Verse 4.1: The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.
History and experience can teach us so much. In fact, the great bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada would say (and I paraphrase):
First class intelligence is hearing about the mistakes of others and not committing them. Second class intelligence is making mistakes, learning from them and trying to avoid making them again and third class intelligence is making mistakes and not learning from them.
The Bhagavad-gita is giving us the opportunity to exercise first class intelligence. As we hear in today's verse, this science of yoga has not just appeared randomly. It has been passed along for lifetimes upon lifetimes to the most intelligent and empowered personalities. We are so lucky to now have the opportunity to hear that same knowledge - unadulterated and just as powerful. By following this process we have an opportunity to save ourselves time, effort and disappointment.
One of the great lessons that the Gita teaches us is that of learning to manage expectations. At the beginning of the Gita, we see Arjuna expressing his doubts and misgivings to Krsna. But if you look a little deeper, you find something more - Arjuna is stating that he has certain expectations and is worried that by doing the right thing, those expectations will not be met.
Is that not what we go through everyday? We all have expectations of ourselves, of situations and perhaps the trickiest of them all - of others.
At the heart of expectation is the belief that somehow we will be happier if x, y, z manifests.
Is that not really it, if we strip away all the other coverings? It's a belief. There is no actual guarantee that we will be happier, but we have built the expectation to work out a certain way in our heads that just the thought of it not playing out leaves us more miserable than we originally were!
So how do we practically manage expectations? For advanced bhakti yogis, the answer is simple. They understand that they are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. Since many of our expectations are related to the material, temporary world and relationships that are based on the body, not the soul, such yogis realize that disappointment is inevitable. Essentially, they don't put much stock in it and choose to rest their expectations on the grace of the Divine who never disappoints.
For those of us who may not be on that level, what are we to do?
Recognize that expectations rest on a belief of happiness, not a guarantee.
This can help ease the sting of disappointment, keep things in perspective and help us not to flip out when we are caught in the tight claws of expectation. For many, when we don't get what we expected it tends to weigh heavily on the mind, causes us to speculate and drives us mad.
The next time this happens, give yourself and others a break. Failed expectations can actually be the greatest gift we can receive if we can just approach it in the right perspective. It reminds us that true happiness lies within and doesn't rest in the hands of others.
Verse 4.1: The Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvān, and Vivasvān instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Ikṣvāku.
History and experience can teach us so much. In fact, the great bhakti yoga master, Srila Prabhupada would say (and I paraphrase):
First class intelligence is hearing about the mistakes of others and not committing them. Second class intelligence is making mistakes, learning from them and trying to avoid making them again and third class intelligence is making mistakes and not learning from them.
The Bhagavad-gita is giving us the opportunity to exercise first class intelligence. As we hear in today's verse, this science of yoga has not just appeared randomly. It has been passed along for lifetimes upon lifetimes to the most intelligent and empowered personalities. We are so lucky to now have the opportunity to hear that same knowledge - unadulterated and just as powerful. By following this process we have an opportunity to save ourselves time, effort and disappointment.
One of the great lessons that the Gita teaches us is that of learning to manage expectations. At the beginning of the Gita, we see Arjuna expressing his doubts and misgivings to Krsna. But if you look a little deeper, you find something more - Arjuna is stating that he has certain expectations and is worried that by doing the right thing, those expectations will not be met.
Is that not what we go through everyday? We all have expectations of ourselves, of situations and perhaps the trickiest of them all - of others.
At the heart of expectation is the belief that somehow we will be happier if x, y, z manifests.
Is that not really it, if we strip away all the other coverings? It's a belief. There is no actual guarantee that we will be happier, but we have built the expectation to work out a certain way in our heads that just the thought of it not playing out leaves us more miserable than we originally were!
