New Vrindaban’s Monthly Joint Boards’ Meeting Minutes – 10/17/13
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

ISKCONlogo            ECOV Logo

Monthly Meeting Minutes of the Boards of Directors

for ISKCON New Vrindaban & ECOV - 10/17/13.

ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV) Vision Statement: Founded in 1968, Srila Prabhupada boldly envisions New Vrindaban as a sacred place known worldwide for Cow Protection, Self-Sufficiency, Holy Pilgrimage, Spiritual Education, and, above all, Loving Krishna.

ECO-Vrindaban Mission Statement: ECOV (Earth, Cows, Opportunities & Vrindaban Villages) is dedicated to cow protection, sustainable agriculture, self-sufficiency and simple living — all centered around loving service to Sri Krishna, as envisioned by the ISKCON New Vrindaban Founder-Acharya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Present from ISKCON New Vrindaban (INV):  Dayavira, Jaya Krsna, Gopisa, Ranaka, Chaitanya Mangala

Present from ECO-Vrindaban (ECOV): Madhava Gosh, Ranaka, Chaitanya Mangala

Recording Secretary: Laxmi Honest

The first item was a discussion about adding new members to the INV and ECOV boards. Previously, both boards agreed on the importance of encouraging Second Generation devotees to take on more active roles. Based on preliminary conversations, both Keval Patel and Bhima Walker have expressed interest in volunteering their time and expertise in this capacity.  It was agreed that they be invited to participate in the upcoming November face to face meetings.  It was further agreed that the boards authorize covering reasonable travel expenses as well as meals and lodging during their stay.

The second item was a conversation regarding the itinerary for the November meetings. Chaitanya Mangala provided a suggested format for the agenda items received so far. The categories were agreed upon, but some items may be shifted in the schedule depending on practical applications. It was agreed that Dayavira, Navin Shyam and Chaitanya Mangala will continue to develop the agenda and share it with the rest of the joint board members for final approval.

Madhava Gosh gave an update on anticipated royalty payments from the Snyder H1 gas well. He noted that his research indicates West Virginia does not have any laws governing the prompt payment of mineral proceeds. Many states have such laws and there is apparent reason for this since the gas company seems to be stalling.  Madhava Gosh suggested that any new contracts should include a stipulation that payments be made timely.  Gopisa agreed to contact the company and encourage them to act on this.

The INV board finalized funding for Gopal’s Garden 2013-2014 academic year.  There was a unanimous vote that INV will contribute the requested $12,000.  On behalf of Gopal’s Garden, Ranaka will inform INV when the funds are needed.

There was a general discussion about publicly reporting compensation for key management positions. There wasn’t a conclusion, but the board members are aware it is an issue that requires additional consideration as we continue to develop our overall strategy for improved transparency.

Madhava Gosh raised a concern about a recent public statement made to guests that if they contributed in a certain way their whole family would be absolved of all sinful activities.  It was agreed that this is not the way we want to present ourselves and Jaya Krsna will address this privately with the devotee who was overheard making the statement.

Iskcon Moscow devotees thrown in the street by government authorities! Can they resolve it?
→ Dandavats.com

“We’ve already spent ten years, and two million dollars investigating, planning, designing and getting approvals for our project, all for nothing,” Shyam says. “And now, all we have again are verbal promises. No papers, and no official orders.”. Monday October 21st, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow, where devotees hope their issue was raised Read more ›

2014 THE HOLY NAME SEASIDE RETREAT
→ Welcome to the official site of ISKCON Perth

Dear Devotees and well-wishers,

It gives us great joy to invite you and your loved ones to the first Perth Hare Krishna spiritual event for 2014 THE HOLY NAME SEASIDE RETREAT.

Come and join with your friends, fellow devotees and special guests to get their sublime association in the tranquil settings of the Indian Ocean, whilst participating in a spiritual feast of activities ranging from transcendental kirtans, spiritually uplifting workshops on the Holy Name, international cuisine prasadamc cultural and beach activities, japa walks and more!

