Krishna is most suitable form of God for developing pure love
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Of all  the  conceptions of God  existing  in  the  world, the  form  of Krsna  is the  most suitable for developing  pure  love.   The conception of Allah in the Koran  is not suitable for developing pure  love.  Even the Lord's   dear  prophet could  not see Allah's  form, for though the  Lord  is friendly, He remains at a distance from  the   worshipper due  to the conception of God as master.  The god in the Christian faith is also some  distant  entity, what  to speak  of the  impersonal Brahman. Even Narayana is not the form by which  the soul  can   easily  obtain  pure  love.  Krsna  alone,  who  resides in  the  spiritual abode  of Vraja, is the object of pure  love.

Chaitanya Shikshamrita, Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

 
Coalhurst/Fort Macleod, Alberta
 
Thanks to the Prairies

The squeaky little outbursts of the gopher prairie dogs were not the only noise-makers along the Crowsnest Pass (Hwy 3).  There were cars tooting their horns.  Page 3 of the ‘Lethbridge Herald’ covered the story about a "Hare Krishna Monk Making His Fourth Trek Across Canada."  When motorists saw the saffron cloth blowing in the wind after catching the news, they did make acknowledgement.
 
Near the town of Monarch, the highway splits and veers some of the traffic in other directions.  This eases some of the intensity.  But overall the east-end section of the Crowsnest Highway is very high-powered.  It was a relief to reach the quiet downtown of Fort Macleod.  I walked into the community newspaper office, the Fort Macleod Gazette, and Frank McTighe, the editor, was happy to do an interview.
 
Oh yes.  Meeting those llamas, or alpacas, or whatever they are - in the countryside was special.  They were really keen to sniff the hand.  Their winter hair was shedding.  One of them had dreadlocks.  He was cool.  Only thing missing was a pair of shades, sunglasses.  I sang a mantra for them, "Hairy Llama!"
 
Before sunset we experienced a very successful program that happened at the Community of Christ Church.  Thirty people came to hear me spiel on 'Tales from Trails.'  This culminated with mantra meditation which all responded to so well.  It was nice to see some of the attendees pick up books like 'Bhagavad-gita', 'Christ and Krishna', and 'Ten Steps to Happiness' by Rami Bleckt.
 
I would like to thank Jo-Anne, a local hair stylist, for being the greatest host in Lethbridge.  Also to Vickie, the facilitator at the Community of Christ Church, and to Shelly Craig for the excellent new article in the ‘Lethbridge Herald’.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
36 KM



 

Monday, May 26th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Lethbridge, Alberta
 
Beating the Pride
 
The wind was beating hard on the pride today.  The additional gusts created by the transport-trailer could almost throw you off.  At spots I had to struggle to keep that balance.  My rationale simply kept saying that it’s a good beating because that's what pride deserves.
 
The day on the road began at Coaldale.  It's 4 AM.  A local street-cleaner in his truck pulled over and asked if I wanted a ride.  I told him I'm trekking across Canada, "No rides for me, thanks!" 
 
"Really, and you're doing it in those crocs?"
 
"Well, it's good to have lightness on the feet," I said.
 
The Crowsnest Pass, or Highway 3, had been consistently an ego basher with intense traffic.  The only relief was a short three kilometre stretch amidst the Coulees along Old Man River and under a railway bridge, "the longest and tallest of its kind in the world," said a park personnel.  "The engineer's life ended in a morbid way.  He hung himself.  The project was too much pressure for him."
 
For a good portion of the day I had Karuna with me.  He's great company.  The last chunk of highway was a dalliance with wind and sun - some dust too.
 
A pick-up pulled over.  It was dust-covered.  I figured "here's a farmer."  And it was.  Out emerged a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, third-generation Dutch chap who introduced himself as Dean Vanden Berg.  He said he was Christian and was curious.  I offered to say, "I'm a monk from an old tradition - roots from India.  Monks in our order spend time walking.  It's good for calming pride."
 
