Govinda Damodara Stotra
→ The Spiritual Scientist

09 - Let the tongue be a swan that feasts on the lotus of Krishna’s holy name

25 - Neglect the world for the sake of the Holy Name

56 - The holy name is the shelter beyond pleasure and pain

01 - Pray like Draupadi to replace the finite with the infinite

54 - Krishna is the only sustainably satisfying object of thought

52 - Happiness at our tongue-tips

38 - Chanting offers us an opportunity to reciprocate with Krishna’s expressions of love

Harer Namashtakam (8)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Persevering till we get taste

Japa forces us to practice bhakti undistractedly

Transform respect for the spiritual master into service to the holy name

We have to make up for lost time, not lose more time

Access the holy name by the mercy of the Bhagavatas

The misfortune of missing the fortune

The fruit of service is the increased desire to serve

Let the world go to the background and let the holy name come the foreground of consciousness

Mukunda Mala Stotra (34)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

32 - Remembrance of Krishna is the greatest achievement and the greatest blessing

32 - The holy name takes us beyond sense control to mind control

32 - The holy name helps us see in life what we hear in scripture

32 - Pay back the tormentors of the mind in their own coin

32 - The holy name enables us to relish the ultimate purpose of existence in this very life

32 - The holy name frees us from fears worse than death

32 - The holy name empowers us to stick to our resolutions

32 - O mind, please drink the medicine of the holy name

32 - Return back to our real life by the grace of the holy name

31 - The mantra that destroys inner enemies

31 - The mantra that bypasses and surpasses the intellect

31 - The mantra that uproots material existence

31 - The spade that digs out the buried treasure

31 - Count the holy names as one counts money for the holy name offers the ultimate enrichment

31 - The mantra that relieves the snakebite of misery

31 - The mantra that brings success in this life and the next

47 - Although i am chanting why am i still suffering?

41 - Countering the poison of the enjoying mentality

38 - Why give up nectar for poison?

26 - Joyfully attain that which is transcendental to transcendence

40 - The holy name de-glamorizes the sense objects

15 - The holy name illuminates our inner landscape

29 - Neglecting the holy name is an invitation for disaster

10 - The remover of misfortune the bestower of fortune

10 - Krishna is competent and eager to reciprocate with us

08 - The lake that rescues from the desert

16 - The only rescue from the waves of material existence

09 - No better happiness than the remembrance of Krishna

17 - The holy name offers us employment with the ultimate master

21 - When scriptural study becomes like crying in the wilderness

21 - When fasting becomes a mere fat reducing exercise

21 - When prescribed duties become like oblations in ashes

21 - When bathing in holy places becomes like an elephant bathing

19 - Redefining our conceptions of greatness

Nector of Instruction (10)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Preface - Understanding the right attitude for a sadhaka

Text 1 - The need and the means for authentic atonement

Text 1 - How to spiritualize anger in devotional service

Text 1 - The exalted level of the “sharira avidya jala” prayer

Text 2 - Sociological and philosophical reasons to avoid atyahara

Text 2 - Identifying over-endeavor in spiritual life

Text 2 - Three levels of contamination due to asat-sanga

Text 2-3 - Devotional service is not sentimental speculation or imaginative ecstasy

Text 3 - How neglect of regulative principles destroys bhakti

Text 3 - Three directions we may go on deviating from bhakti

Gita Study Pune 2013 (17)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

10.8-18 How the Chatur Shloki is the essence of the Gita

The Yoga Ladder Explained

15.16-16.8 Importance of Tri Shloki Bhagavad-Gita

15.6-15 Two ways to attain Jnana Cakshu

15.1-5 How the material world is comprehensible as well as incomprehensible

14.16-24 How the analysis of the modes leads to Bhakti

14.10-15 Examining the modes in today’s society

14.1-9 The background for the Gita’s discussion of the modes

13.20-35 The Bija Vakya of the Gitas last six chapters

13.8-19 Achintyabhedabheda in the Gita

12.12-20 – The last rung in the Gita’s downward ladder of love

12.1-11 Arjuna’s question refers to Brahmavada not Mayavada

11.47-55 – How Virat Rupa revelation ends in glorification of bhakti

11.28-46 The Frightening Virat Rupa – Kala Rupa

11.1-27 The Magnificent Virat Rupa

10.19-42 How the Vibhutis manifest Krishna’s glory

10.1-7 – Review of the first nine chapters of the Gita

What’s Your Word Worth?
→ TKG Academy

Traditional spelling is giving students lists each week and having them practice the spelling words until each list is memorized.  Newer schools of thought on spelling encourage spelling teachers to look for words that the student misspells in his/her own handwriting.  Yet even other educators have shown that dividing the words under specific rules will also help to re-inforce proper spelling in the oh-so-complicated English language.

