Shaped by the vaisnavas
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(Kadamba Kanana Swami, May 2011, Radhadesh, Belgium, Lecture)

We have to be ready to be changed by the vaisnavas, by the directions of the vaiIsnavas.  We have to be ready to give up our own ways, our own ideas and so on.  We have to become soft!

It is said that as one is advancing in spiritual life, gradually the heart softens.  At first it is like a rock,  “I am what I am and who is going to tell me anything!  I am here, surrendering to Krsna and that’s it!  I am not going to listen to anybody, except, okay, the temple president, but that’s about it!”

Hard-hearted!  But gradually, you must become softer.  The heart melts, it is explained.  Gradually, one becomes pliable and one becomes like clay or like dough.  It becomes possible for us to be shaped by the desires of someone else. You have a plan and they will ask you to do just the opposite of your plan and we will say, “Yeah, sure!”  There goes your plan!

That kind of flexibility is possible – that we can just give ourselves to the needs and desires of others.  That is vaishnava!

 

Blissful festival program in the center of Ananda, Gujarat, attended by over 4,000 people (Album 89 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Indradyumna Swami: Yesterday we held a festival program in the center of Ananda, Gujarat. Over 4,000 people attended. Anand translates as 'bliss' in sanskrit. It was certainly blissful reminding the local people of their original culture of Krsna consciousness.Today we will have harinam in Dakor and visit the famous deity of Ranchor-raya. -- Read more ›

Sri Harinam Joint Cooperative Artha Sedana (Album 29 photos)
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Each year teams of Sri Sri Jagannath Gauranga Harinam Ashrami invited to fulfilling harinam leisurely stroll in the event organized by the Cooperative Banjar Betngandang-Sanur, Artha Sri Sedana. Despite the drizzle persists activities across the main road leading to the beach around the Belanjong Hyatt hotel and finish back at Banjar Betngandang. We are grateful to the Cooperative Artha Sri Sedana for their cooperation during the Maha Yajna so that the pronunciation of the Holy Names of the Lord Hare Krishna can be known more widely. -- Read more ›

“The Higher Pantheism in a Nutshell” By Algernon Charles Swinburne
→ View From a New Vrindaban Ridge

One, who is not, we see: but one, whom we see not, is:
Surely this is not that: but that is assuredly this.

What, and wherefore, and whence? for under is over and under:
If thunder could be without lightning, lightning could be without thunder.

Doubt is faith in the main: but faith, on the whole, is doubt:
We cannot believe by proof: but could we believe without?

Why, and whither, and how? for barley and rye are not clover:
Neither are straight lines curves: yet over is under and over.

Two and two may be four: but four and four are not eight:
Fate and God may be twain: but God is the same thing as fate.

Ask a man what he thinks, and get from a man what he feels:
God, once caught in the fact, shows you a fair pair of heels.

Body and spirit are twins: God only knows which is which:
The soul squats down in the flesh, like a tinker drunk in a ditch.

More is the whole than a part: but half is more than the whole:
Clearly, the soul is the body: but is not the body the soul?

One and two are not one: but one and nothing is two:
Truth can hardly be false, if falsehood cannot be true.

Once the mastodon was: pterodactyls were common as cocks:
Then the mammoth was God: now is He a prize ox.

Parallels all things are: yet many of these are askew:
You are certainly I: but certainly I am not you.

Springs the rock from the plain, shoots the stream from the rock:
Cocks exist for the hen: but hens exist for the cock.

God, whom we see not, is: and God, who is not, we see:
Fiddle, we know, is diddle: and diddle, we take it, is dee.


Filed under: Poetry

Fatal Attraction–Part 1
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

Author: 
Karnamrita Das

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player is needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer; if you are using Google Chrome it will automatically play, so to not listen, mute your speakers.)
photo Muth_zps5205a858.jpg
[February 12th was my 45th anniversary of moving into the temple as a single monastic (brahmacari) and officially taking up the process of bhakti, or pure devotional service. To honor my spiritual journey on the way to Krishna, I thought I would repost this 5 part series about my life before taking up Krishna consciousness and how it led to my existential crisis and spiritual search. Since these are blogs, I have greatly condensed the material.] Pattrica Ann Bailey stared mindlessly at the passing scenery as she sat in the moving train. She felt relaxed and glad to be away from Chicago and what seemed like a fixed future. In fact, the more miles away from the “Windy City,” the better she felt. While a fiercely independent and critically intelligent young woman, she couldn’t stand up to her mother Peg—still, after all these years! Patt (with two t’s please) had joined the Navy during the Second World War to escape her mom’s watchful eye, and even married, but then, after only a year she had to get a divorce. Her—now X—husband shocked her by revealing that he liked men better than girls and had no feelings for her. Thus, she was forced to return home in shame.

