Planet ISKCON

This was the story never told
By one who cared not for the world’s gold.

One of the idle and wise,
A beggar with unfathomable eyes.

One who had nothing but dreams to give
To men who are eager to labour and live.

For the world in its wisdom deep and dim
Had taken all pleasure and treasure from him.

This was the story his soul could tell,
Immortal and unfathomable.

There was no record in his brain,
He did not know he should live again.

But there was one who read the whole,
Buried deep in a dead man’s soul.

“In the days of Atlantis, under the wave,
I was a slave, the child of a slave.

When the towers of Atlantis fell,
I died and was born again in hell.

From that sorrowful prison I did escape
And hid myself in a hero’s shape.

But few years had I of love or joy,
A Trojan I fell at the Siege of Troy.

I came again in a little while,
An Israelite slave on the banks of the Nile.

Then did I comfort my grief-laden heart.
With the magic lore and Egyptian art.

Fain was I to become Osiris then,
But soon I came back to the world of men.

By the Ganges I was an outcast born,
A wanderer and a child of scorn.

By the Waters of Babylon I wept,
My harp amongst the willows slept.

In the land of Greece I opened my eyes,
To reap the fields of Plotinus the Wise.

When the great light shattered the world’s closed bars,
I was a shepherd who gazed at the stars.

For lives that were lonely, obscure, apart,
I thank the Hidden One, in my heart,

That always and always under the sun
I went forth to battle and never won.

A slayer of men, I was doomed to abide,
For ever and aye, on the losing side.

Whenever. I dream of the wonderful goal,
I thank the hidden God in my soul

That though I have always been meanly born,
A tiller of earth and a reaper of corn,

Whenever through ages past and gone
The light divine for a moment shone,

Whenever piercing laborious night
A ray fell straight from the Light of Light,

Whenever amid fierce, lightning and storm
The divine moved in a human form,

Whenever the earth in her cyclic course
Shook at the touch of an unknown force,

Whenever the cloud of dull years grew thin
And a great star called to the light within,

I have braved storm and labour and sun
To stand at the side that Holy One.

No matter how humble my birth has been,
There are few who have seen what I have seen.

Mine the shepherd’s star and the reaper’s reward,
And the dream of him who fell by the sword.

One thing I have learned the long years through,
To know the false words from the true.

The slave who toiled on the banks of the Nile
With wisdom gladdened his long exile.

From Buddha at eve by the Ganges’ side
An outcast learnt the worth of the world’s pride.

To the tired reaper, when day was done,
Did Plotinus unveil the hidden sun.

Amongst the stars, on a Syrian night,
A ragged shepherd found the Light of Light.

From dream to dream, o’er valley and hill,
I followed the Lord Christ’s wandering will.

Kings there are who would barter a throne
For the long day’s toil and the light unknown,

The deed of the strong and the word of the wise,
And the night under cold and starry skies—

The white light of dawn on the hillside shed
On Him who had nowhere to lay His head.

Behold there are kings who would change with me,
For the love of the ancient mystery.

Shepherd and reaper and slave I have been,
There are few who have seen what I have seen.

I have been a gipsy since those days,
And lived again in the wild wood ways.

Wise with the lore of those hidden things,
Learnt from Lord Christ in His wanderings,

Beggar and reaper and shepherd and slave,
I am one who rests not in any grave;

I will follow each stormy light divine,
And the secret of all things shall be mine.

These things have I seen, would you bid me mourn
That I was never an Emperor born?”

The post October 9th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

ONE DAY ON POLISH FESTIVAL OF INDIA TOUR 2013

The word ‘self-conscious’ refers to an excessive awareness of one’s appearance and actions. For example, when we give our first public speech, we may be self-conscious, that is, too worried about how we look and how we speak.

Self-consciousness can be crippling. It can divert our mental energy away from concentrating on doing our actions properly to conjuring images of what others are thinking about our actions.

When we are thus self-conscious, the self that we are conscious of is a pseudo-self. It is our surface appearance that is visible to the public eye. In fact, it is not even that – it is our conception of what the world is seeing when it sees us. This conception is derived mostly from our material desires, our notions of what kind of appearance will attract us and thereby make us feel good.