Everyone’s welcome and if you book and have paid in full by 31 October 2013, you will also get Early Bird Discount!

We request a donation of only $120 per adult and $70 per child (under 16) for the whole retreat including accommodation and prasadam. Early bird donations are only $108 per adult and $60 per child (under 16) for the whole retreat it includes accommodation and prasadam.

If you are unable to join us for all the days, you can also come on a daily basis on the days you can attend and the donation request for each day is only $60 per adult and $30 per child and it also includes prasadam for the day you are attending.

Venue:             Alfred Hines Seaside Camp, Hymus Street, Point Peron, Rockingham
Dates:             24 -27 January 2014
Arrival Time:    Friday from 5pm

Register now, by simply completing the attached registration form and returning with full payment into the following bank account:

Account Name:      ISKCON Inc
BSB Number:         036041
Account Number:   120564
Bank:                    Westpac
Reference:             HNSR Don (insert your name as stated on registration form)

Hand in this form duly filled to Jane or scan and email to iskconperth1@gmail.com

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jane on 0430810 800 or email iskconperth1@gmail.com

Your servants,
The Holy Name Seaside Team

The Mercy Of The Dhama
→ travelingmonk.com

Yesterday we went back to Radha Gokulananda for kirtan and a talk by Sitala dasi on Lokanatha Goswami, who’s samadhi is in the courtyard of the temple. Then more kirtan in the nearby samadhi of Gopal Bhatta Goswami and yet another darsan of the ever-merciful Radha Raman. A wonderful day in the auspicious month of [...]

Supporting A Loving Godbrother
→ travelingmonk.com

Pundarikaksam das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada from the USA, is terminally ill in the Bhaktivedanta Hospice in Vrindavan. The doctors have given him 2 months to live. Today our parikrama party visited the hospice to encourage him in his final days. We expressed our appreciation for his service to Srila Prabhupada through the years [...]

Kartik meditations – Part III
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 October 2011, Melbourne, Australia, Home Program)

The pastime of binding of Krsna is interesting. We remember that Yasoda was trying to tie up Krsna and each time, the rope was two fingers short. She added more ropes, still two fingers short; more ropes, still two fingers short - no matter how many ropes she brought!

damodaraVisvanath Cakravarti Thakur said that she asked neighbours for ropes; she asked everyone in Vrindavan for more ropes. She was tying more and more ropes and in the end, there were just no more ropes to be found in Vrindavan. She was exhausted from running around and getting all that ropes and tying them together. When she was getting exhausted, pearls of perspiration began to form on her forehead. At that time, Mother Yasoda sort of reached the limits of her endeavour. She took it really to the limits and THEN Krsna’s mercy made up.

So, one finger is for the endeavour of Yasoda and one finger is for the mercy of Krsna. And suddenly Krsna was bound! So, if one wants to capture Krsna, there are these two elements. The endeavour from our side – which has to not just be half-hearted but one has to give everything. Complete! Yes, everything we have, we have to give and sacrifice to Krsna. That is actually the endeavour. So this month is a special month, it is the month for making a special endeavour.

 

 

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


Several years back  I was  attracted by this two full page ad in the NYT Book Review section highlighting two pages of a new book's opening. It was The Man From Beijing, an international mystery thriller. I had thought of opening the Mahabharata like a mystery story.   Those two provocative and well chosen pages were a powerful hook, although it turned out they weren't  the book's very opening pages. I got the book and it promised to be a powerhouse, as was the premise of the book, and the flashbacks. But after mid way,  the story began to unravel as the author moved away from the basic premise.

Henning Mankell is one of Sweden's great writers, so it was alarming to see such a potentially good story fall flat on it's face. The author tried to take the story where it really didn't have to go. He lost momentum in the process.  If Mankill couldn’t get a handle on his story, how was I going to do it with the vast Mahabharata. Later, I found the reviewers and readers had a mixed response to his book.  A lot of people still seemed to like the book because it was from Mankill. Unfortunately, I did not have a dedicated following like he did.