Although she had a very high IQ, Patt could be impulsive and over emotional at times. Thus her mom had never quite trusted her decisions, and was worried about her future. To “help” her daughter make a better choice in picking men, she invited a good looking, wealthy, navy captain over for dinner. He was nice enough Patt had thought at first and so they began dating. Before she knew it she was engaged, which she had agreed to do at the insistence of her mom. And the major problem was not only that she didn’t love him, but as she shared years later, “He was boooor-iiiiiing,” and Patt had a weakness for exciting men and doing fun things her mother didn’t approve of.

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How to Achieve Satisfaction
→ View From a New Vrindaban Ridge

“The life of contemplation in action and purity of heart is, then, a life of great
simplicity and inner liberty. One is not seeking anything special or demanding any
particular satisfaction. One is content with what is.”

Thomas Merton. The Inner Experience: Notes on Contemplation. William H. Shannon,
editor (San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 2003): 66.

” Materially, everyone wants to satisfy his senses, and he wants God to be the order supplier for such satisfaction. The Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet. But when one takes the opposite way — namely, when one tries to satisfy the senses of Govinda without desiring to satisfy one’s own senses — then by the grace of Govinda all desires of the living entity are satisfied.”

Bhagavad Gita 1 32-35


Filed under: Thomas Merton

New Vrindaban Daily darsan @ January 19, 2014.
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

02

If Vrindavana, whose great splendor eclipses the shining of millions of suns, moons, fires and lighting flashes, once shines in the heart, then the desire for wealth and a host of material benefits will not enter.

[Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-37 Translation ]

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He Bestows This Mercy On Us
→ Japa Group

Today I chanted extras rounds. I had this thought about Japa and how Krsna is very pleased when we chant the Holy names nicely.
If Krsna sees that our efforts are serious then He reciprocates in a serious way, bestowing the nectar for which we are always anxious.
The taste for chanting comes from the Lord and when he sees we are genuinely trying to chant the Holy names to our best ability, He bestows this mercy on us and we make progress by steady purification.

Service – our saving grace!
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic, Lecture)

krishna and cowherd boys When we are going through some very difficult situation in the material world, then we can really remember that this is not very nice place and we become fixed to going back to Godhead, “Yes, I am ready, I really want that now.”

However, one can only sustain the desire for going back to Godhead by being attracted to serving Krsna. Attraction to Krsna must manifest in attraction to serving Krsna.
If we are simply inactive and we appreciate Krsna’s glories then we are in santa rasa (neutrality). Prabhupada said the santa rasa is almost impersonalism therefore one must at least become dasyam (servitor), and engaged in service. We must take up some service for Krsna.
Whatever that service may be, one must take that very serious, “This service, I am doing for Krsna.” If we have service then we have spiritual life, then our attraction to Krsna will also develop. As a consequence of that service, we will also start to appreciate the name, fame and qualities of Krsna.
Our connection is the service.  When we forget to take on some practical service and we try to go into deep meditation of Krsna, it will not work.
It is service that is our saving grace. It is through that service that Krsna is saving us, by his mercy. 

Traveling Sankirtan Book Distribution
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Written and posted by Dhirabhakta Das on behalf of Vicaru Prabhu using a small outline sent:

Vicaru Das
Bhaktivadanta Manor
UK

It is always amazing to be given the opportunity to be a part of a traveling sankirtan book distribution marathon team.

Myself, Sutapa Das and Gurudas Das travelled the length and breath of the UK: Sheffield, Manchester, Durham, Sunderland, Ipswich, Norwich, Bury St Adman and Lincoln.

Distributing Srila Prabhupada’s books in the severe cold, freezing rain and wind was at time’s very difficult especially as few wanted to stop and talk, but despite this Sri Caitanya’s sankirtan movement pushed on in their mission to distribute these books; we went to Sunderland for several day’s and due to the severe weather no books were taken.

Rather than being despondent and fried we simply continued on our mission moving to Durham town centre there we met many intellectuals in this university and historical town; now you can see I stopped several university students who all took a Bhagavat Gita expressing great gratitude and thanks: “thank you very much to stop us and give us these books”

They were so inspired and pleased to receive these books that they sent me these picture’s that they later sent to me via e-mail.

Our aim was to inspire mostly educated student’s to take and read Srila Prabhupada’s books; due to our diligence and perseverance two pallets of books were distributed.

The greatest service we can all take part in.

