Overcoming laziness
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 11 September 2013, Durban, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.38)

lazy catThere is a part in us that does not want to surrender. That is the lazy part; it is a fight with the mind. Laziness is an affliction of the modes of ignorance and one has to fight the mode of ignorance by acting according to a proper standard. Out of laziness, when something is not a hundred percent clean then we may say, “I’ll clean it tomorrow.” But no, it must be done now!

So, by determination, one has to try and conquer this laziness. For laziness, there is no easy cure. A lazy man, because he is lazy, does not want to take the cure himself. He thinks, “Isn’t there a cure; something easy where I don’t have to do anything and I can just get rid of my laziness.”

No! Actually, one has to work to overcome laziness. That is the only solution, by doing something. Therefore we must take responsibility in devotional service because it forces a lazy person not to be lazy. Sometimes, they say that I was in charge of the samadhi construction in Mayapur and did all that. To be honest, I didn’t want to do it but they told me to do it! I still didn’t want to do it but I did it and when I was doing it, I was thinking, “I don’t want to do this.” But what to do, I was forced to do it. So, taking responsibility helps to overcome our laziness and our independent mind that doesn’t want to surrender.

 

Glory of Srimati Radharani
→ Servant of the Servant

Krishna attracts everyone, but devotional service attracts Krishna. The symbol of devotional service in the highest degree is Radharani. Krishna is called Madana Mohana, which means He is so attractive that He can defeat the attraction of thousands of Cupids. But Radharani is still more attractive, for (because) She can attract Krishna. Therefore devotees call Her Madana Mohana Mohini, the attractor of the attractor of Cupid.

- Srila Prabhupada in the Nectar of Devotion

09.30 – We may fall down, but we don’t have to fall away
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Falling down means that due to our past conditionings or present circumstances, we succumb to temptation.

In contrast, falling away means that we give up devotional service and go away from Krishna.

Falling down is something akin to a child’s falling while learning to walk. It’s undesirable, but it’s often unavoidable – that’s just the way learning usually happens.

Nothing can make us fall away except ourselves. Temptations can make us fall down but not fall away. Why not? Because temptations don’t keep us in their grip all the time. They come, they make us fall, and then their madness subsides.

What we do at this point is critical. If we keep contemplating on the temptation, we may become agitated for another round of indulgence. Or we may become discouraged and not even try to take shelter of Krishna, thereby making ourselves vulnerable to future temptations and the resulting falls. Either way, contemplation on the temptation causes falling down to degenerate into falling away.

That’s why no matter how badly we fall, as soon as we regain our spiritual senses, we need to contemplate on Krishna. He is not a wrathful God who will despise us for our fall. That conception of Krishna comes from our misinformed imagination, not from scripture. The Bhagavad-gita (09.30) reveals his enduring love: he considers as saintly even those devotees who act abominably if they persevere in devotional service.

If we give up devotional service, Krishna won’t consider us saintly, but he will still love us. We can never do anything that can make Krishna stop loving us.

By meditating on Krishna’s unfailing love, we can gain strength to rise quickly whenever we fall. Gradually we will learn to march on without falling. And finally we will attain his abode, beyond all falls.

***

09.30 - Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination.

 

A Virtual tour to the ISKCON Alachua Hare Krishna temple grounds, gardens and buildings (34 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

We are each born with specific gifts, work that comes naturally to us and that we do well. The perfection of engaging these gifts, according to scriptural injunctions, is for the pleasure of Krishna. This not only pleases Krishna, the Supreme Personality, but is also the means for achieving our own personal happiness Read more ›

A Visit to the “Mystical” Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukula in Mayapur (150 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

Bhaktivedanta Academy Gurukula's mission is to provide a facility for the Academy's members to study, practice, and disseminate the teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam, along with corollary studies of the standard works of the Gaudiya Vaisnava acaryas and the branches of Vedic philosophy, culture, and science in the context of Srimad Bhagavatam and Srila Prabhupada’s teachings Read more ›

Sunday, September 22nd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Let’s See

Edmonton, Alberta

Well, I’ve been there before – at the cut-off point.  Cold turkey is a term when you abruptly axe yourself from an addiction, if that’s possible.

The addiction referred to is walking.  This leg of the walk, the 4th, saw me through the southern part of Manitoba and then southern Saskatchewan and then well into southern Alberta.  You can easily get psychologically affected.  A doctor said withdrawal symptoms could arise when you marathon and then suddenly come to a halt.  Let’s see what happens.