So how do we practically manage expectations? For advanced bhakti yogis, the answer is simple. They understand that they are not this body but the eternal spirit soul. Since many of our expectations are related to the material, temporary world and relationships that are based on the body, not the soul, such yogis realize that disappointment is inevitable. Essentially, they don't put much stock in it and choose to rest their expectations on the grace of the Divine who never disappoints.
For those of us who may not be on that level, what are we to do?
Recognize that expectations rest on a belief of happiness, not a guarantee.
This can help ease the sting of disappointment, keep things in perspective and help us not to flip out when we are caught in the tight claws of expectation. For many, when we don't get what we expected it tends to weigh heavily on the mind, causes us to speculate and drives us mad.
The next time this happens, give yourself and others a break. Failed expectations can actually be the greatest gift we can receive if we can just approach it in the right perspective. It reminds us that true happiness lies within and doesn't rest in the hands of others.
In this day and age, everything has become superficial and artificial. People are estimated based on looks, income, wealth, social prestige, etc So corporations in pursuit of money understand this artificial age and promote to the fullest to gain money.
If we are aspiring to become spiritual, we have to aspire to look beautiful from inside and not so much outside. We should aspire saintly qualities. This will attract Krishna.
Anyways, below is a video that nicely shows the artificial nature of beauty.
In this day and age, everything has become superficial and artificial. People are estimated based on looks, income, wealth, social prestige, etc So corporations in pursuit of money understand this artificial age and promote to the fullest to gain money.
If we are aspiring to become spiritual, we have to aspire to look beautiful from inside and not so much outside. We should aspire saintly qualities. This will attract Krishna.
Anyways, below is a video that nicely shows the artificial nature of beauty.
When material thoughts enter your mind, just say “No, thank you.” But you cannot give up something unless you have something better. So you can’t say no unless you chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra every day.
KUALA LUMPUR - This is the first announcement for the upcoming Malaysian preaching tour of ISKCON GBC member and Co-Zonal Secretary for Malaysia, HH Jayapataka Maharaj Swami. Also appended is programme schedule for the upcoming Malaysia Hare Krishna Convention to be held at the Hare Krishna Farm in Lanchang, Pahang.
Appended below is HH Srila Jayapataka Swami Maharaja’s preaching itinerary:-
27 August 2013
9:00am: Bhagavatam Class at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur
7:00pm: Meet KL Bhakti Vriksha members
9:00pm: Adivas lecture at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur
28 August 2013
9:00am: Janmastami class at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur
9:00pm: Janmastami lecture at main pandal
29 August 2013
9:00am: Srila Prabhupada Vyasa Puja lecture
5:00pm: Initiation ceremony
30 August 2013
Rest at day time
4:00pm: Depart to Lanchang
8:00pm: Arrival Talk, naming of farm & installation of plaque
31 August 2013
9:00am: Srimad Bhagavatam class by H H Jayapataka Swami Maharaja
10:00am: Seminar on Bhakti Vriksha and Key notes on Devotee care
5:15pm: Ceremonial planting of coconut and jackfruit trees & launch of 1 acre community
based model farm
7:00pm: Initiation lecture
7:45pm: Initiation
1 September 2013
9:00am: Srimad Bhagavatam class
2 September 2013
8:00pm: Class at Sri Jagannatha Mandir, Kuala Lumpur
Who will be joining HH Jayapataka Swami?
HH Bhanu Swami, ISKCON GBC member and Co-Zonal Secretary for Malaysia
HH Bhakti Vrajendranandana Swami, ISKCON Malaysia President
RM60 for those wishing to stay at farm. Farm stay for ladies will be dormitory style, only 60 - 80 beds available. First come first serve basis. For men accommodation will be Mayapur Parikrama style. About 200 men can be accommodated. Mats, pillows and mosquito nets will be provided for all.
Nearby Farm
We may also be able to get some accommodations nearby our farm. This is however limited. Will also be on a first come first serve basis.
