02.40 – Things may belong, but for how long?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

We treasure our belongings, especially those belongings that are worth a lot financially or mean a lot emotionally. Many people go even further, making their belongings the primary purpose of their life and making their belongings their defining identity.

Yet no matter how much we treasure our belongings, how long can they belong to us? At best for a lifetime. Frequently, not even for that long. They become devalued, even decimated, by the passage of time. Or they are dragged away by the vicissitudes of the world. Natural calamities like earthquakes can in one dreadful moment dispossess thousands of people collectively. Or smaller earthquakes within our bodies – heart attacks, for example – can in one heartbreaking instant dispossess us individually.

Though we know at the back of our mind that nothing will belong to us for long, still we feel driven to possess.

Why? Because it is our nature to possess. We just need to find out the belonging that will not let us down, that will belong to us forever.

Is there such a belonging? Yes, there is answers Gita wisdom. The Bhagavad-gita (02.40) points to this everlasting asset – the progress we make on the path to transcendence; the attraction we cultivate towards spiritual reality, ultimately towards Krishna. Time can’t even deplete, leave alone decimate, our spiritual credits; they will stay with us life after life, increasing whenever we perform further spiritual activities. Eventually, their cumulative balance energizes us with an irresistible attraction towards Krishna. This attraction transforms our life-journey, from a doomed chase after non-retainable belongings to a purposeful pilgrimage towards eternal love for Krishna.

And pursuing this spiritual possession doesn’t require us to renounce our material belongings. If we use them in Krishna’s service without becoming infatuated by them, they can become aids, not obstacles, in our spiritual advancement.

**

02.40 - In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

appreciation circle
→ everyday gita

Today is a very special day for all the aspiring bhakti yogis out there. That's why instead of continuing with Chapter 4 today, we would like to take the time to celebrate the appearance day of the speaker of the Bhagavad Gita - Krsna!

Some may be wondering why we are using the word appearance day as opposed to "birthday". To clear up any confusion, we'll go straight to the Gita to hear from the Krsna Himself. Skipping ahead to Chapter 10 Verse 3, Krsna states "He who knows Me as the unborn..."

So what does that mean? It means that Krsna is not born, nor does He die (it's a perk of being THE Divine!). He is eternal, just like our souls are.

But I digress...today is not so much about discussing the fascinating aspects of Krsna (which we'll definitely delve into another time) but more about appreciating Him.

In my circle of friends, we have a very beautiful tradition. On someone's birthday (or appearance day!) we normally have an appreciation circle. It's an opportunity for those of us who have gathered together to express to our gratitude and appreciation to the special person/s we are celebrating that day and let them know of the impact they have in our lives.

So here goes! One of the things I love most about Krsna is the fact that I never feel judged by Him. I may make all kinds of mistakes and do silly things, but I always feel like I'll never run out of chances. I always know that I can redeem myself and that's such a comforting feeling. It's truly a symptom of unconditional love. I also know that when I truly and genuinely turn to Him and ask for help, He has never failed me. Sure...it can take some time until I feel that reciprocation (and I'm definitely not a patient person!), but it always comes.

Finally, the quality I appreciate most about Krsna is the fact that He appreciates intention and devotion over expertise and results. It levels out the playing field so to speak. It breaks down the barriers as to who can and cannot approach Him. It doesn't matter what religion, culture, gender or -ism you associate yourself with - He's there for all of us if we simply want to connect.

So on this day celebrating his appearance, I request all of you, my dear readers, to also offer a few words of appreciation and gratitude to Krsna or even the practice of yoga which originates from Him. Please feel free to leave those appreciations in the comments, but most of all please do take the time to express them in your heart. Wishing everyone a wonderful and blessed day!

The Real “Brijbasi Spirit” – a class in New Vrindaban
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

by Lilasuka dasi

His Holiness Varsana Maharaj gave the early morning Srimad Bhagavatam class today, Janmastami, the Appearance Day of Lord Krsna.

Varsana Swami

Varsana Swami

Someone asked him, “Maharaj, what is the true meaning of “brijbasi spirit?”  His reply was, “the essence of the brijbasi spirit is loving relationships. Brijbasis live in the land of Braja, of course, thus the name “Brijbasi”.  However, it is not that we revere a specific tract of land as the “dhama” or holy place of pilgrimage. Rather, the dhama is more accurately a container, just like a vase, which holds “rasa”. “Rasa” is the synergy of all past, present and even future sweet relationships between the devotees and the Lord. The bottom line is that the spiritual master can make any place a holy dhama. It is, in fact, not the land itself, but the presence of the holy person that makes a place a dhama.”

