How can we better recollect what we hear in classes?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From: Trivikrama Das

When  I do so much hearing of lectures from teachers, I often find that I cannot recollect all that has been heard by me. (infact many things). How to best engage in the hearing process so that it can be recollected and reproduced at all times. Does it mean that so  much hearing is of no use? Can you recommend a hearing process that can best benefit the student?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

323. Sketching : starting the day
→ 9 Days, 8 Nights

20130719-092455.jpg

I spotted this coffee cup at the edge of a table and decided to draw it out.

I see all around me in the working world people say that the best way to start a day is to have a good coffee. Actually, the best way to start a day is by chanting and meditating early in the morning before sunrise. The kick is rich, strong and tastes better!


Prayer For Chanting Better Japa
→ Japa Group

So everyday I make a prayer for chanting better japa. I make this as my daily practice. Thus I have incorporated into my day the simple prayer, here is the prayer.

“Oh my dear Lord Krsna, I will always chant my rounds in a mood of surrender. Krsna please help me to chant this way in a mood of complete dependence and surrender to the holy name.”

From The Process of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

Go beyond piety to spirituality to gain liberation
→ The Spiritual Scientist

Generally people think that one should act very piously in order to be relieved from misery, but this is not a fact. Even though one engages in pious activity and speculation. he is nonetheless defeated. His only aim should be emancipation from the clutches of maya and all material activities. Speculative knowledge and pious activity do not solve the problems of material life.

Srimad Bhagavatam 5.5.5 purport

care is the strongest link
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.2: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

When I was in University, I always felt slightly disconcerted. With the exception of a handful of professors, I really didn't feel like any of mine were interested in their students. Being in Science, most of my Professors were just itching to get back to the lab where they could devote their time to what they really loved - research.

Since I was for the most part deprived of teachers who genuinely cared about their students' learning, I had to "teach myself" how to learn. It was at this time that I realized that modern education, and specifically Science, is rooted in the descending system of knowledge.

In other words, one learns from teachers (or in my case, textbooks) who gained knowledge from teachers before them etc etc... The key area where modern education and the science of bhakti differs is the one I pointed out initially - the aspect of care.

This is not to say that there aren't teachers out there who genuinely care for their students. There are! However, with schools overflowing and teachers being overworked and under-paid, it seems like these incredible personalities are dwindling in number.

In contrast, the very foundation of bhakti yoga is based on a a culture of care, not knowledge. Knowledge is definitely there, but it comes second - behind care.

If you think about it, care and love are the greatest things we can be taught since that is what links us to each other.

The understanding of a particular topic or subject, whether material or spiritual, is not based on its complexity, but the care and attention that a teacher gives to their students.

Today, we hear Krsna express how much He cares that the knowledge of bhakti is understood properly. He states that it was handed down through the line of saintly kings and that through time this succession of teachers was broken and therefore He is re-establishing it by speaking this knowledge to Arjuna.

That is a true teacher. One who not only cares for the subject matter, but one who cares for the student and their understanding of that knowledge.

If we can appreciate anything from the Gita - this is it. At the most basic level, it is a conversation between a teacher who genuinely cares and loves his student. The extent of that love is demonstrated when, at the end of the Gita, Krsna tells Arjuna to choose what he thinks will be best and offers to repeat the whole thing again if Arjuna hasn't understood it.

care is the strongest link
→ everyday gita

Verse 4.2: This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.

When I was in University, I always felt slightly disconcerted. With the exception of a handful of professors, I really didn't feel like any of mine were interested in their students. Being in Science, most of my Professors were just itching to get back to the lab where they could devote their time to what they really loved - research.

Since I was for the most part deprived of teachers who genuinely cared about their students' learning, I had to "teach myself" how to learn. It was at this time that I realized that modern education, and specifically Science, is rooted in the descending system of knowledge.

In other words, one learns from teachers (or in my case, textbooks) who gained knowledge from teachers before them etc etc... The key area where modern education and the science of bhakti differs is the one I pointed out initially - the aspect of care.

This is not to say that there aren't teachers out there who genuinely care for their students. There are! However, with schools overflowing and teachers being overworked and under-paid, it seems like these incredible personalities are dwindling in number.

In contrast, the very foundation of bhakti yoga is based on a a culture of care, not knowledge. Knowledge is definitely there, but it comes second - behind care.

If you think about it, care and love are the greatest things we can be taught since that is what links us to each other.

The understanding of a particular topic or subject, whether material or spiritual, is not based on its complexity, but the care and attention that a teacher gives to their students.

Today, we hear Krsna express how much He cares that the knowledge of bhakti is understood properly. He states that it was handed down through the line of saintly kings and that through time this succession of teachers was broken and therefore He is re-establishing it by speaking this knowledge to Arjuna.

That is a true teacher. One who not only cares for the subject matter, but one who cares for the student and their understanding of that knowledge.

If we can appreciate anything from the Gita - this is it. At the most basic level, it is a conversation between a teacher who genuinely cares and loves his student. The extent of that love is demonstrated when, at the end of the Gita, Krsna tells Arjuna to choose what he thinks will be best and offers to repeat the whole thing again if Arjuna hasn't understood it.

