Srila Prabhupada Envisions New Vrindaban Janmastami Celebrations To Be Held “With Great Pomp” And For His Followers To Make Pilgrimage Annually – May 1970
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Prabhupada New Vrindaban 1969

Srila Prabhupada at the original New Vrindaban farmhouse, 1969.

Srila Prabhupada Envisions New Vrindaban Janmastami Celebrations To Be Held “With Great Pomp” And For His Followers To Make Pilgrimage Annually – May 1970.

From a series of letters written by Srila Prabhupada outlining his vision for New Vrindaban.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.

——————————————————————

May 22, 1970

My Dear Hayagriva,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 16th May, 1970. I am very glad you are coming here by the 6th of June next, and it will be a great opportunity to discuss at that time about New Vrindaban, and other affairs.

Your remark on the student demonstration is quite appropriate. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura said that materialistic knowledge is another expansion of the influence of Maya. The result of material education is that the living entity forgets his own identification and takes to the business of a particular type of body which is given to him by the grace of Maya. The Vedic education means one has to understand his real identity as brahman or the spirit soul. Unfortunately the modern educational system is so defective that everyone is educated to accept this body as self. At the present moment they have no clear idea of identification, so much so that even a person who is partially advanced about the importance of the soul does also improperly identify himself with the Supreme Brahma.

So Krsna Consciousness Movement is meant for defying both classes of men; namely the karmis and the jnanis or yogis. That is our mission. Now among our students those who are advanced should take up this matter more seriously, and the Movement which you have started may not be stopped for want of adequate preachers—that is my request to you all. I am very glad to know that Kirtanananda Maharaja has now taken up this matter seriously and is preaching. Similarly I expect our advanced students like you, Rupanuga, Bhagavan das, Brahmananda, etc., may be seriously engaged now for preaching this cult.

Yes, I have received the tape as well as your “Chant” booklet. I am sorry they were not acknowledged earlier. I have asked Boston to send you the KRSNA tapes for part II. They are already edited, and it is nice, still you can have a final glance over it. After your final editing is the work retyped by Syama dasi.

If I go to New Vrindaban, I will go during Janmastami festival there to see how Kirtanananda Maharaja has arranged. We have to make program that the Janmastami ceremony is held in New Vrndavana with great pomp—as much as the Rathayatra festival is to be performed in San Francisco. Similarly I propose to have great festival in Honolulu which is now New Navadvipa. This festival is to be observed during the Advent of Lord Caitanya’s birthday. In this way the students should meet in these different important places at least 3 to 4 times in a year so that the work in different centers may go on uniformly.

Hope this will meet you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:db

New Vrindaban ISKCON logo

Krishna’s unique mercy on the Vrajavasis
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Though elsewhere he is worshipped and  revered by all as the  Supreme Lord, here [in Vraja], as the life of all the inhabitants, he sometime descends to the worshipper's level and   sometimes becomes  his subordinate. If  it were  not like this, could  the  lowly  living  entity  have  a relation of  love with  God?   Can  the  Lord,  who  is filled with  the highest sport,  endowed with  free will, and  eager  for  the love of the soul, hanker for  man's  offering  of worship or  feel genuinely satisfied with  it?     Krsna,  the reservoir of sweet  pastimes,  thus  covers  his   majestic  aspect  with  sweetness, accepts equality with or  subordination to qualified souls in transcendental Vrndavana, and feels bliss.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Sadhu Sanga Retreat – Part Three
→ travelingmonk.com

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 ]

Friday, May 30th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Coleman, Alberta
 
Entering the Land of Giants
 
We entered a new universe.  Yes, today, very clearly Karuna and I entered the Rocky Mountains.  Leaving the open plains behind us we are now amidst the jolly green giants (some of beautifully snow-capped, by the way).  We now see only small portions of the sky as it is upstaged .
 
Okay, so we entered some quaint towns, many of them with a history of coal mining.  This meant prosperity for some generations but disaster for another.  At Frank, the town, we read a plaque informing us of the great loss of lives and sacrifice.
 
“In the early morning of 29 April, 1903, most of the almost 600 residents were asleep.  At 4:10, a crashing and thunderous roar filled the dark, sleeping town and spilled out into the Crowsnest Pass.  A wedge of limestone over one kilometre wide, 425 metres long and 150 metres deep had broken from the crest of Turtle Mountain…In about 90 seconds homes, buildings and lives were destroyed…Seventy people died.  It was the worst natural disaster to overtake Alberta.  Stories are still told of the man who fought through the slide to flag down an oncoming train, or of the baby unharmed perched on a boulder.”
 