29-8-13—Appearance day of HDG Srila Prabhupada
→ Dandavats.com

Srila Prabhupada: I was very naughty when I was a boy. I would break anything. When I was angry, I would break the glass hookah pipes, which my father kept to offer to guests. Once my mother was trying to bathe me, and I refused and knocked my head on the ground, and blood came out. They came running and said, “What are you doing? You shall kill the child.” Read more ›

Turn Up The Volume!
→ Seed of Devotion

One of my 2013 New Year's Resolution: Write a minimum of 40 blog posts this year.

Guess what?

It's almost September and this is my 13th post. This has got to be my lowest publishing rate ever in the history of this blog. I feel sad and yet also indignant. Like, come on, you can do better than 13 posts. 

So, being a woman of my word, it's time to turn up the volume. 

On this stereo of Bhakti lata's life, we'll be playing 27 posts - life stories, photography, poetry, fiction, reflections, art, or just checking in. 

And who knows? My vow was a "minimum" of 40 posts. 

Stay tuned to this station. 

(photo by allvoices.com)

Subscribe

A Lament
→ travelingmonk.com

“The fortunate town of Navadwipa remains on the earth. The seashore remains. The city of Jagannatha Puri remains. The holy names of Lord Krsna remain. Alas! Alas! I do not see anywhere the same kind of festival of pure love for Lord Hari as before. O Lord Caitanya, O ocean of mercy, will I ever [...]

The Secret of Happiness
→ The Enquirer

Happiness

Happiness (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Anyone can be happy in their life. It is the inalienable right of every living entity to be surrounded by unmitigated happiness. But practically no one realizes this right, because practically everyone looks for happiness in external objects and situations, or even if they look inward, they retain a selfish subjective viewpoint.

Happiness is actually part of the constitutional nature of what you really are.

To achieve happiness, the key is to come into harmony with what you really are.

So we have to make efforts to de-condition ourselves from the misconceptions of identity that are currently so deeply ingrained in us. It can start by trying to deprogram yourself from seeing yourself as some specific, temporary bodily, corporeal thing – a body of a particular age, gender, nationality, race, size, etc. Then, as these misconceptions start to dissolve you can begin to look inward more clearly and discern your true self more carefully, from amidst all your inner thoughts and feelings.

You will, if your introspection is clear, experience directly that you are a being with undeniable reality, and undeniable awareness. Then you will also notice that you are aware of conditions that exist outside yourself. When you actually taste the reality of perceiving this essence of who or what you are, you will intuitively realize that your undeniable awareness of reality reveals beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are an integral part of some great whole.

You will directly percieve that within yourself there is not only reality and cognition, there is also a latent pool of happiness. But you will immediately note that the happiness there is a dynamic energy that seeks to flow in a circuit from within the being out to the whole and back again.

This circuit is the experience of deep, exhilarating happiness that every one of us hankers after all the time. You will need to carefully contemplate upon the nature of this circuit if you will hope to realize deep contact with it, and thus become truly, deeply, profoundly happy.

If you give a good effort to this task, you’ll note that the nature of the circuit is loving. The energy of happiness that wants to flow out towards the whole to nourish the whole is the essence of pure love. This pure love is the soul of happiness. Then you will begin to realize that you are not just an abstract energy, you are a distinct personal entity and the supreme whole as well is also a personal entity. At this point you will begin to tangibly realize more specific details about the nature of your specific relationship with the whole, and the exact delightful manners in which your inherent pool of loving happiness will flow out to the whole.

The more you dedicate yourself to this effort to enter within your true self, the more you will find yourself peaceful, satisfied, even delighted and really happy – regardless of the ups and downs and ins and outs of the impossible to control victories and defeats constantly transpiring on the external stage of the projected world of time and matter.

There are practical paths laid out to help persons like us on our inward odyssey. The Hare Krishna mahamantra is an extremely direct and powerful tool for linking the true self with the whole through the circuit of pure love. The word “hare” establish the energy of bliss-giving love within the soul, and the words “krishna” and “rama” direct that energy towards the Whole Person. Thus the mantra itself is a meditation upon establishing the blissful divine connection between the soul and the whole.

The complete mantra is:

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare.
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

There are no rules set in stone regarding how to meditate using this mantra, but it is quite effective to set aside a certain block of time every day to softly but audibly pronounce the mantra, concentrating upon its significance and meaning. One can use beads or other means to count off a certain amount of mantras – if you want to introduce a more serious, more disciplined approach to your endeavor.

The mantra can also be utilized with large groups of people by singing it with musical accompaniment.