In my classroom, I combine many of these practices.  In addition to the Sing Spell Read & Write spelling lists that students practice each week, we make cards of the spelling words they frequently miss in their own handwriting.  This individualizes their spelling instruction.  For kinesthetic and visual learners, we also have a myriad of spelling games to play.  Like anything, the more they see the word, use the word and play with the word, the more its proper spelling becomes concrete in their memory.

One such Spelling Game is “Whats’ Your Word Worth?”  It combines coin facts and simple math with spelling practice!  I just introduced this game to the students last week!   It has quickly become a favorite in the Word Work Section.

When workbook work is complete, the kids grab their list of missed spelling words and practice playing, “Whats Your Word Worth?”  Take a look!

 

 

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

First Day Back

Pointex, Saskatchewan

It’s the first day back at school for elementary kids . After dropping off students, a bus driver pulled over when he saw me. He’s heard of Hare Krishna before. We agreed on mutually praying for each other, even though our approaches to faith are different.

Before the real cold sets in, all kinds of repairs go on. I met a group of workmen on the railway which runs next to Highway 13. Only a ditch lies between the two routes of travel.

“What’s going on?” Asked one of the dozen or so guys with hard hats and red safety jackets.

“It’s a walk, a pilgrimage, the fourth. I chose the quiet highway this time. Hey, do you guys ever sing together, ‘I’ve been working on the railroad’.” That gave a chuckle.

The jolly spokesman said, “We do it when we need to pump each other up.”

“I do a bit of singing, chanting mantras actually, along the way. I’m a Hare Krishna monk, and it’s one of the things we do. Out here in the prairies, you can sing to your hearts content (laughter).”

Down the road, as the late morning wore on, a young rancher in a pick up truck stopped. He had a cowboy hat and the works, “Are you a Hare Krishna?”

“Sure am.”

“Can I get a picture taken with you?”

“Sure.” He got out of his truck and it seemed a thrill for him, like a bronco bustin’ affair.

Another fellow stopped. I had seen him walking his German Sheppard when I walked through the village of Hazenmore. He was so busy keeping his pet at his leash’s control that he hardly had time for me then. Now, in the vehicle, he did.

“You want a ride?” he said in English accent (sorry, I’m the one with the accent being a North American).

I explained to him what I’m up to. He knew about Krishna Consciousness. He wasn’t sure whether to address me with a ‘Hari Hari’. He also expressed he didn’t believe in God, but in religion.

“To each his own,” I said, “but to me, when I see this vast prairie and the gorgeous sky, a beautiful creation, it’s my rationale that there’s some divine intelligence behind it all.”

“I believe in the ‘fohss of naycha’”.

“I also believe in the force of nature, and we call it Bhagavan, Krishna.” It was a pleasure speaking to a guy from England. Finally because it was the first day of school, Daruka, because he’s sharp on these things, contacted the local school in Pointex.

Yes, Chantal, the coordinator for the school said, “You and your monk friend can come in on the last period of the students’ day back.” The kids were adorable, they had questions unlimited.

39 KM

Monday, September 2nd, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Galaxy Trail

Meyronne, Saskatchewan

For starters today, I saw what seemed like a magical trail. My eyes seemed deceived. At 4:20 AM when I hit the pavement, there appeared a parallel route right above me, The Milky Way. It was directly above and it was welcoming.

If I could reach up far enough and thrust myself upside down, I might succeed to walk it. Then I would have a new perspective on things. I could see even better than now, being a small dot in the prairie, how tiny we really are, how insignificant we actually are.

As the sun slowly influenced my momentary dream to trek the heavens to the point of it dissolution, I took seriously to my dark trail again, the asphalt.

Something was moving in the grass, I approached it. A porcupine? No. A skunk. He raised his bushy tail and came forward, actually, right after me. Did I just stand there? No. I ran. He halted and finally retreated. The worst case scenario would be to receive a generous spray from a skunk. Wouldn’t Daruka love to have me in his car stinking like foul mustard oil. Sometime later in the course of the walk, a particularly large garter snake slithered his way toward the highway, to him, I was the skunk, the aggressor. He picked up speed and fled and disappeared into the grass.

