How impersonalism leads to materialism
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The propaganda that the Lord is impersonal, that He has no activity and that He is a dumb stone without any name and form has encouraged people to become godless, faithless demons, and the more they deviate from the transcendental activities of the Lord, the more they become accustomed to mundane activities that only clear their path to hell instead of return them home, back to Godhead.

- Srimad Bhagavatam 2.3.14 purport

End of the Season in New Vrindaban
→ New Vrindaban

New Vrindaban aviary

by Lilasuka dasi

Dec. 2013

The deer are grazing, the trees are bare, the temple is quiet, Prabhupada’s Palace sits majestically and serenely atop the hill, and the busy season in New Vrindaban has wound down. It's a time to reflect back on the good happenings of the spring and summer. 

So many events at New Vrindaban in 2013 have been lining up with Srila Prabhupada’s vision for the community. For New Vrindaban, Srila Prabhupada specifically emphasized the importance of cow protection, self-sufficiency, spiritual education and a holy place of pilgrimage, all focusing on loving Krishna.

The new reception cabin across from the main temple building has proved invaluable in orienting new guests to the community.  Many pilgrims have commented with great satisfaction on the improvements in the newly renovated lodge rooms.  Several guests said they will definitely recommend the lodge accommodations to their friends.  The lodge rooms were booked every weekend throughout the spring and summer.

Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant received a new facelift and, although there are still improvements to be made, visitors have mentioned how impressed they are with the new, modern look and atmosphere of the restaurant.

New Vrindaban’s gardens produced a lot this year. “We were able to harvest acres of both white potatoes and sweet potatoes for Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra.” There were also rows of crops of different varieties of peppers harvested, many of which were pickled for the pleasure of the devotees and guests who take prasadam feasts at the temple.

For New Vrindaban, 2013 was a year of fantastic festivals. 

The 13th Festival of Inspiration was held in May. It was a milestone with several highlights. Govinda’s Restaurant opened in the nick of time the night before the Festival. The Lodge reception cabin was inaugurated at about the same time, and the guests were able to begin enjoying the newly renovated lodge rooms. After the festival, one lady guest was remarking, “I especially appreciated the enthusiastic and helpful attitude of the young ladies, working at the ladies’ ashram, who greeted me.”  The Festival of Inspiration 2013 was a successful festival in so many ways.

There were two very inspiring 24 hour kirtans held in 2013.  The first was in June and was a larger scale kirtan, with kirtaniyers  from around the country. One visitor said, “   I felt a deep heart connection.  The chanting at this kirtan rose to a new level.”  The Kartik kirtan this year in October was smaller than the summer one, but more intimate and sweet.  A guest declared, “This kirtan has been amazing! I can feel that the spiritual energy here is real.”

New Vrindaban has a very special annual puspa abhishek, which was held in July this year.  Their Lordships, Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra were showered with a downpour of flower petals. One participant was very excited to say, “I seriously felt like I was playing with Radha's gopis and gopas in Goloka Vrindavana at this puspa abhishek festival.”
 

Janmastami in 2013 was a very joyous festival, where Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated with great fanfare.  There was a brilliant swan boat display at night, accompanied by fireworks and a resounding Hare Krishna kirtan.

The World’s Happiest Event, namely New Vrindaban’s second Festival of Colors in September 2013 turned out to be three times as big as the first Festival of Colors in 2012!  There were five very upbeat bands rocking out the crowd to the Hare Krishna maha mantra, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.    This is a family-friendly festival based on the ancient Holi festival in India, where people come and sing, dance and throw organic colored powders on each other, so that everyone is about the same color by the end of the day!  Last year, one guest appreciated that “those people at the Festival of Colors sure know how to throw a party!” 

The year 2013 was quite successful for New Vrindaban, and everyone is looking forward with anticipation for an even better 2014.