Mentakab (Nearby Town)
We will be providing telephone numbers, addresses, e-mails addresses and rates for rooms of hotels in Mentakab. This is for for those who prefer hotel accommodation and who do not mind driving about 45 minutes to and from farm and hotel.
For those adventurous
Those who wish to be adventurous and skip the RM60 accommodation fee can bring along their camps, caravans, vehicles, etc (but will have to pay convention fee) We will designate spots for campsite. This is limited to MEN only.
Activities planned for convention?
Naming of farm project
Installing plaque
Launch of 1 Acre model farm
Devotee care forum with Co-Zonal Secretaries
Bhakti Vrksa seminar
Visit to Elephant sanctuary (optional)
Jagannatha Kite Festival
Giant chess competition
Campfire with Kirtan
Boat festival
Swim at waterfalls
We encourage devotees to come forward and give helping hands for convention organization, especially those who can stay with us at the farm a few days before the convention.
This preliminary announcement is made so that devotees will be able to make plans ahead of time and be with us for the MAHA SANGA with Their Holinesses.
Please write to me at srktdu@gmail.com for enquiries and bookings. Or call 03-7980 7355 for more information.
1968 July 17: "I am already informed about your Kirtana activities and its success. I think Krishna is dictating us to adopt this method for propagating the Sankirtana movement all over the different cities, towns and villages on the surface of the globe, because that was the prediction of Lord Caitanya." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1968 July 17: "Henceforward our plan should be to push Sankirtana and sell our publications. For books, Brahmananda, for magazine, Rayarama, for Sankirtana, Mukunda, and for suggestion, my humble self." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1969 July 17: "There are many Vaisnava temples there, if any big temple is in difficulty financially, we can take charge of this temple and improve it and maintain it nicely. So if you know of any prospective temples where this could be arranged, please inform us." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
1973 July 17: "I understand you wish to remain as householders living outside the temple that is perfectly all right. However, as a householder you cannot go into the streets and hold sankirtana and sell our books as a means of maintenance. This is not a good idea for householders." Prabhupada Letters :: 1973
1974 July 17: "Yes, it will be very nice if the Chinese boys come there to the Hong Kong center. That is our mission - that local boys take up interest in our movement." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1974 July 17: "All our sannyasis will be present there. You also come there as a regular sannyasi and take part. That is my desire. So long I am living I wish you all be strictly under my guidance without any fratricidal disagreement." Prabhupada Letters :: 1974
1975 July 17: "We are selling 30-40 lakhs around the world so we shall expect at least sales in India of one lakh of Rupees per month. Did the Oberoi-Sheraton Hotel purchase our books? The hotels must purchase our books for putting in their rooms." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
1975 July 17: "Expenditure must be stabilized and scrutinized. Nothing should be spent extravagantly. That you have to see. Do not bother my brain how to do it. I have put you in charge how to do it." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
Mahavishnu Swami gave a lecture at the Almviks Gard farm community in Sweden during the last two days of the Scandinavian TourMahavishnu Swami Lecture - 13th July Almviks Gard, Sweden | Scandinavian Tour 2013www.youtube.comSrimad Bhagavatam 10.20.25-26... Continue reading →
Tick, tick, tick. The ticking clock, or in this digital age the changing figures on a timer, are a common icon of the passage of time.
Whatever be the way we measure time, the fact remains that time is passing away constantly, relentlessly, irreversibly. The passage of time forces us to undergo things that we usually don’t even want to think about, leave alone go through. Foremost among such things are old age, disease and death. The image of an old person struggling to move with a walking stick can jolt us if we think seriously about it. So we prefer the comfort of oblivion to the horror of recognition. But time makes the unpalatable unavoidable.
Gita wisdom informs us that the unavoidable doesn’t have to stay unpalatable. The body’s journey towards disease, debility and destruction can’t be stopped, but our emotional entanglement with it can be stopped.
