Saturday, March 22nd, 2013
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Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Eager

What can I say about today?  Well, the family I’m staying with, Kasyapa Muni and wife Panchami, Sanjay and daughter, Radhika, are quite excited about new prospects which are both physical and spiritual.

Recently they bought a larger home, it’s a done deal, and they’ll be moving in soon.  That’s the physical part.  The spiritual portion is this evening they will be installing in their current home, not a new set of furniture, not a new car for the garage, no indoor swimming pool or a fish tank with exotic fish, or a husky dog for a pet.  What they are zealous about is the installation of a gorgeous set of deities of Radha and Krishna for their shrine in the living room.  Friends then came in the evening for an abhiseka ritual.  I lead the chanting and explained to all the symbolic and relevant meanings behind the standard motions and rituals involved. 

In a home where a family executes bhakti (devotion), these types of ceremonies, arrangements and such add a good dose of colour, shape and meaning to life when positive images of devotion avail themselves to the viewers.  Daily puja (rituals) will be conducted, short and sweet.  People are welcome to participate.

While puja has become an integral part of my life, I also balance such events, whether at a home or in the ashram, with meeting the outdoors.  Of course, for me it means walking and chanting simultaneously.  Divinity can be found within and without, indoors and outdoors.  Over the years I have also come to realize, as I’ve heard and read about this one principle over and over again, that there’s nothing quite so precious in the rendering of devotion as companionship that comes either in the form of a spiritually grounded person or a spiritually eager person. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

Brisbane Gaura Purnima
→ Ramai Swami

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The Brisbane temple celebrated Gaura Purnima with great pomp. The devotees erected a big marquis in the front yard where the abhiseka of Gaura Nitai was performed. There was also kirtana, lecture and drama of Lord Caitanya gathering a samkirtan party and marching to the Chand Kazi’s house.

The Gaura Nitai in Brisbane were the original bus deities and were made by a devotee in Australia and shown to Srila Prabhupada. They travelled around the country where the devotees held public preaching programs. They settled at New Govardhana for a while and then finally became the presiding deities at Brisbane temple.
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For One Who Explains This
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ya idaḿ paramaḿ guhyaḿ
mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati
bhaktiḿ mayi parāḿ kṛtvā
mām evaiṣyaty asaḿśayaḥ

TRANSLATION
For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.

PURPORT
Generally it is advised that Bhagavad-gītā be discussed amongst the devotees only, for those who are not devotees will understand neither Kṛṣṇa nor Bhagavad-gītā. Those who do not accept Kṛṣṇa as He is and Bhagavad-gītā as it is should not try to explain Bhagavad-gītā whimsically and become offenders. Bhagavad-gītā should be explained to persons who are ready to accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

It is a subject matter for the devotees only and not for philosophical speculators. Anyone, however, who tries sincerely to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is will advance in devotional activities and reach the pure devotional state of life. As a result of such pure devotion, he is sure to go back home, back to Godhead.

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 18.68

Meaning Of The Names PT.16
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Hare

agatya duhkha-harta yo sarvesam vraja-vasinam
sri radha-hari-carito harih sri nandanandanah

When the son of Maharaja Nanda returned to Vraja, He took away the suffering of all the Vrajavasis. By His wonderful exploits, He steals the heart of Sri Radha. Thus He is known as Hari.

Srila Jiva Goswami

Modern man knows no sin
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 14 March 2014, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.7.46)

We see in Caitanya Caritamtra, it is mentioned in Madhya Lila, chapter nineteen where it is leading to Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructing Rupa Goswami; a description is given that out of so many living beings within the universe, there are only very few in the human form of life. And of those in the human form of life, there are very few who are actually following Vedic culture. Out of those who are following Vedic culture, most are just rendering lip-service! That is the situation that we find today – in more than 90%, lip-service only!

kks 2006 yajnaSome quick ritual, something external but where is the substance; where is the purity? Where is that? The thread is worn but where are the brahminical qualities; where are the samskaras; where are all the standards that are to be followed?

The last figures I got are a bit outdated. In the year 2004, it was published in the Times of India, that in general, less than 30% of the population of India were now vegetarian and of the Brahmins, 55% were vegetarian but what about the other 45%? And that was in 2004, ten years ago! I think these figures have gone down a lot very quickly. You will be shocked now to see where it is at. We will not inquire into these things. We will leave them for what they are.

Therefore ye ’nye ca papa yad-apasrayasrayah (Srimad Bhagavatam 2.4.18), for those who have taken to the sinful way of life, that has become the standard. Kalau sudra-sambhava (Skanda Purana), in the Age of Kali, everyone is sudra or even less, therefore sense gratification has become the only standard, “What is enjoyable to my senses is important; that is what counts and that is the standard by which I measure things.”