Daruka and I headed north for two speaking engagements in Edmonton.  As we moved along on Highway 2 towards our destination, I had a hard look at the feet while in the passenger’s seat.  We’re looking at healthy, relaxed calves, but at feet, have had some challenges.  Cracks on the heels, dead warts skin at the toes’ ends, and some slight inflammation on the tiny toes are all symptomatic of some hard walking.  What true warrior wouldn’t have some scars. Fortunately the knee joints aren’t the least bit agitated.

The other day Daruka and I met Tyrell, a chap from Saint Albert near Edmonton.  His grandparents apparently walked the country coast to coast.  They are missionaries.  I would love to make a connection with them, share some of the road experiences, let’s see.

As we plied along at a good clip in Daruka’s Grand Prix, I had another look at a map of Alberta and then peered outside the window to view the towns we passed by in correspondence to the map.  I could see that this Highway 2 which runs north/south has an ample quantity of towns and villages, places that are off the beaten path.  My heart did not exactly palpitate, but a cloud of dreams did suddenly pop into my presence.  “What if?” I thought, “Just what if I tread the path of north/south, even if east/west roads don’t juncture here?”  The thought did excite. Generally the direction taken to accomplish the goal of walking the entire country is latitudinally, at least for Canada, but that means that you miss umpteen, if not hundreds of places that are on the longitudinal grid.

In the future strategizing of trekking the whole stretch of Canada, what about trying to cover every town and village?  Let’s see.

Dream away, Swami.

0 KM

The Walking Monk 2013-09-25 03:08:00
→ The Walking Monk

 BMS addresses Eastend, SK seniors
 BMS addresses Eastend, SK seniors
  Shaunavon, SK Library kirtan
 Interview with Penny at Shaunavon, SK radio station
 Weyburn, SK radio station interview
Relaxing near Estevan, SK Dam at end of day
 Viceroy, SK grain elevator
 Butterfly
 Bison in Southwest Manitoba
 Visiting Lynn and friends in Pangman, SK
 Brenda and Victoria from Eastend walk with us past Saskatchewan/ Alberta border
 Walking past one of the many grain fields of Saskatchewan
 
I think this hay bale would look better over there
 Namaste with paramedics on the highway
 
  Behold the mighty grain
  Daruka and Billie beside replica of Plesiosaur found near Ponteix, SK
 a break by a hay bale
 
 Bhaktimarga Swami, Daruka and Billie + hay bale
 
 Hari Nama with Calgary devotees
  Eastend locals offer fresh produce
 Bow Island, Alberta interview
 
 
Morning dove at sunrise
 
Gathering at Brenda's Yoga Studio in Eastend, SK
  Southeast Manitoba forest
 
  Chocolate Peak, Eastend, SK
 Enjoying milkshake with DQ owner's son Nahal and Ravi in Medicine Hat, Alberta
 
BMS, Daruka and Billie with Consul, SK mayor Linda Brown

 BMS, Daruka and Billie at Saskatchewan/ Manitoba border

  BMS at Saskatchewan/ Manitoba border
 Leaving Manitoba

 Hare Davidson
 Monk train
 Laughing it up with Gainesborough, SK locals
Ron's house in Robsart, SK
 Craig and Layla from Maple Creek Newspaper

 
BMS, Daruka and Billie with principal of Assiniboia, SK school
  BMS and principal of LaFleche school

  With reporter and police officer in Taber, Alberta on last day of this leg of the walk.


  Falcon in flight

 Heritage village in southwest Saskatchewan
 Rushing River, Ontario

  A motorist pulls over to chat
 Oil rigs which are scattered throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan

 Grain sunrise
 Feeding a bear in Emo, Ontario

  Estevan, SK newspaper photographer
 Showing a reporter japa beads at 'The Soul Hideout in Estevan, SK

  Walking down  a lonely street; Sasha's 'Satya Yoga Studio' in Swift Current, SK
  In the bank vault of Sasha's yoga studio in Maple Creek, SK...."Aaaauuuuummmmm."


One Is Blessed
→ Japa Group

"Strictly speaking, when chanting the names of the Pañca-tattva, one should fully offer his obeisances: śrī-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. By such chanting one is blessed with the competency to chant the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra without offense. When chanting the Hare Krsna mahā-mantra, one should also chant it fully: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare."