A Lament
→ travelingmonk.com

“He who yearns to attain the sweetness of pure love in Vrindavan, but by destiny is forced to live elsewhere, laments and always remembers Vrindavan with it’s beautiful splendid groves where Radha and Krishna enjoy pastimes. He meditates on entering Vrindavan and thinks, ‘Now I am serving the Divine Couple.’” [ Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati, Sri [...]

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Home

Toronto, Ontario

Ken, of yesterday, also asked me, “Which is your favourite place in the world?”

And so I told him what I really felt, “Wherever I am.”

I don’t know if it had come by some coincidence, but this morning the verse which we read from the book Bhagavatam seemed to allude to this type of message – “You are at home even though you are away from home."  At least, this is how we discussed the topic.  In other words, a person should be comfortable in any setting because he/she has the Supreme on their mind.

I could be hundreds of miles away from the nearest temple or ashram and let’s say in the middle of Ireland, walking, but if I vibrate from my lips the maha mantra, my consciousness is there and then I am at home, away from home.  The real home is the spiritual world, but I should also develop the vision that all that is around me is a product of the Great Spirit, that there is always a connection.  The only loose connection is in my head, with my mind.

When we ponder what is mundane and go down the dark tunnel of ME, then we are actually homeless.  I believe that everyone wants to make the homerun.  Recently when I was in Cuba I saw particularly how the young men take to American baseball.  It was Saturday afternoon and in at least three different ball diamonds and parks that I passed by, these young guys were active at play, interested in the homeruns.

It was this day that I met Jan Peters from Newfoundland, a person whom I’ve known from the first of the Canwalks in ’96.  She had lunch in our temple’s dining room with her friend Maggie.  She had just made her first trip to India and just returned.  She had visited temples and orphanages, she was really at home while there, so she conveyed, and plans to be back there soon.  It looks like she’d been in touch with herself, and that is the point.  Home isn’t necessarily at your apartment.  In her case, the Battery, Saint John’s, Newfoundland.  Home is not even far away.   It’s where you are at present.  Then you have a healthy heart.  There’s a great connection.

May the Great Source be with you!

6 KM

Iskcon temple – An attraction forever!
→ Dandavats.com

I saw many devotees dressed in white kurtas and dhotis and were busy with their prayers. It was a pleasant atmosphere and all of us spend a few minutes in front of the beautiful idol and experienced the peace being there. I was keen to know more about the activities. I walked up to a person in the temple counter and he directed me to the office where a middle-aged person gave an entire picture of the various activities. It included cow protection, school for children, annadhanam and many more. A wonderful organization with humble and noble activities! I felt proud of them! Read more ›

2013 Varshana and Govardhan Retreat Recordings
→ HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami

Dear Devotees, Please accept our respects. Below are links to the recordings of our 2013 retreats that took place a few weeks back. We hope they bring your hearts closer to Krishna and Sri Vrindavan dham. Varshana: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5i5b2us1eydSXJSc29xYnl6M1k&usp=sharing Govardhan: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5i5b2us1eydM3l0aWNodEZyaHc&usp=sharing your servant, Sachi Kumar Dasa

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental “Throwback Thursday” – 12/05/13
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Throwback Thursday is a weekly theme commemorating vintage moments.

We thought to have a little transcendental fun with this internet trend.

Each week we will post a photo and highlight a time from the early days of New Vrindaban.

Visit ISKCON New Vrindaban’s Facebook Page and take your best guess on the who, what, when & where by posting your responses in the comment section.

Let’s see who knows their New Vrindaban history.

Extra credit for anyone who can correctly name the cows as well!

Back to Godhead - Volume 11, Number 01 - 1976

Announcement – Niranjana Swami’s Visit to Toronto Indefinitely Postponed
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We don't like being the bearer of bad news, however the Toronto Hare Krishna Temple would like to let all of our devotees know that, unfortunately, HH Niranjana Swami's visit to Toronto, which was scheduled for Dec 16-17, 2014 has been indefinitely postponed.

