This Is The Greatest Gift
→ Japa Group

"Srila Prabhupada, please bless us with a taste for the nectar of the holy name. This is the greatest gift. If we can carry on without your personal presence, but be aware of the power of the name, then it will be good for the whole world. Then we could serve you as we should."

From Here is Srila Prabhupada
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Govindas Sunday Program
→ Ramai Swami

IMG_0386IMG_0384

As usual, Dvija Vara and Vrajadhama do a great job of overseeing the Brisbane Govinda’s Sunday feast program. Although they are both busy working in the restaurant 6 days a week, they still find time to come and lead kirtan, lecture and serve the feast.

The crowd is usually forty or fifty strong and is made up mostly of westerners but also includes some of our student friends from India.

Dvija Vara is a disciple of Indradyumna Maharaja and Vrajadhama a disciple of Devamrta Maharaja, so both are trained up and expert in the art of presenting Krsna Consciousness to a wide variety of people.
Fortunately, I also get the opportunity to attend the program a number of times throughout the year.

IMG_0383

What is infinite from our perspective is insignificant from the perspective of eternity
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise one day of Brahma, and the same number comprise one night. Brahma lives one hundred of such “years” and then dies. These “hundred years” by earth calculations total to 311 trillion and 40 billion earth years. By these calculations the life of Brahma seems fantastic and interminable, but from the viewpoint of eternity it is as brief as a lightning flash. In the Causal Ocean there are innumerable Brahmas rising and disappearing like bubbles in the Atlantic. Brahma and his creation are all part of the material universe, and therefore they are in constant flux.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 8.17 purport 

A Day in PreK
→ TKG Academy

Preschoolers are working on learning how to take care of themselves and their environment. They are turning into a flower from a little bud. We start our day with “Om namo bhagvate vasudevaya” and then sing songs or listen to the story or color some beautiful picture, or play a game.

Later we start circle time where we discuss the days of the week through a song and also counting the days. We are working on first set of letters SMAT, which is introduced to children as a game where they learn what letter makes what sound,  how to write the letters, and some words from those sounds.They are allowed to choose the specific works created for them to learn phonics, numbers, motor skills , gross motor skills, prewrititng skills, sensorial skills, and practical life.

During snack time we put our placemats with our snack boxes open, we say a prayer to thank the Lord for giving us wonderful prasad and then honor the prasad. We go out and enjoy playing with everyone in the school.

When we come back we have math circle where we learn 1-10 enumeration, this work has been also presented to them in a game format where every child picks up numbers and then count that many bears and put on them. Later we try practicing writing those number on a apple tree or flower or car or some shape they wish.

After we sing our songs “Nursery Rhythms” Our favorite nursery rhythm is “Wheels on the bus go round and round…”. We have story telling time where teacher tells the story to all the children. We have special work time, where we learn yoga, PE, art, music, crafts etc.

It is time to go home…..

12.09 – Strive more for the gift of presence than the presence of gifts
→ The Spiritual Scientist

We express our love for others through gifts. In spiritual life too, we can express our devotion to Krishna through gifts – donations offered, contributions collected and books distributed, for example.

Krishna looks forward most to the gift of our presence. The Bhagavad-gita, while describing various levels of devotion, places the level of practicing to remember him (12.09) above the level of offering our work and its results to him (12.10).

Mantra meditation offers us the opportunity to offer our presence to Krishna, for he is non-different from his holy names. So the more attentive we are in our mantra meditation, the better is the quality of our gift of presence.

Of course, Krishna doesn’t need any gift from us. He is the Lord of the Goddess of Fortune; he already possesses everything, including whatever we may offer him. Yet being the Lord of love, he is ever eager for love. What pleases him is not our gifts, but the love we offer through those gifts.

From Krishna’s perspective, our presence is a purer expression of love than our other gifts. Because when we offer our service accomplishments to him, that offering is likely to be contaminated by the desire for glorification by others: “People should know how charitable I am.”

The offering of our presence through our attentiveness in meditation is less likely to be similarly contaminated because it’s not so visible in the eyes of the world. When he is pleased by our presence, he fills our heart with the enrichment of his love. This enrichment is far more fulfilling than any praise that our accomplishments may earn.

It is good to strive for offering gifts of any sort to Krishna. And it is best to strive most for offering him our presence.

***

12.09-10: My dear Arjuna, O winner of wealth, if you cannot fix your mind upon Me without deviation, then follow the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga. In this way develop a desire to attain Me. If you cannot practice the regulations of bhakti-yoga, then just try to work for Me, because by working for Me you will come to the perfect stage.

