1970 February 10: "Now everyone has heard how strenuously you induced George Harrison to contribute for our Krsna Book. Your attitude of humbleness and meekness in the service of Krishna Consciousness is the only qualification which can lead us to upper grade of Krishna Consciousness."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1973 February 10: "Each GBC man can act as my secretary for one month at a time as I originally planned. In this way you will all be trained up so you can manage things so nicely so that I may spend my time solely for translating my books. This I desire."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 February 10: "If anyone strictly follows the regulative principles of Krishna Consciousness then he will always remain enthusiastic and dynamic. So if there are any defects within our Society it is only symptom that the instructions of the Spiritual Master are being neglected."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 February 10: "Those who come to learn must admit they do not know who they are or who is God and then after admitting these things they must be willing to take to the process and follow the principles. Then they can obtain spiritual knowledge."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 February 10: "As I have suggested previously as they do in Christian religion they have so many convents where the women stay and they receive protection. The point is that the women must be protected and it is the duties of the leaders of our society to see that this is carried out."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1973 February 10: "I want that Mayapur be self-sufficient by having its own production of grains, vegetables, fruits and milk products etc., to the extent that you will be able to feed at least 500 men daily. This will be better than trying to arrange for maintenance funds to come from outside."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

Pure, vegetarian, wood-fired pizza prepared according to traditional Italian recipes right inside of Mayapur's Iskcon temple. Read more ›

One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination.

- Srila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi 1.35 purport

(Image courtesy : back2godhead.com)

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[I am continuing the reposting of this 5 part series as a way to commemorate this month which marks my 45th year of coming to Krishna.] Growing up in San Francisco, Chris didn’t think it unusual or sad if the sky was overcast or foggy—it was just a different color sky, though he liked the sun too. In fact, in a general sense, even at the young age of four he began a lifelong pattern of not look forward to things, or thinking of too much about the past. Though he was learning to shut his emotions down as much as possible, in a strange way he lived in the present, at least his version of it, safe in his castle of neutrality, yet ever on guard so he could remain at peace, and not angry (like his father). He learned that if someone is angry that will mean pain, so he treaded life very gently. When his family moved from L.A. to San Francisco in 1954, he didn’t feel much different in his new neighborhood in the Sunset district than he had in his previous house in Van Nuys, especially after making friends—but at first he didn’t like the hills. When a neighbor began making skate coasters for the kids, the hills became an asset for fun.

In their flat on 9th Avenue, these were carefree years for Chris, at least on the surface. He had a best friend, Michael Rivers who lived next door, and they played all day, coming home for lunch, and sometimes playing Monopoly. They were loosely under the watch of Michael’s mom, since Chris’s parents were at work, and sometimes there was a baby sitter, but in those times kids were just let out to their own devices without supervision. As they grew older they enjoyed roaming the neighborhood, finding homes under construction to play in, climbing the tree on the corner, or exploring the hill that steeply dropped down from 8th Avenue to the fast and busy street far below. Sometimes on the weekends they would walk over to Sutro forest and climb to the top with Chris’s dad.

Interestingly, from today’s perspective, in his youth Chris didn’t learn to make any distinction between the city composed of concrete, asphalt, cars, and houses, with the natural environment he encountered in his back yard, in vacant lots, or at Sutro forest. He hadn’t yet spent time in country settings which were at least partially undisturbed and full of trees, bushes and wildlife. Although later he and his friends spent time in Golden Gate Park, and had family vacations in scenic resort areas, he still didn’t understand that where a city now stood was once a scenic, natural habitat, free from human intervention and “progress.” To Chris, human beings seemed to be the center around which everything else revolved, while Nature and its laws were but an afterthought, or only of secondary importance to cities and their inhabitants. It was only when he was in his existential crisis at 18 that Chris really appreciated the natural world. He discovered a Nature that wasn’t secondary to human beings. Instead, humans were only a part of Nature. The natural world, the planet, and the Universe, were the basis of all life, having to be properly respected and cooperated with.

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Coolangatta is the southernmost suburb of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Read more ›

Jayapataka Swami invited all the Sri Mayapur GBCom Members and deputies for afternoon lunch prasadam feast (Lotus Roof Top) at his residence. Read more ›

PIZZERIA Home Delivery service, in and around Mayapur? Read more ›

The bliss continues for one and all! Read more ›

Then what is the big difference between human designs and God's design? Can human design equal God's design in future?