Sin is no longer so much of an issue. That is an old fashioned word – in modern dictionaries, you don’t find it. The old dictionaries have this archaic word called “sin”. This is an awkward word that you don’t know what to do with. Sin is like some sort of outdated morality and has nothing to do with the modern world.

Black-horseIt is mentioned in the encyclopedia Britannica, which is considered by some to be an authority, that probably Sigmund Freud has had the greatest impact on the intellectual life of modern man because this is an age of psychology. There is a model of a human being which is like a pressure cooker. Everyone knows that the pressure cooker has a safety valve which makes the hissing sound and if there was no safety valve, then it would explode.

According to Freud, human beings are depicted as pressure cookers that can explode at any moment if we suppress our desires! Therefore we must let out the steam. This is meant to justify all degraded behaviour because (according to Freud’s theory) it is psychologically damaging if you are denying your natural tendency – it is dangerous as it can cause psychosis. Therefore, do not suppress any desires and do not let such a terrible word as sin, which done so much damage to society, do not let it harm you, o’ modern man!

With that philosophy, we do not have to worry about sin; just be true to yourself but which self, is the next question: the lower or the higher self? Which one are you?

 

What is happening to the devotees of Iskcon Ukraine?
→ Dandavats.com

Today, Ukraine is all over the news for the worrisome events that are happening in the zone, along with government unrest and military intervention from Russia. But devotees are safe, and doing what they can to assist those affected. Back in 1980 when Ukranian devotees Amala Bhakta Das, Kirtida Dasi, Achyuta Priya Das and Tungavidya Sakhi Dasi started ISKCON in Kiev, the country was also a troubled place, then under the communist regime. But in contrast to the situation today, back then devotees encountered extreme trials in their attempts to spread Krishna consciousness. Throughout the 1980s, devotees were put in prison and subjected to inhuman treatment in “psychiatric wards”. One of the most prominent, Bharadvaja Das, was arrested more than 20 times and was heavily drugged in an attempt to remove his devotion to Krishna. Read more ›

Maha Gaura Purnima 2014 in Laguna Beach, California, US (Album 51 photos)
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Besides its beautiful location, ISKCON Laguna Beach has the only Pancha Tattva Deities in the Continental US (excluding Hawaii). Meanwhile its festivals throughout the year feature some of the most energetic kirtan and sumptuous feasts you’ll find, delivered with a uniquely heartwarming service attitude. Chief amongst these is Laguna’s regional Maha Gaura Purnima festival in honor of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, held a week after Gaura Purnima Day and attended by devotees from all over Southern California and beyond. Read more ›

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-03-23 15:47:00 →

1966 March 23:
"Tritiya. One letter of Mayor's office replied. Informed that I shall wait to see Mayor Lindsay till he is free to talk with me. One letter sent to the Director Library of Congress, Washington D.C. asking for the Library card no. of my Srimad Bhagwatam. In Doctor Mishra's apartment there were ten to eleven members and I cooked for them all. Today's meeting only two gentlemen attended therefore I did not record the speeches. No expenditure."
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

Taking darshan of the Kali Gandhaki river (Album 148 photos)
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Indradyumna Swami: Kagbeni is one of the furthest places foreigners can journey in Nepal, as Tibet and China are not far away. Before leaving we took a walk around to see the ancient sites and meet the inhabitants of the village. We also took one last darshan of the Kali Gandhaki river, which now flows with the ashes of my dear godbrother Bimal Prasad das in her sacred waters. Read more ›

Srila Prabhupada Encourages Investment in Devotee Housing in New Vrindaban – February 1969
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Srila Prabhupada, 1969, at New Vrindaban's "Old Vrindaban" farm.

Srila Prabhupada, 1969, at New Vrindaban’s “Old Vrindaban” farm.

Srila Prabhupada Encourages Investment in Devotee Housing in New Vrindaban – February 1969.

From a series of letters written by Srila Prabhupada outlining his vision for New Vrindaban.

Thanks to Vanipedia for the source material.

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February 8th, 1969.

My Dear Hrsikesa,

Please accept my blessings. I was very much pleased to receive your letter of 3 February, 1969, and I have carefully noted all of the contents. Regarding the insurance money, if you are able to use it immediately, without waiting for two years, it will be a great boon. The best use of this money is for the constructing of so many living quarters in New Vrindaban. There are so many schemes pending in New Vrindaban, such as press, school, etc., and as soon as there is adequate accommodation facilities, we can at once begin work very fruitfully. So if you can immediately engage this $2600 in these plans it will be very much helpful. I have received one letter from Nara Narayana, and he has already drawn up the plans for the various buildings which are required to be constructed in New Vrindaban. Now as soon as the proper manpower and finances can be arranged, we can immediately start on this important task.

