359. Lacking those qualities
→ 9 Days, 8 Nights

20140412-213203.jpg

Tonight His Holiness Ramai Swami gave a talk on “Developing Spiritual Qualities”. As he went through the list from Chapter 12 of the Bhagavad-Gita, I couldn’t help noticing that I had none of those qualities.

Chapter 12, Verse 13-14.
One who is not envious but who is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor, who is free from false ego and equal both in happiness and distress, who is always satisfied and engaged in devotional service with determination and whose mind and intelligence are in agreement with Me–he is very dear to Me.

Chapter 12, Verse 15.
He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anxiety, who is steady in happiness and distress, is very dear to Me.

Chapter 12, Verse 16.
A devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and who does not strive for some result, is very dear to Me.

Chapter 12, Verse 17.
One who neither grasps pleasure or grief, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things, is very dear to Me.

Chapter 12, Verse 18-19.
One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contamination, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn’t care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and engaged in devotional service, is very dear to Me.

Chapter 12, Verse 20.
He who follows this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engages himself with faith, making Me the supreme goal, is very, very dear to Me.

Wish me luck as I try to perfect myself.


Make A Determination
→ Japa Group

This is also called a Sankalpa - it's a determination to achieve something that you fix in your mind and is a very powerful tool.
Before you start Japa you can make a determination to hear properly, to avoid doing other things or to place yourself in a non-distractive environment.
During Japa you can also re-affirm the determination by saying it to yourself....for example "Just hear".
Try this before you start chanting and have in your mind what you want to improve and how to improve that and then make your determination.

Thursday, April 10th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Dubai,  UAE
 
Moving with Time
 
Downtime! Much sitting in the aircraft. Emirates, world 
class airline has conditions or facilities conducive 
enough for japa meditation, reading and writing,  all that 
I relish doing.
 
There's time to talk to the passenger sitting next to 
you, however, sometimes you respect the fact that its also 
 their downtime, or rather up-time. The flight from 
Toronto to Dubai is at an unimaginable height, need I 
detail the figure? Its just very high and very cold, 
outside.
 
It flashes to mind that we could be victims of a 
mysterious disapperance, going of the radar screen, as in 
the case of the recent Malayasian airline that appered  to 
vanish in thin air. Always a good reason to chant divine 
mantra's with more intrepidity.
 
Time presses  on with window shutters closed  which makes 
it confusing to decifer the hour. But thats ok. In the air 
with such incredible speed (exact figures unknown to me) 
you really enter a timeless zone, keeping an eye on 
boarding time is significant but once  off from departure, 
it really doesn't matter much. In a way its off-time.
 
A lay-over in Dubai with a six hour span and a  hotel 
voucher in hand permitted horizontal space to actually 
sleep which is practically impossible in the plane. 
Arabian Park Hotel was the space that was destined. No 
need for its lounge, its drinks or non-veg food. I'm a 
monastic that can keep  cheap thrills at bay.
 
And also, until the new day, new dawn or dusk we do not 
tarry but move forward with ever changing time.
 
May the source be with you!
 
0 KM (except for moving in the airport)

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Go It Together

I received a call from Michael who took to the Trans Canada Highway in 2001/2002 on foot with a backpack.  We made an agreement to go it out together on the road for a three week stint. 

Starting in mid May we plan to drive to Taber, Alberta, the spot from where I left off last summer.  We will stop a bit along the way, put on our shoes (I, with Crocs), while he will be equipped with camera, hopeful to capture the beauty of the road, the rhythm of walking, and all that visual vista stuff that people usually see as post cards.  The filming will be like a reenactment of the walk I did last summer, until we arrive at Taber, when business will be as usual to complete a fourth trek, bringing me to the edge of British Columbia.

I’m really looking forward to it because in addition to having the usual company of support person, Daruka, and his blue front Amazon parrot, there will also be Michael, a most amiable person.  Up for the challenge will be those occasional cool prairie breezes, and then the intermittent warming Chinook winds coming from the Rockies.  There will be the upward downward trends of pacing once hitting those lovely mountains.  I will not be surprised to hear the jazz of the road, that is, the last clumps of snow, sliding off the arms of the coniferous trees, and the feet making the beat gritting the gravel on the highway shoulder.  It will also be the time of invigoration, rebirth, of so much life springing into action. 

Michael knows the road I’ve tread, he’s done it before – the Crow’s Nest Pass.  And, of course, we’ll be seeing smart crows in flight, and I’ll be dreaming of smooth sailing swans during naps which will take place by the side of the road that will offer a peace like nothing else.  Hare Krishna! 

Thanks for calling, Michael, it’s a deal.  We’ve nailed down the date, May 17th. 

May the Source be with you!

