Coast Harinama
→ Ramai Swami

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Isvara prabhu, formerly from the UK, now living at New Govardhana for the last 25 years, heads up a weekly Harinam party that chants from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast. There are also other kirtan parties that leave the farm twice a week for other areas.

However, Isvara usually likes to take the Harinam to places that have “Market Days,” where stall holders set up and sell the wares in a certain locations around the Coast. These Harinams are more “family” orientated and many of the devotee children come along as well.
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Beyond this lifetime
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, September 2013, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.20.13)

the-spiritual-stairsWe see only the tip of the iceberg and never really know what is going on all levels. We cannot see and that is the whole problem. I may look at the person sitting opposite of me. I may know his name. I may know something about his life. I may know something about his nature and I may think, “I have figured him out! Yes, okay put a number on him.” But the truth is that I do not know who he was in his last life. I have no idea. I do not know who he was in the last hundred lives, I have no idea. Nor do I know what he will be in the next hundred lives, I do not know. Or if he will go back to Godhead in this lifetime?  I hope so but I do not know. How can I know? But Krsna knows all these things.

When Krsna acts, all the factors are part of the equation. When we are acting there are always a few factors and when we do something, we hope that it will all work out, “May god help me.” We hope that everything is going to be okay, even after we have made all the plans and executed it perfectly – we hope that it will all work out with fingers crossed and so on. But Krsna makes the perfect arrangement. So certainly, Krsna is interested in the good of all. Krsna is certainly interested in uplifting the entire universe and Krsna is always making arrangements for the spirituality within the universe to be available to all and that the spiritual path remains open.

 

Holy Name Nectar
→ travelingmonk.com

A daily routine …. “One must make it a daily routine to chant for an hour in the company of saintly Vaisnavas in a sacred, undisturbed place. Noting the Vaisnavas devotional attitude and their relish for the holy names, the neophyte should emulate this mood and gradually rid himself of all apathy while chanting. Step [...]

Holy Name
→ travelingmonk.com

While recuperating here in South Africa I am focusing on chanting the holy names – which are in and of themselves the best medicine. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur’s instructions in this regard are important: “Advanced Vaisnavas advise that chanting is best performed in the presence of Tulasi devi and in a place of Lord Krishna’s pastimes. [...]

Shelter of the Holy Name
→ travelingmonk.com

As I convalesce after my recent illness here in South Africa I take shelter of the instructions of Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur in his Harinam Cintamani: “The devotee should make it a regular practice to spend a little time alone in a quiet place and concentrate deeply on the holy name. He should utter and hear [...]

Do we feel a need for God in our lives when life is treating us good?
→ Dandavats.com

When life is treating us good and all is going well, we often don't feel a need for God in our lives. Our material acquisitions -- money, property, friends and family -- become our crutch. As long as we have these things in place, we feel comfortable and don't have a strong need for a spiritual practice. However, when these things start to fade, we feel a sense of fear and panic come over us Read more ›

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental “Throwback Thursday” – 12/19/13
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

NV TBT 12-19-13

It’s time for New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday!

Each week we highlight an earlier era in the history of ISKCON New Vrindaban and ask our readers to identify devotees in the photo.

This week there are ten people who can be named.

Extra credit if you spot the special “accessories” one of them is wearing.

Post your best guesses on the “who, what, when & where” in the comment section at the New Vrindaban Facebook Page.

Technical stuff: We post the photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday.

Let’s have a bit of fun and see who knows their New Vrindaban history!

Visit from HH Sivarama Swami
- TOVP.org

Mayapur is livening up as devotees fill the campus from around the world. With courses, kirtans and kathaa in plenty, the community is enjoying the influx of visitors and residents. The offices at the TOVP have also benefited from the inspirational association of some of ISKCON’s leaders.

