Iskcon Sarajevo: FFL warming-up for a big action (Album 25 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

When the floods begun, devotees proposed that we should do some prasadam distribution. Seven days ago, we were lacking in people and laksmi, but we had sincere desire. We collected some laksmi among ourselves, and on Monday started a small action in the nearest affected area: Vogosca near Sarajevo. Then miracles started to happen: more devotees took part, donations keep coming from everywhere and we decided to expand our FFL distribution. While we are posting this, devotees (along with 4 Hungarian devotees, who came last night) are on their way to city of Olovo in the Mid-Bosnia, where they will distribute some 400 hot prasadam meals in the main city square. Please keep serving, helping, donating and supporting. This prasadam distribution has just begun and it will expand. Read more ›

What happens to the graduates of Gurukula? Meet Sri Madhava Gauranga dasa
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Q: How did gurukula training help you in your spiritual life? A: My gurukula training has been invaluable for establishing the value of self-improvement, respect, discipline, etc. Gurukula was, at the time, in an experimental phase, but although it wasn't easy I was lucky to have people whom I respected. These things helped me to see the value of spiritual culture. All things considered, I wouldn't have had it any other way. Q: What are your responsibilities in Mayapur now? How do you see their importance? A: I serve as a Dean in the Bhaktivedanta Academy. I recently also took up the service of heading the agricultural division in ISKCON Mayapur, and I am also on the Mayapur Executive Council and Mayapur Policy Council. Srila Prabhupada clearly outlined his desires for, and the importance of, the future generations of ISKCON youth. I believe that implementing this vision is of the utmost importance to the future of society in general. I wanted to share with the newer generations all the benefits of the gurukula system of education without the negatives we suffered in the early days. Read more ›

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
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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