Dean was sweet, even offered a donation for the cause of pilgrimage.  I asked him if, being born and raised in Canada, he was into hockey.  With a wholesome smile he said, "I'm just always workin."  We shook hearty hands and he went on his way.
  
May the Source be with you!
 
36 KM

Demonizing the other doesn’t remove the demons hither
→ The Spiritual Scientist

‘Demonizing the other’ refers to depicting the other in the darkest hues, ascribing to them numerous vices and holding them responsible for one’s problems.

Actually, most of our problems are largely caused by our own weaknesses and errors. Metaphorically speaking, our problems are due to the demons in our heart: demons such as lust, anger and greed.

However, these demons being inside us are intangible. And when hounded by problems, we often feel the need for something tangible to quickly vent out our frustration. That’s why, some people start pounding a punching bag when confounded by something about which they can’t do much.

When we find ourselves in trouble due to our inner demons, we may seek relief by treating others as a punching bag.

Similarly, when we find ourselves in trouble due to our inner demons, we may seek relief by treating others as a punching bag. Hitler, for example, demonized the Jews for the economic problems of Germany.

In fact, such demonization of the other is at the root of most conflicts, including even conflicts among various religious groups. In religious contexts, demonization may even be reinforced by supposedly scriptural justification and a sense of moral self-righteousness.

The irony of such demonization of the other is that it doesn’t do anything to remove the demons hither, inside us. To the contrary, it may even tighten their hold on us; we may well be playing into the hands of inner demons such as anger while we act out our righteous rage.

Gita wisdom equips us to fight the temptation to demonize. The Bhagavad-gita (13.29) urges us to see all living beings equally: whatever groups they belong to materially, spiritually they are all souls, parts of God – as are we. Even when they do harmful things, Gita wisdom reminds us that everyone, even those troublemakers, are ultimately under the control of God, Krishna.

And whatever he allows to happen in our life is an opportunity for us to learn and grow: learn in wisdom and grow in love, thereby breaking free from the clutches of our inner demons.

By this enlightened vision of things, we can choose a wise course of action that combats our inner demons and also responds appropriately to the other. Will such a response be passive, sentencing us to be trampled by others? Not at all. Essentially, it will ensure that we won’t be trampled by our inner demons. We may respond assertively to others when necessary, but won’t be driven by negative emotions like anger and hatred. We will be inspired by the positive spirit of service, of doing the needful for the ultimate good of others and of our relationship with them.

Those who live thus, the Gita assures, protect themselves from self-degradation and eventually attain lasting success.

 

 

Why We Love Ourselves
→ The Enquirer

I am the root identity of every individual! I am therefore the root of what you love in anyone or anything — the only reason that your body and similar things are lovable. Therefore to love me and be loved by me directly is the most amazing success!

– Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.9.42

Krishna is the root identity of every individual (aham ātma-ātmanāṁ dhātaḥ). That is why people are so interesting and attractive! He is therefore the root of whatever we love in whatever we love! (preṣṭhaḥ san preyasām api). Whatever we may be attracted too, even if it appears immoral or wrong by whatever standards, the truth is that we are attracted to it because it is a part of God, and expresses some aspect of God that we crave.

“That is why people love their body and so on” (deha-adiḥ yat-kṛte priyaḥ).

So imagine the kind of ecstasy that would erupt if we could taste the beauty of God directly rather than filtered and indirectly through his expansions of expansions of expansions!? That is why the highest success is to fall in love with Krishna and to have Krishna fall in love with you. And that is what Viṣṇu promises will happen if we recite Brahmā’s prayers regularly and devotionally or do similar philosophy, discussion and kīrtan as Brahmā.


Brisbane Sunday program
→ Ramai Swami

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The Sunday program at Govindas restaurant in Brisbane is continuing nicely. There is an improved decor that makes the ambience of the room warm and inviting.

The evening starts with beautiful kirtan led by accomplished devotees and is followed by an interactive lecture given by a variety of guest speakers. Everything concludes, of course, with wonderful prasadam.
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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

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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.
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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