For me, however, the lesson was  simple. That is, to stick to the premise of your story. Premise means the purpose, the idea, the essential message or meaning of the story. The basic truth of the story.  The premise should be a compass for the author. It may take a while working with the story to begin to fully define and  understand your premise. It's easy to start a story. You might have one definite idea or a jumble of ideas and scenes. But in the excitement, you can't let that jumble carry you away, which it did with The Man From Beijing which got into superfluous passages and scenes.  Once you find it,  keep your eye on  the premise. Don't lose sight of it.  As a writer, that's what you have to serve.

For more tips see www.Mahabharata-Project.com  - On Writing
Coming in November - Free Shipping on my book Mahabharata: The Eternal Quest

CARE PERSONIFIED BOOK
→ Gita Coaching

A collection of memories from the disciples and acquaintances of His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada Care Personified Published by The Devotee Care Committee for the GBC of ISKCON. A11 quotations are from Srila Prabhupada’s books, letters, and conversations, as well as all illustsrations and other excerpts are from Bhaktivedant Archieves. Copyright © ISKCON Devotee Care

One Woman’s Road to Krishna
→ Dandavats.com

The reason I came back to New Govardhana is that it reminded me strongly of a farm that my church community is running in Eastern Germany. There I was trained how to be a volunteer in pastoral care for kids, leading groups, and so on. This was when I was 14-19 years old and for me these were some of the most significant times of my adolescence - serving, singing, having special conversations and just 'being'. I had never found a place that felt 'home' like this again until I came here. Read more ›

Tsunami of Service and KARTIK nectar! Come drown with us:) (Album 187 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Kārttika could be thought of as the ultimate “buy one, get a-whole-lot-more free” sale, or the equivalent of a “super, multi-triple word score” in the game of Scrabble. For a limited time only, whoever is lucky (or greedy, or intelligent) enough to do some service for Krishna during this special month gets a uniquely huge return on their investment. The ultimate return: one becomes more Krishna conscious. Read more ›

Organised Chaos
→ Tattva - See inside out

When driving in India anything goes. No speed limits, no lane discipline, no right of way... do what you want, just make sure you horn so that everyone’s aware! Once, I witnessed a head-on collision, causing both vehicles serious damage. As the two drivers emerged unscathed, they came face-to-face and began debating whose fault it was. There was loud argument, fiery gesticulation and a crowd of excited onlookers who offered their “two rupees” worth. Within a few minutes, however, they came to some resolution, headed for a tea stall, and sat down together for a good old natter! It was an incredible sight! No animosity, no grudges, no bad feeling. It taught me something about their culture: chaos on the outside, calm on the inside.

Our modern culture is often the complete opposite: orderly on the outside, but chaotic on the inside! We have complex infrastructure, documented rules for everything and refined social niceties that govern day-to-day dealings. External social intercourse may be prim and proper, but many individuals experience huge chaos within. People are often inhibited from revealing their hearts, and instead lock up things within, causing destructive emotions to brew up and eventually surface in unhealthy ways. While modern culture may have succeeded in organising society into a well-oiled machine, there are clear deficiencies in the areas of community, relationships and meaningful human interaction. We’ve learnt how to live a life of organised chaos; bottling everything up, it’s often a case of smiling faces but parched hearts.

A self-development guru once held up a glass of water in front of her audience. While everyone was expecting the usual “half empty half full” exercise, she instead asked them how heavy the cup was. The answers varied from 3 oz to 10 oz. She then explained that the weight and volume of the water is not what makes it heavy – rather it’s the length of time for which we hold it. Similarly, everyone goes through challenges, anger, frustration and unrest in their life (the water in our cup). The problem is when we carry these things and fail to let go. Good social structures allow people to ‘get things off their chest’ and get on with living life. The freedom of expression helps keep things in perspective. We need to free up some internal breathing space, lest we choke our consciousness.