Śrī Caitanya Caritāmrta Ādi 7.168

TEXAS FAITH 110: Has college football become too violent for the faithful?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Dallas Morning News,

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.

Let’s take a break from the weariness of finding the right strategy for the Mideast and deal with sports. Namely, football.

I confess that I have — again — grown to love college football. I enjoy going to TCU games with my 10-year old son, who loves to run the field before the game and root loudly for the Horned Frogs. In fact, it is hard getting him out of a TCU T-shirt these days.

I enjoy the game because it is fast, exciting and strategic. It also is just fun watching the bands and streamers and frivolity. And, being a fan, I like to see my team(s) do well. (As a graduate of the University of Texas who grew up attending TCU games, I spread my cheering around each weekend!)

But as I watch these games, and see players carted off the field, I often inwardly wince. Am I participating in some kind of modern lions-and-Christians blood-lust? And I am doing this at someone else’s expense? The NFL just settled with retired football players to the tune of $750 million over the concussions some of them received. For some players, they have been life-altering concussions.

Related to all this, I felt sick when I picked up our paper and read that CBS Sports was putting a “Johnny Cam” to cover every move of A&M’s Johnny Manziel in his game against Alabama. The guy is a showboat, but he is still only a kid.

So, are we reaching the point where rooting for college football teams is too much? In this Christianity Today essay, Owen Strachan raises the penetrating question: Should Christian fans step away from such a physically devastating, violent sport?

I would broaden his question to ask this question:

Should people of faith who love college football step away from such a physically devastating, violent sport?

NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas 

As time progresses we invent more and more ways to waste time. Spiritual life is not meant to be belief on the backburner but rather something that actually satisfies. A satisfied soul is not interested in wasting time in material activities.

Why is time important?

Because that which you hold dear to your heart will decided where you go after death. If you are invested in the temporary, you will take birth again in this temporary world. So one should use this valuable form of human life to seek and experience the eternal by developing a loving relationship with God. Hare Krishna.

of life: People misidentify the self/soul with this temporary ever changing material body, this is called ignorance.

To see all responses of the TEXAS Faith panel click here.

07.29 – Don’t reduce the spiritual to the practical; let the spiritual expand the practical
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“That’s not practical.” We may thus dismiss forms of spirituality that require commitment like devotional service. We usually consider as practical that which requires little commitment and makes us feel good fast.

Little do we realize that our demand for instant spirituality is like a chronically sick person’s demand for instant cure. Just as opportunist doctors fleece such patients by giving painkillers, so do opportunist spiritualist teachers by giving pop spirituality. Just as authentic doctors insist on commitment to the necessary treatment, so do authentic spiritual teachers insist on commitment to devotional service.

Narrow preconceptions of what is practical can be self-destructive. After all, sickness itself isn’t practical. It doesn’t politely accommodate itself within our practical plans. When sickness comes, especially serious sickness, we have to revise our conception of the practical and make time for the treatment. Else we become sicker, suffer terribly and die.

Gita wisdom indicates that we all are spiritually sick. We are eternal beings infected with the disease of materialism that subjects us to the sufferings of old age, disease and death – lifetime after lifetime. Our devotion to the practical can’t save us from these miseries. Only our devotion to the transcendental can save us, as the Bhagavad-gita (07.29) indicates.

That’s why we need to expand our definition of the practical to include the spiritual and make time to practice devotional service. Learning to love Krishna thus helps us discipline our stray desires, focus our mind and sharpen our intelligence. This enables us to do things earlier considered impractical, just as the recovery of health enables a sick person to do things earlier considered impractical. And ultimately redefinition of the practical to include the spiritual elevates us to Krishna’s world of love, where the spiritual becomes eternally, ecstatically practical.

***

07.29 - Intelligent persons who are endeavoring for liberation from old age and death take refuge in Me in devotional service. They are actually Brahman because they entirely know everything about transcendental activities.

 

Sangam at Prabhupada’s Palace in New Vrindaban Thurs Sept. 26 2013
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

 

SP GIVING CLASS

We are celebrating Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the U.S.A this Thursday Sept. 26 in Srila Prabhupada’s pushpa Samadhi (aka Srila Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold). Please come if you can. Our guest speakers will be Balabhadra, Jayasri and Samkirtan Prabhus.