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Answer Podcast

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The UK is experiencing massive floods even here at Bhaktivedanta Manor, no real damage was done except to Arjuna Prabhu's caravan. It is scary to wake up in a flood. Read more ›

Answer Podcast

Lecture Podcast

 

ECO-Vrindaban Board Meeting Minutes 02-02-2014.

Mission Statement: ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.

Participating Members of the ECOV Board of Directors: Anuttama (partial attendance), Bhima, Chaitanya Mangala, Krpamaya, Madhava Gosh (partial attendance), Navin Shyam, and Ranaka.

Advisors present: Jaya Krsna

1. Utica Shale gas lease

A discussion was held regarding signing the proposed Utica Shale gas lease (without the participation of Gosh).

After having conducted a significant review of the lease, five additional considerations were raised:

a. In line with issues raised by members of the New Vrindaban Advocacy Sanga (NVCAS), the lease should require additional measures to reduce potential air pollution from wells and pipelines.

b. In line with the recommendations of the environmental lawyer engaged by INV & ECOV, several paragraphs of the lease should be revised to strengthen/clarify the lessor’s rights.

c. In line with issues raised by members of the the NVCAS, the “broken hill” site should not be used as a location for a well pad.

d. If signed, several Board Members would like to see a significant amount of the funds be dedicated to renovations at Srila Prabhupada’s Palace.

e. That the Board of Directors of ISKCON New Vrindaban first decide about whether or not to sign their lease.

As the resolution of these issues has the potential to change how directors vote, the Board has decided to wait for the results of any further developments before making a final decision.

2. 2013 Operations budget review

WHEREAS: It is the responsibility of the ECOV Board to review and approve the final calculation of expenditures made in any given year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves and adopts the final 2013 Operating Budget report and related documents submitted by Ranaka.

3. 2014 Operations budget approval

WHEREAS: It is the responsibility of the ECOV Board to approve all budgets and a Board subcommittee developed the 2014 operating budget based on actual budgets from prior years as well as projected income and expenses for the current year.

RESOLVED: The Board approves, adopts and authorizes the Operating Budget for the 2014 fiscal year in the amount of $275K, with the following stipulation:

For the “Manager’s Discretionary Expense Account,” any single expenditure that is $2,500 or less shall be authorized as long as Madhava Gosh, Ranaka and Jaya Krsna have all approved.  Any single expenditure over $2,500 shall require approval by the Board.

4. ECOV Mission Statement

WHEREAS: The Board wishes to describe ECOV’s mission in a clear and concise manner.

RESOLVED: The Board adopts the following revised Mission Statement, to be used uniformly across various media.

“ECO-Vrindaban promotes a simple, sustainable lifestyle centered on the care and protection of cows, local food production and the loving service of Lord Krishna, as envisioned by Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON New Vrindaban.”

5. Grant requests: Fence at the Temple Teaching Garden

WHEREAS: The Board wishes to improve the appearance and functionality of the garden most visible to visitors.

RESOLVED: The Board approves up to $5,224 for the installation of a new fence for the Teaching Garden, constructed from local lumber by members of the New Vrindaban Village Co-Operative.

H H Indradyumna Swami KIRTAN in Anand 19 01 2014

Holy Name Meditation Podcast

Answer Podcast

Flavors of Love

During the first stage, love begins as a vague feeling and gradually becomes very specific and clear. The divine love realized in the second and third stages takes the form of a very clear and tangible personal relationship with Krishna. There are infinite flavors of divine love, and infinite varieties of relationships with Krishna, because there are infinite individuals. Still, its helpful to classify the flavors of loving relationships into five broad, main categories.

1. The Peace of Selflessness

The first, most fundamental quality of true love is that it is totally devoid of selfishness. Absence of selfishness is the most basic form of selflessness, just as absence of hate is the most basic form of love, or as absence of war is the most basic form of peace.

Śānta is the Sanskrit term for this type of love. Literally it means “at peace,” because when all selfishness is gone we feel at peace. Yogis who meditate upon the divine within themselves and within all things (paramātmā) can attain up to this level.

If, from this foundational absence of selfish desires, we develop selfless desires to please our beloved – then active personal relationships to him can begin. The remaining four categories represent four depths of personal relationship.

2. Indebtedness

Our beloved is the source of all beauty and joy in our lives, so we feel deeply indebted to him. The desire to express this feeling of indebtedness is the first budding of pure desire and the first of four types of active loving relationships.