Gita wisdom helps us break free from such self-consciousness by enabling us to become conscious of the self, our authentic self – the soul. The best way to become conscious of the self is by becoming conscious of the Supreme Person Krishna with whom the self is eternally related as an integral part, as a beloved child.  The process of bhakti-yoga brings dynamism to our consciousness of our self by providing us multiple ways in which we can serve Krishna.

The Bhagavad-gita (06.18) urges us to give up material desires and thereby situate ourselves in consciousness of our true self. The more we live in our harmony with our spiritual identity, the less we worry about our material image because we understand that it is peripheral to our actual self.  Once we start relishing the fulfillment of our true spiritual identity and glory, the need to be self-conscious and seek flickering pleasure through a positive self-image in the world disappears.

***

06.18 - When the yogi, by practice of yoga, disciplines his mental activities and becomes situated in transcendence — devoid of all material desires — he is said to be well established in yoga.

Introduction to Krishna Consciousness 2013-07-27

I got a request via Contact Me on this blog for the recipe for oat water so here I am obliging.  I am going to attempt to rebrand it as oat broth.

The basic principle is to use more water that normal and cook it longer

Currently I use old fashioned oats and about 4 times the normal recommended amount of water but you can use more.  We used to cook it for an hour but I am too impatient anymore so stop after 25-30 minutes. The sign when it is cooked enough is you see the  “cream” starting to come out of it and the oats have mostly lost their shape.  If you add enough water it is almost like a drink you can sip instead of  spoon.

I add fresh ginger and cinnamon but you add whatever you want to taste, I like it quite gingery. I usually don’t cook with salt but do lightly salt this as it seems to really bring out the flavor.  A tablespoon of butter per gallon doesn’t hurt it.

I add  a tablespoon or two of plain yogurt  to a bowlful and sweeten to taste with honey or jam.

I make a large batch once and keep it in the refrigerator taking out a daily dose and heating it up. Sometimes I add fresh or dried fruit when reheating it.

You can do the same thing with rolled barley but it takes a little longer to cook.

It is the kind of food that when you eat it you can almost heat your cells screaming, this is so good for me and tastes good to boot.

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Bhagavad-gita 9.3 at a home program in Dallas.

“The faithless cannot accomplish this process of devotional service; that is the purport of this verse. Faith is created by association with devotees. Unfortunate people, even after hearing all the evidence of Vedic literature from great personalities, still have no faith in God. They are hesitant and cannot stay fixed in the devotional service of the Lord. Thus faith is a most important factor for progress in Krishna consciousness. In the Caitanya-caritamrita it is said that faith is the complete conviction that simply by serving the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, one can achieve all perfection. That is called real faith.” — Bhagavad-gita 9.3 purport

Bhagavad-gita 9.3

The pure devotee does not endeavor for anything which is against the principles of devotional service. For example, constructing a big building requires great energy, and a devotee does not take to such business if it does not benefit him by advancing his devotional service. He may construct a temple for the Lord, and for that he may take all kinds of anxiety, but he does not construct a big house for his personal relations.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 12.16 purport

The post October 8th, 2013 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Fountain in the Palace Pond

Krsna is in control. Many of our guests will remember the summer of 2012, when there were big electric storms in the New Vrindaban area, notably on the July 4 long weekend, and the electricity went down for a long time.  We were helpless to make things work more quickly. There was also a severe water shortage at this time in the Dhama, with drying wells and a damaged main water tank.  Many of our donors and pilgrims generously came to the aid of New Vrindaban by helping us repair the essential main water tank, and we send thanks to everyone for that.  We learned that Krsna, through His devoted well-wishers, has saved us, as He always does, from a similar fiasco re-occurring!

After much uncertainty, the final appearance of the public water line on the ridge allowed New Vrindaban to hook up the Palace of Gold to the local city water system.  Our main water tank (which is fed by our wells) also has city water hooked up as a back-up system. A new well has been drilled, which increases our own water production. The final approval to connect the new well from the government is currently on its way.

