06.18 – Illusion means that the content of our experience blinds us to its context
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Sometimes we get so caught up in watching a movie that we forget where we are, even who we are. The content of our experience, the hopes and horrors of the movie characters, make us oblivious to the context of that experience: the reality that we are observers seated on a chair, distinct from the happenings in the movie.

When the content of an experience blinds us to its context, that blinding effect is the essence of illusion. Similar is the illusion that traps us souls in material existence. We get so caught up in the pleasures and pains of the body that we forget who we are – the experience makes us oblivious to the experiencer, the source of consciousness, the soul.

The difference between a movie and material existence is that in the latter we are not just spectators but also actors. Tragically however, as actors we are not victors but victims. The actions we do to gain pleasure and avoid pain bring karmic consequences that incriminate us further in material existence, thereby subjecting us to greater illusions.

To come out of this illusion, we need philosophical education and personal introspection. The Bhagavad-gita (06.18) indicates that those who bring their consciousness under control by rejecting sensual desires become situated on the spiritual platform, free from illusion.

Intriguingly, not all illusion is bad. In the highest level of existence in the spiritual world, Goloka Vrindavana, devotees relish such exciting and fulfilling experiences in loving Krishna that the content makes them forget the context; they become oblivious to the supreme position of Krishna and their subordinate position. They delight simply in the reciprocation of love. That divine illusion is existence’s supreme achievement – the perfection of pure and perennial love.

**

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

Gopinath’s Kids Camp – August 24, 2013
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!

Imagine a day full of games, laughter, delicious prasadam, chance to make new friends and especially, NO PARENTS! ISKCON Toronto is providing just that and more for the younger members of our community with the 7th Annual Gopinath's Kids Camp!

This year, the 7th Annual Gopinath's Kids Camp will be held on Saturday, August 24th from 8:30am-6:00pm, strictly for kids aged 4-12 years. The purpose of this one-day camp is to provide an opportunity to ignite the spiritual spark in our children while doing fun and interactive activities that they enjoy. In addition to outdoor games, some of the primary activities being planned for the day are a Mega Scavenger Hunt, fun cooking classes, learning how to play different musical instruments, sumptuous prasadam and many fond memories.

 All this and much more for registration fees of only $25! You can register at the temple or use our online form by clicking here (last day to register is August 23rd). For further information, please don't hesitate to email us at info@torontokrishna.com.

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

Re-Start

Carievale, Saskatchewan

I landed in Regina. My marathon support man, Daruka, and the lovely, vivacious Billie, the blue front amazon parrot were there to see me in anticipation to re-start the prairie portion of a 4th walk across Canada.

It took a three hour drive to reach the Manitoba/ Saskatchewan border and the extension to Manitoba's Hwy 3, now turned to Hwy 18.

It didn't take long for the thrill of walking and recieving greetings to begin. Firstly, a fellow, a chef actually, and looking like one of those jolly types, pulled over. Other motorists followed thereafter.

When I reached Gainesborough, Daruka had already "worked the town" so to speak. He went around asking for information from locals. He even ventured up one of those old abandoned grain elevators.

Outside the Riverside Hotel several employees who Daruka had met, came out to meet a monk, their first perhaps. Employees from the grocery store also came to "check it out."

"What's the walk about?"

"To promote walking culture and all that goes along with it- therapy, inner peace, health both physical and mental," I responded.

Darren was amongst the group. He didn't ask questions. He loves to talk and not to stop. . He was gracious enough to trek my last kilometer with me and even to help Daruka set up the tent at the Carievale Campground, and all the while his conversation went one way. Daruka and I didn't mind. somehow or other you end up loving the guy as he inserts humour into the picture.

Yes, Humour, it's one of the greatest gifts ever that comes to us and makes a world that would otherwise be bland and stale.

22 KM

Monday, August 19th, 2013
→ The Walking Monk

His Work

Vancouver, British Columbia

Before a flight, I love to walk. I took to some of the streets in San Jose alongside the commuter train. It was early- too early for any pedestrians. Only a cat was a stir. And then another one. Hunting could be good. Cats don’t herd but these two seemed to be on the prowl together.

Then a flight to Denver before Vancouver, would be my wing travel for today. A young seminarian boarded. Here he was all in black except for the exposed white collar. He sat right behind me. I was curious.

“Where are you stationed?”

“Minnesota. I’m a seminary there but on my way to Virginia.”

“I’m rather surprised. You don’t see many young men joining the mission these days. Am I right about that?”

“Where I’m learning, the seminary is growing.”

I felt compelled to congratulate him. “Well it’s great to see young guys like yourself doing God’s work. God bless!”

“God bless!”

We had parted ways.

In Vancouver I was picked up by Hadai Pandit, a Swiss-born devotee, excited about his Brahminical initiation. A fire ceremony for the occasion was set up outdoors off of Marine Drive at the ISKCON Center. This is the second initiation one formally takes. The first one ushers a candidate into the order of Krishna Consciousness. The second one welcomes one to the privilege of the more intense work for God.