 

Sri Isopanisad Course at ISKCON Brampton starting on Sept 21st 2013
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON


Sri Isopanisad one of the 108 principal Vedic scriptures known as the Upanisads. Sri Isopanisad is a conceptual text, rather than a description of the Lord’s pastimes.

Reading and studying this book is meant to advance one’s view of life; to teach one how to re-spiritualize every endeavor of one’s actions.

This is an interactive course where devotees are engaged in reading, learning slokas (verses) and presentations.




Registration and enrolment


This program can be attended without special requirements.

The Course begins Sept 21 - 7.30 am to 12 noon
Registration fees is $ 50.00

You are able to enroll by contacting Vaishnava Das or ISKCON Brampton Management:
Email: iskconbrampton@gmail.com | Tel: 416.840.6587

Online Bhakti Shastri Course & Where to submit your story?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Dear Devotees

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Online Bhakti Shastri Course

Several devotees have asked me whether I plan to conduct an online Bhakti Shastri course. After consulting with and getting the blessings of senior devotees, I have decided to take up the service of conducting a series of online courses starting with Bhakti Shastri.

The Bhakti Shastri course will be conducted on behalf of BACE (Bhaktivedanta Academy for Culture and Education) and participants will get certificates from the ISKCON Board of Education. To know more about this course, you can visit and register at bhakticourses. com.

Where to submit your story?

In response to the recent article "Share your story," several devotees enquired where they can submit their "How I Came to Krishna consciousness" story.  Thank you for your enthusiastic response.

Please send your story to H G Vaishnava Seva Prabhu, the person behind the iskcondesirtree network of sites, at vaishnavasevadasa@gmail.com

Thanking you,

Your servant

Chaitanya Charan das

Here is my latest itinerary: https://www.facebook.com/notes/mahavishnu-swami/la…
→ Mahavishnu Swami

Here is my latest itinerary:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/mahavishnu-swami/latest-itinerary-11-september-2013/506460876110365


Latest Itinerary (11 September 2013)
11th - 14th September - Patna, Bihar, India 13th September - Radhastami Festival at ISKCON Patna   15th September - Birgunj   16th - 19th September - Kathmandu (GBC Meetings) Remainder of September - Continue reading →

Lalita Sashti
→ Mayapur.com

Today is the appearance of Lalita-devi, the foremost of the eight sakhis. In Mayapur, we had a special darshan of Srimati Lalita-devi, decorated profusely with garlands and fragrant flowers. A colored display of description of the glories and prayers to Lalita devi adorned the sub-altar of Sri Radha-Madhava so that everyone could absorb themselves in [...]

The post Lalita Sashti appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Radhastami Celebrations This Thursday!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!

The Hare Krishna temple warmly invites you and your family to join us this Thursday, September 12, 2013 for Radhastami celebrations - celebrating the appearance of Srimati Radharani!      Festivities will commence at 6:00pm and will include wonderful kirtan, a discourse about Srimati Radharani and a vegetarian feast.  As an annual tradition, the highlight of the evening will be when we open gifts for Srimati Radharani that have been brought by the assembled devotees.

If you and your family feel inclined, you are welcome to bring a gift for Their Lordships. For gift ideas, please click here for a list of items. Gifts can be placed on the altar and will be unwrapped and shown to the Deities during the program. Of course donations of any kind are always warmly accepted.

Schedule **Subject to change**

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Arati
6:30pm - 6:40pm: Welcome and Announcements
6:40pm - 7:15pm: Class
7:15pm - 8:00pm: Gift Opening Ceremony
8:00pm - 8:30pm: Arati
8:30pm - 9:00pm: Vegetarian Feast

If the cultivation of knowledge is important in bhakti, then why does Lord Chaitanya say “I am a fool, so I simply chant the holy names”?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Stoka Krishna P

The BG inspires us to seek knowledge and end ignorance and in today's Gita daily U have stressed that we need to have knowledge of KRISHNA in transformational way application wise. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in his conversations with Prakasanand Saraswati, when edged on to study Vedanta to enhance knowledge replies that " I am fool number one and my Guru has ordered me to just chant the Mahamantra". Krishna says for Knowledge in BG and same Krishna says something else in CC.
Prabhuji, how do we understand and reconcile.