So far as your occasional agitation from the maya, the answer is very simple that one must either strictly control his senses, or else he must get himself married. If one is strong enough in Krishna Consciousness, then there is no reason to become grhastha, but if one is still disturbed by sex-desire, then marriage is the only other possibility. But if one is still brahmacari, then he must be sure to follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly. There is no place in spiritual life for cheating in this matter. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has never criticized a householder for having sex life for the purpose of bearing children. But when it came to Junior Hari das, who was posing as sannyasa but was still engaging in lustful thoughts, Lord Caitanya would not tolerate, and Junior Haridasa was banished from the association of the Lord. So this is very important that we remain very firm in our vow of brahmacari, or if this is very difficult, then householder life is the next satisfactory solution.

Regarding your idea of a Krishna Conscious book of many of our prayers, this is a nice idea, and very soon Dinesh will have many prayers which he has been tape recording written out in English transliterations. I am advising him to send these to you when it is available.

I have seen the plan for the cottage which was sent along with your letter. It is very nice, but so far as I can understand, it will only accommodate for one person. If you like, this house may be constructed, but I think the immediate necessity is to construct buildings to accommodate the many people who may soon come to New Vrindaban to work there.

So I thank you again for your nice letter. Please convey my blessings to the others there with you. I hope this will meet you in very good health and cheerful mood.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Friday, March 21st, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

A Genuine Pilgrim

I met Joyce in 2006 when I trekked through Saskatoon at that time.  She, along with other walkers, runners, cyclists and yoga people, sat down to hear some of my Tales from Trails stories, and lessons learned on the road.  The venue was a place called Yoga Republic, a cozy setting in a building dedicated to healing, and which was formerly a convent for nuns located on Idylewild Road (most people around here call it Iddly Widdly). 

I was happy to connect with her again.  At that time, in 2006, she sent me an e-message, saying she had an aspiration to do the Camino de Compostela, the famous pilgrim walk in Spain.  She also asked me in that message if she could join me for part of my trek while I was in the province of Saskatchewan. 

Meeting someone like her is rare, with all this passion she has for pilgrimage.  She regularly walks.  I expressed at the time that it would be a little bit awkward since I’m a monk, and she’s a woman.  If a third person was there, especially a male, it would be different.  Culturally, traditionally, that’s the way it would work.  I hadn’t heard from her after that.  In any event, I kept walking eastbound to complete a third walk across Canada.  It wasn’t until now that I heard from her and that I saw her for the first time in person at this night’s event.  She mildly persisted in the most gentle way, “Would you be willing to guide a group in a walk across Canada?” 

I could not give a complete answer to that, and I expressed that we could talk after the presentation is over.  My thought on the matter is, “Here is a real live pilgrim who in the meantime did walk the Camino.  How can I inspire and/or facilitate someone like this?”  I will give some thought to it and see if on a small scale something can be accomplished.

Those in attendance at the Yoga Republic joined us in kirtan, followed by halava snacks.  They left feeling lighter in heart and a little heavier in stomach.  I would really like to thank our facilitator, Lorel.  I was also thinking, “This is the silent time of year (winter’s end) when you have big dreams that you have to put in to plan and action.”  Earlier on in the day, my host, Kasyapa, and I were walking on soil as well as on ice and dry snow.  With our feet we were crushing the stuff under us with a crunch and a crackle.  This is the most quiet season of the year, but it’s a time when you can make the most noise. 

May the Source be with you!

5 KM



Sweet surrender
→ KKSBlog

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 03 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.8)

The strong elements of the material world, of the heaviness of our suffering, are the symptoms of Krsna’s strong love. If you really love your son, let’s say a teenager with puberty and everything, you love him but at the same time, he is totally “off” but what can you do?

photo (71)Names withheld but there was one son, who grew up in Krsna consciousness, who went to a party and got drunk to a point where he had to be brought home in an ambulance. The insurance would not pay the bill for such cases. The parents said, “Sorry it is your bill. We are not paying.” A big bill from the ambulance, so suddenly the son had a big debt. Yeah, so it was so heavy. One has to learn to take responsibility for one’s actions. It is a child who does not take responsibilities for their actions but an adult is meant to take responsibility. How many lifetimes are we going to remain children – under eighteen year old children and next life again! When will we actually become mature and accept responsibility for our actions?

That is dharma – that is the path of dharma. It may sound heavy but it sounds only heavy to those who are rebellious. It sounds heavy to those who have had a heavy case of rebelliousness and now say, ”Actually of course, I do want to surrender but I just  cannot surrender!’”

This translates to, ”I do not want to surrender. I do not want it and I am just looking for any damn excuse I can find to not surrender. So to get you off my back I would say, I want to surrender but I cannot surrender.’”