Hare Krishna
Your Humble Servant
Vicaru Das

Pallika Dasi’s Memorial Program, January 17, Khar, Mumbai
Giriraj Swami

01.17.14_Mumbai“How is it that someone could be so much in love with so many people yet at the same time so detached? In the same sentence she expressed how much she loved her children and her grandchildren, and yet she was so completely detached. That is possible when one is completely dependent on Krishna. Pallika devi mataji entrusted her own soul to Krishna, and she entrusted the souls of all those she loved to Krishna. In that state she was happy and fearless.” —Radhanath Swami
Giriraj Swami
Radhanath Swami

Clarification, listening and understanding
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One thing that comes from doing a lot of community preaching is that you get recognized and approached; sometimes it’s a little difficult if say I’m with a client. Recently I’ve been asked to come to several new groups to myself and also asking if I plan to put on a Diwali Celebration again this year.

At times it’s because the individual is struggling in life and want some advice of a spiritual nature so I try to take the time out no matter how busy; on occasions I’ve had to make arrangements to meet over a drink.

On occasions due to my presence on the internet via my blog many have e-mailed me with questions and their struggles in devotional life, on occasions I’ve been able to meet the person, other times I’ve been able to hook them up with a local devotee, on occasion’s their has been an opportunity to distribute books.

Last year just before being admitted to hospital I had been stopped by numerous individual’s who felt that they could no longer continue in the society feeling they didn’t have a place or felt forced to conform ; indeed I had several e-mails waiting for an answer one was substantially long it took me nearly an hour to read through.

So I used the analogy of a round peg in a square hole, some disagree with this analogy but when I summed up the conversations it came down to this; they had a desire or expectation and felt that the society didn’t allow that con-straining them forcing them into a mould. Many were put off by the emphasis on courses and exams, there is nothing wrong with this many enjoy but if your not very academic this is a sure fire way to make them run to the door.

What I noticed was that they were missing out on one vitally important ingredient to have a health devotional life and that is up-building association and a service that engages them on both a emotional and physical level.

As we talk there is one question, why do I travel so far every month; what do I gain out of it?

Fantastic association, the opportunity to do a varied amount of service and most important encouragement for me personally without encouragement things are difficult. Indeed several have asked me to write about my nursing and how it’s given me many varied opportunities to share love of Krishna.

Several of them had heard of the mentor-ship system and sadly had dismissed it feeling it was a way to force them to conform, spend money on courses rather than seeing it as a positive thing to do in order to make a greater progress in devotional life.

Perception and Perspective

And so after spending much time listening, answering questions and finding out more about the person I spoke to it occurred to me that we need more mentors, from varied backgrounds and that it allows us to get to know the person as an individual then tailor a spiritual plan based on their strengths.

As I tell those who speak to me, there is many opportunities, many services, many different and diverse people; it’s not always going to be perfect yes there is going to be struggles but sticking with it brings the greatest of rewards.

After all ask yourself if their wasn’t the greatest pleasure and benefit then what would be the point of my traveling so far?
And so when stopped, e-mailed or asked for me personally it’s an opportunity to engage and encourage even if at time’s I may not agree with their point of view but knowing what they are feeling and thinking gives the greatest chance of helping.

Great mentor-ship allows this to happen.

Great mentor’s mean’s giving our most valuable asset our time.
And this is one valuable lesson I’ve learned that either with the community group’s, client’s, individual’s I’ve met or have contacted me giving them my time, being non-judgmental and on occasions agreeing to disagree brings the greatest rewards when you see them individual remaining in the greatest society found here in the material earth.

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Georgetown, Guyana
 
Push Through
 
One of the persons to care for me in Guyana is Ram Lila. After a decent overnight rest I awoke for a simplified morning sadhana (spiritual workout) which mainly involved chanting japa at the home of Khemraj and Marsi.
 
Monsoons are in full swing, creating another version of nature's harshness. Ram Lila, a native of Guyana, now spends a good amount of time in Canada as a successful accountant . After a successful outdoor Pada - Yatra which culminated at a rice mill yard in the town Cane Grove, Ram Lila and I walked back to our place of rest. While dodging incredible pot-holes in the dark he told me his story.
 
His dad died when he was young.  Being the oldest of the three siblings he took on the responsibility to maintain the household. At 8 he went to the creek before school to catch fish to be sold. This was a bare-hand, bare foot, underwear-only ordeal. It meant feeling your way to the reeds where the fish often hang out. It also entailed a full submergence in water frequented by huge crabs. After the catch, sales went door-to-door and sometimes to the market.
 
Ram Lila was a smart kid and he skipped a couple of grades. In between the fish catching days, becoming a bookkeeping expert and then onto opening his own accounting firm in Toronto, he squeezed in sometime as a monk. Devotees nurtured him in the ashram and the studies formed a moral basis for his life.
 
Personally I was fascinated at his rags-to-riches story. With "rich" I mean his implication and spiritual depths. Some people push through anything to achieve their goals. I had been watching these yellow birds, what they call kiskadie, as well as white cranes, sit through heavy rain and wind as they were perched on fence or cable. Some people are like that. Some people transcend.
 
This, we must aspire towards.

May the Source be with you!