Time after all is a manifestation of Krishna, as the Bhagavad-gita (11.32) declares. And Krishna manifests himself in a far more palatable and relishable form as the flute-playing, threefold-bending, peacock feather-adorned Lord of our heart. When we offer our love to him instead of to worldly things, we don’t remain so emotionally invested in the body and its fate. The more we rejoice Krishna’s sweet remembrance, the less we suffer the body’s painful deterioration. Krishna by granting us his purifying and uplifting remembrance makes the unpalatable palatable both in the transition and the destination.
For a devotee, the ticking of the clock or the changing numbers on a timer are the visual reminders that Krishna is calling. He is inviting us from the finite to the infinite, from the temporary to the eternal, from the painful to the joyful.
All we need to do is respond.
***
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Time I am, the great destroyer of the worlds
Is dealing in shares in stock market against the regulative principle of "No Gambling"? What if someone invests in shares (a) for long-term financial security and (b) speculative gains?
When Arjuna wanted give up fighting Lord Krishna inspired him to fight. When King Ashoka wanted to retire from fight after fighting Kalinga war, Buddhism supported this. Are Lords opinions contradictory? how to reconcile?
Sometimes, a household life is compared to a deep dark well, in the scriptures. So it maybe that one is a brahmacari or brahmacarini and then one feels, “I cannot do this anymore. It is time to get married.”
Some people, when they get married, they go to a deep dark well and they dive in head first! They think that, “Oh, now I am changing ashram, now I am really going to do it and go straight down to the bottom.” But that is not intelligent.
Generally speaking, in these wells – I have seen many in India – they usually have some brackets inside that are made like levers so that maintenance work can be done. So there is no need to go to the bottom; one can keep a strong spiritual culture. In fact, that is the idea, that in the brahmacari or brahmacarini ashram we are cultivating good spiritual habits and then we maintain them in our household attachment. Because after all, we do not forget the long-term goal. All right, we want something in this life but, we cannot risk that we lose our opportunity for going back to godhead.
In some letters or in some other occasions when speaking about the household ashram, Srila Prahbupada made statements like, “Fifty percent less chance of going back to godhead,” or sometimes even stronger statements. So what can we say? The grhasta ashram is also meant for going back to godhead, all the ashrams are meant for that purpose and that is what we are doing.
Yesterday we had initiations but initiation into what!? Initiation into the process that takes us back to godhead! So that should be our result. We should always act in such a way that we are faithfully on the path back to godhead, from the very beginning of spiritual life.
When we are new and when we accept the four regulative principles, sixteen rounds, we are under the directions of the spiritual master and other spiritual authorities, then we are on the path back to godhead and we must stay there our whole life - no detours in the forest or in the hills, no vacations. No we must stay within the boundaries of Krsna consciousness.
This year the Brisbane temple community observed the Jagannatha Rathayatra in the nearby park at the bottom of the hill. This park has been developed by the city council to facilitate nice water, lawn and playground areas for families.
The deities of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra rode majestically in a special purpose built cart for Their pleasure. It was not a big cart, but Their Lordships looked happy being pulled by hundreds of chanting and dancing devotees on various pathways around the park.
This year the weather was a little drizzly but that didn’t dampen the mood of the ecstatic devotees. At the end a sumptuous feast was served back at the temple. Lord Jagannatha Ki Jaya!
Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.
Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.
Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.
I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.
In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.
Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.
Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.
Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.
I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.
In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.
And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.
What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.
Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas
In the past, duty was of importance. Duty means acting in such a way that is helpful to everyone. By the influence of time, people have become more and more selfish and therefore concepts such as duty cannot even be conceived of by the common man. Selfish life has now become the norm.
The ancient Mahābhārata describes that in the days of yore, political leaders would gladly give up their life rather than go against their vows. For this reason and others the citizens experienced a parental relationship between the leaders and themselves. A genuine feeling of care.
The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.
A leader with selfless standards inspires their citizens with the greatness of selfless love.
Dallas Morning News,
The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.