Karuna and I had come to know that similar kinds of coal mining tragedies took place in the last century along the Crowsnest Pass.  You can’t help feeling for these people, perhaps even offer a prayer or a mantra even though their lives have passed on long ago.  I guess, it’s a good reason to view this trail as a pilgrim’s route.
 
Later on we happened to meet a coal miner by profession.  We learned about his life as he did about ours in the monastic vein of things.
In the afternoon section of walking, which I did solo, I encountered plenty of appreciative motorists expressing by honks or hand waves.  That credit goes largely to the radio announcements made over-the-air waves that I’m out for a spiritual healing.

May the Source be with you!
 
34 KM

Thursday, May 29th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Pincher Creek, Alberta

Windswept
 
Eric Clapton’s, ‘Further On Down the Road’ was playing off of Michael’s I-phone over moderate volume speakers as he drove me to the spot from where I left the day before.  For it’s genre of music, rock, it sounds good and inspires Michael.  I’m not opposed to it but for 4:30 am I’m accustomed to something quite different.  That different form of inspiration for me was doing my own more mellow song.  It’s called ‘Guruvastakam’ – a song in Sanskrit to honour the spiritual master.

Michael recorded it.  As I was walking I was hooked up to a cordless mic.  Then Michael stored this beautiful song composed by Visvanath Chakravarti.  The winds really started to pick up and as one local put it, “And this isn’t windy season yet!”  Air currents travel over the mountains which you can see from the distance.  They then swoop down engulfing every square inch of space on the open prairie surface.  At one point I struggled to keep my lower robes down.

At the Rotary Club luncheon in Pincher Creek I felt honoured to speak to the members about the windswept plains.  They were also curious to know about the purpose behind all this marathon trekking.  I presented some of my key reasons for doing so, one of which is that I had a bad year in ’95.  Gossip, some rumour-mongering and such, penetrated our community.  “That happens in all communities, right?  After all, we’re all human.”  And of course, that remark resonated with everyone.

Questions came after my talk and one gentleman offered a comment.  It was about gossip.  The abbreviated version goes something like this: “Mildred was the town gossip.  She started a rumour about a local man declaring he was a drunkard.  The man confronted Mildred and asked her why she made up a story that wasn’t true.  “I saw your car parked in front of the pub several nights ago,” said Mildred.  The man left and came back that night and parked his car in front of her house and left it there overnight.  Mildred stopped the gossip.

I want to thank the Rotary Club of Pincher Creek and The Echo newspaper and the on-line news presented by Christian Davis.

May the Source be with you!
 
37 KM

An important element of happiness
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 8 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Rama Naumi Initiation Lecture )
kks_CZ_2014One element of happiness is giving mercy to others – that brings happiness. That always brings happiness when we see how destitute people are getting mercy, that is very nice. We were just in the Ratha Yatra in Newcastle (South Africa), there was one bum off the street and he had a cloud of alcohol smell at least two metres around him, so it was serious. But when the kirtan came by, it struck a chord; something made him happy and he started to dance. He danced funny moves and he danced the whole way.
Then at one point, one of the devotees started dancing with him and then at one point, this devotee gave him a huge hug. Oh sure, that guy did not have a huge hug for a long long time – that really lifted him up like anything, God! He became actually happy since it was a long time that he had been accepted by anyone and not chased away like a dog, “Get out of here! You animal!” But for the first time in a long time, he was treated like a human being and that mercy lifted him up and also the devotee who did that became totally ecstatic!
I saw it and I also got a glimmer in my eye, ‘Hey, something is going on here. This is on a transcendental plane. This is on a plane of extraordinary generosity.’ Wherever we see that – that giving to uplift others, there we gain happiness!

 

The Qualities of a Sadhu, April 25, Sadhu Sanga Retreat, Boone, North Carolina
Giriraj Swami

10403942_10202013574043877_4714217858590807710_o At the Sadhu Sanga Retreat, Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.21.

“The mind can tell us things like, ‘All this chanting is a nuisance. It is getting in the way of our sense gratification.’ The mind can give us the same kind of message as the demons outside of us give: ‘Why should you be chanting Krishna’s name? People should be chanting your name. Why should Krishna be the center? You should be the center—people just haven’t recognized it yet.’ Our false ego creates a whole false identity and false conception of the world. There are seven billion people on the planet, and each one is thinking that he or she should be the center and everyone else should do what he or she wants. It’s like everyone is walking around thinking, ‘Excuse me, I have an important announcement to make: I am the center of the universe and you all should do what I want.’ So, what do we do when there are enemies or difficulties? We take shelter of Krishna. We see this with every surrendered devotee, and especially with the residents of Vrindavan. When our mind gives us difficulty—which may be every day, every hour, or every minute—we must take shelter of Krishna and the devotees of Krishna. And in a way, the devotees are more merciful than Krishna. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that when a person wants to pick up something that has fallen on the ground he extends his hand; so when Krishna wants to pick up a soul that has fallen into the material world, he extends his hand in the form of a sadhu, or devotee. So karunika—the sadhu is very merciful.”

