Won’t adjusting according to time-place-circumstances lead to deviations?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

As regards the Gita daily article "Be flexible, but not fickle" I am not able to understand that how far we can stretch flexibility taking excuse of Time, Place and Circumstances say for example Women becoming Sanyasins, wearing saffron( As from Srila Prabhupada's purports in SB, Daksh-Shiva past times only a yogini when she is giving up her body can change to Saffron), homosexuals being initiated and staying in Bramcharis Ashrams. As far my understanding goes Srila Prabhupada categorically stated that whatever dilution had to be done in the practices has been done by him and there should not be any further dilution. If we just keep two practices of mantra meditation and scriptual study of Srila Praphupada intact and apply Time, Place Circumstance yardstick to others then tomorrow Onion garlic food would come to temples,gays would become gurus and the list may go on. Of course I am not an authority and have no right to comment on an institutions working, but whatever I feel from my heart, I have stated and am not even sure if this comes in the category of Vaishnav Apradha.
Could you please enlighten and reply to me?
BEST REGARDS ALWAYS,
Cdr. Sandeep Chadha(Retd.) [STOKA KRSNA DAS]

Sentence Building & Capitalization
→ TKG Academy

In 3rd Grade, we’ve begun a detailed study of English Grammar.  The focus this month has been Capitalization.  Do you know how many capitalization rules there are for the English language?  Proper nouns, uncles & aunts names, names of languages, streets, buildings, professions, parks, cities, states, and so much more!  Tons to remember!

To help student remember the long list of rules for Capitalization, we took the list from the Easy Grammar Workbook and built sentences using Grammar Cards.   Wacky and weird sentences.  With a whole variety of common and proper nouns, students had to decide which words would be capitalized and which lowercase.  They paired these nouns with exciting action verbs.  They partnered up, wrote the sentences and shared them with the class.

Some examples:
“The gorilla in the Empire State Building tumbled down the stairs.”  (I smile just thinking of their gleeful laughs as we all pictured a gorilla tumbling.)

“The owl and the polar bear got lost in Detroit.”

When their sentences were built, we shared them!  We made long imaginative stories with each one!  What fun it was!  Take a look above!

 

 

 

Janmastami Celebrations – We Need YOUR Help!
→ The Toronto Hare Krishna Blog!

The countdown begins for what is the BIGGEST festival we celebrate every year - Sri Krishna Janmastami! On Wednesday, August 28, 2013, the Hare Krishna Centre will be celebrating Janmastami in a grand fashion. There is so much activity packed in one night and it requires a lot of planning beforehand. It's not an easy task trying to pull off such a huge festival and that is why we need YOUR help!

Every year, we rely on the generous time many give up to be part of the celebrations. We need help in various areas like maintaining the crowds, organizing the shoe area and prasadam (vegetarian feast) distribution.

If you have some time to help, please fill out the form below.





We hope you can join us for this most auspicious occasion!

Does bhakti come from bhakti or from puny?
→ The Spiritual Scientist

n SB 10.12.11- ittham satam brahmasukhanubhutya.., there is the word krita punya punjah- which means those who have accumulated pious deeds- the verse is saying that such persons can play with the Supreme Lord. I have heard you explain that bhakti only comes from bhakti, not from punya? Does the word 'punya' here mean 'bhakti'?  BG 7.28 and its purport also seem to suggest that one's sins need to end first through pious activities before bhakti can begin.In general, there seems to be some confusion on this point. Some devotees talk about 'sukriti' in the context of bhakti, others say that sukriti is irrelevant, that it is the *causeless* mercy of the Vaisnavas and point to Srila Prabhupada's disciples who were hippies and led sinful lives before becoming Vaisnavas. It would really help to get a clear discussion of this point.

Answer Podcast

02.45 – Be flexible, but not fickle
→ The Spiritual Scientist

As students of the Gita, we may face this question. “How can we live according to the Gita’s ancient tradition in today’s world?”

By being flexible but not fickle.

