Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.
Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.
Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.
I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.
In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.
Our cook Apurva just loves moving his feet after the morning arati. He’ll do it alone as he often times has to, but when I’m around it will be a routine question from him, “Are we going?” I don’t decline very often unless I’ve already tackled the sidewalk and put in some kilometres before the arati. So this morning we left for a jaunt in the Annex area.
Apurva came to me with a different question now, “Can you cook?” Meaning the noon cooking, a rather substantial amount which includes doing some preps for Govinda’s, our vegetarian dining facility open to the public. He knows I have a passion for culinary activities, and with all the aftermath of a 2 day intensive festival just behind us, he had become a bit short staffed.
Cruel as I was, I actually passed on this one, even though he came to me as a desperado. I committed the sin and felt the weight of guilt with initial apprehension. I should have sprung up in enthusiastic anticipation. It was short notice, I was caught off guard, and it met with a stunning mode. I really don’t like to let someone down, especially him, but I had to be honest about my availability. Fortunately we both got off the hook so to speak, when in the moment of ‘what to do’ a person volunteered. Apurva had a sigh of relief.
I like cooking almost as much as I like eating, in fact, I was flattered when at my last kitchen endeavour I put together a veg and spice concoction and Apurva began tailgating me for the recipe. I say that with affection. The prep was tasty by the way, a squash and cauliflower combination.
In conclusion to this simple narrative I simply want to say that I really appreciate all that my god brother Apurva does, everything from his walking to cooking to being a stalwart at morning arati, meditation, studying , to orchestrating kitchen work and finally to being a good friend and always wanting to keep in the company of those who reflect an inkling of what is spiritual.
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.
And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.
What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.
Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas
In the past, duty was of importance. Duty means acting in such a way that is helpful to everyone. By the influence of time, people have become more and more selfish and therefore concepts such as duty cannot even be conceived of by the common man. Selfish life has now become the norm.
The ancient Mahābhārata describes that in the days of yore, political leaders would gladly give up their life rather than go against their vows. For this reason and others the citizens experienced a parental relationship between the leaders and themselves. A genuine feeling of care.
The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.
A leader with selfless standards inspires their citizens with the greatness of selfless love.
Each week we will post a question to a panel of about two dozen clergy, laity and theologians, all of whom are based in Texas or are from Texas. They will chime in with their responses to the question of the week. And you, readers, will be able to respond to their answers through the comment box.
Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.
And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.
What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.
Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent
NITYANANDA CHANDRA DAS, minister of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Dallas
In the past, duty was of importance. Duty means acting in such a way that is helpful to everyone. By the influence of time, people have become more and more selfish and therefore concepts such as duty cannot even be conceived of by the common man. Selfish life has now become the norm.
The ancient Mahābhārata describes that in the days of yore, political leaders would gladly give up their life rather than go against their vows. For this reason and others the citizens experienced a parental relationship between the leaders and themselves. A genuine feeling of care.
The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.
A leader with selfless standards inspires their citizens with the greatness of selfless love.
People are being educated and trained to work very hard for sense gratification. and there is no sublime aim in life. A man travels to earn his livelihood. leaving home early in the morning, catching a local train and being packed in a compartment. He has to stand for an hour or two in order to reach his place of business. Then again he takes a bus to get to the office. At the office he works hard from nine to five; then he takes two or three hours to return home. After eating, he has sex and goes to sleep. For all this hardship, his only happiness is a little sex. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham. Rsabhadeva clearly states that human life is not meant for this kind of existence, which is enjoyed even by dogs and hogs. Indeed, dogs and hogs do not have to work so hard for sex. A human being should try to live in a different way and should not try to imitate dogs and hogs. The alternative is mentioned. Human life is meant for tapasya, austerity and penance. By tapasya, one can get out of the material clutches. When one is situated in Krsna consciousness, devotional service, his happiness is guaranteed eternally.
Our harinama party has taken on new dimensions as people on the streets cannot resist the opportunity to chant and dance along with us. Such is the power of the holy names to melt the hearts of all those of come in touch in with them. We feel so blessed to be part of these [...]
Towards the final few days of this years Scandinavian Ratha Yatra tour, the team went to Almviks Gard, a farm community in the serene hills of Sweden. Shortly after we arrived the whole party, as well as the local congregation got together for a fired ... Continue reading →
1966 July 16: "I have further risked in the matter of rent of house. I am completely independent and I have taken a telephonic connection. My lecture hall is on the ground floor and my apartment is on the first. This Second Avenue is one of the ten longest roads in New York City." Prabhupada Letters :: 1966
1966 July 16: "The controversy is now closed and there is no need of help from any one else. We are not always successful in our attempts in preaching work but such failures are not certainly ludicrous. In the Absolute field both success and failures are glorious." Prabhupada Letters :: 1966
1968 July 16: "Your appreciation of Rathayatra and the beauty of Kirtana and Jagannatha are some of the wonderful things I mark in your progressive advancement. Please continue and you will be more and more happy and at the end, gain entrance into the association of Krishna." Prabhupada Letters :: 1968
1969 July 16: "If you can increase the number of BTG's to 25,000 monthly, that is the nicest idea. We want to distribute as many issues as possible, so the more you can print and distribute, the more my Guru Maharaja will be pleased to see His Great Dream being fulfilled." Prabhupada Letters :: 1969
1970 July 16: "I met my Guru Maharaja in 1922. I was born in a Vaisnava family - Kasinatha Mullick Thakuravati - so by the grace of Krsna from the very beginning of my life I was Krsna conscious by family tradition and by my father's caretaking." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1970 July 16: "I think very confidently that this Krsna Consciousness Movement will solve all the problems of the world - political, social, economic, etc. I am writing books and articles on this subject strictly in the line of Acarya Parampara. So there is great potency of spreading this movement all over the world." Prabhupada Letters :: 1970
1975 July 16: "If the farm cannot be utilized, then it may be sold. What is the use of keeping a bad cow? Somehow or other you have to keep the men who are there engaged. If they are allowed to become idle gradually they will again become hippies." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
1975 July 16: "Why they should get salary? There should be no salary. You are working without salary, so why they should take. So after this month arrange for no one to get any salary there. That will be nice." Prabhupada Letters :: 1975
Mahavishnu Swami spent the last two weeks on the Scandinavian Tour. He was supposed to only attend the tour for the first two days before flying out to travel in India and Nepal but unfortunately on the tour he lost his passport and was unable to fly t... Continue reading →
Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balarama and Lady Subhadra are recovering from their Snana Yatra (bathing ceremony) and will make a big comeback this coming Sat. July 20, 2013 at 11 AM at New Vrindaban’s RATHA YATRA.