Dāsya is the Sanskrit term for this type of love. Literally it means “servitude,” because the feeling of indebtedness makes us very humble and helpful, without desiring anything in return.

Those who worship the Supreme Person (bhagavān) can can dive to this depth of realization. There are depths beyond this, but they are inaccessible to those whose love centers on majestic forms of the Supreme. The intimate forms of love beyond indebtedness are open only to those who fall in love with intimate forms of the Supreme Person, especially the most intimate form, Śrī Krishna.

3. Companionship

Our divine beloved is much more than a source of power and authority, he is a person in the truest sense of the world. More than worship, a person wants companionship. If we deeply realize this, our sense of selfless indebtedness will carry us swiftly across the boundaries of formality and reverence and make us Krishna’s confidential companions: his peers, who play and joke with him. The desire to express our indebtedness manifests now as the desire to please him through friendship.

Sakhya is the Sanskrit term for this type of love. Literally, it means “friendship.” Those who develop this degree of divine love can become the young boys of Vṛndāvana, Krishna’s dearest, most confidential friends.

4. Protection

If our love can develop still deeper we will go beyond acting as Krishna’s peers and begin to act as his superiors. Sometimes Krishna’s cannot stop him from doing something unpleasant or difficult, those with very powerful love therefore experience superior, senior and parental towards Krishna. Such persons become Krishna’s elder friends, his aunts and uncles, his guardians, and his parents. Their desire to express their indebtedness manifests as the desire to protect him.

Vātsalya (Literally, “Calflike”) is the Sanskrit term for this type of love. It is so named because Cows are so maternally protective affection towards their calves.

5. Romance

If the desire to express our indebtedness escalates still further we reach the fullest level of loving relationship – the absolute intimacy of romance. In this relationship, we can joke and play like a friend, control and advise like a parent, and also directly delight all his senses.

There are several Sanskrit terms for this deepest stage of divine love. Mādhurya means “honey-sweet” and “intoxicating.” Śṛṇgāra means “passionate” and “sexual.” The meaning of these terms is obviously romantic. Ujjvala is another term for this category of love, which literally means “fully blossomed and brilliant.” It is so named because romance is the fullest expression of love.

Only the most intensely passionate divine lovers can access the extreme bliss of romantic love for All-Attractive Krishna. Those who do can hope to become the girls of Vṛndāvana, Krishna’s beloved girlfriends, the gopīs – the most ecstatically blissful of all living entities.

Re-compression, decompression, whatever you want to call it. It just popped into my head. Was thinking about the weekend and the combined 28-hours (waking hours) of non-stop being with my 3.5-year old daughter. Now, many people may not be able to appreciate what that means. 28-HOURS of straight association with a toddler. A little kid. A little, irrational, demanding kid. A little person there in your face: constantly needing, constantly demanding...for 28-hours.

This is the first bit of silence I've had since the weekend began. The first chance to just sit down in a silent room and to just be. I can hear my breath. Feel the moment. Feel the calm. Decompressing.

On my commutes home last week I would sometimes listen to the comedy of Louis C.K. He's often foul and offensive and lewd and perverse, but many times he's spot on in his observations of life. He talks about the realities of having children. He says things that many people think, but wouldn't actually say. There's a kind of honest courage in that; in just being able to say what you really think even if others will then see you in a bad light or think negatively of you.

There are many things to having children that truly suck. You no longer live for your self. You become secondary. It's just the way it has to be. It's a necessity of raising a dependent little being. These little people come into our worlds and demand. They strain marriages, they strain your patience, they strain your sanity. And yet we still love them. Of course we love them. We love them, but why can't we just say, "Man...sometimes having kids really, really sucks."

I sometimes guilty think about all of the other things I could be doing if I didn't have to tend to this little person under my care. I could be pursuing my Masters in Fine Art. I might not have to work so far away, because there would be less necessity. I could go out on dates with my wife and spend more quality time with her. I could draw more, paint more, read more. But alas, these are all things that will have to wait until she's older and more independent.

There's this really depressing commercial on TV where this guy sits down in his office to start writing a novel. But then he has a baby. A time-lapse thing kicks in and now the guy's office becomes the baby's room. Then the baby is a little girl in a ballet outfit, then it's all these milestone moments: prom, graduation, going off to college. Then at the end, all gray-haired and weathered, the guy gets his office back and once again sits down to finish that novel he never got to start. How freaking depressing is that?