Being fickle means changing our actions based on the moods of the mind, doing whatever recommendation of the Gita feels good and avoiding whatever doesn’t feel good. By being fickle, we stay stuck on the mental level without rising to the spiritual level.

Being flexible, on the other hand, means adjusting our behavior according to time-place-circumstance by clearly understanding what is essential and what is peripheral in the tradition.

The Bhagavad-gita points to such focusing on the essential when it urges Arjuna (02.45) to rise beyond the Vedic rituals that are material, being within the three modes. This verse concludes with a call to become atmavan – the possessor of the soul.

When we are ourselves the soul, what does being a possessor of the soul mean?

It means staying conscious of our spiritual identity and choosing our actions so that our spiritual consciousness becomes strengthened, not weakened. We don’t change the essential spiritual practices such as mantra meditation and scriptural study, because such monkeying with the tradition will injure our spiritual health. But that which is peripheral – certain cultural specifics, for example – can be adjusted so that we don’t exhaust our limited energy in fighting over externals, and so are left with no energy for the internals.

Being a possessor of the soul doesn’t imply mere abstract theoretical mentation about the soul. It implies concrete practical action in devotional service to Krishna, for such service is the real life of the soul. The more we internalize this attitude of service, praying, “Krishna, how can I serve you best?” the more we will gradually gain, by Krishna’s grace, the insight to focus on the essential.

**

The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.

No reason to be depressed
→ KKS Blog

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 20 May 2012, Melbourne, Australia, Bhakti Bhavan Program)

Question: I feel that I suffer from depression. Can we please talk about it and do you have some solution?

15aug2013_3Well, it is good to be depressed about material life but one should be very optimistic about spiritual life. So, if we are depressed then we are one sided because in spiritual life, one is always optimistic as no one loses. In spiritual life, there are no losers! No one. Anyone who comes to the temple is getting benefit. It is not that some are always the lucky ones and I am always missing out. No, in spiritual life, no one misses out as everyone makes advancement, everyone gets blessings and for everyone there is improvement.

When we are depressed, it means that we are thinking about material life. I agree with you that there many reasons to get depressed about material life. I would be depressed also about material life, “Is this all there is, is this all there is, is this all there is? What the point of this?” That is material life – all reasons to be depressed. So, don’t worry about it. It is totally normal. You are healthy and all you have to do is take up some spiritual activity and the positive element will come into your life.

 

 

Please Chant Hare Krsna
→ travelingmonk.com

“We are going door to door: ‘Please chant Hare Krsna.” This is our only propaganda. But it is very difficult. Yet innocent children, they take part. Just now we went to some gentleman’s house. We began kirtan and small children immediately began responding. Children are not yet polluted. Krsna consciousness doesn’t require much education, intelligence [...]

Second Diwali Invite attempt
→ simple thoughts

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Hare Krishna

As mentioned in a previous blog I’m putting together the second Diwali festival for the local community were I live; this year we will also advertise so this is my second attempt:

Thank you to the very eagle eyed devotee who spotted my mistake on the first flier, Yes the year does make a big difference it’s not quiet 2014 yet.

I will be at Bhaktivadanta Manor on the day of Diwali and so it is planned during the month of Kartika but when the community hall and groups I’ve been working with are available just incase anyone’s wondering about the dates on it

As always any humble corrections thought’s suggestions on how I can make it attractive to as many people as possible would be fabulous

A New Video For You From Villa Vrindavana
→ simple thoughts

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This arrived in my inbox today, I’m always pleased when receiving such wonderful devotee links; it also demonstrates why I feel more mataji’s should lead kirtan:

Hare Krishna Dear Devotees,

Please accept my humble obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Below is a link of the kirtan I recorded on the last day of our trip together at Villa Vrindavana.

I pray I see you all at Janmashtami.

your servant,
dipak

Gopinath Kids Camp
→ ISKCON BRAMPTON'S 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. 

They can always go on the Toronto blog to sign up as well.