Maharaj will not be travelling to Canada as he had been expecting.  We apologize for any confusion and hope that our Toronto Hare Krishna community will be able to host Niranjana Swami sometime in the future.  Please note that the "Nama Yajna" program, which was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 17th, is now cancelled.  Hare Krishna!

VIHE Holy Name Retreat, Evening Talk and Kirtan, November 23, Varsana, Vraja Mandala
Giriraj Swami

11.23.13_05.Evening.Vdvn—————————————-
“In order to have the strength to engage in devotional service, we need to engage seriously in chanting and hearing about Krishna. That is why we are here—to deepen our relationship with the holy name, which means Krishna. There are technical elements—our posture, our pronunciation, our mind, our heart. But when that chanting and hearing reaches a certain point, one will feel a natural sense of compassion, and that compassion will be manifest in the endeavor to bring others to Krishna, to bring others to Vrindavan. Having had the opportunity to be with Srila Prabhupada personally, I know that he felt separation from Vrindavan. Once, I was with him in his room in Los Angeles, and after a few meetings he leaned back on the bolsters of his asana and quoted Narottama dasa Thakura’s verse, visaya chadiya kabe suddha ha’be mana, kabe hama herabo sri-vrndavana—’When will I give up material sense objects? When will my mind become purified? When will I be able to behold Vrindavan?’ Then Srila Prabhupada added, perhaps for me to hear, ‘Of course, it is not visaya, material; it is Krishna’s service. But still, I wish to be freed. I am hankering for Vrindavan.’ So it was not a small sacrifice for Srila Prabhupada to leave Vrindavan. And it is because of his sacrifice that we are here.” ——————————————————————————————————————
11.23.13_01.Evening.Vdvn11.23.13_02.Evening.Vdvn11.23.13_03.Evening.Vdvn11.23.13_04.Evening.Vdvn——————————————————————————–
Talk by Giriraj Swami
Kirtan by Sacinandana Swami

Our Govinda’s Restaurant Featured on Some Toronto Websites! Yippee!!!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

As many devotees in our Toronto Hare Krishna community know, our temple restaurant, Govinda's, has been going through a dynamic overhaul over the last few years.  The ambiance and atmosphere in the hall has been transformed, careful thought is now being put into our menus, and the public is responding by coming in great numbers!

We recently came upon two websites which featured Govinda's in their reviews of vegetarian restaurants in the city!  Check it out!

Blog - Toronto On A Shoestring - Occasionally, I will be sharing some group-buying deals with you which I think are really worth the money. I am particularly busy this week which is the reason I have already posted two for you already. :)  I purchased this one a few weeks ago because I am a foodie and am always seeking out inexpensive quality food deals. Govinda’s is already inexpensive without this deal and I planned on going anyway but glad I waited. Now I can eat there for even cheaper! [Click Here to Read More]

Huffington Post - Best Vegetarian Restaurants Toronto - If you're someone who often orders salads in restaurants, you're also probably someone who gets frustrated about the fact that they cost more than many entrees. And if you're a vegetarian, that only ups the anger factor — after all, shouldn't you be reaping some financial benefits for sticking to plant-based foods? [Click Here to Read More]

A Neat Video Depicting Reincarnation
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

We stumbled upon a unique video online that uses stop motion animation to dramatically depict reincarnation.  The ancient teachings of Krsna consciousness (bhakti-yoga) provide insights about reincarnation and they offer us an opportunity to understand our material circumstances more deeply, and those teachings answer questions that might otherwise yield no suitable answers  Check out this neat video below!

The Use and Uselessness of Varṇāśrama
→ The Enquirer

Please read generously. This is just a blog post, not an article or an essay or a book.

My angle on the question of the relevance of Varṇāśrama to bhakti is that there are two things: pure bhakti and mixed bhakti. For one, Varnāśrama is quite irrelevant, for the other Varnāśrama is quite relevant.

