Planet ISKCON

BG 18.57 Ownership Claim But No Control 2009-07

Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 18.57 Ownership Claim But No Control – Timisoara

BG 05.18 Polite Exploitation 2009-07

Lecture – Bhagavad Gita 5.18 Polite Exploitation 2009-07 Timisoara AKA Manipulated desires

SB 10.13.02 Why Are You Not A Paramahamsa? 2009-07

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.2 Why Are You Not A Paramahamsa? 2009-07 Timisoara

SB 10.13.01 Memories of the Kong & the Count 2009-07

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.1 Memories of the Kong & the Count 2009-07 Timisoara (Memory)

1967 November 15: "We should never tolerate any insult to Krishna or His Representative. Anyway, forget the chapter, there is nothing to be lamented. If thousands like him come and go, we have to prosecute our real program - being sincere to Krishna and Krishna Caitanya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

The text below presents Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.10.8-9. The entire Bhāgavatam is full of such profoundly deep knowledge and realization. Please devote your heart and mind to study of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

Parīkṣit: Then the soul is not the ultimate refuge, the Supreme Soul is?

Śuka: The soul is the refuge of three treasures, but is not its own refuge.

Parīkṣit: Please explain! What are the three treasures the soul possesses?

Śuka: Individuality, divinity, and substance are the three treasures sheltered in the sanctuary of the soul.

Parīkṣit: How are they related?

Śuka: Where there is individuality there is a person, and a person certainly is also divine, but it is the person’s substance which stands between the two.

Parīkṣit: To understand this, it might help if I knew the tangible nature of three qualities.

Śuka: Individuality is tangible as consciousness – the awareness of things from a point of view.

Parīkṣit: Divinity?

Śuka: Divinity is tangible as the power of perception – the superior position of observer rather than the observed.

Parīkṣit: And substance?

Śuka: Substance is tangible as the senses which constitute a physical body.

Parīkṣit: In what sense does the body (substance) “stand between” consciousness (individuality) and perception (divinity)?

Śuka: In one sense as a conduit or interface: The bodily senses allow the consciousness to exercise its perception. In another sense as a divider, a blockage: Investing your individuality into an unreal substance cuts you off from your full divine nature.

Parīkṣit: Now I understand that the soul is the refuge of three treasures. Please explain why the soul is not its own refuge, and what the soul’s refuge is.

Śuka: These three qualities of the soul are relative to one another. The existence of one depends on the existence of the other. If one is absent, the others cannot manifest.

Parīkṣit: I understand. Conscious perception cannot manifest without sense organs, but sense organs are useless without consciousness and the divine power of perception.

Śuka: A fourth entity possesses and utilizes these three, she is the “soul” – the true self. That true self is a treasure in turn possessed by the supreme self. So, three treasures are sheltered in the soul, and the soul is an entity sheltered by a being who is his own shelter. Thus the ultimate refuge of everything is the Supreme Soul.

1969 November 15: "Just like a rope comes down the well, we have captured the strong chain of disciplic succession coming from the highest platform. Captures it very tightly and we are assured of being delivered from the clutches of Maya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1969 November 15: "Don't be worried about the clutches of Maya. For my disciples who are so kindly cooperating with me in the matter of my rendering service to my Spiritual Master, for them I am always ready to come back from Goloka Vrindaban, if they are not delivered along with me."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 November 15: "It is no use to learn Hindi or any other language, just try to learn to speak our Krsna Consciousness language very nicely. If you follow our regulations and always remain neat and clean, very soon everything obscure will become clear."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1974 November 15: "So many difficulties I had to face since I left my home but by Krishna's grace we are situated on a standard footing. So let us maintain this position and pray always to Krishna that we may not spoil what Krishna has given us."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 November 15: "When you understand you are a fool then you are a little intelligent. Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to remain a fool, all Vaisnavas - not artificially but seriously - think themselves as foolish. The more we remain foolish, the more we remain eager for spiritual advancement."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 November 15: "To repeatedly offer obeisances to the Spiritual Master, this is very important. A disciple should offer dandabats, not namaskara. The more one becomes fixed up in Guru obeisances, the more one becomes advanced."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 November 15: " Do not adulterate or change anything. Memorize the purports of my books and then speak them in your own words, that is the process to preach Krsna consciousness. Then you will be the perfect preacher."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