Answer Podcast

Is the state of impersonal merging higher that personal devotion?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From Mithilesh Mishra P

1.Vivekanandji talks about SUPERCONSCIOUS state and says that this very

state is achieved by all i.e. through highest knowledge or nirvikalpa

samadhi(jnana yogi),Nirbeej Samadhi(raja yogi)and pure love of God(bhakta)

.He further adds about the  state  which can't be conceived through mind

because the knower and the known become one. Here those who want to keep

their minds (specially bhaktas) come back on the Bhav Samadhi stage and

serve God or Ishvar (which is shuddha sattva).

 

He says that bhakta becomes one with Brahman in pure stage of love (beyond

Bhav Samadhi) and again he comes on the platform of name and form and he

describes the things according to stages he passed through using his mind.

 

Even srutis tell in this connection "avadmansagocharam".

Answer Podcast

God’s Celibacy
→ The Enquirer

English: Amor stringing his bow, Roman copy af...

Amor stringing his bow 

Here’s a little something to whet your appetite for Volume 2 of Beautiful Tales of the All Attractive. This is the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam’s Second Canto, Seventh Chapter – ślokas 6 and 7.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

6

Brahmā: He was born as Nārāyaṇa and Nara, from Mūrti – daughter of Dakṣa and wife of Dharma, to display the power of celibacy. The armies of Eros tried to destroy their vows, but when they saw themselves and many other divine beauties emanating from the All-Attractive they realized they could never win.

Nārada: Nara and Nārāyaṇa defeated Cupid’s armies without struggle and without anger!

7

Brahmā: Yes! Sometimes great personalities can control lust, but not anger. Śiva, for example, destroys lust by glancing wrathfully and it. That wrath controls lust, but itself refuses to submit to control. Wrath, however, is terrified to enter within the All-Attractive, so how can lust ever hope to find a place within his mind?


Special devotees joining us during Radhastami celebrations this Friday!‏
→ ISKCON Scarborough



Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Radhastami celebrations on Friday - 13th Sep 2013

We at ISKCON Scarborough will be celebrating the auspicious appearance of Srimati Radharani on Friday - 13th Sep 2013.Program starts at 6.30 pm.

We are very happy to inform you that H.G Rohipriya das prabhu from ISKCON Chowpatty, Mumbai, India will be joining us for this special program.

Our own H.G Rupanuga das prabhu will also be joining us at ISKCON Scarborough coming Friday

Who is Srimati Radharani?
***********************

Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is stated in the Svetasvatara Upanishad (6.8) "The Supreme Lord has multi-potencies, which act so perfectly that all consciousness, strength and activity are being directed solely by His will". The material world, where we are now living, is called bahir-anga-sakti, the external energy of Krishna. Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-Gita (9.10): "Under My superintendence the material energy is working". Apart from the material, external energy, there is another energy - the internal energy. By the internal energy the spiritual world is being manifested. As the material world is manipulated under the external energy, the spiritual world is conducted by the internal potency. That internal potency, called the Hladini Sakti, is Srimati Radharani.


In CC Adi 1.5 it is said "The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord's internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally". Srimati Radharani, as the highest devotee of Sri Krishna, derives the greatest pleasure in serving Him. She is the origin of all the Gopis and of all the Goddesses of Fortune (Lakshmi devi) who are engaged in the service of the Lord. She is the mainstay, the ideal and the ultimate refuge of all devotees embarking on the path of devotional service. Without first getting the mercy of Srimati Radharani it is impossible to even approach Sri Krishna.


The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is in fact a prayer to Srimati Radharani. The word 'Hare' is derived from 'Hara' which denotes the internal energy or Hladini Sakti of Krishna. This is none other that Srimati Radharani. When one is chanting the maha-mantra, one is saying: "O Krishna ! O Radha !! Please engage me in your devotional service". Krishna is difficult to approach directly, but He is bhakta-vatsala, always eager to please His devotees. Thus the mood of a devotee is to invoke the compassion of Srimati Radharani Who then recommends the devotee to Sri Krishna. Since Krishna is easily pleased by Srimati Radharani, He then readily accepts the devotee in His service.


We welcome you and your family to take part in the festivities coming Friday at ISKCON Scarborough.

There will be a grand free feast served at the end of the program

With best wishes from,

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

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.com

something worth considering
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.23: The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.

~Before I start this post, I have to preface it by saying that Toronto will always have a special place in my heart because of the great bhakti yogis who live there. For that reason, it will always be one of my homes.~

In the summer of 2005 I moved to Toronto to start my Masters. A month after starting school and getting settled in, I travelled back to Ottawa to apply for a scholarship. I'll never forget that ride. I could literally feel the waves of stress leaving my body. It was a profound experience that gave me a glimpse into the mode of material nature known as "passion".

