Lecture Podcast

Iskcon temple officials and devotees have protested against the arbitrary nature of the HMR. They have proposed an alternative in consultation with railway engineers. They stressed that this alternative “was designed by a panel consisting of top railway (SCR) engineers, headed by the chief engineer himself. There were 10 members in the panel”. In the picture given below, the shaded rectangular area is the temple premises, the red lines are the existing proposal of the HMR and the yellow lines are the proposed alternative by Iskcon as per the advise of the railway engineers. By following the alternative, there will be no difference to the demolition of other buildings and, more importantly, the temple will be saved. -- Read more ›

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Oh, for the love of stuff!

Ok folks, the time may be coming. This world may be a bit kookie; some of the methods we use for communication, and even a few of the “normal” societal values we raise arms over may not be the most progressive.

One quick question we should ask ourselves is: “Do I posses things or do they posses me?” You know, the type of question we encourage our kids to shut up about. But hey, why not raise the question? Do our so-called “modern problems” actually differentiate in quality from other problems throughout history? What solutions are on the modern factory workbench to meet with the imbalances of the soul? The next iPad? Unlocking the holy grail of smart phone apps? The next, next myspace? It seems that rather than continuing to find solutions through different arrangements of matter, no matter how glossy-sweet they may be, it may be wiser to seek a more holistic approach.

We don’t need a modern, complicated lifestyle to bring us satisfaction. Lasting happiness will not be found by our rush to touch, taste, or smell any one of the colorful varieties of sensations effectively calibrated to distract us. Neither is lasting happiness found by running away from the world. We have to act in this world, but the key is to act in a way that is congruous to our true identity as spirit, and not matter – two categorically different phenomena that we oftentimes fail to accurately discriminate.

In a discussion organized by local social movement "Interfaith Dialogue", was attended by representatives of different traditions and trends of Christianity, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, as well as scientists -- Read more ›

Descending into the city from a mountain. Nature is characterized by goodness. Cities tend to shelter good doses of restlessness and ignorance. Path to ignorance, like the ignorance itself, is crooked and difficult to navigate. Those who are used to ignorance have become attached to the very source of their own pain.

The Perverted Desire to be Omnipotent

Since time immemorial, there has been espionage and surveillance. Spies, in various forms and nuances, have always been used to gather information on undiscerning specimen(s). Now, with the advancement of technology, spying has shifted from the traditional/iconic Mr. John Smith persona, who acted like your ally but was in cahoots with the enemy, to impersonal machines hacking information via wireless networks by people in isolated rooms anywhere in the world for motives both benign and malevolent. In modern day espionage, there is the growing notion of having mass surveillance of people for the purpose of controlling and gathering intelligence; indeed, a future reminiscent of Orwell’s prophetic 1984.

One example of modern surveillance in its nascent form is the Panopticon. In 1791, Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher and abolitionist, designed and published his ideas for surveillance in prisons through a structure he dubbed the ‘Panopticon’. The Panopticon is an architectural design in which a circular structure encircles a single observer tower at the center. Within the circular structure are the prison cells, which are shielded so that the inmates cannot see the observer tower, but the observer within the tower can see into every cell in the prison; hence, the prisoners are unable to know if they are being watched while the observer can very easily monitor all of the prisoners. Bentham’s innovative idea of how to observe a mass group of people, both individually and collectively, is touted for being the catalyst for the modern surveillance systems of tomorrow.

However, what was originally intended to be in prisons only has escaped its shackles to include society in general. With the invention of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the 1940’s, Bentham’s idea reached its potential. Now cameras could be placed anywhere; people could be very easily monitored and, with the advent of more sophisticated computer systems later on, very easily identified. It is now a curious phenomenon just how much we are being spied on every day – at intersections, stores, public squares, via cell phones, internet, texting, e-mail, and wherever else we don’t know….

Especially under the safety blanket of war on terrorism and scare tactics, governments have tried to broaden their control on the population through mass surveillance. The National Security Agency (NSA) was exposed earlier this year for their mass surveillance of US citizens. They are collecting various categories of metadata from phone calls and deciphering it using information mining filters to collect intelligence that is deemed noteworthy.