SB 10.12.39 No vacation from Janardana 2009-07 Timisoara

Lecture – Srimad Bhagavatam 10.12.39 No vacation from Janardana

The post November 15th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

On November 14, 1977, at 7:25 p.m., Prabhupada opened his eyes, which were very clear, more so than in many months.  His mouth opened, his tongue moved, and then he became still.  The kaviraja took Prabhupada’s pulse and held a cotton swab to his nostril, detecting no movement of air.  Our beloved Srila Prabhupada had departed.

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

rasa108 ::_::{.at.}::_:: gmail dot com

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Rasa Rasika dasa

I’ve finally had chance to catch up on things after my October visit to the Manor their was a lot to do between work planning for the community Diwali so hadn’t uploaded these fantastic classes recorded

HG JayKrishna Das

HG Krypamoya Das

HG Sruti Dharma Das

As always I upload them to free space on the phone and using the cloud it’s much nicer to allow others to enjoy also

It’s amazing how easily I’ve end up falling into the easiest of traps by looking at the actions of one or two individuals and then transposing that onto a whole group.
It’s been the downfall of many devotees over the years allowing ill feeling grow, allowing the mind to run free and becoming a hindrance in spiritual life.
In this age of kali we are even on a spiritual path come across some sort of quarrel and disagreements, we come into devotional circles with ideology of a utopia and then when problems come (and they will) we immediately become disillusioned.
My mistake allowing the actions of just a couple of disciples cloud my feelings for their Guru Maharajah whom has due to his podcasts kept me plugged in and my mind focused on spiritual matters whilst away from devotee association.
In many ways we see this repeated time and time again, we have what we personally see as a unsavoury interaction with a devotee and it becomes a huge hurdle that hurt is transferred till it eventually clouds the mind to the many amazing and beautiful devotees. Our judgement clouded like the fly we head for the open sores we see the inadequacies of those around us, spiritual suicide, we fester and eventually become spiritually sick and leave the devotee community.
Srila Prabhupada talked about how as devotees we need to develop the more beautiful and spiritually healthy honey seeking mentality, this especially applies to those we have the greatest problems with which is in many ways easier said than done. Their is an upside to persisting in this and trying to develop this side of myself.
Spiritual development means we struggle with the real self a point my own guru maharaja reminded me of, in other walks of life we simply point and blame others but as we chant and read we see the real self, including the self critical fault finding self which is unattractive but in this age of kali the norm.
The spiritual life is not always the easiest but is always the most rewarding.

1. He whose body was dark now has a fair complexion. Leaving Gokula He came to Nadia. Putting down His flute He sings the holy names. 2. Leaving the Yamuna He enjoys pastimes on the Ganga’s banks. Relinquishing His yellow garments He wears the saffron cloth of a sannyasi. 3. Sweet-faced Radha is no longer [...]

Verse 4.26: Some of them sacrifice the hearing process and the senses in the fire of the controlled mind, and others sacrifice the objects of the senses, such as sound, in the fire of sacrifice.

We are bombarded by sound. It's sad to say, but it's actually hard to find a quiet place these days because the environment is filled with pings, ring tones and email notifications!

With so many competing sounds vying for our attention, it's no wonder that people are finding it harder and harder to focus. There are just too many things that are "calling us."

Interestingly, the process of bhakti yoga begins with hearing. Not distracted hearing, but focused and attentive hearing. After all, hearing is one of the most powerful ways by which we can learn.

The challenge that many of us face is that it's all too easy to forget to about the soul within. Its cries for attention and need for care get drowned out by all the external noise.

This is one of the biggest obstacles the modern yogi faces.

