Planet ISKCON

“The illusioned living entity appears in so many forms offered by the external energy of the Lord. While enjoying in the modes of material nature, the encaged living entity misconceives, thinking in terms of “I” and “mine”.
– Srimad Bhagavatam/2.9.2

When a bank teller who handles money everyday thinks that it belongs to him and takes it for his personal needs, he is a thief. Similarly, if we use the resources of the material world thinking that I am the owner and it is intended for my enjoyment, then we are thief.

We have been associated with material energy for so long, that we become strongly conditioned to thinking it is all mine. And this causes miseries in life to one and all others.

We all have our own private set of dreams which we strongly cherish, contemplate and get caught up in. At the time of death, these thoughts surface in one’s consciousness and determines one’s next body and life.

All that we possess brings us both happiness and distress. They never bring happiness forever, whether it be things, people or other life forms. This illusion that covers us that EVERYTHING must bring ME happiness, is very difficult to overcome.

Does this mean that we get rid of desires completely? One can try but it will not happen because the dynamics of the mind is very strong. But if we use the workings of the mind on spiritual subjects, then this mind gets purified and brings the consciousness to its original state.

When we chant mantras, hear spiritual talks, read scriptures, associate with spiritual minded people; we start our process of internal cleanliness. It might be bitter in the beginning but sweet in the end unlike material life which is sweet in the beginning but bitter in the end.

Its our mentality that keeps us in the material world and its mentality that will take us out. The devotional activities related to God/Krishna is the process that helps us transcend the lower mental state to a higher one. This is what human form is meant for. Using it to lead the same lifestyle as animals but in a polished form is a complete waste of a precious opportunity.

Reading books such as Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagavatam is the foundation of our spiritual activities and contemplation. One must take the time to read them everyday and realize clearly that “I am not the controller, I am not the enjoyer, God is the Supreme and one must always remember Him”.

I encourage you to start and continue a spiritually moulded lifestyle. It is the only way for us humans. Good Luck and Happy Easter!

The second-largest ISKCON temple in the world is set to open in Kanpur on October 3^rd, 2014. Construction began in October 2011 and will conclude this August. Set on a 15-acre site, the elaborate 100,000 square-foot temple, with its majestic towers, will include an open-sky courtyard and large temple hall.

During my working week I get to meet many interesting people with many varied backgrounds and many interesting conversations; this week was one of those were I had a long and interesting discussion about faith and religion.
We both came from what many would see as being member’s of established and prominent religions but felt unfulfilled wanting a more personal relationship with god, feeling that a real connection would bring the real joy and grace.
As the conversation progressed the person struggled to convey the personal relationships they now have with god, struggling with words and a scriptural basis of why that is, I found myself leading and helping them with the biblical explanation.

Contrasting it with my own experience in Krishna Consciousness explaining how this has given me not only a personal relationship but also understanding completely about the nature of suffering and its temporary nature. This explanation being both grounded in the vedic scriptures and biblically.

We got onto deity worship, for me seeing Sri Krishna and being able to help those in personal service in the pujari department enhances that relationship, interesting they recognised that early biblical references had some forms of deity worship but regected that to Sri Krishna. This based on the story of Moses and the 10 commandments namely thy should not have false idol’s and that my deity worship is simply this (interesting to note the original tablet’s were personally written by God using his own finger, showing his real form that we would recognise as that of Sri Krishna.

Interestingly though it came about because of the inability of the Israelites to follow direction melting precious metals and jewels making forms of animals act. worshiping them as god. This offence not only meant an end to deity worship but also these very personal relationships, understanding prescribed duty it is important to follow directions.

What struck home more was that not only does deity worship enhance my own personal relationship with Sri Krishna but also reading all the amazing pastime’s increases this making it for me the most complete; this was his problem when explaining his own personal relationship lack of knowledge no pastime’s or even knowledge of how God looks two fundamental requirements for a truly personal relationship.

In the end it confirmed that without a shadow of a doubt this Krishna Consciousness movement is the most fulfilling and complete with both sentimental feeling and philosophical philosophy with real science, so explanation is always complete. The individual struggled simply as he had sentiment but no philosophy or real science.

However they appreciated the great time of association and with this came a further discussion on missionary work and this is my final thought we are in some way or another missionary’s our focus is spreading this very personal message of Krishna consciousness so everyone can develop reconnect and have a very personal relationship with real understanding.

Kadamba Kanana Swami’s preaching tour of South Africa continues. His Cape Town stay was interrupted by a weekend visit to the Kwazulu Natal Midlands where he did an evening program in the town of Ladysmith (04 April) and then participated in the Ratha Yatra in Newcastle (05 April). Maharaj was accompanied by HH Bhakti Ashraya Vaisnava Swami, his longtime friend from Vrndavan. On Sunday (6 April), he gave a lecture based on the pastimes of Lord Ramachandra at the temple in Durban.

Recording and photos from these programs are presented below. On Monday (7 April), Maharaj returned to Cape Town and stayed there until Saturday. He is currently in Durban, ready to participate in the world famous, 4 day Ratha Yatra Festival which begins tomorrow (18 April). Please stayed tuned for the more recordings and photos.

Audio

KKS SA Ladysmith 04 April 2014 Evening Lecture

KKS SA Newcastle 05 April 2014 Ratha Yatra Lecture

KKS SA Durban 06 April 2014 Rama Navami Lecture

Photos

If you cannot view the slide-show below, please visit flickr.