2 KM

A day of celebration
→ KKSBlog

Although the official Vyasa Puja festival of Kadamba Kanana Swami will take place on 25 April 2014 in Radhadesh, the 12th of April is still a special day as it is his appearance day according to the solar calendar. Maharaj will travel to Durban today and has been requested by his disciples to attend a house program where they will honour him.

nov_2012_mayapurAt the time of this occasion, devotees glorify Maharaj. Some write to him, others read their offerings of appreciation to him but a young bhakta in Mayapur got creative and decided to sing his offering to Maharaj. Prahlad and his mother, Premalata dd (KKS) are from Prague, Czech Republic but relocated to Mayapur in 2011 so Prahlad could attend the gurukul and Maharaj has been their pillar of support throughout. You may listen to this meaningful offering by hitting the ‘play’ button of the media player below.

Musical Offering by Bhakta Prahlad_Mayapur

 

We would like to extend our best wishes to HH Kadamba Kanana Swami as well as our gratitude for being a source of inspiration and wisdom. Here are some memories of appearance day celebrations from past years.

 

12 April 2009 12 April 2011 12 April 2012 12 April 2012 a 12 April 2012 b April 2011 12 April 2012 29 April 2012

 

Join us for Sunday Feast starting 11.00am-2.00pm with another Guest Speaker
→ ISKCON Brampton


Sunday Love Feast

When?
Sunday, April 13th
Program starts at 11 am

Where?
6 George Street South
Brampton, Ontario
L6Y 1P3, Canada
Park underground(free) @ City Hall
Phone:416-648-3312

New! Listen
Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog
Make a Donation
 Bhagavad-gita As It Is 3.9
yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra
loko 'yam karma-bandhanah
tad-artham karma kaunteya
mukta-sangah samacara
TRANSLATION
Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.
 
Program Schedule
11.00- 11.15      Tulsi Puja                                           
11.15 - 11.30     Guru Puja                                            
11:30 –11:55     Aarti & Kirtan                                      
11.55 - 12.00    Sri Nrsingadeva Prayers                  
12.00 – 1:00     Vedic Discourse 
  1:00 –  1:30      Closing Kirtan
COMING UP AHEAD
 
ISKCON Brampton Festival of Chariots

This summer we will have another major event organized by ISKCON Brampton. It is a pleasure for us to organize our second Ratha Yatra in August in Downtowm Brampton and just like last year, we're expecting this event to be a milestone in the city of Brampton. With the blessings of Sri Sri Radha Giridhari, Lord Jagannath and Srila Prabhupad, we all have the opportunity to serve and make this event successful, which we're hoping will be even bigger than last year.

You're all humbly requested to join the committee this Sunday at the temple. We will have a meeting after prasadam to discuss the assignment of tasks for the various activities involved.
 
Varuthini Ekadasi
Fasting.......... on April 25th
Trayodasi/Breakfasti.. on April 26th b/w 6.17am-10.56am
every fortnight, we observe Ekadasi, a day of prayer and meditation. On this day we fast (or simplify our meals and abstain from grains and beans), and spend extra time reading the scriptures and chanting the auspicious Hare Krishna mantra.

Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva
on May 13th....celebration @ 7.00pm

ON GOING EVERY SATURDAY        
Bhagavad-Gita Classes 

Join Bhagavad Gita Course with His Grace Vaisnava Dasa from 9.00am-12.00pm and get certified from Bhaktivedanta College at the completion of this course towards Bhakti Sastri Degree. To register please contact Vaisnava Dasa Prabhu in person or via email[vaishnavadas@icloud.com]
ON GOING EVERY SUNDAY
Govinda'sNatural Foods Snack Bar

Govinda's has always been a giver of love and friendliness, food with a home cooked feel, Check out this Sunday your own Govinda’s Snack Bar at ISKCON Brampton for dine in or take out. This snackbar definitely has the best selection of cruelty-free eats with a bang for your buck.
Nutrition Help & Diet Tips

Mother Rashmi Ahuja 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.
Sunday School

The Sunday School provides fun filled strategies through the medium of music, drama, debates, quizzes and games that present Vedic Culture to children. However the syllabus is also designed to simultaneously teach them to always remember Krishna and never forget Him.
The Sunday School follows the curriculum provided by the Bhaktivedanta College of Education and Culture (BCEC).
 
Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment in order to support those with allergies. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant and Be happy!

Animals can kill without incurring Sin, Humans cannot
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Human beings are not meant to quarrel like cats and dogs. They must be intelligent enough to realize the importance and aim of human life. The Vedic literature is meant for humanity and not for cats and dogs. Cats and dogs can kill other animals for food without incurring sin, but if a man kills an animal for the satisfaction of his uncontrolled taste buds, he is responsible for breaking the laws of nature. Consequently he must be punished.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 1