For many in Toronto, the constant flurry of activity may be something that goes unnoticed. I say this because I know from first hand experience! It was only that first time driving back home that I realized how stressed out I was and how affected I was by living in Toronto. Just that once. I never experienced it again. It didn't mean that I wasn't stressed out, it just meant I had lost my sensitivity to recognizing how it influenced my behaviour.

I bring this up because we've all had experiences of this in our lives. We've all consciously (or unconsciously!) adapted to various people, places, things and circumstances.

Adapting is one thing, but imbibing the consciousness or influence that is associated with something should be done with great caution.

For example, when I first moved, I felt that Toronto was always "on" and instinctively tuned into that frequency. In fact, for the next three years it was a oddity if I slept before 1am! I wish I could say it was because I was proactively doing something substantial, but most often it wasn't! It just became a bad habit.

I became "attached" to the atmosphere of activity and sense of busyness. When I took time out to study in India for four months in a small village, I struggled at first to let that attachment go. I realized that everything has its place. At times we require the energy to get things done, but just staying in that state is not only exhausting but can lead to anxiety (at least for me).

It's something that's worth considering. What are the things that influence us to feel and act in certain ways? If we find that we are happy, positive and feeling strengthened in our journey of self-discovery, keep doing it! If however, our introspection leads us to uncovering that we're feeling less than satisfied, it may be time to find some new positive influences in our lives.

Still there
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 July 2013, Fruska Gouranga, Serbia, Initiation lecture)

kks_czLife shakes us sometimes but our guru is still there – still there, doing the same thing. He is still serving Krsna and still chanting. We experience so much turbulence but he is just simply still there. That is how it’s meant to be, always!.

So that is very nice because if our guru is always fixed at Krsna’s feet, then whenever we turn to him, it means, we automatically turn to Krsna. There is no need any big mystical insights or revelations. It’s just simple! He is fixed in serving Krsna. We turn to our guru, we seek some association of our guru and more Krsna starts coming into our life. And again, we are refreshed, and again think, okay, yes, I must try again.

Sometimes Prabhupada used to sign his letters with ‘My dear spiritual sons and daughters…’ So there is a parental element also, in the sense that, like a parent, the spiritual master has the experience and guides us in a sort of parental way.

Still there
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 12 July 2013, Fruska Gouranga, Serbia, Initiation lecture)

kks_czLife shakes us sometimes but our guru is still there – still there, doing the same thing. He is still serving Krsna and still chanting. We experience so much turbulence but he is just simply still there. That is how it’s meant to be, always!.

So that is very nice because if our guru is always fixed at Krsna’s feet, then whenever we turn to him, it means, we automatically turn to Krsna. There is no need for any big mystical insights or revelations. It’s just simple! He is fixed in serving Krsna. We turn to our guru, we seek some association of our guru and more Krsna starts coming into our life. And again, we are refreshed, and again think, okay, yes, I must try again.

Sometimes Prabhupada used to sign his letters with ‘My dear spiritual sons and daughters…’ So there is a parental element also, in the sense that, like a parent, the spiritual master has the experience and guides us in a sort of parental way.

With Love and Respect
→ travelingmonk.com

Photo: A revered Catholic priest and myself embracing in Jerusalem near to the tomb of Jesus Christ. The following document served as the first official statement by the International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON) concerning the Society’s relationship with other people of faith in God. It was developed by the ISKCON Interfaith Commission and authorised [...]

Radha Ashtami Celebration at ISKCON Brampton
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON

Radha Ashtami Celebration at ISKCON Brampton


RADHA ASHTAMI - APPEARANCE DAY OF SRIMATIRADHA RANI

ISKCON Brampton is pleased to invite you and your family for the celebration of Radha Ashtami (Radhashtami). Radhashtami is the celebration of the advent of Shrimati Radharani in this world who appeared over five thousand years ago. Lord Krishna is the male aspect of God, the energetic source of the supreme energy, and Shrimati Radharani is the female aspect, of the energy. So when Krishna descends, Shrimati Radharani also descends.

On this day in particular, we appreciate the mercy of Radha in order to get Krishna’s mercy. Radharani is simultaneously the personification of devotion, gratitude and topmost humility for Krishna, as well as the ideal example of what being a devotee means. The word “Radha” comes from the word aradhana (worship), and so Her name indicates that She possesses the topmost method of worship and devotion to Krishna. Devotees keep fast till noon on Radhastami.
 