Sincere use of this mantra results in profound joy and happiness, for anyone.


Try strenuously to control desire
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Material desires, when unsatiated, generate anger, and thus the mind, eyes and chest become agitated. Therefore, one must practice to control them before one gives up this material body. One who can do this is understood to be self-realized and is thus happy in the state of self-realization. It is the duty of the transcendentalist to try strenuously to control desire and anger.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 5.23 purport

Monday, August 26th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Switching Trails

Weyburn, Saskatchewan

It was not a snap decision but one that was well thought out. Daruka and I decided we had to switch roads. Highway 18, although cutting through nice landscape, was becoming a challenge. In spots, it turns into gravel and where paved, it becomes uneven, quite hazardous to the wheels of our support car, a’93 Mercury Grand Marquis. Okay for my feet though. The area was becoming quite barren with population sparse. We decided to leap north to the highway parallel to us, Highway 13. Locals tell us it was a wise decision.

The move brought us to the city of Weyburn, population 11,000. This is where Tommy Douglas started his career. For those readers who are not Canadian, I’ll mention that he was voted as being the most popular Canadian being the father of medicare in Canada. Having your medical needs met is precious for residents of this big country.

Before Daruka had a chance to get into 103.5’s radio station with our walking story, the station was already informed by a motorist who saw me trekking, “You can’t believe what I just saw…” phoned in the person. The description of a monk on foot ambling his way through town excited the crew and as they were just making their way out the door, Daruka popped in with Billy perched on his shoulder. The radio hosts came out to search and caught up with me and Daruka. After the interview, our message with photo was put on line entitled, “On a Wing and a Prayer”.

For my 2nd instalment of walking today, motorists seem to respond to that message. Again, people are so nice. The route here is primarily agribusiness and less of the oil industry. By nature’s way the road here is lined with the potent fragrance and presence of chamomile. Hawks continue to be in flight above on this new route.

Sometimes the heat hits you hard. If someone stops and they want to talk, the heat appears to dissipate. There is nothing like communicating about the virtues of reflective walking and of the simple lifestyle. One fellow who stopped while on his way to the oil pipes said, “Hey, I’ve just finished reading Sharma’s book, ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’.” This true story tells of a man’s successful business ventures and how he came close to a life threatening illness. That turned him to the life of simplicity and taught him that less is more.

31 KM

04.09 – The goal of spiritual life is to make spiritual life our goal
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Many people see spiritual life as a pious recreation, as an elective break from the stresses of daily living.

Whatever be our initial impetus for spiritual exploration, bringing our spiritual side out of hibernation is good, because it activates our unique human potential for spirituality. It raises us above the sub-human beings that busy themselves lifelong in eating, sleeping, mating and defending.

However, if we let spirituality remain just as one of the many options on life’s menu-card, then our life’s main course stays filled with little more than the bodily demands that drive the animals. As this course can offer us only fleeting enjoyment, it can never cater to our appetite for unending fulfillment.

To satisfy that appetite, we need to upgrade our understanding of spiritual life. Instead of seeing material life as real life and spiritual life as an optional addendum, we need to see spiritual life – our life as souls in loving service to Krishna – as real life and material life as an intrusion into that real life.

Krishna descends to the world to end this intrusion. When he appears in this world, he restores order, as the oft-quoted Bhagavad-gita (04.08) verse declares. What is not often quoted is his goal in restoring that order mentioned in the next verse (04.09): to help us understand his divine and delightful pastimes, fall in love with him and return to him for a life of everlasting ecstasy.

When we enshrine this goal in the center of our consciousness, we restore order in our inner world. Our eyes and hearts become open to see Krishna’s love in how he tirelessly facilitates our journey through this world and expertly directs it towards him. That vision is life’s best security, existence’s greatest hope, heart’s highest joy.

**

04.09 - One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.

Reflections on Srila Prabhupada
→ KKS Blog

srila-prabhupada-jaladuta-1We can appreciate how unique Prabhupada really is in the entire sampradaya. Lord Caitanya appears only once in a day of Brahma and after Lord Caitanya, who introduced Krsna Consciousness basically in the Indian subcontinent, the mission that remained was to take Krsna Consciousness all over the world. Prabhupada did that. He brought it from East to West! Prabhupada himself stated, ‘Now this Krsna consciousness cannot be stopped anymore.’ Just like a disease, once it has contaminated then it is too late, it cannot be undone, cannot be stopped anymore.
Prabhupada fulfilled that mission of taking Krsna consciousness from East to West which is done only once in an entire day of Lord Brahma. So we can understand that Prabhupada is a special intimate associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who was particularly chosen for this mission. Therefore, we can understand that the way Prabhupada introduced Krsna consciousness in the world is particularly the way that Lord Caitanya desired it.