Meanwhile, technologists, at the behest of governments worldwide, are hard at work advancing the processing speed by which faces can be identified. Governments and military are using the same filtering system they use to recognize voice and text, but now are integrating it with Facebook’s technology of identifying and tagging people in pictures, which they can then apply to live video surveillance. There are already databases of biometrically analyzed pictures that people post of themselves and others on Facebook.

Mass surveillance, although unscrupulously deemed by some as necessary for safety, has a great possibility for abuse. How far should surveillance go and personal freedoms forfeited, before one starts to feel like a prisoner in the Panopticon?

The Bhagavad-gita teaches that only Krishna, or God, can be the true observer of all living entities. His presence is completely benevolent, without any tinge of mundane self-interest or corruption.

In the commentary to Bhagavad-gita 5.15 it says:

“The Lord is the constant companion of the living entity as Paramatma, or the Supersoul, and therefore He can understand the desires of the individual soul, as one can smell the flavor of a flower by being near it. Desire is a subtle form of conditioning for the living entity. The Lord fulfills his desire as he deserves: Man proposes and God disposes. The individual is not, therefore, omnipotent in fulfilling his desires. The Lord, however, can fulfill all desires, and the Lord, being neutral to everyone, does not interfere with the desires of the minute independent living entities.”

When those in power imitate having the powers of God, but failing to have the same benevolence as God, neglect the people’s welfare for their own selfish interests, a scary situation is born. Attempting to imitate the Supreme Being is one of the major diseases of an unhealthy soul, and everyone in their sphere of influence is affected.

“Similarly, the living entity… starts his own business to compete with the Lord. There are many competitors out to attain the Lord’s position, but to become like the Lord is not at all possible. Thus there is a great struggle for existence with the material world as different parties try to imitate the Lord. No one can become one with or equal to God. To imagine this is to continue one’s bondage in material existence.” – Srila Prabhupada

Sunday Love Feast

When? Sunday, January 26th Program starts at 11 am Where? 6 George Street South Brampton, Ontario L6Y 1P3, Canada New! Listen Click here to listen to previous class recordings on our blog Make a Donation

Bhagavad Gita - 12.10   Devotional Service abhyase 'py asamartho 'si mat-karma-paramo bhava mad-artham api karmani kurvan siddhim avapsyasi TRANSLATION If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage. PURPORT One who is not able even to practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga, under the guidance of a spiritual master, can still be drawn to this perfectional stage by working for the Supreme Lord. How to do this work has already been explained in the fifty-fifth verse of the Eleventh Chapter. One should be sympathetic to the propagation of Krsna consciousness. There are many devotees who are engaged in the propagation of Krsna consciousness, and they require help. So, even if one cannot directly practice the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga, he can try to help such work. Every endeavor requires land, capital, organization, and labor. Just as, in business, one requires a place to stay, some capital to use, some labor, and some organization to expand, so the same is required in the service of Krsna. The only difference is that in materialism one works for sense gratification. The same work, however, can be performed for the satisfaction of Krsna, and that is spiritual activity. If one has sufficient money, he can help in building an office or temple for propagating Krsna consciousness. Or he can help with publications. There are various fields of activity, and one should be interested in such activities. If one cannot sacrifice the results of such activities, the same person can still sacrifice some percentage to propagate Krsna consciousness. This voluntary service to the cause of Krsna consciousness will help one to rise to a higher state of love for God, whereupon one becomes perfect. 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 Nrsingadev Prayers                   12.00 – 1:00                 Vedic Discourse 1:00 – 1:30                   Closing Kirtan Please note that ISKCON Brampton is a nut free environment inorder 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!