Humans. They have standard questions once I explain I’m on a journey to promote pilgrimage.

“Where do you sleep? How do you eat?” Naturally the doubt is there because all they see of me is robes and a pouch for japa beads.

“Campsites mostly, in a tent,” I said. “Simple living, high thinking. Also I have a support person, Daruka, he comes and checks on me once in a while. We have our tent, cooking stove, clothes, and all of our belongings in his car.“ Once the practical concerns are met, the motorist or the person who’s questioning may want to penetrate more deeply and even get philosophical.

For the finale of the day, Daruka, Billy and I left for the home of Lynn from Ogema. There we enjoyed a potluck, discussions about natural living, reincarnation and a session of chanting. Chanting is calming, it always is when you apply yourself.

30 KM

06.32 – Cultivate compassion for the complete being of all living beings
→ The Spiritual Scientist

“Aren’t spiritualists self-centered, being concerned only about their own liberation and not about the elevation of others?” Some people get this question when they see spiritualists spending significant time pursuing their personal spiritual realization.
The Bhagavad-gita (06.32) indicates that the topmost yogis are compassionate – they want to share with everyone all the spiritual joys that have enriched their lives. Significantly, this statement comes at the conclusion of the Gita’s description of the process of ashtanga-yoga, wherein the seeker-yogi retreats from the world to a secluded place (06.10) to focus exclusively on spiritual growth. The context of this statement emphasizes that even for those who have renounced the world, the climax of their realization comes when they become concerned about the world.
The yogis’ concern arises naturally and spontaneously when they recognize that we are all spiritually related as members of the trans-universal family of the one Supreme Being Krishna. We naturally feel concerned about the well-being of our brethren. Spiritual realization expands our conception of our brethren to include all living beings. Without such spiritual realization, our concern for others even if sincerely felt and sensitively expressed, still fails to do the best good for them, for we minister only to their bodies and minds, not to their souls. With spiritual realization, our concern encompasses the complete being of all living beings – their bodies, minds and souls.
And bhakti-yoga, which the Gita endorses conclusively, doesn’t ask us to withdraw from the world, but to act in it to fulfill Krishna’s mission of compassion for all living beings. Additionally, bhakti-yoga doesn’t position compassion only at the peak of spiritual realization, but also integrates it into the process, as the Gita (18.68-69) indicates.
Thus the personal spiritual practices don’t diminish, but deepen, the compassion of the seekers

ISKCON Scarborough’s 1st Jagannath Cultural Festival coming Saturday – 7th Sept 2013
→ ISKCON Scarborough




Hare Krsna
Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

We are extremely happy to inform you that ISKCON Scarborough will be conducting its 1st Annual Jagannath Cultural Festival this Saturday - 7th Sept 2013 at the Milliken Park from 10 am to 4 pm.

Milliken Park Address:
4325 McCowan Road,
Scarborough
M1V4P1
(Near Steeles & McCowan)

Program:
10 am to 11 am: 
Lord Jagannath's Parade from McCowan Road entrance

11 am to 4 pm cultural programs:
  • Kirtan and Bhajans by HH Bhaktimarga swami, Gaura Shakti yoga group, ISKCON's youth group(Radha Murari band) and Mother Subhadra
  • Bharata natyam performance by Abhirami Balu
  • Instrumental music(Flute, Violin, Mridanga) by Venugana Alayam group and Students of Lasanthi Rajkumar 
  • Dance performance by Laya Bhava Nadana Kaloori students
There will be transcendental book distribution, free face painting, mantra meditation and much more!

Free Vegetarian prasadam/water will be distributed during this event.

There will be media coverage during this glorious event which will also be attended by prominent VIP's.

We warmly invite you, your family , friends and relatives to Milliken park this Saturday to partake the unlimited blessings of the Lord of the Universe.

The First Regulative Principle
→ Japa Group


This week's Japa Room brought some nice realisations from those attending - one devotee mentioned when their chanting is becoming hard and his mind is becoming strong and he can't concentrate on the sound....then he increases the volume of his voice and thus he is able to concentrate again and forget the mind.
It reminded me of a nice quote from Srila Prabhupada on this subject.

"The first regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare Krsna maha−mantra loudly enough so that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds."

Sri Caitanya caritamrta Antya−lila 11.24

a life less complicated
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.21: Such a man of understanding acts with mind and intelligence perfectly controlled, gives up all sense of proprietorship over his possessions, and acts only for the bare necessities of life. Thus working, he is not affected by sinful reactions.

