“I am hard to please!”
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 March 2014, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 10.39.39)

cpt 2014 (3)It is interesting how ultimately the guru is an individual. We are totally dependent on our spiritual master. Yes, we have our relationship with Krsna but if our guru is not pleased with us then Krsna does not want to know us, as simple as that! You can go to Krsna and say (with an Australian accent), “Hey Krsna, hey… how ya going?” and He is sort of cold and not reciprocating. That is basically what happens.

It is our process that one must take shelter of a vaisnava and we see that in the spiritual world – everyone is the servant of someone else; that is the only way one can please Krsna, gopī-bhartur pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsa dāsanudāsah (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 13.80)

Sometimes, I have brought up the point that we have to please the spiritual master. Somehow or other; by an act of fate, by the mercy of my spiritual master and Krsna; I became a spiritual master. Then I started looking at things from the other side. The disciple has to please the spiritual master and now, I am the one that has to be pleased. So does it mean that I have to be really pleased or does it mean that when a certain standard of a reasonable level of surrender in devotional service is reached then the spiritual master is pleased?

No, I guess, it means that I have to be really pleased. Well, I am hard to please! I always was. I am not easily pleased. I am sort of quite a demanding personality actually, to speak the truth, “It is nice, you know, but…” 

 

Japa Environment
→ Japa Group

It's something we don't often think about but our Japa environment is imperative if we want to avoid distractions.
Our mind can be distracted in any environment and ultimately it comes down to how much we hear the sound of the mantra, having said that the environment can also cause our mind to wander more easily.
An example is the area where we do other things....like our computer area. The temptation for the mind is to think about what might be the latest posts on Facebook - maybe there's an email we have to write or something we have search for on Google.
We all need to make sure we choose a place where we won't be interrupted, a place where we won't think about our daily life....a place where we can just be with the Krsna and the Holy names.

“Sri Ram’s March Into Lanka” – by Red Rock Rishis
→ ISKCON News

One of the most important Vaishnava and Hindu celebrations, Ram Navami, the Appearance Day of Lord Ramchandra, is being celebrated by millions all over the world. With gorgeous pujas, song, revisiting the pastimes of the Lord as told in Valmiki's  ancient spiritual text the Ramayana. Here is a music video and song, produced by the Red Rock Rishis, that depicts a story of the Ramayana, of mother Sita, still in captivity by the great demon king Ravana, meditating on and awaiting her Rama to come and release her from her horrible plight of imprisonment.

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2014-04-09 19:27:00 →

1975 Aprill 9: "Regarding your affliction, simply take the proper treatment. The dust from the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master is never to be used for material benefit. That is a great misconception. Chant your rounds and follow all the rules and regulations in this way even if afflicted you will fully understand the mercy of Krishna and the Spiritual Master."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Beautiful Rama Navami in Mayapur (Album 68 photos)
→ Dandavats.com


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The celebration of Lord Ramacandra`s appearance in Mayapur had a very sweet flavor. The deities of Sri Sri Sita Ram Laksman Hanuman were set in front of the altar of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Asta sakhis and were beautifully decorated with different ornaments, jewels and fragrant flowers and the devotees were jubilantly dancing and chanting “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram…”. Read more ›

Be satisfied with the quota that God has set aside for you
→ The Spiritual Scientist

One should accept only those things that are set aside by the Lord as his quota. The cow, for instance, gives milk, but she does not drink that milk: she eats grass and straw, and her milk is designated as food for human beings. Such is the arrangement of the Lord. Thus we should be satisfied with those things He has kindly set aside for us, and we should always consider to whom those things we possess actually belong.

- Srila Prabhupada, Sri Isopanishad Mantra 1

Sri Rama Navami Celebration at Iskcon Radha Madhava Mandirr (Album 87 photos)
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The Supreme Personality of Godhead incarnated Himself as Sri Rama, accepting the sonhood of His pure devotee Maharaja Dasaratha, the King of Ayodhya. In the month of Caitra on the ninth day of the growing moon in the Treta-yuga, the Lord appeared, as usual to establish the principles of religion and to annihilate the disturbing elements. We are very fortunate to have Sita Rama Laksham & Hanuman Deities on the auspicious day of Rama Navami. The maha-abhishek of Sita Rama Lakshman & Hanuman Deites in the evening was another opportunity to soak in the mercy of the Lord, by watching the Deities being showered in sacred substances with chants of Hare Krishna maha mantra enveloping the temple hall. Read more ›

Appearance of Lord Rama
→ Mayapur.com

Please view the full gallery here: Rama Navami Abhishek Darshan The celebration of Lord Ramacandra`s appearance in Mayapur had a very sweet flavor. The deities of Sri Sri Sita Ram Laksman Hanuman were set in front of the altar of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Asta sakhis and were beautifully decorated with different ornaments, jewels and […]

The post Appearance of Lord Rama appeared first on Mayapur.com.

“Param Vijayate Sri Krishna Sankirtanam” Harinam at Carey Island (Album 73 photos)
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Sri Jagannatha Mandir and its harinam team once again became instrumental in spreading the Holy name to another zone where the holy name was never heard before. On 5 April 2014 devotees organized harinam and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Palanquin procession at Carey Island. This island is located on Selangor’s coast, which is a mere 20 minutes’ drive from klang town. It is comprised largely of oil palm estates and also home to an aboriginal tribe renowned for their traditional woodcarvings and mask sculptures. Read more ›

Srila Prabhupada Tributes book: Deadline, April 15
→ Jayadvaita Swami

The deadline for Srila Prabhupada Tributes — the open Vyasa-puja book — is fast approaching.