1966 January 26:
"One set books sold at the Universalist Church, Central Park West. Three letters dispatched. Went to see the Tape-recorder. Found no good. Meeting at the Church at 4 West 76th St at 7 pm."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1966

1968 January 26: "Mistakes there may be in our life, but if we stick to Krsna Consciousness, Krsna will surely put us on the right path. I love you at my heart and therefore I gave you the name Krsna devi dasi. Don't forget Krsna even for a single moment."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 January 26: "The six couples have been working very hard and they have been very much appreciated by the people there, and their character, behavior, and devotion are attracting sincere people to our movement. I want similar thousands of couples for my disciples to propagate our movement throughout the world."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 January 26: "Krsna is giving you good chance for presenting Krsna Consciousness Movement in the circle of educated people. Do it to the best of your ability. Scarcity of language on your part will be fulfilled by Krsna by the process of your eagerness to serve Him."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1973 January 26: "It does not matter that you are not so expert at Sanskrit. If by your presence the devotees become enlivened - that is the sign of successful preaching. It is not very difficult. Just read from my books and try and explain the meaning in your own words."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1973

1974 January 26: "If you sincerely preach everything will become smooth, and our preaching work will become smoother and smoother. Let us work cooperatively all over the world. It is a great task. Let us be cognizant of our responsibility."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 January 26: "You have dedicated yourself therefore you are always glorious. I'm very much indebted that you have gone so far away from your comfortable country. Please go on preaching like that and you will be blessed."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 January 26: "I think Krsna wants to see you all work independently of me. I'm getting old and cannot move, so if you all my students work ten times more than me that will be great pleasure for me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

What if all of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s disciples had worked together to spread Krsna consciousness as Srila Prabhupada did? The world would now be a different place.

The post Gaura Nitai’s installation festival appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Our book distribution scores keep going up every year, and we were over 25K in 2013! We currently have 6 university programs which bring a lot of students to evening programs. We call it the "Discover Yourself Course." We even got a class at the university titled "Marketing the Krsna Conscious Way" which instills moral values over just trying to work hard and make money. The university programs include lectures regularly and we have also attracted international students and a year ago we opened a Krishna House, and it is big hit. Students there pay rent and that helps pay for the house. We have 16 Bhakti Vrksha programs. These are all around Illinois and in WI also. -- Read more ›

No one should neglect to control the mind. If one does, the mind becomes so powerful that one immediately forgets his real position. Forgetting that he is an eternal servant of Krishna and that service to Krishna is his only business, one is doomed by material nature to serve the objects of the senses. One should kill mental concoctions by the sword of service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee.

- Srila Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam 5.11 Summary

SRS: Ahimsa milk presentation by Tukarama Prabhu (TP of Laguna Beach) at the NA GBC and presidents gathering last week.

The post Cow Protection appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Bhakti Vrksa programs, book distribution, weekly harinama in the summers, shiksha programs (a tool of congregation development ministry), and a theater preaching program (a young Indian man who had grown up in the US, read Srila Prabhupada’s books, and came to the temple and said he would like to do some service for Srila Prabhupada; he had a movie theatre with 7 screens, and now he advertises a temple program w/prasadam and a movie and there are many new families coming from it. This program has a mailing list of 18k people; he uses all his screens to advertise the Bhagavad Gita study programs) -- Read more ›

We now sell packed hot meals. We started with Illinois Institute of Technology two days a week; now going five days a week, and have expanded over at Northwestern University. We’ve noticed how this program helps in converting people to vegetarian. -- Read more ›

Krishna Temple is a Labor of Love – Back to Godhead – January 1979.

by Ed Kozel

Reprinted from the Wheeling (West Virginia) News-Register

Something of a minor marvel is taking shape in the hills of Marshall County, where members of the Hare Krishna religious community have sacrificed over the past four years to complete a “labor of love” a temple in honor of their spiritual master.

Formally named Prabhupada’s Palace, after His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the temple will be known to those who visit it as the Marble Temple, complete with formal gardens and incorporating more than 50 kinds of imported marble.

The temple sits atop a hill near the rural community of Limestone, midway between Cameron and Moundsville. The site was a garbage dump four years ago when members of the sect began their project. Today, with yet another year of work remaining before completion, the temple and grounds afford a striking view of the surrounding hills and valleys.

Visually, the temple is stunning. Designed in the Jaipur style of Indian architecture, it features arched doorways, brass and copper balustrades, and marble inlays in intricate and delicate patterns, all constructed by Hare Krishna devotees.