Making Peace with our Body and Mind, Finding Joy in the Self
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer)
photo imagesqtbnANd9GcSiO0Ai6xAz4VBzEDUUn_zps3bcd2f69.jpg
Reflecting on my life and the lives of those I know and read about, I see how much we all struggle with our material natures and tendencies, and how these can negatively impact our relationships with others. Even though we suffer on account of identifying with our bodies and minds, we remain attached to our limited perspectives or biased lenses, finding it difficult to accept that our entire problem of life is physicality. Ignorance is bliss runs the material world, and since we have invested so much time and energy in trying to enjoy worldly happiness, we don’t want to admit our folly in its pursuit. This is why spiritual knowledge is so essential, and even more so, realization of these truths.

Stated another way, many people may casually understand that they “have” a soul, but few try to act as one, or make realizing their soul and its relationship with God their life’s true quest. Genuine spiritual paths are meant to give us tools to realize our spiritual nature. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, chanting the holy name and engaging in pure devotion (shuddha bhakti) are the means to uncover our soul and let it shine in love of Krishna. Material consciousness is muddy consciousness, while soul consciousness is like pure mountain water. This is why we speak often of “purification” when speaking about the effect of spiritual practices. Purification means taking away the mud of matter from our consciousness, so our real nature as willing instruments for divine purpose will gradually manifest.

The basics of bhakti are frequently repeated since the fundamentals need to be mastered before higher stages are obtained. While devotees of Krishna accept the fact that the ABC’s of spiritual life involve realizing that “we are not the body,” this isn’t so easy, even after many years of practice.

read more

Making Peace with our Body and Mind, Finding Joy in the Self
→ Karnamrita.das's blog

(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed; works best with Firefox or Explorer)
photo imagesqtbnANd9GcSiO0Ai6xAz4VBzEDUUn_zps3bcd2f69.jpg
Reflecting on my life and the lives of those I know and read about, I see how much we all struggle with our material natures and tendencies, and how these can negatively impact our relationships with others. Even though we suffer on account of identifying with our bodies and minds, we remain attached to our limited perspectives or biased lenses, finding it difficult to accept that our entire problem of life is physicality. Ignorance is bliss runs the material world, and since we have invested so much time and energy in trying to enjoy worldly happiness, we don’t want to admit our folly in its pursuit. This is why spiritual knowledge is so essential, and even more so, realization of these truths.

Stated another way, many people may casually understand that they “have” a soul, but few try to act as one, or make realizing their soul and its relationship with God their life’s true quest. Genuine spiritual paths are meant to give us tools to realize our spiritual nature. In Gaudiya Vaishnavism, chanting the holy name and engaging in pure devotion (shuddha bhakti) are the means to uncover our soul and let it shine in love of Krishna. Material consciousness is muddy consciousness, while soul consciousness is like pure mountain water. This is why we speak often of “purification” when speaking about the effect of spiritual practices. Purification means taking away the mud of matter from our consciousness, so our real nature as willing instruments for divine purpose will gradually manifest.

The basics of bhakti are frequently repeated since the fundamentals need to be mastered before higher stages are obtained. While devotees of Krishna accept the fact that the ABC’s of spiritual life involve realizing that “we are not the body,” this isn’t so easy, even after many years of practice.

read more

Photos – Goranga Serbian Camp at Fruška Gora
→ Prahladananda Swami


Goranga Serbian Camp at Fruška Gora

Fruška Gora is a mountain in north Syrmia. Most part of it is located within Vojvodina, Serbia, but a smaller part on its western side overlaps the territory of Croatia. Sometimes, it is also referred to as jewel of Serbia, due to its beautiful landscape protection area, nature and its picturesque countryside

more pictures here.

Prabhupada Letters :: Anthology 2013-07-18 12:21:00 →

1970 July 18: "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me you have lost your original set of beads and requesting me to chant upon the new set sent by you. Now you are in very responsible position as president of our branch, so you should be more careful. Anyway, I have chanted duly the beads and they are herewith returned to you."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970

New Vrindaban’s Bahulaban Barn Closure Ceremony
→ New Vrindaban Brijabasi Spirit

Please put this date on your calendar!

There will be a Barn Closure Ceremony at Bahulaban on Sat. Oct. 5, 2013.
Especially if you were born in the barn (pun intended) or lived there for any time, you will want to attend the ceremony.
In June of this year, the ECOV Board resolved to help improve the over-all appearance of New Vrindaban and, whenever possible,  recycle/reuse the materials in various projects around the Community.  So it was resolved that the Board approved up to $10K for clearing the Bahulaban barn site, to include dismantling of the barn, re-use of the timber, disposal of the remainder, and removal of the adjacent dung pit.
You can read more about the barn in the New Vrindaban Bloggers article below.
http://walkingthefenceline.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/deconstructing-the-bahulaban-barn/

No other details about the ceremony are available at the present time.
We will keep you posted.
Hare Krsna.