HH Sivarama Swami recently visited the TOVP and was taken on a tour of the site. Known for his ecstatic kirtan, Maharaja brought that same enthusiasm and vigor to his walkabout. Having a background in metallurgy, he expressed an interest in the materials being used in the fabrication of each design element. His attraction extended to him jokingly commenting that he was jealous the TOVP devotees had such an exquisite seva. He was also pleased by the regard and camaraderie shown amongst the TOVP staff and toward their guests. Furthermore, Maharaja was thrilled by the progress being made and he was so eager to see everything that his tour expanded into a three hour sojourn. His time with the TOVP devotees ended with an open invitation for him to join the round table.

The staff at the TOVP always enjoy giving tours. Not only is it an opportunity to guide visitors through what is being done, but the appreciation and excitement of the guests motivate the TOVP devotees to continue in their dedicated seva. This project serves as a meaningful milestone in ISKCON’s history, but he power of the support and encouragement from the international community ignites an immediate fire in the hearts of the TOVP staff.

The discoverer behind all discoveries
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The Lord inspires the individual soul to create what is already created by the Lord, and by the good will of the Lord a discoverer of something in the world is accredited as the discoverer. It is said that Columbus discovered the Western Hemisphere, but actually the tract of land was not created by Columbus. The vast tract of land was already there by the omnipotency of the Supreme Lord, and Columbus, by dint of his past service unto the Lord, was blessed with the credit of discovering America.

-       Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.17 purport

Find the devotee
→ KKSBlog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 02 October 2013, Melbourne, Australia, Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.2-7)

devoted-monksWe should never think that somebody is not a devotee. We should think that everybody is a devotee! The uttama-adhikari sees everyone as a devotee. We should find the devotee in other people. The devotee is there; we should just find it!

We treat someone as not a devotee then they may also say, “Yes, I am not a devotee.” But if we find the devotee; awaken the devotee… There is a devotee in every person!

 

 

 

 

The Symptom Of Good Japa
→ Japa Group

  • The symptom of good Japa is that we like to chant.
  • The symptom of poor Japa is lack of taste and a struggle to complete our rounds.
  • Lack of taste is reinforced by the mood of, "I have to do chant" rather than in proper mood of "I want to chant, I get to chant, I love to chant."
  • I have to chant sends a message to Krsna in the form of Nama Prabhu that we don’t like spending time with Him.
by Mahatma dasa

Big celebration at Iskcon Detroit – The Bhaktivedanta Cultural Centre(Album 43 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Inspired by the spiritual teachings of His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Alfred Brush Ford(great-grandson of Henry Ford) and Elisabeth Reuther Dickmeyer(daughter of United Auto workers President, Walter Reuther) jointly purchased the Fisher Estate in 1975 as the site for the Bhaktivendanta Cultural Center Read more ›

Produce Department Head Position Available
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

butternut

This is in New Vrindaban  for the 2014 growing season. This is a compensated position.

Contact Madhava Gosh for details

gourdman8(at)gmail.com

Service Description

Department: Gardens & Produce

Mission: Make the gardens attractive, a place where pilgrims, visitors, and community members can find their connection with a natural way of living, create a proper service mood among the staff and support the temple with outstanding produce.

Goal: Produce vegetables and flowers for the New Vrindaban community as per Srila Prabhupada’s instructions. Make sure the garden looks attractive throughout the year. Engage staff and volunteers.

Job Title: Department Head Gardens and Produce

Authority: ECOV

Requirements/Skills:

Knowledge and experience in organic food production and garden management.
Interact and communicate in a friendly manner with visitors.
Supervise staff and volunteers, assign duties and evaluate service.
Value other people’s contributions and to express appreciation.
Deal with problems and time sensitive matters.
Organizational and administrative skills.
Steady, reliable, responsible, exemplary character.
Ability to follow budget and financial plan.

Responsibilities:

Plan the new season based on the needs of the temple.
Prepare the garden for each season (e.g. preparing the soil, planting the seeds, maintaining the crops, harvesting, etc.).
Managing daily operation of the gardens  including staff and volunteers.
Maintaining an attractive, healthy garden.
Managing budget and  controlling expenditures.
Inform  the kitchen one week in advance about planned harvest.
Food processing and storage.
Ensure safety for all staff members, volunteers and guests.
Comply with licensing laws, health, safety and and statutory regulations.
Care and maintenance of machinery and power tools as appropriate.
Attend meetings and training courses as required.