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Vrindavan, India, 2003

 

When Srila Prabhupada first came to America, he didn’t have anything and somehow or other, this movement took off. Prabhupada said, ‘It’s a miracle!! How could this have happened? I’m coming to America with a message the Americans weren’t waiting for – no illicit sex, no gambling, no meat, no intoxication. It’s a miracle!’ He said, ‘Sometimes I wonder why this miracle happened to me? Why not to others? I have so many godbrothers who are very qualified, learned vaishnavas. So why did this thing happened to me? And the only thing I can think of is that I cent percent followed the order of my spiritual master.’

SRILA PRABHPADAPrabhupada was real, Prabhupada was genuine, Prabhupada loved Krsna, Prabhupada saw Krsna and because Prabhupada said God is blue, He is blue! It is as simple as that! Therefore Prabhupada is the living proof of Krsna Consciousness, that it all works. Prabhupada is not only our inspiration, not only the source of our faith but Prabhupada is also our anchor. Whenever we have a doubt, Prabhupada is the anchor, our saving grace as we are riding on the waves of our individual nature. He is the safe ground to which we always return. We trust him for the person he was, for his teachings and we know that there we will find our answers – we find the basis of our Krsna Consciousness. That is where we return, to the safe connection with Krsna.

We meet him in everything he left – we meet him in his devotees, we meet him in his books, we meet him in his instructions and so on. We can meet Prabhupada today but the essence of that meeting is that we understand that Prabhupada made Krsna Consciousness possible because Prabhupada was a human being! He was a human being! We are only just beginning to understand that! We never thought of that before! In the past, we thought, ‘You have to be Krsna conscious and you have to prove it by chanting your rounds, chanting extra rounds, by distributing a lot of books or by opening many temples, by sleeping less, by eating less, by performing austerity, by doing dry fasting…’ and in this way, you can show your Krsna consciousness! We never thought that being a human being had anything to do with it! But Prabhupada knew it all along. He was such a human being because his love for Krsna extended to all of us. Prabhupada was so kind, he was strict – not changing the standard – but yet ready to adjust for an individual, to sort of accommodate him, to sort of come along and fit in…

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Goloka Dhama, Abentheur, 2006

 

Book-2When we become a devotee of Krsna, we become the instrument of Krsna and we see that Krsna begins to work through us and through that we become empowered. One day Srila Prabhupada said, ‘My spiritual master made me into a diamond!’ A diamond is completely transparent; light goes through unobstructed in all directions. Thus a devotee becomes empowered to be an instrument of the Lord and then see what they can do. People say, ‘How can you do it?’ But Krsna gives the power, makes it possible; so one who dedicates his life to Krsna becomes empowered by Krsna.

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Durban, South Africa, 2010

 

 

 

Reflections on Srila Prabhupada
→ KKS Blog

srila-prabhupada-jaladuta-1We can appreciate how unique Prabhupada really is in the entire sampradaya. Lord Caitanya appears only once in a day of Brahma and after Lord Caitanya, who introduced Krsna Consciousness basically in the Indian subcontinent, the mission that remained was to take Krsna Consciousness all over the world. Prabhupada did that. He brought it from East to West! Prabhupada himself stated, ‘Now this Krsna consciousness cannot be stopped anymore.’ Just like a disease, once it has contaminated then it is too late, it cannot be undone, cannot be stopped anymore.
Prabhupada fulfilled that mission of taking Krsna consciousness from East to West which is done only once in an entire day of Lord Brahma. So we can understand that Prabhupada is a special intimate associate of Caitanya Mahaprabhu who was particularly chosen for this mission. Therefore, we can understand that the way Prabhupada introduced Krsna consciousness in the world is particularly the way that Lord Caitanya desired it.

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Vrindavan, India, 2003

 

When Srila Prabhupada first came to America, he didn’t have anything and somehow or other, this movement took off. Prabhupada said, ‘It’s a miracle!! How could this have happened? I’m coming to America with a message the Americans weren’t waiting for – no illicit sex, no gambling, no meat, no intoxication. It’s a miracle!’ He said, ‘Sometimes I wonder why this miracle happened to me? Why not to others? I have so many godbrothers who are very qualified, learned vaishnavas. So why did this thing happened to me? And the only thing I can think of is that I cent percent followed the order of my spiritual master.’