Pure Bhakti – Where Varṇāśrama is Useless

Pure bhakti is completely independent and unstoppable (“ahaituky apratihata“), it doesn’t rely on anything for facilitation or help, etc. – i.e. you don’t have to be healthy, or happy, or wealthy, or wise, or this or that or the other thing before you can completely dive into pure bhakti. It is immediately acessable, and nothing is an obstacle to it.

Pure bhakti is accomplished by it’s own internal parts:

  1. Primarily by Śrī-nāma-saṁkīrtana, supported by:
  2. bhāgavatārtha-svada (tasting the purports of Bhāgavatam),
  3. sajātiyāśaya-snigdha śrī bhāgavata-bhakta-saṅga (becoming close with devotees of the Beautiful All-Attractive who are similar to us, able to shelter us, and affectionate – not for “social development” but for Hari-Kīrtana and Hari-Kathā),
  4. śrī murty anghri-sevane pritaḥ (affectionately doing humble service for the beautiful deity), and
  5. śrī mathurā-maṇḍala sthiti (situating oneself within the circle of beautiful Mathurā).

If one has faith (śraddhā) in pure bhakti – in other words if one is substantially convinced that pure bhakti is the real immediate and essential objective of life – then one won’t find a need to “psycho-physically situate themselves properly” or have a proper social life, etc. etc. One will merely feel the need to engage in Hari Nāma Saṁkīrtana with the support of the four practices mentioned above. Nothing else will seem important, and full satisfaction on all levels, physical, mental, social, intellectual, and spiritual will come directly from the Holy Name.

Mixed Bhakti – Where Varṇāśrama might be Usefull

If one doesn’t have faith in pure bhakti (kevala bhakti-śraddha) then one should weep incessantly. That’s the most useful endeavor.

The tears should inspire one to find someone else who does have such faith. We should try to associate with that person in such a way that their faith Pure Bhakti rubs off on us.

Meanwhile, since we still keep some roots of faith in temporary things we will unavoidably feel all sorts of lackings, deficiencies, and hungers, from the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual realms and will wish for a different world, where varṇāśrama was established and everyone was psycho-physically healthy and happy.

But then such worlds do exist, and that will probably be our destination if we care too much about nursing our mixed faith in bhakti (miśra bhakti śraddha). That’s why miśra bhakti leads to higher “planets” within the material world.

What is “faith in mixed bhakti”? It’s the idea that “bhakti is important but other things are important too.”

“Social development is important, physical health is important, emotional health is important, education is important, and bhakti is important too.” That’s a phrase from the miśra-bhakti handbook. In the kevala bhakti phrasebook there’s this phrase “to hell with everything else, where is the beautiful Son of Nanda, the source of all physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual bliss!?!?!?!?”
As far as I can tell this assessment of the relative use and uselessness of Varṇāśrama is extremely similar to the conclusion of Śrī Rūpa Goswāmī in Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu 1.2.246-263 (http://www.dicara.com/Members/vic/BRS/1-2-245.htm#246)


Move To The Clearing Stage
→ Japa Group

"...in my Japa I tried to focus in on what I am doing, because of all the regulative principles, the most important principle given to us was to chant sixteen rounds of Japa. And I have been immersed for so many years in the offensive stage of chanting that just last year, when I was reflecting on what I wanted to change most in my spiritual life for this year, it was to try very hard to move to the clearing stage of
chanting the holy name."

Yamuna devi dasi
Prabhupada Memories 2001

God and the demigods
→ KKSBlog

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

Even though we do not look for austerity, we do not spend the whole day trying to avoid austerity. We must take some austerity – that is bhakti yoga and we use our time, as much as possible, in devotional service. Therefore this chapter that we are reading from, continues quickly. We do all these verses (about demigods) today, in one shot and then tomorrow, we can go to the next verse which is about devotional service, which is the topic of this chapter. That is what we want to talk about and not about demigod worship – it is a waste of time.

anglesWe may get so many questions, “But my great-grandfather was worshipping such-and-such a deity. It’s in my family. It’s our tradition and what is the problem if we do a little puja on the side!?”