Srila Prabhupada on Radhashtami in London in 1973:
“Anyone who comes before Radharani to serve Krishna, she becomes so pleased, “Oh, here is a devotee of Krishna,” She immediately recommends that person, “Krishna, here is a devotee. He is better than me”. This is Radharani. I may not be a devotee. I may be the most fallen rascal. But if I try to reach Krishna through Radharani, then my business is successful… [On this day], we should offer pushpanjali [flowers] and pray, “Radharani, kindly be merciful and tell about me to Krishna. Krishna is yours.” Krishna is not independent. Krishna is Radharani’s property. So you have to approach Krishna through Radharani. Today is an auspicious day. Worship Radharani very nicely and be happy.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:
7:00PM – Guru Aarti & Kirtan
7:15PM – Gaura Aarti & Kirtan
7:45PM - Nrsingadeva Prayer
7.50PM – Welcome Announcements
8:00PM – Glories of Srimati Radha Rani by Kamala Gopi Devi Dasi
8:40PM – Sunday School Presentation
9:10PM - PUSHPANJALI CEREMONY TO HONOR SRIMATI RADHA RANI
9:20PM - Song dedication to Srimati Radha Rani & Closing kirtan
9:30PM – Maha Feast

We welcome our congregation members to bring gifts for Srimati Radha Rani on this special occasion. 

SPONSORSHIPS AND DONATIONS:
Whatever big or small you donate, it’s always been very helpful to carry on festivals in a more opulent and better way. Remember your kind and constant support means a lot to us. ISKCON BRAMPTON will continue to gladly provide a tax deduction receipt for any sponsorship or donation that you'll make towards the festival. Please contact Krsna Smaran Devi Dasi [kavitabalram@yahoo.com] for sponsorships.

RADHA RANI MAHA FEAST                                $251
RADHA RANI FLORALS AND GARLANDS              $108
RADHA RANI EXQUISITE SRINGAR                     $201
 
ALL GLORIES TO SRIMATI RADHA RANI, THE QUEEN OF VRINDAVAN!


************************************************************
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15th @ 2:00PM DSC MEETING IN TEMPLE HALL

ISKCON Brampton management welcomes our congregation members to join us for a Devotional Service Committee (DSC) meeting to discuss the future of ISKCON Brampton. The main topic to be discussed is new location for ISKCON Brampton. Please contact temple management (Bhagavat Dasa, Aindra Dasa, Savyascin Dasa, Acharya Thakur Dasa, Puja Devi Dasi) for more information. 

The Tomb of Jesus
→ travelingmonk.com

Pictured: The Tomb of Jesus. For the last week we have continued with harinama samkirtan in and around Tel Aviv. Inspired by our visit to Jerusalem last week we returned to the city for a few hours yesterday to take blessings of the many saints who lived there throughout history. I was particularly inspired by [...]

06.14 – Krishna is not just the object of meditation but also its objective
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Object of meditation refers to the thing that we meditate on. Objective of meditation refers to the thing that we want to get by meditating. For students, the course material may be the object of their meditation, but marks and salaries are usually the objective of that meditation.

Some people argue that the notion of a personal God is just an object of meditation for less evolved people who can’t meditate on the impersonal absolute which, they claim, is the ultimate objective of meditation.

The Bhagavad-gita thoroughly debunks such arguments. It declares repeatedly  (07.07, 10.08 and 15.19, for example) that the personal absolute, Krishna, is the highest reality. This proclamation is consistent with the Gita’s enthronement (11.53-54) of bhakti-yoga as the best among all paths. In bhakti-yoga, Krishna is both the object and the objective of meditation.

In other paths, is Krishna a mere object of meditation?

Let’s consider the Gita’s sixth chapter that deals with ashtanga-yoga. While delineating the initial stages of the process, the Gita (06.14) urges yogis to fix their mind on Krishna.

Might this refer to Krishna as a temporary dispensable tool for meditation?

Some yogis may think so, but that’s not the Gita’s verdict. The last verse of the same chapter (06.47) declares those who meditate on Krishna within their hearts to be the topmost yogis. Those who treat him as a tool and not goal of meditation are lower, not higher, than them.

When we get rid of the misconception that there’s some reality higher than Krishna, we become free to offer him our full being – head and heart. This enables us to relish the supremely sweet glories of Krishna – an experience so relishable that, as the Gita (10.18) indicates, we no longer desire anything else.

***

06.14 - With an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear, completely free from sex life, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life.