The temple and grounds occupy about 50 acres of the 1,500-acre community. Landscaping will begin this fall with a final goal of including several fountains and a reflecting pool into the design of the grounds.

As much as the architectural style differs from the local style, so do the construction workers themselves. Absent are the hardhats and salty language commonly associated with any construction site, and in their stead are the quiet attitudes and robed figures of Hare Krishna devotees.

Every aspect of construction and design was undertaken by the devotees, some traveling to India to learn the detail of Jaipur architecture from some of the finest craftsmen. Others traveled the world in search of the finest marbles from Italy, Iran, Canada, and other spots.

The time invested on the temple can best be realized by an example that it takes two months to complete one of the marble-inlaid panels used on the temple interior. Ten panels are needed for one room alone. The plaster casts for the temple doors are intricately hand-carved and take over one month to prepare.

Windows combine stained glass and joli screens carved out of teakwood. Teak also comprises the main arches, a delicate pattern of animals and flowers.

The temple is crowned with towers and spires; the dome to the highest tower will be capped with gold.

The temple is the only one of its kind in the United States and already nearly 50 people visit the temple daily. Members of the sect hold worship services there twice daily, in keeping with the regimens of their faith.

In addition to work at the temple grounds, devotees have begun work on a new access road to the temple, one that provides several beautiful views, prompting some visiters to comment that the temple looks as though it had “descended” from above.

Perched on a hilltop with the blue skies of the Ohio Valley as a background, the temple is reminiscent of the residences of kings and deities told of in old mythologies.

The image of ancient grandeurs is continued in the marble inlays, as colors of red, blue, green, and gold mix and play in a man-made design that compares adequately with the grandiose veining in the marble provided by nature.

This exotic beauty will be continued in the main sanctuary ceilings, whereupon will be hand-painted pastimes of Krishna.

Only a handful of the community’s 200 members work on the temple at any one time. The remaining members are involved in ensuring the continued self-sustenance of the community, which was founded in 1968.

Because of the community’s standing as a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, the cost of the project has been greatly reduced. However, several million dollars would have been invested had the temple been built by a commercial interest.

The community is primarily supported through the sale of its books, although some support does come from residents of surrounding communities and several area businessmen. However, in the community the concentration is on personal fulfillment through love, although the community is very much like any secular community in other aspects.

Visitors are welcome to visit the grounds, located near U.S. 250, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. Devotees expect the number of visitors to grow following the temple’s completion sometime next summer.

Meanwhile, the Marble Temple is still something at which to marvel.

On August 16, 1979, the devotees will dedicate the completed temple (artist’s rendering below) and commemorate the day, in 1896, when Srila Prabhupada made his appearance in the world.

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30-12-2013 Caitanya Lila Part 4, ISKCON Cape Town, South Africa.MP3

2014 Sri Sri Radha Madhava Elephant Parade – Kirtan by H.H.Kadamba Kanana Swami

Toronto, Ontario

A Hardy Hearty Trail

Dan is a diabetic person who comes around our ashram.   We had a great meal together, and as we did honour the prasadam (blessed food), a group from a walkers club came in for the same.   You are looking at a dozen or so people who seem to be retired folks.  Even in the 20 below Celsius weather, they brave the trails of hardened snow and ice.  Once I was told of a trail, one I’m familiar with, I got inspired, and asked Dan if he would go for a trek before the coming blizzard.

“Let’s go, Dan, it’ll be fun,” I said.  So he went home to put on extra layers of clothes and we headed for the ravine.

Dan loves to talk in a lively optimistic way.  But I let him know that with us so bundled up with two sets of hoods over our ears, we wouldn’t be able to communicate much.  He quickly resigned to the procedure of a meditative watch where you step type of trek. 

He at times asked, “Where are we, I’ve lost my sense of direction?”  as we snaked along trails that were marked by the footprints of previous trekkers.  Otherwise, the whole snow laden area was up for grabs, including the frozen ponds.  Actually, you make your own path.  I’ve never experienced a more severe winter in my six decades on this planet. 

Once Dan and I came out of nature and more to the street level, he got his bearings together, “You know, I really like this.  It’s a little tough, but I know it’s good for my health.”

