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Start of a new year normally a time when I reflect on the previous year the good, bad and ugly bits.

Reflection on practice was something instilled during my nurse training to critically analyse not to see what went well, what could be improved and what went wrong in order to avoid the same mistakes.

This years hospital admission taught me a lot especially about Japa and our connection with our Guru Maharajah; Japa is not that easy the mind becomes an uncontrollable beast it was so kind that the devotee Dipak Prabhu who came with me kept me focused and chanting. Sharing my thoughts with my Guru Maharajah helped focus my mind on one fact, difficulty in chanting comes from inattentive Japa. A timely warning!

It was also wonderful the few amazing devotees who cooked and visited me each day, Thankfully I was admitted during the Diwali festival period not in my home town here in Wales were I would have been without such association (their would be no devotee visits). Reflecting again it shows the value of association, we forget that in many ways the only reason we remain strong is by building strong relationships with sincere devotees. Yes! None of us are pure devotees but were all getting their slowly and that in itself is inspirational, knocking the rough edges off each other. If we want to make progress in devotional life then these devotees are going to be the key.

It was also a year in which I again started to give class in the temple especially humbling as you look out at the amazing devotees who’s knowledge is more expansive than mine; but they listen attentively ask questions and encourage me to give more classes. It is amazing how many personal realizations you gain whilst giving class I think I learn more than those who are listening.

It makes me laugh how I start Pujari clean as the devotees allow me to do the morning transfers and assist the pujari’s in a small way; to ending up making the local dustmen looking remarkably clean given the duties that Acharia prabhu gives for me to do as seva; but it’s always worth the trip and time off work.

The community and school seva is slowly increasing I would love it to increase and cover the whole of Wales; but my inexperience shows; we had the second community Diwali joined by a wonderful devotee couple Mena and Vijay, Mena made a wonderful cake and Vijay did an amazing Kirtan as arati was offered. Yes were planning on another this year, hoping to make it bigger and better I plan one year to take over the Grand Theatre in the sea side town of Porthcawl it’s an aspiration.

But my underlining realization is that of friendship from those who I see and chat to in the guest room, to the pujaris, senior devotees and remarkable devotees who give up their time to do some devotional service. Each inspire and keep me motivated; without this association I would never make any spiritual progress; may Krishna continue to bless you all and your family.

Video of Sugosh leading New Vrindaban’s 24 Hour Kirtan – June 15th, 2013.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

New Year's resolutions are hard to maintain. We are very familiar with the routine where we feel Gung-ho about a change we want to make and a few weeks into the New Year, the resolution is already slipping away.

BY JAI SITA RANI DEVI DASI

KUALA LUMPUR - While most of us were relaxing at home on New Year's Day, we heard a very shocking news that our Ratha Yatra stalwart had a heart attack. Although we live in a muslim country, we have the good fortune to have Ratha Yatras without a problem. And not only that we have almost 40 Ratha Yatras in a year and definitely the most in the Iskcon world. Our travelling deities, Sri Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhatra move from one state to another and most of the times is taken care with such loving devotion and care by Ananda Dulal dasa and wife, Shyama Puja dasi. They even purchased a MPV for easy and comfortable travel for these deities with whatever little they earn. They always get gifts for these deities and some of the more elaborate headgears that our deities wear is due to their effort. 

His travel normally intensifies this month due to the increase in Ratha Yatras in the holiday season. And today is another Ratha Yatra in Malacca. He had heart attack as he was getting up for Mangala Arati at  Bhakta Valatarasu's house in Malacca.

ISKCON Juhu Deity Darshan – 31 Dec 2013

From Promila Mataji

Lord Krishna says in the Gita, Arjuna great yogis fall too mamamaya duraritya. And therefore, surrender to Me, He says. So, does this shloka mean that it’s not necessary that the one who is determined in devotional service is also a fully surrendered soul? I ask this because why would a fully surrendered soul commit a mistake?

Answer Podcast

From Dayalu Govinda P

If you dont do it, you end up being projected as a loser or a coward?

Answer Podcast

From Akshay:

Based on this Gita-daily article: “Devotion blossoms in a personal culture, not a personality cult”

I have got little confused with your statement “The deified person, no matter how spiritually advanced, is still a finite human being.”. My understanding is saying that this statement is putting question on greatness of Guru. It means we can not rely on one Guru.