Gopisha das, the director of renovations and maintenance at New Vrindaban tells us,  “The main water line from the city terminates behind our temple apartment building #1. Should we ever have the need in the future, we are already set up to switch the entire temple complex over to city water, but will remain on our own wells for now..”

Gopisha das confirms, with relief, “With the repair and lining of the 90 thousand gallon main tank, the newly drilled well and the addition of city water as a back-up to our own system, we can hopefully put our festival water shortage days behind us.  Lord Krsna is very kind to His devotees.”

On behalf of the ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry, I would like to share with you the new video we made about the Kartika Month and the Importance of the Damodara Program. It was filmed here in Mayapur and we have some members of our youth participating in the video. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knTzt3_ZVY4 We hope […]

The post The month of Damodara appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Mangal Artik – ISKCON MAYAPUR – Chandrodaya Mandir

“We have no idea what we are dealing with. We are dealing with pure nectar. We have to drink that nectar. Sometimes even by force. Because of the disease of jaundice — ignorance — nectar tastes like poison in the beginning. But really appreciate the facility you have and take advantage of it. Somehow use every moment you have in Krishna’s service, with your mental functions, your words, your body. Stay always engaged in Krishna’s service.”

Durban Vyasa-puja Talk

I was able to appreciate something very, very beautiful in Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākur’s commentary on Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 2.7.47. The verse goes:

Nārada: What do they realize when they surmount the insurmountable mysteries?

Brahmā: Some realize Paramātma – the “Supersoul.”

Nārada: What do they realize as the nature of Paramātma?

Brahmā: He is eternally extremely placid, fearless, and the substance of all cognizance. He is uncontaminated by and absolutely equal towards all causes and effects.

He is eternally extremely placid, because he is in full cognizance of his complete independence from anything fearsome. The term “substance of all-cognizance” is also very facinating, because the Supersoul represents the cit-śakti – the energy of cognizance. But the thing I thought was very, very beautiful was Viśvanātha Ṭhākur’s comment “The fearless Supersoul presides over the fearful soul.”

I found this to be stunning. I am a fearful soul because, in ignorance I think myself dependant upon dangerous, doubtful and fearsome circumstances. But a being is presiding over me, directing and helping me – who is fearless. This is a very beautiful message.

Many people reject discipline: “I want to be free to do my own thing.”

Our aspiration to be free is natural and laudable. But we need to consider: is my own thing actually my own thing?

What we call ‘my own thing’ usually comes not from us, but from the world. The current materialistic culture parades before us an array of fashions – hairstyles, dress-styles and lifestyles, for example. Some of these catch our fancy, and we anoint them as ‘my own thing’. Over time their charm fades and we transfer the title ‘my own thing’ to some other things from society’s unending gallery of glamor. Thus the purported freedom to do ‘my own thing’ ends up as slavish capitulation to the culture’s dictation.

All of us are unique – spiritually and materially. Spiritually, we are all distinct parts of the all-attractive Supreme Being Krishna. And materially we all have distinctive blends of attitudes and aptitudes that make us who we are. If we distance ourselves from the culture’s infatuating propaganda, we get the reprieve to observe ourselves.

When we complement our own introspection with disciplined devotional service to Krishna, he gives us special intelligence, as the Bhagavad-gita (10.10) indicates. This intelligence illumines our inner terrain and helps us understand that the devotional fulfillment we occasionally relish is a precursor of the everlasting fulfillment that awaits us ahead. This devotional service and the concomitant happiness is our eternal ‘my own thing’.

Additionally, the Krishna-given intelligence also illumines our particular psychophysical nature, revealing the specific talents and temperaments that comprise our material ‘my own thing.’ This enables us to better harmonize our material ambitions with our material nature – and thereby achieve more and contribute better.

Thus does the scriptural discipline of devotional service free us to do ‘my own thing’.

***

10.10 - To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.

Echoes of Peace is a festival that has been held for eleven years in one of the main parks of Denpasar. Each year, leaders from spiritual groups in Bali come together and show cooperation under the banner of the Hindu Parishad. One of the guests of honour was the Vice Governor of Bali, who gave the keynote speech.