“Yes, Dan, do a bit of this every day.”

When we reached the ashram, the redness of our exposed faces lingered for a good hour or so, even after a good shower.  It was an accomplishment that Dan and I felt great about, like an Arctic Conquest.  I got a lot of chanting in and worked up an appetite.  “Shall we do it again, Dan?”

“Absolutely,” he said.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Toronto, Ontario

From The Balcony

Whatever I trekked today was indoors for the second consecutive day.  It’s a rather ideal walkway that is located in our temple room.  Formerly a Methodist church, its high ceiling accommodates a balcony which I use as this walkway.  It is a horseshoe shaped area with different levels on which to walk.

From any angle on that height you can see all the pilgrims and meditators that come and go.  It’s a marvelous vantage point.  From the south standing position on the balcony you look north and angle low to see the sacred images of Krishna.  It’s a very special place.  And just behind you is a temperature controlled area which houses the auspicious plant, Tulasi.  It’s great being in the presence of this exotic basil species used in devotional rituals.  She stands in green glory – several dozens of her. 

On the western wall of the balcony, three fair sized arched windows open up to reveal the active outside street called Avenue Road.  Peering out I could see the chilly dynamic of weather this winter.  Exhaust from vehicles curl up into clouds and then dissolve eventually in its ascension.  It is such a consistently frigid winter in most of North America, with plummeting temperatures all around. 

From the balcony you have three worlds at your exposure – the tropical house of Tulasi, the ice world of the outside, and the spirit world of Krishna deities sheltered in shringasan domes, very ornately decorated. 

It’s a very high but tucked away place on that balcony.  I contemplated, “if ever there was truth to the global warming theory with ice caps melting, and Lake Ontario starting to rise with serious flood breakouts, this would be the obvious place to be. “

May the Source be with you!

5 KM

Here is a cow made out of wrenches from a guy who makes sculptures out of wrenches.

Check out some more here.

Filed under: Cows and Environment, News, Ramblings or Whatever

Here is some more nectar from the latest Japa workshop given by Giriraja Swami Maharaja in Houston, Texas:

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, February 2011, Stockholm, Sweden, Lecture)

I would say that the world is oversexed, this is the issue. There is nothing wrong with sex – sex is fine. Vedic culture is not hiding it; it is not putting it behind closed curtains. In fact, Vedic culture is very open about it. A couple that wants to conceive a child asks everyone for blessings, which is something you wouldn’t usually do these days!

So Vedic culture, in one way, is quite open about it. It is not hiding sexual activity but rather, it is done in a blessed way. First, one must prepare to conceive a child – not in the back of a car on a Saturday night or something like that, after having drunk quite a bit of liquor – not like that but actually, by purifying the consciousness. It is mentioned that whatever the state of consciousness the parents have, that is the kind of child they will attract at the time of conception. When the male and female secretions mix then from a subtle platform, the living entity enters and the living entity that enters is in a state of consciousness that corresponds with the consciousness of the parents. So if they are drunk, then what do you get!? And so on.

So in Vedic culture before you go ahead, first some purification is required.

They who somehow or other remain up to the moment of death here in Vrindavana, which with its splendor bathes all moving and non-moving creatures in an ocean of bliss, are at the head of all great Vaisnavas.

Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-43 Translation ] ·

Please see the link for all photos

This evening at our festival in Rajkot, Gujarat people came in by the droves. At one point I turned to a security guard and asked, “Sir, how many people are here?” Not taking his eyes off the entrance to the field he replied, “Eight thousand and counting.” As I walked onto the stage to give [...]

Devotees in Malaysia were privileged to have the blissful association of H H Jayapataka Swami. His Holiness arrived in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia on 21 January morning. There was also class in which Srila Jayapataka Swami encouraged everyone to preach and follow Bhakti vriksha to expand the congregation. -- Read more ›

Answer Podcast

Taken at ISKCON Goshaala Vrindavan -- Read more ›

Lecture Podcast

The post January 25th, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

To offer your help write at krishna_cuba@yahoo.com -- Read more ›