For the ritual I decided to balance the modest event, held on the grass, by speaking from 4.35 of the Gita. At initiation #1 you capture the essence of 4.34 wherein you take lessons and guidance from the guru and render personal service to the guru. The following verse sends the message that you assimilate the philosophy. It’s a kind of maturation.

As the verse indicates, “Now that you’ve absorbed the message, understand that all things are in Him and that they are His.” This ends my detour from the southern Prairie Highway. I’m itchin’ to get my feet back on the road.- Highway 18.

6 KM

The right time to pray
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 30 June 2013, Vrindavan, India, Srimad Bhagavatam 6.16.34)
merciful MahaprabhuUltimately, the mercy of Mahaprabhu is what we are hoping for but only after we have given it our everything - not before and not while lying on our back saying, “Can someone bring the grapes? Oh gosh, I really hope for the mercy of Mahaprabhu.” 

Not exactly like that but instead, after we have given it our everything and we have reached our limits by trying hard. When we reached our limit that is when we start hoping, that is when our prayers begin.

If you pray before that then what is the meaning of your prayer? If you have not reached your limits (of endeavour) and you pray already, then how would you feel when someone is says, “Aaahh, please help me to get up from bed!” 

“Oh, do it yourself,” we may say. How do you think Krsna feels if we do not make any endeavour ourselves. When we have tried everything to conquer the unconquerable Krsna then yes, miracles can happen by mercy.

 

 

How we lose our natural spiritual bliss
→ The Spiritual Scientist

The Supreme Personality of Godhead expanded Himself into many for His ever-increasing spiritual bliss, and the living entities are parts and parcels of this spiritual bliss. They also have partial independence, but by misuse of their independence, when the service attitude is transformed into the propensity for sense enjoyment, they come under the sway of lust. This material creation is created by the Lord to give facility to the conditioned souls to fulfill these lustful propensities, and when completely baffled by prolonged lustful activities, the living entities begin to inquire about their real position.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 3.37 purport

new Amsterdham
→ simple thoughts

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Dear Maharajs/Prabhus,
please accept my humble obeisances,
all glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Amsterdam Rathayatra took place last Sunday.
There must be a few movies about this Rathayatra, this movie is put together from a Prasad distribution angle, sorry about the funky sound track in advance.

Movie put together by Achinta Rupa Prabhu,
your servant Parasuram Das

113 photos by Dvijapriya dasi: Amsterdam Harinama with Dhananjaya and Parividha prabhus
→ Dandavats.com

Dvijapriya dasi: Last Saturday evening we headed for Dam Square in central Amsterdam. Dhananjaya prabhu led us into the huge crowds and then Parividha prabhu in his inimitable way had many in the audience chanting and dancing ecstatically, I've never seen anyone who connects with the crowd so wonderfully. Many invitations were passed out for the Rathayatra on Sunday. Read more ›

I will only acknowledge a Master’s Degree from my favorite college
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas


“It doesn't matter, either Hindu religion or Christian religion or Mohammedan religion, anything you like. But we have to test. Just like a student who has passed M.A. examination. Nobody inquires, "From which college you have passed your examination? You have passed M.A. examination? That's all right." And we are concerned, whether you are graduate, postgraduate. That's all. Nobody inquires, "From which college, from which country, from which religion, you have passed your M.A. examination?" No. Similarly, nobody should inquire, "To which religion you belong?" One must see whether he has learned this art, how to love God. That's all. That is religion”

Excerpt From: His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
"Satisfying The Senses"
73/08/15 London, Bhagavad-gita 2.9

Prabhupada, are you a servant of the gopis? How do I serve the servants of the gopis?
→ Nityananda Chandra Das' Blog, ISKCON Dallas

Devotee: I read somewhere in your writings that in order to understand the confidential affairs of Radha and Krsna one must serve the gopis who are servants of the gopis, and I assumed that you were a servant of the gopis. Is that correct? Or... How do I serve the servants of the gopis?

Prabhupada: Gopis, they are not conditioned souls. They are liberated spirits. So first of all you have to come out from this conditioned life. Then the question of serving gopi will come. Don't be at the present moment, very eager to serve gopi. Just try to get out of your conditional life. Then time will come when you'll be able to serve gopi. In this conditional stage we cannot serve anything. Krsna is performing it (everything?). But Krsna gives us opportunities to accept service in this arca-marga. Just like we keep the Deity of Krsna, offer prasada under regulation, under principle. So we have to make advance in this way, this chanting, hearing, and worshiping in the temple, arati, offering prasada. In this way, as we make advance, then automatically Krsna will reveal to you and you'll understand your position, how you have to... Gopis means who are always, constantly engaged in the service of the Lord. So that eternal relationship will be revealed. So we have to wait for that. Immediately we cannot imitate serving gopis. That's a good idea that you shall serve gopi, but it will take time. Not immediately. Immediately we have to follow the rules and regulations and routine work. Yes.

"Revive Our Relationship with Krishna"

68/11/27 Los Angeles, Bhagavad-gita 2.8-12

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