Barn at Bahulabana

Barn at Bahulaban

 

A Prayer For Chanting
→ Japa Group

So everyday I make a prayer for chanting better japa. I make this as my daily practice. Thus I have incorporated into my day the simple prayer, here is the prayer.

“Oh my dear Lord Krsna, I will always chant my rounds in a mood of surrender. Krsna please help me to chant this way in a mood of complete dependence and surrender to the holy name.”

From The Process of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

A Prayer For Chanting
→ Japa Group

So everyday I make a prayer for chanting better japa. I make this as my daily practice. Thus I have incorporated into my day the simple prayer, here is the prayer.

“Oh my dear Lord Krsna, I will always chant my rounds in a mood of surrender. Krsna please help me to chant this way in a mood of complete dependence and surrender to the holy name.”

From The Process of Improving Habits
by Mahanidhi Swami

09.13 – Krishna is not only the anchor to which we connect, but also the anchor by which we connect
→ The Spiritual Scientist

A boat in an ocean keeps bobbing due to the unending waves. To stay steady, it needs an anchor.

Similarly, the waves of unending dualities – heat and cold; pleasure and pain; honor and dishonor – keep our mind perpetually restless. To steady it, we need an anchor.

The best anchor is Krishna. To understand why, let’s consider two related meanings of the word “anchor.” As a noun, it refers to the heavy object to which the boat is fixed. As a verb, it refers to the act of fixing a boat to a heavy object.

Krishna is the ultimate anchor in both senses of the word, as can be inferred from the Bhagavad-gita (09.13). Here’s how.

Krishna being the supreme unchanging reality is never affected by any material change, as indicated in the verse by the describers bhutadim (the source of everything) and avyayam (imperishable, unaffected by time). Thus, he is the best anchor to stabilize our mind.

Moreover, Krishna is not an insentient object or an indifferent principle; he is a living, caring person. When we try to fix the mind on him, he doesn’t passively watch us struggling to reach him. He extends himself towards us – and extends himself far more than we extend ourselves towards him. This he does through his internal potency which this verse refers to as daivim prakrtim (divine energy). Krishna is nondifferent from his energies – especially his internal energy which manifests the love and grace of his heart. Through this energy, he infuses us with devotion, thereby enabling our mind to naturally gravitate towards him (bhajanty ananya manaso).

Thus is Krishna the best anchor for the mind – as the best destination for thought and the best expressway to that destination.

***

O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible.

You Must Reform
→ Japa Group


"Japa is an important part of devotional life. If your japa is not up to standard, this is serious. You must reform. That is, out of your regret may come success. Prabhupada used to say, ‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ Assess yourself, and try to improve your chanting of Hare Krishna."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

You Must Reform
→ Japa Group


"Japa is an important part of devotional life. If your japa is not up to standard, this is serious. You must reform. That is, out of your regret may come success. Prabhupada used to say, ‘Failure is the pillar of success.’ Assess yourself, and try to improve your chanting of Hare Krishna."

From Japa Reform Notebook
by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami

Why do we as eternal souls get entangled in the cycle of birth and death?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From: vivektiwari

According to vedic culture we are not just body and mind but we are soul and we as a soul already a part of supreme soul(Krishna) and our main aim of life is to go back to the supreme soul. then why do take birth on the earth  means why do we get indulge in birth and rebirth cycle?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

Do we have to first purify our mind and then our intelligence and then our existence?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

From: Mounika

wherever our intention is there then our attention goes there right? That means
senses goes to sense objects then we get
Desires ( here mind comes into picture? or Intelligence comes into picture?)
Thoughts( Thinking feeling Willing)?
words & actions?
Prabhuji , could you please explain above terminology ?? How do they come into action and in what sequence?I am very confused about it..

Prabhuji actually what is the role of mind and what is the role of Intelligence?
Can you clear my doubts with example?

Do we have to first purify  our mind? and then Intelligence and finally our existence??? what is the sequence?

To hear the answer podcast, please click here

Simple for the simple
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 December 2012, Cape Town, South Africa, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.6.31) 

dietiesSometimes we have people who are so much into the rules and regulations but with that, they are not helping us because they make the process inaccessible to the general public. We see that Prabhupada didn’t do that. Therefore Prabhupada told us that in deity worship there are three principles which are important: cleanliness, punctuality and simplicity.

Simplicity is nice because it makes it accessible. It means that even if you are not a specialist, you can still do it – which is important. If we become so much wrapped up in so much rituals, so much rules… then only professional pujaris can manage it. So Krsna consciousness is simple for the simple.

I will end with a statement from Tribhuvanatha. It is not recorded anywhere in the vedabase but not everything Prabhupada said or did was recorded, believe it or not! There are some things that devotees just remember.

Satsvarupa Maharaja, when he was interviewing people for the Lilamrta, had a strict standard that he would not include stories that came from one person only. He would take only stories that were confirmed by a second person. I think that in general, it is a good policy but if the person is of a very high calibre, like Tribhuvanatha, then we will accept.

Tribhuvanatha said that Prabhupada made the statement once, in an arrival address, that Krsna consciousness is so simple, you might just miss it. I really find that a very profound statement.