Kalachandji’s Sunday school has been active since 2007. We have 30-40 children attending Sunday school regularly now. We have two Sunday school sessions. Each session includes 20 Sunday classes, one field trip, one festival, and two performances at the temple.

Our Sunday school group is divided into 4 classes.

• Gopal Class: Age 3-5,
• Damodar class: Age 6-8,
• Madhava: class Age 9-11, and
• Govinda class: Age 12-15.After students reach 15 years of age, we encourage children to participate in organizing presentations and  seminars on spiritual topics.  Pursuing the Bhakti Sastri course is also an option.

We are developing planned curriculum for all the classes.  The curriculum will include all the stories, songs, verses, drama, and activities children will learn in these classes for 3 years.

Our Gopal class studied Lord Krishna’s Pastimes, Dasavatar,  and little stories from Srimad Bhagavatam.  They learn to sing Krishna Conscious songs.  They make arts and crafts based on the story.   They also participate in creating dramatic performances. During performance,  this group of children will sing Nrsimha prayer.

Our Damodar studied Vaisnava Saints, Ramayan, stories from Srimad Bhagavatam. They also learn 3 verses every semester, so our Damodar book includes 18 verses from Bhagavad Gita. They also learn vaisnava bhajans, drama and perform arts and crafts based on stories they are learning. During performance they will sing Tulasi Arati and Vaisanava Bhajans.

Our Madhava class learns about Vaisanava Saints and Bhagavad Gita in detail. They learn verses from Bhagavad Gita, discuss them, make a presentation on them or perform an art on them, or perform a little skit on them or debate. This class also focuses on learning Vaisanava Bhajans. During performance they will sing Gaura Arati and Vaisanava Bhajans at the temple.

Our Govinda class is more discussion class where they can bring in their questions and we  discuss and answer them together from our scriptures. They also learn Srimad Hhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita, learn about different Sanyasis, and Srila Prabhupada. They have practical classes like cooking, Arati performance, deity worship, woodworking, jewelry making, sewing, etc. During performance they will perform Tulasi Arati and help the Pujari clean up after Gaura Arati.

If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions, feel free to write to rasakelirns@yahoo.com or call 972-618-8280.

This month, we would like to recognize His Grace Dwaraka Prabhu and Her Grace Chitra Mataji as our Donor Spotlight.

Dwarka and Chitra Iyengar have been serving with ISKCON since 1977. They have been Vaishnavas their entire lives, belonging to the Sri Sampradaya, beginning with Laxmi-devi and in the disciplic line of Sri Ramanujacarya.  You will see their dedication to bhakti when you visit their home.  12 effulgent Shalagram Shilas reside there.  Their daily sadhana, consisting of Hare Krishna japa, prayers, abhishek, and mantra meditation lasts for 3 hours each morning!

They have been attending and practicing at Radha Kalachandji Dham since Rasikendra Prabhu introduced them in 1995.  They have performed a variety of vital services. They have performed a variety of vital services including providing administrative guidance to the congregation.

Dwarka Prabhu and Chitra dearly love the community of devotees and specifically, the dedication that the devotees show to Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji.  This is shown in their loving interactions and care for every member who comes to visit Sri Sri Radha Kalachandji.    Indeed, they imbibe the main principal behind Krishna Consciousness:  gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasa.  Serving the dear servants of the Supreme Lord is their meditation.

“Why do you support TKG Academy?”  When asked this question, Dwaraka Prabhu answered immediately.  ”It’s simple.  Because this was the first Gurukula established by Srila Prabhupada.  He wanted to make the Gurukula grow.  
 
With their monthly donations, their blessings, and their continuous support in assisting other members, they are making Srila Prabhupada’s vision come to fruition. 

Aww, look at those cute babies!  Wait, not the students, their pictures.
These are some of this year’s Kinder and 1st grade students.
Definitely not babies anymore, are they?

This lesson, “All About Me,” fits into multiple categories including science and writing.
Among the skills we are learning is to distinguish differences due to our bodies’ growth: our size, looks, preferences, abilities and activities.