1796971_10202013497401961_1558764492763254477_o10256073_10202004599539520_5633375772164972159_o10295517_10202013540563040_8915371953584007810_o10265443_10202013506122179_786405808718044544_o10397202_10202013624925149_6276473938269523712_o10379832_10202004614739900_210224411444856571_o10372913_10202004590699299_6501673571539649914_o10365392_10202002222320091_1349259562305679845_o10296212_10202004591019307_6351360641663382750_o10273141_10202013634645392_969666036923507119_o10256629_10202002210919806_689862823054200941_o1415270_10202004597019457_8893434619517779570_o

—————————-

The Qualities of a Sadhu, SB 3.25.21

My annual japa retreat
→ simple thoughts

Share

Attentive Japa?
16 round’s done to the best of my ability?
It’s an interesting question and one I would readily answer with a Yes!
16 rounds done initiation promise kept!
Each year I take my niece away for a week and as she doesn’t raise till late it allows me to take time improving my japa (it’s been an annual retreat)
Taking time to listen to each word of the Mahamantra with no pressure that a working day brings.
The normal for me suspect’s had slipped in rushed rounds and slurred/shortened pronunciation of the Mahamantra, the focus on completing the prescribed number of round’s not the overall quality confusing this as good attentive japa.
Being away allows that breathing space clearing the mind without the need to keep one eye on the clock, slowly pronouncing each word:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

image

Each bead each round slower more precise, more fulfilling the joy of Japa seeping through and along with that comes deep realisation’s a deeper understanding of bhakti and personal responsibility.
Each year I benefit from these break’s for me I call them mini japa retreat’s a reminder of the joy that comes from true. Attentive japa and as in previous years making the same promise to keep this standards going, the reality is sidetracked by work the same bad habits will slip in sadly.
However it reminded me of this when we complain their is no joy that the chanting is dry and a little stale it is not a problem with the Mahamantra or Bhakti but our or should I say my own personal mentality
This annual time out to personally reconnect and improve my japa always brings with it the greatest rewards and going of my own experience I would encourage other’s to also take the time to focus solely on japa.

Harinama Explosion In Prague (Album 21 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Therefore it should be understood that one is easily relieved from all sinful reactions by chanting the holy name of the Lord and chanting of His qualities and activities. This is the only process recommended for relief from sinful reactions. Even if one chants the holy name of the Lord with improper pronunciation, he will achieve relief from material bondage if he chants without offenses. Ajämila, for example, was extremely sinful, but while dying he merely chanted the holy name, and although calling his son, he achieved complete liberation because he remembered the name of Näräyaëa. SB 6.3.24 Read more ›

Yoga/wellness and Nutrition Consultation – Every Sunday at ISKCON Brampton
→ ISKCON Brampton

YOGA and WELLNESS (Before Sunday Feast)

Sundays from 10:am - 11 am
Empower your mind and strengthen your body as you move through a series of meaningful poses.
Rashmi Ahuja will be conducting Yoga classes every Sunday from 10 -11 am before the Sunday feast programs. The classes will be focused on promoting physical and mental health.
Contact: (416)569-6373 or (905)488-7272





NUTRITIONAL CONSULTATION:

Rashmi  is offering her services as a nutrition expert to help devotees with their health and dietary needs. Rashmi 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

Do we need to posit the existence of eternal souls to make the design argument robust?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

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?

Answer Podcast

Do the Anthropic Principle and the multiverse theory make the design argument redundant?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

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.

Answer Podcast

Bhakti Charu Swami 2014-05-31 14:17:10
Bhakti Charu Swami

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(...)

Just as one can climb out of a well without a rope using footholds in the wall, can one get liberated without following a valid process?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

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?

Answer Podcast

The Bakery department of Radhadesh celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a bang! (Album 31 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

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 ›

Museum of Sacred Art Belgium – Inaugurating the 2014 art exhibits (2 min video)
→ Dandavats.com

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 ›

Initiation ceremony, Iskcon Russia (Album 67 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

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 ›

The mind may replay, but we don’t have to play
→ Dandavats.com

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 ›

ISKCON Participates in Indian Prime Minister’s Inauguration Ceremony
→ ISKCON News

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.