Does ISKCON promote subtle emotional enjoyment in the name of spiritual enjoyment?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Mrigank Sharad

Gita condemns sensual enjoyment, but
does repeatedly talk about some kind of 'spiritual enjoyment',
like in chapter 6, many times the bliss of associating with brahman has
been stated. while iskcon tries to discourage gross sensual enjoyment, but it in
factpromotes some kind of subtle sensual enjoyment. Mind is a subtle
sense and
emotional thoughts about love and affection are like subtle sense
gratification. It makes one crave for others' association' and imposes a
feeling of attachment. Like, I was listening to one of the ISKCON sanyasis
at Chicago temple:  " when you go to Krishna , he will welcome you, will
give you a hug, will play with you'... these sound like promoting subtle
sense-gratification, like the thoughts of emotional dependence
on some one. you may feel that i am questioning the concept of bhakti it
self, and am sounding more like adwaitis ( or mayavadis)). But these are
logic questions. I have not read any of their books. If i try to observe
what my mind is doing by thinking the way this prabhu thinks, i am just
allowing my mind to enjoy subtle pleasures , at the emotional level .   And
some people may get intoxicated with this kind of feelings.

Answer Podcast

Is ISKCON’s conception of God like the Abrahamic religion’s jealous God?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Mrigank Sharad

The main ISKCON theory is that Krishna is the only enjoyer and all
others are to be enjoyed. This is the ultimate truth and those who rebel
against it , violate their essential 'dharma' and a bound to fall down.
This is nothing better than the portrayal of God as an envious frowning
master by the Abrahimic religions!

Answer Podcast

Could the unbelievable stories about Krishna not be some poets’ fabrications?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Mrigank Sharad

ISKCON being related to the school of Gaudia Vaishnavism emphasises upon
the form of devotion that is generally termed as 'madhurya rasa'. You talk
about gopis, and Krishna's form etc. I have heard many stories being
discussed by ISKCON celibates which sound strange: one goes like this:
Radharani cooks new dishes for Krishna every day in the spiritual world,
and never repeats a dish'... this kind of man-made stories are hard to
believe!  And your slogan is to follow the foot-steps of acharyas! whats
the proof that the acharyas who told all these strange stories did not
fabricate them. for me Gita is logical, whether i look at it from the point
of view of dualism or advaita. Every rational person can connect with it.
But absolutely not with these kinds of stories.

Answer Podcast

The basic principle of missionary activities
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The pure devotees are not only satisfied by knowing everything about the Lord, but are also eager to broadcast the information to others, for they want to see that the glories of the Lord are known to everyone. Thus the devotee feels satisfied when such an opportunity is offered to him. This is the basic principle of missionary activities.

– Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.9 purport

The Sound of Silence
→ Seed of Devotion

I walk through the cold and dark streets, the city night so quiet to me. I enter the park and walk past sludgy snow piled up against empty benches. Round street lamps bob in the night like so many candle flames. The almost full-moon hangs in the sky, surrounded by one or two glittering stars. The trees are all bare.

I gingerly sit on a cold bench before the Prabhupad Tree. I glance up at bare branches which seem to reach for the sky. Almost 50 years ago, Prabhupad came to sit under these branches to sing the holy name.Through his kirtan, he transformed hearts, he transformed the world.

Now, the word is silence - I seem to be surrounded by so much silence.

Every time I come here I feel this silence, and in that silence the emotion of gratitude always emerges. I feel grateful to Prabhupad for giving me a reason to live. I feel grateful that he persevered. I feel grateful to be breathing and to be on the path of love, true love.

I close my journal and rise to my feet, gazing at the Tree. I then kneel to the ground and touch my forehead to the cold concrete bricks in obeisance. When I stand again, I whisper, "Thank you Srila Prabhupad," and turn around to leave.

Walking away, I can still hear the silence.
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