The point is that we divide our faith; that is the issue! Wherever you worship, you begin to put some faith there. We should reserve our faith only for Krsna, therefore we are worshipping only Krsna and not the demigods.

Like I said yesterday, we sometimes think that we will worship some demigod for small things because we don’t want to bother Krsna for these  things. No, the truth is that we are then putting our faith partially in Krsna and partially in the demigods. That is how it happened in the past. Many Vishu temples have turned into demigod temples. So, it is not wise. Why would we divide our faith!? It is difficult enough for us; we are by nature already weak in this age therefore it is not wise to divide our faith.

“But how can we give this up? Is it not an offense?”

No, because Srimad Bhagavatam says: devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam, na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan, sravatmana yah saranam saranyam, gato mukundam parihrtya kartam (SB 11.5.41). It says that one is relieved from all duties to the devas (demigods), rsi (sages), parents and forefathers if one takes up the service of Mukunda. All these other duties are automatically fulfilled. By serving Krsna, the demigods are more satisfied than by any other offering. It is the most satisfying offering to them because they are devotees of Krsna.

Krsna-skyThis idea that we are afraid, if we don’t worship the demigods then we don’t know what will happen – the demigods will get angry! No, then we are in ignorance; we do not understand. Bhagavatam has already stated to us. I can give a crude example.

Someone was serving me by bringing breakfast everyday. Then they stopped that and started to go out everyday, to distribute books, which is what Srila Prabhupada wanted. You think I’ll be upset! No! What will I say, “Go all, go everybody and distribute books. I’ll get my own breakfast!” It is more pleasing if you serve Prabhupada than if you serve me! It is a crude example but that is the mood of the demigods.

 

 

 

An Incredibly Inspiring Video, Showcasing Indradyumna Swami’s Polish Festivals
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Temple!

Headed by HH Indradyumna Swami, the "Festival of India" has a long standing tradition of being a dynamic, travelling tour that visits cities across the Baltic Sea Coast for the last ten years.  With incredible stage programs, yoga classes, philosophy and more, the festival presents a tapestry of spiritual culture to the country of Poland.  At the helm of this incredible tour is Indradyumna Swami who is an incredible, spiritual force!  Check out this inspiring video of the festival in action!


Tips On Writing – The Prologue
→ NY Times & Bhagavad Gita Sanga/ Sankirtana Das



I begin Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest with three quick prologues. What the heck is a prologue for anyway? And three? What’s with that?

After the book’s introduction, your story begins. But before (pro - Greek) the story gets underway (lego – the telling) , do you want to drop in a prologue? The prologue might provide clues as to the theme of the book  or set up the mood or describe events that happen before the main story begins,  to anticipate the underlying conflict of the story or might introduce one of the main characters in an offbeat way. And that’s why I have three.

Prologues do those things and more.  Basically, the prologue sets up the mood.  (check the first sentence of my first prologue).  A prologue could even be like the coming attractions and poise questions and situations to titillate the reader,  or it could  provide a predicament which is then totally dropped, only to surface again much later in the book. You have to figure out if your book warrants a prologue and how to use it to your best advantage.  To see my prologues go to www.Mahabharata-Project.com to the Sample page.

Actually, you would do me a great favor if you went to the site, even if you were there before. In four months, if you googled Mahabharata, my site has jumped from page 15 to page 3. Now it’s been hovering between pages 2 and 3 for the last month. I’m trying to boast it to page ONE on google.   I thank you for your help.