The way to overcome it is by making a sacrifice - the sacrifice of looking within and ensuring that time is made to hear about the needs and interests of the soul. This type of sound vibration is what gives energy and inspiration. In fact, setting aside dedicated time everyday to engage in such hearing from great bhakti texts as the Gita provides the necessary strength to deal with all the other sounds that constantly surround us.

It's a small sacrifice, but one that will bring great results.

Locana Das: During the final months last year when my daughter was battling the cancer His Holiness Bir Krishna Maharaja would come every day to our home to read the Krishna Book to her and sing bhajanas Read more ›

The Story of Muni Cari, a devotee who suffered a serious car accident. A short documentary by Leigha Speirs-Hutton, Catherine Moreau-Hammond, Marah Roque and Tom MacGregor. Read more ›

On the last Ekadasi of Kartika, we did all night kirtan at Vrinda Kunda. Then next day celebrated the Marriage of Tulasi and Shalagram. First there are some pics when HH Romapada Maharaja and his disciples visited Vrinda Kunda the day before Ekadasi Read more ›

According to a report from ISKCON Philippines Communications Director Sridama Das, ISKCON devotees in the Philippines remain safe and unharmed in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, and are planning relief efforts to aid the less fortunate. ISKCON’s main temples in the Philippines -- the Sri Sri Madhava Mandir located at Makati City in Metro Manila, and the New Navadvip Eco Village in Alaminos, Laguna, were spared any major damage, however. Read more ›

The post Manjari dd asks what the suitable meditation is during the abhiseka bathing ceremony of the deities appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Gopal’s Garden Home School Co-op began its seventh year this September.  Two new students joined us from the Philippines and we are very happy to have them as part of our class.  Every morning we begin our day at 9:30 with chanting Hare Krsna and Bhagavad-gita verses.  The students hear stories about Krsna and the philosophy of Krsna Consciousness.  The rest of the morning is devoted to writing and reading.  After lunch and recess, we spend the afternoon studying history, science and math.

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Compassionate Communication Class With Sukhavaha

Gerald the Giraffe – by Brinda Turner

Mother Sukhavaha has been doing a weekly class with the students of Gopal’s Garden. She has been talking about compassionate speaking feelings, and emotional boundaries.  The class now has its very own Gerald the giraffe puppet because a giraffe has the biggest heart on the planet.  Gerald is there to help the children learn to speak nicely and use compassionate communication.  When they feel troubled they simply come to Gerald for help.  Mother Sukhavaha has been teaching the children how to talk about what they are feeling and why they are feeling that way.  The class has worked together to create a list of agreements to help them act and speak compassionately.  The students have not had many sessions but it is already helping to transform the classroom.

* * *

Trip To Varsana Swami’s Temple

The Lucky Day  by Brinda Turner and Shemaella Rivera

On the morning of Radhastami,  we painted wooden frames and decorated them using stencils.  At the time we wondered what picture to put inside the frames.  Later in the morning we piled in the car and hurried to Varsana Swami’s temple.  Although it had been raining really hard, as soon as we arrived the rain turned into a light sprinkling. Taking off our shoes, we entered the temple where Varsana Maharaja gave us a picture of his deities – a perfect picture to place inside the newly decorated frames.  When we returned to the class, we decided to put the beautiful framed pictures on the altar.  The frames looked beautiful!  We were so lucky and blessed to have found the perfect picture.

* * *

 

Art Class With Krsna Bhava

Learning to Draw What They See

By Ruci DD
Every Tuesday morning the students enter the classroom enthusiastic and ready to draw and paint with Krsna Bhava. This school year they have studied color theory, three dimensional art, and how to recognize the simple shapes and lines in objects in order to draw what they see. In creating their art the students have used acrylic paints, oil pastels, pencils, and markers. Krsna Bhava has been teaching art at Gopal’s  Garden for seven years.  Her ability to teach and inspire basic art concepts can be seen in her students completed projects (attached) as well as the year-end class project where the students publish their art and writing.