5:45 p.m.            Bhajan

6:00 p.m.            Reading – Markine Bhagavat Dharma

6:10 p.m.            Realizations shared by guest speakers

6:45 p.m.            Sharing from assembled devotees

7:00 p.m.            Arotika for Srila Prabhupada

7:30 p.m.            Prasadam

Your servant

Krpamaya das

Understand the plan of the Lord
→ The Spiritual Scientist

There is a specific plan being carried out in this material world. What is this plan? This cosmic manifestation is a chance for the conditioned souls to go back to Godhead, back to home. As long as they have the domineering mentality which makes them try to lord it over material nature, they are conditioned. But anyone who can understand the plan of the Supreme Lord and cultivate Krsna consciousness is most intelligent.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 11.33 purport

 

Returning to the spiritual world
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 July 2013, Serbian Summer Camp, Fruska Gouranga, Seminar Part 2)

krsna and gopakumarWhen a living being leaves the spiritual world, it is not that you were in the pastimes with Krsna then you went to the material world. Let’s say you were cowherd boy and suddenly there is one cowherd boy less! Then one day, you are back to Godhead and suddenly, there is again another cowherd boy running, “Somebody came back to Godhead!” It is not described like that.

Sanatana Goswami describes that Gopa Kumar comes back to this land and in this land everyone is absent minded. Gopa Kumar asks, “Where am I?” No one answers. Everyone is sort of looking in one direction, even the branches of the trees are pointing in that same direction, the birds are all looking in that same direction. That is the direction in which Krsna left that morning to go to the forest and all those remaining behind are looking in that direction, waiting for the evening, for the sign of that cloud of the dust coming in the sky. Before that cloud of dust, one can already hear the flute but it’s just the wind blowing into the bamboos in the forest that makes the sound of the flute. The dust is just created by some wind. It is not Krsna yet, it’s too early! So, everyone is waiting for the whole day and he sees that. So, finally when Krsna comes back from the forest and sees Gopa Kumar who in his spiritual body is known as Sarupa, he says, “Sarupa!!” Krsna sees him and faints.

And gopas who see this ask, “Who is he? Is he an agent of Kamsa?” And they are ready to get heavy. Balarama says, “No, no, no. He is actually an old friend of Krsna. Krsna is very happy to see him.” Balaram takes Sarupa by the hand and tells him, “Chant into Krsna’s ear.”

MERCIFUL GOVINDASarupa chants into Krsna’s ear and Krsna comes back to his senses, he embraces Sarup says, “Come! You take prasadam with me!” And they go to take prasadam in the house of Nanda Maharaj who is already waiting. Radharani has cooked all these delicious sweets and actually, it turns out that Sarupa is a family member. He is related to Srimati Radharani, in the family of Sridham. Sarupa is sitting next to Krsna, then some sweets are placed on Krsna’s plate and Krsna tastes them and makes a face; horrible! Everyone is shocked, what is this? Yasoda is looking at Radharani, “What did you do? What did you make here? Are you poisoning my child?”

Krsna says, “These are inedible!” He takes the sweets and throws them on Sarupa’s plate and says, “Here, you taste them since it is your family that has produced them.” And Sarupa tastes the greatest nectar, he has not tasted such nectar ever, amazing!

So in this way he returns back to Godhead; he is not just suddenly back. No, Krsna welcomes him back personally. It is a very personal thing, going back to Godhead. It is also very personal thing when we leave; it hurts Krsna very much. So like this, yes indeed, the relationship is very personal.

 

Not to miss programs this weekend at ISKCON Scarborough
→ ISKCON Scarborough

Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

We are extremely pleased to invite you to our special weekend programs at ISKCON Scarborough.


Friday - 27th Sep 2013

HG Ananda Caitanya das will be delivering a special lecture at ISKCON Scarborough. Program starts at 6.45 pm with Tulasi arti.


Saturday – 28th Sep 2013

* HG Ananda Caitanya das will be joining us at the live weekly Bhagavad Gita radio program at the Geethavaani radio station from 10 am to 11 am.

* HG Jagannath Misra das will be delivering a special Srimad Bhagavatam class at 7pm


Sunday – 29th Sep 2013

A special appreciation feast will be served to all the devotees who made the 1st annual Jagannath Cultural festival on Sep 7th 2013 a grand success.

