Transcendental consciousness
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 March 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Sunday Lecture)

Six_GoswamisWhen living beings face death, it is difficult but a person in transcendental knowledge can understand it.

How long are we together? Now, we are a circle of people – there are some new ones – but many old friends come together regularly, seeing each other, greeting each other, “Hey! Happy to see you!” Then, at one point, the souls separate and there is such a distance between us.

The scriptures give us the perspective of two straws floating in a river, together for a short time, and then the waves of time separate them. What a vision! So these sages, the sages of the Bhagavatam, the sages of the scriptures, are totally living in that kind of consciousness.

And yet, they are not cold towards others. It is not that they think, “Oh, you’re just a straw. We’re just together for a little while, you know. Why would I invest any emotion in you, O, Straw? Forget it! If we are just two straws floating together, I’m not gonna love you because tomorrow, you’ll float away. You’re just straw like any other straw!”

The sages did not become cold. The sages actually loved all the straw – they loved the straw that was with them and also the straw that was not with them. They gave their love to whoever was with them. They gave their affection whole-heartedly. Then, some went away but someone else would come, and they would give it to someone else.

In this way, they were detached but not cold – not emotionally cold. That is transcendental consciousness. 

 

Service is My Life, May 21, New Goloka, Hillsborough, North Carolina
Giriraj Swami

6-prabhupadaGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23.

“Srila Prabhupada was speaking about varnasrama-dharma—brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasa, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, and sudra. Someone challenged, ‘You have described this hierarchy of different categories, so where do you fit in?’ He assumed that Srila Prabhupada had presented the explanation to establish himself at the top. Srila Prabhupada was silent, then looked down and said, ‘I am the lowest. I am the servant of everyone.’ So that was his mood, and such a person is very dear to Krishna.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.23

Lessons from Churning the Milk Ocean
→ HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami

26-12-2012 SB 8.6.32-39, Lessons from Churning the Milk Ocean, Cape Town, South Africa Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 8, Chapter 6, the demigods and demons declare a truce, text 32. tato devasurau katva saavidaa kata-sauhadau udyamaa paramaa cakrur amatarthe parantapa tatau—thereafter; deva-asurau—both the demons and the demigods; katva—executing; saavidam—indicating; kata-sauhadau—an armistice between them; udyamam—enterprise; paramam—supreme; cakrua—they did; [...]

Pics and Piles
- TOVP.org

“What did you say, ” was shouted across the temple floor. Pointing and miming followed. Then a head nod.

Since the sound of machinery and the chatter of laborers fill the ether with the healthy buzz of progress, devotees working on the TOVP site have been forced to find an alternative means of communication to speaking. Miraculously, it is a mutually understood secret language between those who spend hours together measuring widths, chalking lines and building models.

What may seem like noise to many alarmed visitors is a symphony of sound to the team of individuals behind the construction. Indeed, photographers are always being sent to capture images of the TOVP’s ongoing development. The latest album will not disappoint.

The first photo showcases the rise of the altars. In the future, crowds will stand here before the deities in worship. The next three photos record the advancement of the utility building. The arched windows add charm and detail. Always the centerpiece, the main dome is caught blossoming from a distance in two photos. The location of Prabhupada’s bridge is shown in the final photo. The piles have been placed and much of the work has commenced. This bridge will connect the Long building, the future accommodation of the pujaris, to the new temple.

Debris signals headway. Rubble is the by-product of ceaseless work. The TOVP continues its celestial ascension.

The location of Prabhupada's bridge

The post Pics and Piles appeared first on Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Harinama at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, 25 May 2014 (Album 59 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

As a fire burns dry grass to ashes, so the holy name of the Lord, whether chanted knowingly or unknowingly, burns to ashes, without fail, all the reactions of one's sinful activities. SB 6.2.18 Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society. SB 6.3.22 Read more ›

Prasadam distribution in the afflicted areas of Begov han, Topčić polje i Nemila by Iskcon Sarajevo (Album 108 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Our FFl prasadam distribution to flood and landslide victims continues, thanks to generous donators and hard working, enthusiastic group of devotees. In Begov han they distributed 200 cooked meals, 40 in Topčić polje, 60 in Nemila. Devotees also distributed 300 apples and 300 sweets. Our matajis Amritavati Devi Dasi, Gojak Alena Campaka Valli dd and Manjari-rupa Ids donated baby and children clothes. 600 people got prasadam in one day! Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 05/29/14
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

NV TBT 05-29-14

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 05/29/14.