* * *

Student Writing Project With Sankirtana das

By Ruci DD

Sankirtana comes in once a week and has started the school year reading and writing poetry. He is introducing the students to the poetic elements of imagery (‘painting a picture with words’),  use of strong words and the way words sound together, expression of  feelings, and trying to show that poems are often about common, every day things and moments in life.  He starts with role modeling by writing a poem on the spot and helping them write a collective poem which he puts on the blackboard. Then they settle in to write their individual poems. The kids take turns in reading their poems as Sankirtana offers encouragement and constructive criticism.

 

Poems by Students

Awesome – by Josh Fintel

I’m a fun guy

right after a day of school.

I bring my friends

to the school playground.

We bring our water guns and balloons.

We soak each other to be cool.

I see a red, orange, and green leaf pile move.

I throw a water balloon.

It ends with a splash.

The leaves slide down and my friend starts to laugh.

 

Living In This Moment – Brinda Turner

Although the leaves are falling

And it is almost Monday

I try to concentrate on this moment

I don’t let myself think

About by feet pounding

Down the hallway to our classroom

I try not to think that it is

Almost winter

I laugh as I fly into the air

Then giggle as I fall back

To the floor of the bouncy house

I am having fun right now

And that is all that matters

As I live in this moment

Not worrying about tomorrow

 

Poem About Writing

Writing – Josh Fintel

 

Writing is fun

Writing is story making

Making stories is easy & hard

But stories are entertainment

And learning

I’m an entertainment story guy

 

Poem About Art

 

Art – Shemaella Rivera
Since I was a young kid

I wanted to draw something

I kept on thinking how to draw

Painting, drawing, coloring –

The rainbow that makes

My heart happy!

 

 

Poems About Math

 

Math – Josh Fintel

 

Math is good

Math is food for my brain

Math can be easy like 1 – 1

And math can be hard like 35 x 52

But for me it’s just right

 

Math – Shemaella Rivera
I don’t care if it’s hard

I don’t care if it’s easy

I’ll just do my best

I’m not gonna give up

Till I get it

 

Reading – Shemaella Rivera

 

Peace and quiet

Inside the classroom

You can read

Whatever you love or like

But you can’t read nothing

Come on ! Show me what you’re reading!

 

Lost in a World of My Own – by Brinda Turner
As soon as I pick up a book

I get sucked in

I despair at difficult situations

Laugh at the funny parts

And sometimes even cry

I forget where I am

About the people around me

All I think about is my book

It is beautiful to see

The words on the page

As they make an image in my

mind

I see every detail

I love the feel of a new book

The crisp white pages just begging to be read

And when the book ends

I reach for another

It amazes the people around me

But to me it is natural

Completely normal

I can read books so thick

My hands can’t even fit around them

In one day without rushing at all

It offers me another world

And that is why reading

Is so important to me

If I have a bad day

I can pick up a book

And forget why I was even upset

I can get lost in a world

Where anything can happen

Anything at all

1968 November 14: "There is a vast difference between initiated and non-initiated. One who becomes initiated is channelized to the authorities in the disciplic succession. One who is initiated is authorized and one who is not initiated is not authorized."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1970 November 14: "It doesn't matter whether the priestly class accepts or not. When my Guru Maharaja introduced this system, even the inner circle of disciples of Bhaktivinode Thakura protested but my Guru Maharaja didn't care for it."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

1974 November 14: "We have a great responsibility to present Krishna's words without any change. You have heard what I am speaking so you just speak what you have heard and it will have potent effect. This is the power of parampara."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1974 November 14: "Your news of more publishing is very happy news. You are appreciating the chastisement of your Spiritual Master and Krishna will bless you. Six more books means you go further to Krishna six more steps. Now overflood Europe with books and your march will be followed by others."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1974

1975 November 14: "My Guru Maharaja said, 'I wish by selling the marbles in the temple I could publish and distribute books.' Now by his mercy he is giving me the facility for doing both - constructing so many marble temples and distributing so many books."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 14: "So-called scholars and saintly persons have misguided the people by unnecessarily making different interpretations of the divine instructions. That is the cause of the ruination of India's culture."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 November 14: The Westerners have good brains, but no good leader. Now the Krsna consciousness movement will provide them good leader if they take it seriously. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prediction."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975