We would like to thank all the devotees from the bottom of our heart and are humbly inviting you to join us on this special day.

We humbly request you to invite your friends, relatives and family members who assisted in making this event memorable.

Program starts at 10.30 am and will include live performance of Bharata Natyam, instrumental music & kirtans.


Bio data of HG Ananda Caitanya das prabhu:

HG Ananda Caitanya das joined ISKCON in 1979

* From 1984-89 prabhu printed and distributed Srila Prabhupada books underground in Russian language

* From 1989-1990 he served as the temple president in the first temple in former USSR, Kaunas city

* From 1991-1998 he served as the regional secretary for Volga and west Siberia regions, Russia

* From 1994-1998 he had served as the Deputy GBC

* Since 1998 prabhu has been preaching in Germany, Switzerland , South Africa and in Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia &Lithuania.



With best wishes from,

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:

iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:

www.iskconscarborough.com

A colorful and joyful wedding In Yalta amongst Vaishnavas (98 photos)
→ Dandavats.com

The vivaha-samskara (wedding rite) offers an excellent opportunity to spiritualize thoughts, emotions, and commitments that accompany being united with one's chosen partner. A Vaishnava wedding (a wedding of devotees of Krishna) is not only a colorful, joyful ceremony but also a source of devotional inspiration for years to come. When difficulties arise in the relationship, we may ask ourselves, "How did I get into this situation? Why did I marry this person?" Then the mind will go back to the wedding day and automatically remember Lord Krishna, His devotees, and His loving service. Read more ›

Bhakti Centre
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_0396IMG_0397

Locanananda, Radha, Mohit and Pooja are some of the devotees who help organise the many programs at the Bhakti Centre on the Gold Coast. On Janmastami there were so many guests that they streamed right out the door, down the stairs and onto the street.

There are other devotees like Rupa Vilasa, Lalita, Manish, Natasha and Manisha who render valuable service as well. I could go on and name more but I think the list would become too long. My apologies to those who haven’t been mentioned but maybe in another blog I will talk about them also.
Some of these devotees are from Australia, India, New Zealand and other countries. Sri Krsna is attractive to all so it doesn’t matter what background or country one comes from.
IMG_0370

The Walking Monk 2013-09-24 04:35:00
→ The Walking Monk

Walking Monk strolls through Estevan
August 28, 2013
By Chad Saxon
(Estevan Mercury)

Over the course of a week, we get quite a few calls from the public with news tip.
Some of them turn into actual stories but, in all honesty, most of them wind up as snipe hunts.

So I’ll admit to being more than a little bit skeptical when I got a call last week from a man saying that he thought he had a news story for us.

The skeptic meter got cranked up to high when this same gentleman followed by telling me he was travelling across the country with a monk and a parrot.

“Is this a joke?” I asked.

Turns out it was no joke. The man on the phone’s name was Daruka, and he is journeying across the country with Bhaktimarga Swami or, as he is better known to his many followers, the Walking Monk.

Bhaktimarga passed through southeast Saskatchewan last week, and his arrival in the area created quite a stir as reports of a man in robes walking on the highway began to circulate over social media.

...read entire article
http://www.estevanmercury.ca/article/20130828/ESTMERCURY0101/130829875/-1/ESTMERCURY/walking-monk-strolls-through-estevan

_________________________________________________________________________

The Walking Monk makes his way through southeast Saskatchewan
August 30, 2013
By David Willberg
(www.sasklifestyles.com)

Bhaktimarga Swami's two feet have taken him across Canada on three separate occasions.He's now in the midst of his fourth cross-Canada walk, and it was his desire to see different parts of Canada, during his walks, that recently brought him to Estevan.

Bhaktimarga, a 60-year-old Hare Krishna monk who lives in the Toronto area, spent several days walking through southeast Saskatchewan earlier this month. He said that he decided he would walk through Manitoba, along Highway 3, and Saskatchewan, on Highways 18 and 13, because he expected that they would be quiet.

“Manitoba was fine in that way, going through Mennonite country. Once we crossed the border here (into Saskatchewan), it was “Wow!...

...read entire article
http://www.sasklifestyles.com/article/20130830/ESTLIFESTYLES0101/130829925/-1/ESTLIFESTYLES/the-walking-monk-makes-his-way-through-southeast-Saskatchewan