Answer Podcast

If one studies the Upanisads for a long time he will not obtain even an atomic particle of transcendental sweetness as a result of his study. On the other hand, simply by residing in Vrindavana one will become quickly drowned in a great ocean of transcendental nectar. May that supreme abode of Sri Vrindavana become manifest within my heart.

[ Source : Nectarean Glories of Sri Vrindavana-dhama by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura, 1-22 Translation ]

Please see the link for all photos …

New Year Resolution: Start Krishna consciousness today onwards!

Srila Prabhupada’s own words:

My Guru Maharaja (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura) when I was twenty-five years old he ordered me long, long ago, to go to the foreign countries and preach Lord Chaitanya’s message. Somehow or other I could not assimilate his order until I was seventy years old. But it was better late than never. So also I was trying how to make a successful tour for preaching Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s message. So by the grace of my Guru Maharaja and by all your blessings, I went to the Western countries and had such a very good response. I went (at the age of 70 years) there empty handed with forty rupees in my pocket and free ticket, return ticket, by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. And for one year I had no place to live, I had no money to eat; still I was going here and there.

I went in America in 1965. After struggling for one year, in 1966 I incorporated this Krishna consciousness, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). So some of our friends suggested, “Why not make ‘God Consciousness Society’?” and “No. ‘Krishna Consciousness.’ If I make ‘God Consciousness,’ that will be a big task.” Krishnas tu bhagavan svayam [SB 1.3.28]. Isvarah paramah Krishnah [Bs. 5.1]. Therefore, this distinctly should be the society for Krishna consciousness and we are successful in preaching Krishna consciousness all over the world.

It does not matter whether one is a five-year-old boy or a fifty-year-old man, just start Krishna Consciousness.

Destination should be at last we have to reach lifetime goal – i.e., Go back to home back to Godhead.

Sound is the main substratum of the Vedanta which deals with a subject unapproachable by our present crippled imperfect senses. The ear cannot work as a receptacle unless we are willing to admit a sound and this admittance depends on our taste and previous experience. This prior experience invites affairs within the phenomenal range, but the Vedantic sounds have a different aim. So our reciprocal situation will crown our efforts with success.

- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, The Vedanta – Its Morphology and Ontology

Life’s Final Exam: Death and Dying from the Vedic Perspective, edited by Giriraj Swami, can be purchased HERE

Sections include: Cultural and Philosophical Perspectives, Caring for the Terminally Ill, The Perspective of Caregivers, The Perspective of Relatives, Hospice Care, Facing Death, and After Death.

The contributors include His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Giriraj Swami, Radhanath Swami, Ravindra Svarupa dasa, Bhakti Bhrnga Govinda Swami, Kriya-sakti dasi, Kesava Bharati dasa Goswami, Indradyumna Swami, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Padmanabha Goswami, Malati dasi, Sacinandana Swami, Bhakti Tirtha Swami, and many others.

“All of us can benefit from reading Life’s Final Exam. Its contents can fuel our own spiritual search, help us better understand our brethren from the Vedic tradition, and teach us much about life’s great mysteries. You will be glad you opened these pages!”
—Porter Storey, MD, author of Primer of Palliative Care and the Unipac series

“Life’s Final Exam stands at the crossroads where the wisdom of spiritual tradition meets real human need. Death and dying do not respect sectarian boundaries, and it is wonderful to see the riches of Vaishnava Hinduism drawn upon to sustain ands console people embarked on this life’s final journey. Ministry to the sick and dying is today an increasingly interreligious phenomenon, and this book is a welcome resource for departments of pastoral and hospice care.”
—Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Director of the Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University

“Life’s Final Exam opens a world of new insights into the mysteries of life, death, and what lies beyond. The book contains answers to life’s biggest questions seen through the eyes of love, devotion, and service. Giriraj Swami weaves the perennial wisdom of the Vedic tradition, which is not very well know in the West, with the practical experience and support for those working in hospice and for anyone who cares for others at the great threshold. Regardless of a person’s spiritual path, Life’s Final Exam offers fresh perspectives into what we all hope for and most cherish in life. Here is a new volume of the growing world library of The Books of Living and Dying.”
—Richard Groves, founder of the Sacred Art of Living Center, author of The American Book of Living and Dying

Available Here: http://www.krishnaculture.com/product/LFE.html