Although we have so much in terms of technology, facilities and entertainment, dissatisfaction is running rampant in the world today. Conversations seem to be peppered with the phrase "Life is really complicated these days," and are frequently accompanied with a long suffering sigh!

How did we make our lives so complicated and what can we do to make it more simple?

It's a question that so many people ask these days and today we find the answer in the Gita. Our lives become complicated....

When we try to claim proprietorship over something, someone or someplace

The moment we do so, we immediately inherit complications.

In simple words, proprietorship means claiming something is "Mine". As was explained in the 'Attachment Trap', as soon as we identify ourselves with something (i.e. become attached to it) it can pave the way to lust, anger, delusion etc... if we don't approach it with the right attitude.

There's the potential for things to get complicated....fast!

So what can we do to make things more simple?

When we let go of any sense of proprietorship, recognizing that everything is the energy of the Divine and is on loan to us from Him, a huge burden is removed from our shoulders. Instead of seeing people and things as possessions to own and control for our own pleasure, we start to see everything as they really are - people and things that are worthy of our respect. Instead of trying to gain happiness from them, our mindset changes to how we can give happiness to the one who has given us all these treasures.

Gratitude starts to awaken within our hearts. Things that we may have perceived as obstacles transform into gifts and lessons and our lives become peaceful and happy.

That's what a life less complicated is really about. It's about living a life where our hearts are filled with gratitude and lightness. The only thing we need to do is: appreciate more and think about ourselves less.

Radhastami is Approaching.
→ Mayapur.com

In Sri Mayapur we will be celebrating the divine appearance of Srimati Radharani. For the gaudiya vaishanava’s this is one of the most auspicious and greatly celebrated days in our calendar. Srimati Radharani is the possessor and bestower of devotion to Lord Hari, so we all strive to serve her lotus feet so that she may [...]

The post Radhastami is Approaching. appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja
→ Mayapur.com

Please view the following galleries: Main Program VIP Program International School The week was filled with one festival after another glorifying Srila Prabhupada. The bramachari counsel, international devotees, bengali devotees, Bhaktivedanta National School, and the Sri Mayapur International School all held their very own celebrations. We also had a special program for VIP’s such as [...]

The post Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasapuja appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Gita Overview Mumbai (33)
→ The Spiritual Scientist

10.25-33 - Metaphors for understanding Krishna’s glories

11.1-23 - The background to understand Vishva-rupa – Yoga aishvarya to rupa aishvarya

11.24-40 - Material destruction paves the way for spiritual ressurection

11.41-55 - Pure devotion reveals all visions

12.1-11 - Progression from Virata Rupa to Impersonal Brahman

13.1-7 - Vyashti and Samashti approaches to understanding reality

13.8-12 - Role of bhakti in jnana and of jnana in bhakti

13.13-19 - Understanding five koshas and achintyabhedabheda in the Gita

13.20-35 - A coherent understanding of the 6 items taught in Chp 13

14.1-10 - Characteristics of the three modes

14.11-16 - How knowledge became redefined as the quest for power not truth

14.17-21 - Knowledge arises from sattva not abhyasa

14.22-27 - Become an observer of the consciousness

15.1-8 - Analysis of the upside-down tree metaphor

15.9-14 - Krishna arranges for even our material enjoyment

15.15-20 - Trishloki Gita refutes Mayavada unambiguously

16.1-7 - Understanding pravrtti and nivrtti

16.8-12 - Atheists abuse science for demoniac purposes

16.21-17.2 - Scripture takes us beyond nature nurture and culture

17.3-4 - Panchopasana and religions in various modes

17.5-10 - When austerities become demoniac

17.11-14 - Understanding svabhava svakarma and svadharma

17.23-28 - How om tat sat sanctifies and spiritualizes

18.1-9 - When renunciation does and doesn’t bear fruit

18.12-17 - Five factors of action

18.18-21 - The motivations and components of action

18.22-28 - How the modes shape the doer and the deed

18.36-39 - Choose happiness based on intelligence

18.40-53 - Rising to the brahman platform through devotionalized karma yoga within varnashrama

18.54-62 - Bhakti is the summit of spirituality but also reaches down to wherever we are

18.62-64 - Why bhakti is the conclusive message of the Gita

18.65-72 - Comprehending dharman parityajya and vraja in 18.66

18.73-78 - Concluding messages from the Gita