Ys, Sankirtana das
www.Mahabharata-Project.com    



Vaishnava marriage in Vrindavana (Album 129 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

There are many purificatory processes for advancing a human being to spiritual life. The marriage ceremony, for example, is considered to be one of these sacrifices. It is called vivaha-yajna. . . . The Lord says here that any sacrifice that is meant for human welfare should never be given up. Vivaha-yajna, the marriage ceremony, is meant to regulate the human mind so that it may become peaceful for spiritual advancement. (Bg. 18.5, purport) Marriage based on the principles of religious life is therefore current in all civilized human society because that is the way for restricted sex life. This restricted, unattached sex life is also a kind of yajïa because the restricted householder sacrifices his general tendency toward sense gratification for higher, transcendental life. (Bg. 4.26, purport) Read more ›

Monday, December 2nd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Six Plus Six

Toronto, Ontario

The morning was overcast.  Monday morning.  “Aggh,” many will say.

I was dashing to the passport office for the renewal of this handy document.  It brought me into the corporate sector of the city, or at least to the edge of it on Victoria Street.  All seems robotic, all seems straight and square, and there’s the gloomy looking faces, my God.

Anyways, business got done.  I’ll pick up a ten year valid passport on Thursday morning.  I trekked back home by way of Church Street through the gay community for a change, and before that through Ryerson Campus where students are abuzz.  Then I ventured through the platinum strip of Bloor and Bay in Yorkville.  Places that are all dolled up for Christmas.  I also passed through the Eaton Centre, the giant mall, where there are massive lit up reindeer.  Over the speakers you could hear, “Oh Holy Night,” that classic.  When the lyrics came out, “Oh night divine… When Christ was born…” my objectionable mind questioned, “Yeah, but Christ wasn’t born on December 25th.  Christmas was slapped on to the pagan holiday at Winter Solstice, a clever and imposing move to save souls.

I left the mall and made the journey back to the ashram to make a total of six kilometres.  A golden opportunity arose for one more trek in the evening to give us another six kilometres.

Ken, a friend from Australia (we say ‘Oz’) wanted a quiet Monday evening experience on foot.  Ken, who works for the Red Cross worldwide and drops in occasionally, does all kinds of charity work and also finds himself tending to cows in India’s goshala (cow shelters) and helps the expanding school in Vrindavan.  While trekking, he asked a question after admitting he enjoys being single and is also not necessarily interested in being in a stationary place as in living as a monk in a monastery.  He sometimes feels the pressure though, “They joke, ‘why don’t you settle down and get married?’ While others say, ‘be a brahmachari’.”  He asks further, “Is it wrong to work and carry on?”  Here was a sincere soul asking a sincere question.

“Not at all,” I counselled, “you’re a natural nomad, keep your hair and keep Krishna.  Monastic life isn’t for everyone.  You’re doing good.”  Anyways, Monday night seemed less gloomy.

May the Great Source be with you!

12 KM

Is there any actual difference between Brahman Paramatma and Bhagavan, or is it just a matter of perception?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Divyangi Lalita M

I was with the understanding that Brahman and Paramatma are limited and can only exhibit sat and sat-cit features respectively. From the lecture, I understood that they are the same absolute truth and there is difference only in the way it is perceived by the practitioner, can you please explain further.

Answer Podcast

If madhurya rasa is taught in other traditions, then what is unique about the Gaudiya tradition?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Divyangi Lalita M

I was under the impression that only Gaudiya Siddhanta teaches madhurya rasa, but I was recently corrected by a devotee stating that Andal from the Sri sampradaya was situated in madhurya rasa. Can you please explain on what basis we can convince new devotees about the supremacy and unique position of Gaudiya Siddhanta?

Answer Podcast

Is love of God available to followers of non-Vedic systems?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Priya Aiyar M

Is love of God available to followers of non-vedic system who don't recognise Krishna to be the Supreme Lord but worship God as Buddha, Prophet Mohammed, or Jesus Christ. In other words, there is a vast difference between Vedic literature and non-vedic literature. So how do the followers of religions other than sanatana dharma come to the right conclusion of God and attain love of God? In their own system can they attain love of God?

Answer Podcast