The living entity has to work for his livelihood because that is the law of material nature, and if he does not act according to his prescribed duties, he transgresses the law of nature and binds himself more and more to the cycle of birth and death in the many species of life.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 2

This week in the garden the first flowers of the season began to bloom, the hyacinth. We are also seeing the first signs of peonies and lilies. A few of the bush cherries have also bloomed. Soon the garden will be filled with many beautiful flowers. We have planted lilac bushes beside the Garden of Gates entrance to greet visitors with their elegant fragrance and beautiful purple flowers.

Snap peas and shell peas were planted in beds that last year were the home to many marigolds. Legumes such as peas provide nitrogen in the soil. Peas are in the legume family, which means they have the unique ability to absorb nitrogen from the air as well as from the soil. But in order to achieve this, their roots must be in the presence of a particular strain of rhizobial bacteria, Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar vicaea. When the bacteria enters the roots of the plant, it forms nodule. Inside the nodules is where the atmospheric nitrogen is converted so it can be utilized by the plant as a nutrient. A powdered inoculant can be used by dry coating the seeds or making a slurry and soaking the seeds in the mixture. The trellises are up and now we are looking forward to a bounty of delicious peas in June.

Another project started this week was garden weed composting. We are trying a hot composting method. The weeds pulled from the garden are placed on thick black plastic and covered with a layer of black plastic. Garden waste, known as green manure is very high in nitrogen which allows them to break down into compost quickly. The weeds are left to heat up under the plastic undisturbed for one week. Then for the next 10-15 days the compost in mixed every other day, until is has broken down into a useable green manure. Cold composting (leaving uncovered and undisturbed) can take 6-12 months and can leave viable weeds seeds. When using weeds for compost hot composting is the best choice.

In the next few weeks we will be planting Carpathian Walnuts and peach trees. As well as planting beets, greens, and a few other early spring vegetables.

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Seminar Podcast

Seminar Podcast

UK's Pandava Sena - a dynamic youth organization - has been established twenty years ago, in 1994, with the aim to protect Bhaktivedanta Manor from being closed down by the government. On April 12th, the Pandava Sena members has spent an evening remembering the historic pastimes, hearing from the original members of Pandava Sena, the stalwarts that headed up the campaign to 'Save the Manor'.

Upon its birth in 1994 out of necessity to protect Bhaktivedanta Manor from closure, the UK’s Pandava Sena youth group was a powerful force. 250 current members and alumni, ranging in age from 14 to 38, packed into Bhaktivedanta Manor’s temple room for its 20th anniversary on April 12th. They were joined by several senior devotees who had been long-time well-wishers.

The Northern European branh of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) announced the release of several new e-books in English and German.

Golden Gauranga and his dear associates glanced at thousands of devotees with eyes full of compassion. There was love in the air and it seemed like thousands of honey bees had finally found the treasure house of nectar.

Europe's first entirely chemical-free housing complex was recently built in the outskirts of Zurich.

A whirling fan offers small relief to the oppressive summer heat of West Bengal. Devotees working on site have accepted the austerity and continue on peacefully with their seva. In between gulps of water and wiping brows, progress on the mold of Gopal Bhatta Goswami punctuates each day with milestones.

The process of creating a deity is involved and detailed. What begins with sketches, moves to clay and ends in bronze requires months, if not years, of dedicated planning. The artists have now reached the fiberglass stage. After being covered in silicon, fiberglass was applied to the form to act as a supportive casing for the remainder of its development. The segments to follow include a wax form for making any necessary adjustments to the figure, a covering of fire proof material and then bronze casting. Gopal Bhatta Goswami is the first of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavana to be sculpted and cast. Each juncture of this endeavor has demanded creativity and ingenuity from the art team.

As the sun sets on the Ganga, so the artists greet the evening in their fixed posts…huddled in the silhouette of their beloved Gopal Bhatta Goswami.

Lecture Podcast

Lecture Podcast

https://flic.kr/s/aHsjX9zYd7

The post Tuesday Preaching Program appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

The dictionary informs us that racism “a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.”

So basically we were on a demo where people wanted to see others beyond the gross bodily concept. Great let’s go a little further to the platform of the soul, so out comes the Prasad, the Holy Name and the books and a couple old rickshaws.

So we cooked up prasad for 1,000 people, subji, rice, cake and fruits. One person made the observation that the speakers at the demo were quite angry and forceful in their presention (as for many people racism can greatly effect their lives, racism because you are black or because you are white etc,) where as the “Harrys” give love.

The short video demonstrates that you don’t need too many resources to preach, cook some prasad and get a few friends together and have a good time.
Enjoy the movie.
Your servant
Parasuram Das

Mantra Lounge Album – Ramanavami – 08.04.2014

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 04/17/14.

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

This digital photo is a bit fuzzy and it’s challenging, but not impossible, to identify people in it.

This week’s challenge:  We are hoping someone familiar with the photo can share some history as well as the names of some of the many devotees in it.

Extra credit: What year was this photo taken and what was the occasion?

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.

There’s always a lot of action at Sydney temple, even during the week, both in the day and at night time. On my recent visit I was requested to give some classes on temple worship and on the last night I led kirtan between 7 and 9pm.