Each week we highlight an earlier era of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

This week’s challenge: There are 14 recognizable faces in this photo. How many can you identify?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook Page.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

New Vrindaban 1980s

NV_ISKCON_Logo_black_small

Godless morality is no good
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Those  moral  codes  which  do  not  include thought of God, cannot accomplish any  good    for mankind, even  though presented skillfully. Such morality is materialistic. Moral  codes  which  express     belief in God  and oblige service to Him are fit for mankind.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Is Freewill Really “Free”?
→ The Enquirer

Originally posted on Vic DiCara's Astrology:

Q: Do we really have freewill? Every decision I make seems to be impelled by some external force. 
Vedantic philosophy (including Bhagavad Gītā 18.14) explains that every decision and subsequent action has five factors involved.
 
adhiṣṭhānaṁ tathā kartā
karaṇaṁ ca pṛthag-vidham
vividhāś ca pṛthak ceṣṭā
daivaṁ caivātra pañcamam
First of all the environment plays a role in the decision to act. The tools at our disposal also affect the decision and action. One’s potency / strength also affects it. And certainly the fateful momentum of ones previous acts and decisions has a large effect. But the core of any decision or action is called the “doer” – who is identified as the sentient individual himself / herself.
.
The doer supplies the will to act in a certain way. And then the action is carried out as far as possible through the environment, tools, and strength…

View original 851 more words


Reason For Rising Early
→ Japa Group


"My chanting has been calm and peaceful. I whispered the holy names and tried to stay close to them. They are the main reason for rising early, so that I can feel the special quality of the early hours for chanting without disturbances."

From Bhajan Kutir #485
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Dancing like Krsna’s puppet
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 08 April 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Rama Naumi Initiation Lecture )

 

KKS_dancingThere are sacrifices to be made in service. When one is just having a comfortable niche in Krsna consciousness and one is not challenged in service then we begin to feel dry. We begin to feel, ‘I do not know, it is difficult. I am trying to be a devotee but it is just so hard.’ So, we must feel that we are on the cutting edge, in service, in our practises, then there is life! Then we feel we are dancing! We are part of that dancing movement – dancing on the surface of the earth! That is the aim – dancing like Krsna’s puppet, in the hands of Krsna.

 

 

Sadhu Sanga Retreat – Part One
→ travelingmonk.com

Thanks to Gajendra das and Denisse of Lotus Eyes Photography for capturing many of the magical moments at this year’s Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina. Words alone could not express the happiness and joy that 1,500 devotees felt in each others association while chanting Lord’s holy names for several days together.

Evening of Bhakti at ISKCON Brampton
→ ISKCON Brampton



Are you looking for unforgettable and different moments?  We warmly invite you to come and dive into a transcendent night full of sublime experiences.

Whether you feel stressed, tired of the same old routine, want to improve relationships, feel unheard and lonely, or just curious about
healthy life style, want to make new friends, experience a peaceful environment and want to expand your definition of yoga, you can expect an incredible evening of live spiritual music (kirtan), wisdom of the East and more, followed by vegan snacks!

Free Admission . Please feel free to bring your family and friends, it is open for everyone!

The Evening of Bhakti program is conducted on Saturday evening once a month currently. Please check our blog for announcements on the specific dates.

Listen to more kirtan recording from Evening of Bhakti  here


Capturing the magical moments at this year’s Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina (Album 214 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Thanks to Gajendra das and Denisse of Lotus Eyes Photography for capturing many of the magical moments at this year's Sadhu Sanga Retreat in Boone, North Carolina. Words alone could not express the happiness and joy that 1,500 devotees felt in each others association while chanting Lord's holy names for several days together. Read more ›