    • All devotees initiated by Srila Prabhupada are welcome to write an offering. No exceptions.sp-vyasa-puja
    • Here are the submission guidelines.
    • Here’s where to send your offering: sptributes@gmail.com.
    • Here’s your deadline: April 15.

Everyone who sends an offering will receive a free copy of the book.

Our production manager says that this year he’s on top of his game and the book will come out on schedule, if not before.

Hare Krishna.

The post Srila Prabhupada Tributes book: Deadline, April 15 appeared first on Jayadvaita Swami.

New Hip-Hop Album to Promote Vedic Wisdom
→ ISKCON News

Young poet and hip-hop musician Mikey Jay describes himself as “a wandering soul learning the lessons of life” as he “traverses its diverse path.” For Rama Navami, April 8th,  2014, he came out with a new music album the “Sri Isopanisad”, consisting of 19 songs; an Invocation and 18 songs based on the 18 Mantras of the ancient scripture the Sri Isopanisad. 

Monday, April 7th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Owen Sound, Ontario

Just Before Ram

It was the eve before Ramnaumi, the birthday of Sri Ram, that I arrived at this small city of natural beauty all around.  Along with Rajneesh and family, we ventured to this Georgian Bay area to meet acquaintances, one of whom shared foot travel with me.

Garuda, is now 66, and was with me in British Columbia on walk number 3 when we encountered a grizzly bear and got close to being breakfast. That’s a story unto itself, and one I don’t personally mind reliving.  Anything that impels one to slide into a prayerful mood, isn’t necessarily a bad experience, however adventurous. 

There’s only a 5 year difference between Garuda and I (I’m the younger one).  He’s always been an active man, but is feeling the aches and pains of aging as of late.  Always enthusiastic for chanting, we found heand his clan, with two younger generations, were absorbed in doing just that.  His three sons are rock musicians.  In reality, for them, kirtan is where it’s at.  Another area where we share a passion is in trekking sections of the country’s oldest foot path, the Bruce Trail, which runs along Owen Sound’s escarpment. 

Our union with Garuda’s clan at the home of hosts Rajesh and Alka, was a warm up for the coming day’s Ramnaumi.  We did so through kirtan chanting, feasting, of course, and reading of memories of our guru, Srila Prabhupada.  We especially were hearing of his morning strolls by the Pacific.  He would go at a pace that was hard to keep up.  In this regard, he was always ahead of the game in comparison to his students, in practically every category of activity that you could imagine. 

It is a Vedic colloquial term to follow in the dust of a holy person’s lotus footsteps. 

May the Source be with you!

6 KM

Sunday, April 6th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Toronto, Ontario

Towards Personalism

A college student came to see me for agreed upon meeting at venue, the streets.  It became a question and answer session on foot on this most sattvicday.  The sky was clear and bright, airwas fresh, there was hardly a breeze. 

I can say for myself, I felt the same forecast within.  I think my friend from Whitby, Ontario, the college student, was of a similar state.  I could tell by the questions and the way he was receiving and digesting my responses.  He was curious about the long walks I’ve done.  To that, I explained that light and long travel aid in the process of detachment. 

“Is that like nirvana?” he asked.  I was relieved to know that the phrase wasn’t just a name to him for a hot rock band, but that it means something quite different. 

“Nirvana is a word found in the Bhagavad Gita, and it’s a term very much clutched onto by the Buddhists.”  I explained that we are referring to a state of mind beyond the mundane, beyond the hankering and lamentation of this world.  Although nirvana may not be complete so far as total spiritual fulfillment is concerned, within popular Hinduism the equivalent tonirvana would be moksha.  For Krishna conscious pursuers, the state of completion anticipated is union with the Divine in personal service.  It is a highly personalistic approach to life. 

The student and I agreed to meet again and to have more parlance while walking. 

Equally enjoyable to walking and talking through the quiet residential Rosedale neighbourhood, was the evening kirtan which followed right after a successful run of the drama, “Little Big Ramayan”.  The incredibly hyped kirtan with pulsing drum beats and high strung voices took a strong personal involvement, and many people were there participating.  And it was my arm that reached out to bystanders of the kirtan, pulling the eager and shy ones into the dancing circle. 

One teenager that I pulled in stood there very flushed red, shrugged his shoulders up and down, as if declaring, “I don’t know how to dance!”

“Relax,” I said, “you’ve already got unique style.”

May the Source be with you!

6  KM

Śikṣāṣṭakam Will Become Revealed In Your Heart.
Bhakti Charu Swami

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS Founder-Ācārya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda The following Radhadesh Retreat lecture on Śikṣāṣṭakam Lectures – Part 2 – Radhadesh Retreat Day 5 was given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami in Radhadesh, Belgium, July 2011. Hare Kṛṣṇa Kīrtana and Jaya Rādhā Mādhava kīrtana Gaur Premānande Hari Hari bol. namo(...)

We have Lost a Wonderful Devotee — Visvakarma Prabhu
→ ISKCON Malaysia

BY GOLOKA CANDRA DASA

KUALA LUMPUR - Very sad to inform all of you that we have just lost a wonderful devotee. I received a call from Devananda Krishna Prabhu in Melaka that Visvakarma Prabhu has left his body today  09APR2014 at about12:30pm.
The man we used to call as the "Coach" is no longer with us.


Visvakarma Prabhu was a pillar of the Melaka temple congregation and regularly served as the  pujari and cooked up big feasts on festival days.

In his younger days, he was a champion 400m runner and hurdler and later went on to coach many youth athletes.
He regularly participated in the Ratha Yatras festivals all over Malaysia and many devotees around the country would have surely seen him enthusiastically participating in the kirtana. 


Visvakarma Prabhu received initiation from HH BVV Narasimha Swami last week.