  Thus  we should never  think  that we should not worship the Lord   when we are children.  In history we see how  Dhruva and  Prahlada received the Lord's  mercy  when they  were   children.  Is there  any  doubt that   any  human being,   being   capable   of  doing   an  activity,   cannot,   without  effort, achieve  it?   As well,  what  is practiced from  an  early  age  gradually becomes  a natural action.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Shivananda Ashram, Bahamas- Memorial Day Weekend Kirtans and Workshops – 05/23/14
→ Mayapuris.com

Who
Shivananda Ashram, Bahamas- Memorial Day Weekend Kirtans and Workshops
When
Friday, May 23, 2014
8:00pm - All Ages
Where
Shivananda Ashram, Bahamas (map)
Paradise Island
Nassau, Bahamas
Other Info
During this weekend, the Mayapuris will lead us in the ancient practice of Kirtan, or chanting, the heart and soul of devotional yoga. Together they will guide us in a heart- opening adventure through breath, movement and sacred sound, blending these traditions in a deep and playful way. Each member of the Mayapuris will offer unique workshops on The Art of Kirtan and Bhakti Yoga.

« Back to the calendar

Let Me Taste Some Pleasure
→ Japa Group


"O Krsna! Thakura Bhaktivinoda has warned us that inattention is the main door into the house of aparadhas. O Krsna! Please let me taste some pleasure in Your names, so I can focus my full attention on chanting. May Your holy names become deeply impressed in my mind."

From Art Of Chanting Hare Krsna
by Mahanidhi Swami

Devotee specialists
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 31 March 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.5.1)

greys-anatomyWe have our natures and are naturally attracted to a particular type of service; that is fine! But we should not become specialists and say, “I can do only this and nothing else!” When required, we must be able to do anything and everything. This is a devotee because service is what is important. It is Krsna that is important and whatever he needs, that must be done!

ISKCON Hungary Sends Aid to the Flood Affected Bosnia
→ ISKCON News

On May 23rd, ISKCON Hungary has sent a group of volunteers to the flood affected Bosnia. Having served in several flood and other natural disaster affected areas, these volunteers are experienced humanitarian workers. Primarily, they will help in the Sarajevo area by cooking, serving, driving and taking care of the victims in many other ways.

Finnish Devotee Scholar at University of Pune
→ ISKCON News

Finland is considered to be one of the top countries in the world what comes to education and one of the policies of Finnish government is to export education.Tattvavada das was invited to participate a group which consisted of well-respected Finnish professors  from Tampere, Turku and East-Finland (Joensuu) universities. Main lectures were held in Pune and Mumbai and they were arranged by the university of Pune.

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-05-23 12:30:00 →

1964 May 23: "I shall request you with all humility to cooperate with this mission and thus be benefited yourself. By the Grace of Lord Sri Krishna you are one of the very important business magnates and I may inform you on the authority of great Acaryas that it is our duty to make the best use of our money so long it is with us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1947-64

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-05-23 12:14:00 →

1972 May 23: "Unless there is connection with a bona fide Spiritual Master there is no possibility of making progress in spiritual life. So I have established ISKCON centers for the purpose of catching up the Lotus Feet of Krishna by intimate connection with the bona fide Spiritual Master. These are my authorized centers for that purpose."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1972

I like to chant and meditate on the Supersoul. As that is my nature, can I just do this and not do other devotional activities?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Vishal

I am by nature wanting to be quiet and only discuss with any one if the other one begins. I am attracted  by the parmatama form Lord Krishna. I like to chant Hare Krishna m.m. and just meditate on its vibrations within my heart. I am at present not ready to do other services out of the nine ways of Bhakti.
So is chanting and trying to meditate on parmatma Krishna ok...
I think that since every living being has come from the spiritual world, he has his own identity and since I feel that I am naturally attracted to parmatma photo I just tend to chant constantly within mouth and try to chant 16 rounds on beads. Is it Ok?

Answer Podcast

When religions like Buddhism are non-Vedic, how can Veda be the source of all knowledge?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From: Praveen Nayak

Prabhuji could you please explain what do we mean by Vedas mean All knowledge, while we say for example Buddhism, Jainism, Charvakism etc are considered atheistic from vedic perspective since they dont accept vedas. So if there is knowledge not part of Vedas then how does Vedas mean ALL knowledge.

Answer Podcast

Is God improbable because he has to be more complex than his creation and complex things have very low probability of emerging?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Paul:

Richard Dawkins argues that by proposing to explain the complexity of the world using a God, theist don't solve but end up doubling the problem of complexity because God has to be at least as complex as his creation. What is the answer to this argument?