7 KM

Monday, January 13th, 2014
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Miami, Florida
 
AP (Airport Picnic)
 
It was just a stopover in Miami enroute to Guyana that made my day. We had a picnic at the airport. Murari, Garga, Buddhi and Rupa from our community came for a greeting - and plenty to eat. Honestly most airlines just don't cut it when it comes to tasty veggie food. Out of the packaging came wraps, pasta and curd.
 
Since I did not have the opportunity to be in an ashram or temple where one can view the deity of Krishna, there are some things to compensate for that - and that is the devotee. Just as one benefits from seeing the positive image of a sacred icon, the same merit is achieved by seeing and serving one on the path of bhakti.
 
Just one floor down from the Caribbean Airlines ticket booth, we sat, content as ever, serving, seeing and hearing each other. I informed our picnic circle of the successful meeting in Houston, of an apparent growth in North America. Even my host for an evening, Anil and Savatri, formally became members, and took diksha, initiation. Their new names are Abhay Charan and Sukrti respectively.
   
I also let the crew know that our "Little Big Ramayan" was well accepted and a high point for me was when one of the actors, Emdee Anderson from Jamaican descent, a dread locked chap, posed as the hair-whipping demon in opposition to Ram (laughter).
 
Time came for departure and a closure to a sweet session with the group from Miami.  We reminded each other to declare war on maya (illusion and temptation) and to not be a servant of matter.
 
Murari, jokingly asked if I put any mileage in today, pacing the halls of the airport. Embarrassingly I had to say "No". I could just as easily take count with an attached pedometer, but "No.”  I'll consider it an unregistered bonus.

May the Source be with you!

0 KM

Sunday, January 12th, 2014
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Houston ,Texas
 
The Open Kind
 
Americans are an open kind of people, generally speaking. That was a small group's conclusion on this last day of meeting. Nanda Suta, from Seattle, is heading up the group that will coordinate the 50th Anniversary of Krishna Consciousness coming to the US, and then, branching off from there to all corners of the world.  In the plan-making stage I've vowed to walk the U.S on  2016 which make the half a century date.  Some colleagues suggested that I be careful of right-wing red-neck dynamics, especially where Republicans are strong. It is an ear that some Canadians have about south of the border.
 
I will see it as total adventure. My host for the evening told me that Texans have an attitude towards Asians, him being from India himself.  What to do?  I am neither Asian, Canadian, American etc. I am a Spirit. I will approach the marathon walk with a view to connect with all kinds, even cowboys.
 
Regarding the conservatism of Texas, I know that they can be downright curious and not be closed up, "extroverted" might be the word.  One of the monks (brahmacharis) I spoke with as meetings came to a close, said, "I was approached by one these full-fledged cowboys  at the airport once. The guy with cowboy hat came up to me to confirm that I was actually a monk. I told him I was and then he asked, acknowledging the robes, 'Well, how do you piss?' "
 
Call it forwardness! Lack of inhibition. Blunt! Whatever! I look up to meet all those inquisitive open people. They are spirit, after all, and a little dose of Krishna can do anyone a lot of good.

May the Source be with you!

9 KM

Saturday, January 11th, 2014
→ The Walking Monk

Houston,Texas
 
Blending Walking and Talking
 
Somehow or the other our quickly assembled drama troupe pulled off an appreciated "Little Big Ramayan". Then after the performance, as a way to wind down, I took to the sidewalk nearby.  With me was Manoram, whom I've travelled with for several summers on the youth bus tour.  It was a few minutes of time permitted to be kind to the feet, nay, the body. We went down a few quiet streets, as quiet as it gets on a Saturday evening in a Houston suburb. Turning a corner at a bar towards Shepard Ave, Manoram and I could hear dance music. The sound of voices and the tinkle of glassware for drinks. People are addressing their social needs, "said Manoram.
 
"Yes," I agreed. "Humans need the Lord to be sociable. It is the way we are. The question is, ‘Aren't there better ways to do it than taking substances?’  We are fortunate in our Krishna culture to be able to fulfill this need through kirtan chanting, through drumming and dance and great food.”
 
Manoram continued to express himself, "Through alcohol people drop their tensions, they are always uptight.”
 
“People have a lot of insecurities and don't know how to contend with it all," I said.  "We all suffer from lack of inner strength. That's why people also feel the need for spiritual discipline.”
 
Manoram and I reached Shepard Ave. at Grace Church with its neon sign in pink lumination.  And on our return walk we hopped onto a new topic, "How to make spirituality relevant to a public that's in a flux between happiness and distress – dualities?"
 
Our conversation went on...
 
The walk, the talk, blend well together provided it's a quiet street where you can hear each other speak and there's no eclipsing of conversation over the traffic. It's therapeutic to think of and for the world. Great way to end the day.
 
May the Source be with you!
 
3 KM