Everyone is invited.
If you’d like, please bring an offering for the Lord.
Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I hope your weekend was full of blessings and you could be able to concentrate on your japa.
Everyone has a different relationship with chanting and when they connect with the process strongly, they usually feel protected or comfortable. I talked to someone today and she said she takes shelter of the Holy names when she has strong fear and feel all the protection coming from chanting. Another person chants because the names of the Lord reminds this person of the amazing pastimes of the Lord, maybe others chant to connect with the spiritual master and to be always reminded how amazing Harinama initiation is on the path of devotional service.
Whatever is our relationship with chanting, we will always be grateful to have got this chanting.
Hare Krsna my dear devotees, I hope your weekend was full of blessings and you could be able to concentrate on your japa.
Everyone has a different relationship with chanting and when they connect with the process strongly, they usually feel protected or comfortable. I talked to someone today and she said she takes shelter of the Holy names when she has strong fear and feel all the protection coming from chanting. Another person chants because the names of the Lord reminds this person of the amazing pastimes of the Lord, maybe others chant to connect with the spiritual master and to be always reminded how amazing Harinama initiation is on the path of devotional service.
Whatever is our relationship with chanting, we will always be grateful to have got this chanting.
Heart attacks are among the most feared things today. They may reduce a healthy, normal person to an unconscious heap on the ground in a matter of minutes.
There’s another kind of heart attack that’s just as dreadful, though it is not widely recognized as such. This heart attack afflicts not the physical heart, but the metaphorical heart – the seat of emotions. One major source of such heart attacks is lust.
The Srimad Bhagavatam (6.1) describes how the cultured Ajamila became a victim of such a heart attack. The attack began with his eyes when he saw a society woman in action. Lust soon took over his heart and made him into its slave. To satisfy lust, he abandoned his faithful wife, his dependent parents and his respectable vocation as a priest – all the while remaining deaf to the shocked remonstrations of his loved ones.
A physical heart attack makes us physically unconscious, whereas the lust-induced heart attack makes us spiritually and morally unconscious. A physical heart attack makes us physically inactive; whereas the lust-induced heart attack often makes us hyper-active. It impels us to seek frantically the object that will gratify the lust, in the process casting aside morality as if it were a useless rag.
Our culture with its blatant sexual imagery makes us especially vulnerable to such visually triggered heart attacks. That’s why the Bhagavad-gita’s (02.68) injunction to constantly guard our senses is not a puritanical prohibition; it is a practical and essential precaution.
Gita wisdom guides us to not just prevention but also immunization. We can satisfy our eyes’ thirst for beauty and our heart’s thirst for love with all-beautiful, all-loving Krishna. When we enthrone him as the Lord of our heart, the attacks of lust can no longer penetrate there.
***
Therefore, O mighty-armed, one whose senses are restrained from their objects is certainly of steady intelligence.
Next Monday evening Keshava Prabhu will facilitate the sixth in a series of devotional seminars. We will examine the Vaishnava Etiquette.
Srila
Prabhupada writes: It is the characteristic of a devotee to observe and protect Vaishnava etiquette...this is the ornament of a devotee." (ISKCON Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Cc. Antya 4.130).
Bhakti Charu Maharaja cites Srila Sanatana Goswamis Hari-bhakti-vilasa: Since nothing can be successful without sadachara or etiquette, every action should be performed with proper etiquette. We must act according to proper etiquette. The heart of a saintly person is free from contamination. The way a saintly person acts is known as proper etiquette. A way a saintly person acts is know as sadachara..."If a person reads the six branches of the Vedas without practicing proper etiquette, he does not get purified, just as a bird flies away from the nest as soon as it grows wings, the Vedas leave him at the time of his death...Thus one can understand that Vaishnava etiquette purifies the heart and the consciousness.
The time and venue for this seminar are: June the 22nd, 7:30pm in the
Temple Theatre. Everyone is welcome, so please join us.
Draupadi is calling the Lord for protection and Prahlada Maharaj was not calling but completely depending on the Lord whether He protects or kills (maro bi rakho bi jo iccha tohar).
Which is the higher standard:
1) calling the Lord for protection or
2) having complete faith that He will protect us always?
From: Manikandan
According to Satya yuga the meditation process is recomended to go back to god head, Treta yuga - Sacrifices, in Dwarpa yuga- worshiping deity in temple and in Kali yuga - sankirtana and Chanting the name of hari but still we have temple and we are worshiping deity. Building temple and Worshiping deity is recommended in Dwarpa yuga but why still we are worshipping deity? Please clarify me this doubt pr.
Dallas Morning News,The more we connect with Krishna, God (God has many names), the more we feel satisfied. Thus the propensity of selfishness gradually recedes. This connection can easily by established by calling on God’s holy names such as Hare Krishna.