Anyway, what is the point of me saying all this? Nothing. I just need to decompress. Isn't it healthy to say, "Hey, I need a break from this demanding, irrational little person"? I think it is. We all need silence. We all need quiet time. We all need to reflect and ponder and question. And those are all things that don't happen when you're wiping butts and getting snacks and playing princesses.

It's so horribly easy to get caught up in the maintenance of life. The daily ins and outs of just taking care of business, whether it's work/career-related or family-related or whatever. We become these mindless automatons, just going through the motions and running in the proverbial hamster wheel. At some point we have to step back and say, "What is the point of all this?" Sure, it's a noble thing to just be a decent human and to take care of your family and their material needs, but beyond that, what really is the point of it all?

I'm all to aware that my days here are numbered. My success in life cannot and will not be measured in material gains. I will never attain all of my material goals. That's just a fact. The reality is this place, this world, is a place of misery and suffering. There's no escaping it. The goal is not to try and stop the suffering, it's figuring out how to transcend it, to ignore it, to not let it consume us. That requires full absorption in something higher than us, something outside of us. I've only had glimpses of it, but I am far from living in it.

The tracks here could quickly switch to my self-pity about what a crappy devotee I am and about how Krishna Consciousness often times doesn't seem real. But it's late and that conversation is a circular road that goes nowhere.

I don't know what's real anymore. All I know is this moment. And in this moment there is a wonderful silence; a wonderful decompression.

"We actually like to space out when we chant. It’s easy, it’s easier than concentrating, it’s hard work to control the mind. It is hard work to concentrate. So that’s why you have to develop internal momentum, you get the speed, you get the determination, the sankalpa developed in the mind."

From The Process Of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

Friend, don’t try to be popular. Treat the senses roughly. Break the love of this world. Don’t be attached to wife, children, friends and relatives. Friend, desiring to stay until the body perishes, reside in Vrndavana.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-58 Translation.]

Please click here for more photos

Sriman Revati Raman Prabhu, ISKCON Tirupati temple president's younger daughter, Sowbhagyavati Krishnacharanpriya to Sriman Chiranjivi Praneet Read more ›

This remarkable photo of Matador Torero Alvaro Munera marks the end of his career. When this gentle bull would not attack him, even after being provoked with sharp stakes, Munera collapsed in remorse. He became an avid opponent of bullfights. The fearless bull demonstrates that we don’t have to be disturbed by the provocations of the material energy. And on the other hand, the bull also shows us that it just takes one little act of compassion to help give someone a new perspective and  turn their life around.

“All schemes are useless scraps of paper in the face of war, famine, earthquakes and tsunamis. They are warning from mother Durga confirming her superiority.”

HDG Srila Prabhupada.

The UK is experiencing massive floods, even here at Bhaktivedanta Manor, no real damage was done except to Arjuna Prabhu’s caravan, it is scary to wake up in a flood. Please check out this movie taken 7 Feb 2014

Food For All Manor flood

This is the real flood we want:

Taken from Viraha Astaka from 1958 recently translated from Bengali, this is part of an offering to Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarawati
Srila Prabhupada.

“The ocean of mercy was previously held back by a dam,
But Lord Nityananda personally cut a channel in it and
thereby released the outpouring flood of pure ecstatic love of God

The devotees to whom the responsibility was given to continue
spreading this flood of love somehow became overpowered
by Maya and were thus reduced to simply performing ritualistic
Hindu ceremonies for the benefit of materialists.”

Your servant
Parasuram Das

1966 February 9:
"Today morning I met Manager of 33 Riverside Drive New York for occupying apartment No 307 on rent as follows:
Rent to Commence 2/15/66 $70, Security $70, Total $140
Expenditure:
Bus fare .30 and rent above
Total $140.30"
Prabhupada Journal :: 1966

1969 February 9: "On hearing from you, I shall immediately start for London. When I go there I am sure I shall find out a suitable temple-house. Please let me know your decision so that I may prepare for my London Yatra."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 February 9: "I shall be very happy to know what is happening to the second issue of our French edition Back To Godhead. I was very pleased with the first issue, and I hope the new issue will be ready very soon. Please inform me what is the problem in this important matter."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 February 9: "So far I am not displeased with any of my disciples. Sometimes the sons create disturbances, and the father has to tolerate. But it is up to the sons to obey the father and keep the relationship natural."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 February 9: "Regarding Back To Godhead, the advertisements which you are now getting, especially the hippie advertisements, are not very good. Therefore, I am thinking of avoiding these advertisements. We shall try to find out the money by some other means."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969