SRILA PRABHPADAPrabhupada was real, Prabhupada was genuine, Prabhupada loved Krsna, Prabhupada saw Krsna and because Prabhupada said God is blue, He is blue! It is as simple as that! Therefore Prabhupada is the living proof of Krsna Consciousness, that it all works. Prabhupada is not only our inspiration, not only the source of our faith but Prabhupada is also our anchor. Whenever we have a doubt, Prabhupada is the anchor, our saving grace as we are riding on the waves of our individual nature. He is the safe ground to which we always return. We trust him for the person he was, for his teachings and we know that there we will find our answers – we find the basis of our Krsna Consciousness. That is where we return, to the safe connection with Krsna.

We meet him in everything he left – we meet him in his devotees, we meet him in his books, we meet him in his instructions and so on. We can meet Prabhupada today but the essence of that meeting is that we understand that Prabhupada made Krsna Consciousness possible because Prabhupada was a human being! He was a human being! We are only just beginning to understand that! We never thought of that before! In the past, we thought, ‘You have to be Krsna conscious and you have to prove it by chanting your rounds, chanting extra rounds, by distributing a lot of books or by opening many temples, by sleeping less, by eating less, by performing austerity, by doing dry fasting…’ and in this way, you can show your Krsna consciousness! We never thought that being a human being had anything to do with it! But Prabhupada knew it all along. He was such a human being because his love for Krsna extended to all of us. Prabhupada was so kind, he was strict – not changing the standard – but yet ready to adjust for an individual, to sort of accommodate him, to sort of come along and fit in…

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Goloka Dhama, Abentheur, 2006

 

Book-2When we become a devotee of Krsna, we become the instrument of Krsna and we see that Krsna begins to work through us and through that we become empowered. One day Srila Prabhupada said, ‘My spiritual master made me into a diamond!’ A diamond is completely transparent; light goes through unobstructed in all directions. Thus a devotee becomes empowered to be an instrument of the Lord and then see what they can do. People say, ‘How can you do it?’ But Krsna gives the power, makes it possible; so one who dedicates his life to Krsna becomes empowered by Krsna.

Kadamba Kanana Swami, Durban, South Africa, 2010

 

 

 

Your Guide to Janmastami Celebrations TOMORROW!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28, 2013, marks the biggest spiritual birthday bash in Toronto - Janmastami! Here is a quick guide to help you tomorrow.

Parking:


FREE parking has been arranged for Janmastami festival attendees. The parking lot is located on Pears Avenue, a 2-3 minute walk from the temple. Free parking is available from 5:00pm - 2:00am.

Shoes:
As you can imagine, we have over 1,000 people join us every year for this celebration and we are looking forward to a packed house! To ensure there is less traffic in the building and to keep all shoes in one place, we are trying a new initiative by having all shoes stored outside in our parking lot. Everyone's shoes will be bagged and stored and you will receive a ticket to retrieve your shoes at the end of your stay. As always, we ask for your cooperation as we try to maintain the shoes in an organized fashion.

Schedule **subject to change**:

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Arati
6:30pm - 7:00pm: Kirtan
7:00pm - 7:15pm: Welcome and Announcements
7:15pm - 8:00pm: Class
8:00pm - 8:30pm: Arati
8:30pm - 8:50pm: Dance Performance
8:50pm - 9:30pm: Krishna Consciousness Around the World - a Special Multimedia Presentation
9:30pm - 10:15pm: Maha Shanka Abhisheka
10:15pm - 11:00pm: Special Shadow Puppet Drama
11:00pm - 12:00am: Maha Abhisheka
12:00am - 12:30am: Midnight Arati!
12:30am - 1:30am: Vegetarian Feast

We hope you can join us for these auspicious celebrations!

Balarama Purnima, August 20, New Dvaraka, Los Angeles
Giriraj Swami

lord_balarama_by_yogeshvarGiriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.26 during the Sunday evening program in New Dvaraka.

“Bal Yogeshwar, Guru Maharaji, fell in love with his American secretary and married her, which very much upset his mother in India. Thereafter there was a full color picture on the cover of The Illustrated Weekly of India — a very famous magazine. The article described that Bal Yogeshwar’s mother had appointed him as Bhagavan, God, but that since he went ahead and married secretary without her permission, she removed him as God and placed her other son, Bal Bhagwan, as God. This sounds ludicrous, but sometimes fact is stranger than fiction — because people are so ignorant. We don’t know how fortunate we are to have this knowledge from Srila Prabhupada. We can understand very clearly visnu-tattva, jiva-tattva, who is God, who is a direct expansion of God, and who is a living entity. But ordinary people are bewildered. There are so many people who think. “I am God, you are God, everyone is God, we just have to realize it.”

Lord Balarama’s Appearance