Answer Podcast

Why Caitanya Caritamrita is the authoritative source of Lord Chaitanya’s teachings
→ The Spiritual Scientist

In  order   to  understand the  teachings of  Lord  Caitanya, we  must   refer  to  the  Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. Lord Caitanya himself  did   not leave any written works,  except the eight  verses  of the Siksastaka.  There  are few verses  attributed to him  in the Padyavali, but  from  those  verses  we cannot  take  any  systematic instructions.  There  is also  a few very  small  books  which   some  people claim  were  written by  Lord  Caitanya.   After examining everything, we must  conclude that  these  are all false claims.   From the many works   which   the  Goswamis  wrote   we  can  thoroughly understand  Lord   Caitanya's teachings, but  they  do  no  mention any  works  written by  Lord  Caitanya Himself.  Sri Caitanya Caritamrta is the authoritative work.   From  this  work  we can understand the Lord's  character and  teachings. These teachings are confirmed perfectly by the words of the  Goswamis.  For this  reason  Sri Caitanya Caritamrta is given  so much  respect.   Sri Krsna  Dasa  Kaviraja  appeared immediately after  Lord  Caitanya.   Mahaprabhu's direct disciples, Raghunatha Goswami, Rupa  Goswami and  many  others   assisted Krsna  Dasa in writing his work.        Before him  Kavi Karnapura had  written Sri Caitanya Candrodayanataka and  Vrndavana das  Thakura had  written Sri Caitanya Bhagavata. These works  were  a great  help  to Krsna  Dasa Kaviraja.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Wednesday, May 21st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Day At Winnipeg

Newly arrived from India are Vishvambar and his wife, Mahasundari, a young couple.  It was Vishvambar whom I lead to a park near his home, hoping that I could convince him of the joys of early morning outside freshness.   I hope he makes it a routine to get out and walk.  Both he and his wife arrived in March of this year when they were met by a blast of cold at 40 below Celsius, and just after coming from India’s temperature at 40 above.  Successfully, they have weathered the weather after the most unforgiving winter of all time (in my humble opinion).  I see that the couple are a pair of optimists.

We do have the great wisdom of the Bhagavad-gita to console us over the extremities of life.  In chapter two, the speaker, Krishna, explains that dualities such as winter and summer, come and go, as do happiness and distress.  “One must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.”

In the afternoon, I found myself for a time in Winnipeg’s major downtown library, where 18 years before I gave an address to the inquisitive about my then trek through the nation.  While sitting there in conversation with someone, I could witness a diverse group of people in the course of my chatting.  Judging by clothes wear and behaviour, I saw extremities in people’s life approaches.  It was interesting.  In this case, I took in the dualities as entertaining and not so threatening. 

The beautiful closure to the day had me conducting a Kirtan Standards Seminar at the ISKCON Centre on 108 Chestnut Street.  Our group was discussing standards for mantra meditation, and adherence to traditions established by sages from the ancient past.  It’s always cool to have blessings that come from those who have been here before us. 

May the Source be with you!

3 KM

Some good advice
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Rama Naumi Initiation Lecture)
kks_radhdesh_2013Initiation is not only about the ceremony but afterwards, success in spiritual life always depends on blessings. So, always look for blessings – blessings of the Supreme Lord and blessings of great devotees, either from the past or from the present. By always seeking blessings, we will make it and we will be successful!

My role is to give you good advice now and after the initiation to continue to guide you. Also, I am suppose to pray for you, for your benefit. On the strength of whatever service I have done, I pray that Krsna may accept your service! So my prayer is there, that Krsna will take you back to Godhead at the end of this life. All that is there but at the same time though, I cannot be there always.

In the Chandogya Upanishad, three types of spiritual masters are described. One is like the bird who feed their young constantly, endlessly. The other one is like the fish who supervises but lets its young go on its own but at the time of danger, the fish is there. The third type of spiritual master is like the tortoise who places the eggs in the sand on the beach and waits for the sun to create heat and then the eggs germinate – he meditates on them. So, this relationship is going to be a bit of all three.

Sometimes, I am really ready to come in and give lots of personal attention and at other times, it is going to be really as cold as a fish. Or even worse, the tortoise mediating at a distance for the well-being of the disciple. But do not forget that the spiritual master is our ever well-wisher and we should not think, ‘Oh, he has not answered my mail!’  We should not think, ‘I do not have a relationship with him.’

If we think that we do not have a relationship with our spiritual master then it means that the fault is placed with us – it means we are not coming forward in service; it means that something is lacking in our service attitude! Because when we think that the spiritual master is the one who has to do all these things, ‘He has to come and inspire me. He has to say deep things. He has to do psychoanalysis on me and fully understand me better than I understand myself, then he has to enlighten me in that. So, I have to be able to feel that. So, he says things that are deep and profound and go really deep like that.’ No, he may or he may not.

Srila Prabhupada said, ‘I am instructing my disciples intimately in public!’ I really like that – intimately in public, so much is said in public. We must keep that in mind that the onus is on us, as disciples, to dedicate ourselves. We should understand that the spiritual master is always dedicated even if he does not give much attention, still his well-wishes and his prayers for us are there and he is always thinking of us. He may have so many disciples and he may not have the time to speak to each one of them but still, for each of these disciples, his prayer to Krsna is there that the mercy may come and he is meditating like that. So, we should not under estimate what is really going on behind the scenes.