Thank you!

7th Annual Gopinath Kids camp at ISKCON Toronto on Saturday- August 24th 2013
→ ISKCON Scarborough



Hare Krsna!

Please accept our humble obeisances

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

The Gopinath Kid's camp will he held on Saturday August 24th for kids aged 4-12.

Please read the information below from ISKCON Toronto and register on-line through the hyper link below
Last day for registration is tomorrow- Aug 23rd 2013

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.

Wonderful festivities this weekend at ISKCON Scarborough!
→ ISKCON Scarborough



Hare Krishna!

Please accept our humble obeisances!

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

All glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga!

Appearance day of Lord Balaram:

Lord Balaram's appearance day anniversary was on Tuesday 20th Aug 2013.

We at ISKCON Scarborough will be celebrating the Appearance day of Lord Balaram on Friday 23rd Aug 2013.

We are extremely honoured to announce that a special class on Lord Balaram will be given by HG Rupanuga das prabhu.

Program starts at 6.45 pm with Tulasi Arti on Friday 23rd Aug 2013


Who is Lord Balarama?

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is the fountainhead of all incarnations. Lord Balarama is His second body. They are both one and the same identity. They differ only in form. Balarama is the first bodily expansion of Krishna, and He assists in Lord Krishna's transcendental pastimes. He is the source of the entire spiritual world and is the adi-guru, the original spiritual master.


Descent of Lord Balarama

Whenever Krishna appears in the material world, He is accompanied by His associates and paraphernalia. Five thousand years ago when Krishna descended into the material world, He was first preceded by Baladeva.

When Baladeva appeared as the seventh child in the womb of Devaki, she could understand that this was a divine child and this made her all the more concerned about His safety. Even Kamsa could sense His potency and he became fearful, thinking he may have been tricked by the prophecy that he will be slain only by the eight child of Devaki. At this time Krishna instructed Yogamaya, His internal potency, to transfer the unborn child from the womb of Devaki to that of Rohini, one of the other wives of Vasudeva, who was hiding from Kamsa in the house of Nanda Maharaja in Gokul.

In this way Balarama was born in Gokul under the protection of Nanda Maharaja.

Garga Muni the venerable kulaguru (family priest) of the Yadu dynasty revealed “ This child, the son of Rohiṇī, will give all happiness to His relatives and friends by His transcendental qualities. Therefore He will be known as Rāma. And because He will manifest extraordinary bodily strength, He will also be known as Bala. Moreover, because He unites two families — Vasudeva's family and the family of Nanda Mahārāja — He will be known as Saṅkarṣaṇa”.

Snan Yatra:

ISKCON Scarborough's 1st Snan Yatra will take place on Sunday 25th Aug 2013.

This grand Snan yatra is a precursor to ISKCON Scarborough's 1st Annual Jagannath Cultural program that will take place on Saturday- September 7th 2013 at Milliken Park.

Program for Sunday - 25th Aug 2013

10.30 am to 11am - Tulasi Puja/Guru Puja

11 am to 12 noon - Grand Abhishek on Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladev and Subhadra Devi

12 noon to 12.30 pm- Arti

12.30 pm to 1 pm - class on Lord Jagannath's Snan Yatra by HG Bhakti Yoga das prabhu

1 pm to 1.15 pm- Group chanting

1.15 pm- Grand Vegetarian prasadam

The Snan yatra bathing ceremony has been going on since the time of the carving of the 'Dharu-brahman' Deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram, and Subhadra Devi in Sri Purushottam Kshetra (Jagannath Puri) thousands of years ago, commemorating Their sacred appearance for the devotees

We warmly welcome you, your family and friends to join us for the auspicious programs this Friday/Sunday

With best wishes from,

ISKCON Scarborough
3500 McNicoll Avenue, Unit #3,
Scarborough,Ontario,
Canada,M1V4C7

Email Address:
iskconscarborough@hotmail.com

website:
www.iskconscarborough.com